Although he was still missing several crucial pieces — meaning that
he had gathered enough pieces already to realize that he was yet
missing something definitive — what he had collected thus far was
still a satisfactory result. Going over the information he had, Tatsuya
hurried over to the Student Council room where Miyuki was waiting.
It was still light out. Perfectly natural, considering it was a Saturday.
School had ended, but it was barely past noon. Tatsuya wasn't
hurrying because he was getting late going home, but because he was
getting late for lunch.
There wasn't a prayer that Miyuki would begin eating without waiting
for Tatsuya. It'd be different if he asked (ordered?) her to eat without
him, but he hadn't done so today because he hadn't thought he would
end up being this delayed. In fact Miyuki wouldn't have been waiting
for that long, but the mere thought that he was keeping his sister was
sufficient to drive his feet forwards.
—That made two of them.
Tatsuya's physical prowess was on full display as he leaped up an
entire flight of stairs, to come to a stop in front of the SC room. The
moment he did, almost as if watching and waiting, the door opened.
A brilliant gold flashed into his view.
Tatsuya slid aside while Lina backed away from the door at almost the
same time. They had been trying to get out of each others way, but
seeing the humorous situation they were now in the corners of
Tatsuya's mouth twitched as he stepped into the gap once occupied by
the one who was blocking his way (?).
Technically he was ignoring the convention 'ladies first', but he didn't
ignore the lady herself.
"Yo, Lina. How's it going?"
Turning to her as he passed, he lightly patted her on the shoulder.
"Hello, Tatsuya. I am doing fine. Thank you."
Being suddenly touched, Lina didn't cry out 'Sexual harassment!' or
anything. Instead, without raising one eyebrow, she simply smiled as
she replied, returning Tatsuya's pat twice.
Both Miyuki and Honoka joyously rose at the sight of Tatsuya, as he
took a seat at what he guessed was a conference table. —He didn't
even want to think that it was there expressly for the SC members to
simply have meals and drink tea off of.
There was no sign of Azusa or Isori. Not that he would have been
troubled if they were here, but he did feel more comfortable this way.
It wasn't that he was tense around seniors, rather that he had to take
care. Particularly around Azusa, who at the slightest matter (or so
Tatsuya thought) would immediately start looking terrified.
Mayumi calling him had been completely unplanned for. So, he didn't
have anything prepared for lunch. Besides, if he suddenly brought up
what had happened, it would definitely cause panic rather than help.
Going to the cafeteria by this time would likely only lead to a view of
'Sold out' signs everywhere, so he decided to leave himself in the care
of the SC dining server.
Honoka was operating the cooking panel, while Miyuki prepared
drinks. Tatsuya's role was to sit quietly and wait to be served.
...Looking at things objectively it'd be 'what a lucky bastard', but he
cut off such unproductive thoughts before they reached his conscious.
"Come to think of it, what was Lina doing here?"
Instead, he turned his mind to another matter.
"The school suggested making Lina a special SC member during study
periods.