◆
During the lunch break, after confirming Tennoji-san’s speech schedule, I headed toward the Old Student Council Building. Taisho and Kita were listening to Narika’s speech for me; they were set to report back if anything happened.
"Hinako, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Mm... welcome back..."
When I opened the door to the rooftop, Hinako looked over and gave a listless wave. Her eyes were heavy with sleep; she had likely been taking a nap.
The reason I’d returned to the Old Student Council Building wasn't just to relax with Hinako. It wasn't even to escort her back to her classroom because she might get lost on her own—though I did need to walk her back eventually. I had another important matter to attend to today.
I closed the door and approached her. At that exact moment, my phone buzzed with an incoming call.
"Just in time... Hold on a second."
I pulled out the vibrating smartphone and answered. After speaking for a few minutes while Hinako tilted her head in confusion, I tucked the phone back into my pocket.
"Itsuki... who was that?"
"Asahi-san’s father."
"Eh...!"
For some reason, Hinako’s face twitched.
"Y-You’re... greeting her parents...!?"
"Well, I suppose you could call it a greeting, in a way."
"—!"
Hinako went pale. I didn’t think it was quite that shocking, but...
"Actually, I have a strategy in mind."
I decided to explain, sensing she was misunderstanding something.
"It might involve a lot of people, so I’m consulting everyone beforehand. I already spoke with Taisho’s parents this morning as well."
"Oh... I see..."
Hinako seemed to settle down at that.
"Is that what you wanted to discuss with me, too?"
"...Yeah."
I had told Hinako earlier that I needed to talk to her during lunch. I began to lay out the details.
"The support rates flipped this morning, and we lost to Joto. You heard about that, right?"
"Mm." Hinako nodded.
"This is the first time the support rates have reversed during the entire election. In my opinion, the fact that they flipped even once is fatal."
"That... might be true."
As expected of the perfect lady, she was quick on the uptake. She understood exactly what I was trying to say.
"Tennoji-san and Narika have had an overwhelming presence from the start. Everyone must have thought their stronghold was impenetrable. But now that the reversal has happened, people are starting to doubt. They’re wondering if Tennoji-san and Narika might actually lose... and if Ren Joto is actually the superior candidate."
A stronghold thought to be flawless had developed a crack only a millimeter wide. But the moment a crack appears—even a tiny one—it ceases to be a stronghold.
The reversal had given the Joto camp the momentum of possibility. The students were taking notice. Those who hadn't expected anything from Joto and his team were suddenly starting to hope.
In other words, I was panicking.
Asahi-san had warned me this morning, so I’d stopped letting it show on my face, but the anxiety hadn't disappeared. I’d been considering a countermove ever since I spoke with Takuma-san, but it was a move I considered a desperate measure.
"...It’s okay."
Hinako smiled softly.
"I told you this morning, I’m rooting for you, Itsuki... I’ll help with whatever you need."
Perhaps Hinako already sensed everything I was about to ask of her. I decided to take her up on that kindness.
"Hinako, lend me your strength."
◆
After school, I went to observe Joto’s speech.
"—Now then, I’ve invited another supporter today, so let’s hear what she has to say."
After finishing his remarks, Joto handed the microphone to the female student standing behind him and stepped back.
"I am Maki Minato. From here, I’ll explain the pledges Ren-kun is proposing."
Minato-senpai began to speak with her usual poise. They were already on a first-name basis, it seemed. I wondered if they had always been that close or if they had changed how they addressed each other for tactical impact. Regardless, Joto clearly intended to make the most of Minato-senpai as his greatest weapon.
In that case, we had no choice but to carry out our own plan.
Slipping away from the crowd of students engrossed in Minato-senpai’s talk, I headed toward Tennoji-san. This time, her speech was being held in the lounge—the same spacious indoor area where Hinako had held her gathering during the Management Game.
"I am Mirei Tennoji. Everyone, I thank you for gathering here today."
I heard Tennoji-san’s voice the moment I entered. Perfect timing; she was just getting started. As planned, she delivered a standard opening speech. Listening to her stable, elegant oratory helped calm my nerves. I wasn't the only one feeling the pressure of Joto’s comeback, yet Tennoji-san showed not a shred of anxiety, projecting the same dignified presence she always did.
"Today, I have invited special guests who support my cause."
Tennoji-san reached a transition in her speech and stepped back.
Now... here came the counterattack.
Two students stepped forward to take her place.
"I’m Karen Asahi."
"I’m Katsuya Taisho."
As they introduced themselves, I heard the words "The Noble Tea Party" whispered throughout the room. They were both well-known. First, we would borrow their social capital.
"To us, Tennoji-san has always been someone elegant and cool. I’m sure there are many people here who look up to her."
"That’s why we believe that if Tennoji-san becomes President, we’ll be able to live in a way that makes us proud of this academy."
Asahi-san and Taisho, who could interact with anyone without prejudice, spoke in a way that was down-to-earth and resonated with the students. While many in the audience nodded in agreement, the two continued.
"During the Management Game, Tennoji-san conducted many M&As, and she always ensured that everyone involved was satisfied with the result. Tennoji-san is a person who takes bold risks, but she never discards anyone."
Asahi-san implicitly stated that they could trust Tennoji-san precisely because of that integrity.
"As an aside, regarding the mobile appliance sales business we worked on during the game, it’s been decided that we’ll be launching this project in the real world as well!"
A murmur of "oohs" rippled through the crowd. The Management Game was a hallmark of Kikou Academy, a special event where the students’ true capabilities were laid bare. Achieving results in the game and then translating them into a real-world business was a rare feat that commanded immediate respect and admiration from the student body.
I’d spent my lunch break on the phone with Asahi-san’s father and Taisho’s parents to secure permission to announce this. They had both readily agreed, seeing it as good publicity.
"To be honest, we didn't think we could achieve these kinds of results last year. But this year, after getting involved with people like Tennoji-san, our mindsets changed. We started to feel like we wanted to become respectable people."
The person who empathized most with Taisho’s sentiment was undoubtedly me. I was the one who had asked for their help, but they had written the script themselves. When I read the final draft before the rally, I’d been struck by how much I resonated with that line.
When a noble person stands beside you, a desire to become someone worthy of them naturally wells up. I didn't know exactly what to call that emotion, but Tennoji-san wanted to spread it throughout the entire academy.
The desire to be a worthy person. For the sake of the noble person beside you—and for the sake of Kikou Academy.
"Thank you both."
Expressing her gratitude to Asahi-san and Taisho, Tennoji-san stepped forward once more.
"I would just like to add one thing."
For some reason, she looked directly at me.
"Both that business venture and our connections themselves were sparked by Tomonari-san over there. Without him, we wouldn't be who we are today. The greatest contributor to our success is undoubtedly Tomonari-san."
At the edge of the stage, Asahi-san and Taisho smiled and nodded their agreement. I hadn't expected my name to be brought up. Surprised by the unscripted remark, I was met with warm gazes and applause from the surrounding students. It was embarrassing, but I accepted it with genuine gratitude.
As Asahi-san and Taisho moved to the wings, another female student appeared.
"I am Chika Suminoe."
I saw the audience momentarily captivated by her refined appearance. But in the next instant, Suminoe-san’s powerful voice thundered through the lounge.
"The true appeal of Tennoji-sama, in my opinion, is—!!"
Suminoe-san, speaking with her fists clenched and an intense fervor, was practically like an enka singer.
(I told her not to go overboard...)
I recalled the conversation when I’d asked for her help.
—Please, just give a normal speech.
—Hah? Do you think I would ever make a blunder in front of Tennoji-sama?
It might not have been a blunder, strictly speaking, but about half the students were clearly taken aback by her zeal. Still, showing that she had such a fanatical follower wasn't entirely bad; it conveyed the intensity of her support. Though I really hoped it didn't start looking like a cult.
(...I should probably have her wrap it up.)
Since Suminoe-san’s passionate lecture showed no signs of stopping, I signaled to Taisho and Asahi-san to forcibly usher her into the wings.
"Finally, I would like to introduce this person!"
Tennoji-san called out the final guest. By now, the audience must have realized the full scope of our strategy.
From the wings, a young lady known to every soul in the school made her appearance.
"Good day, everyone."
The atmosphere in the room tightened the moment she stepped onto the stage. The girl known as the perfect lady offered a soft, graceful smile.
"I am Hinako Konohana."
A roar of cheers erupted. The lounge practically shook. The reaction was similar to when Minato-senpai had appeared at Joto’s speech, but the excitement here felt even more profound. No student could remain indifferent to the appearance of Hinako, who had maintained absolute silence regarding the election until now.
However, contrary to the students’ enthusiasm, I felt a weight on my heart.
Yesterday, Takuma-san had told me: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If they provide cover fire in the form of Maki Minato, then we should unleash cover fire in the form of Hinako Konohana.
Even after he’d proposed the idea, I’d hesitated until the moment I saw the support rates flip. I’d had two reasons for my reluctance.
First, Hinako’s presence was too powerful. She was the most scrutinized student at Kikou Academy. If she cooperated, she risked becoming the main attraction rather than just support. By putting Hinako in the spotlight, we risked overshadowing Tennoji-san and Narika themselves. That was why we’d avoided asking her until now. Hinako herself had been careful not to interfere unnecessarily since she wasn't a candidate.
The second reason was simpler: I didn't want to burden her. Hinako hated standing in front of crowds. I felt it was cruel to ask for her help when she already found her daily "acting" so exhausting.
However, the situation had changed once Minato-senpai joined the Joto camp. The only way to counter Joto’s use of outside prestige was with a similar move. If we didn't, students would inevitably wonder why our camp lacked a figure of Maki Minato’s stature. Without a counterweight, Tennoji-san and Narika would be perceived as having less social standing than Joto.
That problem had manifested immediately in the support rate reversal. So, I’d made the bitter decision to rely on Hinako. Unlike Minato-senpai, who was a graduating third-year, Hinako was a second-year, the same age as Tennoji-san and Narika. Combined with her natural charisma, the risk of them being compared was unavoidable.
"Thank you, Hinako Konohana!"
Tennoji-san expressed her gratitude. Hinako had simply spoken of Tennoji-san’s virtues, but that alone had unified the room's atmosphere to an incredible degree. The influence of Hinako, who practically embodied the ideals of Kikou Academy, was vast. Now, I just had to hope the audience didn't walk away more attracted to Hinako than to the candidate she was supporting...
(...That was an unnecessary worry.)
Looking at the students, I realized my fear was groundless. Hinako slipped into the wings, and Tennoji-san stepped back to center stage. My worst fear was that the students would think, Wouldn't it be better if Konohana-san were the President instead?
But that was no longer a possibility. Perhaps it might have been an issue at the start of the election, but with only a few days left, most students had already committed their hearts to a candidate. They had made a firm resolve to believe in a specific person.
(Everyone... is truly looking at Tennoji-san.)
Not a single student followed Hinako with their eyes as she left the stage. Every person gathered in the lounge was focused solely on Mirei Tennoji. Initially, everyone must have been confused by Hinako’s absence from the race, wandering aimlessly in search of a leader.
But they were past that stage now. They had faced the reality that the next President would be chosen from these three: Mirei Tennoji, Narika Miyakojima, or Ren Joto.
"With that, I conclude today’s speech!!"
A thunderous round of applause washed over Tennoji-san. Satisfied and relieved by the result, I headed toward the wings. When I entered the waiting room, I found Hinako sitting alone, resting in a chair. Asahi-san and the others were still chatting with Tennoji-san on the stage.
"Hinako." I called out to her. "Sorry for making you stand in front of everyone."
Was she exhausted? She shook her head.
"...This might be the first time," she said softly.
"Eh?"
Looking somewhat pleased, Hinako continued, "Playing the perfect lady for someone else’s sake... it might be the first time."
Hearing that, I remembered when she’d caught a fever during summer vacation. Hinako was changing—gradually, ever since we met. She might still feel the fatigue from her acting, but she rarely ran fevers anymore. Despite her obsession with sleep, she’d been waking up early to match my schedule. At night, instead of just falling asleep in my room, she’d started wanting to talk.
Hinako was much tougher than I’d given her credit for. My concerns had been misplaced; the current Hinako could handle this with ease.
"Can you help with Narika’s speech just one more time?"
"Mm... leave it to me."
With Hinako’s nod, we returned to the lounge. When I opened the door, Joto was standing right there.
"Joto-kun... you were here."
"Yeah. I was watching your little display." Joto glared at Hinako. "You’re showing up now, of all times?" He sounded resentful. "How selfish. You won't take the responsibility of being President, yet you still insist on influencing the election?"
I was the one who had asked for Hinako’s help, and Joto likely knew that, but he ignored me entirely, focusing his gaze on Hinako. His words were a mirror of his own actions—it wasn't a critique someone who utilized Minato-senpai had the right to make. However, sensing the complexity of his frustration, I found myself remaining silent. Perhaps Joto, more than anyone, had truly wished for a future where Hinako led the council.
"I had no intention of standing before a crowd at first," Hinako answered calmly, unfazed by his anger. "However, after seeing the dedication of Tennoji-san and Miyakojima-san, I had a change of heart."
"A change of heart...?"
Hinako nodded with a small smile. "I am the one being influenced," she said, pointing to herself. "The ones providing that influence are Tennoji-san and Miyakojima-san." She turned her gaze back toward Tennoji-san on the stage. "If you only look at me, you’ll have the rug pulled out from under you."
She was telling him that she was no longer the one driving the narrative. She was declaring that she was not the one on the stage. Joto’s lips trembled, and finally, with a look of pure frustration, he spoke.
"...I won't lose to anyone but you."
We watched in silence as he walked away.
◆
Afterward, we executed the same strategy for Narika’s speech. Joining the support group this time were Asahi-san, Taisho, Hinako, and Kita—the latter taking Suminoe-san’s place. Kita didn't seem used to public speaking, but when the time came, he spoke passionately about Narika’s character.
"Miyakojima-san is someone who never stops changing. A year ago, she was plagued by misunderstandings, but she didn't let them break her. She worked with everything she had, and finally, she became someone who could stand here and run for the Student Council. I believe there is no one stronger than a person who can change themselves. I support Miyakojima-san from the bottom of my heart because she never stops striving to be better."
Hearing Kita’s words, I felt a lump in my throat. I’d known Narika since we were children, so I knew better than anyone just how much effort she’d put into transforming herself. Kita was exactly right. Narika was strong—stronger than anyone.
As I wiped away a stray tear, Narika’s speech came to an end. That concluded today’s official election activities. After thanking Narika, we all prepared to head home.
After tidying up the equipment, I whispered to Hinako, who was waiting on the grounds.
"Hinako, could you head home first today?"
"I don't mind, but... what about you, Itsuki?"
"I’m staying at the academy a bit longer. There’s something I need to do." I continued as she tilted her head. "We’ve been on the defensive ever since the negative campaign started. I want us to take the initiative for once."
I already had a plan, but I needed to consult the teachers to get official permission.
"...I understand. I’ll go home so I’m not in the way."
"You wouldn't be in the way."
"Oh... in that case, I'll stay stuck to your side the whole time."
"...On second thought, that might be a little in the way."
Having her literally attached to me would make things difficult... not that I’d necessarily hate it. Regardless, Hinako accepted the situation and headed home. After seeing Tennoji-san, Asahi-san, and Taisho off at the school gate, I turned back toward the building. There, I saw someone else heading the same way.
"Narika?"
"Eh, Itsuki?"
It seemed she wasn't going home yet either. we walked side by side toward the school building.
"You’re staying late too, Itsuki?"
"I need to consult a teacher. Do you have some business too, Narika?"
"Yes. Remember Nishi-san from the tea party? I’m meeting her at the cafe to ask more about the General Affairs role."
"Come to think of it, you were very curious about that during the tea party, weren't you?"
"I was! The roles are even more diverse than I imagined! It sounds like fascinating work!" Narika said with a pure, bright smile. "I’m thinking of adjusting my speech. Since the other officer positions are essentially settled, I thought it might be good to talk about the team as a whole."
"That’s a good idea. We should get everyone’s permission first. You handle Nishi-san, and I’ll ask Abeno-san and Yodogawa-kun."
"That would be a huge help!"
Incorporating the other officers into the campaign was a smart move. it would draw student interest and aligned perfectly with Narika’s platform of community and connection. I immediately pulled out my phone and messaged Abeno-san, the Treasurer candidate, and Yodogawa, the Secretary candidate.
A reply arrived in less than a minute.
"Alright, Abeno-san gave her permission."
"T-That was fast. Wait, Itsuki, when did you exchange contact info with her...?"
"At the end of the last tea party. I figured something like this might come up."
Yodogawa would likely take a bit longer, but he was polite and formal, so I expected a reply by the end of the day.
"Still, Abeno-san’s texting style is actually quite cute."
"...Is it?"
"Yeah."
She had such a stiff image, but her reply was full of adorable cat emojis. It was an unexpected side of her. As I was thinking that, I realized Narika had gone silent.
"..."
"Narika?"
She was pouting, glaring at me with narrowed eyes.
"............I would appreciate it if you didn't call other women cute in front of me."
Her cheeks were slightly flushed. I hadn't expected her to be so overtly jealous, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. Inadvertently... I found Narika herself to be incredibly cute right then.
"..............................Understood."
I managed to squeeze out a reply, though I couldn't hide how flustered I was. However, Narika remained sulky.
"You’ve been getting along quite well with Asahi-san lately, too..."
"No, that’s not... it’s not that kind of relationship."
"But you don't know how she feels, do you?"
When she put it like that, I didn't have a comeback. There was no way Asahi-san saw me that way... but saying that wouldn't help. Narika came to a stop.
"Itsuki, listen closely." She looked me dead in the eye with a serious expression. "I’m only human. One day, I might reach the limit of my patience."
The intensity in her voice was indescribable. I could only nod silently.
"And if I can't hold back anymore...?"
"If... if you can't...?"
Narika slowly brought her face closer to mine. In the next instant, she cupped my cheeks with both hands.
"I will steal your lips right then and there."
She declared this incredibly embarrassing thing with the utmost gravity.
"I-I’m sorry..."
I’d have to be very careful not to let Narika reach her limit. However, even after my apology, she didn't let go of my face.