With the candidates officially announced, the student council election became an even hotter topic within the school.
Since everyone had assumed Rui Kuroki would run unopposed, interest in the other candidates was surging.
I had come to the school cafeteria for lunch at Airi and Yuria’s invitation, but with the subject on everyone’s lips, I felt a bit restless—especially since I’d somehow ended up as an official nominator.
"To think Tanaka would actually run. I knew she could be surprisingly proactive, but going up against someone like Rui... she’s got guts."
"But Tanaka-chan is second in our grade! She’s really smart, so I’m sure people will appreciate that!"
Even for a beacon of positivity like Airi, "being smart" was the only praise she could muster. That was Tanaka in a nutshell.
"So, who are you supporting, Ryouta? Rui or Tanaka?"
"W-Well, obviously I’m supporting Rui! But the truth is, I ended up as Tanaka's nominator too."
"What?! Ryouta, you're Tanaka-chan’s nominator?!"
"Surprising, right? I only found out this morning myself. Well, a nominator is only really needed for the final endorsement speech anyway, so I'm still going to spend my time helping with Rui’s campaign activities."
"But won't it look bad if you're helping Rui while giving an endorsement speech for Tanaka? Are you going to be okay?"
Yuria was the one who understood me best, worrying about my reputation even at a time like this. Honestly, I wanted to dive headfirst into those thick thighs of hers right now.
As the thought crossed my mind, Yuria shot me a frigid look. Oops. Better stay focused.
"Well, my reputation is already in the gutter, so it doesn’t really matter. People already call me a piece of trash who seduces three beautiful girls."
"Is that so? 'Seducing trash'... it kind of has a nice ring to it!"
"It’s not about the 'ring,' Airi. Do you even know what that means?"
Airi was being such an airhead that even Yuria had to interject.
"But Ryouta hasn't done anything weird to us, right? So why would they say that?"
"It’s just jealousy. You and Yuria are exceptionally cute and popular, so seeing a guy like me hanging around you probably pisses them off."
"E-Ehehe, exceptionally cute... I see! But Airi wants to stay friends with Ryouta forever!"
"Hey, m-me too! Obviously."
The two girls across from me leaned so far over the table they were practically falling onto it.
"I-I appreciate the sentiment, but calm down. Forget about my reputation; we’re supposed to be discussing Rui’s campaign strategy, right?"
They both snapped out of it and regained their composure.
"Right. Airi canceled all her dates for the weekend and next week, so I’m totally free!"
"Is a 'date' something you can just cancel like that?"
"It is! More importantly, Rui-chan’s campaign starts after school today! We have to give it our all!"
With her level of fame, Rui arguably didn't even need to campaign, but it was a necessary step to show her dedication to the role of Student Council President.
"The problem is that Rui has club practice after school, so she won't be able to appeal to people in person."
Rui had her track and field commitments. Even as a national champion, she wasn't the type to use the election as an excuse to skip practice or show up late, even if her teammates would have allowed it.
"When I talked to her about it, she said that as the captain, she wants to focus on the club after school. She said she’d make up for it by campaigning in the mornings instead."
"Well, that makes sense... but Rui-chan is already so popular. It'll be fine, right?"
I wanted to agree, but for Rui, this was likely her biggest concern.
Unlike political elections, high school campaigns took place in the tiny arena of a school campus. With time and space limited, there weren't many opportunities to command a crowd.
If Rui wasn't around after school, her rival Himesaki could make a huge impression just by standing at the school entrance and waving. It was enough to make one wonder...
"Well, let’s just do what we can. Even just having you two calling for votes should be effective."
"I guess? But even if we do our part... I think I might have Ryouta step up and lend a hand too."
"S-Step up? Doing what?"
"Hehe, you’ll have to wait until after school to find out."
I had nothing but a bad feeling about this.
"Ah, Ryouta, you have a notification."
"O-Oh."
Prompted by Airi, I checked my phone screen. A LIME message? Who from?
『Himesaki: Meet me on the rooftop.』
H-Himesaki...! Come to think of it, I hadn't talked to her about the election yet. That commanding tone of hers was starting to feel almost nostalgic. I’d probably be able to get some information out of her.
"Sorry, you two. I’ve got some business to take care of."
"...Don't tell me it's another woman?"
"N-No! You're wrong! It's just... business. Here, Airi, you can have one of my sandwiches."
"Yay! Thank you, Ryouta!"
I handed the sandwich to Airi and hurried away from the table.
To think she’d realize my "business" involved a girl... Damn it, Yuria’s got a nose for this as sharp as Rui’s.
"Man, whoever ends up as Yuria’s husband in the future is going to have to keep his head on a swivel."