(I’ve chosen a steep path for myself, haven't I?)
Judging from Narika’s reaction, I realized there had been a path where I didn't give her an answer at all. But since I had decided to do it, I had to think it through until I reached a conclusion I could stand behind.
For now, I should just head home.
I passed through the school gate and started walking toward the spot where the car usually picked us up.
However, I spotted Hinako standing just ahead of me.
"Hinako? You haven't gone home yet—"
I had meant to mutter it to myself, but I reflexively fell silent when I saw the person standing next to her.
They must have noticed me at that exact moment, as the individual flashed a polite, friendly smile.
"Hello, Tomonari-kun. I've been waiting for you."
"...President Minato?"
Standing beside Hinako was indeed the Student Council President.
"I was just chatting with Konohana-san while I waited. You were talking with Miyakojima-san over by the corner of the grounds earlier—is everything settled now?"
"Ah, yes. That’s all taken care of, but..."
Why had he been waiting for me specifically?
"I forgot to give this to you earlier. Please, take it."
With that, President Minato handed me several documents.
I scanned through the pages.
"...A Self-Interview Report?"
"Yes. As I explained before, you'll be responsible for conducting your own interviews during the holidays. Please take notes on how you spend your time off by answering the items listed there."
The first page was a blank schedule. The second listed several questions in a Q&A format. It seemed I was expected to fill them all out.
"I handed these out to the others during the lunch break, but you weren't in your classroom. I intended to track you down after school, but then that Noble Tea Party was held so spontaneously, so I waited until it concluded....And then your secret meeting with Miyakojima-san began."
"Um... sorry to have kept you waiting."
"No, no, there's no need to apologize. It's simply proof of how much people rely on you."
President Minato must have been incredibly busy, yet he had apparently waited all this time for me.
As for the "secret meeting" with Narika... I couldn't exactly deny it, so I decided to let the comment slide.
As I tucked the documents into my bag, President Minato looked between Hinako and me.
"I was just mentioning this to Konohana-san... the two of you seem to be together quite often. I heard from the Vice President that you spent the lunch break together as well. You're very close."
"Well... yes, I suppose so."
Given the topics at the Tea Party and my recent interaction with Narika, I was tempted to read a romantic nuance into his words, but he likely meant it in a purely friendly sense.
Beside me, Hinako let out a satisfied, prideful hum.
"The President has a good eye."
"...? Ah, is that so?"
"Yes."
President Minato tilted his head, looking slightly puzzled by Hinako's extreme satisfaction.
"I was secretly observing the Tea Party earlier... and how should I put it? The interactions were much more normal than I expected."
President Minato chose his words carefully.
"Please don't take that as a slight. It’s just that rumors say you all engage in heated debates about international politics or military affairs, so the reality was quite surprising."
"Hahaha... I’ve heard those rumors exist."
I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
Ikuno had said something similar when we first met.
"In reality, it's just a tea party. We're just having normal conversations."
"I see....Perhaps that is exactly what you all need."
President Minato glanced at Hinako.
The most famous student at Kikou Academy. The daughter of the Konohana Group, known by the alias "perfect lady." That was Hinako Konohana. When someone attracted that much attention, it was an ordeal just to find a place where they could speak calmly. But the same likely applied to Tennoji-san and Narika. Having a space where they could all gather and converse harmoniously was a rare and precious thing.
The Noble Tea Party was likely maintained through a miraculous balance of personalities.
I’m sure everyone felt that intuitively.
"If you become Vice President, is that the kind of academy you’ll aim for?"
He asked in a light tone, but the question was deep.
That kind of academy... one like our trivial Tea Party. When asked if that was my goal, I—
"No, I don't know yet."
I shook my head.
"I’m aiming for the Vice Presidency. I’ll leave the steering to whoever becomes President."
"...I see. That’s a fine way to steel yourself."
Of course, if that President ever tried to head down the wrong path, I would want to stop them, but I didn't think anyone like that would actually be elected at this academy.
I had plenty of definitions for a "wrong path," but my definition of the "correct path" was still vague. However, I didn't see that as a problem. The students here were all truly incredible... so if I managed to become Vice President, I could just decide the direction after discussing it closely with the President.
I didn't know who would win. But whoever it was, I believed I would trust and support them.
That was my way of doing things—my nature.
After looking at me and nodding with satisfaction, President Minato turned back to Hinako.
"Konohana-san. May I ask you a question that might be a bit nerve-wracking?"
"Nerve-wracking?"
"Oh, don't misunderstand. I’m the one who’s nervous."
President Minato continued.
"Konohana-san. You are relied upon by many people on a daily basis, aren't you?"
"...I won't deny that."
"Then, Konohana-san, have you ever personally relied on the Student Council?"
After a short pause, Hinako shook her head.
"No. Fortunately, I haven't had to until now."
"I thought as much....That is the current reality of this academy."
President Minato spoke with a solemn expression.
"In this academy, there are many 'big names' even outside the Student Council. Because of that, few people bother to rely on us. The young lady of the Konohana family, whose influence echoes both inside and outside the academy, is far more reliable than a Student Council that only holds power within these walls. Unfortunately, the status of a Student Council officer is no match for a family name."
Now that he mentioned it, I had never relied on the Student Council either.
If Hinako—no, if the Konohana Group seriously tried to exercise power over Kikou Academy, they could certainly do it. The influence of a family name reached deep into the academy's internal affairs. As President Minato said, the significance of the Student Council was indeed being called into question.
"For that reason, the Student Council has long been content to work behind the scenes—but I wanted to change this state of affairs. I've been quietly making various preparations."
President Minato's voice grew slightly more forceful.
"My only miscalculation was that it took more time than I expected. Thanks to that, I likely won't see the results during my own term, but it will surely be useful for the next generation....Because of that, I can't view the upcoming election as someone else's business."
I didn't know the specifics, but it seemed President Minato had decided to entrust everything he had built to those who followed him. The details were probably not something I should hear yet. They were likely something significant that should only be revealed to those who actually secured a seat on the council.
"The report is due next Monday. I'm looking forward to reading it."
With that, President Minato took his leave.
When I first heard the story about the Student Council building a pond on campus, I was surprised by the extent of their power... but perhaps President Minato felt frustrated that they could only do that much.
...It was a sobering conversation.
That didn't mean I could exaggerate the contents of my report, though. There wasn't much time left before the election, and even if I changed my entire life from this very moment, there was no way to prove to the students that such a change would persist after I took office.
I decided I would fill out the Self-Interview Report with my true, unvarnished self.
I would just do what needed to be done, as carefully as possible.
"From that conversation just now..." Hinako said in a small voice. "I think I understand a little bit... what kind of Vice President Itsuki is aiming to be."
"...Is that so? To be honest, I haven't clearly decided myself yet."
Hinako shook her head slowly.
"When Itsuki becomes Vice President... you want to take care of the President, don't you?"
When she put it that way... she might be right.
Support them, and guide them. That vision did exist.
As I felt a sense of clarity settle in my heart, Hinako pressed her body right up against mine.
"Hi-Hinako?"
"...Don't forget to take care of me, too."
Was she really feeling that anxious...?
"There's no way I'd forget."
"...Mm."
When I whispered that back to her, Hinako pulled away with a satisfied look.
There was no way I'd forget. After all, the reason I was aiming for a position on the Student Council was to become someone worthy of staying by Hinako's side even after we graduated.
I didn't view the Student Council as just a stepping stone.
However, be that as it may, it was also important to look toward the future.
"...That's right. Hinako, if you don't mind, could you teach me about business management?"
"Business management...?"
"Yeah. The Management Game is over, but I want to keep studying management. If you have any reference books you used, I'd like to borrow them."
"Mm, okay. I have a lot, so I'll look for them when we get back to my room."
A lot, huh...
I knew it already, but the management skills Hinako displayed during the game weren't something built overnight.
I wondered how many years it would take for me to catch up to everything she had accumulated.
No, if I wasn't careful, the gap would only keep widening.
Standing by Hinako's side was going to be difficult.
But that was exactly why... it was worth doing.
That night.
Hinako and I were having dinner together as usual.
"Hinako... make sure to eat your vegetables, too."
"...Caught me."
That was close. If I let my guard down, she would try to sneak the vegetables she disliked onto my plate. Lately, she had been more willing to eat them, but she still tried to trick me about once every three days.
Actually, it was possible she had already succeeded several times without me even noticing.
(Wait? This seasoning is...)
Tonight’s menu leaned toward Japanese cuisine. I took a bite of the spinach ohitashi topped with clams—it had the delicate air of a dish from a high-class restaurant—and suddenly realized the flavor was familiar.
"Ms. Shizune."
"Yes?"
"By any chance, is Yuri here tonight?"
I asked Ms. Shizune, who was standing nearby. She widened her eyes slightly in surprise.
"How did you know?"
"The seasoning. It’s very close to how it tastes at Yuri's house."
Hinako and I had just finished our meal. Since Hinako usually just lazed around after eating, I decided to go find Yuri.
Heading toward the kitchen, I found Yuri already changed into her civilian clothes, looking ready to head home.
"Yuri."
I called out to her and approached as she turned around.
"You could have told me if you were coming over."
"Well, I'm here for work, after all. Besides, I'll see you tomorrow anyway."
That was true, but...
"Well, and... I just wanted to work hard in secret for a bit."
"Work hard?...Wait, today is Friday. What about school?"
"It was the last day of midterms. Since exams ended in the morning, I came over here for the afternoon."
I remembered now. Midterms at her high school were usually around this time.
"You came all the way here to work right after your tests finished?"
"...Well, yeah."
Yuri smiled quietly and nodded.
"You got a great result in the Management Game, didn't you?"
"...Probably."
"What do you mean, 'probably'? You're as humble as ever when it's about yourself....So, that brings you a step closer to joining the Student Council, right?"
"I guess so. Though I still can't let my guard down."
It wouldn't mean anything unless I won the upcoming election, so I couldn't relax yet. However, it was an undeniable fact that I was closer to joining the council than ever. Otherwise, President Minato wouldn't have summoned me.
"Knowing that made me think....I can't afford to fall behind."
Yuri spoke in a small voice.
So that was why she had come to work immediately after her exams. It seemed Yuri had intended to go home tonight without talking to me, purely because she was feeling competitive and found it a bit awkward to face me.
It wasn't just me... Yuri was also someone who put honest effort toward her goals.
Her dream was to turn her family's Hiramaru Diner into a national chain. That had to be just as difficult as my dream of becoming a consultant and supporting Hinako and the others.
"...I'm rooting for you."
"You don't have to. Instead, let's both just do our best."
I couldn't help but laugh.
That was right. This was just how Yuri was.
"By the way, what have you been up to lately?"
"Lately... I've been undergoing interviews."
"Interviews?"
When I explained the situation, Yuri wore an amused expression.
"Heh~~, so you're being interviewed by the Student Council."
"Well, in reality, I'm mostly just being observed from a distance..."
But perhaps that’s what a real profile interview was like. Though there weren't any cameras, they were certainly gathering all sorts of information.
"Then, I have a question for Tomonari-san!"
Yuri used her clenched fist as a mock microphone and thrust it toward me.
"Tell us, what is the secret to your success in the Management Game!?"
"That would be... if I had to say, I feel like the things I've accumulated until now finally paid off. I was helped many times by the people I’ve been involved with since long before the game started. I’m grateful to them."
I played along with her mood and answered formally.
"When thinking of people close to Tomonari-san, Hinako-san comes to mind immediately. It seems the two of you had quite the debate in front of everyone at the end! How did you feel at that moment?"
How did she know about that?
Hinako must have told her. The two of them had been getting along well lately.
"To be honest, I was nervous. The distance between us was different than usual, and I even felt like she wasn't the Hinako-san I knew....But her personality hadn't actually changed. Because we're close on a daily basis, I think I was able to talk to her more easily than anyone else could."
Even if she switched into her "young lady" mode, I knew Hinako's true nature, and I knew the worries she was harboring. That was why I had been able to handle that debate.
"However, making such a bold move is bound to attract a lot of attention!"
"Well, yes."
"I bet you've had a lot more girls approaching you lately, haven't you~?"
Yuri grinned mischievously, pushing her fist-microphone closer.
I looked away.
"..................No, not really."
"What was that pause for?"
Yuri's expression went flat.
"Wait, what? What does that mean? Am I really the only one working hard here?"
"..................No, it's not like I'm getting distracted by that kind of thing..."
"What do you mean by 'that kind of thing'?"
This was no good. No matter what I said, I was just digging my own grave.
"I-Isn't it about time you went home? It's getting late..."
"Guh...!! Th-That's true, but...!!"
She probably had a car waiting for her. If I just kept stalling, she would be forced to leave....This match was my victory.
"Ms. Hirano. The car is ready..."