CH 238

The moments of euphoria for the students are short-lived, as much as they longed for and coveted them, they are sad to see them pass.

As I followed President’s back as we made our rounds around the school, many students called out to her.

It was either a gift, a friendly chat, or a complaint of some sort.

However, their expressions were cheerful and joyful, and the fact that the students were enjoying the festival to the fullest did not change.

If that is the case, it is probably a good thing for those of us involved in the management of the event.

I thought about the scene I had seen many times from a few steps back.

The sight of these students overlapped with the student council members who had been with me just a few minutes before.

They too were involved in the management of the event, but they had the same glowing expressions on their faces.

The same goes for the student council of Kikyo Jogakuin.

Despite the relative circumstances, they were enjoying the event as an event.

If there is one thing that is different, it is that there is someone mixed in with the organization as if they were foreign to it.

Unable to blend in with this situation, I have been watching from the sidelines as if I were somewhat of a stranger.

I understand the meaning of the cultural festival and its significance but in my own way.

A cultural festival is a good opportunity for students to experience the process of making, selling, and managing money in a simplified manner before they enter the society.

By transforming it into an event, it motivates and encourages students to get involved.

I am aware that this is a very harsh and twisted way of looking at it.

And it is no exaggeration to say that this year’s Sakura Festival was a success.

There were no obvious problems at the joint event, the shopping district was a great success, and the number of visitors to our school never stopped even at this hour.

The number of visitors was definitely the highest ever.

The names of Hiiragi Akane and Momiji Shiraishi in front of me as the key players in the success of the event will surely remain in the documents.

President, who is a person of great modesty, would probably say that the success was the result of everyone’s efforts and not her own.

And Shiraishi, being a person of great self-esteem, would be proud and boastful.

The polar opposites of the two are balanced out to that of a plus or minus zero.

Well, there is no denial or anything, since she has achieved the result there’s no problem her boasting about it.

For Shiraishi, it is certainly the best start on the road to becoming student body president.

And the same is true for Hiiragi Akane, for whom this festival will be a great addition to her life in the future.

And yet, despite the joyous occasion, no feelings of happiness or joy spread through my heart.

There is only a feeling of relief.

The festival came to an end without any problems.

At the same time, as a member of the student council, I felt bad that I had to deal with all these emotions.

“About Sera, it’s honestly nice to hear her say to my face that she wanted to beat me that badly.”

Without looking back, President muttered as she finished her colorful conversation with the female student in front of me.

I caught a glimpse of an unexpected side of her, and from President’s point of view, I guess she has found someone to engage in friendly competition with.

“When you work hard and there is someone who outperforms you, people make an escape route and quit trying again. …She’s the only person I’ve ever met who can compete that well.”

“…You could say it’s just an obsession, though.”

It was almost to the level of a horror story now.

This cultural festival may have been a turning point or a stepping stone in Sera’s mind, but President’s words must have ignited her heart.

She may have to be prepared to be challenged to compete in some way or the other while she is still a college student.

“Yes, …but it makes me happy.”

Still, president said with a happy tone in her voice.

Since it is true that there is no one in the same grade who can match up with her, she has no one with whom she can have friendly competition with shoulder to shoulder.

Even if she is not able to stand in line at the moment, she would be more than happy to have someone following behind her in pursuit of her back.

Individual values are interesting because they differ from each other.

The true meaning of human relationships is to neither deny nor affirm them.

“Did you enjoy the cultural festival?”

President asked amidst the hustle and bustle without stopping to walk, as if she was not good at having personal conversations.

Even though she knew the answer, she asked nonchalantly as if to confirm it.

She chuckles as she continues and minces her words.　

“I may not have been able to fulfill what you said at the Sports festival about showing how awesome I am, but…”

“It’s awesome enough though… the results prove it more than anything.”

I can tell by the sight outside the window, by the expressions on the students’ faces.

The fact that this festival is a success.

And how much of an influence the person in front of me who have been leading not only the executive committee but also the student council have had.

There is nothing to be modest about now.

Just after stating the facts, I took a breath in and then thought for a moment.

No unnecessary lies, no different meanings.

President also doesn’t want any extra words either.

“…The festival was more fulfilling than last year’s.”

The event in which I was given a role, whether it be a tedious job or not, was different from last year, just because I participated in them.

It’s something I’ve been able to experience because I joined the student council.

Otherwise, there is not the slightest possibility that I would have wanted to participate in the management myself.

The fact that I can say that, is proof that I am aware of my own character.

“It’s your virtue not to tell a lie, even in flattery so…”

“If I wanted to lie, I would have phrased it differently.”

Rather, if you had asked me if, “I had a good time today,” I would have replied that yes, I did.

President probably had some confidence, which is why she asked me to answer the question.

I spent the time that passed without much thoughts.

I am sure that she also hoped that spending time with friends who enjoy the company of others would change things.

It is really difficult to play the game of developing one character, a life with no right answer.

Moreover, even if the best solution is proposed, you are sure to frown in disgust ninety-nine percent of the time.

I am well aware that if I want a change in my dull life, I need a change in myself.

But the answer to this question repeatedly keeps coming in and disappearing.

As I was patrolling with these thoughts in my mind, President stopped and looked from the inside of the school to the rooftop where the setting sun was beginning to set.

“I’ll be back to being a female student after this festival, …and I’d like to spend a little while doing as I please.”

The eyes of President looked back at me gently yet frailly lit up with the color of autumn leaves.