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Why do I have to be there to accompany them? Having someone else during a proposal is sure to give a terrible impression, you know? Does she have so little faith in her brother? Not that I have much faith in him either.

“May I ask the reason why?”
“I don’t trust that my fool of a brother can even propose properly.”
“I feel the same.”
“For that reason, I need someone to watch over him. And considering your track record, you’re the best choice.”

Observing them from a distance, huh. Still, eating alone at an expensive restaurant will make me stand out. I’ll have to get a partner. Is there even anyone I know who’s free during Christmas day? Rather, I can’t imagine going with a man.

“I’ve already reserved a table for two. You do understand that you have no right to refuse, right?”
“And if I couldn’t be there?”
“Take responsibility and marry into our family.”

I absolutely don’t want that. I know she’s just joking. Where in the world would you find a student possibly getting engaged with a principal? If this actually happens, it’s beyond problematic. It’ll risk the continued operation of the academy.

“This can happen after you’ve graduated.”
“Wait, you weren’t joking?”
“I’m dead serious. You are about the only one who can properly understand my brother.”

I don’t understand him because I wanted to, I was forced to understand him after getting involved. Even if I were a regular girl, I would refuse to date the principal. He’s annoying to deal with, after all. A person who can lead him along would be best if possible. Isn’t that just Isami?

“I’ll help as much as I can, but wouldn’t it be better if you were managing this?”
“If don’t mind it being direct and forceful, then I would be happy to oblige. I’m not doing it though, since it’ll risk destroying our relationship.”

What are you even thinking about? I can’t interfere directly, so the most I can do is to help set up a good atmosphere. I do have a last resort in mind, but even with that it doesn’t require my direct involvement.

“I’ll send the location of the restaurant and other details to my brother, so good luck on Christmas.”
“Why are the people of the twelve families always so coercive?”
“You speak as if you’re any different. Now then, we’ll meet again at the wedding ceremony.”

The call ended, so I returned the principal’s phone. I sat on the sofa exhausted and had my hands over my head. Shouldn’t the rest be left to the two of them? Why do I have to be there for the wedding? And the consequences for failing are too heavy.

“What did my sister say?”
“I was asked to support on the day of the proposal. Not that I had any choice.”
“I see.”

Why are you so happy about that? You still have to carry your own weight and it shouldn’t be very pleasant to have others needing to interfere. Now I’m really getting worried if he can actually propose. Actually, I’m also worried about what happens if it’s a success.

“Principal, I’m begging you. Please, don’t ask for my help.”
“Well, I mean, you see…”

Please just say that you won’t. Maybe he has low self-esteem and underestimates himself because he’s surrounded by talented family members, but he’s plenty talented in his own right. The others are just insane.

“Also, there’s still the matter of who I’m going with.”
“With your web of relations, that should be easy to resolve.”
“There’s no reason to pick a male partner either.”

If I ever get seen eating with some man, rumours and speculations will go flying around. Considering the possible impact, there’s no way I can do that. My mother, the twins, Kotori, and the other twelve family people are all going to be roused, after all.

“Principal. I’m only here to give you advice, please understand that it’s your role to put things into action.”
“I do understand that, but unlike with work, I don’t have any experience with this.”
“Have your regrets after you’ve already tried. Just like with work, you can learn from your mistake and do better next time.”

I’m not going to tell the principal that failure might just end the relationship with Saeki, though. He’ll just get even more hesitant and freeze up. What he needs is to be more assertive. As long as that improves, they might build a better relationship.

“I’ve just used a lot of money on the field trip, I really can’t afford to use much money now.”
“If that’s the case, I can pay for your expenses.”

If it’s a high-class restaurant, then I’ll have to pay attention to what I wear. I’ll stand out in my usual clothes, getting me exposed before I can help out. This situation is the principal’s fault to begin with, so I’m not going to hold back.

“I believe it would be dangerous for you to be seen shopping with me.”
“I’ll arrange for someone else to accompany you. I am fully aware of that danger.”

It’s going to affect the principal’s credibility if he’s seen together with a student in his off time. Just being here and having a private conversation is risky enough. Does he really understand this? And with terrible timing, the bell suddenly rang.

“Is it lunchtime?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll talk in depth at a later day. If you would excuse me.”

I need to leave now. If I don’t, the idiots are going to gather here. I managed to reach the principal’s office unseen, but it’s them we’re talking about. They definitely know that I came here.

“Wait, that’s a window.”
“No need to worry, I have my shoes with me.”
“That’s not the issue here.”

I’ll have to bring the indoor slippers with me. I’ll just return them later. More importantly, I need to escape from here. I feel like I’ve been constantly on the run recently, but I’m at a big disadvantage this time. It’s going to be troublesome if I get caught. Mostly due to Aya.

“Ms. Kotone. Unfortunately, they already anticipated your moves.”
“It’s really tough when you’re up against Hadzuki.”

As I had my hand on the window, I saw that the first years were outside waiting for me. I silently turned around and ran to the door, but it opened before I had my hand on the doorknob. And then I saw the two people I wanted to see the least.

“You’re way too fast.”
“We moved the instant the bell rang, after all. Still, it would have been dangerous had the first years not make it in time.”
“Hey Kotone, why don’t we have a nice fun chat?”

What happened to the modest lady persona, Aya? Your public image is sure to change if some other students happened to see you sprinting here. I can tell that they’ve really pushed themselves from their deep breathing.

“Don’t cause a racket here.”
“Then we’ll borrow the reception room.”
“Suit yourselves.”

The principal was imposing, showing no signs of his earlier anxiety, but he just wants us out of here. I’m guessing the reason for borrowing the reception room next to the principal’s office is to keep me hidden from the other students. Though it’s probably also to keep me from running.

“What happened at the field trip is the hot topic of the academy right now. Who organized the event hasn’t been identified yet, though.”
“In my case, mom told me not to watch the TV, so I didn’t have any idea about it until I got here. Isn’t that mean?”
“It can’t be helped, sis. If you had known, you would have argued with mom this morning.”
“More importantly, didn’t you come to hear about the details? There’s not a lot of time.”