Prologue
The summer heat gradually mellowed, as we head toward autumn.
Our uniforms change from summer to winter attire, and when I slip my arms through the winter uniform sleeves again, I can’t help but feel that somehow the year is heading toward its end—a sensation tinged with loneliness.
However, this season called autumn is when most high schools hold events, and here at Prefectural Natsuhama Central High School, the first event to take place is the “Student Council Presidential Election.”
The Student Council Presidential Election—a major event that determines the school’s leader.
It’s a pretty tight schedule, with everything from the candidacy period to the campaign and the election itself all taking place in just about one week.
And when election day arrives, the atmosphere throughout the school transforms completely.
Even this old, run-down gymnasium, usually so noisy, falls completely silent only on election day, and the students listen to the speeches of the candidates and their nominators with bated breath.
Befitting the most academically prestigious high school in the prefecture, the fact that they have such keen interest in the Student Council President Election that decides their leader speaks well of their promising futures.
The Student Council President Election gets everyone fired up like this every year, but this time it’s a strange twist of fate that it’s not someone else’s business for me either.
Until last year, I was completely indifferent to the Student Council Presidential Election—the quintessential unaffiliated voter—but this year alone, I couldn’t remain indifferent.
That’s because this time, I’m participating in the campaign activities myself and fighting alongside them.
“Now then, we’ll have a supporting speech from the nominator.”
Standing in the wings with my eyes on the stage, I clench the sleeves of my uniform tightly and start walking forward.
Compared to that play from before, it should be better since I’m not the lead role, at least.
Even though I’d tucked that bit of composure away in the corner of my mind, the moment I actually step up to the podium, my lips tremble.
But… I’m the only one who can do this.
If I run away here, everything from this past week will be for nothing.
“…Whew.”
Calm down, me.
Remember everything up until now.
That’s right… now’s the time to look back.
On those turbulent days.
