Chapter 75

A few days have passed since I entered the advanced class, and there haven't been any particular troubles. I haven't heard any stories about Naoha doing something outrageous either.

I secretly peeked into Naoha's class, and it seems she has made a few friends and is managing somehow.

At this rate, it should be fine to leave her alone for now.

So, I want to focus on deepening the bonds within my own class.

The new students in the class haven't really settled in yet. Even among the internal students, if they didn't have much interaction during the intermediate class, they are still feeling each other out.

I think it's time to organize something like a get-together! And when it comes to a get-together, food is key!

"Shall we all have lunch together as a class?"

"Yes, I thought it would be a good idea to have lunch together once to deepen our bonds."

I immediately proposed this to my class committee partner, Saho Yukinari.

I think it's hard to become close just during break times. If we all have lunch together, we can chat about various things.

Even the topics can start with something simple like, "This is delicious," during lunch. What do you think?

"Hmm. I think it's a good idea, but can we secure enough seats together in the cafeteria for the whole class?"

That's true. Usually, everyone just sits wherever there's an empty seat, so securing about 40 seats together would be quite difficult.

But! Saho is forgetting something important!

"It's fine."

*Snap!*

I showed Saho the red peony on my uniform.

"Ah, Pivoine. Wait! Are you going to use Pivoine's reserved seats?!"

"That would be too much. However, I think we can at least reserve seats in the cafeteria for the whole class in advance."

At first, I thought about laying out sheets in the courtyard and having a picnic, but considering the possibility of rain, the cafeteria seems to be the best option.

"Wouldn't the upperclassmen react negatively if new students suddenly occupy a section of the cafeteria?"

I made the peony on my uniform shine again.

"I can handle it. I'll also talk to the student council president. It's just for one day, so I'm sure everyone will be lenient."

Saho clapped his hands.

*Clap clap* "Impressive, as expected of Kichijouji-san."

*Hohoho*, if you have any complaints, come to Pivoine!

...Wait? Isn't that the line from the Queen of Rococo?

With the approval of the cafeteria and the student council president, Tomegane-senpai, our class was able to successfully hold the lunch get-together.

I mentioned Kaichou-sama's name to Tomegane-senpai, and he gave a wry smile and agreed.

It's not a threat, it's a request?

To avoid taking up too good a spot, we decided to use a less conspicuous corner. I don't want to be the center of attention.

"Everyone, let's start eating."

Some students were eating the school lunch, while others brought their own bento. Even though it's okay to use the cafeteria with a bento, some students had never come to the cafeteria before due to shyness. This could be a good opportunity for them.

At first, the class was a bit stiff and there wasn't much conversation, but as the meal progressed, the students gradually started chatting with each other.

The internal students were teaching the external students about the school, which was a good atmosphere.

"By the way, the seats at the back are reserved for Pivoine, so no regular students are allowed to sit there."

I heard one internal student explaining this to an external student.

Yes, the reserved seats for Pivoine have a sign, so I think they will understand.

Incidentally, I rarely use the reserved seats. During the intermediate class, I mostly ate lunch with Serika and the others. I only use the reserved seats when invited by Pivoine. In the first year of the intermediate class, I was sometimes invited by Kaichou-sama, mainly to hear her gush about Tomegane-senpai.

Lunch is usually the time when conversations are the liveliest. If you're not there, you might miss out on the topics and gradually be left behind. For girls, having lunch together is quite important.

Tachibana and Enshou always use the reserved seats for lunch. I guess it's because the fan girls can't join them there. They probably want to eat quietly at least during lunch.

By the end of the meal, everyone seemed to have warmed up to each other. My usual group of friends from the same class were sitting around me, but I didn't make many new friends...

But that's okay. A few girls did talk to me, so I can build on that.

However, do the male students avoid making eye contact with me? I'm the class committee member, so they can ask me anything they don't understand.

Why do they only ask Saho?

After the lunch get-together, I felt the class was getting closer. That's good.

"Thanks to Kichijouji-san's idea, everyone seems to be getting along better. As expected of Kichijouji-san."

Saho also praised me.

By the way, Saho is different from other boys; he has been talking to me normally from the beginning.

"I feel like the boys are afraid of me, but you seem fine, Saho."

"Scared? Ah... Well, maybe Kichijouji-san is seen as a high and mighty flower?"

...I don't know.

"But in my case, I'm friends with Aizawa, so I've heard stories about Kichijouji-san from him."

"You and Aizawa are friends?!"

That's news to me. And what kind of rumors is Aizawa spreading about me?

"I heard that Kichijouji-san and Aizawa went to the same cram school during the elementary class and became friends. Now, Aizawa is closer to a girl he grew up with. I think her name is Fukuhara."

"You know Sakura?"

"Yeah. I met her when I visited Aizawa's house. She seemed very proper and quiet, like a typical Yurimiya girl."

You're being fooled, Saho! Sakura looks like a traditional Japanese beauty, but she's actually a grumpy monster with a mouth full of venomous snakes!

But Sakura's act is quite impressive.

I should try to learn from her.