"Sorry, I kept you waiting."
Natsukawa Kanade jogged up to Megumi Kato, slightly out of breath.
To fulfill the lunch date he'd proposed the day before, he went straight to the academic dean after class and borrowed the key to the rooftop of the school building.
As a model student and student council president, he didn't need special privileges. All he had to say was: "I want to inspect the rooftop to eliminate safety risks and prevent students from gathering in private."
Yesterday, he'd suggested lunch with Kato, but upon arriving at school today, he realized it wouldn't be so simple.
Turning down enthusiastic invitations from classmates was one thing. The hardest part was finding a suitable place.
Ever since he became president, his actions drew attention. If he ate lunch with Kato in public, rumors would spread quickly.
And Kato was someone who valued peace. It would be awful if that caused her trouble.
In response to his apology, Kato shook her head kindly.
"No, I just got here too."
Kanade nodded, glanced around, and seeing no one nearby, pulled out the key and opened the rooftop door.
The blue sky burst into view. The clear landscape instantly relaxed him.
Though the rooftop was closed to students, it was cleaned regularly. They found a clean bench and sat together.
"I always feel like Natsukawa-kun looks guilty. Are you afraid of being seen, so you sneak up here?"
"Or am I causing trouble for Natsukawa-kun?"
"No, of course not."
He was the one who invited her. Being with Kato calmed him. He was so happy he couldn't even express it properly.
It might sound arrogant, but he knew he stood out. If people saw him having lunch with Kato, they'd definitely misinterpret it.
"It's a misunderstanding…"
"I don't mind. There are already plenty of rumors about me. But you, Kato, you'd probably care if people misunderstood, right?"
"It's nothing to me…"
"Eh?"
"Not many people know me. Even if they saw me, they'd forget me instantly, right?"
"…"
Kanade was speechless. It was hard to argue with that.
Kato's presence was so subtle that even when she was right in front of you, you could overlook her without realizing.
"Then… shall we go somewhere else next time?"
His glance might've seemed evasive, but he didn't think too deeply about it.
"Sure."
Her hair fluttered in the wind, and her gentle words enhanced her charm.
"The view is beautiful too."
"Yes, sometimes I come here just to relax. I don't do anything—just sit and watch everyone below."
As they talked, Kanade handed Kato a bento, which she accepted and offered him a cup of tea.
"What's this?"
"Oolong tea. A friend of my dad sent it. We have too much at home and can't finish it. So please help me out, Natsukawa-kun."
"Then it would be an honor to refuse."
He took a sip. The rich aroma spread through his mouth.
Unlike bottled drinks, properly brewed oolong tea starts slightly bitter, then turns sweet, leaving a lingering fragrance.
"It's delicious. Thank you, Kato."
"As long as Natsukawa-kun likes it."
Kato smiled faintly and pulled out a tin of tea from her bag.
"If that's not enough, there's more here. But Natsukawa-kun has to take it home."
"Eh? No, that's a bit…"
"Don't worry about it. Dad doesn't like it anyway. It'll go to waste if you don't drink it."
"Alright."
Still, he felt embarrassed. It was just a grilled eel lunch, but he'd received a generous gift. Even if the tea wasn't expensive, the thought behind it was.
"If you still feel bad, please treat me to dessert next time."
"There's a new dessert that just came out. It looks delicious, but I don't have much money…"
Kanade blinked and smiled playfully.
"So Kato's a bad boy, using a gift meant for her dad to stretch her own allowance…"
"…"
Kato didn't reply, but her slightly puffed cheeks and red ears betrayed her mood.
Kanade stopped teasing. If Kato got truly upset, it'd be hard to handle.
After chatting, it was time to enjoy the meal.
They savored lunch while admiring the clear rooftop view. With no interruptions, their happiness grew even more.
...
At the end of the day, Kanade was called to the principal's office. When he left, it was nearly dusk.
"Student Council President…"
He sighed, his mind full of thoughts.
In his conversation with the principal, he received a lot of information. What concerned him most was the school's stance on his resignation: they advised him to reconsider, but didn't agree with it.
The reason was simple. During his term, both students and teachers had given positive feedback about the student council.
His professional ability not only surpassed previous years—it showed signs of reaching a new level. The school didn't want to lose him.
Maybe they didn't fully understand how capable Kanade was, but they knew how valuable the unity of the student body was under his leadership.
As the central figure, he was the link between students. If he were replaced suddenly, would the same effect remain?
It might seem exaggerated to think a mere student council president could affect the school's operation, but at Shuchiin, that wasn't the case.
The student association had rights and status that other schools couldn't match. It controlled nearly all campus affairs: attendance, rules, festivals, excursions, internal policies.
The president led the council's talents, ensuring everyone lived a "proper high school life."
It wasn't a minor responsibility.
And in an aristocratic school like Shuchiin, a "mixed student" like him—someone who didn't come from the primary division—shouldn't have reached that position.
Everything changed because of Shinomiya Kaguya. She represented the Shinomiya Group and was his vice president.
Because he liked Kaguya, Kanade kept challenging her. Faced with such a brilliant girl, he had only one option: compete relentlessly.
From academics to social skills, from talents to hobbies—no matter what he was good or bad at, he wouldn't show weakness.
In every field, he'd challenge Kaguya. Only by defeating her again and again, frustrating her genius, could he earn her recognition as an equal.
At first, he only lost. But it didn't matter. He had initiative.
Was his performance lower? He'd study harder.
Were his skills weaker? He'd practice until he surpassed her.
He'd nearly forgotten what those days were like. He only remembered sleeping less than five hours.
But he did it. He beat her head-on.
First, with a perfect exam score.
Then, by using his strengths to undermine her arrogance.
Finally, he won her over.
After that, she became his vice president. Helped him secure the presidency… until the day he chose to let go.
Kaguya acknowledged his abilities, but as a lover, he wasn't her first choice. And Kanade understood.
Still, if he abandoned everyone as friends just to avoid heartbreak, he'd be a coward.
He'd made that cowardly choice many times. Every night, when everyone slept, he thought about it. Felt guilty. Wanted to go back.
Until that rainy day, when Kato's gentle words gave him strength.
Run away? Take responsibility? Whatever it takes.
If he's willing, he'll do it.
He no longer lives by others' expectations. Now he follows his own heart.
"I want… to be friends with everyone forever!"
Laugh with them. Play with them. Live with them every day.
He doesn't want to give up that possibility, no matter what.
That's why he must leave the past behind.
And face a completely new version of himself.