During the Class 1-B representative elections, Aragaki Miyahito—who had served as class president for three consecutive years in middle school—was completely uninterested in participating.
He simply sat quietly in his seat, smiling as he watched his enthusiastic classmates step up to the podium to campaign. Along the way, he even offered some public speaking tips to his seatmate, Ishikawa Tooru, who was running for PE representative.
Once the Class 1-B committee was fully elected, and after successfully helping Ishikawa secure the PE representative position, Miyahito followed the directions of the newly appointed class president, Tomori Asahi.
Together with his classmates, he headed to the auditorium to attend the opening ceremony.
While lining up to enter the hall,
Miyahito's gaze instinctively swept across the crowd of first-year students, searching for someone in particular.
"Who are you looking for, Aragaki-kun?"
Ishikawa Tooru, standing beside him, noticed his wandering gaze and curiously scanned the area as well.
"Nothing much. Just wondering if there are any familiar faces here," Miyahito replied casually, hiding his true thoughts. He patted his new friend on the back and teased, "You'd better start showing off your authority as PE rep, Ishikawa-kun."
"...Don't mock me, Aragaki-kun." Nervously, Ishikawa awkwardly rubbed his cheek. "If it weren't for the tips you gave me, I wouldn't have won the position unanimously."
"Nonsense."
Miyahito slung an arm around the boy who was nearly as tall as he was and lightly tapped his chest with a smile. "My tips alone wouldn't be enough to guarantee a clean sweep."
"Keep it up, Mr. PE Representative."
Maybe it was just a matter of compatibility.
Even though they had only known each other for a few hours, Ishikawa could already tell that he and Aragaki Miyahito were remarkably easygoing with each other.
Returning the light tap, Ishikawa grinned broadly.
"Keep teasing me and I'll nominate you for the next election, you hear?"
"Have mercy on me, please."
Before Miyahito could finish speaking, a voice suddenly cut in.
"I actually think that's a good idea. Aragaki-kun as a committee member."
Startled, both Miyahito and Ishikawa turned around.
The next second, two very different girls appeared before them.
Miyahito's eyes landed on a girl with short cream-blonde hair, wearing an oversized jacket over her uniform shirt.
"Hmm..." After thinking for a few seconds, he called out hesitantly, "Yoshikawa-san?"
"Yo, I'm Yoshikawa Yuki-desu."
At the same time, Ishikawa turned to the tall, brown-haired girl standing beside her and greeted her.
"Hello, you must be Hori-san, right?"
"Mhm, hello, Ishikawa-kun."
After the four of them exchanged brief greetings and introductions,
Yoshikawa Yuki flicked her overly long sleeves, then playfully used the wide cuffs to cover her mouth. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she spoke to Ishikawa.
"I totally agree with your suggestion, Ishikawa-kun."
"Really?"
Hearing Yuki's support, Ishikawa nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, exactly."
Yuki giggled, looking remarkably like a hamster as she added,
"Aragaki-kun gives off the aura of a reliable older brother who always looks out for everyone, desu."
"Mhm, I feel the same way."
"So, how about we nominate Aragaki-kun for class president?"
"Oh, that works! Besides, he was president for three years in middle school."
"Wow, I didn't know you were that amazing, Aragaki-kun."
Listening to the two of them effortlessly take turns teasing him, Miyahito felt like he had just met two real-life comedians. Rubbing his temples, he interjected with a headache.
"Alright, alright. If you keep this up, you'll nominate me for Student Council President next."
"Oho, even better, right? Yoshikawa-san?"
"I'm all for it, desu, Ishikawa-kun."
"Hey, come on..." Overwhelmed by their combined assault, Miyahito shifted his pleading gaze toward Hori Kyoko.
But before he could say anything, Kyoko simply smiled and made an encouraging gesture. "Don't worry, I'll vote for you too, Aragaki-kun."
Miyahito was completely speechless, shocked by his three new classmates, and wore an expression of utter exasperation.
"Please stop."
"If you keep this up, I won't be able to face our Class Rep, Tomori, with a straight face."
...
As the quartet of Aragaki Miyahito, Ishikawa Tooru, Yoshikawa Yuki, and Hori Kyoko continued their light banter, all the first-year students gradually took their seats in their designated sections of the auditorium.
Class 1-B's group was no exception.
As soon as he sat down, Miyahito's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the nearby Class 1-C section.
Is Kasumigaoka sitting there?
Desperately needing an answer, he quietly questioned his own heart.
However.
He couldn't find that highly familiar silhouette anywhere in Class 1-C's rows.
From the beginning of the ceremony, through the principal's speech, to the outstanding student representative's address... Miyahito paid absolutely no attention to the proceedings. Instead, he carefully observed every single face in Class 1-C.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't spot her. His mood gradually soured.
I'll check the bulletin board again after the ceremony ends.
Having given up on trying to find her in person, Miyahito lowered his gaze, his lips unconsciously pressing together tightly.
At the same time, the long ceremony reached its final segment.
"Next, we will hear a speech from our outstanding freshman representative."
Hearing the teacher's announcement, Miyahito brushed aside his emotional turmoil and calmly stared at the stage.
To distract himself, he tried to focus entirely on the upcoming speech.
Outstanding freshman representative, huh. Too bad my STEM grades are disappointing.
However, the moment that thought crossed his mind, his attempt to shift focus was instantly shattered by the teacher's next words.
"From Class 1-C, Kasumigaoka Utaha."
His dark eyes widened uncontrollably. With a face full of disbelief, Miyahito stiffly turned his neck.
Then, the graceful figure of a girl stood up, exactly as expected, leaving a profound impression on his sight.
His eyes followed her steps as she walked from the rightmost seat in the first row to the podium.
As she looked out over the entire Toyogasaki teaching staff and student body,
That's not the little sister from before. Staring blankly at the beautiful girl on stage, memories from half a month ago slowly surfaced.
That day, he had met a girl who greatly resembled the Senpai in his memories, but without the hair ribbon.
So she... she was Utaha.
"Hello, everyone. I am Kasumigaoka Utaha from Class 1-C."
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