Tuesday, November 9. In the morning, I bump into Horikita in the elevator on my way to school. 　
After exchanging a few words of greeting, we leave the lobby and go outside the dormitory together.

"Did you hear about it yet? The day before the school festival, all of the third year students will be rehearsing for the festival, just like the real thing."

"Oh. I heard they're inviting freshmen and sophomores to participate as well." 　

This is exactly the information that was posted on the school's bulletin board yesterday night to inform all grades. 　

The source of this information was the student council, in other words, Nagumo's decision.

This is probably what Nagumo himself was talking about last week when he said that the student council would make a proposal that would not be a bad idea. 　

The form of participation is free.

It can have the actual food offerings, or it can be a mere simulation without it. 　

It's just a rehearsal to make adjustments for tomorrow's festival.

"Many classes have already expressed their participation to the student council. The classes that have been hidden from the public until now must be eager to receive a third-party evaluation before the festival."

"So, more of the classes are accepting it favorably."

"I think it must have been a big deal for the 3rd year class A to rent the gymnasium and present their performance to the public." 　

The class of 3A announced the performance without hiding the fact that they were performing, and actually showed it. 　

The students were aware of the improvements that were made through the process, and they were able to incorporate them into their performances.

I think there are a certain number of students who want to enjoy this festival not only as a competition, but also as students who want to make it a successful and enjoyable event.

"The student council's decision to pay for consumable materials may have helped."

Even if you do a rehearsal, it still costs money. 　

A separate budget must be set up from the one provided for the festival, and the source of funds is, of course, the private points of each individual. 　

It would not be surprising if some classes would not participate if they had to pay out of their own pocket for the rehearsal, but that is what the Student Council is for, I guess.

If the Student Council is willing to cover the cost of the event, there will be little reason to refuse.
We have already informed them that if they bring in their receipts, they will be reimbursed from the student council budget.

The quota was not unlimited, of course, but there were tens of thousands of points available for each class.

"Are you sure you want us to participate?"

"Of course. The whole school knows that we are going to be a maid cafe. It can't hurt to do it."

"i think it's a good thing. We also have the Ryuuen-kun and his friends to think about."　

Horikita gave me a meaningful look, to which I responded with a slight nod.

"Let's see how they do over there." 　

It's a great opportunity to see how Ryuuen will develop the game.

"Do you feel like you can beat them?"

"Who knows."

"You seem very confident."

"I'm not confident. I'm just doing everything I can."

"That's true. But don't you still usually feel insecure?"

Apparently, Horikita is concerned about the possibility of losing even though I prepared for everything.

"You may be too timid about losing."

Defeat does not mean losing class points. 　

But it is the same thing if you don't earn class points. 　

It is natural that you don't want to stagnate when you are closing in on Class A.

"You might not have been so anxious last year."

"That's just being reckless ..... and not seeing what's going on around you."　

Horikita's vision has gradually begun to broaden. 　

That's why she can't help but think about losing.

"As a class leader, it's not a bad thing to be prepared for both winning and losing patterns. I am just one of the pawns here though."

Well, Horikita's inability to simply listen to what is being said is both a weakness and an advantage.

If it is Sakayanagi or Ryuuen, she will listen to them, but if it is Ichinose, she will take it as if she is strongly dependent on them. Horikita has both sides.

"I know that, but ...... it's not easy." 　

I slapped Horikita once on the back with the palm of my hand.

"What are you doing?"

"It's too early to get used to winning."

"..."

She looked a little angry, but I think she also realized that I had hit the nail on the head.

"I know, it wasn't a result of my own strong action, but a conceited idea." 　

The Deserted island or the unanimous exam, either way it was not a victory based on sheer merit alone.

"You say..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm trying not to take your words too seriously, but you've been very cooperative lately, which makes it all the more annoying. I don't know what to do with it all in my head."

"If that's the case, you'd appreciate it if you I didn't cooperate with you at all in the future right?"

I try to walk away from the situation, but someone grabs me by the shoulders.

"That's a no-go." 　

I tried to leave, but I was immediately grabbed and taken back.

"I want to stop at a convenience store before going to school, but would you like to join me?"

"Convenience store?"

"I have a lot of preparation to do before the festival, so I want to make the most of my lunch break today."

"I don't mind." 　

I had no problem stopping by for a few minutes. 　

I followed Horikita to the convenience store and stepped into the store. 　

Just then, I ran into Koenji, who was just about to pay his bill. 　

He bought only two things: a bottle of soymilk and a salad with a whisper of meat.

It was a very light meal for lunch, but I guess he eats it during his morning break. 　

Koenji usually isn't seen eating at restaurant, so there are many mysteries in private.

"Good morning, Koenji-kun." 　

Horikita called out to Koenji, but after he paid the bill, Koenji only smiled lightly and didn't exchange a word.

"Aren't you the only one who isn't assigned any work at the festival?"

"He said he wouldn't do anything. I don't think he'll change his mind." 　

Horikita did not seem to pay any particular attention to this, and went to the cash register after selecting a meal that she could eat quickly. 　

She refused the offer of a plastic bag, and put held the items with her own hands.

"Did you really not have to buy anything?"

"I don't have anything I need, and I don't have an abundance of private points." 　

In November, my wallet had warmed up to some extent, but I had plans to spend money soon.

"You're no longer paying Kushida her allowance, are you?"

"Not really. I haven't been charged for not doing it."

"If they charge you, will you pay them?"

"Do you think I will?" 　

Horikita replied to the sarcasm as if she was, muttering, "I don't think so."

"No, I don't want that to happen. I don't want you to have to worry about her again. "

Whatever its distortion, Kushida has undergone a profound change. 　

And we have to believe that it is going in the direction of growth.

PART 1

After school that day.

Ichihashi approached Horikita, who was sitting in front of her, while showing some hesitation.
"Um, Horikita-san,.... can I talk to you for a minute?"　

She rarely goes to talk to Horikita, as she does not have a strong connection with her. 　

Normally, one would think that it would be about the upcoming cultural festival...　

But the object in her hand showed something different.

"What is it?"

"I have a favor to ask you. You have some student council business to attend to later today, right?"

"Yes. I told everyone in my class a while ago, but I have student council work to do. I can't help you with the festival."

"Yeah, um.. no, I mean. Can you please send this to......?" 　

The item she offered was a letter. 　

A heart sticker glimpsed from the envelope was clasped to the mouth of the envelope.

"What's this?"

"It's a love letter.... "

"....What?"

It is understandable that the she looked puzzled, unable to comprehend what was going on for a moment.

Even though we live in an age where diversity is accepted, it is understandable that a love letter from a girl to a girl would upset her in a different way than a letter from the opposite sex.

"Oh, um, you know what? It's not like it's from me to you, Horikita-san. Actually, one of my friends asked me to give it to Nagumo-san, the student council president."

"To the Student Council President? But isn't that something you should give in person?" 　

If you're going to confess your feelings to someone you like, it's only natural that you should do it face to face.

"I was too nervous to give it to her, so she asked me to do it. But I don't have the courage to hand it to the student body president in person, or ...... I'm not even a party to it."

Although Nagumo is a more sociable person than, for example, Horikita Manabu, the former student council president, he is still a senior student and a representative of this school. It would be difficult for someone who hasn't had any contact with him to approach him. 　

Horikita, on the other hand, is different. It was easy to imagine that she was talking to the student council on a daily basis.

"I understand what's going on, but..."

"Please, I've been struggling with it for a long time, and ...... I finally got up the courage to do something about it."

Not long ago, Horikita might have refused this request. 　

However, now it is important to build relationships with classmates. 　

This is inevitable in order to make up for lost time on the unanimous special exam.

"...Ok, I'll take the opportunity to give it to him for you. Is that all right?"

"Uh, yes."　

Ichihashi's answer was somewhat cryptic.

"Is there still a problem?"

"Well, you see, there's a little problem with this love letter." 　

Upon receiving the letter, Horikita notices that there is no name written on the front or back. 　
In other words, without looking inside, the sender's name was unknown.

"Can we assume whose letter this is from what is written inside?"

"What do you think... I would've written it normally... If she's satisfied just by me expressing their feelings, they may not know."

In other words, neither the giver nor the receiver knows the sender of the love letter.

"That's a little hard to accept, isn't it? Of course, I will explain when I give it to him, but he might mistake it for a letter from me." 　

While claiming to be from someone else, it was actually a letter from Horikita. 　

There's no telling how Nagumo might take it that way.

"Well, can't you get someone else to do it? A boy you know from the student council or something.... No? I'd really like to get it to them today."

"You make it sound so easy..."　

Horikita nodded after thinking for a moment, while still concerned.

"I'll try my best, but there's no guarantee that I'll be able to give it to them."

"I'm glad you accepted the job, Horikita-san. I'm sure she'll be very happy."

Although reluctant, Horikita agreed to deliver the love letter to Nagumo. 　

Normally, I would have asked her who the letter was from, but Horikita was not interested and did not go into it deeply.

PART 2

Because of the unexpected request, my steps became a little ...... heavier.

"Why didn't he just give it to them themselves...?

It was a mistake to accept the request. Why would I, an innocent person, give such a thing to....?
I should have turned back and asked Ichihashi -san to give it to them....

"That should've been the right thing to do."　

When the thought of escape crossed my mind. 　

I suddenly remembered the time when I was about to give a letter to my brother who had decided to go to high school. 　

I had been so desperate to get back to the good old days, when we were close, that I didn't even realize that he had been cold toward me.

If I couldn't talk to him face-to-face, I thought it would be better to express my feelings in a letter. 　
But the pen in my hand didn't move as smoothly as it did in my head.

I thought about it for days, hesitated, wrote and erased.

How could I get my thoughts across? 　

How could I make my brother happy? 　

I was struggling with the very act of writing a letter. 　

And in the end, I couldn't give it to him. He went off to high school and I couldn't see or hear from him anymore.

"By the way, what happened to that letter...?"

Digging into her memory, she found a letter she had put in a drawer of her brother's desk...

"What, if my brother comes home and sees that I left it there?"

I stopped in the hallway and felt my heart rate suddenly start to race. 　

I was happy to let him see it, but I was afraid that my brother would laugh at me if he saw my letter.

"Forget about it."　

I'm not going to get rid of the letter and pretend it never happened, even if I'm upset now.

Now all we can do is to hope that my brother did not find the letter.

Remembering my brother's back from outside the window, I clasped my hands together once more.

".....Yes, that's right." 　

It is not easy to write a letter to someone you love. 　

And if you have to hand-deliver them in person, the hurdle is even higher.

if I were asked if I could write a letter to my brother again, it would be difficult for me to give an immediate answer. I don't know who it is, but I must give it to Student Council President Nagumo.

I may have to give you a little credit for your timidity. 　

Somehow, I managed to find an excuse to give it to him, and arrived at the Student Council Room. 　

When I opened the door, all the members of the Student Council were already there except for Student Council President Nagumo. 　

There are three boys in the student council except for Student Council President Nagumo. 　

Yagami, a first-year student, Aga, also a first-year student, and Kiriyama, a third-year student and vice president of the student council. 　

However, it's not just any boy will do.

I was not able to simply entrust them with the task of handing out love letters, which is not even a chore in the student council. 　

The only person I know well and can talk to is Yagami-kun. 　

I know I'm taking advantage of my position as a senior, but I can't help myself. Yagami is sitting in his seat and chatting with Ichinose. 　

I reached for the love letter in my bag, hoping to finish the troublesome task right away.

But just then, Student Council President Nagumo showed up in the room.

"We will begin the meeting immediately. Take your seats." 　

The voice of Student Council President Nagumo was dark and heavy. 　

I felt the air instantly tighten, and I put my hand back on my bag.

Under such circumstances, there was no way I could say I was asked to give him a love letter.
"Ichinose, do you have anything to report?"

"Yes, I do. It seems that all the classes decided to participate in the rehearsal the day before the festival."

It was decided in almost half a day. It seems that the student council president made the right decision. However, if the student council had to make the decision on its own, we would have liked to have been informed a little earlier."　

The vice president, senior Kiriyama, made a sharp remark.

"It was just an idea. I thought it would make the juniors happy if we reported it a little earlier."
Student Council President Nagumo responded without apology. 　

This is a scene from a student council meeting that is becoming an annual event. 　

Basically, the Student Council's initiative starts with an idea from Student Council President Nagumo.

Sometimes it is born out of a comment made during the meeting, and sometimes it is born out of something we have no idea about. 　

Then suddenly there was silence, and Student Council President Nagumo had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. 　

It was clear that he was holding back his anger.

He was clearly holding his arms crossed and his eyes closed. 　

"Um, is there something wrong, Nagumo-senpai....?" 　

Ichinose,-san who had been holding back, asked fearfully,

"Today, I heard a strange rumor."

"A rumor?"

'There's a crazy rumor going around that I'm betting a lot of money that I can get certain students expelled from school."

"What? What do you mean?" 　

It is not surprising that Ichinose-san would ask that question. 　

I, too, could not immediately understand the meaning of what Student Council President Nagumo was saying.

"Who told you this nonsense?"

"It's from your class, Kiriyama." 　

With his eyes closed, Student Council President Nagumo threw such words at Vice President Kiriyama.

".... From my class?"

"It's just a rumor among our friends, so it's not strange that you're aware of it."

"I'm sorry, but this is news to me. In the first place, I don't understand the meaning of gambling a lot of money to expel someone from school."　

Usually, they would use a large sum of money to move a particular person to class A."　

If that is the case, it is certainly understandable to me. 　

Especially for third-year students, the winner is already decided, and if they are invited to join Student Council President Nagumo's class, they are practically guaranteed to be in Class A. 　

It's possible, though it's not very nice to say, for Student Council President Nagumo to secretly offer private points to those whom he knows well and give them the right to move to a different class.

"It's just a rumor, but I can't just sit back and let rumors spread about me."　

Certainly, as president of the student council, such rumors can only damage him unilaterally. 　
It is no wonder that he is in a visibly bad mood.

"The Student Council will be on hiatus for the time being."

"Hi... Hiatus?"

Ichinose-san was surprised by this proposal from Student Council President Nagumo, which she had not expected. 　

The student council met once a week to discuss a variety of topics. 　

The only exceptions were testing periods and some special exams.

"We're done discussing the cultural festival. There should be no problem."

"Are you going to look for the culprit?"

"Of course. We'll look for them thoroughly. The next meeting will be held after the festival."

After that, we continued discussing the day before the festival, and soon after, we were dismissed. 　

I got up from my seat and went to Yagami-kun. 　

Perhaps sensing my approach, he raised his gaze from his notebook and closed it, stopping his hand. He stayed here after the meeting because he is the student council secretary. 　

The other students had left the student council room ahead of us, which we appreciated. 　

When we were alone, I decided to talk to him.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" 　

He was a little surprised, and then Yagami turned to me.

"I'm sorry, were you still in the middle of writing something down?"

"No, I just finished. Don't worry about it."

Yagami puts his hand lightly on the closed notebook and smiles at me.

"What's wrong, Horikita-senpai?"

"Yagami-kun, may I ask you for a little unreasonable favor?"

"What is it?"

"I want you to give this to Student Council President Nagumo. It's a love letter." 　

I took out the love letter and presented it to Yagami.

"It's rare these days. It seems that most of the time, people just chat or call..." 　

After receiving the letter while looking surprised, I hastily added,

"Just so you know, it didn't come from me."

"I see. I thought it was a love letter from you Horikita... Or should I give it to him?"

"No, I didn't. A girl in my class asked me to do it."

"I don't see a sender's name. Whose love letter is this?"

"I can't tell you that. The recipient has requested to remain anonymous."

"An anonymous love letter...?"

"They asked me to do it as a member of the student council, but with the anonymity issue and the possibility that he might think I'm giving it to him?"

"That's quite possible. To be honest, even now I have a little doubt that it was written by Horikita-senpai."

I'm not sure if that was a joke or not, but it's not funny to me at all.

"I'm just joking. I can tell by the look of disgust on your face that it's not by you."　
I hope so...

"It would have been easier if we had given it to them before the arrival of Student Council President Nagumo but..."

"Even if I had received the letter, I don't think I would have been able to give it to him. The atmosphere was not conducive to giving a letter."

"Yes, that couldn't be helped." 　

Under the circumstances, it was impossible for me to talk to anyone about Student Council President Nagumo.

"I am sorry to have asked you to do this, but could you please deliver it as soon as possible? They expect it to be delivered today."

"In that case, I will visit the dormitory later." 　

Yagami stared at the love letter and looked a little confused.

"Is this really a love letter?"

"Maybe. They said they put their heart into it, but I can't be sure."

I can't even peel off the seal to check the contents.

"If they gave it to her as a love letter and it turned out to be different, it would be disrespectful to Student Council President Nagumo."

"That may be the case."

"I will leave it somewhat mild, saying that I received the letter from a certain person."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Thank you." 　

I thank him for his honesty.

"Even in this day and age, it's hard for a secretary to take notes by hand."

I think it's good to know that nowadays it's not a problem to work on a computer.

"Tradition is also important. Since the establishment of the school, the notes have been kept in a file. If we suddenly switch to digital, there will be a sense of discomfort." 　

Yagami looked back at the bookshelf.

There are indeed many notes that tell the story of the Student Council's history. 　

It's not that it's a bad thing that the disc has changed in our generation, but what Yagami-kun is saying is also very true. 　

If we respect tradition, maybe this is something we should continue.

"I also hear that it is better to have hardships while you are still a student. If you get used to things being easy at an early age, you struggle less later in life."　

Yagami is a first-year high school student with a mature attitude.

"In that sense, this love letter is similar."　

I'm sure it's not uncommon for people to confess their feelings using their cell phones nowadays. 　

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use a mobile phone to confess your feelings, but I do understand that there is a certain meaning to using your own written words to express your feelings.

"Even so, today's Student Council President Nagumo really didn't seem to have the luxury of time."

"Yes. Wasn't he planning to expel students with a huge sum of money at stake? I remember... what's their name? ......"

As if remembering something, Yagami opened the notebook. 　

The first page was from the middle of last year, and looked like something a third-year student would have written in his or her second year. 　

Then the font changed and the notes switched to the most recent notes. 　

I instantly recognized the notes because they were written in a perfect, orderly and meticulous manner. 　

The sophisticated handwriting was so refined that it was hard to believe it was handwritten.

"There was a rumor that this Kiriyama-sensei might have spread the rumor. Do you know what class Kiriyama-sensei is in?"

Yagami-Kun asked me with the same face as usual as he showed me the notes of the meeting.

But my brain was instantly pulled into a different realm. 　

This handwriting......　

It is very similar to the handwriting I was looking for, which had almost slipped from my memory. 　

The person who sent me the letter at the desert island test.

I was so upset that I held my gaze and came across the notes of today's meeting.

I looked at Yagami-kun from a wider perspective and saw that he was still looking at me with a smile on his face. 　

It can't be ....... 　

But, no, that can't be right. 　

While various emotions were swirling around me, I continued to pretend to look down at the notes of the meeting while thinking.

"Horikita-senpai?"

".....I'm sorry, I don't know what class he's in. If you look at the OAA, you should be able to figure it out right away."

"Sure. I'll look into it right away."

"I'm sorry, but I just remembered something I have to do, so I'll leave you to it."

"Oh, really? I understand."

I looked away from him and quickly turned away as if to run away.

"I'm sorry to do this, but I'd like to ask you to take care of the letter to the student council president."

"Yes. Thank you for your hard work, Horikita-senpai."

If he stares at me now, I'll probably ask.

But I knew that I had to avoid that. 　

I left the room connecting the student council doors and slowly closed it. 　

Just before it was about to close, I saw Yagami-kun looking at me with a smile from inside the room through a small opening. 　

It was as if he was testing me. 　

It is as if he was asking, "Did you notice?" It seems as if he was provoking me.

Otherwise, he would not have bothered to open his notebook to show me is handwriting.
The door slammed shut. 　

I cannot deny the possibility that his handwriting is coincidentally the same. 　

Since a considerable amount of time has passed since I saw the letter, my memory is blurred. 　
Even so, for some reason, the handwriting was so similar that I was certain of it. 　

If I assume that he is the person who wrote the letter to me, then..... he has been around for a long time and has maintained a nonchalant attitude. 　

At the same time, this has to seemed to enhance the reality of this situation.