When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

“Wow, Itsuki-kun, you’re really popular, huh?”

After Akane reluctantly left, Aoi and I were alone in the student council room. She grinned and playfully nudged my arm with her elbow three times.

“…What do you need?”

“Don’t make such a troublesome face… Sit down for a moment.”

Aoi tilted her head slightly, put her hands together in a pleading pose, and spoke. I obeyed her words for now.

I wish she would get to the point quickly…

Aoi sat down across from me and started the conversation.

“So, you turned down Akane-chan’s invitation to run together?”

“…You heard that?”

“Uh-huh? I just guessed from Akane-chan’s mood.”

“I see…”

She hasn’t changed in her ability to pick up on people’s emotional nuances.

“Personally, I don’t expect you to run together, but I’d like you to help with the election.”

“I can’t imagine being able to help Akane.”

“I don’t think that’s true, you know? It’s pretty rare for Akane-chan to rely on someone so openly.”

I couldn’t say anything in response to that.

Akane Shinjo is not good at opening up about her worries or weaknesses to others.

In this school, she probably only relies on me and Aoi genuinely.

…Even so,

“There’s no need for me to support her, right? Isn’t she almost guaranteed to be the next president? She’s Aoi-san’s sister and the current vice president.”

I genuinely believe this. Akane’s popularity is immense, and her achievements and abilities are top-notch. The only concern would be her stage fright, but Aoi can support her as much as needed.

So, I think she’ll win unless her opponent is exceptional.

“But that’s not necessarily the case…”

What does she mean? Is there something other than stage fright that’s worrying Aoi?

“Please! I think Akane-chan can win if you support her. She needs you!”

Aoi clasped her hands together, repeating the same lines as Akane. However, there’s one difference from Akane.

Unlike Akane, Aoi is convinced that if I support her, she will definitely win.

“…I don’t know what you’re worried about, but I don’t understand why you’re so insistent on me. There are many more talented students around you, aren’t there?”

Aoi’s eyes sharpened at my mention of being “talented.”

“Hmm. Then let me ask you… How did you manage to transfer to Hekiryuu Academy?”

“Well…”

“You know that this school is one of the most challenging in Japan, right?”

Without waiting for my answer, Aoi continued.

“To take the transfer exam for Hekiryuu Academy, you need considerable connections, and the transfer exam itself is set at an incredibly high level. It’s much more difficult than the entrance exam.”

Aoi’s eyes wouldn’t let me escape.

“I’ve never seen a perfect test score before. I had no idea you were so smart, Itsuki-kun.”

…She knows information that no ordinary student could know. Is it because she’s the student council president or did someone tell her?

“Do you know? In the entire history of Hekiryou Academy, including both the middle and high school divisions, there’s only been one student who served as the student council president for two consecutive years.”

“Heh.”

I respond lightly, showing no interest.

“The student’s name was Kandou.”

Despite my lack of interest, Aoi continued.

“Every student who joins the student council knows about the exceptionally talented Hekiryou Junior High 100th term student council, led by Kandou. After entering the school, Kandou ran for president as a first-year student and won the position.”

“……….”

“Not only that, Kandou gained overwhelming support from the students and continued in office with the same members for two consecutive years. Although he transferred to another school when he became a third-year student… If Kandou hadn’t transferred, he might have continued as the student council president for a third year.”

Aoi raised her index finger and said, “In my opinion…”

“To become the student council president of this academy, one must possess achievements, abilities, and popularity. However, that alone is not enough to continue in office. I think Kandou must have been a person who could attract and naturally lead others.”

“……I think that’s an overestimation.”

“Really? I don’t think so. Right, Itsuki Kandou?”

Aoi looked into my eyes and called me by that name.

The moment I heard that name, my heart raced.

It’s confirmed. There’s definitely someone behind the scenes, a student who’s trying to drag me into the spotlight.

There’s only one student in the school who knows the inside situation and that I am Itsuki Kandou.

“So, I ask you again, Itsuki Kandou. Please help Akane.”

To be honest, there’s no coercion, so it’s easy to refuse.

But,

“……Alright. What are Akane’s campaign promises?”

Campaign promises are basically the policy direction the student council president would take once in office.

“Ah, here’s the list she came up with.”

She even had it with her.

I read the campaign promises Aoi handed me from Akane. There are many things to correct since it’s not well organized.

However…

“……Alright. But I’ll only help during the election period.”

“Eh? Really? I thought you’d be more reluctant.”

“If Akane becomes the student council president, my connection with her will become even more distant than before, and I won’t be called to the student council room like this. I won’t have to stand out unnecessarily.”

That way, I wouldn’t have to get involved anymore. Besides, if I were to refuse clumsily now, I don’t know what Aoi’s collaborator might do.

“……Is that really all?”

Aoi directed a probing gaze at me.

“……That’s all.”

“……Hmm. Alright. That’s fine. But still…”

“What is it?”

“Why don’t you step into the spotlight with all that talent? I think it’s a waste, you know?”

“There are various circumstances… like family background, I guess.”

“……I see.”

She seemed to sense something and didn’t ask any further questions.

“Alright then. Please take care of our Akane-chan. It’s a promise, okay?”

“……Yes. But please don’t expect too much.”

Aoi and I exchanged pinky swears, just like we did when we were children.