“Wow... that worry is way too much of a luxury, isn't it?”
“A luxury?”
“I mean, it means you can join either camp if you feel like it, right? Normally, just getting into any camp is a huge ordeal.”
When Yuri put it like that, it was true.
“Wait, are you seriously asking me for advice on this?”
“Well, I've already decided that I'll consult you on all the important things in my life, Yuri.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Yuri giggled.
I had wanted to talk to her in person since it was a significant matter, but there simply wasn't enough time. I was the one at fault for overthinking and hesitating, of course.
(If we follow the usual format, one of the presidential candidates is going to end up isolated.)
There were three candidates for President, but only two for Vice President. When the Vice Presidential candidates pick their sides, one Presidential candidate will be left without anyone to back them up.
I didn't want either Tennoji-san or Narika to be that person.
It wasn't just because I was worried about making them sad. It was more that I believed neither of them was the type of person who should be isolated. Both Tennoji-san and Narika were magnificent people. Since they were committing themselves to the election, I wanted them to perform at their absolute best. The idea of their activities being limited by a lack of manpower bothered me personally.
While the other Vice Presidential candidate might be looking to support one of them, I hadn't heard anything about it yet, so that possibility seemed unlikely.
Was I just being self-centered?
“Why don't you just prioritize what you want to do?” Yuri said nonchalantly. “As long as it makes sense to you, it's fine. I mean, look at me—I'm always thinking about myself.”
“...Is that so?”
“It is. In my case, I mostly prioritize things related to cooking.”
For Yuri, what she wanted to do was fulfill her ambition of turning her family's restaurant into a national chain. Maybe I needed to look at the bigger picture of my own life rather than just the immediate election.
What I wanted to do with my life—was to protect Hinako. To reach a position where I could support girls like Hinako, Tennoji-san, and Narika. In other words, to succeed as a consultant. And one day, to become someone who could stand proudly alongside them without having to hide my identity.
This might be selfish, but...
(Now that I think about it, everyone has their own reasons for running.)
Tennoji-san wanted to surpass Hinako. Narika wanted to change herself.
“Selfless devotion is all well and good, but in your case, isn't that just a way of retreating into your shell?”
Because that was exactly what I had been doing all along.
Ever since my days as a struggling student, I had spent my time without ever considering what I actually wanted to do. Yuri had pointed it out during summer vacation—that I was terrible at using time for myself.
But I knew I couldn't stay like this. If I didn't actively pursue my goals of my own volition, I would be left behind. The world I had chosen was a harsh one.
(I'd forgotten why I started this.)
Just as Tennoji-san and Narika had their reasons, I had mine for challenging the Student Council Election. At the end of summer vacation, Takuma-san had told me that if I wanted to become an executive of the Konohana Group in the future, I should join the Student Council at Kikou Academy.
Things had changed since then. I had carved a path as a consultant through the Management Game and shown my aptitude for it, which was likely unexpected even for Takuma-san. My life plan had shifted slightly from what I'd imagined during the summer, but my ultimate goal hadn't changed.
To stand by Hinako's side. That, and that alone, was my unwavering dream.
“...Thanks. I think I see what I need to do now.”
“Good.”
A silence fell between us.
I tilted my head. “Wait, you're not going to say it? The usual bit about being my older sister...”
“...I'm not saying it,” Yuri replied with a sigh. “I'm not going to lose to you... or to Konohana-san and the others!”
The call disconnected.
Maybe something had changed for Yuri, too. But now that she'd stopped saying, “I'm your big sister!”, I actually felt a little lonely. I was being selfish.
“Poke.”
“Whoa!?”
Someone suddenly poked me in the side, and I let out a weird yelp.
“H-Hinako. Were you awake?”
“I woke up in the middle....I didn't interrupt. Was I a good girl?”
“...Yes, you were.”
“Nnhehe...”
She looked like she wanted praise, so I stroked her head. She smiled happily. It felt a bit like petting a cat.
“Elections... are different from management,” Hinako said, still lying on my lap. “In management, it's important to grow multiple companies at once, but... in an election, there's only one winner.”
Coming from Hinako, who had actually managed multiple corporations simultaneously in the Management Game, those words carried immense weight. Only one winner. Normally, trying to balance both would be impossible, but—
“But... that depends on Itsuki's perspective.”
Hinako's eyes locked onto mine.
“I think you're free to make this upcoming event whatever you want it to be, Itsuki.”
“...You're right. Just like you said.”
Hinako gave a small nod.
“By the way, Hinako, what is the Student Council Election to you?”
“Hmm... A carefree festival?”
She tilted her head. Since Hinako usually ended up being the star of the show no matter the event, she was probably just happy to be in a relaxed position for once.
“But I'm still rooting for you.”
She insisted that she wasn't just a bystander.
“I want Itsuki, and Tennoji-san, and Miyakojima-san... everyone to get results.”
I couldn't help but smile at her pure sentiment.
Yeah... exactly. I felt the same way.
I vigorously ruffled Hinako's hair as she lay there.
“Nn? Nn, nnn... nnhehe...”
With every stroke, Hinako's smile grew more and more goofy.
◆
On the way back to the Class 2-A classroom with Hinako, I bumped into two girls in the hallway.
“Ah.”
“Oh.”
“Ah.”
As I let out a sound, Tennoji-san and Narika did the same. Had they been together?
They exchanged a silent glance, gave a quiet nod, and looked at me.
“Tomonari-san. Do you have a moment?”
“I'd like to talk to you about something.”
Tennoji-san and Narika spoke with determined expressions.
“Actually, that's perfect. I have something I want to tell you two as well.”
Their eyes widened. Perhaps we were thinking the same thing.
“I'll head back to the room first,” Hinako said, reading the room.
“Okay. See you later.”
It wasn't like I was hiding anything from her, so I'd fill her in once we were back at the manor. Since lunch break was almost over, there weren't many people in the halls. We moved to a quiet stairwell landing to talk.
“Should we go first?” Tennoji-san asked.
When I nodded, Narika took over.
“Itsuki. About the Student Council Election... you don't need to help us anymore.”
“Eh?”
I blinked at the unexpected statement. No need to help? Does that mean...
“Are you telling me I'm fired?”
“N-No! That's not it at all!”
“Of course not! It's not because you're useless! Honestly, we want your help so badly it hurts!”
Was that it?
As I tilted my head, Tennoji-san let out a theatrical cough while blushing.
“Knowing you, Tomonari-san, you're likely struggling because you can't choose between us, right?”
“That's...”
She'd seen right through me.
“It's one thing to make posters and flyers, but managing both of us simultaneously through the whole campaign would be an overwhelming burden. That's why Miyakojima-san and I talked it over. To make sure you don't overextend yourself, we decided we'll face the election without an assistant.”
“And since the third candidate would probably love to have you too, Itsuki, we wanted to let you know that you should feel free to run in a more unburdened state. We don't want you to worry about us.”
If I couldn't choose, they were telling me I didn't have to choose either of them; I could just go work with the third candidate.
But that wasn't right.
“Don't worry about us. We'll manage on our own—”
“No.”
I cut her off firmly.
“Please don't say that. Let me help you. I'm going to support both of you—Tennoji-san and Narika—with everything I've got.”
Did they really think I was just worried about the workload?
That wasn't it. I had been troubled over which one to support, but I hadn't worried about the burden for a single second. That was never a factor for me.
My only concern was the election rules. I was worried about whether breaking the traditional 'one President, one Vice President' format was acceptable. But after Yuri and Hinako encouraged me, that concern was gone.
I had no reason to compromise now.
“You've both got it wrong. It's not that I can't choose one of you. I want to support you both.”
As they stared at me in stunned silence, I continued.
“I have a goal to become a consultant. To do that, I need to gain as much experience as possible as an advisor. If it's going to be busy... then bring it on. I don't want to let this chance slip away. Honestly, the busier I am, the better.”
I wasn't afraid of hard work. I'd been dealing with that ever since Hinako pulled me into this world.
“I have my own stakes in this election. That's why I'm going to support you both.”
I looked them straight in the eyes.
For some reason, Tennoji-san and Narika just stood there, looking dazed.
“...How wonderful.”
“...So cool.”