With only two days left before the party, I was currently at a store to buy a tuxedo for the event.

  “Do I really have to do this? These things are so uncomfortable,” I muttered. While trying to move around in the outfit.

  “Now don’t be like that Sir Savoncho. It’s important you look your best when it comes to going to a party. It’ll make you look fashionable and charming.”

  “I don’t really care if people find me fashionable or charming though,” I muttered.

  “Please stop with the attitude Sir Savoncho.”

  If you hadn’t already guessed, Vey was here with me to help pick out the best tuxedo for me to wear.

  I didn’t really know much about fashion, so I decided to leave things in her hands.

  However, with how uncomfortable this thing is, I’m almost tempted just to go in my school uniform. But with how ecstatic Vey has been, I’m worried she’ll get mad if I suggest such a thing.

  About forty minutes later, we ended up settling on a generic black tux with a black bowtie.

  With how much time it took to pick, I’d rather have just worn my school uniform instead.

  Once we made it back to my dorm, I hung the tux up before making my way toward the school cafeteria to grab some food.

  I had moved my morning disciplinary committee duties to the afternoon in order to spend my morning picking out my tux.

  Since it was a Saterday, this world’s version of Saturday, I was permitted to do so, and thus a grueling afternoon and evening awaited me.

  After I finished eating, I let out a loud yawn while I made my way through the school and toward the disciplinary committee office.

  When I walked inside, I was surprised to find Haiko there.

  “Ah. Hello there Mister Savoncho.”

  “Uh…Hello?”

  What was she doing here?

  “If you’re wondering why I’m here, I’m simply collecting the completed paperwork from the disciplinary committee and bringing it toward the student council office. Care to help out?”

  “Um…Sure.”

  Taking a stack of papers from off of Talia’s desk, Haiko and I began making our way toward the student council office.

  On the way, we chatted with each other to pass the time.

  “So after they are reviewed by the disciplinary committee, papers that involve more serious matters get sent to the student council?”

  “That’s correct. Stuff such as recommendations for expulsion, as well as class changes and the like, are first reviewed by the disciplinary committee and then sent to us. If we agree with the disciplinary committee’s assessment, we send the request to the school board who have the final verdict.”

  “Geez. That sounds like a hassle.”

  Haiko shook her head.

  “Not at all. I find it to be quite efficient. With so many different groups discussing an issue, it helps create a clear consensus about whatever problem is at hand. If everyone thinks something should be done, it means that’s probably the right choice. At least that’s how I view it.”

  I mean…I guess I get what she’s trying to say, but I still think there are some flaws in such a system. Such as what if one of the three groups was corrupt? Things would quickly derail after that and before you know the entire system falls apart. Honestly, I’m kinda amazed a system like this has worked for as long as it has.

  Reaching the student council office, Haiko opened the door and we walked inside.

  “Ack-!”

  “Hm?”

  Standing inside was none other than the MC. He appeared to be brewing something.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Er…It’s nothing,” the MC responded.

  Looking away from me, the MC continued brewing and I plopped the papers down on Haiko’s desk.

  “Well, there you go. I gotta get back to the disciplinary committee office so I’ll see you around.”

  “Understood. Thank you for taking the time to help me with this Mister Savoncho.”

  Without saying anything to the MC, I walked past Haiko and left the room.

  When I got back to the disciplinary committee office, Talia was there and began to berate me about being late. And as she lectured me, all I could do was let out an irritated sigh.

  After Savoncho left, I sat down at my desk.

  There wasn’t any work to be done today, so I was able to relax a little.

  “President Haiko, here’s some tea for you.”

  “Ah. Thank you.”

  For some reason, Toyazoto had started making tea for me recently.

  I wasn’t bothered by it, but it felt completely out of nowhere.

  However, his tea was actually quite good so I had nothing to complain about.

  As he poured me a cup, a rather unique aroma hit my nose.

  “This smell’s different from usual. Did you change tea leaves?”

  “Er…Yes. They didn’t have the normal kind in stock so I ended up buying these instead. I hope it still tastes good.”

  Grinning slightly, I tried my best to reassure him.

  “I’m sure it still tastes great.”

  “T-Thank you for your kind words.”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Placing down the tea in front of me, Toyazoto took a few steps back and I put the cup up to my lips.

  “Hmm…It has quite a rich flavor. Different from what I’m used to for sure.”

  Taking another sip, I felt myself growing relaxed.

  “Say, what’s in this tea?”

  “Uh…I don’t remember. Sorry.”

  I wanted to tell him he could just check the box the tea came in, but for some reason, I felt too relaxed too.

  After a few more sips, I began feeling drowsy.

  “Say, can I talk to you about something, President Haiko?”

  As Toyazoto suddenly spoke up, my drowsiness dissipated slightly.

  “Sure. What is it you need.”

  “Well, I just wanted to know if…maybe you could make up with your dad?”

  “Make up? Why would I need to make up with him? After everything he’s put me through, I’d rather have him out of my life!”

  “But…he’s a changed man. If you ask me, making up with him is the best thing for the both of you.”

  “The…The best thing for the both of us?”

  “Yeah. I can guarantee he’s a changed person. So if you give him a chance, I’m certain you two can gain a fresh start and understanding of each other.”

  “Really?”

  Strange. For some reason, Toyazoto’s words sounded oddly compelling. Like they made perfect sense.

  “So what do you say? Would you be willing to let him back into your life again?”

  I began to open my mouth and say “No Way!”

  However, the moment I tried to do so, my brain started feeling foggy.

  “You know what? you’re right. Perhaps I should give him a second chance.”

  Hearing that, Toyazoto let out a sigh of relief.

  “I’m glad to hear it. I’ll go tell Mr. Ariyama right away.”

  As Toyazoto walked out of the room, I sat there at my desk continuing to sip my tea.

  “Wait…Why did I just agree to that?”

  Confused, I leaned back in my chair and tried to clear my fuzzy thoughts.

  As Riko stepped out of the student council office, he glanced at the empty tea bag in his hand. Before thinking back to a few days ago.

  “Here you go,” said a familiar voice as he gave Riko a strange light blue tea bag.

  “What is this?” Riko asked curiously as his attention went from the tea bag toward Mr. Ariyama who was standing in front of him.

  “It’s a special type of tea flavor I’ve concocted. It’s designed to help make people more suggestible. Or at least, enough to make them consider what a person has to say.”

  “Really? And what do you want me to do with this?”

  “Well, you see…I appreciate you trying to bring me and my daughter together. However, it’s clear she won’t listen the way she is now. That’s where this little guy comes in. Have her drink this, and she should happily consider making up with me.”

  “Oh…I see.”

  Glancing down at the tea bag once more, Riko gripped it tightly.

  “Understood. I promise I’ll bring you two together no matter what!”

  That’s what Riko said at the time, but after having seen the tea’s effects, Riko felt a little unsure about what he’d just done.

  However, after a moment, he shook his head.

  “No. Don’t feel guilty, Riko. This is all for the sake of your and Haiko’s happy ending. In order to achieve that, this had to be done."

  Using that in order to clear his conscious, Riko walked away from the student council room and waited for what was to come next.

  With the party tomorrow, all I had left to do was finish up a few pieces of homework.

  “Say, you’ll be done with that disciplinary committee stuff tomorrow right?” Nia asked. To which I nodded my head.

  “Yeah. That’s right.”

  Nia was sitting next to me and watching me work.

  Filling out my answers to the last few problems, I slipped the papers into my bag and let out a sigh.

  “Damn has this been a lot of work. I’m just glad it’s over.”

  “I guess that president lady’s idea of having you try it out didn’t convince you to stay huh?”

  I shrugged.

  “I’m sure she was trying to get me attached enough to the point I wanted to stay, but the entire time I worked there made surviving that dungeon feel easy in comparison.”

  “That’s a pretty bold claim considering the stories you told me about your time down there.”

  I shrugged once more.

  “Anyway, enough about that. Since we still have time before we have to hit the hay, how do you feel about getting some grub?”

  Nia grinned at my suggestion.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  Thus, we went down to the city below to get something to eat.

  “These burger things are so good!” shouted Nia.

  “I know right!”

  Not wanting to be picky, Nia and I ended up stopping by Daves Diner to grab some burgers.

  Dang. No matter how many times I eat these, they never fail to taste amazing.

  “So you got another girl travellin with ya this time ey Savoncho?”

  Ignoring Dave who was standing beside me, I continued to blissfully eat my burger.

  Across from me, Nia chugged down her water before putting the empty cup down on the table.

  Dave quickly refilled it and Nia continued chowing down on her meal.

  A few minutes later, we’d both finished our food and I waved goodbye to Dave and he waved back with a smile. Then, without another word, Nia and I left. Heaing out into the streets.

  Not wanting her to be seen, I had Nia slip back into my grimoire.

  Walking through the streets, I stopped at a few more food stalls before ducking away somewhere to enjoy the food with Nia.

  Each time after we were done, I’d have her return to the grimoire and we kept moving.

  Before we knew it, the rest of the day had flown by.

  Returning to the school, I entered my dorm room to find Vey already asleep.

  Trying my best to stay quiet, I took off my school uniform and set out a pair of new clothes before making my way toward the bathroom.

  Wanting to relax, I decided to take a bath instead of my usual shower and let hot water pour into the tub.

  I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but the tub in this room is huge. Easily enough to hold around six to eight people. I almost never used it since I was so used to just getting a quick shower, but as I mentioned before, I figured a relaxing bath would be more enjoyable.

  Once it was filled up, I slipped into the tub and let out a calm sigh. The water felt great.

  With that said...

  “What’re you doing here Nia?”

  Walking up to me was none other than Nia who stood before me with nothing but a towel to cover herself up.

  “I just thought of joining you. That’s all.”

  How irritating. I knew she’d become quite attached to me, but not to this degree.

  As I rubbed my eyes, Nia gave me a teasing smile.

  “What? Does the idea of me being in here with you turn you on?”

  Good grief.

  “Don’t even try saying something like that.”

  “Hehe. Are you blushing? How cute.”

  “Hm?”

  I was in fact, not blushing as I stared at her dead in the eyes. Having shaken my head in frustration, she appeared to have assumed I was feeling flustered or something.

  In the end, I just gave into her whims and she joined me in the bath. She snuggled up close and all I could do was stare at the ceiling until I felt refreshed and got out of the tub.

  Nia followed close behind me with a beaming smile on her face.

  Walking out, I began slipping on the clothes I set out as Nia used her magic to make her clothes instantly appear on her body.

  Lying down in bed, I closed my eyes as Nia clung to me tightly.

  Honestly, this has happened so many times at this point that I don’t even care anymore. However, if she tries to push her boundaries and try something like what just happened in the bath again, I plan to teach her a lesson.

  But for now, the party was tomorrow. And as I drifted off to sleep, all I could think about was how things would go. And I could only hope everything went smoothly.