CH 45

Chapter 45 – A Flower Blossoms on a Lost Tree

It’s weird…

How did it come to this…

I’m less comfortable than I used to be.

A few days back.

After school, I visited the student council room with Urushibara-san to help with the twice-weekly student council activities…

In case you’re wondering, people know that I’m helping the student council, so now I can proudly walk down the corridor with Urushibara-san.

Soon after entering the student council room, President Nakayama gathered everyone together and declared…

“This is going to sound sudden, but we’ve decided to increase the number of vice-presidents to two starting from the third semester. This was discussed between myself, Sakita-kun and our advisor, Gonda-sensei, and we have already applied for and received approval from the board of directors. So, for the other vice-president, I want it to be you, Moriyama-kun.”

””””EHH!?””””

“Huh?”

What are you talking about, Pres?

“Since you were a limited-time helper, your role was supposed to end at the end of the second semester. But Sakita-kun and I both want you to stay. So, as a desperate measure, we’ve added a new position. In short, in order to make you an official student council officer, we’ve decided to have two vice-presidents. How’s that? Will you do it?”

“No thanks.”

“Instant answer!?”

“M-Moriyama-kun!?”

Hmm…

I wonder if Urushibara-san even wants me to be vice-president.

“Can you give me a reason for your refusal?”

“Yes. I’ve been here for just under two months to help out during the busy season, and I’ve been working on building and improving new systems, not only to handle the work, but also to operate more efficiently with a smaller number of people during the busy season. And I believe that this has already been completed. In other words, my role is over, and from now on, you should be able to operate with a six-person team without having to ask for help.It is said, ‘The way of heaven is to retire after having achieved greatness and success.’ Old soldiers should leave quietly.”

“I see… Well, what if there was another reason?”

“Another reason?”

“That’s right. What are you called in class?”

“Mobyama, shady loner, cyberman, stone, and then…”

“That’s enough! I can’t bear to be here listening to you, it makes me sick to my stomach!”

“Huh…”

“So, what do you think would happen if you became vice-president of the student council?”

“The witch trial or the holy crusade to destroy me would begin.”

“No, they wouldn’t! No one will ever call you Mobyama again!”

“No, the world isn’t that sweet. Pres is just an elite riajuu, after all. I don’t think he understands the circumstances of a shady loner like me.”

“Moriyama-kun, don’t you think you’ve underestimated me, the student council president, Sakita-kun, the vice-president, and everyone else in this student council a little? The fact that you’re vice-president means that we will be backing you, you know? The six of us here feel an extraordinary respect and debt of gratitude towards you. If anything happens to you, we promise to protect you at all costs.”

“Huh…”

“So, what do you think? Are you up for it?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Another instant answer! Even after all this talking!”

“Please wait just a minute, President!”

“Hmm, is there anything from Urushibara-san as well?”

“Well, Moriyama-kun is very stubborn and argumentative. Once he decides on something, he doesn’t easily change his mind. So why don’t you give him some time to think about it?”

Hmm…

I’ve done so many requests (selfishness) from Urushibara-san until now! There is no mercy in front of her!

“I see, that might make Moriyama-kun think more positively.”

“Yes, is that okay with you, Moriyama-kun?”

“I think taking the time to say no anyway will only postpone the problem.”

“Moriyama-kun, please! Look at my face and think about how good this chance would make you look! Ah, yes! If you’ll consider it positively, I’ll make you lunch every day!”

“Yes, understood.”

“This time, easily approved! Is it the homemade lunch!?”

At this point, Sakita-senpai, who had remained silent until now, opened her mouth.

“As the current vice-president, I have one good thing to tell you, Moriyama-kun. When you become vice-president, you can use the student council room for your lunch break. Right now, you eat alone on the emergency stairwell, aren’t you? Here it’s warm and you can eat your lunch slowly without worrying about being seen, you know?”

“Ah, yes, I’ll be vice-president then.”

It’s cold on the emergency stairwell this time of year.

“””””EHH!?”””””

“That was surprisingly easy!”

Ichiro was thus selected for the position of vice-president of the student council.

Moreover, for the first time since the school’s founding, the current student council was appointed without an election.

Then, when the student council announced that there would be two vice-presidents and that Ichiro had been appointed as the new vice-president, the situation in Ichiro’s class was…

“Mobyama-kun, I hear you’re going to be vice-president of the student council? Then I’ll have to call you Mobyama vice-president from now on.”

I’m still being called names, Pres!

If anything, it’s getting worse!

I knew I was right!