Chapter 20: Which one is the real self?

Now it's time for the afternoon practical class. However, due to her exceptional abilities, Arashi Manami left early and went straight to the student council room. Perhaps this is the reason why student council members are chosen from the top students. Leaving early in the afternoon allows more time to handle student council work without compromising on classes. It's a win-win situation.

Overall, the student council work is going smoothly. After finishing her own tasks, Arashi Manami took a moment to catch her breath.

"Koharu, I'll leave the rest to you."

She entrusted the remaining tasks to Koharu Kusakabe, the student council treasurer.

"Sure, president."

Koharu Kusakabe replied earnestly.

"Although it's still the beginning of the school year, the student council work is going well."

"That's because of your efforts, president."

"We can't say that, Koharu."

Saying this, Arashi Manami looked around. There are currently five members in the student council: Arashi Manami, a second-year student and the president; Yuzuru Namikawa, a third-year student and the vice president, who is a steady and diligent type; Koharu Kusakabe, a second-year student and the treasurer; Mikage Shimizu, a second-year student and the secretary, who has a bold personality; and Asuka Amagi, a first-year student and a newcomer, who is also a secretary. Although she is still a newcomer, Asuka's work ability is exceptional.

"Asuka from the first year is also outstanding. It's because all the members are so capable that the work is going smoothly. I'm looking forward to everyone's performance this year."

"Is that the reason?"

"?"

Arashi Manami looked puzzled at Koharu's sudden comment.

"Because recently, the president always seems to be in a good mood."

"A good mood? Haven't I always been like this?"

Arashi Manami became even more confused.

"No, it's just that these days, the president is different from when you were in the first year."

"Different?"

Arashi Manami couldn't help but seriously ponder. How is the past self different from the present self? What has changed between the current self and the first year self? Everything remains the same. If we have to say, it's just that she has become a second-year student in these few days, and the school has welcomed a new batch of first-year students. Or maybe it's because she became the student council president from the previous secretary. Which one is it, or is there another reason?

"Maybe it's because I became the student council president."

Arashi Manami tried to come up with one possible conclusion. But Koharu shook her head thoughtfully.

"No, I don't think so."

"Then... What do you think, Koharu?"

"I'm not sure, but maybe it's because of Ryuto Amagi."

Suddenly, there was a "snap" sound, signaling a broken pen.

Koharu instinctively looked over and asked, "Ah, Amagi, are you okay?"

"...I'm fine."

Asuka Amagi replied briefly and continued working.

However, Arashi Manami didn't notice. Why does the name Amagi Ryuto come up here? Arashi Manami asked herself this question in her mind.

Koharu, who turned around, continued her previous statement.

"Whenever we mention Ryuto Amagi, it feels like the president is different from usual. I don't know if it's just my imagination."

Different from usual? Is that really the case? Even though she wanted to deny it, she couldn't deny it. Perhaps she just didn't realize why she was so concerned about him. She only saw him as a junior, and her interest in him was only because of the strange difference between him and his sister.

Then why did she make him the head of the Special Order Department? And why did she make him agree to help her with three tasks? It was clearly something she did, but she couldn't come up with a decent reason. If she had to say, she could only say that she did it naturally after she came to her senses, without realizing it.Every time in front of AmagiRyuto, it feels like a different person. I feel like I'm not myself anymore. Which one is the real me? The past me or the strange me that emerges after meeting AmagiRyuto? Trying to deduce the answer logically seems impossible. There must be some other reason, Arashi Manami thought.

"It must be an illusion. Well, Koharu, you better get back to work!"

"Okay."

With that, Hikabe Koharu turned around and walked back to her position.

So, it seems like I need to look up some information about sushi when I get home today, and I also need to practice properly, Arashi Manami decided in her mind.

"The president had that expression again just now."

Watching Arashi Manami's usual smile, Hikabe Koharu muttered in a voice that no one else could hear.

All results are caused by reasons. Even though we may not know the reasons for some results, they won't stop. They will continue to generate further results under some unknown reasons. It's irrelevant to the will of the parties involved. Even though the reasons may not be known at this stage, the slow and tangible changes in the people or things associated with these results are real.