CH#189

#189

It’s Tuesday morning, a day after the student body president election.

The names of the candidates for the members for the council would be officially posted on the bulletin board during the lunch break today.

It’s best to do what I can as soon as possible.
The campaign will be after the announcement, but the preparations in advance are possible.

I left home an hour earlier than usual and stopped by the student council office at Sakuranaoka Academy.

Two students were already in the room.

“Good morning, Shinra.”

“Good morning, Shinra-kun. I heard about your candidacy from president.”

Akane Hiiragi and Koizumi Shoichi, who were inside the student council room, smiled and welcomed me as I uttered my morning greetings.

“Good morning …Koizumi, congratulations on winning. “

I throw in a few extra words that I hadn’t said yet.

Koizumi scratched his head with his cheeks dyed red, looking both happy and embarrassed, completely devoid of the image befitting a president.

This friendliness is one of his talents, as it is this friendliness that has brought him to the position of president of the council.

Placing my bag on my seat, I pulled out a document from inside and presented it to the president.

It was the official copy of the candidacy form she gave me last week.
The moment president receive this, there is no turning back.

After checking to make sure there were no flaws, president took it and quietly exhaled.

“I also received a formal letter from Ogiwara the other day… Now that both parties have expressed their wishes, the election of members will take place. The instructions from me remain the same as the ones I have informed you of in advance …okay?”

“That’s fine…”

After president took it, she it held out to Koizumi.
Koizumi also confirmed it, which undoubtedly means that as of today, the student council member election and the battle for the seat of the assistant is inevitable.

“I also promise to do everything possible to help. It’s your request after all.”

“It doesn’t matter if I’m present or not …President will probably be many times more effective than I am.”

Koizumi gave me a worried look as I responded with a wry smile to his words, which sounded like modesty.

Koizumi probably heard for the first time after yesterday’s election, that Yuuto and I were running for the position.

The news must have come in at a terrible time.

“I’m sorry, …I didn’t mean to cause a mess.”

“That’s not the case, I’d be happy if I could work with Shinra-kun again next year.”

But. then his words stopped.
I know, I don’t even need to predict what he is going to say.

“It’s not about building memories or fighting a losing battle. …Neither am I a fan of the outcome of this game, it just depends on who I’m up against.”

No matter who I lose to or what kind of game I lose, even if they laugh at me for it, I can accept that this was the result of the current reality.

Besides, if I cared about every single evaluation of people I don’t know, people like me wouldn’t be able to do anything.

I should have given up on this pretentious nonsense a long time ago.

Even if I am such a person, I am allowed to be concerned about winning for once.

“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know and I’ll do my best to support you!”

“Thanks for helping. …But aren’t you going to vote for Yuuto…?”

In fact, if we consider the ability and organizational progress, Yuuto would be the better choice to support.
Yuuto also has the ability to more than meet those expectations.

On the other hand, I am a student who does not know what he can do or even if he is useful at all.

Koizumi immediately shook his head at my question.

“I’d be happy to work with Ogiwara-kun, but if my friend is going to participate, I’d rather support him.”

“…A friend”

Koizumi looked at me like that?
To be honest, I felt guilty when I heard those words.

There is a part of me that still isn’t certain about the boundary between a friend and an acquaintance.
It’s a bad thing that my personality has made me do, and I still haven’t been able to answer that question.

Koizumi, perhaps wondering why I had fallen silent, looked back in the direction of the president’s seat.

President, taking advantage of the silence, changed the subject.

“Now, let’s get back to the topic. …Shinra will be given about a week to campaign, and it’s up to you whether you make the most of it or not.

Rising from her seat, president walked up to Koizumi and placed both hands on his side.

Then she smiled as she always does.

“Now, what do you need us to do to follow the scenario you have in mind?”

Her expression looked like she was having fun.
She asked me expectantly, as if she wanted me to show something different from what she was imagining.

“For the president, …I need you to find out the faculty members who are eligible to vote, the clubs they are in-charge of and other such details. …And as for Koizumi, I need you to something other work for me.”

“Whatever you say! First, we need to secure a place for the speech and prepare the props, and then—“

“No, that can wait, and we won’t be doing either of those today.”

I held out my palm as if to stop Koizumi, who was earnestly trying to list the things I would need, as if he were doing his own campaign.
Koizumi stiffened as I opened my mouth to tell him what he needed to do.

“As I recall, it is possible for the student council to distribute printouts and such to the students, isn’t it?”

“Y-Yes, it is possible, but we would have to prepare the drafts …so it would take some time to make them today.”

While Koizumi made a valid point, I once again pulled out a sheet of paper from my bag.
It was a simple survey form that I had created yesterday on the computer in my room.

The content is simple. There are two columns: one for voting for me or Yuuto in the board election, and the other for writing in your requests for the student council.

The rest of the form is a simple one with the date, a title and the name of the organization to indicate that it is indeed a survey from the student council.

“I’d like you to to print these for the entire school year and have them distributed.”

With that, I gave Koizumi a tremendous amount of work from the very start.

Lunch Break.
Before the cafeteria, the students gathered in front of the bulletin board.

I don’t know where the rumors were spreading from, but students who had heard that Yuuto was running for the election gathered in front of the main gate to see if it was true.

“It’s true! It has Ogiwara-kun’s name on it.”

“Shinra… who?”

Several such voices were coming from the group.
I watched the scene from the shade of a tree a short distance away, but the excitement was like a festival.

“I expected it, but it’s pretty …crowded.”

“It’s because Ogiwara-kun has never been a part of an organization or a club before.”

Shizuku was the one who answered my mutterings.
Her long hair was tied up in a single strand and hung down in front, perhaps feeling down in the brutal summer heat.

Because of the popularity and buzz that preceded the event, and the fact that there has been so much excitement, there’s no doubt many of the students’ votes will go to Yuuto.

No student has any prior information about me who was competing against Yuuto.

At best, my classmates from last year and my current classmates looked surprised.

I mean, it’s a level of recognition that only students who were in my class are aware of, or were sorry that I am on the student council at one point.

“I don’t know what the excitement is about, and it’s not like they’re actually going to do something about it.”

Leaning her back against the tree in the shade, Kirasaka lets out a sigh, taking a look at the scene in the front, and immediately shifting her gaze to the book in her hand.

Usually, Kirasaka is an omnivorous reader who reads books by Osamu Dazai, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, and sometimes even a completely different genre of novels, but today, she was reading a book titled ‘Winning! How to Fight an Election’.

Both of them are serious to the point of even changing their hairstyles and books.

“…From the perspective of others, it’s just a festival, it’s like the entertainment that humans have been doing throughout history getting excited about who’ll be the winner and who’s going to lose.”

We had only come to check the bulletin board just in case, so we quickly turned back and headed back toward the building.

Shiraishi, who was looking uncomfortable at the edge of my field of vision, looked at me, Shizuku and Kirasaka as if she wanted to say something.

“A-Ano, why was I called?”

“…”

*Gasp* I remember not explaining the reason beforehand, just her that it was urgent and that we would meet in front of the gymnasium.

“…I’ve been waiting for those words.”

“I’m sure you weren’t waiting! If you were, then you wouldn’t have just made an ‘Oh shit!’ face, would you?”

Shiraishi tsukkomied not missing a single moment of the expression that crossed my face.

However, I turned around as if nothing had happened, exchanged my gaze with hers, and asked her what I was going to.

ToC

#188

*Clap* *Clap*

The roars echoed as they raised their hands together in the air.
As a result, Koizumi was selected as the new student council president and Shiraishi was as the new vice president.

The two student council leaders had now been decided, and now was the time to decide on the people who would assist them.

This might be a relief for the President. She might also have jumped of joy when the decision came in favor of Koizumi.

That is how much she looked after Koizumi as her younger brother.

Currently, there are no reports of candidacy for the positions of Treasurer, which Miura is currently serving, and General Affairs, which Hino-kun is handling now.
If things continue as they are, and if the two of them are willing to continue, they will unconditionally continue and be on the next student council as well.

The problem is that Yuuto and I are running for the same position.
The position is assistant to the president, which I currently hold.

The position of secretary is vacant, and if there are no candidates, recommendations will be made with the approval of the other student council members, led by Koizumi.

The recommendation is only a proposal from the student council to the students to join, not the presidential quota that Akane Hiiragi had.

Students who receive a recommendation will have to go through a process of interviews with the student council members and other teachers in charge before joining.

The workforce problem can be filled in through recommendation, in the worst-case scenario.

So, I only need to concentrate solely on the election.
After parting with Shiraishi and learning from Shizuku and Kirasaka about the reactions to the president’s decision within the school, I was on my way home.

“It looks like they’re officially announcing Minato-kun’s and Ogiwara-kun’s candidacy tomorrow at noon.”

Shizuku told me, holding a form with the recruitment guidelines for the council election in her hand from somewhere.

Arere~, that’s funny~
The voice of a famous boy detective ran through my mind…

Why does she have it and I don’t…?
Facing the biggest mystery of the day, I switched my thoughts and started thinking.

“We don’t even have time for the sports festival. …And since the president and vice president are elected, the general framework and direction of the organization is determined, and now it’s only a matter of choosing people who fit.”

“Is it only me or are the two applicants doesn’t seem to fit in at all?”

From the other side from where Shizuku was, Kirasaka spoke calmly.

Really, I would appreciate it if you would stop poking at the exact areas that people are concerned about.

I would have talked to the president if it was possible, but that person seems to be busy today.

However, she is busy discussing the future of the incoming student body president and vice president with the teachers.

So here we are, the three of us, walking home together along a road, with little more than houses and fields, and the atmosphere not as awkward as it used to be.

Since everyone’s focus was on the elections, we were able to talk about it without unnecessary additions.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it… because, aside from Ogiwara-kun, Minato-kun is completely out of the ‘ideal’ idea…”

“Don’t look at me like you’re sorry.”

Both Koizumi and Shiraishi, although they had different approaches, thought of cooperation as the foundation.

That’s why I am a completely different species from the ‘ideal’, as I would be far from cooperative.

Kirasaka gives me a similarly sorry look.
Stop! Don’t …look at me with those eyes!

If I turn to the left or to the right, my gaze will eventually cross with theirs, so I I just turned back in the opposite direction.

After walking a few steps ahead of me, when I heard them giggling and laughing, I then turned around with a sigh.

“The students would naturally think so, but it’s too risky to let a student with more influence than the student body president into the organization in the first place…”

Because he’s that soft-hearted, friendly, smile-making machine.
‘Make the school better for everyone!’ He’s absolutely the guy who could say that…

I wonder if there is anyone in the student council who could stop him when he clashes with his own ideas head-on with the president and the organization along with him…

The truth is that it will be difficult for the next student council without Akane Hiiragi.

Koizumi, Shiraishi and Miura are all excellent.

Hino-kun is well… Hino-kun…

Regardless, Ogiwara Yuuto, with a person to serve as a suppressor for his actions, this possibility is close to a gamble.

I guess that risk is not something I could deny. But I do also have a chance of winning.
If I think about the faculty votes, it certainly is the most effective way go at it.

Besides, tomorrow is the big day, and today is just a strategy meeting.
If I start thinking in the dark now, there is no way I could successfully carry out the battle that follows.

“Well, well, …what shall we do?”

“Are? I here thought that Shinra-kun already had a plan with a high winning possibility.”

“It’s not that it’s a way to win, it’s a way to be able to seize that low possibility which is already present. …I can’t exactly call it a plan if there’s an extremely low chance of success, so I’m going to need you both to help me out.”

I walked about with a thinking look on my face as I told them about my future plans, which I had not been able to explain properly in the student council room.

The two never spoke any words and just looked forward without making eye contact.

“…Yuuto will definitely take the straightforward route in his campaign, because even if he gathers information from his sources and devises a strategy, in the end, the best way for him to win is to go for it head-on.”

The ability to gather information, connections, and capacity to win through a wide network of students through those of the lower ranks.
If he goes out with a similar strategy against me, the winner is obvious.

And, since I don’t have that kind of network or recognition, this won’t even be a competition anymore.

“You said you didn’t want to put us in the forefront, but was it because you are still in opposition to Shiraishi-san’s idea after all?”

“…”

Shizuku asked me.

From her point of view, they may want me to rely on them without worrying about what I said to Shiraishi.

Kirasaka must have wondered the same thing since she remained silent without interrupting.

“That’s part of it.. also, because having the two of you on the top of being the one to get the faculty votes would raise a lot of questions.”

“Likewise… does that mean that Shinra-kun, with the two of us behind him, might end up having a strong influence within the organization?”

“Well, something like that.”

That’s what president said.
The reason she made me join the student council was because I am a person who isn’t influenced by the opinions of either the students or the council.

Since I was one of the few students who judged things from a third-party’s perspective, I fulfilled president’s requirements.

I don’t know if she was right or wrong in pointing this out.
However, even assuming I end up joining the next student council, what I could do is similar.

The student council, which is supposed to be in the link between the school and the students, should always be a third party so that it does not lean toward one side or the other.
Koizumi is adored by the students, and Miura supports him.

Shiraishi is a calculating person who is liked by both students and faculty, and the current organization is just barely on the student side.

If Yuuto joins, it will definitely be transformed into an organization for students.

I am not saying that it is wrong.
However, I wonder if it is correct.

“I don’t have any firm commitments or convictions to say. …I just want to be a neutral figure in the organization and act as a counterweight to prevent any biased opinions.”

So, I continued, addressing the two of them.

“So …I want you two to support me, and if the faculty members think even a little that even you both are recommending me, Shinra Minato, my words might reach them as well.”

The same goes for the president.

In order to make sure that my words don’t end up with the students snickering at me, I’ll make sure that my words are heard by showing that I have a connection with the president to both the students as well the faculties.

From there, my election to the student council will really take off.

“With that, I present my request to both of you.”

I announced again, taking a few steps ahead of them and turning around.

Shizuku clasped her hands together behind her body and Kirasaka crossed her arms as if urging me to continue.

What should I do…? I know what I want to say, but the words will inevitably sound strange to them.

But I cannot not say it.

“That’s why from now on I want you to stay by my side, not Yuuto’s…”

“Is this a proposal?”

“Are you proposing?”

“No.”

Why is it that only at times like these they are so in sync?

Nevertheless, I’m short on words.
I’ll try to supplement it and explain my intentions clearly.

“During elections, we set up a simple base with desks behind the speaker, right? I’d like you to sit there…”

What we do at that desk is put up our manifestos.

Koizumi and Shiraishi’s bases had a staff member who would distribute them to students who asked for support.

I want the two of them to be sitting there.

Although it would be a little far away, I wanted to create a silent perception among the students that the two people helping me are my supporters.

However, I would only ask the two of them to respond to questions from the students that they are assisting me.

It makes no sense to make it clear that they are fully supporting me, which would only bring in their popularity votes.
I would not be able to proudly say that I had won over Yuuto.

It is only to make sure that the students cannot ignore my words.
After that, I would have to make the second and third moves to make up the handicap little by little to win the game.

When I told the girls that I wanted them to stay by my side with this intention, they nodded in agreement.

“I understand… and I’ll do anything I can to help you together by your side, Minato-kun!”

“Thanks to you …I’m saved.”

“I don’t mind either, and would you like me to stand by your side 24/7 with our arms linked together?”

“Ah, no, that’s fine.”

Kirasaka said with a wicked smile on her face, and I immediately refused.
However, since that was the extent of her teasing, she smiled after a giggle.

It is crucial that I can officially entrust the two of them to help me in this way.

Now I can effectively direct the president as my second arrow and Shiraishi as my third.

“…Then, I’ll buy you something at the shopping district.”

“Really?”

“I’ve never had a skewer before. …I’ll get one at Oyasan’s.”

Both of their eyes lit up when I said I’d treat them.

…Gluttons

After giving a wry smile with a hint of amazement, I followed their backs as they walked enthusiastically to the shopping district, where the day came to an end.

<TL> : I’m saying this again, but by no way I consider my( machine obv. ) translations to be accurate. Like for example, I’ve translated 現金な子だ (‘Cash Child‘, Google-sama gave this ) as ‘Gluttons‘ here. I’m just trying to make it not look wonky and fit in the context properly.

Also, it may sound lame as an excuse for not posting yesterday but dad borrowed my laptop yesterday, really!! Anyway, I’ll also try to compensate this one too.

ToC

#187

The day of the student body president election.
The election for student body president was to be held today, a beautiful and disgustingly sunny day.

Around 450 students and dozens of teachers are gathered in the gymnasium.

The building was dimly lit, but the dazzling spotlight shone on the stage, where the speeches were to be made.

That is the stage for the two presidential candidates.

Koizumi and Shiraishi were seated on two seats prepared for them behind the stage.

Neither nervousness nor anxiety was expressed on their faces from what I sensed from the distant view of the two whom I could see since the curtain had already been lowered before their battle started.

After thanking the principal of our school, the facilitator proceeded as planned.
First, Koizumi’s supporting speaker, a male student, took the stage to talk about how he was the best choice for student body president.

It was a very orthodox speech, nothing unexpected.

The next speaker was a female student who was Shiraishi’s speaker.
I have read through her speech, though only briefly.
I have a rough recollection of the content, but most of it is the same.

However, in places, I reduced the excessive praises and said her to be modest but certainly worthy of a recommendation.

So far, it’s going well.　
Most of the students were listening to the speech in a rather casual way since the show had not started yet.

The next time the facilitator called Koizumi’s name, the atmosphere in the room changed.

He stood in front of the microphone with everyone’s eyes focused on him.

Both of them looked brave, dignified, and confident.
The two students were the majestic figures of the students as they spoke eloquently, regardless of the hundreds of stares from the other students.

Sitting on the floor of the gymnasium, one level below the stage, I watched from them from a distance as the lights were focused on those two in a darkened room.

Neither Koizumi’s usual feeble appearance nor Shiraishi’s calculated smile was visible.

There was Koizumi, trying his best to squeeze and conjure words in order to convey his thoughts to the students as they were.

The boy declared that he would continue on his efforts to create a comfortable environment for the students.
Revitalizing events and expanding the community to connect not only with the school but also with the surrounding region.

In a small rural town, community relations are also a significant issue.

Most of the students in the school could easily imagine Koizumi putting his energy into these activities.

That is exactly what he has done.
That is how much he has put in over these years.

The students know that he followed in the footsteps of his seniors, who excelled in overwhelming talent, popularity, and personality, and continued to support them by her side.

The pressure and expectations of being in charge of the next generation, and his willingness to meet them head on, touched the hearts of the students.

And then he delivered his final closing words.

“I want to be the kind of student body president that …the younger students look up to.”

I want to be the student that the next generation of students think of as such, just as I was thinking.
It sounded to me like the words from a second-year student named Koizumi transitioned to those of a third-year student named Hiiragi.

Leave the rest to me, as if he is what he spoke behind those words.

The other girl said something different to the students than I expected.
We want individuality, charm that others don’t have.

For a moment, I remembered the day of the summer vacation when I first met this girl.
I remembered her willingness to pretend to be someone else, for the sake of her ideals.

However, after a few seconds, I knew otherwise.
Her words were not just those practiced ones, but they had a seriousness that spoke to me, exposing her true feelings.

A change of heart or growth maybe…?
However, it can still be considered good for this election.

She has no accumulated experience or accomplishments, and her superficially pretty words won’t resonate with the students.

If that is the case, it might be better for her to put her true feelings into words as they are.

Shiraishi’s vision for the student council and the school is to develop individuality correctly.

In this school, where many students are blessed with individual talent, for better or worse, there are many students who are not able to display their individuality fully and abilities due to their strong brilliance.

She wants to make the school a place where such students can shine properly.

In addition, she would like to create a student council that is more advanced than the previous ones, where students with outstanding abilities work together and are involved in the management.

She has not given up her original idea of an ideal student council, but her mind has changed to the idea of discovering hidden talents instead of just sticking to the ideal.

And finally, she added this.

“I won’t say that I will definitely make this school better …I’ll probably make mistakes. Still, because I’m a first-year student, I can take failure as an experience and grow as a person.”

“Please cast your votes …for that possibility,” the girl concluded, bowing down her head and stepping down from the stage.

The lights went out, and gradually the entire gymnasium was lit up.
The entire gymnasium was filled with applause for their speeches and efforts so far.

As soon as I think about the fact that I am going to be in a situation similar to this one, I feel sick and a sense of uneasiness fills my brain, I shook my head to ward it off.

“…Good job.”

I was not sure if I could just say it like that, I muttered to myself as I clapped in the midst of the students with such thoughts in my mind.

The third year students at the end of the line returned to their classrooms in order, and after this, the students moved on to voting by their grades.

After making sure that all the students had left, the two candidates, the teachers, and the student council members stayed behind to clean up.

However, there are only a few things to clean, and the six of us, the two who have been briefed by the faculty about the announcement of the winners, President, me, Miura, and Hino-kun, gathered without being called out…

“Well, both of you, first of all, thank you for all your hard work on the campaign, it was brilliant, including your last speech.”

President expressed her appreciation for their hard work, and Miura and Hino-kun nodded in agreement.

“I was so nervous…”

“Yes, I was too…”

The two relaxed their shoulders when they heard those words.
They let out a deep breath, looked at each other, and smiled.

Miura and Hino-kun called out to Koizumi, and I called out to Shiraishi.

“I was surprised, …but I expected something like a school reform type of thing to be mixed in.”

“I was thinking that too …at least until last Friday.”

Shiraishi let out a sigh differently and stared at me with half-open eyes.
…Oh, is it my fault?

Come to think of it, I was the one who assured her that pretty words wouldn’t do.
I thought she would change the content for the better, just as a reference, but it seems to have made a good impression on her.

However, all that was left for the participants to do was to wait for the results.

With a somewhat relieved expression on her face, Shiraishi said.

“So, how was my speech, senpai?”

“…That’s a lot of eloquence coming from a guy who hides her personality.”

“Thank you very much for your honest feedback.”

The way she smiled and said back nonchalantly showed that the conversation up to this point had been calculated.

I turned away from her with a wry smile on my face.

The teachers also left the gymnasium one after another after the cleanup was finished and headed for the exit.

Shiraishi then started to follow in their footsteps. I quickly threw a few words at her.

“…By the way, there’s a frog near your feet.”

“Ussuee!?”

…What’s with that way of shouting?
I gave her a sneer as if to tease her for still being slow to respond to sudden situations, and then left the gymnasium.

There was someone shouting angrily behind me, but it was probably just my imagination.

After each grade finished voting, normal classes were held afterwards.
However, the restless atmosphere among the students continued throughout the school.

Truly, it is a strange thing about human beings that they seem to spend their time leisurely when they aren’t involved.
They say that people’s misfortune tastes like honey, and that’s exactly what it is.

One side rejoices, the other laments.
While praising and consoling them, they are secretly enjoying the situation, and that is what makes it so bad.

At least, I hope that the situation will be less of a problem when the results come out this time, and the day gets over.

It is past three O’clock in the afternoon.
If it is as usual, it is almost time for the results to be announced over the announcement system.
I sat in my seat in the classroom and waited, observing the classroom.

Kirasaka was reading a book as usual, while Shizuku looked somewhat uncomfortable and looked at me several times.

Yuuto is in his place, engaged in conversation with his classmates.

As all the students were waiting for the moment when the results are announced when the sound of an announcement echoes throughout the school.

[We have the results of the student body president election, please wait a moment longer as it is taking a while for the votes to be counted.]

“Did …they make a miscalculation?”

“Alternatively, they are recounting the votes again because the difference is not that big”

Kirasaka replied to my mutterings.
Indeed, the possibility cannot be ruled out.

The only thing is, waiting in the classroom for this situation is a bit stifling.

Grabbing my luggage I moved to a less popular area where I could hear the school’s announcements easily.

Yes, it’s the rooftop.

Here I am, on the rooftop.
As I thought, not a single person was there. I wonder if the students don’t have the idea of using the rooftop in this school.

I went into the shade of the building and sat down.
It was a little hot and humid, but it was better than being in the classroom.

After spending some time alone for a while, the sound of the door opening reached my ears.
I was surprised to see Shiraishi on the rooftop.

“Ah…”

Shiraishi, who explained what I had in mind, sat next to me.
I don’t know what her true intentions were, whether she was uncomfortable in class or wanted to hear the results in a quiet place, but I’m sure she had something on her mind.

There was no conversation, and the rooftop was filled with nothing but the sound of the wind, the buzzing of insects, and the noise from campus.

Every second seemed longer because I’m honestly curious about the outcome.

Then the sound of another announcement came over the speakers.
This should be the last one, the results.

[Thank you for your patience, we are now announcing the results of the presidential election…]

Over the speakers, I hear the sound of rustling and tally sheets being picked up.

The casual sound and the momentary pause in the announcement made me anxious and frustrated.
However, it was also interrupted by the sensation of something tugging my shirt.

When I turned my eyes, I saw Shiraishi slightly gripping my uniform with her right hand, and her eyes were tightly closed.

She looked as if she was praying to God, and I realized that the irritation I was feeling was trivial compared to her.

[The next student body president is Koizumi Shoichi, a second-year student.]

The announcement repeated.
The cheers of the students who were cheering for Koizumi echoed to the rooftop.

The result was declared.

However, I could not look at Shiraishi sitting next to me, nor could I say anything to her.

“…”

She herself was also downcast and silent.
But, it only took a few moments for her face to rise, and it was laced with a wry smile.

“I see, …so I’ve lost.”

“…”

“I did my best though.”

I can’t tell Shiraishi, whose voice was gradually getting quieter and quieter, that she did her best and it was fine.
Words without sympathy are meaningless.

I don’t know how hard she has worked.
I know what she has done on the surface, but I don’t know how hard she has worked behind the scenes.

If I offer words of encouragement without being able to empathize with her, it will only make her feel uncomfortable.
So I told her in my own words.

“Whether there is a difference of one vote or ten votes, the result is the same, and not all of your hard work will be rewarded.”

“…”

“But, …I think you should get it off your mind … it was honestly cool how you looked when you spoke up on the stage.”

It was really cool.
Although being a first-year student, the sight of her speaking without hesitation and full of confidence must surely be burned into the minds of the students.

No one would make fun of her.
So, Shiraishi should just stand tall.

That’s what I wanted to tell her, but words and conversation are difficult.

“…Senpai speaks so glibly where it doesn’t matter, …but you’re so clumsy when it comes to this kind of thing.”

“Shut up…”

Shiraishi says teasingly, with a single tear gradually falling from her eyes.
As if a dam that she had been suppressing had burst, she shuddered, stifling her voice without wiping away the tears that were falling one after the other.

When I shifted my gaze to the side to check on her and I caught a glimpse of long black hair and a paperback book at the entrance to the rooftop, which was far away.

These girls must have come to the rooftop, too.

However, they were careful not to show themselves until Shiraishi had stopped crying.

After a while, Shiraishi stood up with red eyes and a clear expression on her face.

“Now it’s senpai’s turn, don’t lose, okay?”

“Well, …I’ll try my best.”

After exchanging few words back to Shiraishi, she nodded and turned back.
Then she bowed to the two girls at the entrance to the rooftop and left.

I am sure she will go back to class and pretend to be the usual smiling Momiji Shiraishi, and then all alone and cry again.

That is how strongly she felt about the student council.

However, even if she is not the president, she still has to support Koizumi this time as vice president.
She must not end up in tears.

When I see both Shizuku and Kirasaka walking up to me, I stand up, stretch out, and breathe.

“I’m a senpai after all. …Shall we do our best?”

As if telling myself, I declared it in a voice that no one could hear and then stepped towards the two of them.
I raised my hand and greeted them both before heading home.

And thus, the election for the Student Council President of Sakuranaoka Academy came to an end.

ToC

#186

<TL>: Author notes contained something about promotion of an app to support him, y’all don’t need to worry about that, it’s been discontinued a long time ago from what I could find.

He also promoted his twitter account, he occasionally posts about this novel there, so I’ll leave a link to it here.

Also, sorry for not being able to post yesterday, I’ll try compensate for it if I find time.

For a few months, I have been waiting for regularly at one-sided appointment at a cafe in front of the station.
There is no one beside me as I sit across a small table in the store.

I had Shizuku and Kirasaka waiting for me at a little distance.

As I looked out the window at the aisle on the school side, I saw a familiar figure running toward me.

The figure approached the cafe and checked the interior from the outside from a distance before quietly entering.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, it’s bad of me to ask you so suddenly too…”

Having immediately caught her eye since I was sitting by the window, Shiraishi came into the store and sat across me.

As she did so, she looked around the restaurant to spot Shizuku and Kirasaka, and she did not forget to bow to them.

The waiter walked upto us to confirm our order, I ordered an iced coffee and waited for it to arrive.

As Shiraishi moistened her throat after putting in the gum syrup in the coffee that she received and waited for me to start the story.

“Can I expect something from senpai at this time?”

“…I can just say that I think it’s completely different from what you’re expecting.”

I couldn’t talk about it in detail in a crowd, but I must have given her expectations, so I’ll tell her now.

Shiraishi didn’t seem disappointed about that and proceeded to listen to my story casually.

“So, what are we talking about?”

“Aah…”

I was thinking about how to proceed, but there was no use in prolonging the explanation, so I just stated the conclusion.

“Me and Yuuto have decided to run in the election …for the same position.”

“Heh…”

Shiraishi sips her coffee as if she were leisurely enjoying the aroma.
A smile on her lips showed her composure, but I soon knew otherwise.

“What? Eh? Election? …Eh, hey, you —are you stupid!?”

“I was going to say you…”

The coffee that should have been in her mouth, spilled out, leaving her with an astonished face.
Unforeseen circumstances are just that.

I guess Shiraishi had anticipated what to expect when she came to this place in advance.

However, when I told her a story completely along different lines than she had expected, she reacted in the way I had imagined, to the point of being amusing.

I mean, it’s dirty.
Let’s drink properly, okay? I’m worried about your old age.

“With Ogiwara-senpai! No, there are plenty of positions to begin with, yet on the same one!”

“Well, of course it should be like that.”

It’s a natural question.
If I were in her situation, I would have asked the same question.

That said, I could only laugh bitterly because I knew what she was trying to say.

“You’re an idiot, You’re an idiot, you’re really an idiot.”

“You’re a hippo.” <TL: lmao>

“…”

…Just kidding.

The silence was painful not only because of the cold stare directed at me from Shiraishi, but also because it included one from a little distance away too.

We have to be serious and keep the conversation serious.

“I know you have a lot to say, but for now, just listen.”

“Wa wa…”

After saying this, Shiraishi took another sip of coffee, perhaps to calm herself, and straightened her posture.

After confirming this, I briefly and with a great deal of abbreviation told her about what had happened so far.

“So, you know… it’s like a fight that I cannot lose, and it’s a man-to-man kind of thing. That’s the gist of it?”

“No, I can’t understand it at all, I mean, how can anyone understand what you just described?”

Come on it’s not that difficult, why’re you looking at me like I’m some kind of weirdo?
To say that your senpai at the high school are arguing and then fighting in the student council elections in a battle of wills is a bit embarrassing.

I glanced at the seats away from me and saw two figures with blatantly disappointed shoulders.

“I’m talking purely about winning and losing elections.”

“W-Well, if Shinra-senpai is okay with it, then it’s not really my place to interject…”

Then she clammed up, as if reluctant to say so.
I guess Shiraishi, who has been campaigning until now, has her own point of view.

Without any rush, she opened her mouth modestly, waiting for me to continue.

“…You’ll lose, maybe.”

“…Maybe.”

I leaned back and looked away from Shiraishi.
Outside the window, a very normal everyday life unfolds.

If you showed these people the pictures and asked them which one they would vote for, the result would be the same.

It was easy to imagine that they would vote for Yuuto in nine out of ten cases.

Shiraishi seemed to think that I had called her to give this briefing, and she was searching for words.
Whether it was comforting or encouraging, I don’t know.

However, that’s not all that I’m here to say.

“So, now onto the topic I called you for.”

“Is there something else?”

Maybe she didn’t want to hear it, she kept her face down.
At this time she probably didn’t want to hear about any more troublesome matters.

From her point of view, she would want to focus all her attention on the presidential election that was coming up at the end of the week.

Therefore, I should first eliminate this groundless fear.
With that in mind, I put it into words.

“What I want to ask you to do is after the election, so you really don’t have to worry about it until then.”

“…”

‘Really?’ I felt as if she was asking that tome with her gaze.
Whether or not she wants to hear the rest of this story, that is her choice.

She can leave at this point since I cannot force her to do anything.

However, if she is willing to listen to me, I have expectations, and I promise to cooperate with her requests within the limits of what is possible, as a matter of course.

That is one reason I did not deny her expectations at the beginning of the conversation.

Shiraishi sighs as if she has given up, as if the meeting has come to an end.
Then, taking out a scheduler and notepad from her bag, she nodded as if urging me to talk.

“Simply put, I’d like to ask for your help in the elections.”

“Is that in terms of manpower? Or do you mean in terms of votes?”

“To tell you the truth, it’s both, but if I had to say which, I’d say it’s the personnel …or Shiraishi’s connections to be exact.”

I don’t belong to any clubs or committees and I have no connections with other grades.
If third years are not involved in the elections, then I should devote my efforts to making connections with first years.

I am sorry to say but Hino-kun is not in a position where I can expect much from him, so it is inevitable that I will have to rely on Shiraishi.

This is similar to how Shiraishi used the connection between me and Shizuku and the others before.

This alone is not enough of an advantage for her to change her mind about wanting to join Yuuto’s side.

So, before she could utter anything, I picked up a pen on the tabletop.
At the same time, I took out an appropriate printout from my bag and wrote down the numbers on the back side.

“I assume that the current presidential election is expected to be about a 50-50 split, although this is just my personal opinion.”

“Yes, but …it’s leaning a little more towards Koizumi-senpai.”

“So, what’s the reason according to you?”

This is a question from me to Shiraishi.
To which Shiraishi nodded and continued naturally.

“It’s the difference in our popularity.”

“No, it’s the difference in your language.”

I immediately dismissed her opinion.
I said this without losing my aggressive gaze because this was my personal opinion as I stated earlier.

Shiraishi looked displeased with my reaction, but she seemed to have decided to accept it as a valuable opinion and remained silent.

“The fact that you both are competing well till the last day of the campaign means that the outcome could very well change depending on the speeches on the day of the election. And the difference in votes between Koizumi and Shiraishi could be due to the random votes of students who don’t care about the election.”

“Haa…”

Student elections are popularity rankings.
There is no doubt about this.

However, for the students who are not interested in the election, it doesn’t matter what the popularity ranking is, they will put in the name they know when they have to choose which one to put in.

How many of those votes you can get depends on your speech on that day.

That is why language makes a difference.
The ones that make a good impression and the ones that do not…

Being a near indifferent guy myself, I know that pretty words don’t resonate with them.

Rather, they are more likely to create a bad impression.

Koizumi is cautious with his words, for better or worse.
He chooses his words with consideration for the people around him, so as not to give at least a bad impression to any person he meets.

This is the reason he does not leave a strong impression, but Shiraishi is different.
She is straightforward, right to the point of being really annoying.

I felt it so much in my first meeting with her.

A correct way of thinking is a prerequisite for an election, but students are at an age when they tend to take it in a twisted way.

It may be just a rough figure.
The number I wrote down based on what I thought, it was 200 to 200.

“I think it might be okay to think this is the current situation.”

I circled around the remaining numbers, about fifty, and looked at her for a reaction.
It’s psychological warfare from here.

Get her on board and focus her attention on the election.
The results would determine which side she would side with.

“Do you know what you’re going to say in your speech?”

“In case you need to know, I have a copy…”

She said and held out the copied sheets of paper.
I checked the contents from above, marked a few words, and handed it back to her.

“Excellent, well-liked, popular, …these kinds of words might be better used at a minimum, …excessive praise is counterproductive.”

“…I see.”

“Students who have already decided which way they’re going to vote by today are unlikely to shift their votes after days of speeches, so one last bad move is going to be to change who they’re paying attention to.”

I’d like to add one last thing, and that’s to finish what I’ve been saying.
It is not at all certain or reliable information, just my personal opinion.

There is no need to go along with it, but I have to use it accordingly to get onto to the negotiations, otherwise I would not even be able to step into the ring.

As long as Shiraishi admires Yuuto’s ability, I would have to present the merits of my recommendation, even if it’s in a different direction.

“And, well, that’s all I wanted to talk about here, …I’ll leave the rest of the decision up to you.”

“Eh, are you done?”

“It’s over. …I’m not asking you to give me an answer today. For now, let’s just meet up with the rest.”

The two girls sitting where my finger was pointing seemed to be having rather a unusual conversation.
As I stood up with the slip in my luggage, Shiraishi looked up at me and gave me a surprised look.

“Senpai, so you can talk that long, can’t you?”

“Is that your impression of me…”

I was a fool to expect even the slightest word of praise.
I sighed and proceeded to lead the way, and she hurriedly followed behind me.

For Shiraishi, it was the last weekend before the day of judgment.
What was an ordinary weekend for me, must have been two days full of anticipation and anxiety for her.

But, the hours of the day remain the same.
Morning comes, afternoon passes, evening comes, and night comes.

Thus, the two days passed in the blink of an eye, and at last the day of the presidential election arrived.

ToC

#185

It’s not the result, but the process that matters.
These would be the words of a passionate teacher or a teenage superhero.

However, in my case, the result is everything that matters.
Without results, there won’t be any meaning to it, and results are the best proof of victory.

Winning the election against Ogiwara Yuuto is an necessary, so I don’t care if I am called cowardly, despicable, or shameless in the process.

I got up from my seat to substitute for the president and wrote down the figures on the whiteboard set up in the student council room.

There are about 450 students in the school.
The number of first-year and second-year students alone is about 300.
Add the teachers add to the total of 330 votes.

This is the total number of votes cast in our school’s student council member election.
Against Yuuto, simply winning most of these votes would mean a clear victory.

This result is absolute, and if I manage to get those numbers, it is my win, simple.
That is why, above all, we must gain the interest of the students and the support of the faculty.

The biggest challenge now is to find the conditions necessary for this and the strategy itself…

“….Let’s drop the straightforward approach.”

Standing in the front, on the stage, making a speech, attracting the attention of those around, gaining popularity, and getting votes.

This is a simple, straightforward, and truly orthodox approach, but it can’t be used here.

There were several reasons for this, but the first of the three reasons who everyone will be convinced of is.

“As soon as Yuuto and I clash head-on, it’ll be a game over.”

“It’s true that the attention given to Shinra-kun and Ikemen-kun will be like heaven and earth.

Whether she was agreeing with me or teasing me, Kirasaka told this as a matter of fact.
President and Shizuku nodded in agreement.

“Given Yuuto’s personality, he will probably perform his campaign grandly, talking about his ideal school life and gathering students who agree. Naturally, he will have a lot of supportive students from our and the other grades too.”

The number is too unpredictable.
There is too little information to indicate how popular he is in the other grades.

However, if we assume that the students who surround him regularly will join, the number of students will be more than 10 to 20.

On the other hand, the number of people on my side is less, but their abilities are at the highest level in the school year.

No matter how many helpers my opponent needs and gathers, that’s not the point.

“The reason why I said earlier that I would ask Shizuku and Kirasaka to work behind the scenes ….is because they are indispensable in order to gather as many teacher votes as the president has said.”

This is an election of students, but teachers will also be voting.
It’s contradictory, but the school’s intention is clearly visible.

After all, high school students are nothing more than a group or community of underage children.

They need to be guided by someone with experience and lead them in the right direction.

The president said that the faculty vote is valuable because it has the indirect effect of giving students a bigger hold on their influence by letting them know who they trust and value to lead them.

So, how can I, who does not have a high student profile, win the maximum number of votes from the students?

The quickest way is to get the support of the teachers.

Ogiwara Yuuto is needlessly talented, well-liked, and has no problems with associating with others.

Shinra Minato, on the other hand, is an unremarkable student, with few areas in which he excels in be it in terms of grades or athletic ability.

This is how the teachers evaluate us.

They do not include our appearance, but just our qualities as individuals.

That’s why there is still room for me.

“Honestly, I wonder what a charismatic personality is from a teacher’s point of view.”

This was a question directed at Shizuku and the president.
The reason one of them is not included is because she has a problem with human interactions.

Don’t worry, it’s not that big of a reason.

“When asked what it is …hmm…”

“That’s a question I don’t really want to answer.”

Shizuku puts her hand on her mouth and looks as if she is thinking, and the president giggled.

It must be tough to be popular.

If I was to give my opinion, I have one.

“I think student charisma is tricky nowadays. It’s tough for them when they are looking out for their students’ and parents’ interests.”

If I were a faculty member, assuming I were in a position to vote, I would not vote for Yuuto.
That is without any bias as Shinra Minato.

He is a charismatic student among the students, and his academics and behavior are excellent.

He never turns down a request for advice or a favor, accepts it with a smile, and is truly a central figure in the school year.

Normally, this would seem to be the best choice.
However, it comes with risks.

He is a major figure among the students, he is someone loved by everyone and he acts accordingly.

He may take on the problems and even the dissatisfaction that students have with the school and its teachers, and act on them.

He does what is genuinely good.
He is so disgustingly righteous and straightforward that it is alarming.

No matter what place it is, as long as it is a place where many people gather, they tend to hide their mistakes and problems trying to live normally.

Ogiwara Yuuto is the one who points them out and works to improve their situation.

For the students, that should be what he should do.
Not for the sake of the faculty, but for the students, the people with whom he is most closely associated.

I am not denying that.
However, there are those who disagree.

There are people who don’t want that to happen.
So, that’s where I come in.

Certainly, as a student, I don’t have a high opinion of myself.

It is neither good nor bad.

However, I think this means that the faculty can entrust me to be a member of the student council with almost no risk.

Maybe it’s the negative image I get from hearing about my overvaluation and the unfavorable position of teachers that makes me think that, but it is what I think.

On the contrary, there are rare cases, like Akane Hiiragi.

She has overwhelming talent, charisma, and consideration for those around her, and is able to execute all of these perfectly and completely, while at the same time remaining neutral and not letting her personal feelings get in the way.

It is this overwhelming ability that makes President, the president, and Yuuto is no exception.

Another scary factor is not the president’s position, but those around it.

It is wrong for an organization to operate if the president becomes a mere decoration and the assistant positions run the organization.

Well, that’s just a theory and a possibility.

I can’t make a judgment on this until I actually try to have a talk with her and see how she responds.

“For the time being, today I came to the president to receive the documents, to negotiate for help, and to explain my thoughts on the two. …Full-scale activities will come after the presidential election, as president said.”

Moreover, we need to get the next one to agree to come over to our side today.

The sooner the better, and since the campaign for the presidential election is in its phase, we need to get a move on, today.

Not to sound ungrateful, but the likelihood of her being on the other side after the presidential election is over, and still being excellent at it, will be a problem later on.

I told the three of them and stood up. They stood up as well.

“I’ll go tell the teachers in charge that Ogiwara and Shinra want to run for a seat. Rest assured, I’ll also see how the staff members react.”

“I haven’t said it yet …but please.”

Apparently she knew what I wanted her to do.
President waved her hand and walked out of the student council room.

The three of us are now together. Shizuku and Kirasaka looked at me as if to confirm our next move.

“…I think I’ll go and see how our juniors are doing.”

When I said this, Shizuku and Kirasaka looked blatantly disgusted.
It’s been easy to understand lately.

The two still seemed to be uncomfortable with Shiraishi as they started to walk along me with heavy footsteps.

“Do we really need that girl too?”

Kirasaka asked me as we were moving down the corridor.
I nodded in reply, and Shizuku then spoke up.

“Sure, in terms of getting first-year students to vote, we want a student who is the center figure to follow us, but …is that okay?”

“…”

The girls have a negative image of the ideal student council that Shiraishi first told them about.
Naturally, they’re still holding onto that, so it’s normal for her to be Yuuto’s side.

I don’t understand Shiraishi well enough to say that bringing such a person over to our side won’t cause some kind of problem.

“Well, we’ll see how it goes.”

If something goes wrong, it’ll be my fault in terms of choosing the right people, and it won’t be their fault.　
I answered with a sense of optimism, a deep sigh could be heard after that.

“Thank you! I’m Momiji Shiraishi, please take care of me.”

I was wondering about my next action in front of the school gate, watching a girl who approached each student from a bit of a distance.
Talking to her normally would be disturbing, but waiting until is over would also be a hassle.

If that were the case, we would inevitably have to take action now.
However, the two girls behind me were completely distracted.

In fact, the two of them were observing the flowers in the ikebana arrangement and competing with each other to see who could take the best picture with their smartphone.

“You don’t have a shred of sense.”

“It’s that kind of useless knowledge that makes for weird photos.”

“…”

Really, you guys have no interest in the elections.
Well, I can’t complain about since I was just like you.

The only way is to talk to Shiraishi about it directly.
So I decided to go ahead and approach her.

My aim is to go straight for her amongst the group gathered in front of the school gate.

Several people were forming a messy line, shaking hands and cheering her. I decided to join that line as well.

“Thank you! I’ll do my best!”

The girl, who clenched her fists in encouragement from one of the boys, then turned her attention to the next in line.

“…Please do your best”

“Tha— What are you doing here?”

“No, I’m just here to encourage you.”

You don’t have to look so blatantly disgusted.
You’re also using honorifics like Hino-kun.

Shiraishi hesitated as she shook the hand I was offering, but then changed her expression as the gazes of those around her began to gather.　

Now, Shiraishi’s face that should have been perfectly calculated and smiling most prettily at me.

“Thank you soooo much.”

“What’s with that ‘soooo’, you don’t normally speak like a cute little character, do you?”

“…You didn’t even catch it until I emphasized it…”

No, I’m sorry.
I ain’t uninterested!

She was going to get angry if I told her, so I decided get past it and simply tell her what I wanted to talk.

“I need to talk to you about the election… so meet me at the cafe in front of the station after you’re done with this.”

“Eh, eeh! …Hmm? Election? W-wait, senpai — Oh, thank you very much!”

I walked away, leaving Shiraishi, who couldn’t reply properly, as she was dealing with the student who had offered words of support to Shiraishi after me.

I interceded appropriately for Shizuku and Kirasaka who were still arguing about their competition, and then walked away from the school.

The next is the second most important phase for the day.

I started walking towards the station, which is in the opposite direction than I usually go, hoping that these two wouldn’t say something strange.

ToC

#184

“…I know it’s a rough idea, but that’s how the conversation went…”

“Hmm, it was really rough and fragmented, but somehow I got the gist.”

She nodded and showed a smile after I gave her a rough explanation of the circumstances that led up to today.
No, this person is really quite easy to deal with any worries of being asked any unnecessary questions.

After sharing the minimum amount of information necessary for her to understand, we moved on to the main topic.

“…I came here to tell you that I’m running for election as a council member, but to tell you the truth, I really don’t know anything about the elections.”

“Knowledge is certainly important. Words play an important role in determining the image in other person’s eyes.”

For the students who are not involved in this event it’s just one of those events.
The purpose is just entertainment, and there is no way they would bother to go out of their way to gather information that has nothing to do with them.

I am one of them.

I know whatever because I go involved in the organization, and I never knew anything about this before.

The President, sitting alone on her expensive-looking chair, leans her body against the backrest.

Our gazes meet, I feel like she can see everything through me. That is the one thing I don’t like about her.
I guess I feel that way because she has a better eye for observation than most people.

“However, I feel like this is too reckless a challenge to recommend, even without any personal feelings involved.”

“I’m sure it is. …It’s only natural since I’m going up against Yuuto.”

The difference in our abilities is obvious.

I, too, wonder what a person I am, going out of my way to compete in a game where I know the obvious outcome.

President, who smiles slightly at my dismissive attitude, pulls out a document from her desk drawer.

The title of the document was “Student Council Officer Election Candidacy Form”.

“I’ll give it to you, but I’ll have to hear what you have to say before I accept it back.”

“Then, I’ll accept it on the assumption that the president will also give me a hand with it, is that okay?”

“Yes, leave everything to your onee-san.”

President said with a sly grin.
At that moment, I wondered why I felt chills on my back.

“…”

Yep, it isn’t my imagination.
Those two are completely glancing at me with a murderous gaze from behind.

They look dangerous.

“It’s for the election, you know…?”

I added as a supplement.
However, it was effective, I felt the stares from Shizuku and Kirasaka soften slightly.

Nerve-racking is what this is.
Let’s not joke around in front of these guys.

“I’m more efficient and time-saving when I’m alone, but will you guys be there too?”

President jokingly asks them.
Neither the ignoring Kirasaka nor the smiling Shizuku, are here.

There are two girls with cold gazes and expressions on their faces that don’t get the joke.

They are completely toyed around by the president.
It seems that this onee-san senpai, doesn’t get bothered from the cold stares of the two juniors.

The two girls were being played as a joke with dignity in the student council room.

“I’ll leave the jokes at that and start with the explanation. Please ask your questions at the end.”

“…”

I made a comfortable posture and closed my eyelids, just as president did.

I focused just on my ears and blocked out any unnecessary thought processes.

Now, I’ll just try to memorize the information diligently.

“The first thing, is that third-year students are not eligible to vote in member elections, and as for the second one, the teachers and the second years will vote instead.”

The president held up a finger and continued her explanation, starting with the first.

“It is peculiar to this school that the third graders do not have the right to vote. The presidential election is decided by the consensus of all the students of the school, but the members are left to the students who will lead the next generation. …Honestly, I’m busy with taking exams and getting a job besides spending the last school life. “

With a sigh of relief, the president moves on to the next explanation.
The second finger was raised and the words came out smoothly.

“Next is the teacher’s vote. Strictly speaking, this corresponds to the homeroom teacher, deputy homeroom teacher, and the teacher in charge of the student organization. Since part-time teachers are not included in this, so the total of about ten people in each grade is about 30 votes.

“Thirty…”

In terms of numbers, not many.
Not surprisingly, the students are many times than that.

However, there is no doubt that the vote is worth more than a few, as the president raises it in a different way from the presidential election.

“The other things to keep in mind are the same as in the presidential race: no fundraising, no campaigning before the announcement of candidacies, and the elections won’t be held until the results of the presidential election are known.”

President gave a final supplementary explanation, and then the right to speak was transferred onto me.
I opened my closed eyelids and thought about some of the questions I had.

“How does the faculty vote look from the president’s point of view?”

“If I maybe so bold to suggest, then I would like you to get a lot of the teacher’s votes. Third-year club members are retiring this summer, so inevitably it is the sophomores and freshmen who have a lot to do with teachers. …The students that teachers promote naturally extend to club activities.”

…That is it.

At Sakuranaoka Academy, which focuses on club activities, most homeroom teachers and assistant homeroom teachers are advisors for some kind of club activity.

This would completely go down the route of a guaranteed loser.
Something has to be done about the teachers’ votes.

“What about the loss of the third grade vote, electorally speaking?”

I mean, I never knew that third-year students don’t vote in officer elections until I just heard about it.
I thought they usually voted in member elections, like last year.

The president laughed at my unfounded fears.

“This could be an advantage for Shinra as well, since the lack of votes from the third-year students means that there will be fewer students who will be attracted to Ogiwara. Fortunately, the first-year students are still not as familiar with the school’s internal affairs, so their votes are more likely to drift.”

It’s an annual trend, said president, adding in a few words.
Certainly, it is an advantage if I think about it like that.

Still, Yuuto Ogiwara’s name value has a tremendous effect on campus.
It is an advantage that is too little to be optimistic about.

“I want to ask something too. I understand from what you said earlier that you are not running for position because of jokes, memories, etc., but is it safe to assume that you are running because you have more or less a chance of winning?”

“…I wouldn’t be doing this if there wasn’t a chance.”

“Then, are they included in your predictions…”

Her eyes shifted from me to the two people on the sofa.
Completely caught off guard, they straightened their posture and confronted the president.

The reason why the girls were dissatisfied before even coming to this room is probably because the first person I mentioned as a cooperator was Shiraishi.

From my point of view, they didn’t leave the classroom when Yuuto left the room, so I judged that they were on my side and didn’t dare ask say a word…

Yes, I feel embarrassed now.
I don’t have a protagonist’s plot armor to say something like, “You guys are on my side, right?” and get them to my side.

“They…”

“…”

“….”

Hearing my words, the two girls vigorously turned their gazes from the president to me.

It was so sudden that it almost sounded like a their neck snapped.

In the extremely awkward atmosphere where all the expectant eyes were focused on one me, the words that emerged were.

“…They’re my assistants.”

“I’m going home.”

“I’m leaving.”

“It’s a lie! They’re my strength, overflowing with unlimited potential.”

If anything, they have an unlimited number of sword and whatnot inside, or as far as Kirasaka is concerned, she has her sharp words.

It’s already limitless and whatnot.

After telling them of the quick amendment, the two of them reluctantly sat down.

Their gazes were completely hostile, but after making sure they understood that I was joking, I turned to the president and showed her a nod.

“That’s right, but I think we’ll be asking the girls to do exactly that, behind the scenes.”

The girls are a necessary condition for the path I’ve thought of that will lead us to a winning outcome.
However, if I rely entirely on them, I will be neglecting the promise I made to Shiraishi.

No matter what anyone says, this is my absolute rule.
I said I would abandon my pride, but I will not break my promise.

If Shiraishi isn’t dependent on them for the elections, then of course I don’t want to win against Yuuto because of them either.

Shizuku and Kirasaka may have sensed this sentiment and let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t mind. Rather. I’d be happy if it helps Minato-kun.”

“Kanazaki-san, guess what …he’s also a boy, right? “

…You’re mistaken about that.

I’m a boy, so do you think I’m doing this because I want to look good in front of girls?

I’m not. I just don’t want to break my promise.

The president also heard Kirasaka’s words and muttered, “I see”, and on the contrary, I let out a sigh.
I’ll explain it to both of them later and make sure they understand.

However, at this point, the priority should be the senpai in front of me.
After listening to what the president had to say and remembering the words she spoke earlier, I began to make a proposal like a salesman.

“Here’s what I wanted to discuss. …You said that you would remain neutral, so to speak, in the presidential election, right?”

“…That’s a misleading way to put it, but it’s roughly correct.”

The president nodded and said.
At that moment, an evil smile came to my mind regardless of my true intentions.

Seeing this, the president also braced herself and waited for the next words.

“If you are not going to interfere in the presidential elections, then that means you don’t mind if you interfere in the election of the board members, right?”

Yes, it’s is a childish interpretation.
However, it would be a useful follow-up strategy for someone like the president, who values the importance of her words and statements.

“No… that’s…”

“President… the third graders don’t vote, do they? If so, it shouldn’t be unfair if the president recommends someone, right?”

I linked my words together without any pause.

It is difficult to get president on our side except if I don’t overcome my momentary fears and go head-on using words with my full might in a situation like this.

“Now, well that’s decided, let’s formulate a strategy, or rather, the strategy itself is formulated, so the three of you can point out any problems and I’ll fix them.”

I spoke quickly and gave no room for interruptions.

I gestured to Shizuku and Kirasaka to take a seat nearby.
Without refusing, the two moved over and sat down nearby.

“But…”

President still showed hesitation, as if she couldn’t take the final step.
Somehow, I haven’t seen this person’s greatness up close yet, so let’s have this opportunity to have her play an active part.

Since the arranged marriage has gone according to her plans, shouldn’t I get a turn?

Looking at me, who had completely started the conversation assuming her as a part, she let out one last breath of resignation and said with a wry smile.

“Since, I’m going to be a part of this, and I’m going to make sure that you follow the rules, okay?”

“Of course…”

…We’re screwed.
I really began to think that I was starting to turn into something completely villainous.

ToC

#183

The three of them, except for me, were standing there with a shocked expression on their faces.

It seems that the announcement of my candidacy for the student council was a shocking statement even to them.

“I’m going to be running for the president’s assistant position, …since it’s currently that, and I don’t think anyone will even run for it.”

Many students wouldn’t even know that such a position existed in the first place.
Also, if I get in as an assistant, I don’t have to worry about being in the same position as Hino and the rest of the current council members.

Yuuto didn’t seem to be aiming for any particular position either, so when I suggested this, he nodded his head.

“But Minato, are you serious about this?”

“Super duper serious, you know…”

If it was a joke, it would’ve been a seriously bad one.
For once, there were no lies, and it was a genuine announcement of my candidacy for the for the student council.

The number of students in the student council of Sakuranaoka Academy is originally five.

However, since the current president has created the role of an assistant, the number of members has increased by one, to six.

Let’s assume that Shiraishi and Koizumi will be the president and vice president, respectively, and Hino-kun will continue as the general secretary.

Miura has also indicated that she would continue as the treasurer, which leaves two slots, one for a secretary and the other for an assistant.

At first, I thought about joining in as the secretary, but then I decided not to and continue on with my current position.

Well, I will explain the reason for this later.

Anyway, when Yuuto and I were arguing, I decided that the role of assistant was the best for me, considering the trouble I would cause around me.

“But that’s too much…”

Yuuto said with a difficult expression on his face.
But after saying that, he hesitantly slurred his words.

He might be trying to say that I was at a disadvantage.
Also, he probably hesitated to say so because he was being challenged to a contest.

It is true that in this kind of election, name recognition greatly affects the outcome.
Naturally, there is a huge difference between me and Yuuto, so it would seem to be a reckless contest if you think about it.

“First of all, Yuuto, is the assistant’s position fine?”

“Aah.”

“Then, I only have one thing to say, …don’t be shy, go all out so that you can thoroughly beat your opponent.”

I fearlessly threw out words mixed with provocation.
Yuuto smiles as he realizes that I am neither afraid nor desperate to compete with him.

“If that’s the case, I’ll do it. It’s my first time going up against Minato, and to be honest, I’m looking forward to it.

With that, Yuuto turned back with his bag in hand and walked out of the classroom.
Did he reflect on himself that his back looks bigger than it did yesterday?

I sighed alone in the classroom after Yuuto left, and turned to the direction of the two waiting at the back.
As I was thinking about what to say, I was hit on my head lightly.

There was no pain, just a nimble sound.

Nice shot!

And when I looked at the hand that hit me, I saw that Kirasaka was holding prints folded up like a harisen (large paper fan).

“Are you out of your mind? Of all the things you challenged him to a game convenient for him.”

“Even so, you don’t just suddenly hit me…”

Kirasaka understands.
She also believes that the student elections are merely a popularity contest just disguised with another name.

So, let’s say, the game is completely in Yuuto’s favor.
She said I should have tried to compete in my area of expertise.

However, that’s not good enough.
Both Yuuto and I think that fighting in a new situation for the first time is meaningful…

Was it a mistake?
I said it confidently out of momentum and my peculiar ideas, but now, when I am calm, I indeed do feel that it’s way over the top…

“Well, I guess we’ll manage.”

Positive thinking is the best.
I believe someone once said that if you live your life with the right mentality, you might be able to make it work.

Jokes in moderation, I looked at the two of them and saw their anxious expressions.
Even I, the one who challenged them, couldn’t see the odds of victory at a level that I have no idea what to do next.

If I were to judge the situation as it is now, I would say that the odds are completely stacked against me.

“If Minato-kun is going to be on the student council, I wouldn’t mind running for it either…”

She said that. And her eyes were like, ‘what should I do?’

As she said the other day, if my presence is the basis of Shizuku’s action, it is of course inevitable that she will be in the election as well.

However, it is the consequences she worries about.

The reason why I didn’t go along with the secretary’s position.

It was so that a position would be available when either Shizuku or possibly Kirasaka ran for the student council.

However, if she runs for that slot, she will naturally take that position if no one else comes forward against her.

Here, the problem is if I am not elected.

She would have to join the student council without me, which is supposed to be against her principle of action.

From her point of view, she would be sitting in an organization for a year that she has no motive in and so she would just be wasting her time.

So I shook my head in denial at what Shizuku said.

“I haven’t heard anything about anyone running for the secretary’s position as of now, and in case Shizuku is thinking participating, it should come after the results are in.”

“After the results?”

“…Ah.”

There is no presidential nomination slot for which Hiiragi Akane forced me to join the student council.

However, the nomination quota does exist.

The system works by recommending the nominated student to join the student council if all the student council members agree and the teacher in charge also agrees.

If a student as good as Shizuku could use this system, she could join the student council without any problem.

When I explained this, Shizuku nodded a few times in agreement, and Kirasaka seemed to be thinking about it with her hand on her chin.

Anyway, the stage was now set for the competition, but here comes the problem.

The problem is that I’m going up against the prince of the school.

I would need to come up with an appropriate strategy.
I don’t have the confidence or the experience to win on my own.

It’s obvious that I cannot even compete with him without help from someone.
But, who should I ask help from?

The two people in front of me might agree if I ask them.
However, if I rely entirely on these two people, it will not be a game between me and Yuuto.

I want them to help me create an opportunity.
That person should be the only one who can create a connection between me and the current students.

“I understand the whole story of your candidacy and how you handled it afterwards, so how are you going to deal with that clunker of a prince, Shinra-kun?”

“A clunker…”

What a wonderful naming sense.
I was put into silence, but I quickly stated my answer to her question.

“I’ll bring Shiraishi over here.”

“Shiraishi-san?”

Shizuku asks back at my proposal.
Her expression was a little grim, perhaps in response to the fact that her name wasn’t mentioned first…

Next to her, Kirasaka was glaring at me silently.
Why do these children suddenly become so scary?

“There are things I want you two to help me with, but if I ask you two to help me with everything, it’ll be you two versus Yuuto, not me, that’s why it’s Shiraishi.”

Regardless of the outcome of Shiraishi and Koizumi, if they can bring in the next student council members, they will have a big impact.　

If the next student council president is in support, there will be at least a bit of interest.

That’s how you have to start using short, thin connections to get recognized a little by little at a time to compete.

But …the biggest problem is that there’s not something that someone has ever faced in the past.

There is only one person in this school who has the potential to bring everything I assume to nothingness.

“Can we go somewhere for a minute?”

“?”

“I don’t mind.”

I told them that and left the classroom with my bag.
Shizuku and Kirasaka also followed.

I moved from the second building to the first building for the seniors and walked up the stairs to the front of the heavy door.

I wonder how that person, who is supposed to be in this building, would judge my action.

It is meaningless. No matter what or how I think, I can’t predict it.

“…”

I take a step forward and knock on the door a few times.
Voices inside this thick, soundproofed door cannot be heard down the hallway.

So, before waiting for a reply, I put my hand on the door and pulled it open.

“…Excuse me.”

After greeting, I turned my gaze to my usual seat.
It is the seat where the head of this room sits.

There was a woman sitting there as a matter of course.
With a smile on her face she sat there as if she knew we were coming.

“Shinra, Kanazaki and Rei are with you this time. Sit down for now and I’ll go get some tea.”

I sat down on my seat and the two behind me sat down on the guest’s sofa when urged.

The president opened her mouth when the cold barley tea that she had brought from the back of the room had been passed around to everyone.

“What interesting story are you going to tell me today?”

The sunlight shining through the window made the president’s light brown hair shine even brighter.

The unique presence she exudes and the way she stands there raises the tension to another level.

It was not only me but also Shizuku and Kirasaka too.
They too looked a bit more stiff than usual.

…Please don’t expect something.
To the senpai, whom even Kirasaka could not get her head around, I started speaking with a wry smile.

I started explaining the conversation we had just had to the senpai who was looking at me expectantly.

ToC

#182

A girl standing in front of the teachers’ table mumbled such that a student couldn’t help but ask back.

“Shizuku-chan, …is it true?’

“It’s true.”

Shizuku assured her without any hesitation and remained resolute.
The majority of the classmates, even Yuuto’s eyes widened at that sight of her.

After school, Friday.

It was the last day for the election campaign, and just like yesterday, the discussions regarding the sports festival were about to take place.

After the homeroom teacher had left the classroom with some instructions, the classmates moved into a position that was suitable for discussion to take place without anyone saying anything.
A few students got up from their seats and even tried to leave the classroom.

I sat and watched the scene for a while, remembering my conversation with Shizuku yesterday.
Kirasaka was still looking at her paperback next to me, and Yuuto was putting away his handouts.

Shizuku then stood up with vigor the moment the homeroom teacher left and the atmosphere in the classroom changed with that.

“As for participating in the sports festival, I won’t take part in any of the free events other than the three-legged race.”

With this declaration, the noisy classroom was enveloped in silence.
Everyone was speechless, and all eyes were focused on the same person.

“Shizuku-chan, …what’s going on all of a sudden?”

A girl, who had been serving as a scribe sometime ago, near the teacher’s desk stood and asked.

“I’m sorry, I thought I’d make my wishes known as well.”

The girl apologetically replied, and then continued in a voice loud enough to be heard by everyone present.

“If possible, it would be ideal to have the teachers fill out a volunteer form and collect them, and then everyone would make up for the missing numbers.”

“That’s possible, but…”

The girl in front of the teacher’s table, mindful of the stares of those around her, modestly asked for feedback from those around her.
A few students expressed objections, but only to the extent that they are just excuses.

None of the opinions were enough to overturn the plan Shizuku had presented.

“Yesterday you weren’t against it, but now all of a sudden…”

Only one comment by Yuuto, sitting behind Shizuku, changed the atmosphere in the classroom again.

However, that’s just an opinion, not a disagreement.

“I’ve just been thinking about it a little bit.”

Normally, Shizuku would have replied with a smile while seated facing the same way, but today was different.
Standing there, she replied looking down at him.

At that sight, a few students took their seats sensing that they had to be quiet.

“Kanazaki-san, you’re suddenly so dismissive of my opinion… your body’s even shaking a little, perhaps, are you afraid?”

“…It’s easy to keep silent, but when it comes to expressing it through words, it comes with an overflow of emotions, that’s my reason for being a bit agitated.”

“…I wonder what happened yesterday …to make her change so abruptly.”

“I don’t have the slightest idea.”

Scary, this girl next to me is scary.
How can she be so intimidating when her eyes are still on her book?

Why is it that the page she’s grabbing slightly wrinkled, and starting to tear off?

Still, I had thought that Shizuku would voice her opinion once the atmosphere for discussion was set, but I had no idea that she would make a move before it’s settled.

Certainly, from the perspective of others, her opinions would appear as if they were sudden.
Up until now, she has not affirmed or agreed, but she has not denied either, so the sudden change of her impression will be held.

“Then, what about Kirasaka-san?”

A boy turned his gaze toward Kirasaka.
The timing and the worst question that could be asked made Kirasaka turn her gaze just to that student.

“…”

Slam!

Kirasaka deliberately closed the book with a loud noise and put it in her bag.

The boy, succumbing to the sharp gaze and silent pressure, immediately retracted his statement, “N-Nevermind!” and sat down.

Seeing Kirasaka’s reaction, Yuuto, who turned around and looked at me sitting at the back of the classroom, seemed to have an idea of the change in her.
He nodded a few times and raised his hand, looking strangely convinced.

“I’ll ask the teacher about the form, and if it’s too difficult, I’ll make a simple one and we’ll call it a day.”

Yuuto suggested, anticipating that the atmosphere would only get worse if it was dragged any longer.
Most of the students agreed, and many of them left the classroom exhaling their breaths that they were holding in for so long.

The students who usually flock to spend after-school time with Yuuto and Shizuku were not present today.

They must have sensed the unusual behavior of those two and refrained from doing so.

They are sensitive in a way, after all.

At the edge of the classroom, which had become more hectic in a different way than before, I looked out the window and sigh sadly alone.

“…Is it the only way to do it?”

Thinking about a different matter, I muttered.

The only four people who left after about five minutes were me, Shizuku, Yuuto, and Kirasaka.

“…Well, I think I’ll go to the staff room.”

To stop Yuuto, who was about to get up from his seat, I interrupted.

“Yuuto, …we need to talk.”

“…”

The only difference is that Kirasaka is present this time.
Sitting back down after he half-stood, Yuuto looked back.

Shizuku and Kirasaka moved to the back of the class and I sat down next to Yuuto.

Our gazes meet, and the thoughts I’ve been pondering over the past night began to fade away.

“…”

I’m not used to the well planned conversation that Shiraishi usually engages in.
With a sigh, I let out my thoughts and opened my mouth honestly.

“It’s annoying because there’s no clear definition to the word ‘friend’—“

“Minato?”

Yuuto was skeptical of the words he cut out.
His expression looked as if to say what I was even on about.

“It’s hard to draw the line, …whether they’re friends sharing the same hometown or if they’re friends just because they played together once, …what do you think?

“…I guess it’s a question that varies from person to person, …for me a friend is someone I can spend time with at a place, together.”

Yuuto answered, and then reverted the question right back at me.
It seems to be a model response from someone who has a wide range of connections.

“So, to Minato, what does the word “friend” truly mean?”

“…”

For me, spending time in the same place or studying place is not enough to be called a friend.
For me, a person can only be called a friend if we’ve exchanged words, acted together, and understood each other to at least some degree.

“…A person guy who can really speak his mind.”

I don’t have the vocabulary to convey these thoughts out in a simple way.
So, I told him that one short sentence.

“I know you’re probably wondering what I’m talking about, and I know it’s going to offend you, but I have to tell you that I …hated you a little bit.”

“Haha, it’s a lot harder when you say it to my face like this.”

With a sullen expression on his face, Yuuto turned over and muttered.
However, he showed no signs of resentment and listened quietly.

“It’s just a story of comparing yourself and Yuuto and hating yourself, isn’t it just a self-serving argument coming from you?”

“I hate to say it, but I’m used to people looking at me that way.”

I’m used to people looking at me that way.
The words he said sadly carried a weight of their own.

“The reason I’ve kept a certain distance from you since junior high school is a trivial thing when you put it into words.”

“—I used to be jealous of Minato too, or maybe I still am.”

Next, Yuuto began to talk, and I listened.
It was the first time we exchanged words without any pretense.

“I’m trying to get along with everyone around me, but Minato doesn’t care who he’s dealing with, he just brushes off anything he doesn’t like, and the first girl I ever liked was in love with you, …I felt that inferiority complex too.”

When he said that much, Yuuto stopped speaking.

…Is this a shounen anime?

Are we characters from a sports manga, passionate, hot-blooded boys who exchange fists and tell each other what we think of each other?

It was a really serious and important matter, but one side of my brain says otherwise.

“This is embarrassing, let’s not do this. It’s not like us.”

Perhaps feeling the same way, Yuuto also said in an embarrassed tone.
Then he looked up, took a deep breath, and said smilingly with a clear expression on his face.

“You’re twisted and quite a pain in the ass! I won’t deny that part of you, but I hated you a little!”

“…”

I felt like the bell for the match had finally rang.
I took a deep breath, and returned it with a twitchy grin on my mouth.

“That fresh look you’re putting on is pretty annoying, thought you’re rotten inside, aren’t you?”

“You say a lot of things like you’re someone smart, but in reality you aren’t.”

Without missing a beat, Yuuto retorted to my words.
However, that won’t stop me from saying what I want to say.

“You think the world revolves around you? You’re acting like you’re the MC, and it’s really getting on my nerves.”

“If you’re going to keep acting like that, don’t bother the people around you.”

“It’s not acting, it’s a personality.”

“Then mine is a personality too, you’ve always been like that, always pushing his own ideas onto others.”

We both inhaled at the same time to catch our breath, then we approached each other until our heads were almost touching and eyes glaring at each other with all our might.

Feeling a little annoyed that he was looking down on me completely from above due to my height, I thought of my next words.

Then I said with a low voice, not loud, but seriously.

“Lecher.”

“Siscon.”

“”…Haa!?””

There were no boys here, neither the refreshingly fresh prince of the school, nor the quiet boy in the class.

However, there were two who of them cursing at each other, both telling the other what was wrong with the other one and what bothered them.

Probably, even Shizuku had never seen them like this.
Naturally, Kirasaka was stunned at how different they looked from what they usually did.

Then, their calm judgment returned.
I was standing there, stifling my words, when Kirasaka spoke up and said what she thought.

“It’s like a children’s quarrel.”

“Fufu …but it’s also the first time I’ve seen them being so emotional.”

My gaze returned again to the person in front of me from the two, who was laughing and watching the scene.
His eyes were still filled with a strong will.

We could go on and on and on arguing like this.

But as long as there were words coming out from either side, there won’t be an end to it.

“Minato is so despicable that it often makes me depressed too. …So I’ve already told you before, I’m the only one who can be friends with you.”

“…In the first place, it’s often because of your actions that I’ve to act like that.”

I think we’ve calmed down.

Now, the two of us are talking to each other with our true feelings, which we have never told each other to our faces before, and what comes after this is important.

I didn’t start the conversation for the sake of swearing.
I started this conversation to make sure we don’t make a mistake.

“…”

Once again, a moment of silence arrives to solidify our own resolve.

The difference between the three of them and me is a crucial one that cannot be filled by hard work.

The three of them and I are vastly different.

“You’re not going to ask him to end up bad-mouthing each other, are you?”

Kirasaka asked the question that everyone must have been wondering.
I get the feeling that Shizuku is also paying attention to what I say and do after this.

“Ah …Yuuto, are you sure you’re going to run in the student elections?”

“That’s my intention.”

Yuuto affirms my words.
The reason for this is not to ask now, it will only lead to excessive questions later.

Having reaffirmed that Yuuto had not changed his mind, my resolve was strengthened as well.

“Let’s do it then.”

“…Minato.”

The boy in front of me opened his eyes in surprise and muttered.
The two people in the back of the classroom also showed a surprised expression, although they didn’t say any words.

If I was to face Yuuto now, it would definitely be in the student council election.

There’s no competition, whether it be sports or academics, which I can fight with an equal footing.

That makes it clear that I am inferior to him, but it would be meaningless to challenge Yuuto to a challenge which he is weak in.
The only way to lead him is if he makes the first move.

The outcome may seem obvious.

However, if a situation is presented in front of me where we are fighting on equal footing, there is no way I won’t take advantage of it rather than just end up arguing with him over words.

It is not because I want the support of others, but because there may be something that I can understand only after a real confrontation with him.

I was prepared to suffer a crushing defeat and suffer disgrace.
That is why I declared with firm determination.

“If you going to say I’m not joining the next student council or that my words and actions have changed too much, say what you want. …If I can blow you out of your bubble, I’ll do it even if I have to put my pride on the line.”

I said with a crooked smile on my mouth.
…But I still didn’t feel like a villain, completely.

ToC

#181

In the courtyard, Shinra Minato, the only link to our connection, left.
There were no words, and we looked at each other.

That girl’s eyes were asking, “Why?”

However, I did not have any words to answer that properly.

No, I sensed that the words I had prepared would not satisfy her.
The words that said that I did not need a friend brought a dull ache to the chest of the person saying them at the simultaneously.

People around would think, “What are you even talking about?”
However, for the first time, the act of explicitly pushing a friend away brings a bitter feeling that I honestly never want to experience again.

But, now I have no choice but to put aside those feelings.
Subconsciously, I was reminded during a recent class discussion that our group was just because of one person.

At the same time, I have come to understand that if I lose him, even my own mind won’t treat me as it used to.
What an immature person I am, even though he has clearly rejected me once.

It was proof that I had been so proud of being the prince of the school that I had gotten carried away.

I never asked them to call me that.
I really wanted to spend time with my friends, go to the arcade after school, or just invite them over to my house and spend the night talking about nothing.

I could have done it, but I didn’t. …This is my excuse for not rejecting the excess expectations of the people around me.

I could have done it.

If only we had truly been together.
I would have been aware of my influence on those around me and not made him feel regretful.

Moreover, he, too, had unconsciously kept his distance from me so as not to bother me by spending much time alone.

Yesterday’s words made us both aware of this.
Those words expressed the true feelings that was held in for several years.

Then, what should I do?

I thought about it, and then I thought I had found a glimmer of hope.

It was simple.

We were both relying on each other and trying to compensate it with fancy words, not bothering each other. But we had chosen the path that was easy for us.

Never getting too close, and never letting ourselves go too far away either.

He would have laughed at me if I told him this, but all I wanted was a best friend.
An individual with whom I could talk to frankly, sometimes fight but still understand each other without any reservations.

The relationship between Ogiwara Yuuto and Shinra Minato today is by no means like that.

At the very least, the image of a best friend that I wanted was a relationship where he could be more open, unreserved, and relaxed.

So, let’s let him go.

Let’s reset our relationship, dissolve all our remaining feelings for each other, and face each other once again.

Even if I told the girl in front of me that I wanted such a development. I don’t think she would be convinced since it was just like a child’s wish or a story in a manga.

In her eyes, it was just him.

She admired him, he was her best neighbor, they understood each other, and she was madly in love with him.
I knew the first time we talked, that there was no room for me from the way she looked at me and at him.

But even so, I couldn’t help but think about her.
Even now, I had no words to say to the girl who was looking at me with sad eyes because I had shunned Minato in front of her.

It is a naive hope to think that she would understand me someday, although it won’t happen unless I put it into words.
Also, since I could not say anything in such a situation, her eyes were not on me.

I saw the back of the girl who got up and started running after the back of the boy who had left, and a sigh escaped from my mouth.

“Haa… Wouldn’t it have been easier if the two had at least said a bad thing about me?”

Those words that vanished in the surroundings never reached the two.

“Minato-kun!”

Shizuku, who had left the courtyard and chased after me before I left the school grounds, grabbed my arm.

Her expression showed impatience and anxiety.

She seemed to be unsure of the situation and what to say.
So I spoke to her first.

“What are you going to do about Yuuto’s offer?”

If she is not willing to do so, the conversation will come to an end.
However, if she is willing to do it, even a bit, then the conditions are not bad for both the school and for her.

Well, the conditions I am talking about are about the future, are in regards to internal exams, career paths, and other such things.

But, if she could join the student council as Yuuto had suggested, she could avoid any troublesome discussions.

Shizuku showed a moment of hesitation at my question, but the moment our gazes next met, she showed eyes that she had made up her mind.

“If Minato-kun is joining the student council, then I will also join. If not, then there is no reason for me to join the student council.”

“…You’re a difficult person.”

It shouldn’t be a bad thing by any means.
But, the reason my resolve hasn’t wavered is probably because there is something stronger than Yuuto’s refusal to talk to me.

Moreover, she said it out loud.
If I’m not here, there’s no reason for you to join the student council.

I wonder why she adores me so much, even though I am not living up to her expectations.
There must be a reason that only she knows.

I thought that I was good at self-analysis but I don’t know what was attractive about a person like me who had no particular traits. It seems that I need to change my perception.

After watching the figures campaigning at a distance, I went outside the school and walked along the road.

Somewhere in my mind, I recalled Yuuto’s words, and the thoughts went through.

It was the first time Yuuto had spoken to me with a cold gaze and tone.
I’ve been experiencing a lot of things for the first time in the past few months.

I feel like I understand things but I don’t really know anything.
I’m talking like I’m enlightened based on only the information that’s on the surface.

What a dumb person I am.

I wondered how I should talk to my childhood friend who is making a difficult expression next to me.
After much deliberation, I decided to go with the usual words.

“I’m sure it’s obvious that you don’t need me for the next student council.”

“I don’t think so, though!”

A denial with a hint of anger.
It seemed louder than the sound of cars passing by, but whatever.

As we passed the intersection and entered the residential area, Shizuku stood blocking the way.

Behind her was a Y-junction.

Here, Yuuto would split off to the right and we to the left, and proceed onward toward our house.

“Listen, if Minato goes right, I will go right as well. If you go left, I go left.”

“My house is on the left, though.”

“It’s a figure of speech!”

Thank you for your appropriate retort.
I apologized to Shizuku, who got angry and tapped her on her shoulder, and urged her to continue.

“Now Ogiwara-kun is going right, what about you, Minato?”

“I’m going left.

“That’s right!”

…I see.
No, I thought the trend was to go to the right, but it seems that I somehow got her question correct.

“I’m not standing by Minato-kun because he’s right, or because he’s righteous. I’m doing this because I believe in Minato-kun and I will stand next to you since you are Minato-kun. …So, even if what Ogiwara-kun says is right, if Minato-kun is not there, I won’t go along.”

“You’re very assertive today.”

“I’ll say it now! I am not going to follow him just because you are Ogiwara-kun, nor am I going to run for the elections just because the whole school wants me to do so.”

If she could have said that in front of the students, she wouldn’t have any trouble.

However, she can’t do anything if she declares it like this.

I couldn’t stay silent.
After all, Shinra Minato, whom she believes in, would not be a person who would stay dumb in this situation.

“I disliked Yuuto somewhere in my heart, and I hated myself for harboring such feelings of envy towards that guy who had everything near him while I had nothing.

“…”

Shizuku listened quietly to my words as I began to speak.
Until the end, her posture indicated that she wouldn’t say a word.

“I think I have similar feelings toward Shizuku as I have toward Kirasaka and the president. But I had a stronger awareness of Yuuto than that. …So I opposed him and there were times when I acted in a way that was not what he wanted.”

I’m a petty person.
I talked to the girl this way about my inferiority complex and the negative feelings I harbored towards him.

However, there is no choice but to speak my true feelings…
It may sound like flattery, but it is at least a courtesy.

“I’ve never been told so clearly by everyone, so I’ve always made the excuse that you guys are just too talented, but it’s refreshing to be told so clearly that I simply don’t have any talent.”

When you show it to me so clearly, there is no excuse, no way to cover it up.
They don’t need my abilities, that’s what he told me.

I went up to a vending machine that I saw out in a corner, bought two bottles of tea and offered one to Shizuku.
She accepted it and took a sip.

“Your childhood friend is that kind of person.”

I said, turning my gaze towards Shizuku, who was looking at me.
There I saw Shizuku with the same expression on her face.

“It’s natural for people to feel inferior to others, because they can never be the same person. I’m not comfortable admitting it, …but I’ve felt inferior to Kirasaka-san at times.”

I guess she really doesn’t like her.
Shizuku said reluctantly, with a dead look in her eyes that she would never normally show.

The voice and expression, unimaginable from Shizuku, with her black hair fluttering and her beautiful appearance, made me giggle in disbelief.

“I’ll be honest, the Minato-kun of before is more attractive to me than the Minato-kun of today.”

“I feel like my growth has been denied…”

“If that’s the case, then it must have been unnecessary.”

What a selfish argument.
When you say it so confidently, it makes me think if I am wrong.

In fact, I might be wrong about the change…
But, I’m not the one to be silent here.

“I have a feeling it was me who was growing up in the wrong direction for all those years…”

“Well, that’s a complete turnaround.”

The end of her word gradually became quieter and quieter though she spoke up first.

My mouth gave a wry smile at the sight of that shrinking figure, having been hit in a sore spot.

She stretches out her shrunken posture and resumes talking facing me.

“If I can face my classmates head on, will Minato-kun be able to get along with his friends?”

Shizuku asked me with eyes more serious than ever, and I thought back for a moment.
I know that the friend she emphasized is Yuuto.

Shizuku might want to say whether it was possible to fill the distance that has been vacant since the amusement parks more than ever, instead of getting into an argument and breaking apart.

It is possible that we might quarrel or at worst sever ties, but it’s difficult for us to understand each other without exchanging any words.

After all, Minato-kun is a negative thinker who always thinks about the meaning behind words.

It is impossible to convince him or have him convinced with a simple exchange of words.

“…I don’t even know if we’re in an argument.”

“Leave it to me, I promise you the right support!”

…She said it with an expression who’d completely cover for you.
This is the one, it was one of Shizuku’s many forms.

Let’s ask …Kirasaka if he has something toxic to say that would be effective against this.

I mean, what is this girl even doing?

ToC

#180

In front of the classroom I turned back to, three groups of students were coming out.

It could be said that the discussion had just finished.

Among those classmates, I spotted Shizuku and Yuuto.
They exchanged parting greetings with their classmates and walked down the hallway, exchanging some words with each other.

I was standing where they had turned their gaze to.
I proceeded along the wall towards them, out of the way of the narrow hallway.

“Oh, Minato-kun was still here.”

Shizuku asked a natural question.　
Yuuto next to him also had a surprised look on his face.

“Hey, …Yuuto, do you have a few minutes?

“I don’t have any particular plans, but it’s unusual for Minato to talk to me first.”

Yuuto followed behind with a smile.
It is difficult to talk about it here.

Today the campaign is being held in front of the school gate.
If so, the courtyard should be less crowded, and we could talk there quietly.

Yuuto did not listen to what I said, but just followed silently.
Shizuku, too, looked hesitant for a moment, but then decided to follow us from behind.

Since it was not a conversation that she had anything to do with, there wasn’t any need to stop her.

We went down the stairs and proceeded along the cobblestone pathway that connected the two buildings.
I have been wondering about this since I first entered the school, but this high school just has one tennis court separating the first and second year buildings.

It is mainly used by the boys who are not in any club. We walked past the tennis court and arrived at the courtyard.

As expected, there were no students in sight, since most of the students who spend their after-school hours inside the school went to take a glance at the student council campaigns.

The benches in the courtyard had been temporarily removed for the election, so the three of us sat in a circle in an appropriate position.

Shizuku looked back and forth between me and Yuuto and looked at us as if she was about to say something.

“Yuuto …you’re running for the position of a student council member?”

No need for any pretense.
I threw the question straight at him without trying to hide anything.

Yuuto looks surprised for a moment, but then quickly reverts back to his normal smiling face.

“You heard it from Shiraishi-san, right? …But how could you have known that even though I didn’t go into that much detail?”

“It’s just that the most likely thing was you running for a position, …not that there was any basis for it.”

In fact, if Yuuto had denied it here, the conversation would have ended.
I could have been wrong, and he would really only have been asking something at random.

However, if he has affirmed, that it would mean that could take the most unpleasant route I had imagined.

I pondered while staring at the grass below.
The question that arises, is why?

What is his reason for joining the student council, that has to be the biggest point of discussion.

“But, didn’t Ogiwara-kun say before that he would not join the student council?”

Shizuku, who was not following the conversation, asked in a puzzled manner.
From her point of view, the conversation has taken a turn for the worse and she must not be able to understand what is going on.

If I were in Shizuku’s shoes, I would have a lot of question marks floating around my head like in a manga.

“I was not planning on joining the student council, but I changed my mind and thought it would be best for us if we joined the student council.”

“We…?”

“Yes, us, the three of us, including Kirasaka-san.”

Pointing to each person, said Yuuto.
I could not understand the meaning of those words without any explanations.

The same goes for Shizuku, who must not think that joining the student council would be beneficial for her either.
Seeing the two of us, Yuuto quietly said in a gentle tone.

“Joining the student council would free us from the hassles of the classes.”

He said in a voice that sounded gloomy.
At his words, Shizuku and I just listened as if we had to shut up.

“I don’t think Minato is right about everything he’s saying, but there are some issues that we’re in the middle of, and that’s making things complicated.”

“…You mean the sports festival?”

“Yeah, but this is just the first problem, we have a school trip and a cultural festival right ahead of us. And even then, I can see that every time there’s a similar problem, we’d be in a situation like we’re in now.”

Shizuku also seemed to be struggling with the meaning of Yuuto’s words, and her expression darkened after a while when she looked away.

Even if the current situation could be avoided in a way that everyone could agree on, the next one would still come sooner or later.

“So, the student council, huh?”

“Ah, for better or worse, being on the student council is an important role in this school. If that’s the reason, it’ll be easier to avoid the hassles in class.”

Yuuto told her, turning his gaze to Shizuku.
It sounds as if he is suggesting this to her as well.

It is true that if they join the student council, and it is the student council that conducts and manages most of the events.
They are involved in most of the work at the events in terms of managing.

From the point of view of two people who have a personality that makes it difficult to refuse requests from others, it can be the most effective and easiest way to avoid the situation for them.

The election of student council members is held on a different date than the presidential election.

Therefore, it cannot directly affect the contest between Shiraishi and Koizumi.

However, the situation will change depending on which side Yuuto supports and runs for in the student council.

Tomorrow is the last day of the election period, and during homerooms, all students will gather in the school gym to listen to the speeches in front of the entire student body.

At that time, there will be a support speech, in which someone other than the candidate will represent him or her, but if someone as talented as Yuuto were to appear at that place, the situation could change drastically.

There’s a great possibility that even students who had planned to vote for Koizumi will switch to Shiraishi’s side.

Therefore, this could lead to the worst possible timing for their candidacy for the Student Council officers.

Perhaps sensing the thoughts I’ve had so far, Yuuto’s smile faded and his eyes turned serious.

“I’m sure both Koizumi-kun and Shiraishi-san would make excellent student council presidents, so I don’t want to pick a side, but realistically, Shiraishi-san’s ideal student council chart is probably closer to my ideal as well.”

“…”

It was a decisive statement.
I want to avoid that, and what I’m going to do is to have Yuuto stay put until the two of them can compete on their own abilities alone, without having others shoulder them.

However, I haven’t come up with a way to stop it.
I just came here with the urge to catch Yuuto and talk to him before the day ended.

“Of course, I wasn’t going to run for office without telling Minato. And I was just about to call you when I got home today. …So, you could say that your timing was perfect.”

Smiling and changing his expression to his usual cheerful one, Yuuto eased himself into a position as if he had just released a heavy burden.
Probably, in his own way, he was trying to prove his actions.

If the candidate’s intention to run for the position is firm, then we have to respect it.
If that is the case, there is only one course of action that can be taken.

“Let them fight the presidential election alone…”

There are only so many cards I can play.
That is why I have no choice but to ask.

I don’t intend to ask people to choose one side or the other.
It is natural to ask people to vote for the side you support.

However, if you are going to come out and act, please wait two more days, until after the voting is over.
Then we can both accept the results and move on to the next step.

I explained this to Yuuto.
What I did not expect was his reaction.

“I don’t mind, I’m still in the process of looking into the election and figuring out my own motivations and such.”

He accepted it without hesitation.
I really didn’t expect it, and I had expected some kind of denial due to yesterday’s incident.

It was an unexpected event for me. I didn’t think it could be so easy just because we’re friends.

“If it’s that, …then there’s nothing for me to worry about.”

“I wouldn’t have intervened in their election in the first place! …Minato is as doubtful as ever.”

“I’m really sorry about that.”

Somehow, the conversation unfolds as before, as if we had returned to our previous relationship a while ago.
Shizuku also breathed out a sigh of relief, but when Yuuto looked at her again, she adjusted her back.

“So now it’s on me to recruit Kanazaki-san into running for the student council.”

Naturally, Kirasaka-san will also be there …or so added Yuuto.
Shizuku responds with a thoughtful look, turning her eyes to him just once.

“It’s too urgent to answer here in a hurry, and …there’s still time before the deadline, so can I think about it a little?”

Of course, I’m going to ask Kirasaka-san to join us in the future, and I’ll also ask Hiiragi-senpai to meet us again after I get more information about the election.

A brief interlude, perhaps.
The tense atmosphere is now calm.

A natural smile came to Shizuku’s face, and I knew that this was going to be a good way to end the conversation.

“Also, If Minato and all of us are together, the student council might be a lot of fun.”

Shizuku said.
If things were to continue as they were, either Shiraishi or Koizumi could become president without anyone having to step down.

The one who loses will be the vice president, and Yuuto and others will run for other positions.

I can’t help but feel that the student council would end up being identical to what Shiraishi had originally envisioned.

I think someone once said that dreams and ideals are meaningless unless you put them into words, and not just keep them in your heart.　

I was thinking that once the presidential election was over, I could talk about something that would make Shiraishi happy, just when Yuuto told her with firm words.

“No, Minato is not needed in the student council.”

“Eh?”

A really dumb and dry voice spilled out from Shizuku’s mouth.
The same smile and open eyes do not give the slightest hint of a joke.

As if to reassure her again, Yuuto said once more.

“The next student council does not need Minato.”

Yuuto’s gaze, which had shifted from Shizuku, met my gaze.
It’s a look I’ve never seen before.

I see, so that’s your decision.
Just as I abandoned my class and relationships with those around me, he must have decided to make a new decision for himself.

A proposal to join the student council so that he could avoid excessive requests from his classmates.
And the recruitment of Shizuku and Kirasaka, who were in the same situation.

I was the one who had been convinced.

This scene would have come soon, anyways.
It was just sooner than I had expected.

“…All right then, I’ve been asked to take care of the election.”

“Minato-kun…”

“It’s all right, I had that feeling too.”

I stood up so as to avoid any further inquiries.
For a moment, I looked at Shizuku’s face. She looked anxious, as if she was about to burst into tears.

I don’t know if I can reassure her, but I smiled and made eye contact with her for a few seconds before I moved away from the courtyard alone.

For probably the first time in my life, I was to experience a moment on this day when my friends and I had different paths.

…It is the result of hoping for quiet days.

I had no right to say anything, and as I was walking along, the sound of footsteps running up behind me reached my ears.

ToC

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