Agenda Item 2: How Can I Make Him Aware of Me Not as a Friend, but as a Girl?

The student council room, after school.

It was when the student council members were efficiently carrying out their work as usual.

「President, we received a consultation through the consultation form. The content... seems to be about a part-time job.」

As Nagisa, who was peering into her laptop, said that, the other members looked up.

「A part-time job? What are the specifics?」

「...The consultant seems to be wondering whether or not to do a part-time job.」

「Working instills a sense of responsibility and provides social experience, so I think it's a good idea. It's not like it's prohibited by school rules either.」

「Come to think of it, it might be kind of rare for a college prep school like ours to allow part-time jobs.」

「That too stems from our school's principle of respecting student autonomy. Well, it's on the premise that they can balance it with their studies, which is a student's main duty, though. So, for what reason is this consultant wondering about whether to get a part-time job?」

「Yes, the reason── ...is this...」

「Nanjou-san?」

「Ah, I'm sorry. It was written that the reason was, "I have someone I'm interested in, and I wanted to get the same part-time job as them", so I just...」

「The same part-time job as someone she is interested in?」

Perhaps it was an unexpected reason, as the President's eyes widened upon hearing it.

Meanwhile, Kana nods with a wry smile, saying, "I see".

「So that's what it was. Then there's no choice but to tell her she should go for it. Well, whether it'll work out or not is another matter though──」

「No, I'm sure it will go well.」

Just then, Anri, who had been silent until then, said so, cutting in.

When everyone turns towards Anri at her sudden remark, she looks somewhat startled and averts her gaze.

「Ah, no, um... I just thought that starting a part-time job because you want to spend time with someone you're interested in is quite a rational reason.」

「Indeed, as Maishima-san says, it will bring them closer. ...I see, a part-time job, huh.」

The President nods at Anri's opinion and seems to start pondering something.

「So then, should the student council's response be something like, "It would be good to start a part-time job after ensuring you can balance it with your studies"?」

「...A part-time job together. That's nice...! But, I wonder if he even has a part-time job...」

「President?」

「Eh? Ah, right. I think a response like that is fine. What do you say, Maishima-san and Hayase-san?」

「I am in full agreement.」

「I'm basically in favor too, I guess.」

「That's a suggestive way of putting it, is something on your mind, Hayase-san?」

「No, I think it's normal to want the same part-time job as someone you're interested in, but when I think about it, it might be a roundabout way. I bet she is the type who wants to confess but can't, so maybe she should be careful not to just get satisfied with working together and have the relationship drag on without progressing──」

「Uhh!」

「...What's wrong, Anri?」

Kana tilts her head at Anri, who suddenly lets out a groan and clutches her chest.

「N-No, it's nothing. T-There's no way something like that would...」

「Hayase-san, that point of concern you just raised, I can't just ignore it. What do you mean?」

「Well, rather than a concern, it's common in rom-coms, a development where she get satisfied with just being together and don't progress, and then one day his is suddenly snatched away by someone else──」

「Uhhh!」

Anri clutches her chest again with a pained expression.

「...I see, so that kind of thing is also possible.」

「But well, it's just needless worry. You don't have to include what I just said in the response.」

「Yes, understood.」

Ignoring Anri, the group diligently finalizes the response to the consultation.

And so, everyone returned to their respective tasks once more──or so it should have been...

「...?」

The President, suddenly feeling like someone is watching her, looks up from her documents and meets Anri's eyes for just a moment. But Anri quickly averts her gaze, so the President also returns to her work without thinking much of it.

However, when she felt the gaze again and looked up, Anri once again averted her eyes.

「.........」

Anri remains silent, saying nothing.

After this happened several times, the President became concerned as one might expect and spoke up.

「Maishima-san, is something the matter?」

「Eh? W-What do you mean?」

Anri panics. And Kana and Nagisa look up at their exchange.

「It seemed like you've been looking at me for a while now.」

「No, um, how should I put it...」

「Is there something on your mind? Or something you want to ask?」

Being told that by the President, Anri looked down a little shyly, but eventually she said this somewhat hesitantly.

「...Yes, actually, there's something I'd like to ask Yurina-san regarding the love consultation from the other day.」

「The love consultation from the other day?」

「Yes. In the previous consultation, the consultant's problem was resolved, wasn't it?」

「Yes, that's right.」

「Is it still going smoothly after that?」

「Well, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say so.」

「Has that person started going out with the boy she like yet?」

「Not yet, but she said she is still diligently taking action according to the advice from last time to get noticed. She say she feels a definite response each time.」

「My, that consultant is amazing.」

「The advice given by the student council was good, you know.」

While saying that, the President puffed out her chest a little proudly for some reason.

But she quickly turned to Anri with a curious expression.

「But, why do you ask such a thing?」

「A-Actually, I too... have been personally receiving a love consultation.」

「Eh, is that so? Maishima-san, you?」

「Yes, I've been wondering what to do about it. So I was hoping everyone in the student council could hear me out.」

「What, if that's the case, you should have just said so sooner without hesitating.」

「That's right. Don't be a stranger.」

「It's the student council's role to stand by students in their troubles, Maishima-senpai.」

Prompted by the President, Kana and Nagisa, who had been silent, nodded in agreement.

「No, it's just that the consultant isn't a student at this school... That is to say, it's about a relative of mine...」

「That's not a problem either. You're troubled by this consultation, Maishima-san, aren't you? If so, then it's definitely something we should discuss in the student council.」

「...Thank you very much, Yurina-san.」

「So, what kind of love consultation is it?」

「Well, um... it's about something at that girl's part-time job...」

Anri begins, faltering.

「At her part-time job? Come to think of it, the earlier consultation was also about that.」

「Heeh, such coincidences happen.」

「Y-Yes, a complete coincidence indeed.」

Anri averts her gaze again from the two who seem impressed.

「A love consultation at a part-time job, does that mean the consultant is working the same job as the person she likes? Or is it about a customer or something?」

「It's the former, Nanjou-san. The person in question is a colleague from her part-time job.」

「Working together with someone you like sounds like a pretty fortunate situation, but are there still problems? Is their relationship strained or something?」

「No, their relationship is good. They've been working together for over a year.」

「Then what's the problem? It seems like there's nothing wrong.」

「It's just... their being too close is the problem, so to speak...」

「...What do you mean?」

「In other words, um... they get along well, but it's strictly a friendly kind of closeness, and rather because of that, it doesn't develop into a romantic closeness... However, the current situation is also comfortable, so she can't quite muster the courage to change things...」

「Heeh, isn't that just like what I said earlier? What a coincidence.」

「Yes, a complete coincidence indeed!」

Anri sounds a bit desperate for some reason.

Setting that aside, the President nods as if somewhat impressed by the content of the consultation.

「I see, so they work the same part-time job and have a good relationship, but because of that, it's paradoxically becoming difficult for things to progress... Such problems exist too, huh.」

「Yes, that's right. Because she's reasonably satisfied with the current situation, she's troubled by being unable to take a step forward.」

「I see. It's natural to worry when you think that if you're not careful, the current relationship might break.」

「That just means the consultant really likes the other person, doesn't it?」

「Yes, she really loves him!」

At Nagisa's words, Anri's eyes suddenly sparkle and she leans forward.

「He's the only one who reached out a hand to the consultant when she had nowhere to belong! He's truly an irreplaceable existence, to the point where a life without him is simply unimaginable!」

Anri explained passionately clutching her chest, but everyone else was taken aback by her intensity.

「...That's amazing. It's almost as if it's about yourself...」

「Hah!? N-No, I've heard it from the consultant like that so many times it seems I just blurted it out as is.」

Anri, seeming to come to her senses, clears her throat with a small cough.

Empathizing too much with the consultant is also a problem, isn't it… she also reflects mysteriously.

「I understand the situation for now. So the consultation is, of course, about wanting to progress the relationship with that person in a romantic sense, right?」

「T-That's right. But as I said earlier, because they've always had a friend-like relationship, her problem is that she doesn't know what to do.」

Haa… Anri sighs, placing a hand on her cheek.

In response, the other student council members also began to think with serious expressions.

「This is quite difficult. For the relationship they've built up until now to become an obstacle...」

「From a friend relationship to a romantic relationship... huh.」

「Changing a relationship is difficult, not just limited to romantic ones...」

Mmm, the group hums, pondering.

「Maishima-san, there's one thing I want to confirm, I understand how the consultant feels about the other person, but how does the other person feel about the consultant?」

「Emm... I think he probably see her as a good colleague.」

「A colleague... so basically, just a friend.」

「Perhaps it won't work out unless something it's done about it.」

At Nagisa's remark, the President nodded slightly with a Fumu....

「Yes, I think Nanjou-san is right. Perhaps the important thing is to change the other person's perception.」

「What do you mean by that?」

「In other words, because the other person only sees the consultant as a good colleague, a friend, their relationship doesn't progress romantically.」

「That... is definitely a factor.」

Kana, with a rare serious expression, agrees with the President's words.

「The President is right. I think for that person, the consultant isn't even seen as a potential romantic interest in the first place. That needs to change first.」

「N-No way...! Then what should she do?」

「The perception needs to change, but it's difficult because she can't drastically change her position as a good colleague, right?」

「That's right. So, I think the only way is to create a plus alpha image.」

「A plus alpha image?」

As Anri tilts her head, the President continues, choosing her words as if organizing her thoughts.

「There's no need to change the relationship of being good colleagues... But within that, make the other person realize that the consultant is actually an attractive girl.」

「That's right. As the President says, she should start by making him recognize her as a girl who could be a romantic interest.」

「I think that gradually changing the other person's awareness is a good idea.」

Kana and Nagisa both agree with the President's idea.

「I-I see. But how should she do it?」

「I think that depends on their current relationship. How is it? To what extent is the other person currently conscious of the consultant as a member of the opposite sex?」

「Uh... Now that you mention it, I feel like she's not really seen that way...」

「So she's seen completely as just a friend.」

「Then, indeed, it won't start unless that changes. First, from making the other person recognize that she's a girl who can be a romantic interest.」

「I-I see...!」

Anri listened intently, looking thoroughly convinced.

But soon, her expression clouds over again with worry.

「But even if you say "make him recognize", what specifically should she do?」

「Before thinking about specific methods, I'd like to hear what kind of girl the consultant is. For example, if her appearance or way of dressing doesn't give off much of a girly feel, then that's where she'd need to start making changes.」

「That should be fine. She wears makeup perfectly, and she's always careful about her fashion. When she's going to be in front of him, she pays meticulous attention to her hair color too.」

「Hair color? Is that person dyeing her hair?」

「Yes, she has been since she met him.」

「From what I hear, is she a gyaru type? You said she's your relative, but she sounds like the complete opposite of the Vice President.」

「Y-Yes, well, that's right.」

「It's strange for a gyaru type not to be seen as a girl... I want to increase the resolution, so could you tell me more details about the consultant? For example, that's it, her hobbies or things she likes.」

「What she likes is her part-time job.」

「Eh? Her part-time job?」

「The part-time job where she can spend time with him is the most enjoyable time in her daily life. To the point of wanting to work 24 hours a day if possible.」

「...Somehow, I think I've heard that catchphrase before.」

「If her wish came true, the other person would probably die from overwork.」

Ufufufufu, Anri chuckled, and Kana and Nagisa seemed a little taken aback.

「It means she looks forward to it that much. So on days she has her part-time job, she's excited all day from the morning, and when the time actually comes, her spirits get high. It's also because that's the only time she can be her true self.」

「Her true self?」

「Yes. The consultant's family is strict, so she usually can't dress like a gyaru. But only during her part-time job can she be like that. Therefore, in a double sense, her time at the part-time job is irreplaceable. Spending time with the person she likes while being accepted as her true self... Ahh, if possible, she'd want to live her whole life working part-time...」

「...Somehow, just hearing the words, she sounds like a freeter.」

Kana retorted to the entranced Anri, but of course, it didn't reach her ears.

「In any case, it doesn't sound like the consultant isn't feminine from what I've heard.」

And here, Nagisa gets the conversation back on track.

「Yes. At least I understand that it's not like there's some hurdle preventing her from being seen as a girl.」

The President also nods. ...But she soon tilts her head,

「But it's strange... If she's such a gyaru type, rather than not being noticed, I'd imagine she'd be all out with her femininity and aggressively approach him, but is that not the case?」

「T-That's, um... that kind of thing is embarrassing for her...」

「Eh, embarrassing? Then, for example... when it comes to skinship, she's too embarrassed and can only do it reservedly?」

「S-Skinship! S-She's never done anything like that!」

「Is that so!? When I think of gyaru, I imagine them being overly familiar with people, and naturally doing things like skinship to charm guys, thought!?」

「That's a prejudice, you know!?」

Anri, her face bright red, refutes the President's image of gyarus.

「...I got it. The consultant's problem, I see it clearly now.」

The President says in a tone of assertion, while shaking her head as if to say "good grief".

「The consultant isn't making use of being a gyaru! That's why she's not seen as a girl! So, tell her to start with the skinship she hasn't been doing first!」

「Ehh!?」

With the President pointing at her sharply, Anri flinches.

「B-But to be told something like that so suddenly...! She's never done it before...!」

「That's what's strange in the first place. If she's a gyaru, it's an essential skill.」

「I'm telling you, that's a prejudice!」

「President, by skinship, do you mean skinship in the sense of skin-to-skin contact?」

「Exactly, Nanjou-san.」

「Putting aside whether it's natural for a gyaru to do it, suddenly doing something she's never done before is indeed a high hurdle, isn't it?」

「Don't misunderstand, Hayase-san. Even if I say skinship, something subtle is fine. The goal is purely to shorten the distance and make him conscious of her. ...Understand? The important thing is to reduce physical distance. Humans are more likely to feel familiarity the closer the physical distance is. By the way, this has been proven in the previous love consultation. My consultant succeeded in her appeal that way.」

「S-She succeeded!?」

「Yes, well, to put it modestly... it wouldn't be an overstatement to call it a huge success.」

The members send looks of admiration, "Ohh!", to the President, who shows a composed expression with a huff.

Of course, the specifics of what happened were not to be told...

「Anyway, skinship is perfect for that purpose. Moreover, this time the consultant is a gyaru. She can shorten the distance very naturally and subtly.」

「U-Understood. If the President says so, I'll have her try her best...! But, what specifically should she do for skinship?」

Anri, having finally firmed up her resolve, takes out her smartphone to take notes and asks.

「You don't have to be so serious about it, Maishima-san. She's not going to do anything strange. Even if it's skinship, it's just light, natural gestures. For example, casually placing a hand on his shoulder when talking to him. Or, finding some reason to hold his hand.」

「If she suggests taking a selfie together, wouldn't that naturally bring them closer?」

「That's good, Nanjou-san. A good idea.」

「Pretending to be surprised by something and clinging to his arm is a classic, isn't it?」

「Hayase-san, where do you get such ideas?」

「Eh? No, well, it's a common scene in rom-coms, so it's not much of an idea.」

「How cunning...! I see, that's a great reference to take...!」

「...Reference?」

The members continue to suggest specific ways of skinship.

Hearing this, Anri nodded with "Fumu, fumu" and diligently took notes.

「I-I see. So she should do it like that. ...But, I'm worried if she can do it properly...」

「It'll be fine. She just needs to do it while being aware that it's an action to make him conscious of her as a girl.」

「Will he really become conscious of her through skinship?」

「Of course. Boys and girls are physically different, so the other person will inevitably become conscious of it.」

「Apparently, boys are surprisingly sensitive to a girl's softness.」

「Is that so, Hayase-senpai?」

「Well, it's just hearsay.」

「A girl's softness... is it?」

「Well, since it's a big part of the physical differences between men and women, making him conscious of that might be the essence of skinship.」

「The essence... of skinship...」

The President answers so casually while watching the exchange between Kana and Nagisa.

But Anri, upon hearing that, muttered to herself with a somewhat serious expression.

「...Maishima-san? Is something wrong?」

「N-No, it's nothing. I'll tell the consultant to put the advice I just received into practice while keeping in mind the essence.」

「Yes, I'm cheering for her. ...And, it's a bit late to ask, but everyone, is it alright to consider this advice as the student council's consensus?」

「Yes, no objections. I'm cheering for her too.」

「It'd be great if you could tell us how it turns out later.」

From the student council members who look at her with warm eyes, their genuine feeling of wanting to support the consultant is conveyed.

Receiving such gazes, Anri clenched her fists tightly and mulled over the advice she had received.

「S-Skinship... A girl's softness... S-Softness...!」

As Anri repeated this over and over, her cheeks were slightly flushed for some reason, but no one noticed it.

▽

「Ahh, I finally got to take a break... It's like this every time, but what kind of nerve does the owner have, showing up super late for work, honestly...」

I head to the break room, grumbling like that.

Currently, I'm in the middle of my part-time job. My workplace is a hideaway-style cafe called "Porta", and I've been working here for over two years now.

And though I was supposed to be resting during my break time, the owner, who was supposed to take over, spectacularly overslept, so I'd been working a one-person shift until just now.

『Y'know~ I got a little too into a gacha game~ I finally got an SSR, and I was so happy I just took a nap~』

Recalling the owner, who finally shows up without a hint of apology, I somehow manage to suppress the urge to snap.

...Calm down, it's the usual. Complaining to that person will just get brushed off with a silly grin and tire me out even more.

It's sad that I've gotten used to dealing with such an incredibly irresponsible owner.

That said, even someone like that, in a way, is a great benefactor who gave me a place to belong, so I should overlook it, I thought, calming myself down.

「Well, of course, I'm gonna make sure I get paid extra for this, though!」

Muttering such things, I open the door to the break room.

「Oh, you're early again today, An.」

And there was a girl, looking at her smartphone by the window, seeming at a loss for what to do.

This girl is my co-worker, and her name is An.

Long, dyed blonde hair and flashy makeup. Her nails too, I think it's called nail art, I don't really get it, but anyway, her self-expression is intense.

She's what you'd call a gyaru, a type of person I'm not really good with, but I've known this An for a long time. Ever since middle school, so it's been almost two years, huh.

「Ah, Haru! Geez, you're late! How long were you gonna work for!」

「I'd understand if you asked how long I was going to be on break!?」

As soon as she saw me, An vigorously looked up and said that.

As you can hear, An calls me Haru.

Apparently, it's Haru because of Haruhisa, but as for what An stands for, I don't know.

That's because I don't know An's real name.

I don't know her real name, nor where she lives or what kind of school she goes to.

Barely the only thing I know about An is that she's the same age as me.

An started working at this shop because I introduced her, but considering that, I myself think it's a bit much how little personal information I know about her.

But I don't really mind.

I think it's enough to recognize An as An, my co-worker at the part-time job.

「It's totally break time already! If you're late even for your break, that's being late, late!」

「Don't be ridiculous! I was working to cover for the owner's lateness, so you could at least show a little appreciation...」

「I've been waiting the whole time!」

「Why do you need to wait for me? And besides, you're way too early. Your shift isn't for a while yet, you always come way too early. And by a lot.」

「B-Because... I-I like this part-time job, okay?」

An's usual way of saying things while turning her face away with a "pui" makes me chuckle a little.

True to her words, An is surprisingly serious when it comes to her part-time job. And she always works looking very happy.

Maybe this place suits her. If so, then it was worth introducing her.

...Well, I'm happy about that.

「Still, there's no need to come so long before your shift and be on standby. All dressed in your uniform and everything.」

「Why? I like the uniform here. It's cuteー」

An says, pinching the skirt of her uniform and smiling sweetly.

The uniform An wears is a very typical maid outfit, which was the owner's hobby. Even though we're not a maid cafe.

By the way, my uniform is a butler-style suit, and though An says it suits me, I feel overwhelmingly like the clothes are wearing me, which is a bit embarrassing.

「Well, never mind. Anyway, I've been working a one-person shift until now and I'm tired. I'm gonna take a nice long break.」

「O-Okay, got it.」

「...Mm?」

I tilt my head at An, who readily nods.

At times like this, she'd usually continue chattering on without a care, like "More importantly, listen to this! The other day, there was this super cute skirt──".

That's why I also spoke a bit forcefully, but this time she was strangely obedient.

She's usually so energetic, or rather, her spirits are so high it makes me give a wry smile, but today she seems a bit subdued. Did something happen?

「...A-Alright, I'm gonna do my best...!」

She's looking down and muttering something in a low voice, but is she just psyching herself up for her shift?

If so, she's as dedicated to her work as ever. ...Well, that's good enough.

Thinking about such things, I sit down on the sofa.

Now then, what to do during my break──

「H-Hey, Haru?」

Just then, An called out to me.

Moreover, she simultaneously places both hands on my shoulders, and I turn around in surprise with an "Eh?".

「What is it, An?」

When I turn around, An's face seems somehow closer than usual, and combined with the sensation of her hands on my shoulders, I feel a little uncomfortable.

「U-Um...」

Thinking that her unusual fidgeting is also different from usual, An's next words make me tilt my head even more.

「Um... I-I'll read Haru's palm!」

「Haa? Palm reading?」

「Y-Yes, palm reading! Fortune-telling by palmistry!」

「Why so suddenly?」

「Eh!? T-There's no deep meaning or anything... Y-You know, I like fortune-telling and stuff, so I thought I'd read Haru's fortune.」

「Is that so? I feel like this is the first time I've heard you like fortune-telling... I don't think you've ever shown any signs of it before.」

「T-There aren't any girls who aren't interested in fortune-telling! And besides, I'm a gyaru, right?」

「No, that's got nothing to do with being a gyaru, does it?」

Are gyarus into fortune-telling? I don't particularly have that impression.

「G-Geez, anyway, I'm gonna read it, so hold out your hand!」

Being told that, I hold out my right hand, though I still have my doubts.

Then An showed a momentary look of tension and grasped my hand, somewhat timidly.

「Uwah... It's Haru's hand...」

「What is it? Is something wrong with my hand?」

「N-No, I was just thinking, this might be the first time I've held Haru's hand...」

「I-Is that so?」

Though I think it's natural since there aren't many situations where we'd deliberately hold hands, being told so explicitly is kind of embarrassing.

「H-Haru's hand is big...」

Being touched with soft strokes like that for a while now, and then being told such a thing, I start to feel kind of strange.

Before I knew it, I found myself conscious of the feel of An's hand, thinking things like "A girl's hand is so soft…", and I hastily switched my train of thought, wondering what I was thinking about An.

「S-So, how is it?」

「...Eh? W-What do you mean, how is it?」

「Well, we were talking about reading my palm, right?」

When I said that, An showed a momentarily blank expression,

「Ah, ahh, right! I forgot!」

「Why did you forget!?」

「I-I just got a little immersed in...! I-I'll look right now!」

She peered into my hand in a flustered manner. ...What's with her?

「E-Emm... Is this the fate line?」

「That's the life line!? Why don't you even know something so basic!?」

「I-It can't be helped! I don't know anything about palm reading!」

「Then why did you even think of doing palm reading...」

「B-Because then it's convenient──I mean! M-More importantly, I'll read it now! Emm, emm...! O-Okay, I got it!」

「Oh, what did you get?」

「I-I figured out Haru's love fortune!」

「You got my love fortune just by looking at my life line!?」

「H-Haru's love fortune is...! Y-You'll probably find your destined person very close by. Your part-time job is suspicious. You might want to check out any gyaru-like girls!」

「Somehow the fortune-telling is haphazard, but the result is strangely specific...」

「I-It's not haphazard. I read it properly.」

「Fuhn, at the part-time job, huh... Like being fallen in love with at first sight by a gyaru-like customer?」

「...Starting today, gyarus are banned from our shop!」

「Why!? Are you planning to crush my love fortune after reading it!?」

An's eyes suddenly become fixed, and I flinch a little.

...Did I do something to make her angry?

I'd hate it if I'd unknowingly earned An's resentment...

「...Geez, stupid Haru...!」

An, having finished the fortune-telling, gave me a reproachful look, but for some reason, she kept staring at her own palm and smirking.

I don't really get it, but for now it seems like An is satisfied, so let's leave it at that.

Right then, I got dragged into something weird, but break time is limited.

Let's watch some videos or something... Just as I took out my smartphone.

「Ah, Haru, what are you gonna do with your smartphone?」

An called out again and peeked from behind me.

Mmm, my peaceful time just won't come...

「Were you maybe gonna watch a video?」

「Bingo.」

「T-Then I'll watch with you!」

Saying that, An plopped down vigorously on the sofa──that is, next to me.

Up to this point, it wasn't particularly strange, just typical An-like behavior, but she leaned her body in sharply from the side to peek at the smartphone, making me instinctively draw back.

「...Aren't you kind of close?」

「Isn't it just your imagination? Besides, if you move that far away, I won't be able to see.」

「No, usually you can see fine from this distance.」

「M-My eyesight's gotten bad lately, y'seeー」

「...The memo on today's date on the calendar, what does it say?」

「Emm... "Event! 100-pull Gacha!" That's the owner's handwriting. Ahh, so that was the reason for the one-person shift.」

「You can read it just fine! Your eyesight's great!」

「I-It's that thing! Nearsightedness!?」

「Nearsighted people can see things up close better!」

Her excuse is so sloppy! And why does she even need to make such a sloppy excuse!?

「G-Geez! It doesn't matter! It's true that it's easier to see up close! Look, come closer, I said!」

An ignores my retort and closes the distance again sharply.

Our shoulders were touching, and it even felt like our cheeks were about to touch, making me feel a bit flustered.

An is a casual friend and co-worker, someone I know well enough to talk frankly about various things with.

So usually I forget she's a girl, but with the palm-reading thing earlier and how close she is today, I find myself about to become conscious of that aspect.

...W-What's with An? This has never happened before.

The feel of her silky long blonde hair, An's faint breathing, perfume (?) or whatever it is, that particular scent girls have, all that information rushed in at once, making me feel incredibly restless.

To top it all off, even thoughts like "...Come to think of it, An is actually an incredible beauty. I usually forget, though…" surfaced, and I hastily erased them from my mind.

...W-What am I thinking about my co-worker!

「Hey, Haru.」

「Eh!? W-What is it!?」

Startled by her sudden voice, my body tenses up involuntarily.

「...Why are you so flustered? I was just asking what video you're gonna watch.」

「Ah, ahh, I haven't decided on anything in particular.」

I was just planning to browse some random videos on a video site to kill time, so I really hadn't decided anything.

「Ah, I see. ...Good, I was wondering what I'd do if it was like, an erotic video or something.」

「What are you worried about!?」

「I-I mean, high school boys watch erotic videos when they're alone, right?」

「Apologize to all the wholesome high school boys in the country! Where did you pick up that information!」

「It's okay! I-I'll do my best to go along with it even if it's an erotic video!」

「I told you I'm not watching one! And I don't need that kind of incomprehensible effort, okay!?」

I desperately retort to An, who is trying to proceed with the conversation on the casual assumption that I am about to watch an erotic video. ...There's a limit to how baseless something can be!

「S-So, what kind of video are you gonna watch?」

「Ahh... So, um, just some random game playthroughs or something...」

Because An said something weird, it feels like the hurdle has been raised.

...S-Should I go with something safe like animal videos here?

No, why do I have to worry about something like this...

「Ah, then, then!」

As I was racking my brains over this fruitless matter, An, looking like something had flashed in her mind,

「H-How about a scary video? Like, a horror type?」

「Heh? Why that?」

「That way, I can naturally──I mean! I-I like horror stuff.」

「Is that so? I still don't really have that impression...」

「No, I seriously like it! If I have free time, I watch nothing but horror videos!」

「That in itself is kind of unsettling!?」

While being shown An's surprising side, I am pushed into it with her "Just watch it already!".

Having no choice, I search for horror as told and randomly open the first video that comes up.

...This looks like a horror game playthrough video.

「U-Uwaah, scary.」

「Nothing's happened yet, though?」

「T-The atmosphere is scary!」

Saying such things, An closes the distance even further.

Her expression looks somewhat cheerful, not at all like she is scared.

In fact, the smartphone screen is just showing a scene of walking down a dimly lit corridor of a Western-style mansion, so it isn't scary content yet.

「Ahh, scaryー Seriously scary.」

「No, it's not like that at all yet.」

「I-I'm a scaredy-cat.」

「I wouldn't expect to hear that from someone who supposedly watches nothing but horror videos whenever they have free time.」

「I-It's scary but I like it! Look, I'm a gyaru, right!」

「I don't get what the "look" is supposed to mean...」

「G-Gyarus likes scary stories and stuff! Kyaaー」

An lets out a somewhat monotone scream and lightly grabs my arm.

She really doesn't look scared at all, and I also can't really concentrate on the video because of how close An is.

And so, a strange time passed for a while like that, but,

「......」

Eventually, as the video progressed, there were more scenes that made one gasp.

Apparently, this isn't a gore-type game but a pure horror one, with many effects that really get to you mentally. Shadows that looked like human faces, white figures, the production level was high, and I too felt a bit of a chill down my spine.

「......Hi.」

When I looked, An's face had turned pale in stark contrast to before.

「Oi An, are you okay──」

「Kyaah!?」

Just then, a scream echoed from the video and a lifeless woman's face filled the screen, and An also screamed when she saw it and clung to my arm.

「O-Oi, are you alright?」

「Scary, scary, this is bad...!」

An's body was trembling a lot, and this time she seemed genuinely scared.

...But actually, I was in no state to worry about that.

They are touching me.

Ever since she clung to me earlier, um... something soft on my arm...!

「Haru...! Haruuu...!」

Desperately enduring her fear, An didn't seem to notice, but her chest was pressing right against my arm.

No, "pressing against" isn't enough to describe it. She was clinging to my arm so tightly that it was as if An's breasts were sandwiching my arm.

The two bulges were clearly visible even over her clothes, centered on my arm, these are big...!

──Wait, what am I staring at so intently!

「C-Calm down, An. It's okay. I've closed the video now.」

Feeling like I have seen something I shouldn't have, I hastily try to calm An down.

An kept her eyes closed and trembled for a while longer, but eventually she regained her composure, let out a big sigh, and relaxed as if in relief.

Then she let go of my arm, which was a bit unfortunate──no, I mean! I'm glad to be free, really! Fuu...

「Still, I didn't know you were such a scaredy-cat.」

「I-It can't be helped! It was seriously scary!」

「It's fine, but I'm surprised you could say you like horror after that.」

「T-That was just an excuse, or rather...! Oh, right! I got too scared in the middle and didn't really get it, but how was it!?」

「How was what?」

「I'm talking about the skinsh──I mean! So, um... I wonder if I did it well...」

「What did you do well?」

「N-Nothing! ...Ahh, I messed up...! Hey, wanna watch it again?」

「No, you were at your limit just now, weren't you!?」

An says that looking frustrated for some reason.

Even though she was so scared, I honestly don't get what she's thinking. Is this also gyaru thinking...?

「Haa... I'm kinda tired. Even though it's break time... Let me rest a bit now. It's time for your shift too, right?」

「Eh? Ah!」

An turns towards the wall clock to check the time.

「T-Then, then, I have just one last favor to ask!」

And turning back to me, she said that.

「A favor?」

When I ask, An takes out her own smartphone in a flustered manner.

「A selfie! I want to take a selfie!」

「Haa... Well, do as you like, I guess?」

I give a listless reply to her words.

I had seen An taking selfies in her uniform several times before.

An's well-featured selfies always looked good, to the point where you'd think they'd definitely go viral if posted on SNS, but strangely, she didn't seem interested in that sort of thing.

「T-That's not it. I'm saying, let's take one together, Haru!」

「Eh? Me too?」

「S-So, like this!」

While I was still trying to understand what she was saying, An suddenly held up her smartphone, closed the distance again, and this time, pulled my shoulder sharply towards her.

「Eh!? Wai...!」

Before I can even voice my confusion, a "kasha" sound is heard and the flash goes off.

「W-What are you doing all of a sudden?」

「I told you, let's take a selfie together!」

「Not, I didn't say OK!?」

「So, it wasn't okay?」

「No, it's not that it wasn't okay...」

「T-Then, isn't it fine?」

It's true I had no reason to refuse, but I'd never taken a two-shot selfie before, so it felt strange.

...Something's weird about An today, isn't it? I still feel like she's different from usual.

「H-Hey, I'm gonna take more, so move to the center.」

「W-Wait, wait. Why did you suddenly decide to take a selfie together?」

「Eh? T-There's no deep meaning, though?」

「And what are you going to do with the photos you took? You're not going to upload them to SNS, are you?」

「Ah, I didn't think of that! T-That might be good too...! As a fait accompli...!」

「Whatcha muttering in a low voice... I don't want to. Having my face exposed on SNS.」

「T-That'd be bad for me too... Right! Then, if we put a black bar over our eyes, nobody won't know, right!?」

「What kind of shady photo is that!?」

「Then, how about a mosaic over the whole face!」

「That'll be even more shady! And besides, there's no point in uploading the photo then, is there!?」

Why are you trying to make it look like we're doing something wrong when we're not doing anything wrong!

「T-Then fine. I don't need to upload it to SNS or anything. More importantly, I'm gonna take more, so look at the smartphone.」

「Eh, you're still taking more?」

「Because I want to get closer──don't you want to take better pictures!? Come on, come on, if you don't get closer, you'll be out of frame!」

Saying that, An once again leans her body in sharply.

Then I once again felt a girl's presence up close, making me flustered.

I wonder what I'm getting so conscious about with An, but perhaps because of everything up to now, I can't help but be aware. It can't be helped.

Trying not to be noticed, I glance sideways at An.

「「......!」」

And An was looking at me too, and our eyes met perfectly.

We both hastily avert our gazes, but my head gets even more confused, wondering why the atmosphere has become so embarrassing.

「H-Hey, An.」

「W-What?」

「As I thought, you're kinda close today, aren't you?」

「R-Really? Isn't it just your imagination?」

「No way it is. This has never happened before, but today you're strangely, um...」

I was about to say──like our bodies are pressed together, but I couldn't say it.

Because if I said it out loud, it would feel even more vivid.

「Um, what?」

「S-So, I feel like the distance is strangely close.」

「I-I think it's normal, though?」

「No, it's definitely close!」

「L-Look, I'm a gyaru, right? This kind of thing is normal for gyarus.」

「That's a prejudice, isn't it!?」

I retort without thinking.

And don't say it yourself! Haven't you been trying to solve everything with "gyaru" since a while ago!? It's not even an explanation!

But, such inner retorts were in vain, and I was made to go along with An's selfies like that for a while longer,

「...Ehehe, I managed to get pictures too...」

Eventually, perhaps satisfied, I was finally released.

An was looking at her smartphone with a satisfied smile, but I'm just plain tired.

「...I feel like my body is tense from nervousness.」

I wonder why I have to be nervous around An, but it doesn't change the fact that I was in close contact with a girl my age──wait, these thoughts are no good...!

「Hey, Haru.」

「Uwah!?」

「W-What's wrong?」

「No, it's nothing!」

...An is a friend! ...An is a co-worker! As I'm repeating that in my mind, she called out to me, making me jump involuntarily.

But I somehow managed to compose myself and turned around, and An was holding her smartphone towards me,

「Look, look, it turned out great!」

She showed me the selfie from earlier.

In the picture, An and I are indeed close together, and it feels embarrassing to be shown the proximity so objectively.

We just look like a couple like this──I realized I was about to think something dangerous and hastily cut off the thought.

「W-What do you think? This photo.」

「W-Well, it turned out pretty well, didn't it?」

「Yeah. ...Um, the photo is one thing, but I was wondering what you thought.」

「What I thought about what?」

「While we were taking this picture, I was wondering what Haru was thinking.」

An asks that, sending fleeting glances my way.

I don't know the intention behind her question──or rather, there probably isn't any special intention──but combined with my thoughts from earlier, it makes my heart skip a beat.

I absolutely can't blurt out something weird, not even by chance...!

「N-Nothing in particular?」

「R-Really? Really nothing?」

「W-Well, I guess I thought this is pretty normal for close friends? I reaffirmed my friendship with An.」

Being too conscious of not letting her notice, I end up giving an incredibly unnatural reply.

What the heck is "reaffirmed my friendship"... I retorted to myself inwardly, but it was true that I want to cherish my friendship with An.

「Is that all?」

「That's all, why?」

「Mumu, mumumu...!」

At my words, An looks displeased for some reason.

...I'm being this considerate, so why am I being glared at?

I feel something incredibly unreasonable, but setting that aside, An is clearly strange today.

I decide to voice the discomfort I have been feeling all along.

「Hey An, did something happen?」

「Eh? W-What, so suddenly? What do you mean, something?」

「No, you're acting weird. You're somehow different from usual.」

「I-I don't think so, though? Then what does Haru think is different from usual?」

「Rather than "what" specifically... you're just generally unnatural and awkward, and most of all, the close distance...」

「I-I don't think so, though? But even if that were true, what did Haru think?」

「Eh, what do you mean?」

「I-I mean, what did Haru think about the close distance?」

An's face was red as she said that, with eyes that seemed to challenge something.

I didn't understand the intent of the question, but I understand what is being asked.

This question... is quite dangerous. I have to think carefully...!

If I were to honestly reply, "I felt a girl's softness. I re-recognized that An is a beautiful girl", I'd be dead. Mainly, my social standing would die.

It's just plain creepy, and if she found out I was looking at a friend and co-worker that way, my relationship with An might collapse in the worst case. I absolutely don't want that.

...In that case, there's only one option here!

「N-Nothing in particular? I thought you were different from usual, but I didn't think anything of it itself?」

Evade! Is there any other way!

I'll seal all the wicked thoughts that come to mind deep in my heart. That way, normalcy will be maintained.

「Eh, you're lying!?」

「It's not a lie, though? I really didn't think anything of it?」

I could only repeat that while averting my gaze.

I don't even have the leeway to lament my lack of acting skills.

「...N-No way...! Even though I tried so hard...!」

When I glanced at An, she looked somewhat shocked and was repeatedly muttering something to herself.

I was relieved not to be pressed further, but An's condition was still strange, and that bothered me.

...Her face seems redder than before, too. Could it be...?

Something occurred to me, and I reached out to An's forehead.

「...D-Don't tell me the skinship itself had no effect──w-what are you doing!?」

「No, I just thought you might have a fever.」

An looked surprised, but I ignored it and checked her temperature.

I thought her red face and strange behavior might be due to a fever, but, mmm... it feels hot, but maybe not...

「Sorry, I couldn't really tell. But if you're not feeling well, don't hesitate to say so, okay?」

「H-Haru...」

「It'd be a problem if a co-worker got sick. It'd create a hole in the schedule.」

「No, are you for real!」

I was just normally worried, so why am I getting retorted at...?

An "Uh~…" glares at me while touching her own forehead.

However, her expression seemed more bewildered than angry.

「...N-No, it's different. The skinship itself should have been a success...! Because Haru's face is kinda red too...! I-If it's come to this, I have no choice but to do that...!」

「......?」

An was once again muttering incomprehensible things to herself, but eventually, she stood up with a serious expression, as if she had made up her mind about something,

「H-Haru, turn around for a bit.」

she suddenly said something incomprehensible.

「Eh, why?」

「Just do it! Hurry up and face that way!」

Her intensity is so great that I have no choice but to turn my back to An.

I wondered what was going on, but it's best to let sleeping dogs lie at times like these.

Still, what is An really up to?

「......」

「.........」

「............」

「.........An?」

I stand there silently for a while, but since nothing is happening, I try to turn around.

「D-Don't look this way!」

But I'm immediately stopped by An and turned forward again.

...Seriously, what's going on? What is An trying to do?

I have no choice but to strain my ears, but I can't hear anything── ...No, something faint... is this breathing...?

「......Haa, haa...」

Once I heard it, it gradually became clearer.

It isn't just normal breathing. It is rough breathing, as if she is excited.

「O-Oi, An...?」

「I told you, no!」

I start to feel scared and call out to her, but I am stopped by An again.

I gradually began to feel a mysterious pressure from behind me, and I really couldn't just stand there silently anymore.

「H-Hey, what are you planning to do? At least tell me that.」

「I-I'm not doing anything in particular.」

「Then why are you making me stand in this position?」

「That's, um... Right! Standing behind people is my hobby!」

「That's a hobby that sounds like you'd get shot by some skilled sniper somewhere!?」

I can't help but retort to An's far-fetched answer.

Of course, in all the time I've known An, I've never heard of her having such a hobby.

「So, seriously, what──」

I tried to question her again, but my words got stuck halfway.

That's because,

「......Haa, haa...!」

I noticed the breathing behind me was getting louder than before.

Along with that, the pressure on my back is only getting stronger.

「......Haa, haa...」

「.........」

「...Haa haa, haa haa...!」

「............」

No way! How can I not be bothered by this!

「So what is it──uwah!?」

I finally couldn't stand it anymore and turned around, but in that instant, I was surprised and drew back.

Because An was suspiciously reaching both her hands out towards me.

「S-Stupid! Stop it! What did I do!」

Feeling like my life is in danger, I instinctively back away.

「Ah, Haru! D-Don't run away!」

「How can I not run away! Seriously, what are you planning to do!?」

「I-I'm not doing anything in particular?」

「That's impossible in that position, isn't it!? I thought you were going to strangle me or something!?」

「W-Why would I! There's no way I'd do something like that!」

An retorted with a red face, but with that mysterious breathing from before and all, I feel some kind of eerie presence.

...Could this be what they call killing intent...!?

「Geez, I told you not to turn around...! Come on, face that way! This way it won't be subtle!」

「W-What are you planning to do subtly!? And telling me to face that way in this situation is just unreasonable, isn't it!? Seriously, what are you plotting!」

「D-Don't say things like "plotting", that sounds bad!」

「Then what about those hands, those hands!」

「T-This is...! Research for a new selfie pose... or something?」

「Your excuse is sloppy!」

On top of it being far-fetched, An herself is half-laughing as she says it!

Besides, those hands were definitely extended towards me.

In other words, she was trying to do something to me, but I have absolutely no idea what I might have done to deserve it.

...That said, the possibility that I unknowingly did something to anger her isn't zero...?

I still have no idea, but even so, I quickly judge that I should be the one to take a step back here. If I've done something to anger An, I have to apologize, or it will be bad.

I absolutely don't want my relationship with An to worsen over something like that.

「A-An, I'm sorry. It was my fault. If I unknowingly did something you didn't like, I'll apologize, so please forgive me.」

「Heh? What are you saying all of a sudden?」

「You don't have to hold back. If there's something you want to say, I want you to say it clearly. So please spare me the surprise attack-like thing.」

「I-I told you, it's not a surprise attack or anything! And besides, I'm not angry at Haru or anything like that... Me, angry at Haru, there's no way that would happen...」

I couldn't hear the last part as it was in a low voice, but An replied with a slightly sulky expression.

「Really? Come to think of it, I feel like you usually tell me to do something about my appearance more, is it not related to that?」

I don't have fashion sense like An, and she'd sometimes nag me about it here and there.

「T-That's because I meant that if Haru put his mind to it, you'd definitely become much cooler... B-But, more importantly!」

Just when I thought she was mumbling something, An suddenly raises her voice.

「Just face that way and don't worry about me! It's almost time for my shift, so I have to finish this quickly and get to the shop!」

「Then why!? What are you trying to finish!? And if that's the case, then hurry up and go to the shop! The owner definitely can't manage it alone!?」

「Ugugu...! I-If it's come to this...!」

「Eh?」

An furrowed her brow in frustration and, once again holding out her hands, sidled closer to me.

Of course, I reflexively flee.

But An pursues me, staring at me with eyes like she is targeting prey.

...T-This is, I'm being hunted!?

「A-An, what are you...!?」

「S-Subtly is impossible now...! H-Haru, be a good boy and stay still...!」

「Those words, they're not something you say in everyday life, are they!?」

「I-It's okay! It'll be over soon!」

「Then what is it!? It's scary, seriously!」

Faced with An, who is brimming with a mysterious intensity, I am genuinely terrified.

I don't have the leeway to think about why things have turned out like this.

When An takes a step forward, I take a step back.

And so, I am eventually cornered in the room.

「Y-You can't escape anymore, Haru...!」

「That's completely a villain's line!?」

Perhaps her excitement was bugging out, as An's eyes were completely fixed.

...I-If it's come to this, it's all or nothing...!

「Ah!」

Seizing a momentary opening, I ran towards the break room door.

I hear An's voice from behind, but I ignore it and try to escape.

「W-Wait, I said!」

「Uwah!?」

But just as I am about to reach the doorknob, I am caught by An.

With the force of her hand grabbing my shoulder, I fall backward while turning around.

「Kyah!?」

At the same time, An also seemed to lose her balance, and I saw her falling towards me.

The next moment, I hit my back on the floor and at the same time felt a weight on the front of my body, letting out a "Gueh!" from my mouth.

And when I realized it, An's face was super close to mine.

...In other words, this weight is An's── ...Or rather, isn't this position really bad?

It's like I'm hugging An directly from the front...! And I have been feeling two soft sensations for a while now...?

「...Eh!?」

Thinking that far, I freeze. An in front of me is also silent, her face bright red.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, I had the illusion that time had stopped.

「Ann, An-chaan! Hurry up and come out to the shop! I can't handle it aloneー!」

But just then, the door burst open with a "bang!" and the teary-eyed owner came in.

And soon, noticing our position,

「...Ah.」

her eyes widened, and then a sleazy grin spread across her face.

In that instant, the stopped time began to move again.

「Sorry~ I interrupted something, didn't I~ Can't be helped, so I'll try my best with the one-person shift a little longer~」

「No, you're wrong...!」

As the owner closes the door with a leering smile, I hastily stand up.

An seems to do the same, and the weight that has been pressing on my body is simultaneously gone.

「O-Oi, we've been strangely misunderstood!? If we leave her be, that person might spread it to anyone and everyone!」

「Eh? Eh!? B-But it's not a misunderstanding, or rather...!?」

「Ahh, geez, I know it was an accident, but be careful! I'm a guy too, so if something like that happens, I might become conscious, you know...!」

「Eh!? C-Cooonscious!?」

「Anyway, we have to clear up the owner's misunderstanding quickly── ...Huh, An?」

I turn around while anxiously blurting out things I don't even understand myself, but I stop mid-sentence.

That was because An was acting strangely.

Her face is bright red, her eyes aren't focused, and her head is wobbling.

「C-Conscious!? Then it was a success...!? But, but, Haru seems angry...!」

「...An?」

「......I」

「I?」

「I-I-I-I didn't mean to go this far, okay!?」

「Eh? This far?」

「I-I'm going to work!!」

「Uwah!?」

While I was wondering what was wrong, An suddenly shouted that and bolted out of the break room.

Left alone, I stare blankly at the half-open door.

......W-What was that?

After a while, those words barely escaped my lips, but of course, there was no one to answer.

An's face as she ran off and the two soft sensations that had been pressing against me until just now floated alternately in my mind──

Wait, what am I thinking!

I rebuke myself for thinking inappropriate things about a friend, but still, it wouldn't leave my mind, and I even ended up thinking "They really were pretty big...?", ultimately writhing in agony and clutching my head at my own depravity.

After that, I continued to clutch my head in torment until the owner came to complain about how long I was thinking of taking a break.

☆

「...I believe it was a result that could be called almost a success...!」

Anri's quietly spoken words flowed through the student council room.

Having been silent until then, the other members exchanged surprised glances.

「Em, Maishima-san? By success, could you possibly mean...」

When the President cautiously asked on behalf of everyone, Anri nodded with a "Yes...".

「It's about the love consultation from the other day. She tried the skinship as advised, and she felt a considerable response...! The other person even clearly told her that he became conscious of her...!」

Saying so, Anri's cheeks faintly flush.

Her words were filled with such power, it was hard to believe it was about her relative's consultation.

「I see, it was a success! That's great!」

「Congratulations, Maishima-senpai. The consultant must have been happy too.」

Anri smiles shyly at Kana and Nagisa's congratulations.

「That's truly wonderful. It means the student council's advice was helpful. So, how did it succeed? I'd like to hear about it for reference.」

The President asked with a satisfied smile.

「She acted exactly as advised. Placing a hand on his shoulder, holding his hand saying she'd read his palm, pretending to be scared by a horror video and clinging to his arm, taking selfies together and getting close...」

Anri speaks in detail, as if recalling that very moment.

「That's amazing. She really did it just as advised. ...No, from what I hear, it sounds like her actions were even more perfect than the advice.」

「That's right. Holding his hand under the pretext of palm reading wasn't in the advice, did she think of that impromptu?」

「Y-Yes, it was the result of her desperately thinking about how to do it naturally.」

「It all seems like very natural skinship. That consultant must have really worked hard to find a way.」

「That's right, Nanjou-san. After all, failure is not an option! She re-strategized in her head over and over again!」

「Fufu, the consultant likes the other person enough to become that serious about it.」

「Eh? Y-Yes, that's right. Because she really loves him...!」

To the President who said that with a slightly mischievous smile, Anri, as expected, fidgeted and replied as if it were about herself.

「So, since it was a success, did the relationship between the consultant and him progress? Did they perhaps start going out already or something?」

「N-Not quite that far yet. ...B-But of course, I wish it had turned out that way...」

「Hayase-senpai, that's a bit too hasty.」

「Yes. Love isn't such a simple thing...」

...Fuh, the President said, for some reason with a smug look.

「Right, that makes sense. But it's really great that the student council's advice was helpful. Given the nature of the issue, it was a big responsibility, and I was worried about what we'd do if it failed.」

「Oh my, Hayase-san, you were quite pessimistic, weren't you?」

「President, didn't you have such worries?」

「Of course, I had considered follow-up measures in case of an emergency. But actually, I was confident of success. After all, when it comes to love consultations, there's a definite success story.」

Saying so, the President puffs out her chest proudly.

「The success story... is it the consultant from the other day?」

「Yes, that's right. That consultant has continued to approach him according to the advice given here since then, and she's been feeling a response all along.」

「T-That's amazing!」

「Yes, at this rate, my──the consultant's love might come to fruition soon.」

...Fuh, Anri looks at the composed President with eyes full of respect.

「T-Then, in my case too...」

「Yes, if she continues like this, the desired result will surely come.」

「Yes! I, too, will learn from that person and try my best again!」

「The student council's advice is very effective. Let's both believe in it and continue our approaches!」

At the President's powerful words, Anri nods again with a "Yes!".

And the two of them very naturally exchange a firm handshake.

At that sight, Kana and Nagisa clapped generously.

Thus, the student council once again responded to the troubles of lost souls.

Their stance of supporting and encouraging hearts even when they feel like giving up was the very essence of the student council, which values "standing by" others.

...Well, setting that aside, the following is a digression.

「By the way, you said "almost" a success earlier, was there something that didn't go as planned?」

「Eh?」

「Actually, I was also curious about that point.」

「Come to think of it, you did say that. How about it, Maishima-san?」

「A-Actually, there was just one skinship that she couldn't do as she wanted...」

「Is that so. What kind of skinship?」

「T-That is, how should I put it, the one where a girl's softness can be felt the most...! I-I'm still too embarrassed to say it now! I'd like to talk about it when it's successfully accomplished!」

「Is that so? I'm curious, but it can't be helped. But what kind of skinship is that embarrassing...?」

「...Something like trying to press her chest against him?」

「!?」

「Ahaha. No way, President, she wouldn't do something like that.」

「It's rare for the President to make such a joke.」

「!?!?」

「It wasn't a joke, though... But well, she probably wouldn't do something like that so suddenly. If a girl he thought of as a friend suddenly did that, the other person would be bewildered too.」

「!?!?!?」

「Skinship isn't a means to suddenly seduce someone, the goal is to become close enough to do it naturally. So it's important to be natural and subtle, and if she were to press her chest against him, it would be obviously blatant── ...Mmm, Maishima-san?」

「Huh, what's wrong, Anri? Your complexion is kinda...」

「Yes, suddenly turning red then pale──wait, Maishima-senpai? Ah, Maishima-senpai!? Are you alright!? Maishima-senpai!?」