Prove Your Eternal Love. There Shall Be No Heroine Correction. - Chapter 3 Part 1

Thirty minutes after the first day of the Fuyo Festival closed — 5:30 pm. The first item on the committee’s agenda was, of course, stamp theft.

“So, as I informed you in advance, there were four stamps that were stolen. They were from class 2-A, class 3-C, the table game club, and the baseball club.”

As I opened my stamp book, I check the corresponding memories.

Class 2-A was my class’s haunted house. My 【Committe Work With Aogashima Yuno】.

Class 3-C was the research exhibit. Corresponding to this was Minagi’s 【Dating Shirase Suguru】.

The table game club would be dealing with Yuyo’s【Dating Tokiwa Minagi】, with whom there was an argument earlier.

And the baseball club was Nagisa’s 【Memories Of The Fuyo Festival】, which we put on the back burner.

“The main thing was that the stamps, which were mismanaged, have been gone for some time—One case of apparent trouble was the baseball team.”

According to what they said, the student successfully busted through all nine panels, then slapped the baseball player at the reception desk “for a prize,” and then took the stamps. It was a mess.

“Now, the culprit has already been identified through testimony from a member of the baseball team. The committee members need not worry about it, as we will work to solve the problem. However, it would be bad if there were to be any copycats, so please make sure that everyone knows how to keep track of the stamps. Now for the next item on the agenda—”

At President Fuyuki’s statement, Aogashima-san and I both let out a sigh at the same time. We were the ones who were going to solve the problem. We have already received a directive from the President to that effect.

Aogashima-san looked thoughtful as she traces her finger over the stamp book she has opened. Five of her courses were already filled. The remaining one was the memory of me.

“Aika, why?”

A whisper. A murmur barely reached my ears.

—The person who stole the stamps was our classmate, Kuroiwa Aika.

When the President told us before the meeting began, we were not too surprised. The only people who would have a motive to steal the stamps would be the participants of the Remember Rally, and the timing would narrow down the number of people who could steal them. I had tried to contact Kuroiwa once earlier in the afternoon. But there was no response.

It was not hard to imagine why Kuroiwa took such a strong action. It was for Aogashima-san’s sake. To prevent Aogashima-san from losing alone, she was sabotaging the other participants. I was sure that Aogashima-san was aware of this. She was still wondering “why.”

“—And, as for the flow of events from the closing of the event tomorrow to the after-party, please look at the printout I have on hand. First, the balloons must be detached. I would instruct you to do this at 5:00 p.m., just before it ends. Just to be safe, I want you to be at the point fifteen minutes before—”

After the meeting, Aogashima-san quickly stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder.

“Aogashima-san.”

“…I’m sorry. I’m going to have to leave today.”

As if to avoid my call, Aogashima-san turned away and opened the door to leave with unsteady steps.

President Fuyuki, who must have been watching us, came over to me looking worried and sat down on the long desk with her legs crossed carelessly with half of her body facing me. The line of her thighs was exposed, but she didn’t seem to pay any attention to it. She was somewhat defenseless.

“Hey, Shirase-kun. Aogashima-kun was acting strangely, so that girl was—”

“…Ah, she’s a good friend of Aogashima-san’s, Kuroiwa.”

“I see. That complicates things.”

President Fuyuki put her hand on her forehead and looked up at the ceiling.

“By the way, President. I have some business to attend to today, so is it okay if I leave early?”

In the back of the conference room, several committee members were facing the documents with their heads in their hands. I felt bad about leaving them behind me, but my top priority was still the Remember Rally.

“Ah, I don’t mind. Shirase-kun and Aogashima-kun helped us a lot with the advanced preparation. Besides, we’re going to need your help in securing the culprit.”

“About that, we just need to get the stamp back from Kuroiwa and bring it to you, right?”

Since I had not yet received specific instructions, I looked up at the President on her desk and asked,

“No, not even close. I’ll give Aogashima-kun instructions later, but all you have to do is bring Kuroiwa-kun here tomorrow morning.”

“Is that all you want?”

“Yeah. Then we will take care of the rest. I’d rather you leave the rest to us. After all—the crime of throwing cold water on a festival that everyone poured their hearts and souls into is a big one. I will make sure she pays for it.”

President Fuyuki turned around and, with an expression that showed her displeasure to the fullest extent, recrossed her legs.

“…Eh, no, that’s.”

Suddenly the winds of conversation changed. I was bewildered but unable to interrupt.

“Isn’t it obvious? First, make her apologize firmly and let her know her mistake. Let her help clean up the Fuyo Festival. Then have her write an apology and have it published in the newspaper club. Yeah, and I’ll have her work behind the scenes on the student council elections.”

Fluently, the President enumerated the punishments for Kuroiwa with a snap of her fingers. Every time I heard this, I felt a twinge of disgust. Perhaps it was my attitude, but the President looked down at me and tilted her head.

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem happy.”

“…What authority do you have?”

My voice was probably laced with anger. I could not silently swallow a proposal that unfairly mistreated my friend. The President looked into my eyes curiously, asking what was wrong.

“President Fuyuki. Decision-making in an organization should follow the correct process.”

“Hmm?”

The President cleared her throat, and before I knew it, she had a somewhat expectant look in her eyes.

“Certainly what she did is clearly bad. No matter how hard I try to argue, it is an action that I cannot defend. Still, the committee and the student council shouldn’t have the authority to punish her, right? If you really want to judge her, you should report it, even to the teachers’ council, and simply abide by the decision there.”

Resolutely, I nonchalantly connected the logic in my head into words. The President, who had been fully exposed to my intense gaze, relaxed her cheeks in satisfaction.

“Shirase-kun. I’m sorry for testing you. I could see it in your eyes. Kuroiwa-kun doesn’t seem to be as bad as I thought. She must have had her own reasons for doing what she did.”

“…Eh.”

I was suddenly surprised, and President Fuyuki placed her palm on my head in a friendly manner. There was no special meaning in her touch, but only a compassionate gaze that enveloped me.

“Shirase-kun. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I’ll be happy to help you, and I’ll do my best to help you. If she’s in such a tight spot, I’ll do my best to help her. After all, I’m not just the Fuyo Festival Committee President, I’m a friend to all the students — I’m the Student Council President.”

With a fearless smile full of dependability, President Fuyuki raised the corners of her mouth. As if to say, “There is nothing I can’t do.” I see, this person was indeed suitable for the position of Student Council President.

“…Thank you very much. When the time comes, please do me a favor.”

Our situation was very hard to explain to the President. Still, I was glad for the sentiment. I got up from my chair and bowed deeply to show my respect to our Student Council President.

“Yeah. Then you can go home today. You have her waiting for you, right? I saw you two together in the afternoon. I’m glad to see you and your lovely girlfriend are getting along so well.”

The President raised her pinky finger in amusement and poked me lightly with her elbow. When did this happen? And she wasn’t exactly my girlfriend.

“But I thought for sure you were going to get with Aogashima-kun.”

“…Ah, that’s how you saw it.”

I could neither deny nor affirm it. I was lost in memory, and the only thing that remained in my mind was the result. The result was pointed out by President Fuyuki, and it struck me with a thump.

“The festival is still going on. Don’t get too carried away, Shirase-kun, okay?”

“President, make sure you get proper rest so you don’t collapse.”

“Bla bla, I hear nothing.”