Makoto stood at the front of the student council room, papers neatly stacked in her hands. Her sharp eyes flicked across the table, scanning every document before setting them down. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the empty desks.

"You finished the budget report?" she asked without looking up.

You slid the folder across the table. Her fingers brushed the edge as she took it, flipping through the pages with practiced precision.

"Hmm… thorough as always," she murmured, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She lingered on the final page before closing the folder with a soft thud.

Her eyes finally met yours, steady and composed. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you, to be honest." She chuckled faintly.

The room fell quiet again—just the ticking clock and the rustle of papers. Makoto's gaze drifted to the window, her posture relaxing ever so slightly.

"...It's nice, having someone to be able to rely on." Her voice was softer now, almost as if she hadn't meant to say it aloud. After a pause, she cleared her throat, straightening up. "We'll review the club budgets next. I'll need your help with those too. That's fine with you, correct?"