"I come from a family of politicians, you see. I know a thing or two about elections."
Ren Joto began his explanation.
"You can't win an election without local support. That's why I decided to turn this entire third floor into my 'hometown' base."
Listening to his reasoning, I finally understood his plan.
So, he's manufactured a local constituency...
In any election, local support is indispensable. However, unlike real-world politics, the concept of a "hometown" was virtually non-existent in a school Student Council election.
If it didn't exist, he would simply create it.
That was the first move from a Ren Joto who had finally decided to take things seriously.
The students on the third floor were already united, the air thick with support for his camp. It clearly wasn't just the result of a single lunchtime speech. He must have been sowing the seeds of unity bit by bit, utilizing the moments before morning classes and the brief intervals between lessons. The moment he secured permission to speak in the hallways, his base had likely already been coalescing. The speech I just witnessed was merely the finishing blow.
...What's our move?
We had to devise a counter-strategy.
Should we try to unify the second-floor students in the same way?
"You can't copy this," Joto said, as if reading my mind.
"There are two Student Council President candidates on the second floor: Tennoji-san and Miyakojima-san. The vote there is already split between them. Even if you tried to imitate me, you’d never achieve this level of solidarity."
As long as there were two rival candidates on the same floor, they would never gain the unified support of all three classes.
This cohesion... was an advantage exclusive to the Joto camp.
"Physical proximity is the most important factor in gaining trust. People are far more willing to listen to someone simply because they're a familiar face. And above all, proximity facilitates propagation."
Propagation...?
The weight of the word hit me a moment later.
I was stunned into silence. This was bad.
"Do you see? What’s forming right before your eyes is a community."
The students on the third floor were buzzing, their excitement over Joto's speech reaching a fever pitch. That energy was crossing classroom boundaries, spreading from one room to the next.
The students were chatting harmoniously about the man named Ren Joto.
Because they were close. Because the classrooms were adjacent, sharing the experience was effortless. With students on both his left and right talking about Joto, the circle had transformed into a community that encompassed the entire third floor.
It was almost like a fan club...
No, a mere metaphor wasn't enough. There was a specific term in the world of politics for an organization like this.
This was—a Supporters' Association.
Joto was building a dedicated support network from the ground up.
"Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Joto asked, watching the cold sweat trickle down my face.
"I tried to be as thorough as possible as an apology for before. Is there anything else on your mind?"
"Ah... no, I'm fine."
Thinking about it rationally, Joto had no reason to be this transparent. This was his way of showing sincerity.
"Thank you for retracting those rumors as well. By the time I arrived at Kikou Academy this morning, the fire was almost entirely out."
"I asked some acquaintances last night to spread the word that the rumors were groundless. Rintaro helped as well."
Joto glanced behind him.
Rintaro Asahi, who had been standing back hesitantly, stepped forward at Joto's signal.
"Itsuki-senpai, thank you for everything you did for my sister."
Rintaro bowed deeply.
"I wrestled with the decision, but in the end, I've decided to continue supporting Joto-senpai."
"...I see."
Ultimately, the two of them shared the same vision for Kikou Academy. The conclusion was only natural.
Going back to the root of it, Rintaro's distrust of his family business had led him to seek a life not dictated by lineage. That conviction wasn't going to vanish just because he had been reconciled with his sister. The family issue had been a mere catalyst. Now that he had regained his composure, Rintaro was choosing to support Joto's ideology based on his own values.
I didn't know if Rintaro’s past actions deserved forgiveness. The negative campaign was a logical strategy, even if it turned my stomach.
But if anyone were to decide whether to forgive him, that role belonged to Mirei and Narika. And knowing those two, they would certainly forgive him.
Or rather, they were the type who wouldn't forgive themselves if they chose the path of resentment.
"Well then—from here on out, we can have a proper competition without holding back."
Just as Joto spoke, the bell rang.
To us, it didn't sound like a school bell; it sounded like the gong for the end of a round. Lunchtime was over. The next battle would take place after school.
"Joto-kun."
I called out to his back as he turned toward the Class 2-E classroom.
"What exactly is this 'major announcement' you're making after school?"
In response, Joto flashed a fearless, enigmatic smile.
"If you're that curious, you'll just have to come and hear it for yourself."
The apologetic kindness from moments ago had vanished.
From here on out, we can have a competition without holding back. Joto's words echoed in my mind, over and over again.
◆
After school, I headed to the grounds to hear Joto's speech. A massive crowd had already gathered, a testament to the Joto camp's surging popularity.
To make sure Mirei and Narika understood the drastic change in Joto's aura, I decided to record the speech on my smartphone. I had wanted them to see it in person, but the flyers we distributed this morning had already scheduled their own speeches for this same time. Since canceling would damage their support ratings, I had come alone.
"I am Ren Joto. Thank you all for waiting."
Joto stepped before the crowd, microphone in hand.
With a crowd this size, a natural voice wouldn't have carried.
the moment Joto appeared, a roar of cheers erupted. The sheer volume made the ground feel as though it were vibrating.
I recognized many of the voices. They were the students from the third floor who had been there during lunch.
The unity of his 'hometown' base is riling up the rest of the crowd...
They were, for all intents and purposes, a legitimate street team.
By mobilizing his Supporters' Association, Joto ensured he would be met with thunderous applause regardless of where he spoke. Having a guaranteed level of enthusiasm surely made it easier for him to deliver a commanding performance.
Naturally, the surrounding students were swept up in the fervor.
Seeing so many people this passionate about Ren Joto, they would inevitably start thinking that perhaps he was the right choice for Student Council President.
Joto began his speech. The content was largely what I had expected: the commoner-ization of Kikou Academy. He laid out a case for how his platform would create a better school environment, alternating between objective data and passionate appeals to willpower. Joto used his masterful speaking skills to seize the hearts of the audience.
Once the crowd was hanging on his every word, Joto paused.
"I have a major announcement for you all today."
With that, he handed the microphone to a female student standing beside him.
I had been so focused on the speech that I hadn't even noticed her until that moment. How long had she been standing there?
...You've got to be kidding me.
I was speechless as I looked at her.
The girl showed no sign of nerves despite the hundreds of eyes fixed upon her. She opened her mouth and spoke.
"I am the former Student Council President, Maki Minato."
Her dignified voice rang out across the grounds.
Her presence, clearly accustomed to the spotlight, commanded the crowd's trust in an instant.
The fact that she had appeared at Ren Joto's rally meant only one thing.
As if answering the audience's unspoken question, Minato-senpai made her declaration.
"I officially endorse Ren Joto for the position of the next Student Council President."
The loudest cheer of the day erupted.
In stark contrast to the celebration around me, I felt a crushing sense of dread. The former Student Council President had thrown her weight behind Joto. The news would be all over the academy within minutes.
In that moment, I felt the tide of public opinion shift violently.
◇
Ren watched in silence as Itsuki Tomonari left the scene, looking visibly shaken.
Though they hadn't known each other long, Ren knew one thing for certain: that boy's spirit wouldn't break easily. He would look panicked, he would look troubled... and then, after a short while, he would strike back with a masterstroke. That was how he had dispelled the darkness hanging over Rintaro.
He couldn't afford to be complacent.
Ren told himself that Itsuki Tomonari was far from defeated.
He turned to the woman standing beside him.
"Minato-senpai, thank you. You really helped liven things up."
"It wasn't just me. This turnout is a result of your own merit," Maki said, looking over the lingering crowd.
"Minato-senpai, may I ask why you decided to side with me?" Ren asked.
"I was the one who came to you for support, but I can't help but feel you agreed quite readily. Almost as if you had intended to do so from the very beginning."
Maki considered the question for a moment before answering.
"To put it simply, it was a convergence of interests."
She continued.
"The Rakuo Group Co., Ltd., which my family runs, rose to success by catering to ordinary households—commoners, as you say. I find much of your ideology easy to sympathize with."
"...I see."
Ren gave an accepting nod, though he didn't look entirely convinced.
A convergence of interests. Maki figured that as long as she made it clear she didn't intend to betray him, the details didn't matter.
(There is another reason, of course... but I'm hesitant to voice it.)
The second reason was far more personal.
Ren had been right: she had intended to join his camp from the start.
Maki had once studied under a certain mentor. As his disciple, she had worked tirelessly to produce results worthy of his praise. But her efforts went unrewarded, and she was eventually cast aside.
Since then, he had found a new disciple.
That boy, Itsuki Tomonari, had by some twist of fate transferred into the very academy where she served as President, and now he was aiming for a seat on the Student Council.
Maki had one goal: she wanted to know.
Why was she discarded?
And why was this boy recognized?
The final outcome of the election didn't particularly matter to her. If she won, she would prove that her former master's judgment had been flawed, which would be satisfying enough. If she lost, she would understand that his choice had been correct and finally be able to move on.
She simply wanted to find peace with the fact that she had been replaced.
That was the true reason Maki Minato had become Ren's ally.
She wanted to stand in direct opposition to Itsuki Tomonari.
"That said, you certainly took your time making your move. If you were going to ask for my help, wouldn't an earlier stage have been better?"
You certainly kept me waiting, she thought, though she kept that part to herself. If he had waited much longer, she might have reached out to him first.
"...I recently found a reason to get serious," Ren replied with a solemn expression.
Deep in his eyes, a fire was burning. It was the look of someone who had found an opponent they refused to lose to.
"Besides, I was worried that relying on you might be seen as a 'dirty' move."
"A bit late for that, isn't it?" Maki laughed.
"Wasn't it your camp that started the negative campaign?"
"That was..."
"It's the same even if you didn't personally get your hands dirty. You've already done what was necessary. Why start being picky about your methods now?"
Ren bit his lip at her provocative question. But he quickly looked up, his expression resolute.
"...No, you're right. I've already made my choice. That's why I came to you."
Ren already understood that his hands were no longer clean.
"A politician does whatever it takes to win votes."
"That's the spirit."
Maki had sided with him because she saw that potential.
She wanted to be a wall for Itsuki Tomonari, and being a minor hurdle wouldn't be enough. By teaming up with Ren, she could become a truly insurmountable obstacle.
"Can I call you Ren-kun? We are, after all, in a united front, however brief it may be."
"Then I'll call you Minato-senpai. It'll show everyone that we're close on both a personal and professional level."
His ability to instantly pivot to tactical advantages was exactly what one expected from a politician-type student.
Maki knew that a politician who had truly steeled their heart was the most dangerous kind of person to deal with.
◆
After school, I returned to the manor and consulted Takuma-san about the situation.
Since the Management Game, I’ve been giving him regular updates over the phone. He always takes the time to advise me, and I’m honestly grateful. He still seems to be on bad terms with Hinako and Ms. Shizune, but I’ve started to think he’s actually quite a caring person at heart.
"If I had to compete with a politician type in a public speech, even I would lose."
I never expected to hear those words from Takuma-san. My eyes widened.
His detached voice came through my laptop speakers.
"They are geniuses at inciting the masses. They can sense exactly what words and attitudes an audience desires in an instant, and they can improvise the perfect performance to deliver them effectively. Their brains are simply wired differently. It’s like the difference between a layperson and a professional athlete."
"...That much of a difference?"
When I’d seen Joto meticulously caring for his throat, I’d thought he was like an athlete. It turned out that assessment had been spot-on.
But Takuma-san wasn't telling me this so I would despair. I understood what he was getting at.
"In other words, we shouldn't be fighting on the same stage."
"Exactly."
Joto had awakened. His oratory skills had reached a frightening level. My first instinct—that I needed to push Mirei and Narika to work harder on their speeches—was, as Takuma-san put it, a foolish move.
If we spent all our time obsessing over speeches, we would never escape Joto's home turf.
"Politician types are also masters of underhanded tactics. Are you prepared for his maneuvers?"
I found myself at a loss for words.
Maneuvers... How exactly was I supposed to prepare for those?
"You should try using such methods yourself occasionally," Takuma-san said, as if reading my mind.
"Don't you think the best way to guard against a scheme is to understand them inside and out? And the best way to understand them... is to practice. Devise your own schemes and execute them. In the end, that will be your greatest defense."
It was a logical argument. But...
"...I’m sorry. I want to win this fair and square."
"Even if it means the defeat of Mirei Tennoji and Narika Miyakojima?"
He asked the question instantly, as if he’d anticipated my response.
But as the faces of those two came to mind, I only felt more confident.
"Even if I were to suggest something underhanded, those two would never forgive me for it."
Takuma-san was silent for a moment.
"Well, as long as you're not just being stubborn, I suppose that's fine."
His tone was incredibly calm, yet his point hit home with surgical precision. It made me waver for a heartbeat.
If I thought about it purely rationally, I didn't have to tell Mirei or Narika everything. Even if they didn't approve, I could still act. Was I really just being stubborn?
No... that wasn't it.
Taking underhanded measures carried the risk of dragging everyone down with me. That was why Rintaro had been willing to play the villain and step down from his position. But was that what Joto had really wanted? If I did something like that... how would Mirei and Narika feel? And more importantly, what would Hinako think?
If I just acted without saying anything, they would never accept it.
When I considered the big picture, I knew I didn't want to use dirty tricks.
"It's all right. I'm not just being stubborn," I told him, after weighing my thoughts.
"There's one more major problem, though..."
"What is it?"
This was the issue I probably needed to deal with first.
"The former Student Council President, Minato-senpai, has officially joined Joto's camp."
"..."
The line went quiet for a few moments.
"I suppose I hadn't mentioned it to you yet, Itsuki-kun."
Takuma-san spoke with his usual composure.
"Maki Minato is my former disciple."
"Wait... what?"
"She was in a position quite similar to yours now. The difference is that she was the one who practically begged to be my student. Since I only accepted her reluctantly, I suppose I was rather harsh with her."
Come to think of it, when I became his disciple, Takuma-san was the one who made the offer.
Wait... but I’m pretty sure he said it was only for the duration of the Management Game. Well, whatever. I always learn something when I talk to him. If he still considers me his disciple, I'll take all the help I can get.
"Is Minato-senpai no longer your disciple?"
"No. I discarded her because she lacked talent."
What a brutal way to put it, I thought.
"She's likely taking out that resentment on you."
"Are you serious...?"
So, the reason she was helping Joto was ultimately Takuma-san's fault? I could practically see him smirking on the other side of the screen.
"I trust you can overcome this. It will be good for your growth."
"I hope so..."
It felt like I was being caught in the crossfire of some ancient grudge.
"I don't necessarily feel responsible, but I'll give you one hint for dealing with Maki Minato."
I wish you'd feel at least a little responsible, I thought, but I kept my mouth shut. A hint was better than nothing.
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. It’s that simple."
His advice was stark and straightforward.
"You understand what I mean, don't you?"
"I understand, but still..."
"Use every resource available to you. That is the way of the business world."
A ringtone sounded from his end. His smartphone was ringing.
"Let's leave it at that for today," he said, and the call ended.
I leaned back in my chair and let out a long, heavy sigh.
We certainly have a difference in philosophy...
Takuma-san had given me two pieces of advice. First, to understand schemes by devising my own. Second, to use an "eye for an eye" approach against Minato-senpai.
I knew both were effective. I knew that, but... I just didn't like it.
"It seems you're in a bit of a tight spot."
"Yeah..."
I nodded, startled as Ms. Shizune spoke from behind me.
"—Wait, Ms. Shizune!? How long have you been there!?"
"I was here the whole time. I simply stayed quiet because I didn't want Takuma-sama to notice me."
She wheeled a tea trolley into the room from the hallway.
With practiced grace, Ms. Shizune brewed a cup of tea and offered it to me.
"As always, you seem to be facing a rather daunting wall."
"...You could say that."
I took a sip of the tea. A gentle sweetness spread across my tongue. It was exactly what I needed to ease the tension. It was uncanny how she always knew what flavor I was craving. If I’d been trying to focus, I’m sure she would have served a crisp herbal blend instead.
"I’ve been thinking lately..." I said, setting the cup down. "My life has never once gone smoothly from start to finish. Not even once."
"You certainly lead a demanding life," she said, her eyes softening with a hint of sympathy.
I wasn't asking for much. But every once in a while, couldn't things just... work out without a struggle?
"But that is only because you are constantly challenging yourself, Itsuki-san," Ms. Shizune said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"If you had chosen to live a quiet, unremarkable life as a mere caretaker, you wouldn't be facing such adversity. I respect the path you've chosen."
I stared at her, caught off guard.
"Is something wrong?"
"No... it's just, you've been praising me a lot more lately, Ms. Shizune."
"Have I? I only ever say what I'm thinking."
That meant she was being sincere. A surge of warmth rose in my chest. She was right—I had chosen this path myself. Maybe this struggle was a privilege reserved for those who dared to try.
"Now then, since we've reached a natural stopping point in our conversation..."
Ms. Shizune stood up and opened a drawer in the tea trolley. She pulled out a garment.
"This is a maid outfit I recently ordered from England. I need to check the fit and style, so I’d like you to pose for some photos, just like before."
"..............................Yes."
This woman... she didn't just praise me to get me in the mood for this, did she?