As the new week began, the campus was completely abuzz with talk of the student council election.
Even though it wasn't yet clear who would officially declare their candidacy, Rui Kuroki was naturally at the center of every conversation.
"It’s gotta be Kuroki-san, right? Even if she’d run last year, her victory would've been a safe bet."
"For sure. Apparently, she didn't run last year because it was a critical time for the track and field club, but this is her last chance to become president, so she’s going for it."
"I mean, is anyone else even going to bother running against her?"
"They’d just be embarrassing themselves."
I kept my eyes fixed on the light novel in my hands while eavesdropping on the conversation between Hino and his group of popular guys.
Even though Rui hadn't officially stepped forward yet, it seemed everyone already felt the overwhelming weight of her inevitable victory.
The window to declare candidacy ran for four days, from Monday to Thursday.
Once that closed, the candidates were allowed a week of campaigning, followed by the actual election during Friday’s all-school morning assembly.
It was a hectic, tight schedule, but in truth, the administration likely preferred it that way to keep things brief, given how few students usually bothered to run.
At a prep school like this, students popular enough to become Student Council President were usually aiming for the most elite national and public universities. Since they didn't need to rely on recommendation slots, the title of "Student Council President" on their records was largely unnecessary. Besides, the role only brought a mountain of tedious work every time an event rolled around.
Yet, even in this environment, this year's race featured a monster—a student ranked first in the national mock exams who was more obsessed with the title of Student Council President than anyone else.
On the Natsuhama High School Bulletin Board—a site created by seniors back in the early days of the internet—the election was a hot topic every year. However, because Rui Kuroki’s victory was viewed as a certainty, the discussion seemed to lack any real excitement this time around. Well, that was only natural.
"Haa... election this, election that. Isn't everyone acting a bit too restless considering they aren't the ones running?"
To my left, Yuria muttered dismissively, resting her cheek in her palm.
"Of course they are, Yuria! Because Rui-chan is going to be the Student Council President!"
"Oh, Airi. It hasn't been decided that I'll be the president yet, you know? There will probably be other candidates, and I don't expect it to be an easy win."
Rui spoke with humility, but the phrase "guaranteed win" was almost certainly floating around in her head.
However, that wasn't due to arrogance; it was simply a statement of fact.
Rui was someone who spared no effort to maintain her perfection.
If the election was a test of overall capability, there was no one who could stand on the same level as Rui Kuroki—the star of the track and field world and the top-ranked student in the national mocks.
If Rui were the only one to run, the whole thing would end with nothing more than a formal vote of confidence.
"By the way, Rui, who are you going to pick as your recommender?" Yuria asked.
Come to think of it, the rule was that if you ran for president, you generally had to conduct your campaign alongside an official recommender.
"I'm planning to ask a senior in the third year who was the captain of the track and field club."
"Ehh? Are Airi and Yuria not good enough?"
"Nah, even if we were the recommenders, we wouldn't be able to speak very well in front of a crowd. Besides, Rui wants to secure the third-year votes, right?"
"Hehe... well, something like that."
I see. As expected of Rui, she’s left nothing to chance.
But... even though she said she’d make me her Vice President, she didn't pick me as her recommender...
"Ah, Ryouta-kun. You just thought, 'Why isn't it me?' didn't you?"
"W-What?! I-I wasn't thinking that at all!"
I had been pretending to focus on my book while listening in, but Rui suddenly directed the conversation toward me.
It was genuinely a problem how quickly she could read my mind.
"Ryouta would be great! Airi wants to see Ryouta cross-dress again~"
"What do you think a recommender’s job is? Also, I am never cross-dressing again as long as I live."
"Ryouta is a no-go anyway. He’d definitely get stage fright and end up mumbling in a tiny voice."
I wanted to snap back, but Yuria was spot on.
During the school festival play, I’d just been swept up in the moment, and I had the safety net of my classmates being there with me. But a campaign meant supporting the great Rui Kuroki all by myself.
There was no way I could handle that kind of pressure and responsibility.
But... if I was going to be the Vice President, I should at least be able to handle that much...
"Hehe... you can take it slow, Ryouta-kun."
"Dammit! I told you to stay out of my head!"