Kazuki's POV
A few days passed, and I gradually became more comfortable at Kuoh Academy. The stares were still there, but they weren't nearly as intense as before.
It was still uncomfortable...
Just not suffocating anymore.
When lunchtime arrived, I headed toward the cafeteria to collect my meal and drink.
Unfortunately...
It seemed fate wasn't interested in letting me enjoy a peaceful lunch.
"Excuse me."
A girl's voice called out from behind me.
At the same time, a familiar fragrance reached my nose.
Roses...
Unlike before, this one reminded me of roses after a summer rain.
I turned around.
Standing there was a bespectacled girl with a slender figure, short black bobbed hair, and violet eyes.
She wasn't as immediately striking as Akeno-senpai, but there was something composed about her that made her difficult to ignore.
"You're Kazuki Sakuragi, correct?" she asked.
"Yes." I nodded politely. "I'm Kazuki Sakuragi. I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've met before... Ma'am."
"Ma'am?" One of her eyebrows twitched in mild annoyance. "Do I really look that old?"
"No offense intended." I quickly raised both hands in surrender. "I was just trying to be respectful. If I called you 'cute' or 'beautiful' the first time we met, wouldn't that come across as harassment?"
"Oh..." Her eyes widened slightly before she cleared her throat. "I see. That's... an unusual way of thinking."
She adjusted her glasses.
"I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that most of the male students here usually try to flirt or impress girls. I suppose many of them dream of being surrounded by beautiful girls."
"I can't really blame them," I said with a small nod. "That doesn't mean you should ignore someone's personal boundaries. I happen to know someone who does exactly that."
I let out a quiet sigh.
"It's not like I dislike her. If anything... I probably needed someone who was willing to break that boundary."
She looked at me with mild surprise.
"You're complaining because a girl approached you?" she asked. "That's... a new one."
"Well, I'm only human," I replied with a shrug. "I complain more often than I'd like to admit. Though, I don't believe I've caught your name yet."
"Ah, my apologies."
She adjusted her glasses once more.
"I'm Souna Shitori, the Student Council President. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kazuki Sakuragi."
"Shitori-senpai, then..." I repeated before suddenly freezing.
"...Wait." I stared at her for a moment. "Did I accidentally break some school rule? Is that why the Student Council President came looking for me?"
She covered her mouth with one hand as a quiet laugh escaped her lips.
For a moment, she seemed to be trying to compose herself.
...Did I say something funny?
"No," she replied between soft laughs, gently wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "You haven't done anything wrong."
Taking a small breath, she adjusted her glasses.
"I've simply been conducting a survey on how the male students are adapting to Kuoh Academy. Since the school only recently became coeducational, I wanted to hear your thoughts and see what improvements can be made."
"Only the male students?" I tilted my head.
"The female students as well," she corrected. "Though... many of their responses have been less about the school itself and more about the transition to a public academy."
"I see..." I nodded slowly. "Things like... 'Men are animals,' or 'All men are predators.'"
I let out a quiet sigh. "I always find that way of thinking a little strange."
"Hm?"
"Most people who say 'all men are the same' still have fathers, brothers, or grandfathers they trust. Being cautious makes sense, but judging everyone because of a few people never seemed fair to me."
"That's a thoughtful perspective," she said, crossing her arms. "Have you always been this observant? Most people our age don't usually think that way."
"No." I shook my head. "I'm actually a bit of an introvert."
I smiled awkwardly while rubbing the back of my neck.
"Maybe that's the reason I spend more time observing people than talking to them. That doesn't mean I'm socially awkward. I just... prefer listening before speaking."
"Interesting..." She rested a hand against her chin, her gaze lowering in thought for a moment.
"Would you mind coming to the Student Council room? I'd like to speak with you a little longer."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Is this still part of the survey?"
"Partly, yes."
"...That's a suspicious answer."
I thought for a moment before deciding to go along with it.
"As long as you let me grab my free lunch and drink first..."
"Of course." A faint smile appeared on her face. "I wasn't planning on depriving a scholarship student of his lunch. I'll ask someone to bring them."
"Then I suppose I have no reason to refuse." I let out a small sigh. "Starving students tend to give less reliable answers."
For a brief moment, Shitori-senpai simply stared at me.
"...I'll keep that in mind."
"I was joking."
"I know."
"Then please don't make this any more embarrassing than it already is, Shitori-senpai."
She chuckled softly before turning around and walking away.
I simply followed behind her.
After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at the Student Council room.
Shitori-senpai opened the door first before stepping inside. I quietly followed after her.
The room was spacious, neat, and impeccably organized.
Rows of filing cabinets lined one wall, while shelves filled with books, binders, and neatly labeled documents occupied another.
A large wooden table stood at the center of the room, surrounded by several chairs for meetings.
Near the windows were a few desks stacked with paperwork, each arranged so neatly that it almost felt intimidating.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the room in a warm glow and giving the polished wooden floor a gentle shine. The faint scent of paper, ink, and freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere that was both calm and professional.
It wasn't luxurious.
It simply looked like a place where people actually got things done.
"You may have a seat, Sakuragi-kun," Shitori-senpai said as she took her own seat behind one of the desks.
I nodded and chose the chair directly across from her.
"Welcome to the Student Council room."
"Thank you, Senpai." I gave a polite nod before hesitating. "Though... may I ask something first?"
"Of course."
"...Are we..." My gaze wandered around the room once more. "...the only two people here?"
"At the moment, yes," she replied. "The other members are attending to their own responsibilities. Is something the matter?"
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"I've heard enough stories about a male student being alone in a room with a female student for rumors to start, especially when the female student is attractive and also happens to be the Student Council President."
For a brief moment, Shitori-senpai simply stared at me.
"...You're surprisingly cautious."
"I prefer to call it 'risk management,' Senpai."
"I'll remember that."
The corner of her lips curled into a faint smile.
"Thank you for the reminder, Sakuragi-kun."