Let's do it again, Yukino.

Are girls with such girlish hearts really so troublesome? Are the anxieties of adolescence ever-present?

"I heard from the rumors that you're the young master of some big corporation, right? You must be able to arrange a job for such a cute junior like me that I won't have to worry about food and clothing and will be popular with a lot of handsome guys, right?"

"Speaking of popularity, how about you become a singer after you graduate? Good luck! You might debut in five years. You're still young. So you'll only be around twenty-one then..." Haruhi said with a warm smile.

"A singer? That's fine, but it would be even better if you could be my manager."

Kasuga: "..."

Isshiki, what are you saying with that smug look on your face? I was just joking. Are you really an even bigger idiot than me...?

"Senior, it's settled then. Thinking about it, being an idol singer really suits me, junior. Thank you so much, senior! It's a deal!!!"

Seemingly having finally figured something out, the girl, who had just been looking melancholy and troubled by adolescence, suddenly changed her expression, took the autograph book that Chunri had just placed next to her, and quickly took out her pen to write her name in the blank space.

A color feather.

"Is this alright, senior?"

"Sure, but did I unknowingly agree to some outrageous request from you, junior?"

Chunri always felt like she had been tricked without even realizing it.

"Does everything have to come at a price? It's not like you can just get someone's autograph for free, hehe. Your advice gives me the motivation to keep moving forward in life. Compared to the right life goals, being the student council president is nothing. I don't want to live in the eyes of those around me for years to come with the image of a cute and serious junior. People always need to be ambitious, right?"

"I could never be your agent, and there's no such ridiculous future for me."

"You have to try to have any hope, right? I didn't ask you to be my lover, it was just a small request to help out. This cute junior gave you her first autograph, can't you even grant her this small request?"

Iseki's pitiful yet watery eyes left Chunri speechless.

"..."

"Isshiki-senpai, isn't it equally rude of you to so bluntly seek this idiot's opinion..."

However, just as the situation reached a stalemate, a clear, cold voice rang in their ears.

The smiles on their lips also stiffened.

Yukinoshita, who had somehow arrived at the Furyu-an Restaurant, was also smiling as she looked at Isshiki...

Yes, a very sunny smile...

seemingly

However, his words were directed at me.

"Senpai, I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." Seeing Yukinoshita suddenly appear at the Furyu-an, Isshiki's smile vanished. She clasped her hands together and waved to Haruhi, then fled her seat with a slightly adorable air.

What's the use of having female classmates?

It's just a matter of mutual exploitation.

chat?

For a boy like Haruhi who has already seen through the darkness, it's completely unnecessary.

"Xiaoxue, good evening! How did you know I was here?"

Watching her junior sister dash away from the restaurant, Chunri turned around and said to Xiaoxue with tears welling up in her eyes.

written request for leave

This is basically a leave request for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I'll update it after Christmas Eve tomorrow, and finish it all at the end of the month. That's all.

Goodbye, 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ...

Chapter Ten: The End and the Beginning (Part 1)

The election for student council president is also nearing its end.

this day

The school's gymnasium center.

In the backstage dressing room.

Hiratsuka Shizumasa leaned against the wall not far from Haruhi.

It's quite a coincidence that today is Christmas Eve, and tomorrow will be Christmas Eve again, with torches burning and people being so enthusiastic.

And the year of second grade is coming to an end soon.

"Are you ready? For your last speech in front of all the teachers and students of Soubu High School? The future student council president?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka had a Seven Stars cigarette dangling from her mouth, but thankfully she didn't light it. She looked more like a boss than a teacher.

"...Hmm, that's about it."

Wearing the uniform of Soubu High School, the boy leaned back leisurely in his chair, the cute and crisp speech of the junior student Isshiki in front of the screen not far away still reaching his ears.

Hiratsuka Shizuka chuckled, then took the Seven Stars cigarette from her mouth and tossed it to Haruhi.

"While I don't recommend getting addicted to cigarettes at such a young age, having a couple when you're feeling down can help you relax, it just depends on whether you know how to do it."

"Forget it, if that guy finds out I smoke, he'll probably skin me alive again."

"Was it that child Yukinoshita who asked you to? I didn't realize that child could be so rude."

"As expected, Master, you already knew about Xiaoxue and me!"

Haruhi's usually downcast face suddenly lifted, and she looked at Hiratsuka, who was teasing her, with a knowing look.

"Of course, after all, I am your master, and Junko is my drinking buddy. Don't expect a drunk person to keep your secrets."

"And don't think you two are really hiding it well!! Anyone with eyes can see through the little tricks between you two if they pay a little attention."

The boy couldn't help but smile, clutching his speech notes tightly in his hand. After a while, he slowly got up from his seat.

It's about time it was my turn to go on stage.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, if possible, it's time to say goodbye for now."

"Pretty much. I always feel that by the time you guys are in third grade, I'll be close to retirement."

"Then... goodbye?"

"Yes, we'll definitely meet again."

She responded with a sound of agreement, but Hiratsuka Shizuka remained in her previous position, her straight and tall figure not moving an inch.

What kind of job should we look for after we retire?

Marriage brokers or something? Hehe.

No way!! Who would choose that profession?!

The woman waved her hand and continued to complain to herself.

……

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the front of the stage, and it seemed that the figure of Isshiki Hatake bowing in gratitude could be vaguely seen in the background.

Chunri pushed up the non-prescription glasses that Xiaoxue had given her. It had been so long. Although she had never been nearsighted, Chunri still obediently wore the glasses on her nose no matter when.

"I'll leave the position of president to you this time, senior."

"Good luck, senior! I'm off now. Remember your promise to me, or I won't let you off the hook!"

As he brushed past the flaxen-haired junior, the girl gently patted Haruhi's shoulder with a warm smile.

"Tch, women really are troublesome creatures."

Haruhi, feeling troubled by Iroha's request, couldn't help but complain. At the same time, he had already stepped in front of the stage.

The audience was packed with people; all the teachers and students from the entire school had gathered here today.

Including that bald director, Chunri also spotted him in the crowd.

He still vividly remembers being forced to write a self-criticism that made his hand ache back then.

but,

Considering that this old man was an indispensable stepping stone on my path to success in learning, I'll let it go.

……

I took a deep breath.

He placed his hands on the lecture platform, with the prepared script also held in front of his chest.

"It's the dead of winter, but it's also the beginning of spring when everything is about to come back to life. We're about to enter our final year of high school. At this moment, we not only want to say goodbye to the seniors who are about to graduate and leave our alma mater, but also to say good luck to the juniors. Everyone has their own life to live, and all I can say is my sincerest blessings."

Fluent and smooth words slowly flowed from his lips. At this moment, to the people below the stage, the boy wearing those glasses was just an ordinary boy who wanted to run for president.

At this moment, everyone is trying to slowly forget the trouble that the boy's name had caused them in the past.

"The years we spent together at this school are unforgettable memories for all of us. Of course, they also included all sorts of joys and sorrows, which I cannot recount to you all here."

This was the final step in the student council president election, and with that thought in mind, Haruhi slowly slowed down her speech.

Because in the crowd, those cool, clear eyes were also silently watching him at that moment.

He continued speaking.

In order to find a job, they expressed their sense of purpose.

He demonstrated to everyone that he was not completely ignorant of the responsibilities of the chairman.

outside,

piece,

Then another one,

Like fairies, snowflakes slowly fell from the pristine white sky, gently adorning this enchanting, silver-clad world.

A white world, a white season.

There are also festivals that represent the color white.

It's continuing quietly.