Surrounded by the desk in the Daisaku Committee’s clubroom, the gazes of the people standing around focused on one spot.

“…”

“Hey, Shiroko-chan…”

“No way.”

“…Ahaha, so resolute.”

Do I really need to mention the cause? It’s obviously Shiroko, perched on my lap.

Should I call it the sequence of events? The moment Shiroko spotted me, her eyes widened, and she quickly strode over to place her hand on my shoulder.

Not stopping there, she firmly clutched my collar and, ignoring my protests, burrowed her head deep into my neck.

Then, after sniffing a couple of times, Shiroko glared silently at Wakamo, who was sitting next to me, and said, ‘Hmm… this is mine.’

She claims I belong to her.

…This kind of possessiveness is quite troubling.

‘Hehe. That won’t erase the scent, Little Wolf-chan.’

‘…’

Looking back, could Wakamo’s unusually proactive behavior last night have stemmed from Shiroko’s possessiveness on the previous day?

Separately, Shiroko, who seemed intent on rubbing her head against me to erase any trace of Wakamo’s scent, was incredibly cute. Her perky wolf ears may have been smaller than Wakamo’s, but they radiated an adorable charm.

“Shiroko-chan is such a little attention seeker~.”

Hoshino, resting her head on her arms on the desk, casually threw out that bone-chilling comment. Naturally, Shiroko acted as if she didn’t hear a thing.

Among the gazes directed at me, the one I was most conscious of without a doubt was that of the teacher.

The terrible teacher who interrupted the precious moment between me and Saori. Honestly, isn’t interrupting such romantic moments a crime?

Anyway. Leaning against the window, Saori fiddled with her firearm while Azusa sat on the floor next to her, maintaining her weapon. Wakamo, sitting beside me and grinning, and Shiroko, occupying my lap.

To the teacher, this must appear utterly absurd. How could a person who defines themselves as an adult accept young students endlessly with open arms and engage in romantic antics? I can understand their feelings.

However, regardless of my original age, I am currently seventeen. And in ten years, I won’t change.

If you ask why, I’d say it’s because I am a seventeen-year-old high school girl. A seventeen-year-old high school girl never decays.

…Wait a minute. Teacher, isn’t it also pretty bad on your end? Did you think I wouldn’t know about your recent connections with the Heungsinso?

Considering the fact that you’ve formed ties with Heungsinso without my knowledge and your trips to Sanhaegyeong, this person… must be planting flags left and right almost daily.

For the safety of my kids, the teacher really should disappear…

“Mika, feeling like there’s something weird about your gaze whenever you see me lately… that’s not just my imagination, right?”

“Huh? No way! That can’t be.”

Wow, you’re quite perceptive. Though I don’t remember staring at you that noticeably…

Putting trivial talks aside for now. The Daisaku Committee was assembled with all its members, alongside the teacher and other key figures involved in the operation.

Among them, what stood out was the bright expressions of the Daisaku Committee, as today was the long-awaited moment they finally resolved their problems.

The promised time arrived, and communication with the Student Council was connected.

[Hello everyone… Ah, I believe this is my first greeting to the students of Abydos High School… I am Shiranuichi Kaya, the Defense Office Head of the Student Council.]

As Kaya, sitting in her office with her fingers interlocked, flashed a smile up on the screen, the expressions of the Daisaku Committee kids… particularly Serika’s, scrunched up in displeasure.

The cause of that displeasure likely stemmed from not just Kaya but the name ‘Student Council’ itself. It wasn’t surprising, given that the Student Council had neglected Abydos while they worked tirelessly to repay their debts to Kaiser Corporation.

Surprisingly, Abydos wasn’t in dire circumstances, but that was entirely thanks to the hardships faced by Nonomi and Hoshino. They were probably trying to help the seniors, even if just a bit.

[Thank you all for your hard work. Furthermore, on behalf of the Student Council, I would like to express my gratitude for successfully completing the operation. The fact that we could successfully cut off the roots of an incident that could have caused trouble for the Student Council, and by extension, Kivotos, is entirely due to your efforts.]

Listening to Kaya speak, I quietly observed the expressions of the Daisaku Committee kids. Although I couldn’t see Shiroko’s face, I could feel her ears perked up, so I unthinkingly gave her head a light pat.

…But wait, why the heck have I been holding her this long?

As much as this doesn’t fit the public setting, who cares? The worst that would happen is a hit to my ego, and I’m already quite the notorious rascal among those who know me.

Serika, slightly downcast, and Ayane, with a rather serious expression, were predictable. Hoshino’s mouth was smiling, but her eyes didn’t seem to follow, while Nonomi had an unreadable expression.

Overall, it felt close to: “Let’s at least listen to what they say over there.”

[First, regarding the treatment of the Kaiser Corporation executives… those guys will face severe sentences. This is not just for this incident but a culmination of their numerous previous wrongdoings, and the severity of their crimes is quite serious. Up until now, they managed to slip through the cracks by walking the thin line between legality and illegality, but now that they’ve been caught, there’s no escape.]

Kaya, having started with the discussion of the Kaiser executives’ sentencing, smoothly transitioned into the main topic.

[This was a matter that was tentatively decided during today’s internal meeting of the Student Council, and in this meeting, we also addressed the debts owed by Abydos High School to ‘Kaiser Corporation.’ As a principle, the bonds held by Kaiser should be confiscated by the Student Council and reclaimed at the lowest interest. However… the Student Council has decided to make an exception for Abydos High School, which can be considered the biggest victim.]

“…An exception? How so?”

Hoshino, whose usual lazy tone had completely disappeared, suddenly shot a sharp question.

In response, Kaya nodded as if she had expected that reaction and continued her explanation.

[The interest paid at the existing rate will be fully deducted from the principal, and we will discuss repaying the principal without interest over the next ten years. Additionally, we will provide extra funding to restore the ownership of the Abydos Autonomous District back to Abydos High School… ]

“…I understand the former, but the latter is hard to grasp.”

[Takanashi Student Council President.]

“…”

Unlike her usual playful demeanor where she would typically say something like, ‘Uhe~ This guy really doesn’t like stiff titles. And I haven’t exactly volunteered for the presidency’, Hoshino quietly waited for Kaya to continue.

[As I mentioned before, Kaiser Corporation has engaged in many activities while precariously balancing between legal and illegal. You might understand that Abydos’s situation falls under that category, correct?]

“Yeah. There’s no way I wouldn’t.”

[To involve the Student Council requires serious commitment, and the then-Student Council hesitated. The responsibility for the situation that escalated to the point of causing a little bloodshed… and before that, the responsibility for not being able to lend a helping hand, even when the Abydos Student Council had to make a wrong decision due to their dire circumstances… ]

With a sadly contemplative expression, Kaya recited those words calmly.

[I doubt anyone is unaware of the existence of these responsibilities within the Student Council.]

And watching that scene, I could not shake the question of how such an upright kid ended up leading a coup in such an extreme manner… Wasn’t it more likely that the problem lay with Kivotos rather than our Defense Office Head?

[We must take responsibility for that and, albeit belatedly, correct our wrongs. This is the decision made by the current Student Council, and it also serves as an atonement from the underclassmen on behalf of their seniors. Once again, I extend my sincere apologies on behalf of the Student Council.]

“…Funding is fine.”

[…Huh?]

Huh?

Hey, wait a minute, Hoshino! Is that really correct? Are you serious?

“Abydos Student Council also has a clear responsibility. We can’t just keep blaming the Student Council. Besides, it seems you haven’t verified the debt records properly… If we deduct the interest paid by Abydos from the principal, that alone would have repaid the debt and more.”

Whoa——oh. So that’s the case?

Including the part where the Abydos Student Council sold land to repay their debts?

“Abydos will rise again someday. And I think it’s alright if that doesn’t happen right now. There are countless lessons to learn along the way, and the Daisaku Committee has the resilience to make that happen. Above all…”

Hoshino wore a bright smile.

A smile so bright and warm it could make even the sun of Abydos take a step back in awe…

A smile filled with hope.

“This guy over here wants to walk a little longer and further with our precious juniors, more than anything else in the world… That’s how I feel. What do our juniors think~?”

“…Yeah, if it’s with you, Hoshino-senpai, I’m fine with anywhere. But I’ll have you give me a ride on my bike.”

Shiroko nodded, and I thought it was a bit rude of her to still cling to my lap.

…Wait a minute. Shiroko, did you really get a bike? Isn’t cycling supposed to be for exercising?

“I’m on board with being together with everyone! How about we debut as swimsuit idols to gather some funds?”

“Nonomi-senpai, why on earth swimsuits?! Ah, but still… I guess there’s no choice! If not us, then who will wake up Senpai?”

“Uhe~ I knew it, Serika-chan. But, I think waking him up is a bit troublesome~? After all, the old man’s sleep is precious.”

Today too, Nonomi, obsessed with swimsuits and idols, and Serika, showcasing typical tsundere moves, threw their support behind Hoshino’s words.

“Um, of course, I’d love to be with you, Senpai, but… Hoshino-senpai, you’re not saying you won’t graduate because of us, right…? ”

“Who knows~.”

“Hoshino-senpai, please…!”

Lastly, the common-sense victim Ayane was also suffering today.

I couldn’t help but feel again the steadfast unity of the Daisaku Committee.

Kaya on the screen looked a bit bewildered, with a slightly foolish expression blinking her eyes…

Oh, right. This is daily life in the Daisaku Committee.

By the way, our Hoshino-chan… she isn’t really choosing to repeat a grade voluntarily, is she? Surely that would be too much, right?