Our class decided to set up a maid café as our project. We had already started working on it in earnest, and under Amelia’s leadership, my classmates were all working together diligently.
Now, after school.
I was heading to the student council room to submit our class’s project proposal.
The student council room is located on the west side of the third floor of the school building. I had never been there before, but I had a rough idea of its location.
“Autumn is approaching…”
It was mid-September.
Although the lingering heat of summer was still present, it seemed that the days were getting shorter. It wasn’t yet fully dusk, but the sun was gradually setting.
And I arrived at the student council room alone, holding the proposal.
If I remember correctly, the student council president is Rebecca-senpai, and the vice president is Dina-senpai.
I wasn’t familiar with the treasurer and the secretary, but just knowing these two made me feel that coming to the student council room wasn’t particularly daunting.
After all, I was the one who suggested to Amelia that I should go submit it.
I knocked three times on the door, and a clear, pleasant voice came from inside. It was Rebecca-senpai.
“You may come in.”
“Excuse me.”
I opened the door, bowed politely, and stepped inside.
The interior was simple, not much different from a regular classroom. The only notable features were the numerous sticky notes on the whiteboard and the schedule for the cultural festival that was written out.
Glancing sideways, I saw Rebecca-senpai smiling at me from the desk at the back. Next to her, Dina-senpai also called out to me.
“It’s you, Ray. Long time no see.”
“Dina-senpai. It’s been a while.”
“Did you bring the class’s project proposal today?”
“Yes, here it is.”
I handed it over with both hands, and Dina-senpai received it and briefly glanced through it.
“Eh? A maid café?”
“Yes. Our class will be participating as a maid café.”
“…From what I’ve seen at a glance, there doesn’t seem to be any problems, but it’s surprising that your classmates approved this. I thought Class A had a lot of nobles?”
“They somehow accepted it. Besides, not everyone will be dressed as maids.”
“I see. Well, since you’re in it… that might be thanks to you.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing at all. Anyway, I’ve received the proposal, so you can go back now.”
“Understood. Excuse me. Rebecca-senpai, I’m leaving as well.”
“Yes, then, Ray-san, see you again.”
Noticing that her voice sounded tired, I focused on Rebecca-senpai’s face.
As I stared at her eyes, I realized something.
Though hidden by makeup, there were definitely dark circles under Rebecca-senpai’s eyes. Dina-senpai had them too. They were probably trying to cover it up with layers of foundation, but it was clear that both of them were concerned about not showing their fatigue.
“I have a question, though. What about the other student council members?”
“……If only it would just obediently go back. Really, Ray is just too sharp-eyed, or should I say… well, whatever.”
Haah, Dina-senpai let out a clear sigh.
So, there was something going on after all.
“Rebecca-sama, I think it’s okay to tell Ray.”
“That’s true. Well, to answer your question… the other three members probably won’t come here.”
“Why is that?”
“…My engagement is likely the cause.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Originally, those three belonged to a certain faction of nobility. One of them was originally supposed to be engaged to the person I’m now engaged to… I heard about it later. To sum it up, they don’t like me, so they won’t help me… That’s why it’s just Dina and me trying to manage the student council for now.”
“I see…”
This revealed the inner workings of the nobility.
It’s not just an adult world. Our class is relatively peaceful. There were various issues at the beginning of the school year, but now my classmates treat me, an ordinary person, without discrimination.
However, that’s only true for our class. Nobles are certainly not a monolith. It seems that Rebecca-senpai and the others are also caught up in the factional struggles among the nobility…
So, they are forcing themselves to run the student council together.
On the whiteboard, there were notes indicating ongoing tasks, and on Rebecca-senpai’s and Dina-senpai’s desks, piles of documents were stacked high. They were likely checking the proposals, which included not only our class but also club activities and other events.
It was insane for the two of them to handle all of that.
If I have learned something, there is only one thing I must do. There was no hesitation.
“I understand. Please let me help with the student council’s activities during the cultural festival.”
“Ha… I thought you would say that if Rey found out. That’s why I urged you to come back quickly…”
“Ray-san, but you have your class activities as well.”
“I can manage both. This time, I am only in charge of publicity and helping with serving, along with cooking. Moreover, I am carefully coordinating the schedule with Amelia. Even if I help with the student council’s tasks, I can balance it without compromising performance.”
This is by no means a bluff.
The truth is, I have been handling administrative tasks since I was young.
It is a sad background that I did everything because my master was really incapable of such things.
When I was a soldier, there were many procedures involving paperwork, and I had to handle them accordingly. I did it all, including my master’s share.
“Ray~. Some documents have come in~”
“Ray! It’s here again! This is their conspiracy! I’m no good with office work!”
“Ha… what a hassle. Ray, please take care of it!”
“Again? Here you go, Ray.”
Looking back, what may have initially been some hesitation eventually turned into them tossing everything to me without any reservations.
To be honest, I think my master would be a complete failure as a person if he hadn’t succeeded as a magician. Well, even now, it’s touch and go…
With my past experience, I believe I can definitely be of help to the two of them. I have been indebted to them through the gardening club. In return, I want to help them as well.
“But Ray-san, it might be a bother for you… This is my own circumstance. I have also been causing trouble for Dina-san…”
“Rebecca-sama! That’s a promise we made not to say! I have vowed in my heart to help you, no matter the situation!”
“Dina-san…”
“Rebecca-senpai, I feel the same. Since entering school, I have always been in your care. You allowed me to participate in the gardening club despite being the kind of guy who was apparently avoided, and you taught me about various plants. Please let me repay that debt here. You don’t need to worry about me, a junior. I simply wish to help you both from the bottom of my heart.”
“Ray-san…”
“Ray…”
Upon closer inspection, I saw that both of their eyes were glistening.
They must have been under considerable stress. They had been diligently handling an amount of work that could not possibly be managed by just the two of them until late into the night.
That’s why I absolutely want to be of help to them.
“Honestly… you really are a good person. Rebecca-sama, let’s rely on him. With Ray around, we should be able to manage somehow. Please, I ask this of you as well.”
As Dina-senpai bowed her head, I also bowed mine towards Rebecca-senpai.
“Rebecca-senpai, please, let me help as well.”
“…Dina-san. Ray-san…”
Her voice seemed to tremble in some way.
The reason I want to help like this is because I have another thought. It is indeed related to a previous incident.
I want to uncover the truth behind that expression from the last day of summer vacation.
I believe that Rebecca-senpai is hiding something.
Something related to her engagement, or perhaps an entirely different matter.
Whether or not I should probe into this may be unnecessary meddling.
But I no longer want to have regrets.
Where else can I apply the lessons learned from the losses I suffered during the Far East War if not here? Surely, the comrades I lost are watching over the current me.
So I intend to make a choice that I will not regret.
“Both of you, please lift your heads. I understand. Ray-san, please take care of everything until the cultural festival is successfully concluded.”
“Yes!”
Reflected in the twilight light, I couldn’t see Rebecca-senpai’s expression clearly due to the backlight.
But I felt that she was smiling happily in some way.
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