Saki and Hiroki hurried out of the house. The weather that day was genuinely beautiful; the sun wasn't blinding, and a light breeze cooled them as they walked. In that peaceful moment, Saki felt lucky to be able to share it with Hiroki. She glanced at him and silently thanked him in her heart. As if responding, Hiroki gave her a gentle smile.
After walking for a while, they arrived at school. Saki took out her phone, checked the time, and turned to Hiroki.
"Look, Hiroki. We made it just in time."
Before Hiroki could reply, his stomach growled.
Saki let out a soft laugh.
Hiroki held his stomach and looked away.
The bell rang the moment they stepped into the classroom. Miyuki noticed them and called out.
"Where have you been? I was waiting for you."
Saki's cheeks flushed; there was no way she could explain what had happened. Hiroki stepped in to save the situation.
"Something came up."
Miyuki smiled knowingly.
"It must have been something important."
When the lesson began, Saki listened carefully, diligently taking notes. Hiroki, on the other hand, leaned back in his seat, staring at his notebook while imagining delicious meals.
During the break, the three of them gathered around Miyuki's desk.
"How are you?"
"I'm starving," Hiroki said.
"Didn't you eat breakfast?"
"I didn't have time."
Miyuki turned her gaze to Saki.
"What is it—did Saki leave you hungry?"
Saki straightened up immediately.
"Me? Do you really think I'd let Hiroki go hungry?"
Miyuki giggled.
"I couldn't believe it either, but it sure looks that way."
Hiroki sighed.
"Forget it… Do you have any food with you, Miyuki?"
"Sorry, I don't."
Hiroki's expression fell.
"I guess I'll wait until lunch."
Just then, someone approached from behind Saki. They were quiet, but their presence was immediately noticeable. Hiroki and Miyuki looked over. When Saki turned around, she saw Hana. Arms crossed, Hana spoke with a calm yet unsettling expression.
"I couldn't help overhearing… Did you really let Hiroki go hungry, Saki?"
Miyuki cut in.
"Why do you care, Hana? What are you planning to do?"
"It just didn't seem like you."
Hiroki grew impatient.
"Hana, could you please leave?"
But Hana didn't stop.
"Yusuke and I didn't have breakfast either. But we do have something with us. Would you like to join us?"
Everyone looked at Saki. The decision was hers. After a brief pause, she answered firmly.
"No."
Hana nodded.
"Alright. As you wish."
She turned to leave, then stopped.
"Saki."
A moment of silence followed.
"Tomorrow, as the president, you'll be discussing the location of the performance with the music club president."
Saki frowned.
"President? I haven't been elected."
"You already have. You're the president."
"How?"
"The project I submitted was full of mistakes. I allowed it on purpose."
As Saki fell into thought, Miyuki couldn't hold back.
"Why?"
Hana didn't answer. She simply turned away and returned to her seat. Miyuki lightly slammed her hand on the desk in frustration.
"It feels like Hana has changed."
Hiroki leaned forward.
"She probably realized that this obsession was pointless. And she handed the presidency to Saki."
"And honestly, I don't think Yusuke is a bad person."
Miyuki shrugged.
"But he's definitely not that smart."
Hiroki straightened up and moved closer to Saki.
"If you really are the president, then I have a new mission for you."
Saki raised one eyebrow.
"I haven't forgotten the last one."
"Good," Hiroki said.
"Your new mission is to make sure the performance takes place in Tokyo."
"Don't worry," Saki replied.
"I'll keep my promise."
Miyuki spoke proudly.
"I'm the music club president."
Hiroki relaxed.
"Thank goodness."
Saki grew serious.
"Hana and Yusuke are the reason I became president. And now they're offering us food."
She looked at her friends.
"You used to be friends. I don't want my presence to be the reason your relationship fell apart."
Hiroki and Miyuki quietly lowered their gazes.
At that moment, approaching footsteps could be heard. Yusuke and Hana came over to the desk, snacks in their hands.
"May we sit here?"
After a brief hesitation, Hiroki nodded.
"You can."
At first, no one spoke. Finally, Yusuke broke the silence.
"I want things to go back to how they were between us. Let's put this behind us."
Miyuki laughed.
"Wasn't that a bit too formal?"
Everyone started laughing.
Hiroki's stomach growled again.
Hana smiled at him.
"You must be hungry."
"A little," Hiroki admitted.
Saki spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for the presidency."
Yusuke bowed his head slightly.
"Consider it an apology."
They spent the rest of the day talking. The tension between them slowly faded, and everything began to feel like the old days again.
After school, they said their goodbyes and headed home.
As Saki walked toward her house, she reflected on everything that had happened during the day. How quickly things had changed still felt strange.
But there was only one thing on her mind.
Tomorrow—and the club presidency.