Chapter 4: “The Student Council Election Begins!”

 

Having been released from the promise of absolute obedience (being a doggy) and becoming friends with Himesaki, I had some breathing room and was spending a graceful holiday.

I gracefully woke up at 12 PM, gracefully went back to sleep, and gracefully… or rather, woke up again in the evening.

“Wait… gracefully? No, I’ve slept so much that this precious Saturday is almost over.”

However, this is also something that often happens on a graceful holiday.

Since my family members were all out on their own business today, I had no choice but to make something suitable for dinner myself.

It’s times like this that I wish Rui and her ridiculously oversized heart apron were here… I thought, descending to the first floor with faint expectations.

Just as I was about to enter the kitchen from the hallway—suddenly, I felt a sense of unease.

Clang, clang… A faint, unpleasant sound echoed softly into the hallway.

This was probably… the sound of metal rubbing against metal.

“I-Is there… someone in the kitchen?”

A thief, or perhaps…

I timidly peeked into the kitchen… and there.

“Hehe, good morning, Ryouta-kun? You’re finally awake.”

“R-Rui!? Why are you here!”

There stood Rui, with the heart on her ridiculously oversized heart apron having grown even larger.

Her hair was tied back in a single ponytail, just like during the tournament, and she was wearing her school jersey under the apron.

“You… wh-why… don’t tell me this is… Mom’s doing?”

“Yep. I heard from your mom that you were going to be home alone, so I stopped by after club activities.”

“Stopped by? Even if the direction home is the same, my house isn’t exactly on your route to school, Rui.”

“Hehe… it’s fine, it’s fine. Taking care of you is my happiness, Ryouta-kun.”

She says it’s fine, but nothing about this is fine…

“More importantly, what was that sound just now…?”

“The sound? Oh, you mean this.”

Rui had an oversized pot for making things like curry and was rattling a ladle inside it.

An empty… pot!?

Wait, did I mess up again? Is that why she’s angry…?

N-No, no way. Rui couldn’t possibly know about that famous yandere scene. It’s just a coincidence.

“Anyway, Ryouta-kun.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

“What would you like to eat tonight?”

I was trembling, wondering what she was going to ask… but oh, it was just that.

“Eh, uhm, yakisoba, maybe.”

“I went through the trouble of taking out the pot… and you want yakisoba?”

“Ah! Oh! I mean, curry after all!”

“Hehe… roger that. Then, would you mind helping me make it?”

“O-Oh, sure.”

In the end, the menu was decided while I just went with the flow.

Why do I feel like a husband being whipped by his wife?

Just as Rui instructed, I brought out the ingredients for the curry, washed my hands, and helped with the cooking.

“Rui, why do you go so far for me? You’re exhausted after a hard day of club activities, yet you went through all the trouble to come all this way just to cook for someone like me who’s spent a lazy holiday… that’s almost like…”

“Almost like?”

“…No, it’s nothing. Anyway, thanks, Rui.”

“Hehe… you’re welcome.”

Rui gave a rare, bashful smile as she took the vegetables I’d washed and started cutting them.

No matter what I say in front of Rui, I feel like she sees right through me, so I can’t help but be honest.

But still, I don’t understand the reason why Rui goes this far.

“On that note, Ryouta-kun.”

“What is it? That’s all the vegetables… hmph.”

Just as I was about to hand over the last potato I’d struggled to peel, I turned to see Rui looking at me with a deadpan expression.

“I thought I saw Ryouta-kun’s hand in a first-year Himesaki Nozomi-san’s Instagram story… I wonder if it was just my imagination?”

The moment I heard that, the potato slipped from my hand and went rolling into the sink, and all the blood drained from my face in an instant.

“H-Himesaki and I… you’ve noticed something, haven’t you? You were prying about that hair on my shoulder, and you seemed to have figured things out back then!”

“Yeah. That’s true, and I know it’s not some scandalous relationship, okay? But for a non-scandalous relationship, you two certainly seemed to be enjoying your weekend.”

“What’s with that way of saying it! Geez, Rui, you’re always acting like a crazy girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend… hehe.”

“Don’t suddenly start smiling! That’s creepy!”

I couldn’t read Rui’s heart at all, and my brain felt like it was about to glitch.

“Sigh… everything’s settled now, so I’ll tell you everything later. Anyway, curry for now.”

“Yes, sir~”

Why is she suddenly in such a good mood?

 

☆☆

 

Once the curry was finished and brought to the table along with a salad bowl, Rui and I ate dinner alone.

“So, what did you mean by ‘everything’s settled’?”

Rui brought the conversation back before even taking a bite of her curry.

I’ve already reconciled with Himesaki, so it should be okay to tell her.

“Listen, Rui. Actually…”

I told Rui everything about the incident with Himesaki.

Rui listened to my story without any particular change in her expression.

“…I see, so Himesaki-san did something like that.”

“W-Well, it’s settled now, and Himesaki’s goal was me to begin with, so please forgive her.”

“But if her goal was Ryouta-kun… that makes it even more unforgivable, doesn’t it?”

“Wh-What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Because Ryouta-kun is… the person who will be my Vice President in the Student Council. I can’t give you to that girl ♡”

Rui said coquettishly, her lips curving into a soft smile.

Well, I was the one who said I wanted to be Vice President, and there was no way I could back out now.

“Anyway, did you even know about Himesaki, Rui?”

“Well, yeah. Among this year’s first-years, she’s exceptionally beautiful, and the teachers say her academic ability is on par with mine when I was a first-year.”

Is Himesaki really that amazing?

Since she didn’t even know what “pervert” meant, I thought I was superior… but I guess since she’s a returnee, she’s quite sharp.

“And… that girl will definitely run in the Student Council election.”

The look in Rui’s eyes changed instantly.

I know that for Rui, who always strives for perfection, the Student Council election is very important, but her facial expression really changes when this topic comes up.

“Even first-years have the right to run for Student Council President, but almost none of them do. I was also encouraged to run in my first year, but I turned it down because I had my hands full with club activities.”

“Huh, but then Himesaki might not run either, right?”

“…No. In her case, with that much popularity and being so impressive in both name and reality, it’s possible, especially since she’s not in any clubs.”

Now that I think about it, Himesaki is in the go-home club… but I wonder.

I can’t really see someone with her personality competing with Rui.

“To begin with, as far as I know, there’s already an atmosphere in the school to make her run as my only rival .”

“Whoa, are you serious?”

“The nomination period starts next week, so I don’t know what will happen… but I intend to be the first to nominate myself to keep her in check. If she still comes forward… I intend to fight with everything I’ve got.”

The look in Rui’s eyes was dead serious.

Himesaki and Rui, two individuals who boast top-class name recognition and popularity among the first and second-year students.

If they end up clashing in the Student Council election starting next week, it’s going to be a huge deal…

 

☆☆

 

Once the week began, the school was completely abuzz with talk about the Student Council election.

Even though it wasn’t yet known who would run, Kuroki Rui was naturally at the center of the conversation…

“Kuroki-san’s gonna win for sure, right? Even if she’d run last year, her victory was seen as certain.”

“Right. Apparently, she didn’t run last year because it was an important time for the track club, but this year she’s running because it’s her last chance to become Student Council President.”

“Besides, there’s no one else who’d even run.”

“They’d just end up embarrassing themselves.”

I kept my eyes on the light novel in my hand while listening in on the conversation of the normie guys’ group that Hino and the others were having.

Even if Rui herself hadn’t nominated herself yet, everyone seemed to feel the atmosphere of Kuroki Rui’s total dominance.

The nomination period for the Student Council election is three days, from Monday to Wednesday.

Then, starting the day after the nomination period ends, candidates are allowed to campaign. About a week later, on the day after the campaigns end, the voting takes place during the first period, following the school-wide morning assembly.

It’s a very tight schedule, but since there are usually few candidates, the school probably doesn’t want to spend much time on it.

Well, in this college-prep school, students popular enough to become Student Council President are mostly aiming for top-tier national universities and don’t need recommendation slots, so the title of “Student Council President” on their school record is probably unnecessary. It just adds tedious work during every event.

Even in such a situation, this year’s Student Council election features a monster who ranked first in the national mock exams and is more obsessed than anyone with the title of Student Council President.

On the “Natsuhama Central High Bulletin Board” created by seniors back in the early days of the internet, the election seems to be a topic every year, but this year, Kuroki Rui’s victory is seen as certain, so it seems to be lacking excitement. Well, that’s only natural.

“Sigh… election this, election that. Everyone’s way too restless, even though they’re not the ones running.”

Yuria, sitting on my left, said indifferently while resting her chin on her hand.

“Of course they are, Yuria! Because Rui-chan’s going to be the Student Council President!”

“Oh, Airi. It hasn’t been decided yet that I’ll be the president, you know? There might be others running, and I don’t think I can win that easily.”

Rui said this with humility, but in her head, the words “Certain Victory” were probably floating around.

But that wasn’t out of complacency, it was simply a fact.

Rui is someone who spares no effort to always be perfect.

If the Student Council election is a place where overall ability is evaluated, there’s no one who can stand alongside Kuroki Rui, the hope of the track world and number one in the national mock exams.

If Rui were the only one running, it would just end with a vote of confidence.

“By the way, Rui, who are you going to pick as your recommender?”

Yuria asked.

Come to think of it, if you run for Student Council President, the rule is generally that you have to campaign together with a recommender.

“I’m planning to ask a third-year senior who was the former captain of the track club.”

“Aww, aren’t Airi and Yuria good enough~?”

“No, even if we were recommenders, we wouldn’t be able to speak well. Besides, Rui wants the third-year vote, right?”

“Hehe… well, something like that.”

I see. As expected of Rui, she’s meticulous.

But… despite saying she’d make me the Vice President, I’m not the recommender…

“Ah, just now, Ryouta-kun was thinking, ‘Why not me?'”

“Wha— H-Hey! I wasn’t thinking that!”

While I was pretending to read my light novel and listening to the conversation, Rui suddenly addressed me.

It’s troublesome how Rui reads my mind instantly.

“Ryouta would be great! Airi wants to see Ryouta cross-dressing again~”

“What do you think a recommender is? Also, I will never cross-dress again even if it kills me.”

“Ryouta’s a no-go. He’d definitely get nervous and speak in a tiny voice.”

I wanted to deny it, but Yuria was right about this.

During the culture festival play, it was just the flow of the moment, and I had the sense of security from having my classmates around, but when it comes to campaigning, I’d have to support Kuroki Rui all by myself.

Carrying that pressure and responsibility would be impossible for me.

But… if I’m to be the Vice President, I should be able to do at least that much.

“Hehe… you can take it slow, okay, Ryouta-kun?”

“I! I told you to stop reading my mind!”

 

☆☆

 

On the first day of the nomination period, Rui handed her nomination form to the homeroom teacher during the afternoon homeroom, and a thunderous round of applause broke out in the class.

Two days left. If no other candidates come forward by then, the election will simply be a vote of confidence on whether Rui is fit to be the Student Council President.

Even though I stopped by Starbucks with Airi after school, my head was filled with thoughts like that.

“Rui-chan has it tough, doesn’t she~? Airi and the others have to help with Rui-chan’s campaign too!”

“O-Oh, yeah, you’re right.”

The campaign, huh.

If that’s the case, what concerns me is Himesaki.

If, by any chance, Himesaki were to be egged on by those around her and decided to run, she’d also have to find a recommender and conduct an election campaign.

However, I’m Himesaki’s only friend…

If it comes to that, what should I do…

“Airi too…”

“Hm? Wh-What is it, Airi?”

As we were sitting opposite each other at a two-person table sipping Frappuccinos, Airi muttered something under her breath.

“A-Airi was just wondering… if Airi had run for Student Council President, would Ryouta have been her recommender?”

“…Airi, that’s”

“No! That’s just a ‘what if’! There’s no way Airi could win against Rui-chan! So Ryouta wouldn’t do it for me, right!”

Airi said this hurriedly and then frowned.

For Airi to say something like this was rare.

But, if Airi seriously said she wanted to run…

“That’s not true, Airi. Regardless of winning or losing, if you said you were seriously aiming for it, I’d even become your recommender.”

“Ry-Ryouta…”

“I owe you a lot, after all. Besides, I’m not Rui’s recommender, so if you’re okay with someone like me, I’ll—”

“Ehehe, thanks, Ryouta. But… could you forget what I just said after all?”

“Eh? O-Oh, sure.”

Being told that by Airi with an unusually refreshed look on her face, I was a bit bewildered.

“Airi… even for someone like Airi, since I’m doing it, I want to win even against Rui-chan. While the election might be impossible… at least when it comes to Ryouta.”

“Me? Uhm, are we talking about the recommender thing again?”

“Nooope! A-Anyway! I’m going to support Rui-chan in the Student Council election!”

“Oh… well, I was planning to do that from the start.”

Today’s Airi seemed different from usual, and I felt like there was a certain heat behind her words.

 

☆☆

 

After parting ways with Airi at Starbucks, I headed straight home without making any detours.

I don’t really know why, but Airi seemed unusually fired up today, or rather, she seemed somewhat excited… I wonder why.

I suppose a friend running for office is something that has that much of an impact on those around them.

But in Rui’s case, since her victory is almost guaranteed, I have a strong image of it being just a formality…

Of course, I want Rui to do her best too.

But… I’m not getting that fired up about it.

I calmly analyzed myself, realizing that while her victory was certain, somewhere in my heart, I was still hung up on the fact that I wasn’t her recommender.

Rui had said she wanted me to be Vice President back at the culture festival, and since she usually had a strange obsession with me, I’d naturally assumed she’d pick me.

True, the Student Council members are chosen by the President and the teacher in charge after the election, so Rui will probably nominate me then.

But if that’s the case, she could have just picked me as her recommender.

Since her victory is almost certain, the recommender shouldn’t be that important…

It might be presumptuous for a loner like me to say this, but even if I’m just a loner now, I’ll be the Vice President once Rui is elected.

Did Rui… not seriously intend to make me the Vice President after all?

“Sigh… to think I’d get into such a yandere-like, heavy thought process just because I wasn’t chosen… that’s not like me.”

It was the first time I’d ever felt this way.

Was it because I’d been a loner who’d never placed himself in a competitive society until now?

For now, I’ll go home quickly and look at the folder where I’ve collected Rui’s selfies to calm down.

With my head full of “Rui Rui,” I finally reached home.

Suddenly, near the entrance, I felt a poke on my back from behind.

“Hehe… what a coincidence, Ryouta-kun.”

“Eh, R-Rui…”

Behind me was Rui, in her club activity style with her hair tied back and wearing a jersey.

Perhaps because my head had been full of “Rui Rui” just a moment ago, the sudden appearance of the person herself made me feel a strange sense of tension.

“I-It not a coincidence! You came here on purpose.”

“Hehe… I guess you’re right. Club activities ended early today, so I came over.”

Rui said this with a coquettish, bashful smile, looking up at me.

“Why did you come today too? My mom is coming back this evening, so I’m not alone like the other day.”

“That’s because… knowing you, Ryouta-kun, I thought you might be hung up like a heavy girlfriend on the fact that I didn’t pick you as my recommender.”

“Wh— No, I-I wasn’t thinking anything like that!”

I almost forgot to deny it for a second because she’d hit the nail right on the head, but I managed to do so anyway.

Seriously, I sometimes wonder if Rui’s clairvoyant, because she sees right into the future.

But… if she even saw through the fact that I’d feel this way, then why.

“Ryouta-kun… do you know why I want you to be the Vice President?”

“That’s… because I said I wanted to.”

“No. I was the one who reached out to you before you even said you wanted to, remember?”

“Then… is it because I saved you in the past, Rui?”

Rui nodded slightly and then gently closed her eyes.

“…Ryouta-kun, unlike me, you aren’t perfect.”

“Wh-What’s with that all of a sudden. Well, that’s true. I can’t do everything like you, Rui—”

“But, Ryouta-kun, you have something that I don’t. It’s something necessary for my perfection, and something that I cannot obtain myself. That’s why I… want you.”

Saying this, Rui slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were serious, appealing to the fact that her statement of wanting me was nothing but the truth.

“Do you understand now?”

“…Uh, Y-Yeah.”

While bewildered by her phrasing, which left me unsure if I was being praised or insulted, I could do nothing but accept Rui’s words as they were.

Even so, being told “I want you” by Rui makes me feel purely happy.

I might be a simple man, seeing as how that one sentence was enough to clear my doubts.

“And one more thing, if I can successfully get elected, as a reward for Ryouta-kun… I’ll do something amazing for you ♡”

“S-Something amazing!?”

Are you serious! G-Given this flow… this time, it’s definitely going to be… S&M play! For sure!

“So, you’ll help me with my campaign, right?”

“Something amazing… Y-Yeah! Leave it to me, Rui!”

“…You only give such a splendid answer at times like this, don’t you, Ryouta-kun?”

Rui frowned with a look of suspicion.

What’s with that face? Do you think I’m only getting motivated because of the reward?

I-I was planning to help you properly even without a reward!

“I bet even when you were Himesaki-san’s doggy, you were bragging about some noble cause like protecting me while walking around with your nose held high every day like that, weren’t you?”

“Wh-What! You’re the one who’s always saying such suggestive things! Last time, I thought it was S&M play, but it turned out to be cheering for the national tournament!”

“Hehe… then, what if this ‘something amazing’ is exactly what you desire, Ryouta-kun?”

“E-Eh?”

“I’m just joking, you know? Anyway, it’s getting dark, so I’m heading home. See you later, Ryouta-kun.”

Rui left after leaving another suggestive remark.

What I desire… is Rui really… with me.

“I wonder if I can get that ‘something amazing’ in advance.”

My earnest wish suddenly leaked out.

 

☆☆

 

Wednesday, the final day of the nomination period.

The list of candidates will be posted on the school bulletin board tomorrow morning, and currently, the only topic of conversation is Rui’s nomination.

I was curious about how Himesaki was doing, so I asked her via LINE, and it seemed she was quite conflicted as well.

It seems she’s being told by the girls around her to give it a try, but this year’s election features an enormous wall called Kuroki Rui, unlike other years.

But as a third party, I can’t help but think that maybe this will be a chance for Himesaki to make friends too. Is that just meddling too much?

“Hey, Ryouta, why are you spacing out? Help me out properly.”

“Eh, ah, sorry, Yuria.”

After school, Yuria and I stayed behind in the classroom to make a certain something.

“The campaign starts tomorrow, so Rui has to wear a sash and do her best.”

Yes, a sash for the campaign.

Apparently, almost all candidates wear a sash during their campaigns every year.

Rui had said she’d make one herself after she got home, but Yuria, worried about how busy Rui was, volunteered to “Make it herself,” and so I ended up helping out too.

Airi had a date (which was actually her part-time job) with her boyfriend, and Rui was at her usual track club practice, so Yuria and I were making Rui’s sash after school.

By the way, the materials for the sash were secured from leftover art supplies in the art room, thanks to Airi’s extensive network of contacts.

Since she couldn’t help out today because of her part-time job, Airi contributed in that way.

I never would have thought that Airi was also on friendly terms with the otaku girls in the art club who talk like Tanaka… Airi’s wide network of contacts is clearly as widespread as the faintly visible veins unique to those huge breasts of hers. Well, I’ve never seen the real things, though.

“Ryouta, your hands stopped again! I bet you’re thinking about something weird again.”

“Yeah… just thinking a bit about the veins on huge breasts.”

“Do it seriously!”

As I was thinking about huge breasts, Yuria pinched my cheek.

“Seriously, Ryouta, your  sex drive is way too dangerous. Maybe you should just go get a vasectomy (P*pe Cut) before you become a seriously dangerous adult?”

“Wh—! Don’t say something so terrifying! If you lay a hand on my son, I won’t show any mercy even to you, Yuria! For now, give me those thighs!”

“Sigh… fine, you can have the thighs later, but just make the sash for now.”

“Eh, O-Oh, sure.”

So it’s okay if it’s later… as expected, Yuria is the best.

With thighs dangling in front of me instead of a carrot, I worked at several times my previous speed.

I’d bought a specific fabric for the sash, so the plan was to write Rui’s name on it and finish off all the other decorations with materials I’d gotten from the art club.

Well, if two people do it, it probably won’t take that long.

“It feels kind of fresh for just the two of us to be here after school, since that didn’t even happen during the culture festival.”

“Is that so?”

“We haven’t been able to talk much about anime since the second semester started, so I’m going to make you listen to a lot of it while we work today.”

“Huh? We’re always talking on LINE, aren’t we?”

“I have more things I want to talk about! Anyway, about the latest chapter of ‘Chichi-kyun’!”

From there, Yuria’s anime talk didn’t stop, coming out one after another like a machine gun.

When Yuria is talking about anime, she’s really her natural self, which makes it easy for me to talk to her as well.

And then, as it passed 7 PM, Rui’s sash was finally complete.

By keeping the decorations to a minimum, the sash had a wonderful design with the beautiful characters for ‘Kuroki Rui’ catching the eye despite its simplicity.

“Phew… that took quite a while after all.”

“But it’s amazing that you could make such a fine sash in just a few hours, Yuria. You seemed quite used to it, have you made one before?”

“Well… my best friend in middle school once said on a whim that she wanted to run for Student Council President. So we made one together before.”

Yuria had a bitter look on her face, yet she smiled slightly as she looked back on it with nostalgia.

“That best friend, you’re talking about the girl you said you had a falling out with after your otaku secret was out, right? S-Sorry for making you remember that.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who remembered it on my own. Besides, I don’t feel anything for that girl anymore.”

“But…”

“I’m always saying this, but I have Ryouta now. The past can’t be changed, but the future can be changed as much as we want. That’s why I want to cherish you, Ryouta.”

“Yu-Yuria… that’s embarrassing.”

Whether it was Rui or Yuria, I don’t understand why someone like me, a loner, is so needed and cherished… but I guess it’s fine as long as I’m being useful to the two of them.

“I also want to keep being friends with you, Yuria, and I’ll do my best so you keep thinking that way.”

“Despite that, why are you only looking at my thighs?”

“No, I’m only looking because you told me before to do whatever I wanted with your thighs, Yuria. Is that bad?”

“Sigh… honestly, this guy.”

Yuria shrugged and looked exasperated, but she gently stroked her own thigh.

“Well then, now that we’ve finished making the sash… do you want to touch them?”

“Eh… O-Oh, sure.”

7:23 PM. Just the two of us in the classroom.

Touching thighs in a situation where there’s no one else… that’s just too erotic!

“Then… without further ado.”

Rather than just touching, just as I was about to lunge at Yuria’s thighs with the force of a rugby front tackle, the sliding door of the classroom burst open with a shloop.

“Woaah! What a coincidence, you two!! I saw the light on in Ryouta-kun’s classroom and stopped by, to think the two of you would be here!”

As usual, I was blocked by the nuisance of a pervert named Tanaka.

“Ta-Tanakaaa! You bastard!!”

“Wh-What! After I went through the trouble of showing my face here!”

Tanaka’s pervert block is reaching the stage where I should probably file a report.

“No, well… anyway, Ryouta, the sash is done, so let’s call it a day.”

“O-Oh, right.”

Yuria and I were left with a raw atmosphere, like high school lovers who couldn’t have sex in their room because a parent who was supposed to be at their part-time job suddenly came home.

“Wait, you two! What’s with that raw atmosphere, like high school lovers who couldn’t have sex in their room because a parent who was supposed to be at their part-time job suddenly came home!”

“Why are you using the exact same analogy!”

“I don’t really get it, but Ichinose-san’s skirt is a bit disheveled, so surely… you did something erotic, didn’t you?”

“Stop that! We didn’t! Right, Yuria!”

“Eh… ah, yeah.”

“That reaction! You definitely did something erotic, didn’t you?”

“I told you we didn’t!”

Seriously, this girl gets involved in such troublesome ways.

Just as I was about to tackle Yuria’s thighs and go for a try (in more ways than one)… damn it!

“By the way, Tanaka, why are you here? Did you forget something?”

“Ah— well, I forgot to hand in a certain document to the teacher.”

“A certain document? What, Tanaka, are you slacking off on your assignments again?”

“No! I can’t say anything yet because I have a duty of confidentiality… hehe, you’ll find out soon enough. Ryouta-kun.”

Tanaka spat out a remark that sounded like something a powerful character would say and then left the classroom.

She’d said something similar during that phone call the other day too… is there something going on?

“Hey! Forget about Tanaka for now! Y-Yuria, I’d like to have a collision practice with you once more.”

“No, that doesn’t make any sense, and besides, the mood’s gone already.”

“No way… I see, this is how the sexless life of a newlywed couple accelerates…”

“S-Sexless, newlywed! We aren’t even dating yet! Stop saying weird things and let’s just go home!”

“Guh.”

Yuria face turned beet red as she struck me hard on the back.

I’d said it as a joke… but well, whatever.

 

☆☆

 

The next morning, I walked along the school route while rubbing my sleepy eyes.

Since Yuria had kept me waiting yesterday, I’d been feeling frustrated ever since I got home.

Given the situation of being alone in the classroom after school, I’d had a premonition that something incredible would start if Tanaka hadn’t gotten in the way… damn it!

“Ryouta! Good morning!”

As I was walking irritably, Airi called out to me from behind while jogging, her huge breasts bouncing vertically.

“G-Good morning, Airi. (Those huge breasts) seem energetic today too.”

“Yep! They’re in top form!”

Airi said this with a beaming smile.

Looking at Airi’s huge breasts made all my stress blow away in an instant.

As expected, Airi’s huge breasts have a healing effect. Truly a “healing pie.”

“Anyway, Ryouta! Today is the day the candidates for the Student Council Presidential election are announced!”

Oh right, that was today.

I’d forgotten because I’d been feeling horny—no, frustrated since this morning about the failed huge-thigh dive yesterday.

Himesaki hadn’t contacted me since then… I wonder if she decided not to run after all.

“So, who do you think is going to run?”

“Airi, you have a lot of connections, don’t you? Don’t you know if anyone besides Rui is likely to run?”

“Someone besides Rui-chan… hmm.”

Since nothing came to Airi’s mind immediately, it seems there really is no rival.

“Well, it’ll probably be a vote of confidence for Rui. The candidates’ names are posted on the school bulletin board, aren’t they? Let’s hurry.”

“Yep, you’re right.”

Airi and I walked quickly through the school gate and headed toward the shoe lockers.

Since the school bulletin board is located deep inside after entering through the shoe lockers, it’s inevitable that it’ll be crowded when you consider all the students who stop to look.

So I wanted to go see it early… or so I thought.

“Wow… so many people…”

Since it was already posted, the area around the bulletin board was packed with students.

It was quite noisy, and the crowd wasn’t dispersing easily.

If Rui had been the only candidate, everyone would have just thought “As expected” and it shouldn’t have been this noisy.

“Maybe someone besides Rui-chan nominated themselves!”

“Y-Yeah, maybe so.”

Even so, there was a strange atmosphere… it felt odd.

After putting away my shoes, I moved closer to the bulletin board with Airi.

And there, the names of the candidates for the Student Council election came into view.

Apparently, they were in the order the forms were submitted to the teachers, so of course, Kuroki Rui’s name, having been submitted first, was at the top.

And after that… to my surprise, Himesaki Nozomi’s name was there.

“Hime, saki…”

So it’s come to this after all.

I was lost in deep emotion thinking that Rui’s only rival could only be Himesaki, who’s the most popular first-year—wait, wait, wait.

While I was reflecting on Himesaki’s nomination, I noticed there was another name on the list.

“Hm? Tana… Tanaka Kanade…?”

A name as familiar to me as Kuroki Rui’s, a name I’d seen in the same class since middle school… written right there… eh?

Th-There must be some mistake, right?

This is strange… no matter how I look at it, a name that should be the polar opposite of Kuroki Rui and Himesaki Nozomi is written there.

“Eh! H-Hey, Ryouta! This name at the very end!”

“Tanaka Kanade… m-maybe someone with the same name?”

“But the class she belongs to is the one right next to Airi’s!”

“No, but, surely.”

I didn’t want to understand, or rather, my brain was refusing to recognize this Tanaka as that Tanaka.

Tanaka running in an election? Am I having a nightmare?

Yes, this must be a nightmare. It has to be.

To confirm if this was a dream, the first thing I did was stare intensely at Airi’s huge breasts next to me.

As always, they had a volume that didn’t seem like it could be contained within her hands.

No— this sense of three-dimensionality really isn’t a dream.

Woken up by Airi’s huge breasts, I turned my gaze back to the bulletin board.

It was true that lately, Tanaka had seemed to be plotting something in secret.

To think it was this…

“Who is this Tanaka person?”

“I don’t know her either.”

“Hmm, judging by the name, is it a guy?”

Tanaka was mysteriously more of a topic of conversation than Kuroki Rui and Himesaki Nozomi, the top two of the first and second years.

It seems no one knows her, so this is way too reckless for you, Tanaka.

You’re just the typical loner who tries to stand out once in a while and ends up completely failing.

“Tanaka-chan is amazing… to have the courage to fight against Rui-chan. Airi could never do that.”

Airi was impressed by Tanaka, but it also seemed as if she were directing those words toward herself.

She’d said back at Starbucks that she wished she’d run too.

Airi might have some thoughts of her own about Tanaka’s actions.

However, the Tanaka I know shouldn’t be the type to go for this kind of attention-seeking stunt, no matter how much of a cringey loner she is…

I guess I’ll try going to the roof after this.

 

☆☆

 

Once I reached the classroom, I put my things on my desk and went straight to the roof.

As usual, there’s no one here in the morning… otherwise Tanaka wouldn’t come here either.

With that in mind, I climbed the ladder leading to the top of the tower.

And then…

“Oho, if it isn’t Ryouta-kun. It’s been a while since you’ve come here in the morning.”

Tanaka, with a face that looked like she was getting ahead of herself, greeted me with a smirk.

“I didn’t come here to hear your ‘oho’ voice today. More importantly, why did you nominate yourself, Tanaka?”

“Hehe, you finally found out.”

“What do you mean ‘found out’? It’s posted proudly on the school bulletin board! Sigh… seriously, what are you doing? Your opponent is Rui, there’s no way you can win.”

“Well, it might be a bit of a disadvantage, but I have my own reasons too!”

“Reasons?”

When I asked, Tanaka cleared her throat with a “ahem” and continued.

“As for the reason why I ran in the first place, I was officially encouraged to run by the teachers. Me, with the academic ability of second in the grade!”

“Heh, is that so…”

Looking at how Tanaka was getting carried away, I figured it out instantly: she was probably egged on by the teachers to run.

From the stage where it was certain that Rui would run, there are probably teachers who didn’t like the atmosphere where popular students had total dominance and the number of candidates was decreasing.

They probably looked for a rival for Rui from that direction and the choice fell on Tanaka, who’s second in her grade… I really feel for you being chosen like that, Tanaka.

“My name recognition might be inferior to Kuroki-san’s, but I’ll just fight my own way!”

“That’s exactly what a weak team says when they’re playing against a powerhouse. When it comes to name recognition, ‘inferior’ isn’t even the right word for it.”

If I said “No one knows you,” it’d probably break Tanaka’s mental state, so I didn’t say it, but seriously, no one knows her.

“And as for who my recommender will be, it’s already decided.”

“Oh, is that so. Certainly, Tanaka is one thing, but if the recommender is someone with a certain amount of name recognition, maybe you’ll have a chance—”

“It’s Ryouta-kun.”

“…Huh? What did you just say?”

“I said Ryouta-kun is my recommender. I’ve already decided.”

I’m… Tanaka’s recommender!

“Heeeeey! What are you deciding on your own!”

“It can’t be helped! You’re my only friend, Ryouta-kun! Wouldn’t it be pitiful to have no recommender!”

Tanaka was acting like the victim, but I’m clearly the one who’s the victim here.

“Besides, I am the shadow. But the shadow becomes darker as the light becomes stronger… Ryouta-kun, let’s reach the top of Natsuhama together.”

“Ta-Tanaka…”

She’s talking like the phantom sixth man, but no matter how I look at it, with you and me, it’s just shadow and shadow.

“Well, since Tanaka is in this situation, I guess I’ll offer a helping hand as your best friend… I really feel for you this time.”

“My, my, Ryouta-kun, you’re so understanding, it’s helpful~”

“I’m seriously going to punch you.”

While feeling like I was about to burst with anger, I unclenched my fists.

“Anyway, I’ll be the recommender, but I’ve already promised Rui that I’d help with her campaign.”

In exchange for getting ‘something amazing’ from Rui, I’d promised to help with her campaign.

It’s not that I’m interested in the amazing thing, but as a man, I can’t break my promise.

“Ah, that’s perfectly fine. I won’t be doing any campaigning anyway.”

“Huh? You won’t?”

“Yes, I won’t be doing any campaigning.”

What’s with this unmotivated Doctor X-like person.

 

☆☆

 

Since the announcement of the candidates, the Student Council election has become an even bigger topic of conversation in the school.

Because it was thought that Kuroki Rui would have total dominance, the interest in the candidates other than Rui was increasing.

I was invited to the school cafeteria by Airi and Yuria during lunch break, but because everyone was talking about that topic, even as a recommender, I felt somewhat restless…

“To think Tanaka would run. I thought she was surprisingly proactive, but to go against that Rui, she’s got guts.”

“But Tanaka-chan is second in the grade and smart! I’m sure that will be appreciated!”

Even for someone as positive as Airi, being smart is the only thing she can praise; that is Tanaka.

“So, who is Ryouta supporting? Rui or Tanaka?”

“Th-That is! I’m supporting Rui, but actually, I ended up becoming Tanaka’s recommender too.”

“Eh! Ryouta, you became Tanaka-chan’s recommender!”

“Surprising, right? I was told this morning too. Well, the recommender is only needed for the final campaign speech, so I’ll be helping Rui with her campaign.”

“But if you’re helping Rui and then giving a campaign speech for Tanaka, won’t that make you look bad, Ryouta? Is that okay?”

Yuria is my best understanding friend, worrying about me even at a time like this… sigh, I want to hug those huge thighs right now.

As I was thinking that, Yuria gave me a cold stare. Oops, that’s not good.

“Well, my image is already bad, so it’s fine. People are already calling me a scum who’s deluding three beautiful girls.”

“I see… but ‘scum who deludes’ has a nice ring to it!”

“What do you mean ‘nice ring’? Do you even know what it means, Airi?”

Since Airi was being too airheaded, Yuria naturally had to retort.

“But we haven’t had anything weird done to us by Ryouta, right? So why are they saying that?”

“It’s just jealousy. Both Airi and Yuria are especially cute and popular in school, so it must be annoying to see someone like me hanging around you.”

“Eh, ehehe, ‘especially cute’… I see! But! Airi wants to stay good friends with Ryouta forever!”

“Wait, m-me too! That’s how I feel.”

The two girls sitting opposite me said this with such force they were almost leaning over the table.

“I-I don’t really get it, but calm down. Never mind my image, aren’t we going to talk about Rui’s campaign?”

The two of them suddenly remembered and regained their composure.

“Right, we were. Airi has also canceled all her dates for this weekend and next week, so it’s fine!”

“Wait, do people usually cancel dates?”

“They do! Anyway, it’s Rui-chan’s election campaign starting after school today! We have to do our best!”

Even though her name recognition is at a level where she doesn’t need to campaign anymore, it’s still necessary to show her motivation for the job of Student Council President.

“The only problem is that after school, Rui has her club activities, so she can’t appeal for herself.”

Rui has her track club after school.

No matter how great an athlete she is, having won consecutive national titles, even if those around her would allow her to come late to practice because of the election campaign, Rui herself wouldn’t do it.

“When I talked with Rui about the campaign the other day, she said she wanted to focus on the track club after school as the captain. Instead, she’d make up for it in the morning.”

“Well, that’s true… but Rui-chan is already so popular, it’ll be fine, right?”

I’d like to say it’ll be fine, but for Rui, she probably thinks that’s her only concern.

High school election campaigns are fought on a very small field called the school compared to those of politicians, and with limited time and place, there aren’t many opportunities to have the stage all to yourself where people gather.

But if Rui isn’t doing any campaigning after school, then Himesaki, her rival, could just be waving her hand at the shoe lockers and it would be a huge appeal, and maybe… something like that could happen.

“Well, let’s just do what we can. Airi and Yuria calling for votes should have an effect on its own.”

“Well? That might be true for us… but maybe we can have Ryouta go the extra mile too~”

“Extra… mile? Eh, what are you talking about?”

“Heh, that’s something to look forward to after school.”

I-I have nothing but a bad feeling about this…

“Ah, Ryouta, you’ve got a notification on your phone.”

“O-Oh.”

I looked at my phone screen as Airi told me.

A message on LINE? Who is it from?

‘Himesaki: Meet me on the roof’

H-Himesaki…! Come to think of it, we haven’t talked about the election yet.

This commanding tone is almost nostalgic now…

I should be able to hear all sorts of things from her.

“Sorry, you two. I’ve got some personal business to attend to.”

“…Don’t tell me, another girl?”

“Wh—! That’s not it! Anyway, I’ve got business. Airi, I’ll give you one of these sandwiches.”

“Yay! Thanks, Ryouta!”

I gave Airi a sandwich and left my seat.

To think Yuria would realize my business was about a girl… she’s as sharp as Rui.

“Whoever becomes Yuria’s husband in the future won’t be able to let his guard down, that’s for sure.”

 

☆☆

 

Summoned by Himesaki, I headed straight to the roof.

I’m no longer her doggy but her friend, but there are many things that concern me, including her nomination for the election.

I hurried there, and when I arrived, I saw Himesaki eating lunch in a corner of the roof.

Himesaki was silently eating all by herself, holding a rice ball that was about the size of a handball with both hands. Yes, she was eating alone.

“Ah! Ryouta-senpai, over here, over here.”

Noticing my arrival, Himesaki waved her hand cutely with a smile.

“Thanks for coming so quickly! As expected, you’re quite light on your feet, aren’t you?”

“A-Ah, well, that’s true… but even after nominating yourself, are you still eating alone?”

“Wait! There’s no causal relationship between my nomination and having no friends, is there!”

“No, I just thought that since you’re running for Student Council President, you must have gotten used to the class environment and made some friends.”

“Ah, I see…”

Himesaki finished the large rice ball with a big mouthful, put the plastic wrap she’d been using into her lunch box, and then looked a bit gloomy.

“I nominated myself because my classmates told me to give it a try… I’d been debating whether to run for a while, but…”

“So you just went with the flow?”

“B-But! I couldn’t really say no, and even my homeroom teacher told me to run, you know? Even though they know I haven’t fit into the class yet.”

Himesaki said sulkily, her lips pouting.

Well, regardless of whether she has friends or not, when you consider Himesaki’s potential, I can see why they’d want to encourage her to run.

“That’s how much is expected of you. Besides, hasn’t something changed around you since you nominated yourself?”

“Well… yeah. Everyone said they’d help with my campaign.”

Himesaki said this and gave a shy smile.

Somehow, her smile seemed softer than before.

“I’m still often treated as someone special, but if I can get people to know more about me during this campaign…”

“If you can think that way, then it’s a good thing you nominated yourself, isn’t it?”

“B-But! Running for office is just too much! Once I’m on stage, I’ll probably get nervous and start talking fast… it would be easier if it were in English, though.”

Suddenly giving a speech in English… that might actually be popular.

“Ryouta-senpai, you might not understand, but… despite how I look, I get stage fright quite easily.”

“Whoa, that’s kind of erotic.”

“Where are you getting excited!”

Himesaki had been acting like a cheeky underclassman when we first met, but I didn’t expect her to have a side like that.

“Anyway, so you don’t think it’s a bad thing that you’re running, but you just don’t like speeches and stuff because you’re bad at them?”

“Y-Yes.”

“But you were quite lively back when you were threatening me with those photos. You should just give your speech with that same energy.”

“Th-That was! I was just desperate to get close to you, Ryouta-senpai… the real me is more shy, so…”

“Whoa… that’s kind of erotic.”

“Why are you getting excited!”

Everything Himesaki says somehow sounds erotic to me. I don’t know why.

“You’ve already decided to run, so just do your best, Himesaki. I’ll support you too, and if you have any trouble—”

“Uhm! The reason I called you here today is because I have a favor to ask!”

Himesaki suddenly said this with a serious look on her face.

“Ry-Ryouta-senpai… you aren’t Rui-senpai’s recommender, are you?”

“Recommender? Well, yeah, that’s true.”

“Then! If you’re okay with it, could I ask you to be my recommender!”

“H-Huh? Me, a recommender!? Are you serious?”

“Yes! You’re popular among the first-years, Ryouta-senpai, so I thought I’d like to ask you.”

When she said that, I remembered what had happened when I was waiting for Himesaki the other day.

It was true that there were students who were surprised to see me, but it didn’t seem to me like I was popular at all.

“U-Uhm, sorry, Himesaki. Actually, I’m supporting Rui, and not only that, but I’ve also become a recommender for an attention-seeker named Tanaka.”

“Eh? Ryouta-senpai, were you a recommender for that Tanaka person?”

“Yeah, so I can’t be your recommender. Sorry!”

“I see, that’s how it was.”

Himesaki’s face clearly showed her disappointment.

“Sigh… I thought I’d be able to do all sorts of things without feeling hesitant if I could ask you, Ryouta-senpai.”

“S-Sorry about that. Isn’t there anyone else who’d do it for you?”

“That part is fine. My friends in the class said they’d do it. I just wanted to ask you first, Ryouta-senpai, so I haven’t given them an answer yet.”

“I see. But in a way, isn’t that a good thing? You might become better friends with that person, right? You can’t just have me as your only friend forever.”

“I… wouldn’t mind if it stayed that way.”

“Even so?”

“No! I just mean it would be easier! I don’t mind as long as I have one friend who’s easy to handle, like you, Ryouta-senpai!”

“Easy to handle… hey, you.”

Perhaps because I’d turned down her request to be a recommender, Himesaki suddenly spoke with a bit of venom.

“But honestly, I’m a bit jealous. With your relationship with Rui-senpai, and now this Tanaka person, you have such a wide circle of friends, unlike me, Ryouta-senpai.”

I don’t know anyone with a narrower circle of friends than me…

After all, I’m friends with three beautiful girls, but I don’t have any male friends.

“So my relationship with you is just for playing around after all.”

“Hey! Where did you learn such words! Which textbook has those words in it!”

“So my relationship with you is just for my body after all.”

“It isn’t! I’d rather it be that way!”

This girl must have watched some weird drama.

“Now then, that’s enough joking around.”

“What, Himesaki. So my relationship with you was just for joking around after all.”

“Hey, stop with the counterattacks.”

Himesaki retorted lightly as she stood up holding her lunch box.

“You’re going to be Tanaka-senpai’s recommender while also supporting Kuroki-senpai, right? Then starting today, we’re enemies?”

“That’s how it’ll be.”

I’d wanted to avoid this ever since Rui nominated herself… but I guess it can’t be helped.

“Kuroki-senpai’s a though opponent, but I’ll do my absolute best.”

Himesaki said this, gave a bow, and left the roof.

As I thought, Himesaki might be the only one who can stand up to Rui.

I can’t be complacent, can I.

“…Hm? A LINE from Airi?”

‘Airi: Ryouta! Come to the classroom right now!’

Geez, what is it this time.

 

☆☆

 

When I arrived at the classroom, Airi and Yuria were sitting in my seat, staring intently at a phone together.

“What’s going on, you two?”

“Ah, Ryouta! Hey, look at this!”

“This?”

As Airi told me, I also took a look at Yuria’s phone.

There, a video was playing with a synthesized voice reading out text.

A character illustration of a cute girl with glasses was also included… seriously, what is this?

“Uhm, did you make this video, Yuria?”

“No way. This is—”

“Okay then, everyone, please write ‘Tanaka Kanade’ and vote on the day of the election. Well then, goodbye~”

With that, the video ended.

“Tanaka! She said she wasn’t going to do any campaigning, and yet she’s making an election video like this! W-Where did you find this?”

“You know about it too, right, Ryouta? Our school has an underground bulletin board. It’s published with a limited link on a video site, but it’s already been viewed several hundred times.”

“Several hundred!?”

Of course, compared to the view counts of online creators, it’s overwhelmingly small, but for a video made for a high school student council election, and on top of that, in a state where it’s not visible to the general public who don’t know the link, it’s extraordinary that it’s been viewed several hundred times.

Back when I was in middle school, I uploaded a video called “[LOL] Mentos Cola Challenge,” and even though it was public, it only got 15 views, and to top it off, someone left a comment saying ‘Typical summer break kid,’ so I deleted the video in tears, which is why I know how extraordinary this number is.

Even if it’s an underground bulletin board, it’s amazing that it’s attracting this much interest…

“Tanaka-chan is amazing. She’s using all sorts of technology. Her drawings are good too.”

“Well, even if she’s a bit creepy in her communication and inner thoughts, when it comes to indoor hobbies, her specs are as high as Rui’s.”

“Wait, this is no time to be impressed. Tanaka is making some very decent promises in this video.”

“Promises? That Tanaka?”

“Yeah, look here.”

Yuria showed me a list of Tanaka’s promises that were summarized a few seconds before the end of the video.

“Increasing the number of study rooms using empty classrooms, expanding the terrace seating in the cafeteria, opening and utilizing the annex, which is an old school building that’s become a storage area… the scale is quite large for a student council election.”

“But surprisingly, her promises are within the realm of possibility. They aren’t unrealistic ones like building something new, but more like cleaning up and utilizing currently unused space.”

As Yuria said, Tanaka’s promises were all things that addressed problems that hadn’t been dealt with until now, and all of them seemed like they could be realized with a bit of effort.

Especially regarding the empty classrooms, the number of unused classrooms has been increasing lately due to the decrease in classes, and the empty classroom where Airi and I used to have lunch in secret was one of them.

I’d thought they should be used for something, but to think she’d include that in her campaign promises…

I thought Tanaka spent all her time on the roof except for during lessons, but she might be ‘looking’ at this school more than we are.

“According to the reactions on the underground bulletin board, it seems that Tanaka’s support is already increasing. Well, since even graduates of our school are looking at this, it’s hard to say.”

“No, Tanaka’s goal is topicality, so this might be exactly what she’s aiming for. Using an underground bulletin board for campaigning was unheard of until now.”

“This is bad… we really have to do that thing after all.”

“Right, Yuria.”

“That thing?”

Yuria and Airi nodded to each other while exchanging glances.

I have another bad feeling…

“Everyone, what are you talking about?”

While we were gathered at the desk, Rui returned to the classroom after finishing her track club meeting.

“Ah, just in time, Rui. I’ve got a little favor to ask.”

“Hm?”

Yuria whispered something in her ear.

“Hehe, that’s a very good idea, Yuria. Ryouta-kun, please take care of it after school, okay?”

“Wha— What am I supposed to take care of!”

Something was progressing without me knowing.

What am I supposed to do after school! I feel nothing but fear!

 

☆☆

 

And then, after school.

Since the campaign starts today, this is the first campaign activity by the candidates.

However, Rui is not participating because she has track club.

Of course, Tanaka is not participating either, as she only does her campaigning online.

This means that Himesaki will inevitably have the after-school campaign all to herself, so thinking that would be bad, we decided to support Rui with just the three of us… or so we’d thought.

“Why do I have to feel the breeze between my legs again?”

Yes, for some reason, I was wearing a girl’s uniform while wearing that wig from before, with Kuroki Rui’s sash draped over my shoulder.

Let’s go back several dozen minutes.

I was moved to an empty classroom on the pretext of preparing for the campaign, but the moment I entered, for some reason, Yuria started removing my leg hair with hair removal cream while Airi applied makeup to my face, and that’s how I ended up like this.

“So that’s why. For one week starting today, we’ve decided to ask this Ryo-chan to fill in for Rui after school.”

“Yay! Ryo-chan is so cute~”

The two of them egged me on in front of the shoe lockers.

Not only was I not happy, I had nothing but complaints in my head.

“Hey, Yuria, Airi. You two planned this from the start, didn’t you, which is why you decided to do the campaign after school too.”

“That’s not true! Even Rui-chan said, ‘Ryouta-kun has many fans when he’s cross-dressing.'”

Then I won’t forgive Rui either. Not at all.

“By the way, who did you borrow this uniform from? It smells like Rui.”

“Ugh, gross. How can you tell?”

“Eh, so this uniform is… Rui’s…”

I see. So Rui lent me her uniform since she’s in her club activities…

A calm scent, like lavender.

Rui’s scent, straight to my nose.

“Hey, Ryouta, look down, look down, a bit.”

“Eh, ah! Sorry!”

Just as I was getting strangely excited in my head, Yuria pointed at my skirt.

“I mean, getting excited downstairs while cross-dressing, that’s just a complete pervert.”

“I! I don’t want to hear that from you guys who are making me do this!”

“Ah! Ryo… wait, Ryouta-senpai?”

Himesaki, who had appeared in front of the shoe lockers for her election campaign, found me.

Th-This is bad… after I’ve managed to keep up a cool image as a senpai in front of Himesaki until now, this is going to ruin everything!

Himesaki was frozen for several seconds, but then she suddenly moved, took her phone out of her pocket, and for some reason…

click

Wait!

“Hey, Himesaki! Don’t take pictures!”

“Kyaa! Ryouta-senpai, cross-dressing looks so good on you! Kyaa!”

You never make those kinds of high-pitched voices when you’re usually with me… damn it, what is this sense of defeat?

“Hey, Ryouta. Don’t tell me, are you also connected with that Himesaki girl?”

“Well, in various ways.”

“Hmm. Nice to meet you, Himesaki-san. I’m Ichinose Yuria, a second-year and Ryouta’s closest friend. Nice to meet you.”

What’s with that self-introduction… it’s like she’s asserting her position as the main wife.

“Wow, amazing. You’re that Ichinose-senpai, aren’t you! I’m happy to talk to you! I’m always looking at your nail photos and fashion on SNS! I’m Himesaki Nozomi!”

“Eh, ah, yeah… you’re looking at them? Thanks.”

Her face had been stiff just a moment ago, but now the easily-flattered gyaru Yuria looked a bit bashful. Cute.

“Airi wants to introduce herself too! I’m Miyama Airi! Nice to meet you, Nozomi-chan!”

“Yes! I know you too, Miyama-senpai, because the guys in the class are always gossiping about you!”

“Gossip? What kind, what kind?”

“Uhm, things like whether you’re dating Ryouta-senpai since you’re always having lunch with him and going to Starbucks after school.”

“Heh, A-Airi and Ryouta aren’t in that kind of relationship yet! Honestly~”

Airi denied it while grinning.

Wait, you should deny it properly without grinning like that for your own sake, Airi… also, you’ve forgotten the setting about having a boyfriend, haven’t you.

“Hey, Airi, don’t get won over so easily. She’s Rui’s rival, after all.”

I’ll refrain from retorting that she’s the one who was just looking bashful after being praised.

“Himesaki, since you’re wearing a sash, that means you’re campaigning too, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It seems my classmates made this sash for me as a surprise.”

Himesaki gripped the sash tightly, and the look in her eyes changed.

“I won’t lose… ‘Ryo-chan’ senpai.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Ahaha, Ryouta-senpai, did I make you angry?”

“I see… so you’ve chosen to fight.”

Since I had no intention of continuing the war of words, we quickly decided to start our activities a short distance away from Himesaki.

“Airi, Yuria. Since I’m wearing Rui’s uniform and sash, I’m doing this with her feelings in mind. For Rui’s perfection, I’ll even cross-dress or do whatever it takes!”

“You’ve finally started showing some manliness. That’s more like it, Ryouta.”

“Wait, where exactly are you finding manliness in me?”

“Ryouta, you look so cool, can I take a picture? I want to make it my home screen on LINE.”

“There’s no way I’d say yes to that! Just get to the campaign!”

Thus, Rui’s campaign got off to a somewhat awkward start.

 

☆☆

 

The following Friday.

I went to school while still feeling the fatigue from yesterday.

Yesterday, I’d attracted a lot of attention by cross-dressing in front of the shoe lockers as students were leaving, to the point where it was becoming unclear whose campaign it was.

But apparently, my cross-dressing was something that made Rui’s fans happy (which is mysterious), and many students wanted to take pictures with me.

The fact that Kuroki Rui’s campaign supporter was cross-dressing had also become a topic on the underground bulletin board where Tanaka was mainly active, and currently, the underground bulletin board was a battle of topics between Tanaka, the ‘unmotivated Doctor X’ who’d declared she’d fight online without showing her face, and me, the ‘Kuroki Rui (♂)’ pervert who cross-dresses as Kuroki Rui.

“Wait, was it really okay for me to do this as Tanaka’s recommender?”

Thinking that, as I reached the school gate, I saw a mysterious crowd of people… wait.

In front of the school gate were Rui and Himesaki, both wearing their election campaign sashes, and students were stopping to surround them.

“…………”

“…………”

Rui and Himesaki were staring each other down in silence, almost like at a boxing press conference.

Rui had a calm smile, while Himesaki was cutely but desperately showing her competitive spirit.

“I won’t lose. Kuroki-senpai.”

“I won’t lose… especially to you.”

The onlookers were getting excited, and some were even whistling.

W-Wait, why has it come to this!

“Wait, Nozomi-chan! Why are you staring her down!”

“Rui, what are you doing?”

After a while, a third-year senior who was Rui’s recommender and Himesaki’s classmate who was her recommender stepped in and separated the two of them, and things calmed down as they started their campaigns in separate locations.

Even so, I was worried about various things and headed straight for Rui.

“Wait, Rui, this isn’t like you. What’s wrong?”

As I approached Rui and the others, she was being calmed down under the shade of a tree by her recommender, a lovely and boyish-looking senior.

“G-Good morning… Senpai, and Rui.”

“Ah, look. Boyfriend-kun is here.”

“B-Boyfriend-kun?”

“In that case, I think I’ll head to the study room now. Can you campaign with him today?”

“Yes. Thank you always, Senpai.”

That senior gave me a wink and then left.

A boyish and lovely senior… that attribute is also a good one.

“Senpai already has a boyfriend. You shouldn’t look at her like that, Ryouta-kun?”

“I’ve told you so many times not to read my mind… anyway, more importantly.”

I cleared my throat slightly and returned to the subject.

“What was that just now? It’s rare to see someone as cool as you staring someone down.”

“I just… stared at her because she was doing her activities so close to me. And then it turned into that… besides, she seems quite conscious of me.”

Of course anyone would be conscious of you…

Putting aside that perfectly reasonable retort.

“Isn’t it because you’re also conscious of Himesaki? Usually, you just do what you have to do even if your enemy is nearby, Rui. But to stare her down.”

“…Hehe, you see right through me, don’t you, Ryouta-kun.”

“Well, yeah.”

Rui looked up at the sunlight filtering through the trees and took a breath.

“Because I’m too conscious of being perfect, I’m quite nervous about this Student Council election myself. An election isn’t like sports where things are swayed by luck, and it’s not something to make excuses for when you don’t achive results.”

“Rui…”

Which meant that Rui, who had won consecutive titles even in sports, had also made luck her own ally.

“The first-year votes will largely go to Himesaki-san. That’s why I want to make sure of the second and third-year votes. So as I thought, after school, I should also—”

Rui was more serious than usual, and the look in her eyes was so strong it was almost scary.

After school… which means, the track club…

That won’t do. Especially at a time like this, I… have to tell Rui.

“Hey, Rui, maybe seeking certainty is necessary. But ‘what ifs’ happen all the time. For example, those two incidents where I saved you in the past. Your cat, and that time with the paper—things you hadn’t expected happened, didn’t they?”

“‘What if’…? Are you trying to say that I might lose?”

Rui turned an even sharper gaze toward me.

I could even feel something like hostility in her eyes.

“N-No! What I want to say is that there’s no such thing as certainty.”

“No certainty?”

“Yeah. Right now, you’re seeking too much certainty for the sake of perfection. But the thing is, people’s feelings are something that can change right up until the moment of the showdown.”

Last year was like that for me too, but for the non-voter segment who aren’t interested in the student council election, it’s quite common for their opinions to change after the final speech.

“So… even if there are people supporting Himesaki during the campaign, you have the power to win them over with your final speech, Rui. That’s why, don’t overdo it by seeking too much certainty during the campaign.”

This was what I truly thought.

I can understand the desire to seek certainty because she’s a perfectionist, but I wanted her to believe in her own power at least a little bit and have enough confidence to win over the students who were supporting Himesaki.

“…Sorry, Ryouta-kun. I might have been a bit impatient.”

“No, I-I’m sorry for speaking so presumptuously! I was just meddling!”

“No… you’re the only one who can make such a suggestion to me, Ryouta-kun… and because it’s you, I can listen honestly.”

“Rui…”

“You’re insensitive in some ways, but you’re always honest in your thinking and you always give it to me straight. It’s because you’re someone who gives me new perspectives like that that I want you as my Vice President. That’s all.”

Saying this, for some reason, Rui turned her back to me.

Wait, is she still angry after all?

“In that case, can I leave all the after-school campaign activities to you, Ryouta-kun?”

“A-Ah! Leave it to me, Rui! I’ll go the extra mile, or even two!”

“Hehe… are you just saying that because you want to wear my uniform?”

“Ah— well, that might be part of it.”

“Geez, you pervert.”

When Rui turned around, she showed me a smile even bigger than usual, showing her white teeth.

Seeing Rui like that, I couldn’t help but smile with her.

After that, ever since the campaign truly began, I participated in the morning campaign activities together with Rui, Airi, and Yuria, and after school, I was made to cross-dress and spent my days campaigning as a sort of double for Rui.

Online, Tanaka kept coming up with innovative promises one after another, and she was gaining mysterious popularity and name recognition without ever showing her face.

Rui’s overwhelming popularity, Himesaki’s strong support among the first-years, or the dark horse Tanaka, who’d won over the light voter segment.

Everything was becoming uncertain until the day of the election.

 

☆☆

 

The day before the Student Council election.

Since I’m Tanaka’s recommender, I have to give a speech at tomorrow’s campaign assembly, so we were having a meeting at my room after school.

“Wow, Ryouta-kun’s room smells like a high school boy who’s trying too hard with perfume.”

“What kind of analogy is that! I just bought a room fragrance because Rui and the others have been coming over lately.”

“Hmm… how presumptuous. Even though you’re just a loner on the inside who’s a fake normie.”

Tanaka pouted and then started browsing my erotic bookshelf, where I usually hide all sorts of things, and started reading an erotic book.

“Even though you’re reading such perverted manga all the time.”

“D-Don’t confuse two-dimensional erotica with reality!”

“You’re the one to talk! Seriously!”

And so, after starting with our usual bickering, we began our preparations.

“By the way, what am I supposed to recommend about you when you haven’t shown your face in front of people once during the campaign period?”

“You can talk as much as you want about the usual me, since you know me, Ryouta-kun!”

“The usual Tanaka… loner, otaku, antisocial.”

“Why are you only listing the bad parts! And that all applies to you too, Ryouta-kun! You should look in a mirror!”

Tanaka was angry, but she’d been turning the pages of the erotic book she’d been reading this whole time.

Well, since I’m good friends with the beauty trio, I’m not on that level anymore.

“By the way, have you decided what you’re going to talk about tomorrow, Tanaka?”

“Eh… uh, that is! I’ve prepared a wonderful speech video—”

“A speech video? Don’t tell me… you’re planning not to show your face in front of people even during the actual event?”

“I-It can’t be helped! I have extreme stage fright!”

“Honestly, why did you even run for office…”

A virtual Student Council President would be unprecedented.

I’d heard that it all started because the teachers, fearing that no one would run against Rui, had reached out to Tanaka, but now there’s already a fine rival in Himesaki.

Rui’s popularity is as strong as ever, but Himesaki is the one who’s gained momentum to rival her.

Although she still doesn’t have many friends, she was doing her best in the campaign together with her classmate who’d become her recommender.

Himesaki had been appealing to students she passed by with handshakes even during the campaign, and it seems her close-range campaigning is working quite well.

Compared to her, our Tanaka… has only been active online this whole time.

“I’m seriously worried about Tanaka’s future.”

“What’s with the sudden serious tone! That’s too rude!”

While weeping over the current situation where I could only find bad things about Tanaka rather than her good points, I started writing the draft for my speech as Tanaka’s recommender.

Well, something safe should be fine.

“Knowing you, Ryouta-kun, I bet you really wanted to be Kuroki-san’s recommender, didn’t you.”

“…Well, if I’m being honest, I might have wanted to be Rui’s recommender. I want to be Vice President in Rui’s student council, and I want to support her.”

“Ryouta-kun…”

“But I’ll just do what I have to do. I was asked by Rui to support her in her campaign, and now I’m Tanaka’s recommender! Anyway, I have to do my best tomorrow!”

“…I see, yeah, yeah. As expected of Ryouta-kun, it has to be this way.”

“What’s that supposed to mean. Are you making fun of me again?”

“I wonder~”

Tanaka said this teasingly.

No matter what, everything will be decided tomorrow.

I have to brace myself.

 

☆☆

 

And then, the day of the election arrived.

I practiced my speech over and over on my way to school, and after using the bathroom, I headed to the gym.

The election starts early in the morning and lasts until the end of the first period, so it’s going to be quite a long event.

Now then… the meeting place was backstage, right.

“Good morning, Himesaki. What is Rui talking about with the teacher?”

“Good morning, Ryouta-senpai. Uhm, it seems Rui-senpai’s recommender hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Eh? She hasn’t arrived?”