I ask Sylphy and she nods to confirm.
I guess she knew.
If I have to guess, Roxy should know too. When I turn to check, Roxy purposely looked away. So she knew too!
The only one that doesn't is me.
What the heck?
"Sorry. Norn-chan said she wanted to tell you herself, so I kept quiet."
"Is that so?"
Sylphy looks troubled as she apologizes.
Maybe she's not drinking precisely for this.
Norn continues with a troubled expression.
"So, brother. May I officially join the Student Council?"
Of course.
I was just about to answer when I stop myself.
Norn is already busy with two things.
Sword training and writing.
The book doesn't have to be hurried, just once a week is enough. We can even take a break and start again in a few years, but sword training needs to be done daily.
Sword training and regular studies.
And Student Council on top of that, can Norn handle all that?
Norn isn't worse than others, but she isn't particularly good either.
Can she juggle 3-4 things at once?
"Norn."
"Yes."
"Can you handle so many things at once?"
"..."
Norn bites her lips.
Maybe she realizes herself that it might be too much pressure.
"I'm not against you joining the Student Council, but will you give up halfway?"
"I won't."
"You started writing and sword training on your own too. Well, writing was originally my job, so let's ignore that. What about sword training then? School too, third year will be even harder."
"I'll work hard at school and sword training too."
Easier said than done.
But doing so many things at once.
If you chase two rabbits, you will surely lose them both.
"Rudi."
Sylphy looks at me worriedly.
"Norn-chan. She has done well up to now."
Really?
Up to now. Indeed.
But what about in the long term?
Will she crash and burn?
"Say, how long has she been helping?"
"Over a year at the Student Council. I remember since it was when Rudi left on his journey."
"Eh? Wow, that's a long time."
During my journey.
In other words, even before sword training with me?
... Eh?
"Don't worry, Rudi. I guarantee it. Even after Norn-chan becomes an official member of the Student Council, she can do it all, and she won't cave halfway."
Sylphy sounds convincing.
Really?
So it's not a question of whether she can handle it, they drop the question after knowing for sure it can be done.
In that case, who am I to disagree?
"Yes... Norn has always been working hard."
While I'm not looking, Norn has been doing her best.
That makes me really happy.
A happiness hard to put into words.
"I get it. Although I don't think she needs my permission for this, but I'll permit it. Norn. Please work hard from now on."
"Yes, brother! Thank you!"
Norn bows happily.
Ultimately, it's up to her.
But cheering her on is the job of us around her.
So I'll do my best to cheer her on.
While I was thinking, I suddenly hear Nanahoshi's voice.
"Let's cut the watermelon."