Ren Joto emerged from the wings of the stage.
One look at his face was all I needed to know.
This election battle was over.
◇
The moment Ren Joto stepped onto the podium and saw the faces of the students gathered in the auditorium, he knew.
I lost.
Ren accepted his defeat instantly. This was an atmosphere that no single speech could ever overturn.
My support rate had likely been overtaken by this morning. And then she gave that speech. Without any secret weapon of my own, there's no path left for a reversal.
He took a deep breath as he stood before the microphone. He had been told he could start whenever he liked, and now that his loss was certain, there was nothing to gain by keeping the students waiting.
Savoring the finality of this conclusion, Ren reflected deeply on the cause of his defeat.
The waiver of the Presidential Vote served as the ultimate push, proving the integrity of Tennoji-san and Tomonari-kun. Honestly, was that natural on their part, or was it calculated?
A faint smile played on Ren’s lips. Of all the possible moments, to declare it then...
If they had renounced the Presidential Vote right at the start of the campaign, it probably wouldn't have affected the support rates much. However, the setting of the final speech had given the two of them a sense of drama. A truth so clean and refreshing had come to light at the very end. Anyone would be swept up in the excitement.
Maki spreading those rumors had also backfired. In a situation where suspicion was clouding Itsuki's reputation, the declaration of the waiver had created a perfect, staged-like reversal.
Light...
He recalled what Mirei Tennoji said she had to show the students.
Mirei had certainly been radiant while delivering her speech. Even so, Ren didn't feel he had lost in terms of the speech itself. If it were a matter of performance alone, he arguably had the advantage.
But then Ren realized something.
It wasn't on the stage.
It was in the eyes of the students watching Mirei Tennoji—there was light.
Looking at the eyes of the students, Ren finally understood the true nature of that light. Just as Mirei had said, it was a sense of clarity, a bright and refreshing impression.
However, it wasn't just something Mirei emitted; it was something every single student emitted as well.
The students supporting Mirei Tennoji looked truly happy. They were refreshed, dignified, straightforward, and filled with confidence. It was the same for those around her. Itsuki Tomonari, Karen Asahi, Katsuya Taisho, Suminoe, Narika Miyakojima, and even Hinako Konohana... they all supported Mirei with clear, bright expressions.
This was what Ren lacked.
He thought of Rintaro's face. He thought of Maki's face. No light shone in their eyes when they looked at him. Only gazes that were somehow dim, unnatural, and wavering followed him.
The moment he failed to give light to their eyes, Ren had lost.
What should I have done?
How could he have won?
The "light" Mirei demonstrated was in a field Ren found difficult, but it wasn't as if he couldn't replicate it. While he lacked Mirei’s ability to inspire others simply through her way of life, Ren had the political skill to deceive students into seeing a light that wasn't there. For a politician, that was the standard tactic. One didn't actually need to be innocent; one only had to convince the world they were.
Even so, he couldn't envision a future where he was held in such high expectation by so many students as Mirei was now.
He looked at the students. Their faith in Mirei was firm and unwavering. He felt as though there was a profound understanding of who she was beneath that trust.
Then, Ren remembered something.
At the Manifesto Experience Fair the other day, Ren had secretly inspected not only Narika’s salon but also Mirei’s side of the event. During his rounds, he had happened to overhear a conversation.
"Oh, it has been quite a while, hasn't it?"
"Y-You remembered me? I was in the same class as you last year..."
"Of course I remember. Now, please, have a seat."
He remembered the conversation because the student who had approached Mirei was a former classmate of his as well.
Ren had tried to solidify his base by treating the third floor of the school building as his home turf, winning over students from Class 2-D to Class 2-F. But at the final hour, students had abandoned him in droves. Most of those who defected were acquaintances of Mirei and Narika.
I see...
Ren ruminated on that conversation one more time.
Last year. That was a stretch of time Ren didn't have.
Ren had been slacking off since the second semester of his freshman year. But even then, Mirei and the others had been living their lives with total sincerity. They had treated every daily class, every periodic exam, and every Management Game with absolute seriousness.
That was the difference.
He lacked the accumulation of the past.
It was only natural that the students felt they understood Mirei better than they did him.
Ren let out a soft laugh. In the end, one's daily conduct was what mattered most. If he had been giving his all since his freshman year, perhaps the result would have been different.
But this wasn't a world of "what ifs." In this world, Ren had been defeated.
"I am Ren Joto."
After a long silence, Ren spoke into the microphone.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me up to this point."
Seeing Ren bow deeply, the students grew restless. They likely sensed that the atmosphere was different from his usual fiery oratory. Raising his head, Ren thought of the people who had stood by him—Rintaro, Maki. He apologized to them in his heart, and then he spoke.
"However, I have been poignantly reminded of my own lack of ability."
The auditorium buzzed with murmurs.
"I realized that I, too, want to see the Kikou Academy that Tennoji-san envisions."
Ren’s voice echoed through the vast hall.
He wanted to see it—the way of life of that girl who was almost excessively honest. The new future for the academy that they would weave together.
"Therefore, I shall be casting my vote for Tennoji-san."
He left the podium and returned to the wings. There was no applause. He had likely confused them all. But a moment later, the students understood that Ren had surrendered.
Glancing at the auditorium, which had instantly turned into a clamor, Ren bowed his head to Maki, who was waiting backstage.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't live up to your expectations."
"There is no need to apologize," Maki said, staring at him. "Didn't you, somewhere in your heart, want this result?"
Ren's heart skipped a beat. He remembered a few days ago... the moment Rintaro had launched the negative campaign, Ren had certainly envisioned this future. To take responsibility for the mistakes of his precious junior, he would have no choice but to step down from the presidency. It would be a lie to say the thought hadn't crossed his mind.
That was why, the day before the public debate, he had allowed Maki's plan to steal information to proceed. If he was going to lose anyway, he wanted to at least fulfill the role of someone issuing a warning.
"...Perhaps," Ren admitted in a low voice. "But I fought to win with everything I had."
He spoke with conviction. Somewhere in his heart, he felt it was for the best that he lost. But somewhere else, he had truly wanted to win. If he hadn't, he wouldn't feel this crushing frustration. He wouldn't have searched for the reasons for his defeat the moment he realized it was over.
He had wanted to win. He had wanted to lead this academy.
"Joto-senpai—!!"
With loud, heavy footsteps, a student came rushing into the wings. Rintaro ran up to the startled Ren.
"Rintaro—"
"—Is it my fault!?" Rintaro shouted, tears streaming from his eyes. "Is it because I did something so unnecessary!?"
"...No, it's not that."
He had fought with everything he had, and he had been defeated. Even if he had desired this outcome on some level, he hadn't held back. He had given every ounce of strength he possessed. It was a battle he could be proud of.
"Rintaro... I was leaving things to others from the very beginning." Ren spoke of the reason for his defeat that he had realized on stage. "I wanted Konohana-san to be President, and even after I knew she wasn't running, I spent a long time just hoping someone would understand our goals."
But in that time, Rintaro had lost his patience and resorted to schemes. By the time Ren had finally committed himself to the race, it was already too late.
"For someone who spent the whole time relying on others to expect victory at the final moment... that was just wishful thinking."
It wasn't just about the election period. How sincerely he had lived his life up until today had determined the outcome.
He looked out from the wings at the students. The confusion had passed, and they were now celebrating Mirei. Now that Ren had conceded, her victory was certain.
Mirei, standing at the center of the crowd and bathed in applause, rejoiced with her head held high. Ren joined in, clapping from the shadows of the stage.
"Let's celebrate for now. It's alright, life is long. We can use this lesson next time."
Life was long. That meant there was time to build something up. Ren felt glad he had learned that before he became an adult.
"I will never forget this day for the rest of my life."
Ren watched Mirei with eyes that looked as if they were beholding something dazzling. And in those eyes, a light was finally lit.
◆
After Joto’s speech ended, we filled in the names of the candidates we wanted to support on the ballots that had been distributed in class earlier, then placed them in the ballot boxes lined up against the auditorium walls.
Once the voting was over, we returned to our classrooms to wait for the results.
While Mr. Fukushima watched over us, the broadcast began.
"We will now announce the results of the 72nd Student Council Election."
The students all tightened their lips. In the tense silence, the voice rang out.
"For the position of Student Council President, Mirei Tennoji has been elected."
Even though I’d expected it, the tension finally drained from my shoulders.
The students of Class 2-A broke into applause for Tennoji-san, who wasn't currently in the room. The thunderous clapping echoing from the neighboring classrooms was a testament to the sheer amount of trust the students placed in her. Looking at my classmates, I could see that everyone was anticipating a bright future.
Was it my imagination, or could I hear a grand "O-ho-ho-ho-ho!!" echoing from somewhere far off? Even if it wasn't my imagination, I figured I could let it slide just for today.
When the applause finally died down, my heart began to throb violently. The President had been announced. That meant next was... my turn.
For a split second, a weak part of me spoke up. Tennoji-san is President now, so isn't that enough? The goal was achieved. I don't have to be Vice President to support her, and I could just leave the rest to Rintaro.
I forced myself to snap out of that lazy thinking. No. I wanted to win. I wanted to be the one standing by Tennoji-san's side—not anyone else.
"Next, we will announce the Student Council executives."
My breath hitched. After a silence that felt like an eternity, the voice continued.
"Vice President, Itsuki Tomonari. Treasurer, Haruka Abeno. Secretary, Ryuji Yodogawa. General Affairs, Narika Miyakojima."
This time, my strength truly left me. I leaned my full weight against the back of my chair and stared at the ceiling. If Tennoji-san saw me now, she’d bark at me to fix my posture, but I didn't think I could move for a while.
It had been so long... It had been so much work just to get here...
As I vaguely recalled all the struggles we'd faced, my classmates showered me with applause. Everyone was looking at me, their eyes filled with deep trust.
"Will the elected Student Council members please move to the Student Council Room."
Right... that's right. Now that I’d been elected, I had to go to the Student Council Room for the initial meeting. I forced my heavy body up, stood, and headed for the hallway.
Along the way...
"Congratulations!" someone called out.
"Well done!"
"We’re counting on you!"
"Good luck out there!"
"I was rooting for you!"
Everyone was calling out to me. Hearing the echoing applause and the cheers, my eyes grew hot, and I found myself coming to a stop. I could hear some light chuckling, which made me feel embarrassed. How pathetic of me, I thought as I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.
I was only able to become Vice President without the Presidential Vote because of everyone. Because everyone believed in me.
"Thank you... thank you all so much!!"
Fighting back tears, I bowed deeply.
Amidst the endless applause, I raised my head and caught Hinako’s eye. I understood the message in her gaze and replied with a look of my own.
Go on.
I'm going.
I was going to become someone who could stand by Hinako's side without anyone being able to complain. Today, I had taken a massive step toward that goal. I wasn't quite there yet, but I was definitely on the right track. My intuition told me to keep moving straight ahead.
On my way to the Student Council Room, students applauded me just for walking down the hall. It felt like a victory parade. I walked on, bowing my head every so often.
Propelled by the cheers and applause, I arrived at the Student Council Room, took a shallow breath, and knocked on the door.
"Enter."
A familiar voice came from inside, making me tilt my head. When I opened the door, the person I had expected was indeed standing there.
"Minato-senpai?"
"I've been waiting for you, Tomonari-kun. Congratulations. As of today, you are the Vice President."
"...Thank you."
I thanked her, still feeling half-confused. I’d heard this was a meeting for the new executives, but... were the previous year’s members gathering too? Sensing my confusion, Minato-senpai smiled.
"For the handover of duties, it's tradition for the outgoing President to welcome the newly elected members in this room."
"...I see."
That made sense. Even so, Tennoji-san and the others hadn't arrived yet. Perhaps I had come too early. Overwhelmed by the applause and cheers, I had rushed here to escape the embarrassment. If I’d known, I should have taken my time.
"It looks like the other members will take a bit longer. That's convenient."
Convenient? What did she mean by that? Minato-senpai stared at me.
"Tomonari-kun. Shall we talk for a moment?"
◇
As she looked at Itsuki, Maki Minato recalled her memories of being a freshman.
When she had first entered Kikou Academy, the Rakuo Group—her family's business—had seen its performance hit a plateau. The group’s strength had always been e-commerce, but the market had matured over the last decade, and profits were stagnating. To fix this, Maki’s father had decided to refresh the management of their e-commerce companies and devise new strategies to satisfy the shareholders.
It was then that a monster named Takuma Konohana was brought in as an external advisor. That was the catalyst for Maki and Takuma’s meeting.
"Heh, so you were thinking the same thing?"
"Yes!"
This happened during a dinner between her father and Takuma. Maki, who had watched the Rakuo Group through her father’s shadow since childhood, had predicted the e-commerce division would eventually have to downsize and had come up with her own countermeasures. When she explained her ideas, her father was surprised, and Takuma showed interest.
The measures Maki had devised were remarkably similar to the strategy Takuma had proposed. In that moment, Maki was exhilarated. Her abilities were already valid in the professional world. More importantly, someone who shared her perspective was actually succeeding out there.
From that moment on, Takuma became a signpost for her. He had made similar proposals, but his were far sharper and more intricate. He was a superior version of her—the person she wanted to become.
Maki devoted herself to observing and learning from him. The depth of his knowledge and experience as a consultant was moving, but above all, his skill in manipulating people was extraordinary. She desperately wanted to be like him. Unable to contain her feelings, she eventually made her plea.
"Please make me your disciple!!"
Seeing Maki bow deeply, Takuma let out a small sigh. "I suppose I have no choice."
Maki savored a joy like none she had ever known. Because of that, she didn't notice what he was really thinking—how to strengthen his connection with the Rakuo Group. The group had taken over the industry with incredible speed, and their connection was valuable to him.
The only reason Takuma didn't treat her dismissively was to maintain that relationship. The only reason he accepted her as a disciple was to solidify his ties with her father, the president. From the start, he had no real interest in Maki’s abilities.
That was why the end came so abruptly.
"Takuma-san! I’ve finished organizing the documents!"
"Ah, right. Just leave them there."
Maki served as Takuma’s assistant alongside her studies. She didn't just do chores; she accompanied him to meetings and helped with consulting. She was immature compared to him, but she felt she occasionally offered sharp insights. Takuma would sometimes use her ideas, and she believed she was producing results. She didn't look down on Kikou Academy, but she took pride in the fact that her work already exceeded the level of a student.
But for some reason, the way Takuma looked at her never changed. He seemed entirely uninterested in whether she was useful or not.
Then came that day. Takuma handed her several documents.
"This company seems to be having trouble with its suppliers."
It was a company she had visited with him before, so Maki nodded. They had been debating whether to outsource part of their business, and it seemed they had finally made up their minds.
"I want you to find the most influential supplier from this list."
Maki's eyes widened. This was a job with far more responsibility than she had ever been given. Before, she had only been allowed to make suggestions, but now she was being asked to choose. She was overjoyed, thinking her hard work was finally paying off. Clutching the list, her eyes sparkled.
"Understood!! Please give me about a week!!"
"What are you talking about?" Takuma said flatly. "You're choosing right now."
His ice-cold eyes reflected her face. A moment later, she finally understood. This wasn't a job with great responsibility. This wasn't about her hard work finally winning his trust.
It was the exact opposite.
Takuma was testing her innate talent. He wanted to see if she could derive the ideal answer using only the information and time currently available to her.
Maki thought it was impossible. There were over twenty candidates on the list. Normally, one would research the strengths and weaknesses of each company, visit them if necessary, and arrive at an answer after deep reflection. That was what consulting was.
But Takuma could likely find the answer using only the data in front of him. Only then did Maki realize what he was truly looking for. He wanted an overwhelming talent on par with his own.
Being "capable for a student" meant nothing to him. He had no interest in cleverness or practiced skill. To put it bluntly, Takuma didn't care about results achieved through effort. Only innate brilliance caught his eye.
In the end, Maki couldn't give an answer that satisfied him. Seeing her unable to respond immediately, Takuma gave a small yawn and went back to work on his laptop. Maki stood there for a long time, clutching the list. Ten minutes later, she gave him her best summary, but all she got in return was a sigh.
"I think it’s best if we end our master-disciple relationship here, don't you?"
"Surely you don't intend to cling to me?"
Pierced by his gaze, Maki could do nothing but nod. Realizing he had expected nothing from her from the very start, she lost all confidence to continue.
Takuma had likely gained enough of a connection with the Rakuo Group by then. Afterward, he naturally stopped involving himself with her, and Maki began to avoid him.
Her becoming Student Council President had just been the natural course of things. Because she had worked so hard to try and earn Takuma's recognition, she had found herself on the path to the presidency without even realizing it. With the support of those around her, she had taken the seat.
When she was elected out of sheer inertia, she felt disappointed in Kikou Academy. If she could become President with so little effort, she thought the academy was just a collection of children after all.
But Takuma had looked down on even that version of her. There was no one in this academy who could ever satisfy that man. Perhaps there wasn't even anyone in the adult world either. It had been a reckless dream for a mere girl to try and be his disciple.
She told herself she should at least be proud that she was his disciple for a time and move on with her life. She thought she had finally found closure with Takuma.
...And yet.
And yet, he had appeared.
That man’s disciple. The boy who was actually satisfying him.
And of all places, he was here at Kikou Academy.
...Even though I was discarded.
Suppressing the emotions swirling in her gut, Maki stared at the boy in front of her.
Itsuki Tomonari. She had sensed he was Takuma's disciple the moment she heard of his reputation in the Management Game and looked into his methods. She had been shocked. His management style was a spitting image of Takuma’s.
Intrigued, she looked into Itsuki further. If he was close with the perfect lady, Hinako Konohana, it wasn't strange that he’d have a connection to Takuma. The more she looked, the more she saw Takuma’s influence behind Itsuki. She had even called Takuma before the election to confirm.
Itsuki Tomonari. That man’s disciple.
Maki felt she had the right to judge his talent for herself.
"To be honest, I thought I’d broken your spirit during the public debate," Maki said. "I expected you to either fail to recover or resort to underhanded tactics yourself... was it the two Presidential candidates who kept you on the right path?"
"...Yes. If it weren't for Tennoji-san and Narika, I might have used the same methods as you."
At that, Maki nodded with satisfaction. "I see."
She had suspected that Mirei and Narika were dependent on Itsuki. She had thought that if Itsuki fell into despair, the two of them would fall with him, but it seemed her fears were unfounded.
"The Manifesto Experience Fair was magnificent. The students here tend to have a very realistic outlook. Creating even just the framework of a plan is an effective strategy, especially for students aiming for business."
Saying this, Maki picked up a document from the desk.
"Do you know what the Student Council’s first task is?"
"...Managing the school festival?"
"Exactly. It's a tradition, but it’s always difficult because the new team hasn't found its rhythm yet. I struggled with it myself, so I thought I’d help you out with one thing."
Maki handed the paper to Itsuki.
"I’ve compiled a list of potential suppliers for the school festival. Tomonari-kun, would you mind choosing the most promising partners from this list?"
"You mean... right now?"
"Yes." Maki nodded. "Choose them now."
She was recreating the exact trial she had failed in the past. Itsuki took the document with a confused expression and looked it over.
What kind of answer would he give? Would he be unable to respond immediately, just like her? Would he desperately try to offer some half-baked answer while dripping with sweat?
"Well..."
Itsuki thought as he looked through the list, then suddenly made a blank face. He tilted his head and looked at Maki with a puzzled expression.
"...These are all good."
He gave the answer as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Every supplier on this list is excellent, aren't they? As expected of the former President. Thank you for finding such reliable partners for us."
His answer was perfect.
It was exactly as Itsuki said. Maki had filled the list with only excellent suppliers from the beginning. It was a malicious test where choosing only one would have been the wrong move. But his answer was so perfect it almost sounded like irony.
"Ahahahaha—!!"
Maki laughed. Itsuki was startled by her sudden outburst, but Maki was the one who was truly surprised.
I lost.
Maki realized it. She had been completely defeated by this boy. Takuma’s eyes hadn't been mistaken. It was inevitable that a man like him would choose a boy like this.
She felt no frustration. Instead, she felt incredibly refreshed. The emotions that had been smoldering in the depths of her heart for so long were finally fading away.
Ah, I see...
As she laughed, she thought of Takuma. She hadn't wanted to admit it. She had wanted to protest again and again that she was worthy of being his disciple. She had wanted to tell him he would never find another student as good as her.
And yet, he had found one. Someone far more suited to him than she could ever be.
I... was never recognized by him.
The feelings she had been desperately suppressing finally began to flow out.
From now on, she felt like she could finally walk forward.