Takashi turned toward the board and slowly set his pen down on the desk.
The classroom was silent—every eye fixed on him.
"Takashi just wrote down Yusuke and Saki's names," one student whispered.
Takashi lifted his head, scanning the room with a stern look.
"There's still one spot left," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.
"Who wants to volunteer?"
A heavy silence fell.
No one raised their hand.
Everyone simply glanced around, waiting for someone else to move first.
Saki and Yusuke sat quietly, the weight of their sudden decision pressing down on them.
Inside, a flicker of doubt echoed.
Takashi tapped his pen against the desk, impatience slipping into his tone.
"Do we not have a third volunteer?"
Just then, the sound of a chair sliding broke the silence.
A girl stood up, her voice clear and confident.
"I'll volunteer."
All eyes turned toward her.
Saki and Yusuke followed the sound, their expressions shifting from confusion to shock.
It was Hana.
She stood tall, a self-assured smile curling on her lips—almost as if she wanted to provoke Saki.
The sight of her made Saki's chest tighten. Her mood plummeted in an instant.
"Of course... Hana," Saki thought bitterly. "Why am I even surprised?"
But then, she caught herself—
"No, Saki… don't do this again. If she's joining, then so will you. Don't run this time."
She drew a slow breath, straightened her back, and lifted her chin.
Takashi wrote hana's name into his notebook.
"Our third volunteer is ready," he said firmly.
"Now, listen carefully. I will be the one deciding who becomes the club president."
Murmurs rippled through the class.
Takashi raised a hand, continuing:
"Here's what I want from you three: you'll each plan our school's next field trip.
The one who presents the best plan will be chosen as the club president."
Excited whispers spread across the room. Some students looked thrilled; others were wide-eyed with surprise.
Saki's gaze stayed fixed on Takashi.
A quiet determination filled her chest.
This wasn't just a contest—this was her chance to prove herself.
Takashi gathered his papers and said,
"I expect your presentations in one week. You're dismissed for now."
He left the room with slow, deliberate steps.
As soon as the door closed, the class erupted in chatter.
Saki remained silent, staring at her desk.
Her thoughts whispered back to her, soft but conflicted:
"Do I really want to be president... or was it just a rush of the moment?"
Beside her, Yusuke leaned closer.
"Don't worry, Saki," he said gently. "I'll help you. We'll make sure you win this."
Saki lifted her head and smiled faintly.
"Then… may the best one win, Yusuke."
A sudden chill ran down her spine.
A gaze—cold, sharp, almost hostile.
She turned her head.
Hana was walking toward the classroom door. But before leaving, she stopped—just for a second—and locked eyes with Saki.
That look said everything: a challenge.
Then she turned and walked out.
Saki clenched her fists beneath the desk.
"So that's how it is, huh? You're going to stand in my way…
But this time, I won't fall."
One by one, the other students left the room.
Yusuke stood up and smiled at her.
"Come on, let's go too."
Saki nodded, standing beside him.
They walked down the hallway, the afternoon sunlight pouring through the windows and stretching their shadows across the floor.
Hands in his pockets, Yusuke spoke with quiet determination.
"Don't worry, Saki. This time, we'll win. You'll be president."
Saki let out a small laugh.
"I knew you didn't actually want to deal with being president," she teased lightly.
Then, softer—"But… thanks, Yusuke."
He swallowed, smiling back.
"Anytime, milady."
For a moment, they both fell silent.
Only the echo of their footsteps filled the hall.
After a while, Yusuke turned to her again.
"How about we meet at a café tonight and start planning?" he asked casually.
Saki froze.
The sudden invitation caught her completely off guard.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Uh—I… um, I'm kind of busy today, actually," she stammered. "Maybe we could—"
Yusuke quickly interrupted, catching on to her unease.
"Ah, right! I just remembered, I'm busy too," he said with a grin. "Guess another day works better for both of us."
Relief washed over her.
She smiled.
"Yeah… another day sounds perfect."
They continued walking.
When they reached their classroom, Yusuke stopped and knocked lightly on the door.
Then, in a playful tone, he bowed and whispered,
"After you, my lady."
Saki chuckled, shaking her head, and stepped inside.
Yusuke followed after her.
The classroom was bathed in golden sunlight.
But Saki's thoughts were far away.
"Hiroki…"
He would return to school—that much was certain.
But when he did… how would she face him?
Part of her still feared the confrontation.
"Forget it, Saki… don't overthink it today," she told herself.
"You can deal with tomorrow when it comes."
She lifted her head and took a deep breath.
As she stepped into a new week, toward a new challenge, one thing had become clear:
This time, her story wouldn't stay in someone else's shadow.
And in that moment, something sparked within her.
Maybe… this wasn't just about a presidency.
Maybe, it was the beginning of her journey to find herself.