The night after speaking with Asahina, I proposed a Christmas party for the student council in the chat.

Kiyotaka: "How about a Christmas party for the student council on December 25th?"

A few minutes later, the messages were marked as read, and Honami agreed. Immediately after, a private chat message from her arrived.

Honami: "Aren't we going to have a Christmas party with everyone?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm thinking of doing that on Christmas Eve. Actually, today I was invited on a Christmas date, and on the spur of the moment, I used the student council Christmas party as an excuse to refuse. The date itself I was able to reschedule to the 23rd. But for the student council side, if it's possible to hold it, it's better to do so. If it's rejected, I can make the excuse that we couldn't hold it due to the number of participants."

Honami: "Hmm... So you did accept the date itself..."

I had a premonition that the highlight had faded from her eyes on the other side of the screen, but since I could only see text, I decided not to dwell on it.

After that, the other members who saw my proposal began chiming in one after another.

Kiriyama: "I see. That sounds interesting. I'm in favor as well."

Nagumo: "Not a bad proposal for once. But since it's a special occasion, why not invite Horikita-senpai and the others too?"

Kiriyama: "That might be good."

Kiyotaka: "Yes, four people would be a bit few."

Honami: "I'd also be happy if the two of them came!"

An unsettling aura emanated from Honami, but the student council Christmas party itself was approved by the other members. Furthermore, it was decided to invite Manabu and Tachibana as well, and the conversation was already lively during the planning stage.

Then, it was decided that everyone would prepare a present for a gift exchange, and I was to bring the cake.

* * *

The following Saturday, I came to Keyaki Mall to search for presents. The number of presents needed is eleven. The breakdown: nine for all my girlfriends + one for the student council gift exchange + one for the gift exchange at the Christmas party with my girlfriends.

'For the student council, something safe. For the individual gifts, something suited to each person. And what to do about the other one...'

For the time being, I decided to buy a yogurt maker for the student council.

'A yogurt maker is a hope for humanity. There's no one who would be troubled to receive one.'

And after much deliberation, I selected the latest game console for the gift exchange with my girlfriends.

I chose this thinking there might be occasions to play it with them other than when we're alone.

'Something this expensive shouldn't overlap with anyone else's gift. Though it'll probably end up staying in my room.'

However, the troublesome part is that carrying both of these items around is simply too difficult. So I decided to purchase the game console last today and buy the yogurt maker tomorrow.

And then, I began searching for the individual presents.

'For Hiyori, a book would be good as usual. And for Kei... a bracelet, perhaps. For Yuki... we've known each other so long that it's tough to give something different every time. Suzune... she lacks material desires, just like me. The presents for those two are going to be an unsolved mystery. Ah, for Suzune, I'll go with a practical, expensive ballpoint pen. Though I have a feeling she might get mad.'

Thinking this, I headed to a bookstore for now, picked out several promising books, and had book covers put on them.

'With this, Hiyori's part is complete. Shall I go buy Suzune's gift now? The bracelet for Kei has a high hurdle. And then there's Yuki, Honami, Haruka, Airi, Arisu, and Kikyo. Figuring out presents for six people is tough. Am I going to have to do this every year from now on?

Part of the problem is that I didn't prepare anything in advance, not paying mind to celebrations or societal events. In the first place, if I hadn't made a harem, I wouldn't need to prepare presents for this many people.'

With that, I finished shopping for Suzune's gift and walked while thinking about what to buy next.

'I've got it. For the first Christmas present, safe choices are acceptable. For Honami, a cat plushie. For Haruka, hand cream. That leaves four people I still need to think for.'

Having found some leads for presents, I entered a women's shop. While being asked by the clerk, "Is this a gift for your girlfriend?" I completed my purchases.

After that, with half of the shopping done, I was walking to buy the game console when Hashimoto, the snake and Arisu's pawn, spoke to me.

Hashimoto: "Oh, where are you headed with all those bags?"

Kiyotaka: "Is that something you ask someone you're meeting for the first time? Hashimoto."

Hashimoto: "We know each other's names, and I saw your face when you came to our class. Plus, after hearing the Princess talk about you so many times, it doesn't feel like a first meeting anymore."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, but I only know your name because I'm the student council president. Arisu never talks about you, so for me, this is just an ordinary first meeting."

Hashimoto: "More importantly, what's with all those bags?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll say it again: I have no obligation to answer. Besides, I don't want to converse with a stalker who's been tailing me all day."

When I indicated that I had noticed him, he raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

Hashimoto: "I give, I give. As expected of the leader who pushed Class D all the way to Class A. But noticing and just letting me be, you've got a twisted hobby yourself."

Kiyotaka: "Do you think there's an idiot who would deliberately talk to a stalker they're meeting for the first time? You should be grateful I didn't secretly report you."

Hashimoto: "Alright, I'm sorry. I won't tail you anymore."

Kiyotaka: "Then get lost, quickly."

Hashimoto: "Yeah, I know."

After Hashimoto left, I probed for the presences of Yamamura and Morishita just in case, but neither was anywhere around.

'This time, he probably intended to make first contact while probing my actions. He's certainly diligent in his work. Not encountering Morishita is nothing short of fortunate.'

After that, having finished purchasing the game console, I returned to my room.

* * *

The next day, regarding the presents for the remaining four, I had thought of Kikyo's present the previous night. It is a punching bag.

'Kikyo tends to accumulate stress, after all. No matter how many companions she has with whom she can be her true self, the daily buildup doesn't change. At times like that, a punching bag should be useful. Even if she's bought one before, she'd probably say something like, It broke right away. So just in case, I'll get her the most durable one.'

However, like the yogurt maker, carrying a punching bag around would be a nuisance. Therefore, I need to buy the gifts for the other three people first.

'The biggest challenge is Yuki. Yuki, yuki, snow... Ah, I'll get a snow globe.'

With such an idiotic train of thought, I came up with a present idea and promptly purchased a snow globe.

'Right, for Airi, I'll get a microphone for karaoke in her room. It might unexpectedly liven up the Christmas party too. But this will also be heavy, so I'll save it for later. As for Arisu's present... I can't think of anything. I considered a chessboard, but she already has one.'

Realizing I'd get nowhere just thinking about it, I decided to have an early lunch.

After lunch, a brilliant idea struck me.

'That's right. I should give Arisu something befitting... Even Hashimoto calls her Princess, after all.'

After that, I purchased goods from a certain Wonderland, bought the remaining presents I had already decided on, and returned to my room. It was quite heavy.

'Now the only preparation left for the Christmas party is the cake. Since the cake needs to be made the day before, I'll work hard on it after my date with Satou.'

* * *

The beginning of the week passed without incident until the closing ceremony. After finishing my last duties as student council president before winter break, I bought ingredients for two days' worth of cakes and went home.

And then, starting the next day, my winter break was about to begin.