Chapter 4: Why He Wants to Be Confessed
The Shuchiin student council room buzzed with activity.
Unlike the usual work vibe, it was cheerful, with snacks, drinks, and balloons being prepared.
“Ow…”
Shirogane clutched his ribs, groaning while setting up drinks.
“President, are you hurt?”
“…”
He couldn’t exactly say he got beaten to a pulp by his best friend under a starry night sky.
Shirogane brushed it off.
“Just took a small fall riding my bike yesterday.”
“That’s serious! Kaguya-san, call the family doctor—”
“No, really, I’m fine…”
Truthfully, the occasional sharp pain made him want to roll on the floor, but he wasn’t about to look unmanly in front of Kaguya.
“No worries if it’s a bike fall! I once fell while riding with Fes in my basket.”
Fujiwara chimed in with her usual bright tone. Fes is her family’s dog.
Since the bike story was a lie, Shirogane felt awkward but played along.
“Oh, Fujiwara-san’s had that happen too?”
“Yup! Fes got scraped up and had a bald spot on his head, but I was fine! So, you’ll be okay, President!”
“…Make sure you apologize to Fes when you get home.”
As preparations wrapped up, the student council room door creaked open.
The day after joining the student council—1% my choice, 99% theirs—I sighed deeply and opened the door.
Pop! Bang!
Party poppers exploded on both sides. Amid the fluttering confetti, a small banner appeared.
[Congrats! Suzuki Hotaro Joins the Student Council!]
I stood there, stunned, before finally speaking.
“…What’s this?”
“A party to celebrate you joining, Suzuki-kun! A party!”
“It’s the first time someone new’s joined since the council started, so we went all out.”
“Welcome, Hotaro.”
A party for me?
My parents are always abroad, and my only brother’s kind of cold, so while I’ve gotten gifts, parties are rare.
This unfamiliar scene stirred a weird feeling in me.
“…Thanks.”
It wasn’t easy to express, but…
It felt pretty good.
We chatted and munched on snacks—not cheap bags, but fancy ones in cylindrical tins.
‘These are good…’
Is money the key? I was lost in pointless thoughts when Fujiwara clapped her hands and asked.
“Oh! Suzuki-kun, have you thought about what role you want in the council?”
“I don’t even know what’s available.”
Yesterday’s fiasco landed me here—did they think I’d researched?
“Really? Then I’ll explain.”
Shinomiya set down her teacup and started.
“The council has six positions. You know president, vice president, and secretary, right?”
“Yeah, I know your roles.”
“The open positions are general affairs, treasurer, and auditor.”
“Those names alone make my choices feel limited…”
“True, numbers aren’t your thing, Hotaro. Treasurer or auditor might be tough.”
Miyuki’s right—I’m bad with numbers. I can grasp points in text, but numbers? If a math problem’s complex, I pick 3 for multiple-choice, 0 for open-ended. Treasurer’s out.
“Then it’s…”
“General affairs, by elimination.”
“…Hmm.”
Great, we’ve got a conclusion, but…
“What does general affairs do?”
Spouting administrative terms like it’s obvious doesn’t help.
Miyuki scratched his head and explained.
“It’s often called ‘executive’ or ‘manager.’ Get the idea?”
“Based on the kanji, it’s like doing a bit of everything, right?”
“Exactly. Less specialized, more of an all-rounder role.”
An all-rounder in a council strapped for help? I said another goodbye to my energy-saving lifestyle.
We’re parting ways for good this time…
“We’ll teach you everything you need to know. Looking forward to working with you.”
“Hehe, ask me anything if you’re unsure.”
“Let’s toast to Suzuki-kun, our new general affairs officer!”
Guess I’ve got no choice but to do my best now that I’m here.
Clink!
The glasses chimed brightly, and my chaotic student council life began.
About a week after joining the student council.
It was almost time to leave, so Shinomiya and Fujiwara had already gone home.
Just me and Miyuki remained in the council room.
As I packed my bag to leave, Miyuki spoke with a serious look.
“Hotaro, I need to talk. Seriously.”
“About what?”
“What do you think of me and Shinomiya? I mean…”
He hesitated, almost embarrassed.
“…Do we seem like a good match?”
“Well, well…”
Here it comes.
Everyone says they’re perfect together, some even think they’re dating. Up close, I can tell there’s something there.
Is he finally working up the nerve?
“People always say you two are great together, and I think so too. Planning to confess?”
I expected him to blush and nod, but…
“Confess? Nah, why would I?”
He waved it off dismissively.
Then why’d you ask?
“Listen, Hotaro. Shinomiya is 100%…”
“…?”
“…into me.”
What…?
Is this guy insane?
It was absurd, but he wouldn’t say this without reason.
“What’s your proof?”
“If I had to say, it’s a gut feeling.”
“Wow…”
A hopeless romantic’s gut.
Hope he hasn’t planned out grandkids already.
“So, I want Shinomiya to confess to me.”
“Oh, is that all?”
His nonsense was draining the life from my responses.
The next thing he’d say was obvious…
“So, maybe…”
“Yup, good luck with that confession or whatever. I’m out—”
He’s definitely asking for help. Do it yourself, man.
Every time he does something cool, he follows it with something dumb.
“Wait, Hotaro.”
“Do I need to hear more?”
“I knew you’d react like this. I get it’s ridiculous.”
You know and still say it?
“But I have to get her to confess. Becoming top student, president…”
“…?”
“It was all to be a guy worthy of Shinomiya.”
“…What?”
I was shocked. I thought he just snapped one day and unlocked his potential.
“Spring of first year, I fell for her. But I was poor, low-ranking, an outsider. Approaching someone as perfect as her wasn’t easy.”
“Yeah, Shinomiya back then was ice-cold.”
I thought I hit walls in middle school, but her vibe was on another level.
“For a timid, unimpressive guy like me, there was only one way to match someone who has everything.”
“…?”
“Study harder, longer than anyone. Use the status I earned to fake confidence. That’s it.”
“…”
“I’m scared. If I confess and fail, the fragile balance I’ve built might collapse. I might never recover.”
Who’d imagine a guy topping the nation’s best high school, wearing the president’s hat, was such a ball of insecurities?
Even I, his close friend, had no clue.
“That’s why I want Shinomiya to confess. To prove my efforts weren’t wasted, that they had value.”
“…Sigh.”
I let out a deep sigh. It’s always like this.
His nonsense starts off absurd, but the backstory makes me cave.
“…What do you need help with?”
Miyuki’s serious face broke into a grin.
“Not some huge favor. Just back me up a bit when we’re all in the council room.”
“Hmm.”
“Me saying Shinomiya’s into me is half-bluff, half-truth.”
“So there’s some basis for it?”
He nodded at my question.
He’s not clueless, so if he feels this way, Shinomiya probably has some feelings for him.
“Exactly. So, help me create situations where she can’t help but confess—or wants to.”
“You need backup fire. Fine, I can do that.”
Like always, it’s bigger than I thought, but what can I do? I already said I’d help.
“I keep owing you. Thanks, always.”
“Cut the sappy stuff.”
His pattern’s familiar: work me to death, then smooth it over with embarrassing words. He needs to stop.
Feeling the conversation wrap up, I stood, stretched, and said.
“I’ll help, but I’m not doing love as exhausting as you. Seriously.”
“Try it yourself. Think you can control it? You’ll be the same when you fall for someone.”
“Yeah, right.”
What’s so hard about it?
I know myself best. I’m pretty detached, no matter the situation.
A girl wouldn’t change that.
If, by some miracle, I ended up in that spot, I’d just confess like a man. What’s the issue?
“Don’t worry, that’ll never happen.”
I said it with confidence.
Back then, love felt like a foreign concept to me.