Committee Room

When Mari and I step into the committee room, the first thing I notice is how much quieter it is than I expected. In the center of the room stands a simple yet elegant table, about two meters long and wide.

On the far wall hangs a holo-portrait of an elderly but charismatic face. Beneath it, a phrase is inscribed: "To be human begins with being free."
Next to the portrait is a door leading to another room.

The wall opposite the entrance is entirely made of glass, a large window overlooking the faculty garden. I can see people sitting under the trees, and others walking away, their destinations unknown, appearing as small as ants from this height.

To the right of the door, a collection of holographic memories is displayed—remembrances of various individuals. Some dates are inscribed beneath them, some recent, others distant. The last rays of the setting sun spill into the room, casting the table’s shadow against the wall near the door.
For a place that handles all the school’s student affairs, the room feels surprisingly modest. Mari catches my glance, as if sensing my thoughts.

Mari: “Not as impressive as you thought, right? The androids store all documents and data within their systems. That’s why we don’t need any physical archives.”

Her gaze drifts toward the horizon outside, where the sun is beginning to set. Warm beams of light, shifting from orange to red, illuminate her pale skin and cascade over her black hair. The light flows from her skin to her hair, wrapping her in a gentle glow of amber.

Mari: “The sun’s almost down. We should turn on the lights.”

As she speaks, the room’s lights flicker on, followed by a delicate voice calling out.

???: “Welcome back, Mari-sama!”

I turn toward the voice. From the door near the holo-portrait, a girl no taller than 1.5 meters, with sunflower-yellow hair parted into two long pigtails, rushes toward Mari and throws her arms around her. She must be quite energetic, I think.

Mari’s calm tone doesn’t waver.

Mari: “Ah, Cloud-chan. I’ve been expecting you.”

Cloud: “I missed you so much, Mari-sama. I’ve been waiting for you.”

She presses her face against Mari’s chest, her voice tinged with sadness, though her eyes shimmer with deep affection. A soft, warm smile graces Mari’s lips.

Mari: “Since lunch break, Cloud-chan?”

Cloud: “Oh, Mari-sama, you have no idea how much your servant cherishes you.”

Her eyes seem almost on the verge of tears as she gazes up at Mari with a heartfelt look.

Mari: “Calm down, Cloud-chan.”

Mari gently strokes Cloud’s hair, her slender fingers threading through the golden strands. Cloud’s expression shifts into one of pure bliss.

Cloud: “Ehe… I think I could enjoy this forever.”

Mari: “But I can’t do this forever. We have a guest today.”

Cloud finally turns to look at me. Her warm, affectionate demeanor vanishes in an instant. Her smiling eyes harden, and her expression shifts from one of warmth toward Mari to a cold, serious look as she faces me.

Cloud: “Welcome. I’m Cloud, the committee assistant. All documents and data go through me. If you wish to consult Mari-sama, you’ll have to go through me first. Mari-sama is far too humble and doesn’t value her time properly, so some people mistakenly believe they can meet her freely.”

She turns back to Mari with a stern expression.

Cloud: “Please, Mari-sama, be more selective.”

Mari looks slightly embarrassed and turns to me.

Mari: “I’m sorry, Aozora-kun. Cloud-chan can be a bit blunt. Give her some time to get to know you.”

I’m surprised by how quickly Cloud’s attitude changed. I had assumed she might be warm to me as well. Still, her coldness doesn’t bother me—I had prepared for something like this when I decided to meet with the committee.

Aozora: “It’s fine, Class Rep-san.”

Hearing my name, Cloud looks startled. She quickly opens her mouth, as if to say something.

Cloud: “Aozora… Could it be…?!”

Before she can finish, Mari gently places a hand over Cloud’s mouth. Cloud struggles briefly, but Mari’s voice remains calm, with a hint of playful suggestion.

Mari: “Cloud-chan, did you call Eiji-san and Hikari-san?”

A flicker of fear crosses Cloud’s face as she understands Mari’s subtle warning. Mari slowly removes her hand.

Cloud: “Hikari-san will be here soon. As for Eiji-san…”

Mari: “Yes?”

Cloud: “I haven’t contacted him yet. I don’t know where he is… and honestly, I don’t care. After what happened last time…”

Cloud’s face turns a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

???: “He won’t be attending today’s meeting.”

I turn toward the voice and see someone standing at the entrance. He’s slightly taller than me, with dark blonde hair and intense, brilliant violet eyes. His face is refined, almost regal, and he walks into the room with quiet, measured steps.

???: “Eiji-san had to attend a Committee Union meeting.”

A faint, knowing smile plays on his lips.

???: “He found out five minutes ago.”

Cloud scowls and crosses her arms.

Cloud: “Of course. He never surprises. When has he ever been on time for a meeting?''

I notice how Mari reacts more calmly to the situation than Cloud.

Mari: “But Hikari-san, this was supposed to be our first meeting of the year. We have important plans to organize for the coming days.”

Hikari nods in agreement and raises his hands in a helpless gesture.

Hikari: “You’re right, but the Committee moved the meeting forward. It seems we’ll have to manage without him.”

Mari places a hand on her chin, deep in thought. Her eyes lower briefly, but it doesn’t last long. She soon turns to Hikari.

Mari: “Hikari-san, in that case, could you chair today’s meeting?”

Hikari nods without hesitation, as if he anticipated the request.

Hikari: “Of course. I’ve grown used to handling things when Eiji-san is absent.”

After saying this, he turns to me.

Perhaps he’s only now realizing I’m here, I think. It wouldn’t be fair to expect someone managing the entire school’s affairs to notice everyone immediately.

Hikari: “My apologies—I should have welcomed you sooner. I’m Kazuhiko Hikari, the third-year representative. Welcome to our committee room.”

His voice carries a note of apology as he extends his hand.

Kazuhiko Hikari… I’ve heard the name before. He’s responsible for managing the committee’s relations with other faculties, making him a key figure. But beyond that, he’s known for his popularity with the girls—not just in this faculty but across the entire school. Rumor has it that some even hang his portrait on their walls.

Aozora: “I’m Kouki Aozora. Pleased to meet you.”

I take his hand, noticing how much more refined his handshake is compared to mine. Since he’s taller, I have to tilt my head up to meet his eyes.

Hikari: “Likewise, Aozora-kun. Mari-san must have invited you. I’m sure you understand why. Anyone invited by Mari-san is bound to be a valuable asset.”

I blink, confused by his words. I had assumed Mari’s only goal was to convince me to join the committee. Apparently, I was wrong—she hasn’t given up yet. I thought my reluctance had been enough to deter her. After all, who would persist with someone so unwilling?(?)

Hikari seems to notice my confusion and turns to Mari.

Hikari: “So, you haven’t told Aozora-kun yet, Mari-san. It might be best to explain now.”

She carries an uneasy face that unable to say what she has had to say.

Mari: “But… Aozora-kun hasn’t agreed to join the committee yet, Hikari-san.”

Hikari offers her a gentle, reassuring smile.

Hikari: “All the more reason to explain. How can we know if he’ll agree if we don’t tell him?”

He walks to the table and presses a button, causing chairs to slide out from its sides. Mari and Hikari each take a seat, and Mari gestures for me to choose one of the remaining chairs. I sit beside her.

I notice Cloud standing motionless, her earlier energy gone, as if waiting for instructions.

From my seat, I glance outside. The sun has set, leaving the sky cloaked in twilight. I wonder briefly what Yokaste-san might be doing now.

Hikari taps a few commands into the touchpad, and a large hologram appears in the center of the table. He turns to Cloud.

Hikari: “Cloud-chan, could you handle the hologram?”

Cloud responds without hesitation.

Cloud: “Of course, Hikari-san.”

Hikari glances at Mari.

Hikari: “Let’s begin today’s meeting. First, we need to discuss next week’s Welcome Event for the first-years.”

Mari: “And then we’ll arrange the representative elections.”

Cloud sighs, pressing a hand to her forehead, her expression one of mild frustration.

Cloud: “Great… Another kid to train for committee work.”

Mari turns to her

Mari: "You’re so good at this, Cloud-chan. Without you, none of us would get anything done."

Then, with a gentle touch, she caresses Cloud’s cheek, her delicate fingers gliding over the synthetic surface of Cloud’s skin. Cloud clasps Mari’s hand, the pleasure she takes in the touch evident in the soft expression on her face.

Cloud: “Ehe, Mari-sama…”

Shortly after, Hikari turns to Cloud.

Hikari: “Cloud-chan, could you display the committee’s financial hologram?”

They spend a while discussing financial matters, assessing what can be accomplished within the constraints of the budget.

The conversation then shifts to the details of the upcoming event. It is decided that the 'Welcome Event ' will begin with an introduction to the faculty’s history and mission, followed by a formal ball in the faculty hall.
Hikari gives his final remarks on the subject.

Hikari: “Then, one week after the event, we’ll hold the elections. Until then, Mari, you’ll oversee the first-year matters.”

Mari nods in agreement. Hikari continues, his tone becoming more formal.

Hikari: “There’s just one more thing. I think it’s time we addressed why Aozora-kun was invited here. It would be rude to keep him waiting any longer.”

He shifts his gaze to me.

I let out a quiet sigh. The possibility that Mari-san’s invitation involves something beyond simply persuading me to join the committee crosses my mind. A feeling of unease settles in—the sense that I’m about to be pulled into something more complicated than I expected. Still, I keep my expression composed and turn to Mari.

Aozora: “Class Rep-san, may I ask why I’ve been called here?”

Mari averts her eyes, and almost immediately, a faint blush of embarrassment blooms on her cheeks.