The morning sun spilled across the school courtyard, catching the frost that had settled overnight. The school seemed unusually quiet for a Saturday, except for the scattered chatter from the student council members gathering near the entrance. Yui, Natsumi, Kenji, Rina, and a couple of teachers Fujimoto-sensei and Takahashi-sensei were already waiting, checking lists and bags.
I carried my notebook and a small calculator, feeling slightly out of place among the bustling council.
"Haruto! Finally!" Yui waved me over, her messy ponytail bouncing. "We need your organizational genius today."
"I didn't know my 'genius' was needed," I said dryly, holding up the notebook.
Kenji smirked. "We'll need you to keep us sane. And apparently, no one else knows how to count beyond ten."
"Hey, that's not fair," I muttered. "I plan logistics; you lot just pick stuff randomly."
Natsumi, arms folded, rolled her eyes. "Randomly is part of our charm."
Rina piped up, flipping through a massive printed list. "Okay, we've got two thousand students. Decorations, gifts, snacks, raffle prizes, and those tiny candy bags. Do you realize how much this is?"
I grimaced. "Yes. That's why I'm here."
Fujimoto-sensei chuckled. "Haruto, you really shouldn't have to do all the work yourself, but… I trust your methods."
"I'll just make sure no one overspends," I replied, scanning the list.
Takahashi-sensei shook his head. "You weren't even part of the council originally, Haruto, and yet here you are, practically running it."
"I enjoy being helpful," I said, shrugging. I knew the truth. I wanted the support, the people trusting me, everyone thinking I was reliable.
Yui grabbed a large tote bag. "Alright, let's get moving! The mall won't wait for us!"
The bus ride to the city mall was noisy, as expected. Council members joked, bickered, and occasionally sang snippets of Christmas songs. I sat quietly, observing. Miyuki, who had joined us, leaned against the window, violin case balanced on her lap. Her eyes flicked toward me now and then, soft and careful, as though testing whether I was noticing her presence.
"You're awfully quiet, Haruto," Yui said, elbowing me lightly.
"I'm thinking," I replied calmly.
"About what?" Natsumi asked, smirking.
"About not losing my mind in a mall with four hundred Christmas lights," I said.
Yui groaned. "Wow, you're officially a grinch."
When we arrived at the mall, the crowd was overwhelming. Students and shoppers swarmed the entrance, holiday music blaring from every store. The sheer volume of things to buy decorations, snacks, gifts for 2,000 students made my head spin.
Kenji groaned. "I didn't sign up for a marathon through a shopping jungle."
"Focus!" I said, unrolling a list. "We'll divide into groups. Yui, Natsumi, you handle the decorations aisle. Rina and Kenji, snacks and candy. Miyuki, you're with me small gifts, and we keep a running total."
Miyuki nodded quietly, pulling out a pen and notepad. "Got it."
"Don't forget raffle prizes!" Fujimoto-sensei added. "And we have to check the budget before buying anything."
"Relax, Sensei," I said, already calculating mentally. "We've got a system."
The next four hours were chaos, laughter, and minor disasters.
Yui nearly knocked over a tower of glittery tinsel. "Oops! My bad!"
Natsumi snorted. "You're supposed to place them carefully!"
"I was testing gravity," Yui said with a grin.
Rina got trapped in the candy aisle, unable to choose between chocolates. "Which ones? Dark? Milk? Hazelnut?"
"Rina!" Kenji yelled. "We're on a schedule!"
Miyuki and I worked silently but efficiently, scanning small gift items, counting totals, and checking prices.
"Haruto, are you seriously calculating the total cost per student again?" Miyuki whispered.
"Yep," I said. "It'll save us time later. Multiply by two thousand, we can't overshoot."
Miyuki sighed, smiling softly. "You're scary when you're serious."
"You love it," I said, glancing at her.
She laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe."
At one point, a mall employee accidentally sent a trolley of boxed ornaments rolling into our feet. I jumped to stop it, but the corner grazed my shin.
"Ow!" I muttered.
"Haruto!" Miyuki exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said, pressing the boxes back in line.
Meanwhile, Yui was sneaking a small snow globe into her bag. "It's for me, okay?"
"Yui!" I said, shaking my head. "We'll be audited."
She pouted. "Just one!"
By lunchtime, we were exhausted. We gathered at a crowded restaurant in the mall. The smell of fried rice, curry, and soup was heavenly.
"Finally," Yui said, slumping into her chair. "I need food more than oxygen."
"Tell me about it," Kenji added, stuffing his face.
I took a small bite of salad, listening to the chatter around me. Fujimoto-sensei nudged me. "You're working harder than anyone, Haruto. Enjoy your food."
"I am," I said politely, though my mind was already running calculations for the next aisle.
Miyuki smiled at me quietly. "You always take responsibility. Even now, with everyone else complaining."
"I like order," I said simply.
Her soft laugh made the corner of my lips lift slightly.
By 4 p.m., all shopping was done. The trunk of the bus was stacked with boxes and bags. Back at school, the unloading was almost comical: carts collided, teachers tripped over ribbons, and Yui tried to carry ten gift boxes at once, toppling half of them.
"Need help, Yui?" I asked.
"I've got it!" she said, stubbornly, as the pile fell onto the floor.
"Haruto, you could be our president," Fujimoto-sensei joked. "Even though you're not a council member."
"Not interested," I said, surveying the organized chaos. "I just like seeing it done properly."
Miyuki gave me a faint smile, arranging small gifts neatly into boxes. "Thank you, Haruto. For helping."
I nodded quietly, trying not to let the warmth in my chest show too much.
---
A week later, I was at home, reviewing the folder I had been curating for weeks. The pictures and videos of Miyuki and Souta were organized meticulously. I had everything I needed—evidence that could expose them—but I was waiting for the perfect moment.
A knock at the door startled me. I wasn't expecting anyone.
I slowly walked downstairs, thinking it might be Miyuki or Yui… or Dad checking in.
When I opened the door, Souta rushed forward, probably to hug me, but in his haste, he collided with my mother.
"Ah!" Mom yelped, stumbling back.
"Souta!" I shouted, running forward. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I—I'm sorry!" Souta blurted, realizing his mistake. "I thought…"
"It's fine, Mom!" I said quickly, helping her steady herself. My anger burned at Souta's audacity.
Mom smiled nervously, sensing the tension. "It's okay, boys. Accidents happen."
I glared at Souta. "What's the purpose of your visit?"
Souta smirked, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm organizing a small Christmas party for our friends, December 23rd. Thought you and Miyuki might want to come."
I tightened my jaw. "No. I have plans with Miyuki."
Souta's grin widened. "And what if she decides to come to my party instead?"
I stepped forward, removing his hands from my shoulder. "Even if she did, I wouldn't. My relatives are visiting on the 22nd, so I can't. Don't push."
Souta tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. "So… you have time for Miyuki, but not for us?"
"Yes." My voice was firm.
He nodded slowly, a satisfied smirk on his face. Then he turned and walked out, leaving me staring at the door.
I punched the wall beside me, the sound echoing. "Souta!" I shouted.
Mom peeked from the kitchen. "Haruto… what happened?"
I ran a hand through my hair, taking a deep breath. "Nothing. Just… an annoying visitor."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. She studied my expression and sensed the storm beneath the surface.