Having somehow secured a good night's sleep, I woke up around 8 o'clock. I slept for about seven hours, which can be considered an ideal amount of sleep.

The first thing I did upon waking up was to make clear soup. I grilled the mochi just as the soup was nearly finished, timing the completion of both so I could smoothly have breakfast. It seems the girls, as expected, won't be coming in the morning, so liberating the large amount of osechi will likely be around noon.

And I had reserved a sushi restaurant for tonight's dinner.

As a bonus, I invited Shiro to come over at noon as a consumer of the osechi.

I spent the morning reading a book recommended by Hiyori, and a peaceful time passed.

As noon approached, the first to appear was Shiro.

Shiro: "Pardon the intrusion."

Kiyotaka: "No one else is here yet, so don't worry about it."

Shiro: "I see. Happy New Year."

Kiyotaka: "Happy New Year to you too."

Shiro: "So, how many are there now?"

Kiyotaka: "Ten. I'm thinking of not increasing it any further."

Shiro: "Saying that, you'll probably make a move when you get underclassmen."

'Amasawa would probably threaten to expose everything if she's not let into the harem.'

Kiyotaka: "...That won't happen."

Shiro: "What was that pause just now?"

Kiyotaka: "Just your imagination."

Shiro: "There might unexpectedly be hidden players among your upperclassmen or classmates too."

'What about Shiraishi, in the end?'

Kiyotaka: "...That's impossible."

Shiro: "You can't say it's just my imagination anymore."

Kiyotaka: "I invoke my right to remain silent."

Shiro: "Well, just be careful not to get stabbed."

Kiyotaka: "Don't say such ominous things at the start of the new year."

Shiro: "It's regrettable we can't go for an exorcism."

Realizing this wasn't going to lead to a decent conversation, I changed the subject.

Kiyotaka: "By the way, Shiro, isn't there anyone for you?"

Shiro: "There isn't. And even if there were, I wouldn't tell you."

Kiyotaka: "You're cold."

Shiro: "That's because you try to fish for information."

Kiyotaka: "Nice pun."

I spent the rare time alone with Shiro in idle chatter, waiting a little longer for the girls to arrive.

Once all the girls had gathered, I began laying out the osechi.

Incidentally, the fact that Shiro knew about the situation surprised Airi, Haruka, and Maya, as it hadn't been explained to them. However, seeing that Shiro himself wasn't surprised, and the remaining seven accepted it as normal, they seemed to grasp the situation from context.

When I removed the lids, an array of incredibly luxurious and delicious-looking osechi was packed inside.

Kei: "Wow~"

Yuki: "I think this every year, but it's amazing."

Shiro: "Yeah. It's always appreciated."

Honami: "What can't you do, exactly?"

Kiyotaka: "Being liked by the majority of boys."

Hiyori: "The people you, Kiyotaka-kun, are close with are a select few elite."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. So I haven't had trouble with that... well, recently I did."

Suzune: "That incident from the other day. I've forgotten which one was Ike-kun and which one was Yamauchi-kun, though."

Hiyori: "I have trouble remembering people's faces, unfortunately."

Arisu: "Isn't it fine? The unremarkable rabble aren't worth remembering anyway."

Maya: "Arisu-chan is a little scary."

Haruka: "There's no telling the depths of his specs."

Airi: "I want to eat this every year."

Kikyo: "It's fine! Because Kiyotaka-kun will take responsibility!"

Everyone's reactions were positive. It made the effort of preparing it since yesterday morning worthwhile.

Kiyotaka: "Come on, hurry and try some."

When I prompted them, they began eating whatever caught their eye. Judging by their expressions, the taste seemed fine as well.

After that, about half of the massive amount of osechi was consumed, and the rest was decided to be eaten tomorrow. Then, after waiting until it was time for sushi, I told them I had made reservations. They were overjoyed, but when they found out I intended to cover the entire cost, they tried to stop me. Well, I pushed it through anyway. Of course, it was extremely expensive, and my cash on hand fell below eight million points during winter break.

* * *

Since there are no shrines or temples for Hatsumode, we spent the first three days of the new year and beyond in a relaxed manner. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, training with Ken or Rokusuke, and hanging out with the girls in my room. However, one day, I remembered something I needed to discuss regarding the student council, and I called for Kikyo, Suzune, Yuki, Hiyori, and Honami.

Hiyori: "What's the matter, calling us so suddenly?"

Kiyotaka: "I called you because I wanted to consult about the student council."

Yuki: "Is it something that Honami alone isn't enough for?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. In fact, everyone except Honami is the main focus."

Hiyori: "I see. Replenishing the numbers, then."

Kiyotaka: "You're quick to understand. Exactly."

Suzune: "With my brother and the others gone, it's just four people now, correct?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes. It's an undeniable shortage of people."

Kikyo: "Aren't you going to call Arisu-chan? I think she'd be suited for the student council."

Kiyotaka: "Menial tasks would be difficult due to her physical handicap. Also, even though the factional strife in Class B has ended, I don't want to propose anything related to the student council, which was part of the kindling."

Honami: "We don't want the student council to increase conflicts, after all."

Once I had explained the reason for the summons and the rationale behind the selection, we got to the main topic.

Kiyotaka: "I want two of you to join the student council. First, is there anyone who doesn't want to?"

Since it would increase the time spent near me, I figured no one would refuse, but I confirmed just in case. It seemed there wasn't.

Kiyotaka: "If possible, I'd like everyone to join, but four people joining simultaneously, all from the same class as me, would be problematic. Also, we need to keep slots open for when new students arrive."

Hiyori: "I think either Yuki-san or Kikyo-san should refrain from joining. They are central figures in the class, and having three people besides you, Kiyotaka-kun, busy with student council work would be an issue."

Kiyotaka: "That's true. I've considered that as well. Based on that, I couldn't decide between having Yuki or Kikyo join the student council, which is why I called both of you."

Hearing my response, everyone fell into thought.

After a while, Suzune spoke up.

Suzune: "In that case, how about Hiyori-san and I join the student council? That way, we can keep both Yuki-san and Kikyo-san in the class, and there's no need to choose."

Kiyotaka: "Suzune's stats are well-balanced and high-level. However, you haven't achieved any particularly notable accomplishments within the class. The same applies to Hiyori. With your keen insight, I believe you could greatly contribute to discovering the causes of student troubles or the masterminds behind them. But you haven't taken visible, proactive action. If I'm to recommend someone to join, having either Yuki or Kikyo, who have acted as central figures in the class, is essential."

Having their abilities praised but their lack of involvement in the class's core pointed out as a weakness, the two wore complex expressions.

'I didn't want to say it either. But everyone here has the ability worthy of being called. I hope they don't get pessimistic about it.'

However, since it would be awkward for the one who pointed it out to say that, I kept it to myself.

After another period of contemplation, this time Yuki spoke up.

Yuki: "I think it's better for Kikyo to join."

Honami: "Why do you think so?"

Yuki: "Kikyo interacts more with students from other classes and other school years, right? So I thought it might be good to have Kikyo and Honami as the two aces serving as the student council's point of contact."

Kiyotaka: "I see. That certainly makes sense. What does everyone think?"

Honami: "I think it's good too."

Suzune: "Isn't it a good idea?"

Hiyori: "Indeed, she might be the most suitable person for it."

Kiyotaka: "What do you say, Kikyo? Will you do it?"

Kikyo: "Yeah. I'll give it a try!"

Kiyotaka: "That helps. Yuki, I'm counting on you for class matters."

Yuki: "Leave it to me!"

With this, one person was decided. As for the other, whether to choose Suzune or Hiyori...

Suzune: "I would like to ask Hiyori-san to do it."

Hiyori: "Oh my, is that alright?"

Suzune: "Yes. After that exchange earlier, I felt that I'm not suited for that role. You would surely handle it better than I would in that regard, wouldn't you? Besides, although I have some desire to become student council president like my brother, there is someone present—you, Kiyotaka-kun—who could potentially surpass the title of the greatest student council president in history. So I don't feel like forcing my way in."

'I see. I thought Suzune would show ambition, but after I taught her that she doesn't need to walk the exact same path as Manabu, and since I took the position of student council president myself, perhaps she no longer harbors such a strong will to do so. In the first place, she only joined the student council in the first loop because she lost a bet with me after Manabu graduated.'

Kiyotaka: "I understand your opinion. What about you, Hiyori?"

Hiyori: "Yes. Please leave it to me. I will do my best to live up to your expectations, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. I'm counting on you. Suzune, please contribute to the class in turn."

Suzune: "Yes, I'll do my best."

Kiyotaka: "Then, Kikyo and Hiyori, please come to the student council room on the first day of the third semester. We'll handle the admission procedures and introductions."

Kikyo: "Okay!"

Hiyori: "Yes."

Honami: "I look forward to working with you two!" 'Ahh~, I was alone with Kiyotaka-kun during student council time...'

After that, I sent a summons to the student council group chat for the first day of the third semester and adjourned the meeting.

And a few days later, winter break ended, and we plunged into the chaotic third semester.