Suzuki Yu, still in a daze, followed Jingu Tenon out of the office.
Sunlight streamed through the corridor windows, scattering patches of bright light across the floor.
Jingu Tenon kept her gentle smile, walking with such light steps it seemed like she was just out for a stroll, the folder in her hand casually tucked under her arm.
Kobayashi-sensei hadn’t rejected the girl’s request, even though she was strict about class discipline. She tacitly allowed Suzuki Yu to skip class.
But, after all, at Aoyama Saint Academy, skipping class wasn’t all that unusual.
Here, students always had a choice.
Some returned home to inherit the family business after graduation, while others continued their studies, and some found their own paths through club activities.
With ample funding, the popular clubs at Aoyama Saint Academy could hire professional instructors.
In other words, students here had a lot of freedom.
Of course, this had nothing to do with Suzuki Yu’s Music Club, all thanks to Hasegawa Aoi.
With no output and few club activities, they received little funding.
In fact, it was already generous of the Student Council to let Hasegawa Aoi have a private activity room for gaming, all because of the “National Gold Award.”
“What are you thinking about?” Jingu Tenon’s voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his thoughts.
“N-nothing, really. It’s just such a coincidence to run into you now, Jingu-senpai. Thanks to you, otherwise I’d probably still be getting grilled by Kobayashi-sensei.”
“Oh, really~? So, in a way, I just saved you, didn’t I?”
“I suppose you did…”
Sensing the change in her tone, Suzuki Yu immediately grew wary.
“So, how are you going to thank me?”
“Uh?” Suzuki Yu fell silent. He honestly didn’t know how to repay her.
“Just kidding, Suzuki. All I need from you is to help me sort out the accommodations for the school trip.”
“Accommodations?”
“Yeah, because this time we’re heading to Izu, so a bunch of Minshuku have reached out to cooperate with us.” Jingu Tenon stopped and lightly lifted the corner of the folder with her finger.
“They look great, you know—hot springs and the sea.”
Suzuki Yu took the folder and flipped through a few pages.
He saw introductions to several Minshuku in the Izu area, each with beautifully shot photos—traditional Japanese gardens, spacious Open-Air Hot Springs, and rooms with sea views.
One picture stood out in particular: several women in yukata, viewed from behind, sitting by an Open-Air Hot Spring, gazing at the sunset.
Suzuki Yu’s gaze lingered on that photo for a moment.
In his mind, a scene appeared—girls in loose yukata, hair slightly damp as they leaned by the hot spring, collarbones exposed, the soft pink of their skin faintly visible.
Any further thoughts would be dangerous.
Wait… if it’s a school trip, Shiinachisa will be wearing a yukata too, right? And so will the President.
Suzuki Yu’s thoughts drifted wildly. Of course, he knew that even if such scenery existed, he’d most likely never see it.
But… if he became the person in charge, it would be reasonable to occasionally check the quality of the hot spring facilities, right? It’s all for everyone’s safety, after all!
Yes, exactly!
The more Suzuki Yu thought about it, the more he felt this task had real “potential.”
“President, please, let me handle this task.”
His tone suddenly turned serious, as if he were filled with passion for the matter.
Jingu Tenon blinked and asked:
“What’s with the sudden enthusiasm?”
“Because this is an important Student Council job,” Suzuki Yu said with a straight face. “The school trip affects the safety and experience of the whole grade. As a member of the Student Council, of course I have to take it seriously.”
“Are you sure there aren’t any ulterior motives?”
“Don’t worry, President. I have a reputation for being a real gentleman.”
“Really?” Jingu Tenon leaned in, her voice turning suggestive. “But just now you stared at one photo for several seconds. What were you thinking?”
Crap, I’ve been found out.
“I was just examining the Minshuku facilities…”
“Examining the facilities?” Jingu Tenon flipped open the folder, pointing at the photo of the hot spring. “Were you examining these models? Were you perhaps imagining our school’s girls in yukata?”
“…”
Suzuki Yu was left speechless.
Jingu Tenon gave a soft laugh, letting the matter drop:
“Forget it, whatever your reasons, as long as you do the job properly.”
Then, as if remembering something, she added:
“Oh, right, don’t forget the Special Requests from some students.”
“Special Requests?”
“Yep, I’ll give you the detailed list later. These are students who need extra attention. Do your best to prioritize their needs.”
“I think, as a Special Student, I should get extra attention too. So, senpai, can you put me somewhere closer to the girls?”
“Rejected. Suzuki, no matter what you say, you’re still my boyfriend, you know. No cheating.”
“All right, looks like I’ll just have to keep you company, then. That’s not so bad either.” Suzuki Yu played along with a joke.
“Oh? Suzuki-kun wants to stay with me? That’s not impossible, you know.” Jingu Tenon turned her head, a sly light flashing in her eyes.
Suzuki Yu froze.
Wait, this is going the wrong way.
“K-kidding! President, don’t take it seriously…” He waved his hands in a panic, trying to explain.
“But I am serious.” Jingu Tenon stopped, turned to face him, her face full of mischief. “Since Suzuki-kun volunteered to stay with me, I’ll just have to grant your wish.”
“No, Jingu-senpai, I was really just joking! Honestly, I’d rather stay with my friends.”
“Is that so? That’s a pity.” Jingu Tenon made a show of looking disappointed.
“Haha… yeah, it’s a shame.” Suzuki Yu hurried to agree, but in the next moment, her words left him stunned.
“I mean it’s a shame for you, Suzuki-kun, not being able to stay with your friends at such a wonderful time.”
As Jingu Tenon said this, she handed over an Application Form.
The person who filled it out was named Shiinachisa.
[Application to have Suzuki Yu and myself assigned to stay together at Izu’s Katsuragawa Villa. Reason: To assist with Special Student’s quarterly Academic Review during the school trip, ensuring at least one hour of review per day.]
“Academic Review?” Suzuki Yu stared at the “1 hour” written there, almost unable to control his volume. “I just turned in my Special Student report last week—what quarterly review? And even if there was one, why with her? This reason is way too flimsy!”
Jingu Tenon leaned over to take a look, her finger gently tapping the words “Katsuragawa Villa,” unable to hide her smile, clearly pleased with this turn of events.
“Whether it’s flimsy or not doesn’t matter. What matters is—Shiinachisa already had her butler contact the Store Owner at Katsuragawa Villa yesterday and booked all the empty rooms on that floor. Now, except for the one she set aside, only the room next door is left.”
“No, I think staying with my male friends would help my health as a Special Student, so President, please reject this application.”
“Sorry, the applicant’s influence is considerable, so I can’t reject it. For the sake of our school receiving a generous sponsorship, I’ll have to ask you to endure it, Suzuki-kun.”
As they spoke, the two of them drew closer to the Student Council room.
“Jingu-senpai! I’m still your ‘boyfriend,’ aren’t I? You can’t possibly accept this, right?”
“That’s true, but at this point I have no choice but to make a painful sacrifice.”
Jingu Tenon deliberately made a face like she was about to cry, but her expression had no emotion or acting in it at all.
Next, she pushed open the Student Council room’s door, but the scene inside made them both stop in their tracks, all their attention shifting to something else.
Hasegawa Aoi was standing at the President’s desk, taking deep breaths and muttering softly, as if she were rehearsing something.