The final president stepped in, a petite first-year from the Baking Club, her hands trembling as she set a small box of cookies on the table. "W-We're requesting 18,000 yen for ingredients and a booth to sell pastries. These are samples!"
I raised an eyebrow, picked up a cookie, and took a bite. It was soft and buttery, with a hint of cinnamon. Not bad at all. Nao's pastries still taste better though.
In any case, she's the president or just the representative? Well, it doesn't matter. She's one of the few girls who I hadn't danced with during the camping trip but when I helped her group with the tent, I also remembered how she gave me a cookie.
If I'm not wrong, she's from Rae's class.
"Mhm. I like it. 18,000 yen is pretty reasonable for a baking booth. The ingredients nowadays are costly. But how many are you planning to sell, and what's your profit margin?"
She brightened at the compliment, easing her nerves slightly. "We're aiming for 500 pastries at 50 yen each. That's 25,000 yen total, so we'd cover the cost and have some left over for next time."
Haruko snatched a cookie, popping it into her mouth with a grin. "Tasty. You've got my vote, cookie girl."
Surprisingly, she didn't scare the girl this time. Ah. Right. She had quite a soft spot for her juniors. That was the reason why I had gotten close to her back in middle school.
Minami Shouko, still by the door, crossed her arms and nodded. "Simple and profitable. I don't see an issue." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel-fire.ɴet
Surprised that she offered her own commentary, I glanced at the girl and I was immediately met with her glare.
Next to me, Shizu gave a small nod of her own.
"Approved," I said as I brushed the crumbs off my fingers. "Keep the quality up, and you'll do fine. Maybe add a few seasonal flavors. Pumpkin or something to stand out and surprise everyone."
The girl beamed, gathering her box and bowing repeatedly. "We'll try that! What do you like, Onoda-kun?"
Even without looking around me, I could already tell my girls' sharp gazes were boring through my body.
"Let's see. I like the mint flavor. Is it possible?"
"No problem. Please visit our booth, we'll give you a lot." The girl grinned before bowing multiple times, "Thank you so much, Onoda-kun! President! Everyone!"
After that, she practically skipped out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, Shizu's fingers pinched my cheek as she set her clipboard down, "Not terrible, numbskull. You've got a knack for this but your charm… it's always so effective."
Haruko stretched her arms overhead, smirking. "Well, hubby's a natural charmer. I bet the girls outside are already swooning over their future Student Council President. Isn't this what you want, Shizu-chan?"
Shizu didn't answer her with words. Instead, she pushed my head to Haruko who immediately caught me in the softness of her chest.
Komoe also chimed in as she giggled softly from her corner, "You did great, Ruki…"
As for Minami Shouko… she approached the table and fed me the remaining half of her cookie before saying, "You didn't completely butcher it, I'll give you that. But don't think this gets you off the hook for earlier."
This girl… She's not being too obvious, is she?
"So, what's the verdict? Am I ready to take over the school yet?"
Shizu scoffed before standing up and smoothing out her skirt. "Keep dreaming, numbskull. This is just the start. The meeting is over. Let's clean up and get out of here."
Haruko hopped to her feet, nudging me as she passed. "You heard her, hubby. Time to pamper us for real. No escaping this time, hubby. We still have plenty of time."
I stood, stretching my arms as I glanced around the room. Komoe was already gathering her papers, her shy smile lingering while Minami Shouko lingered by the door, watching me with that unreadable look of hers.
Shizu and Haruko were already plotting something. I could feel it in the air. Or rather, they planned to have me for themselves. To finish what they started earlier.
"Guess I'm in for it," I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close. As for Shizu, I pulled her back down to my side, asserting back my dominance. Her sharp eyes softened slightly but she still swatted my hand lightly as if to remind me who was really in charge.
Really, my Shizu is acting adorable, isn't she?
"Numbskull, you're getting bolder. Is it because we allowed you to pamper Komoe before us?" Shizu's lips curved up. She adjusted her position, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, watching me with that calculating look I knew all too well.
Meanwhile, Haruko slid her fingers up my chest, pressing it lightly, "Bold is an understatement for this guy, Shizu. He's been an audacious guy ever since I've known him. Are you going to sweep us all off our feet and carry us out?"
"Tempting. But I'd need a bigger armband for that kind of authority. And maybe bigger arms too to fit all four of you."
Komoe giggled softly from her corner as she stacked the last of her papers, "Ruki, I'm usually on your side but you're being cheeky this time."
Minami Shouko shook her head and rolled her eyes in exasperation, "You're all ridiculous, especially you, Ondoa-kun."
She stepped closer, picking up the empty cookie box the Baking Club president had left behind and tossed it into the trash. "If you're done flirting, we should lock up. Unless you're planning to stay here. Then I'll go first."
"Who says we're done?" Haruko shot back, winking at her. "Minami-san, there's plenty of time to make hubby squirm. Don't you want to partake in it?"
"What?! No! Y-you… you go ahead and do that." Minami Shouko immediately denied it but her stuttering and the way she appeared flustered made both Shizu and Haruko exchange meaningful glances. Most likely, they already deemed that girl one foot into the quagmire of our complex relationship.
Shortly after, Minami Shouko snorted. She turned to the door before saying, "I'll be leaving for today, President, Kojima-san. Komoe-chan. As for you… You're on your own, Onoda-kun."
And with that, she exited the conference room.
Shizu and Haruko didn't say anything but the way they stared at me after her departure says a lot. Of course, they do. It's not hard to figure out that I've gotten closer to that girl, after all.
As for Komoe, she's also considering leaving. Maybe, her own way of being considerate of the two girls. After all… they somehow let her finish me earlier even though they started it.
Komoe shuffled her papers one last time, her movements deliberate as she prepared to slip out, her shy smile flickering toward me like a quiet farewell.
I was about to call out to her but Shizu beat me to it.
"Komoe-chan. You don't have to rush off. You can stay if you want."
Komoe hesitated as her hand froze on the door. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink as she glanced at me, "I… I thought you two might want some time with Ruki. I don't want to intrude."
Haruko laughed, "Intrude? Sweetie, you're part of this now. You're one of us. Besides, we're not selfish… Well, not always. If it's to be with hubby then… we'll probably do anything. Right, Shizu-chan?"
Shizu looked at me then shifted to Haruko and Komoe before exhaling softly, "She's right. You're not in the way. But if you're tired, go rest. We'll manage this numbskull ourselves. Besides… we're going to do something more than we did earlier."
Komoe bit her lip, glancing at me for guidance.
What should I say here? I didn't want to push her into this kind of situation but she's clearly enticed by the thought of seeing more of what we've done earlier.
I gave her a small nod, keeping my tone gentle. "Up to you, Komoe. You've already done plenty today. It may be overwhelming to you. But if you do stay, I'll pamper you again."
Her blush deepened and her eyes sparkled from my words.
She nodded and stepped away from the door. I stretched my arm out to her, inviting her close.
Without hesitation, she grabbed it and joined us.