"President, I think we should cancel the drama club's budget next semester."
"Huh? Why?"
Back in the student council office—everyone was present except Ishigami, who had left early.
Kaguya smiled. "Because the drama club wants Rinji to play Sleeping Beauty~"
"...Now it makes sense."
Shirogane Miyuki finally understood why Rinji came in today with such a grudge against the drama club.
"The club president's lost it," Rinji muttered with disdain.
He couldn't stop fuming every time he thought back to that moment.
Back then, the president said, "Rinji, the way you shouted 'Someone!' was so majestic—truly like royalty. You're perfect for playing the princess."
If Fujiwara Chika and Kaguya hadn't stopped him, that president would probably be hobbling around school with a cane by now.
"Whatever. I'm docking their budget. Let that guy learn his lesson."
"Geez~ Rinji, you're so petty."
Fujiwara Chika slung her arm over Takamine Rinji's shoulder and grinned mischievously.
"It's just being cast as a princess, right? Plenty of girls don't even get that honor~ You should be grateful, Rinji~"
"Is that so?"
Takamine Rinji gave Fujiwara Chika a sidelong glance and said flatly:
"I was originally planning to move the drama club's next semester funding over to the tabletop gaming club…"
"But the drama club president really went too far! Rinji's clearly a true man—how could they make him play a princess?" Chika suddenly declared with righteous indignation.
Shinomiya Kaguya: "…Chika, you really don't hesitate when switching sides, do you?"
"Alright, let's put the budget discussion aside for now."
Shirogane Miyuki finished stamping the last document and looked around at the student council members.
"In just one more month, summer break starts. Any plans? I'd like to organize a student council group activity."
Japan generally follows a three-term school system: the first term runs from April to the end of July, followed by final exams and summer vacation. Second term starts in September and ends before Christmas, then winter break. The third term begins in early January and ends in early February, followed by spring break.
Currently, they were still in the first semester at Shuchiin Academy, but summer break was fast approaching.
"President, don't you have to work part-time during vacation?" Rinji asked.
"I can spare a day or two."
"I don't have any specific plans. I'll go along with whatever you arrange, President."
Though Rinji did want to visit the war zone and reunite with his battle-worn brothers during the break, the route to the front had been completely blocked by Sagara Kaya.
"Summer vacation~"
Just hearing the word made Fujiwara Chika instantly excited.
Compared to studying and work, going sightseeing and playing outside was much more up her alley.
"I want to go to Hawaii! What if the student council organized a trip there?"
Shinomiya Kaguya: "Uh…"
Shirogane Miyuki: "…"
The two of them clearly had no intention of agreeing.
Kaguya wasn't allowed to leave the watchful eyes of her family due to her background. As for Shirogane...
Where would he find the money to leave the country?
Chika, oblivious to their reactions, turned to Rinji.
"Rinji, you're originally from America, right? You could show us the best places in Hawaii!"
"Oh really? Then can you show me around Hokkaido, Chika?"
"Eh? I don't really know much about Hokkaido…"
"Perfect. I don't know much about Hawaii either. Just because I lived in the US doesn't mean I know every city like the back of my hand." Rinji shrugged. "Besides, I don't want to go to Hawaii."
"Eh? Why not?"
"Personal reasons."
Rinji looked off to the side.
His identity as a Chinese-American citizen had been completely fabricated by IW. While it was said that he had lived in the US, in truth, he'd spent less than 100 hours total on American soil.
And he knew full well—if he ever set foot on U.S. territory again, Homeland Security, the FBI, and even the CIA would immediately be on his trail. Things would get very complicated, very fast.
"Let's just find a place in Japan to enjoy our break."
"I agree with Rinji," said Shirogane.
As long as they didn't go abroad, anywhere was fine. Shirogane definitely didn't want to blow all his hard-earned part-time money on plane tickets.
"Do you have any suggestions, President?"
"How about going hiking and camping in the mountains?" Shirogane proposed a very budget-friendly idea.
"Camping in the mountains, huh? That's actually not bad. Then—"
"Let's go to the beach."
At that moment, Kaguya, who had remained quiet, suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
"The beach is great. There are plenty of coastal spots in Japan. There's even one in Tokyo, and I happen to own a private villa there. I've already hired a chef too," Kaguya said with a smile. "It's too hot to go hiking in summer."
Takamine Rinji: "You're such a pampered rich girl."
"This is for the student council's sake~"
That was a lie.
Her real plan was to seduce Shirogane Miyuki in a swimsuit during the student council's beach trip.
However, she failed to notice the look of panic on Shirogane's face.
'I absolutely can't go to the beach! I-I can't swim! If Kaguya finds out…'
"The beach sounds fun~" Chika chimed in support.
Shirogane: "No, we're going to the mountains."
Kaguya: "The beach is more suitable."
"Let's vote."
After a round of voting: Shirogane Miyuki and Takamine Rinji voted for the mountains, Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika voted for the beach. It was a 2-2 tie.
"Looks like we're at an impasse."
"There's still one person who hasn't arrived, right?"
There were five members in the student council. The one missing was Ishigami Yuu.
"Rinji, give him a call and ask for his decision."
"Got it."
Rinji placed his phone on the table and turned on speaker mode. The call went through shortly.
"Hello?"
"Ishigami, we're trying to decide where to go for summer break—beach or mountains…"
"Why go to such a hassle?" Ishigami said through the phone. "As long as we're hanging out together, it's fine. There's going to be a fireworks festival nearby during the summer. Why not go there?"
Shirogane: "...That actually makes sense."
Kaguya: "You're right."
Chika: "Sounds good to me too."
Rinji: "...Then let's do that."
Both the beach and mountain options were scrapped. In the end, the student council decided to attend the local fireworks festival for their summer trip.