Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 229: Welcome to the Student Council.

Welcome to the Student Council.

Morning

As I stepped into the classroom, the usual morning buzz greeted me. A few classmates noticed me and called out their greetings, which I returned with a nod as I made my way to my seat. Just like every other day, I was met with a familiar sight: a crowd gathered around my desk. It meant Hanako-san had already arrived.

“Good morning.”

My greeting also served as a polite way of saying, “Could you clear the way?” Of course, if that didn’t work, I’d have no choice but to be more direct.

“Ah, good morning, Takanashi-kun. Sorry!”

“Morning!”

“Mornin’~”

One by one, they stepped aside with casual greetings, making a path for me to get to my seat.

…Well, better than them not moving at all.

“Good morning, Takanashi-kun. You must be tired from yesterday.”

“Morning. You too, Hanako-san.”

“Mm. I spoke to my parents as soon as I got home. They told me to do what I wanted, but… they did give me one condition.”

I felt a bit relieved that things seemed to have gone smoothly on her end. As long as their condition was something I could manage, there shouldn’t be a problem.

“If I’m going to be home late, then I either have to go back with someone or wait until they can come pick me up…”

“That won’t be an issue. I’ll make sure you get home safely, so please let them know not to worry. I’ll talk to your parents about it too.”

I was planning to visit Hanako-san’s house this weekend anyway. I could explain everything then. Her parents’ condition was something I’d already taken into account from the beginning. In fact, it worked in my favor.

That means… Hanako-san is agreeing to join the student council executive committee, right?

“…That sounded way too suggestive.”

“…Talking with her parents, you say… Could it be…?”

“…He’s walking her home… What a guy~”

“Y-Yeah. Then I’ll be counting on you. So… about the student council—I’ll help out.”

“Thank you!! That’s a huge help!”

“Ugh… Y-You’re that happy about it?”

“I really am, so thank you. I’d like to introduce you to everyone—do you have a bit of time after school?”

“Sure.”

Thank goodness.

Just having Hanako-san on board gives us a huge boost. It’ll help support Sara-san, and I’m personally really glad too. Now I just need to get Toudou-san’s answer during lunch, and we can start planning ahead.

“…Wow, look at Hanazaki-san blush.”

“…So cute.”

“…Yeah, she’s totally acting different around her boyfriend.”

Ding-dong-ding-dong

Slide—

“All right, homeroom’s starting. Everyone take your seats.”

With the teacher’s arrival, the girls who had gathered around began heading back to their desks.

Well then, time to tackle the day.

Recently, I’d been taking classes more seriously, keeping my future plans in mind. I even started taking notes the way Sara-san taught me—organized and efficient, with key points marked clearly. With that mindset, the lessons went by surprisingly fast.

Before I knew it, fourth period was over, and it was lunchtime.

As always, a few students dashed off to the school store. The ones staying behind grouped up, rearranging their desks. Others began trickling out to eat elsewhere. Hanako-san and I stood up to leave as well. She had her lunchbox; I, of course, had nothing in my hands.

“Takanashi, eat with us for once!”

Just as we were about to leave, Yamakawa and his group called out. They usually ate in the classroom, sometimes as three, other times in groups of five or six.

“Sorry, maybe next time.”

“I see. Hanazaki-san, you’re welcome too~”

“Hey, you idiot!”

“I’ll come if Takanashi-kun does.”

“…Figures.”

I appreciate the invitation, and part of me thinks I should join them once in a while. But skipping lunch with Sara-san? That’s a line I can’t cross.

“…Those two are still as close as ever.”

“…I’m jealous, honestly.”

Anyway, let’s get moving before we’re the last ones again.

As I stepped into the hallway, Hanako-san quietly matched my pace, walking beside me.

By the time we arrived at the flowerbeds, everyone else was already there. Sara-san noticed us and stood up to greet us.

“Welcome, Kazunari-san. You must be tired.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Thanks for waiting.”

As I sat in my usual spot, Sara-san, seated beside me, poured me some tea from her thermos and handed it over. I took a sip and exhaled, just as Toudou-san, who had been waiting for the right moment, spoke up.

“Takanashi-kun, about the student council—I’m in.”

“Thank you, that’s a huge help.”

That should settle things on the student council front. With Hanako-san and Toudou-san on board, not only do we have enough people, but they’ll work well with Sara-san too. It should make her job easier, and personally, I’m relieved.

“I’ll help out too.”

“Oh, so you’re joining as well, Hanako-san? I don’t really know what student council work involves, but it might be fun with everyone.”

“Toudou-san, can I ask you to spare some time after school? I’d like to introduce you along with Hanako-san.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks. I’ll come get you after class.”

“Got it!”

Feeling relieved after overcoming the first big hurdle, I suddenly felt gentle arms wrap around me from the side, followed by soft fingers brushing through my hair.

I immediately knew it was Sara-san’s way of praising me. I let myself relax into her touch.

“Kazunari-san, great work.”

“Not like you to stay quiet this whole time, Sara.”

“You made your own decision to act, Kazunari-san. I saw no reason to interfere. My role is to assist when needed, and afterward…”

As she said this, she brought her arms fully around me and held me tight.

“…To offer you this.”

“…Right, of course.”

“I can already picture the chaos that’s going to unfold in the student council room…”

“Ahaha… It’s nice that they’re so close, isn’t it, Yokokawa-kun?”

“…Y-Yeah, I guess.”

With the faint sounds of Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san’s exasperated sighs in the background, I surrendered to Sara-san’s affectionate embrace.

…Yeah, no way I’m resisting this.

After homeroom, I packed up and called out to Hanako-san, who was already ready, and we went to pick up Toudou-san.

I hadn’t been to a different class before, so I wasn’t sure how to approach it—but fortunately, Toudou-san was out in the hallway. She was chatting with a few classmates, both boys and girls. As I hesitated on whether to wait or interrupt, she spotted us and waved with a bright smile.

“Ah, Takanashi-kun! Thanks for coming!”

“Sorry to keep you. Um… want to wait a little longer?”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s fine. Sorry guys, I have plans!”

She quickly said goodbye to her group. Oddly enough, I felt a few of the guys glare in our direction.

…Now that I think about it, I remember hearing she was pretty popular in her class. Could they have thought I was trying to hit on her? Or that I was getting in their way?

But that tension didn’t last long. Hanako-san suddenly stepped in front of me—and just like that, the group averted their eyes.

“H-Hanako-san, please stay calm…”

Toudou-san looked visibly startled. I wasn’t sure what she saw from her position, but it wasn’t something I could make out.

“Let’s go.”

Hanako-san turned back to me, looking as calm as ever. Prompted by her voice, I began to walk. Toudou-san fell in step beside us, waving to her classmates with a cheery “See you!”

“Sorry about that, Hanako-san.”

“Bunch of jokers.”

“Ahaha… I don’t usually talk with them either, but I got caught today. You saved me, actually.”

Honestly, they didn’t seem like the type of people Toudou-san would hang out with. But they were her classmates, so I held my tongue. Hanako-san seemed to share the same thought, saying nothing more.

***

Clatter—

“Good work, everyone!”

“Welcome back, Kazunari-san.”

As I opened the door to the student council room and greeted everyone, Sara-san smiled and walked over to me.

“Good work, Takanashi-kun.”

The others followed suit with greetings, the student council president smiling wryly at Sara-san’s reaction.

Once inside, the rest of the group noticed Hanako-san and Toudou-san entering behind me. Eyes widened, particularly among the boys.

“Wha—!? Isn’t that the transfer student?!”

“W-Why is she here!?”

Apparently, some of them already knew about Hanako-san. I was curious how, but decided introductions should come first.

“These two have agreed to help with student council work. This is Hanasaki Riko-san and Toudou Marina-san.”

The boys reacted with cheerful excitement (maybe for more than one reason), while the girls seemed genuinely relieved to have new help. The president, too, looked visibly more at ease.

“Hanasaki Riko. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Toudou Marina. Please take care of me.”

“““Nice to meet youuuuuu!!”””

Despite the simple self-introductions, the response was overly enthusiastic, leaving both girls a little stunned—but they didn’t seem to mind the warm welcome.

“…Yesss! I’m fired up!”

“…Wow, I didn’t think the rumored transfer girl would actually join… And both of them are cute!”

“…Seriously, get a grip.”

“…You’d think they’d have learned after Satsukawa-san…”

“…Still, I’m glad we finally have replacements.”

“Takanashi-kun, the two of them… um…”

The president clearly wanted to ask if they could be trusted. I gave him a reassuring look that said, “Don’t worry,” and he seemed to get the message.

“Hanako-san, Toudou-san—thank you again. We appreciate it.”

Sara-san’s thanks were met with a smug grin from Hanako-san and a polite bow from Toudou-san.

“Well, if it’s a favor from Takanashi-kun, I couldn’t possibly say no.”

“Hehe, either way, I’m happy to help.”

“…What’s with the loaded conversation?”

“…Did she just talk to Satsukawa-san like an equal!?”

“…Wow. Who is she?”

“…How are they even connected?”

“…They seem really close, don’t they?”

“Satsukawa-senpai, I look forward to working with you in the student council!”

Even Toudou-san’s usual angelic smile seemed to draw curiosity.

“………”

“…Are you staring again?”

“…Ahh, I really can’t wait to see what happens next.”

“…Takanashi-kun, you’re a godsend.”

Fortunately, it seemed like the two had been accepted quite positively. That made it easier for them to adjust to the student council, and everyone’s support would be crucial moving forward.

“Let me extend my thanks as well. Truly, thank you both. Us third-years will be retiring soon, but I personally will stick around to help until graduation. I’m currently acting as president—Uesaka Daichi. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you as well.”

“Likewise, pleased to meet you.”

After greeting the president, the girls went around greeting the rest of the officers. They decided to stay for the meeting as observers. Today was just the final check for the general assembly and an outline for the school festival, so it shouldn’t run too late.

During the meeting, the two watched curiously, then started chatting with the officers whose roles they’d be inheriting. Hanako-san was to serve as treasurer, and Toudou-san as secretary.

“By the way, Kazunari-san, when should we hold the cooking class for your homeroom? We’ll need to reserve the Home Ec room.”

“Ah, right. We haven’t discussed that in class yet, but I’ll bring it up ASAP.”

I’d tell the homeroom teacher tomorrow and bring it up during HR. I had a feeling it was going to cause a stir.

“Should I just teach the participants?”

“They’re technically volunteers, but honestly, it’ll probably be everyone. I’ll be joining too.”

I might not be involved in the actual cooking—since I’d have student council duties—but that didn’t matter. There was no world in which I wouldn’t participate. Also, I had this unease about some of the guys getting carried away…

“Understood. Of course, I’ll teach them. However, cooking at home is my responsibility, so you’re not allowed in the kitchen.”

Though she smiled, there was an odd sense of pressure in Sara-san’s words. I nodded obediently.

Not that I’d ever assume I could cook well after a crash course, but still… Sara-san was always strict when it came to this area.

Still, I was glad she hadn’t noticed my small, selfish desire to be the one closest to her.