Committee Room-2

Being part of a group, working alongside others... That was never for me. I’ve never been someone who could take responsibility for others. I never considered sharing emotions with anyone. Every responsibility I’ve taken, I did alone. It became a source of pride for me. I carried the comfort of never needing anyone’s help. Until now...

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


As Mari averts her eyes, a flush of embarrassment quickly colors her cheeks.

Mari: “I should have explained before calling you.”

She turns to Cloud.

Mari: “Cloud-chan, could you display the hologram about PCI—Project of Communication of the Interworld—on the table?”

Cloud responds without hesitation.

Cloud: “Of course, Mari-sama.”

She projects the hologram onto the table. A short film begins to play, showing two formally dressed individuals shaking hands.

One of them is familiar—the Foreign Minister of Earth. A necessary position for a planet that functions as a single state. With a broad smile, each perfectly white tooth visible, he shakes the hand of the man across from him.

The man on the other side is someone I’ve never seen before. Pale-skinned, cold, and speaking in clipped sentences, almost as if reluctant to open his mouth.

I catch fragments of diplomatic jargon in their conversation. It feels like a treaty signing between two nations. I turn to Mari.

Aozora: “What is this?”

I have the distinct feeling I’m about to learn something I wouldn’t normally have access to. Mari waits for the video to finish before speaking.

Mari: “Recently, diplomatic contact was established between Earth and the Moon.”

As I suspected, this isn’t something the general public would know about.
During the Great Catastrophe, the Moon gained its independence. Since then, a sharp divide formed between the two societies.

For nearly fifty years, relations between Earth and the Moon have been limited to rare diplomatic exchanges. The last significant attempt was a decade ago, but it collapsed when the Moon refused to compromise.

Even on this planet of freedom, information about the Moon is tightly controlled unless you hold a position of authority. All we know is that life on the Moon is harsh, ruled by an authoritarian regime. Beyond that, the daily lives of those living on the Moon remain a mystery.

I continue listening to Mari.

Mari: “This time, however, the talks are on a much larger scale. We’ve been told the goal is to allow communication between the people of Earth and the Moon.”

Impossible. For years, not a single ordinary citizen from either society has been allowed to communicate with the other.

Aozora: “Is that even possible? I thought the Moon had completely severed ties with Earth.”

Mari nods.

Mari: “It was that way until recently. But they seem to have changed their stance.”

Hikari: “We don’t know why. All we were told is this much. And we were asked to select a representative.”

I start to understand. It seems they want me to be the first to step into this uncertain process. But I decide to feign ignorance.

Aozora: “So, you need to provide them with a representative. What does that have to do with me?”

I ask the question, though I already suspect the answer. Hikari responds with a faint smile.

Hikari: “Isn’t it obvious, Aozora-kun? To be frank, any of us in the committee could fulfill this role. We’re law students—this is what we’re trained for. Honestly, there’s no one in this faculty more suited for such a task than the members of our representative committee.”

Aozora: “But?”

Hikari: “But we’re far busier than you might think. Mari-san is handling both first-year and second-year affairs, managing the committee’s finances, and organizing events. I’m responsible for inter-faculty relations and serve on the university’s general council. As for the president…”

He pauses briefly, his gentle smile still in place.

Hikari: “…you haven’t met him yet, have you?”

Aozora: “No.”

Mari: “Aozora-kun, I never intended to involve you in this. But…”

She casts a pointed glance at Hikari and continues.

Mari: “…the other representatives should have chosen someone. Right now, there’s no one else but you.”

Her tone takes on a hint of reprimand.

Hikari scratches the back of his head with a sheepish expression.

Hikari: “To be honest, Mari-san, the president and I were confident you could handle it. Frankly, we’re not even sure this project will succeed. It’s too complex and uncertain—more like a lab experiment than a diplomatic mission. For me, anyone could do it.”

I can’t help but think Hikari has a point.

Mari lets out a deep sigh.

Mari: “But as the committee, we must do our tasks properly, Hikari-san.”

Hikari’s sheepish smile shifts into one of amusement.

Cloud frowns.

Cloud: “I don’t think it’s fair to push your responsibilities onto Mari-sama… Ah! Let go!”
Before she can finish, someone—who I hadn’t noticed entering the room—grabs her from under the arms and lifts her into the air.

???: “Cloud-chan, what's up!?''

Cloud kicks her legs in frustration and tries to slap at the man holding her.

Cloud: “Let me go, Eiji-san! Hey, Eiji-san, I said let me go!”

Eiji easily dodges her flailing hands, a satisfied smile on his face.

Eiji: “You’re so cute when you’re angry, Cloud-chan.”

With teary eyes and a pleading expression, Cloud turns to Mari.

Cloud: “Mari-sama, help me, please! Save me!”

Mari sighs and closes her eyes as if this is a routine occurrence.

Mari: “Eiji-san, you know Cloud-chan doesn’t like this. Please put her down.”

Eiji gently lowers Cloud to the ground.

Eiji: “All right, all right. You ladies are so cold. I thought girls liked playful guys.”

Cloud quickly hides behind Mari.

Cloud: “Hmph!”

She turns her face away from Eiji, who chuckles softly.

Eiji: “Hehe, so cute.”

Hikari: “Welcome, Eiji-san.”

He rises and gestures for Eiji to take the seat he just vacated.

Eiji waves it off with a modest gesture.

Eiji: “Sit down, Hikari. I’ve had enough of chairs from that meeting.”

He walks to the window and gazes outside.

Now that I have a better look, I notice he’s slightly shorter than me, with coal-black hair, sharp features, and piercing crimson eyes. His expression is calm as he looks out the window.

Eiji: “What were you discussing?”

Mari exchanges a glance with Hikari, who nods, prompting her to speak.

Mari: “We finalized the plans for next week’s Welcome Event and then discussed PCI—the Project of Communication of the Interworld. Aozora-kun…”

She gestures toward me.

Mari: “…is the person I recommended for the project.”

I can’t understand why Mari would choose me. I’m someone who rarely talks to others, whose life revolves around school and home. Why me?

Eiji turns to face us, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he approaches the table and stops near me. He looks at me briefly, and I meet his gaze.

Eiji: “If Mari chose you, I trust her judgment. I’m Hiroto Eiji. Welcome.”

He extends his hand.

I know who he is. His appearance may not be familiar, but his name certainly is.

Hiroto Eiji—or as most people call him, the President. Many regard him as the most successful committee president in the faculty’s history and one of its brightest minds.

His reputation isn’t limited to this faculty—it spans the entire university. He became president during his first year, quickly proving his capability.

Aozora: “Nice to meet you.”

I stand and shake his hand, noticing his firm grip. Despite being shorter than me, he carries himself with an imposing presence.

Eiji: “So, Aozora, what do you think of the project?”

Finally, a chance to voice my thoughts. I believe they’ll understand if I explain my reasoning calmly.

Aozora: “I don’t think I’m suited for this project. If it’s as significant as you say, someone more appropriate should be chosen. I’m not the person to bridge the gap between two societies.”

Saying it out loud brings a sense of relief.

Eiji’s expression doesn’t change. His calm, stoic demeanor remains intact.

Eiji: “You’re right. For nearly half a century, communication between the two societies has been severed. With such an opportunity before us, we must handle it carefully. Especially since involving someone unwilling could ruin everything.”

Relief washes over me. I start thinking about how to politely excuse myself and make it in time for dinner with Yokaste.

Aozora: “Thank you for understanding, President-san. I won’t be joining this project.”

Eiji: “It’s natural to refuse if you don’t fully understand the project and its implications.”

Aozora: “What do you mean?”

Eiji: “Come with me.”

He walks back to the window, and I follow. Standing beside him, I look outside at the dark sky, where the sun has long set. The only thing visible in the cloudless night is the burnished glow of a full moon. Eiji points to it.

Eiji: “What do you know about the Moon, Aozora?”

As he speaks, the Moon, in all its majesty, seems to breathe the essence of a goddess into the room through the window.