The time has come to seriously prepare for the school festival.
It’s not mandatory for club activities to participate, so it’s fine to prioritize the class projects for now.
By the way, the Environmental Research Club, to which I belong, doesn’t have anything specific planned. This is because, as they say, everyone is quite busy preparing for the physique contest. I’m already swamped with preparations for the maid café in class and helping the student council, so I’ve decided to skip it this year.
Under normal circumstances, I would have participated if I hadn’t volunteered to help the student council.
I’ve heard that the physique competition at this academy is of a quite high level. My pectoral muscles, quadriceps, and trapezius muscles would surely have wanted to participate, but this year it can’t be helped.
Moreover, Evi seemed to have heard about this somewhere and spoke to me.
“Ray, I hear you’re not participating in the physique contest.”
“Yeah. I have some priorities to take care of.”
“…Could it be that you’re caught up in some troublesome matters?”
“No, it’s not that.”
After finishing our workout, we exchanged such conversations while replenishing our protein.
Wiping the dripping sweat with a towel, we were in a relaxed mood just before going to bed. We sat facing each other on chairs, taking a breather.
“Ray, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”
“…But Evi, you’re busy preparing for the contest, right?”
“Well, that’s true. But if it comes down to participating in this contest or helping a friend in need… I’ll definitely choose the latter. So, Ray, if you’re really in trouble, don’t hold back. We’re soulmates now, after all!”
“Ha… Yeah, that’s right!”
Shaking our pectoral muscles, we nurtured our friendship further.
I thought it would be nice if I could someday talk to Evi about that…
Next up is the schedule for the gardening club at the cultural festival. Again, there are no particular big plans. As usual, it seems we will just display the flowers and plants we have been growing.
So, it seems we only need to rearrange the layout a few days in advance to make it look nice, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
We have already discussed how to proceed with the seniors, and that conversation has concluded.
“Sigh… I’m tired. But Ray, you’re really impressive. I’m surprised.”
“Dina-senpai, feel free to rely on me for this kind of thing anytime. I’ve been thoroughly trained in office work.”
“…Yeah. Ray, you’re really a mystery. Well, I’m used to it now, so it’s fine… yeah…”
So currently, the three of us are working in the student council room.
Since we’ve already approved the projects for each class, we’re now checking the documents related to club activities and volunteer organizations.
First, Dina-senpai and I split up the documents to review, and then Rebecca-senpai confirms and approves them afterward.
That task was almost finished, and we were set to wrap up our work early for the day.
“Thank you so much, Ray.”
“No, this is nothing.”
“Hehe. You’re really a fascinating person.”
“I’m flattered.”
“You handle the workload of several people all by yourself, Ray. I’m really amazed!”
“As Rebecca-sama said, your speed in processing documents is almost in the creepy realm… yeah… And you check them thoroughly at that speed… it’s just beyond the norm.”
“I’m used to it.”
At that moment, I recalled the time when my mentor brought home a mountain of documents while drunk.
That day, she had said she would be late due to a drinking party, but for some reason, she came back carrying a cardboard box. When I received it at the entrance, she apparently got scolded by Abby-san for not handling the work she had accumulated.
“Ray~. Take care of this~.”
“Huh!? Wait, Mentor!”
“I’m going to sleep now~… You have until tomorrow~.”
“Huh!? Until tomorrow!?”
A large number of documents stuffed into a cardboard box.
Are you saying I have to do this by tomorrow? That’s just insane… I was about to say it was impossible when my mentor was already asleep at the entrance, happily mumbling, “Munya. Munya… I can’t eat anymore…”
After that, I tossed my mentor onto the bed and worked through the night on the paperwork.
By the way, this incident happened multiple times. That’s why my processing ability was half-forced into existence during those times.
Back then, I resented my mentor, but looking back now, it’s interesting how that experience is being put to use.
“Dina-san, why don’t you head to your class?”
“That’s true… We do have some time now.”
“I’ll take care of this part. Ray-san, you can do the same.”
“Understood.”
I neatly organized the documents in front of me and placed them on Rebecca-senpai’s desk. After greeting Rebecca-senpai, Dina-senpai and I left the student council room…
“Ray. Can I have a moment?”
“What is it, Senpai?”
A little distance away from the student council room, Dina-senpai’s expression turned serious.
“Is it bad if you don’t return to the classroom? How is the class progressing?”
“It’s fine for now without me. We’ve organized a rotation system for that. Besides, I intended to stay in the student council room all day.”
“I see… I have a favor to ask, is that okay?”
“Yes, anything.”
“…You should at least hear the content first.”
“I would never refuse a request from you, Dina-senpai.”
“It might be something unreasonable, you know?”
“You are not that kind of person. I believe that.”
“Sigh… Honestly, you really are a good kid, Ray.”
With a gentle smile, she patted my head. It felt like she was soothing a child, but there was no malice in it.
“Ray. You’re listening, right? About the engagement.”
“Yes.”
“It’s deeper than you might think.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think there’s something going on with Evan Bernstein.”
“Something? You don’t know the specifics?”
“I don’t know what it is. But don’t you think it’s strange to have an engagement suddenly at this time? As a member of the nobility, I understand this, especially since I’ve been with Rebecca-sama all along… The engagement was decided without my knowledge. That’s odd.”
“I see…”
I wanted to comment on her saying, “The engagement was decided without my knowledge,” but I knew from the moment I entered that Dina-senpai cares for Rebecca-senpai more than anyone else.
Dina-senpai herself claims to be a passionate fan, but I understood that they were actually best friends.
I didn’t know when that relationship had developed.
But it was clear that Dina-senpai was worried about her best friend, Rebecca-senpai. I could tell from her tone of voice and expression.
Hearing those words reminded me of that day with senpai.
—Help me.
I felt as if I could hear Rebecca-senpai whispering that with a sad expression, a sense of melancholy surrounding her.
I was here helping the student council to dispel the unease I felt that day.
“Ray. Rebecca-sama and I are too close. So even if I press her, she won’t tell me anything. It’s precisely because she cares about me that we can never get any closer… But I believe you can do something.”
“…I’m not that significant. But you still want to rely on me for Rebecca-senpai, is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes. Ray, I really trust you. At the beginning of school, I had preconceived notions about you just because you’re an ordinary person and a guy, and I unfairly disliked you for that. I’m sorry about that. I truly apologize… It might be convenient for me, but could you stay by Rebecca-sama’s side? Sometimes she looks like she’s in pain. Especially recently. Rebecca-sama likes you too, and… having you nearby makes me feel at ease…”
After pleading while tightly holding my hands with a pained expression, Dina-senpai bowed her head.
“Please, Ray. I will do more research myself, but I think it’s better for you to stay close for now. So…”
“…Senpai.”
As the two of us were bathed in the sunset, the words I needed to say were already decided.
“Senpai. Leave it to me. I will fulfill that wish.”
“…Thank you, Ray. I’m really glad to have met you.”
After that, I parted ways with Dina-senpai and headed back to the student council room.
What on earth is happening to Rebecca-senpai?
I could no longer stop this process.
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