“Good morning, Mina. I’m here to pick you up.”

Today marks the start of the second semester.

Having almost finished my summer homework (I didn’t say all of it), I’m in a good mood.

However, since it’s unusual for Mina not to come to my house at the usual time, I went to the Kohou family to pick her up.

Mina stayed up late last night helping me study, so maybe she overslept?

“Oh, good morning, Yuu-chan. Mina, Yuu-chan is here to see you.”

When her mother, Milia, called out to Mina from the entrance, she timidly came out.

Unusually, her mouth was covered with a mask.

“Good morning, Yuu-kun.”

“What did you say?”

She spoke like an old lady who lost her dentures, and I couldn’t understand her.

“Didn’t you eat a lot of pineapples yesterday? It seems the acid from the pineapples has caused inflammation around your mouth.”

Ah, yesterday’s chilled pineapple.

We ate it while watching the fireworks and even during the study session afterward.

We had plenty, almost a whole pineapple.

“Drinking water makes my lips sting.”

You mean drinking water makes your lips sting, huh?

I’m fine, but Mina seems to have sensitive skin, considering the severe sunburn she got during our Okinawa trip.

“I want to rest today.”

“A tumultuous start to the new semester. See you later.”

“Take care. Yuu-chan, please look after Mina.”

It seemed there was no issue with her attending school, so I took Mina, who wanted to rest, by the hand and headed to the station.

However, this little morning drama was only the prelude to a more significant event.

“Yuu! You’re finally here! Help me!”

“Good morning, Kotomi. What’s wrong?”

As soon as I arrived at the familiar school entrance, Kotomi ran up to me, literally crying.

Next to me, Mina immediately exuded her usual dark aura.

With the mask on, she seemed even more intimidating than usual.

“Stop the president and vice president!”

“What’s going on with President Domon and Vice President Nase?”

“Just come to the student council room!”

Kotomi, looking on the verge of tears, desperately pulled me by the arm, not resembling someone who became an important figure in the country.

“So, Ken-kun, about how to hand over the student council president role to Hinoura-sama…”

“Hmm… I checked the student council regulations, and it seems it’s impossible to pass it on without an election. So, we’ll have to use the clause that allows student council members to act in place if the president and vice president are absent.”

“Yes, there’s no clause stating that a reelection must be held immediately if the president and vice president are absent, so Hinoura-sama can take control of the academy…”

“That’s enough!”

Kotomi’s desperate voice echoed in the student council room.

“Good morning, Hinoura-sama.”

“Good morning.”

President Domon and Vice President Nase greeted Kotomi, standing stiffly.

“I told you to stop using formal language!”

This is why Kotomi seemed on the verge of tears on the first day of the new semester.

I had heard from Kotomi beforehand that Vice President Naze was appointed as her bodyguard, but this is more than uncomfortable.

Moreover, they were muttering something dangerous earlier.

“Is Kotomi going to take over the academy as acting student council president?”

“I don’t want to! But these two…”

“Hey, Kamiya-kun. I can’t say much because it’s confidential, but Hinoura-sama has become an indispensable figure in this country. So, show some respect.”

Vice President Nase, unaware of my position as the top Special Combat Unit, applied pressure with a smiling face.

“During the first semester, Vice President Nase used to call me Kotocchi…”

“Yes. I can’t forgive my disgraceful past self. If Hinoura-sama commands it, I am prepared to shave my head or cut off my finger.”

That’s a heavy way to take responsibility! Are you a mafia member?

“When we went to Okinawa again recently, these two were like this the whole time… What should I do?”

Kotomi looked at me for advice, troubled.

Since my position in the Special Combat Unit is supposed to be confidential within the academy, this isn’t good.

“Hmm? It’s simple. Just use your position to command them.”

“I can’t do that suddenly.”

Seeing Kotomi hesitate, I decided to step in as the senior Special Combat Unit member.

“Alright, let me show you. President, Vice President, may I?”

“Huh? What do you want, a first-year like you?”

Vice President Nase threw a strong disdainful jab.

Oh right, she always had a foul mouth.

And I’m only a year younger…

“Don’t say mean things to Yuu!”

Suddenly, Kotomi, who had been hiding behind me, raised her voice at Vice President Naze.

“H-Hinoura-sama?”

Surprised by Kotomi’s sudden outburst, Vice President Nase was taken aback.

“Listen, both of you. From now on, treat Yuu as you would me.”

“But…”

“This is an order!”

Kotomi, who had hesitated moments ago, wielded her authority decisively.

“Y-yes, understood.”

“If you understand, apologize to Yuu for your earlier rude remark!”

“Uh… but as vice president, it’s hard to apologize to a first-year…”

“No excuses!”

Seeing Kotomi’s unwavering authority, Vice President Naze realized she couldn’t argue back.

“My… apologies, Kamiya-sama…”

Though not entirely satisfied, Vice President Nase had no choice but to apologize to me under Kotomi’s overwhelming presence.

However, her body slightly trembled, perhaps from the humiliation.

Seeing the normally condescending vice president apologize in formal language gave me a strange thrill.

Afterward, Kotomi maintained her momentum, instructing Vice President Nase and President Domon to behave as usual within the academy.

I watched, feeling slightly useless but proud, as Kotomi took her first steps as a leader.