The moment I reached the classroom, I dropped my bag on my desk and headed straight for the roof.
As usual, the place was deserted in the morning—which was exactly why Tanaka liked it. With that thought in mind, I climbed the ladder leading to the top of the rooftop penthouse.
"Oho! If it isn't Ryouta-kun. It’s been quite a while since you’ve paid me a morning visit."
Tanaka greeted me with a smug, self-satisfied smirk that practically screamed she was full of herself.
"I didn't come here to listen to you 'oho' at me. More importantly, Tanaka, what the hell are you doing running for office?"
"Hehe. So, you finally found out?"
"Found out? It’s been posted for the whole school to see on the bulletin board! Seriously, what are you thinking? Your opponent is Rui. No matter how you look at it, you don't stand a ghost of a chance."
"Well, I might be at a slight disadvantage, but I have my reasons!"
"Reasons?"
I prompted her to continue. Tanaka cleared her throat with a deliberate huff and puffed out her chest.
"As for why I entered the race, I was officially scouted by the faculty. Me! The student who boasts the second-highest academic ranking in the grade!"
"Is that so..."
One look at her inflated ego told me everything I needed to know. The teachers had likely buttered her up and talked her into it. With Rui's victory looking like a foregone conclusion, there were probably some staff members who didn't like the idea of a popular student winning an uncontested election.
They must have gone looking for a rival and singled out Tanaka, the second-best student, to fill the slot. It was the literal definition of being chosen as a sacrificial lamb. I almost felt sorry for her.
"My name recognition might be lower than Kuroki-san's, but I intend to fight my own way!"
"You sound like a coach for a winless team right before they get demolished by a powerhouse. And it's not just a matter of name recognition being 'lower'—it's nonexistent."
I kept the fact that nobody even knew who she was to myself, mostly because I didn't want to break her spirit.
"Besides, I've already decided who my nominator will be."
"Oh? Well, I suppose if your nominator is someone with a bit of clout, you might actually have a shot at—"
"It's Ryouta-kun."
"...Huh? What did you just say?"
"I said you're my nominator. I've already submitted the paperwork."
Me? Tanaka's official nominator?
"Hey! Don't just go deciding things for me!"
"I didn't have a choice! You're my only friend! It would be too pathetic if I didn't have anyone to recommend me!"
She was playing the victim card, but as far as I was concerned, I was the one being victimized here.
"Besides, I am the shadow. But the shadow only grows darker the brighter the light shines... Ryouta-kun, together, let us seize the summit of Natsuhama!"
"Tanaka..."
She was acting like she was some legendary phantom sixth man, but in reality, if the two of us stood together, we were just one shadow standing next to another.
"Well, since you've already gotten yourself into this mess, I guess I have to lend a hand as your best friend. I'd feel bad for you otherwise."
"My, my. It’s a real help that you're so understanding, Ryouta-kun."
"I'm seriously going to punch you."
I fought back the urge to snap and slowly unclenched my fist.
"Look, I'll be your nominator, but I already promised Rui that I'd help her with her campaign."
In exchange for Rui's promise of a "reward," I had committed to supporting her election activities. It wasn't that I was particularly fixated on her promise, but a man has to keep his word.
"Oh, that's perfectly fine. I don't plan on doing any actual campaigning anyway."
"Wait, what? You're not?"
"No. I don't do campaign activities."
She said it with such flat, unearned confidence that she sounded like a lead actress in a medical drama.