Playing is just a way to lift everyone's spirits. In the end, the student council still has to get back on track and do its job.
The council elections are approaching. I heard there's a very popular first-year student lately. Want me to gather intel, President?
"No need. A direct confrontation will suffice. If the enemy comes, we counter. If water comes, we block it with earth. If she defeats me, it only proves I'm not capable enough."
Natsukawa Kanade shook his head, though his hands never stopped moving.
That was one of the reasons he had wanted to resign before. With the mindset of "quitting to make others realize," he had refused to run in the next presidential election. But he hadn't expected to regret it.
It was enrollment season, and things were hectic. Even though Kaguya and Shirogane helped, they only eased the pressure. Many issues still remained.
Rather than worrying about someone stealing the presidency or scheming behind the scenes, it was better to simply work hard. After all, at Suisouin High School, where elections were democratic, the public had sharp eyes.
Knock knock knock…
"Come in."
"Excuse me, I'm Yukinoshita Yukino, third year, class two."
Introducing yourself before visiting the student council is a good habit, but that alone wasn't enough to catch Natsukawa Kanade's attention.
But the person who entered was Yukinoshita.
"Yukinoshita… this is the student council. Please state your purpose."
Natsukawa Kanade set down the report and responded seriously.
That morning, he had received a message from Hikigaya saying Yukinoshita might cause him "trouble" in the coming days, but he hadn't expected her to appear so soon.
Her ability to act was, to say the least, impressive.
"It's about this… I'd like to ask why the funding request for our club's activities was denied."
Cool and composed—even when facing Natsukawa Kanade, a former clubmate she had once rejected and who was now student council president—Yukinoshita Yukino had no intention of exchanging pleasantries and got straight to business.
"I clearly stated the purpose and use of the funds in my application. Under no circumstances should it have been rejected without explanation."
Natsukawa Kanade didn't respond immediately but looked toward Shinomiya Kaguya.
He had no memory of this incident and assumed it had happened while he wasn't in office.
"Service Club?"
"I believe… that's the name of your club?"
"Yes."
"Is the document still here? Show it to me."
"Yes, President."
Kaguya Shinomiya handed him a stack of papers.
Natsukawa Kanade quickly found the Service Club's funding request form.
"To promote the spirit of helping others, our department has decided…"
The redundant text in the middle wasn't important. The key was the final comment: a large red "REJECTED" stamped across it, with the student council president's seal beside it.
It was clear the document hadn't passed through his hands, but it bore the president's seal, so he had to provide an explanation.
Fortunately, he knew Kaguya Shinomiya well enough to understand some of her reasoning.
"Before I explain, I'd like to ask Representative Yukinoshita if she's aware of the strict regulations for establishing clubs at our school."
Yukinoshita Yukino frowned slightly but still answered sincerely:
"Although our club has fewer than five members, the achievements we've made are real…"
"Lack of members is sufficient grounds to deny your club's funding request," Natsukawa Kanade interrupted immediately.
"But all previous funding was approved…"
"That's because your 'club' has made certain contributions to our student body, so we provided limited financial support. But those weren't official 'club activity funds.' I hope you understand."
The previous funding had been approved by Natsukawa Kanade. After all, he had been a member of that club, knew it well, and had been willing to give it some leeway.
For now… it couldn't be said that he had done anything wrong by following the rules, right?
Kaguya Shinomiya nodded, agreeing with Kanade's decision. Though she thought the president's kindness was a bit unnecessary—and that clubs like that, which requested funds without meeting requirements, could simply be rejected—she also appreciated his sense of fairness.
"Of course, if you manage to gather the minimum number of members required to establish a club before the next funding cycle, I'll recognize the Service Club's existence and will be willing to approve additional activity funds, along with your proposal."
"President, isn't that a bit…"
"Shinomiya, I spent time in that club," Natsukawa Kanade shook his head and explained. "So I know very well that its activities haven't strayed from the purpose it was founded for."
Kaguya Shinomiya's eyes widened, as if she had discovered a new world. She suddenly turned to look at Yukinoshita, her gaze filled with intense wariness.
This woman is dangerous!
No wonder she had sensed something off when they first met. So she came here to flaunt herself in front of the president!
Natsukawa Kanade didn't think much of it and continued:
"They solve problems, offer support… they're genuinely helpful to our students. Personally, I think this kind of club is far more valuable than something like the board game or nap club."
In that case, why can't we be more tolerant of these kinds of societies?
Natsukawa Kanade still held a bit of a grudge toward the board game club. If it weren't for Fujiwara Chika's persistence, he would've found all sorts of excuses to deduct their minor budget surplus.
Instead of spending money developing bizarre games like that, why not learn from the tea club next door and play music or host concerts when you've got nothing better to do?
"…Understood."
Yukinoshita gave a slight nod, then looked deeply at Natsukawa Kanade, closed the door, and left.
She hadn't achieved her original goal, but it wasn't without reward. At the very least… she had grasped some of Natsukawa Kanade's thoughts and attitude.
This left Yukinoshita a little unsettled, wondering if she had misjudged him back then. If not, why was he so calm and composed when facing a girl who had rejected his confession? His behavior didn't match the image of a "scumbag" at all.
Was he pretending for her sake? No, it seemed more like… it was just his nature.
But she wasn't entirely sure. After all, he hadn't appeared before her since the day his confession failed, and she couldn't judge him based solely on her previous fictional impression.
It seemed she needed to meet that person again to be sure. Maybe she had misunderstood him…
Somehow, thinking that made Yukinoshita feel inexplicably irritated, as if she had lost something very important. There seemed to be a hollow space in her heart, and a sense of loss welled up on its own.