CH 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.