Macho Man Doesn't want a Slice-of-Life

"Finished packing everything?"

"Yeah."

On the last day of the week, the student council members gathered to clean up the office and move out their personal items.

This marked the official end of their student council activities.

Shirogane's term as student council president had come to an end, and it was time to step down for the next round of elections at Shuchiin Academy.

"It's really... over now, huh?"

"Yeah," Shirogane said with a smile.

This student council held memories for all five members, but everything eventually must come to an end.

Though noisy, for Rinji, it had been a truly unforgettable place.

"A whole year went by so fast."

"I only joined for a little over half a year, but it feels like it's been forever," Rinji said with a smile.

"Come to think of it," Ishigami said suddenly, "Isn't there a hidden room in the council office?"

"Huh?"

"There is?"

Seeing everyone's confusion, Ishigami walked to the corner and moved a cabinet aside.

Behind it was a large door.

"What!? There was a hidden room?"

"We never noticed that before."

Shirogane and Fujiwara both cried out.

Despite being the earliest student council members, it was the latest member, Ishigami, who discovered the hidden room.

"Should we go in and check it out?"

"...Let's leave it for the next student council to explore."

The group looked around the office one last time. As if the laughter and banter they once shared still lingered in the chairs and sofas.

With no regrets, they opened the door and walked out.

Bang.

As the door closed, Fujiwara stood in place.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

The student council where they all once worked and played together would never come back.

"Geez, Fujiwara, you're so sneaky."

Kaguya comforted her, though her own eyes were glistening with tears.

"This past year... thanks, everyone."

Shirogane closed his eyes and thanked them all.

Fujiwara wiped her tears and looked toward Rinji, who had been staring silently at the now-closed council office door since they left.

"Rinji-kun, are you feeling a little sad too?"

"I don't get sentimental. That kind of emotion is unnecessary."

Rinji smiled faintly.

"...But still, I guess I'll miss it a little. After all... you guys are truly irreplaceable friends."

"Of course. Whether we're in the student council or not, we'll always be friends."

Fujiwara's bright smile was contagious, and the heavy mood around them slowly faded away.

"Let's have a celebration dinner after school."

"Okay~"

The sadness of parting forgotten, the student council members left together with laughter and chatter.

Only Rinji remained behind.

His eyes were fixed on the now-closed door of the student council office.

"It'll be hard to return to days like this…"

Rinji gently placed his hand on the wooden door, feeling the texture beneath his fingertips.

"At the very least, the days I spent in the student council were happy. But it's probably all over…"

"It's not over yet."

Hearing that familiar voice, Rinji slowly turned his head.

There stood the familiar blonde girl.

"Hayasaka."

Hayasaka Ai slowly walked up beside him, placing her hand on the same wooden door.

"Today is the day the 67th student council disbands. I figured you'd stay here a while," Hayasaka said softly. "After all, this is the one place where you could momentarily forget who you really are."

"You really do know me best."

Rinji smiled and looked back at the door.

"I always wondered why someone like me, who walks a path paved in blood and corpses, would cross paths with these peaceful high schoolers. Even now, I don't know the answer... but I believe a miracle happened the moment I chose to join the student council."

Through his time working and living with the student council, he had come to realize that he didn't dislike this kind of life.

"Maybe you're changing."

"I won't change."

Rinji gave a bitter smile.

"Just like I told you before, I probably won't become the person you're hoping for."

"There's no need."

Hayasaka stepped behind Rinji, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his back.

"Hayasaka?"

"Just let me stay like this for a bit," she murmured. "Just a little while."

"…"

"I never expected you to become anything in particular. So no matter how you change, as long as you're still the same little Rinji, that's all I need—because I'm the one who understands you best."

After speaking, she released him and stepped back, taking out her phone to check the time.

"Afternoon classes are about to start. I should head back too."

She looked up at Rinji, lightly poked his forehead with her finger.

"That miracle you mentioned… it won't disappear."

Watching Hayasaka walk away, Rinji slowly smiled. After one last look at the student council door, he turned and walked off.

The 67th Student Council of Shuchiin Academy officially came to an end.

---

"Shirogane, have you officially stepped down as student council president?"

"Yes, Sagara-sensei. My term has ended."

"Planning to run again?"

"Um…"

"Well, that's up to you. I can only give advice."

Sagara put some documents aside and looked at Shirogane Miyuki, now no longer president, with a sigh.

"Do you want me to run again, Sagara-sensei?" Shirogane asked, confused.

"You could say that, though it's mostly a personal wish," Sagara replied. "How did that Takamine kid do in the student council?"

"He was excellent. Always completed his tasks seriously."

"That's good."

"...Can I ask something? Is the reason you want me to run again because of Rinji?"

"Exactly."

Sagara nodded.

"That kid only behaves when he's in the student council. He acts like a normal high schooler, and I can relax. If you were still president, my job would be a lot easier."

"Are you and Rinji related?"

"Not really. I was just classmates with his father back in the day."

When Rinji's father came up, Sagara's expression turned strangely complicated.

"His idiot dad used to cause a lot of trouble. That kid definitely inherited that reckless streak. But in over half a year, he's only injured one classmate. Honestly, I was shocked."

"Rinji's father?"

Shirogane had no idea about Rinji's family. Rinji lived alone in Japan, and judging by how he talked and acted, his dad probably wasn't the meek farmer he claimed to be.

"What kind of person is his father?"

"A hippie," Sagara laughed. "And one of those enviable ones."