After tidying up the items piled in the student council office, the remaining members—Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika—also arrived.
The group now sat around the coffee table, faces serious.
"Next Monday, we'll be holding the welcome party for the French exchange students. A lot of students will be attending, so we need to plan, procure supplies, and appoint student representatives. It's going to be a lot of work."
Shirogane clasped his hands in front of his mouth, speaking with a grim tone.
Shuchiin Academy had a sister-school relationship with a high school in Paris. Every year, students would come for an exchange program.
"We don't have time during class hours, so planning and delegating tasks should be done at school. But as for procurement, that'll have to be handled over the weekend. Everything has to be ready and set up by Monday."
Shinomiya Kaguya added, "So we're extremely pressed for time."
"Of course we are. It was such short notice," sighed Shirogane.
Frankly, even with a month's time it'd be tight. And aside from preparing everything, as the student council president, he would obviously have to attend the welcome event.
But Shirogane's French… was frankly abysmal. With a month he might reach basic conversational level, but in a week? Not a chance.
"So, what are your thoughts?"
"President."
Rinji raised his hand.
"Go ahead."
"How about we have the principal commit seppuku and hold a memorial service instead? We could say the school's hosting a funeral, then do a follow-up on the seventh day. That should push the welcome event back."
"Denied. Next idea."
Shirogane could tell from Rinji's tone that he was completely serious. Clearly, he was pissed the principal only passed along information now that should've come a month ago.
"I think, since we're short on time, we should keep the decorations simple."
Kaguya raised her hand.
"Takamine-kun, since you're the treasurer, I'll leave the budget planning to you. Chika, can you handle coordinating with the volunteers?"
Rinji: "No problem here."
Fujiwara Chika: "Agreed~"
Kaguya nodded and continued, "President, you'll handle overall coordination. I'll take care of the procurement."
"Makes sense. We're short on time, and the student council still has other responsibilities. Next—"
Knock knock knock!
Before Shirogane could finish, someone knocked on the door of the student council office.
All four members were present, so who was it?
"Come in."
The door opened, and a beautiful woman with long blue hair walked in.
"Ms. Sagara?"
"Hello everyone. I'm just here to pass on a message from the principal—then I'll be on my way."
It was Sagara Kaya, the classical literature teacher for the second-years. Everyone in the room except Rinji was a second-year, so they knew her.
She glanced down and saw Rinji sitting beside Shirogane, smiling.
"Rinji, you're here too? Doing your student council work properly?"
"Of course."
"Rinji's been diligent and reliable in all his duties as treasurer," Shirogane added.
"Good to hear."
Kaya nodded in satisfaction and handed over a document.
"As for the welcome party, the student council doesn't have too much to prepare. But when it comes to what's being procured, make sure it reflects Japanese culture."
"Any specific requests?"
"Since this is a cultural exchange between countries, try to prepare something that represents Japan..."
"I got it!"
Rinji clapped his hands and looked confidently at Kaya.
"It's porn, right?"
"The hell it is!"
Kaya slammed a fist into Rinji's head without hesitation, then turned to the other members.
"This kid just got back to Japan not long ago—his understanding of the culture's a little off."
"No worries."
"We understand."
"Just pick things like traditional Japanese sweets. If anyone here's familiar with those, feel free to take charge."
"No problem. All student council members need to be present for the welcome party. However..."
Kaya glanced at Rinji.
"Rinji, you don't have to go."
"Huh? Why?"
Rinji stood up to protest. "I'm the treasurer—of course I should be there."
"Can you speak French?"
"No."
"Then what would you do there?"
"Hold down the fort."
"Not necessary. You're also a foreign exchange student yourself, no need to attend the event for students from another country."
"But I must attend! This is a rare opportunity to represent—"
Kaya cut him off, pointing at him.
"Your next line is, 'Finally, it's my favorite time: mocking France!'"
"Finally, it's my favorite time: mocking Fr—Wait, what!?"
Rinji stared at her in horror.
Before he could say anything else, Kaya grabbed his face in one palm.
"No. You. Are. Not. Going!"
"Okay…"
"Sigh... Anyway, I'll talk to the principal about the late notice. You just focus on doing your best."
"Understood."
"Good. Then I'll be off."
Releasing Rinji, Kaya turned and left the office.
Rinji rubbed his face and sat back down beside the president.
"So, Shinomiya's still handling the procurement?"
"Naturally," Kaguya smiled. "I was raised in a very traditional Japanese household. I'm quite familiar with the kinds of things we'll need."
"But… there's going to be a lot to buy, right? Can one person really carry it all?"
Fujiwara looked concerned.
"How about one of the boys goes with you? Takamine-kun, maybe—"
"No!"
Rinji quickly shut her down.
"I'm busy this weekend. And being alone with the Shinomiya heiress? That's a recipe for disaster."
"Rinji-kun, are you and Kaguya really that incompatible?"
"At least for now," Rinji said with a grin. "Besides, I'm not the only guy in the student council."
With that, he gave Shirogane a firm slap on the back.
"Right, President?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, makes sense."
Catching Rinji's look, Shirogane realized—this was a golden opportunity.
Going shopping with Kaguya… that was basically a date.