Shiraishi, who was surprised at the contrast between her imagination and reality, gradually became calm and her expression changed to a normal one.
After observing this, I called out to her.
“…Have you calmed down?”
“I-I’m fine”
Shiraishi answered while making a small fist with both of her hands in front of her chest and mumbling something at a low volume.
Perhaps she was trying to simulate what to do next.
Having witnessed Yuuto Ogiwara’s true self, she realized that the flow of conversation she had expected would cause a few problems, so she quickly corrected them.
As long as she said she was okay with it, we didn’t have anything to say to her and returned to our seats.
Yuuto never questioned me about leaving my seat, which made me realize that he really is a very considerate guy.
I’m sure I would have asked him if I were him.
Rather, I suspect that he might get a negative image of me, so I would try to ask him casually and in a roundabout manner.
That is for the next time the three of us were all together again, this time Yuuto started the conversation.
“If it’s the executive committee Minato is talking about, not only me, but also Kanazaki-san and Kirasaka-san weren’t negative about it, so I think it’s more likely to be the executive committee.”
It is only a personal view.
However, we should not impose it on someone, but rather convey it as a personal opinion, and leave the decision to them.
Shiraishi, who received Yuuto’s explanation, would not back down just because of that comment.
“The idea of being a member of the executive committee is certainly appealing, but if I may speak my mind, I believe that the place where you can demonstrate your abilities is in the student council, not in a term-limited organization.”
Shiraishi, who wanted to serve on the student council rather than the executive committee, had negative opinions about the alternatives.
This is inevitable.
I didn’t expect her to say “I understand” so easily after having expressed such extraordinary idealism toward the student council.
That is why I brought not only me but also Yuuto to this meeting.
If Shiraishi hears from someone who really wants to participate, she might be convinced, if not give up.
Without denying Shiraishi’s words, Yuuto nodded a few times and then continued.
Kanazaki-san and Kirasaka-san certainly have more popularity and ability than they can handle, and no one will question their decision to join the student council …but I’m worried what would happen after that.”
“After that?”
Shiraishi, not understanding Yuuto’s words, just repeated his last words.
I’m not sure what Yuuto means by “after that” either.
“After that, when we graduate, it will be Shiraishi-san and the others who’ll be leading the student council …I think the excessive expectations of the students based on the past accomplishments will only be a burden for you.”
The future that Yuuto refers to is the school without us.
It is similar to the anxiety Koizumi had now about succeeding Hiiragi Akane.
He was concerned that Shiraishi might have to deal with this in the future.
Certainly, having them join the student council could lead to far better results than Shiraishi could ever imagine.
I can say this because I have seen them up close and personal.
However, I wonder if she’ll be able to recruit enough people to fill the vacancies that will be left next year when our grade steps down from the student council.
Or will Shiraishi herself be able to fill the vacancy?
Probably not.
Shiraishi is an excellent student.
There is no doubt about that.
However, if it is asked whether she is better than Yuuto, Shizuku, or Kirasaka, I would not be able to nod my head in agreement.
There is a difference between excellent and genius.
Just as there is an absolute difference between Hiiragi Akane and Koizumi.
To cover up for all three of them, it would take more than just an extraordinary effort to make up for it.
I guess that is what Yuuto is worried about.
It is typical of him to worry not about himself but about the people around him.
But it was still the right decision to bring him along to point out a point I hadn’t even considered.
Shiraishi choked on his words, perhaps because so many people had come to talk about getting him to join the student council, but she was unable to finalize her plan for later.
I could feel impatience in her hands, as if she had to say something.
“Well …we’ve talked about soliciting to the Student Organization and alternatives …so let’s leave the rest for later.”
Yuuto nodded and Shiraishi let out a breather.
I’m sure Shiraishi will find some kind of answer if she takes her time.
“The first thing to do is to ask the three people Shiraishi mentioned, and what came out of that was the suggestion to be a member of the executive committee.”
“…I somehow understood when we met that Kanazaki-senpai and Kirasaka-senpai were not keen on it… and Ogiwara-senpai as well?”
Shiraishi quietly asked Yuuto.
Yuuto answered the genuine question with his true feelings.
“To be honest, I think the activities of the student council sound fun …but if Minato isn’t on the next student council, I’m not sure I’m up for it either.”
What’s with this guy, does he love me?
No, I don’t want to be in trouble, popular people are ………..sorry I got carried away.
I guess it’s because he doesn’t have anyone to talk to mindlessly because I’m not there.
And because people around him also lift him up while talking to him.
Because of his popularity, Yuuto hated not being seen as an equal.
This is probably the reason why he does not belong to any club activities, committees, or groups.
In other words, he may not be good at group activities either.
Unlike me, he is popular and that’s why he has trouble with it.
Hearing Yuuto’s words, Shiraishi did not ask any more questions.
She just quietly muttered, “I see,” and after that, she quietly lowered her gaze towards the table.
“You don’t have to decline the student council election, and I won’t ask you for an answer about the executive committee member right away …so take your time and think about it during the summer vacation.”
If the two of us try to persuade her alone, like a forceful push, it could lead to regrets later.
It is better to give Shiraishi time to think alone in a calm situation.
As Yuuto and I got up from our seats and were about to leave, Shiraishi called out to us.
“Shinra-senpai! …Can we talk again, during summer vacation?”
To be honest, I thought those words were troublesome.
However, since I said I would cooperate, I had to help out to the extent possible.
“Well… I’m always at home anyways… so if you call me, I can at least talk to you or something.”
I realized that my character was twisted when I could not honestly say, “Okay”. After telling Shiraishi this, Yuuto and I left the place.
On the way home, we didn’t talk much, but when we came to a fork in the road, Yuuto started talking to me.
“Which would Shiraishi-san choose?”
“…At least I don’t think that her feelings for the student body are light enough to moved just from today’s talk.”
When I answered Yuuto’s question, he smiled and showed me a grin.
“You’ve got your eye on a tough opponent.”
“…It’s not as hard as dealing with you.”
My exasperated sigh and Yuuto’s laughter echoed through the quiet residential area.
Summer vacation has just begun.
But I can feel fatigue just after it has just begun.
This summer vacation was going to be harder than I had imagined.
Shiraishi, who was surprised at the contrast between her imagination and reality, gradually became calm and her expression changed to a normal one.
After observing this, I called out to her.
“…Have you calmed down?”
“I-I’m fine”
Shiraishi answered while making a small fist with both of her hands in front of her chest and mumbling something at a low volume.
Perhaps she was trying to simulate what to do next.
Having witnessed Yuuto Ogiwara’s true self, she realized that the flow of conversation she had expected would cause a few problems, so she quickly corrected them.
As long as she said she was okay with it, we didn’t have anything to say to her and returned to our seats.
Yuuto never questioned me about leaving my seat, which made me realize that he really is a very considerate guy.
I’m sure I would have asked him if I were him.
Rather, I suspect that he might get a negative image of me, so I would try to ask him casually and in a roundabout manner.
That is for the next time the three of us were all together again, this time Yuuto started the conversation.
“If it’s the executive committee Minato is talking about, not only me, but also Kanazaki-san and Kirasaka-san weren’t negative about it, so I think it’s more likely to be the executive committee.”
It is only a personal view.
However, we should not impose it on someone, but rather convey it as a personal opinion, and leave the decision to them.
Shiraishi, who received Yuuto’s explanation, would not back down just because of that comment.
“The idea of being a member of the executive committee is certainly appealing, but if I may speak my mind, I believe that the place where you can demonstrate your abilities is in the student council, not in a term-limited organization.”
Shiraishi, who wanted to serve on the student council rather than the executive committee, had negative opinions about the alternatives.
This is inevitable.
I didn’t expect her to say “I understand” so easily after having expressed such extraordinary idealism toward the student council.
That is why I brought not only me but also Yuuto to this meeting.
If Shiraishi hears from someone who really wants to participate, she might be convinced, if not give up.
Without denying Shiraishi’s words, Yuuto nodded a few times and then continued.
Kanazaki-san and Kirasaka-san certainly have more popularity and ability than they can handle, and no one will question their decision to join the student council …but I’m worried what would happen after that.”
“After that?”
Shiraishi, not understanding Yuuto’s words, just repeated his last words.
I’m not sure what Yuuto means by “after that” either.
“After that, when we graduate, it will be Shiraishi-san and the others who’ll be leading the student council …I think the excessive expectations of the students based on the past accomplishments will only be a burden for you.”
The future that Yuuto refers to is the school without us.
It is similar to the anxiety Koizumi had now about succeeding Hiiragi Akane.
He was concerned that Shiraishi might have to deal with this in the future.
Certainly, having them join the student council could lead to far better results than Shiraishi could ever imagine.
I can say this because I have seen them up close and personal.
However, I wonder if she’ll be able to recruit enough people to fill the vacancies that will be left next year when our grade steps down from the student council.
Or will Shiraishi herself be able to fill the vacancy?
Probably not.
Shiraishi is an excellent student.
There is no doubt about that.
However, if it is asked whether she is better than Yuuto, Shizuku, or Kirasaka, I would not be able to nod my head in agreement.
There is a difference between excellent and genius.
Just as there is an absolute difference between Hiiragi Akane and Koizumi.
To cover up for all three of them, it would take more than just an extraordinary effort to make up for it.
I guess that is what Yuuto is worried about.
It is typical of him to worry not about himself but about the people around him.
But it was still the right decision to bring him along to point out a point I hadn’t even considered.
Shiraishi choked on his words, perhaps because so many people had come to talk about getting him to join the student council, but she was unable to finalize her plan for later.
I could feel impatience in her hands, as if she had to say something.
“Well …we’ve talked about soliciting to the Student Organization and alternatives …so let’s leave the rest for later.”
Yuuto nodded and Shiraishi let out a breather.
I’m sure Shiraishi will find some kind of answer if she takes her time.
“The first thing to do is to ask the three people Shiraishi mentioned, and what came out of that was the suggestion to be a member of the executive committee.”
“…I somehow understood when we met that Kanazaki-senpai and Kirasaka-senpai were not keen on it… and Ogiwara-senpai as well?”
Shiraishi quietly asked Yuuto.
Yuuto answered the genuine question with his true feelings.
“To be honest, I think the activities of the student council sound fun …but if Minato isn’t on the next student council, I’m not sure I’m up for it either.”
What’s with this guy, does he love me?
No, I don’t want to be in trouble, popular people are ………..sorry I got carried away.
I guess it’s because he doesn’t have anyone to talk to mindlessly because I’m not there.
And because people around him also lift him up while talking to him.
Because of his popularity, Yuuto hated not being seen as an equal.
This is probably the reason why he does not belong to any club activities, committees, or groups.
In other words, he may not be good at group activities either.
Unlike me, he is popular and that’s why he has trouble with it.
Hearing Yuuto’s words, Shiraishi did not ask any more questions.
She just quietly muttered, “I see,” and after that, she quietly lowered her gaze towards the table.
“You don’t have to decline the student council election, and I won’t ask you for an answer about the executive committee member right away …so take your time and think about it during the summer vacation.”
If the two of us try to persuade her alone, like a forceful push, it could lead to regrets later.
It is better to give Shiraishi time to think alone in a calm situation.
As Yuuto and I got up from our seats and were about to leave, Shiraishi called out to us.
“Shinra-senpai! …Can we talk again, during summer vacation?”
To be honest, I thought those words were troublesome.
However, since I said I would cooperate, I had to help out to the extent possible.
“Well… I’m always at home anyways… so if you call me, I can at least talk to you or something.”
I realized that my character was twisted when I could not honestly say, “Okay”. After telling Shiraishi this, Yuuto and I left the place.
On the way home, we didn’t talk much, but when we came to a fork in the road, Yuuto started talking to me.
“Which would Shiraishi-san choose?”
“…At least I don’t think that her feelings for the student body are light enough to moved just from today’s talk.”
When I answered Yuuto’s question, he smiled and showed me a grin.
“You’ve got your eye on a tough opponent.”
“…It’s not as hard as dealing with you.”
My exasperated sigh and Yuuto’s laughter echoed through the quiet residential area.
Summer vacation has just begun.
But I can feel fatigue just after it has just begun.
This summer vacation was going to be harder than I had imagined.
