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!?

“…Is this good enough?”

“Yeah. It seems fine? The content is… and then…”

Akane and I are having a strategy meeting for the student council election, facing each other in the student council room, with no one else around. I listen to Akane’s candidate speech, point out areas that need to be revised, and enhance the quality of the speech script.

Once the speech discussion concludes, we move on to talk about election activities, such as distributing flyers and posting posters on the bulletin boards around the school.

“By the way, have you decided who will give the endorsement speech?”

There are two speeches in the student council election at Hekiryu Academy.

The endorsement speech can be seen as a preliminary battle.

Especially for Akane, this endorsement speech is going to be crucial.

Akane comes from an ordinary household, which is a minority in this school populated by the offspring of wealthy, noble, and samurai families, as well as industry leaders. There’s a certain group of students who are not pleased with Akane’s candidacy.

However, if we can get a student who is popular enough to appeal to that group and has charisma to give the endorsement speech, we can close the gap with Fumiko.

To be honest, this is the only way to close the gap with Fumiko right now.

“Well… I haven’t decided yet. I need to decide soon, though.”

That was a bit surprising.

As the vice president, Akane’s accumulated popularity is among the top in this school.

There should be some students who are willing to support Akane’s election. So I thought the endorsement speech would be easily settled.

“…I asked senior members of the student council and various other connections for help. But it was no good.”

“Did something happen?”

“They heard that if I become the student council president, I’m going to scout Futaba for the student council. But I didn’t tell anyone about that.”

It’s probably the work of other candidates who are trying to disrupt Akane’s election.

Or maybe… she’s setting this up so that no one else can give Akane’s endorsement speech.

Either way, the fact that they’re not spreading this around to the general students is considerate.

“Well, it’s not entirely a lie.”

“…Are you really thinking of getting Nakano into the student council?”

At my words, she nodded.

The students who declined probably support Akane but aren’t happy with the idea of Nakano, who’s treated like a delicate subject in the school, joining the student council.

I see, the reason the endorsement speaker hasn’t been decided is because of that.

“She’s not just good at math, but her information processing ability is also incredibly high. She would be an absolute asset. Also…”

“Also?”

“It’s frustrating, isn’t it? She’s really an amazing girl, but she’s misunderstood.”

Ah, I see.

She doesn’t judge people based on rumors or reputations, she makes her own judgments based on what she sees.

That’s why she’s convinced that Nakano isn’t a bully after building a solid relationship with her.

And if she decides that someone is trustworthy, she’ll believe in them no matter what.

That’s just how she is.

Currently, for Akane to beat Fumiko,

She needs to have the support of students who are from ordinary households like Akane.

Someone with top-tier popularity and power within the school, who can quash objections due to their charisma and family background.

Someone who is not against Nakano joining the student council.

She must have someone who meets these three conditions give the endorsement speech.

Akane understands better than anyone just how difficult it is to meet these conditions.

The key factors to Akane’s victory are the endorsement of students from regular households, the support from a charismatic individual with a prestigious background capable of silencing objections, and acceptance of Nakano’s potential inclusion in the student council. The task of finding someone who fulfils all three criteria for delivering the endorsement speech is indeed a formidable one.

This complex, multilayered situation is a testament to the intricacies and politics involved in the student council elections of Hekiryu Academy. It’s clear that Akane is going to have a tough road ahead, but with her determination and resilience, she’s likely to face the challenge head-on.

“I understand. This is my selfishness… but I don’t want to give up.”

I promised Aoi-san that I would help with Akane’s student council election. Once I make a promise, it’s only right to do everything I can to fulfill it, regardless of the outcome.

Besides, this is also my selfishness because I don’t want her to give up.

“Hey, Akane… How about letting me handle your endorsement speech?”

At that, Akane’s face went blank.

She likely hadn’t expected me to say such a thing.

“Are you serious?”

“I’m serious.”

She asked for a moment to think, her gaze focusing on a single point as she mulled it over. Her expression was absolutely serious.

“No… that’s not going to work. No matter how much I think you’re capable, others don’t see it that way. You have no accomplishments or status in the school, no power or influence.”

What Akane was saying was true. I just transferred here recently and haven’t been evaluated for anything. I’m just an ordinary student with no achievements.

Even though I was well-known in middle school, that’s all in the past. The influence of Kazuki Kandou might not be that significant.

“But… there’s a part of me that thinks you might be able to do something about it. I don’t think it’s trust, but rather, I sense some potential in you.”

Potential… huh.

“Right… Okay, I’ve decided. Can I entrust the endorsement speech to you?”

She said with a smile.

“Leave it to me. I’ll turn all the disadvantages and differences upside down.”

What I should do now is to respond to the potential that Akane felt. I will use everything I have.

“Whenever you say it, I feel like you can really do it. Are you sure you aren’t cut out to be a con artist?”

“What an impolite thing to say.”

“Haha, sorry, sorry. But, I’m really happy. Thank you.”

“I’m not doing this for your gratitude. And that word… is for after you become the student council president.”

“Right… Indeed.”

She said with a smile.

“Ah… I feel so relieved. Oh, would you like some tea and snacks? My sister has some hidden treats.”

“Is it okay for us to eat those without asking…?”

“It should be fine? Probably.”

We’re definitely going to get scolded later.

“Oh, speaking of my sister! I remembered something I wanted to ask you!”

She raised her voice as she prepared the tea and snacks as if she remembered something. Her energy level was slightly high.

“Last night… I overheard her on the phone in her room, and she seems to be… um… going on a date…”

“Oh, a date, huh?”

Aoi-san is popular and gets confessed to every day, so it’s not surprising she’d go on a date or two. And she seems to be used to such things.

“You’re curious about it?”

“Of course I am!! My sister, who has been receiving date invitations and confessions almost every day and flatly turning them down, is going on a date? A date!! This is the first time she’s going out somewhere with a guy.”

“I see…”

“In other words… this is my sister’s first date. It’s impossible not to be curious!”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Plus, during the call… her voice sounded happy or something… Anyway, it was different from usual! It might… mean something!!”

Akane said, “Grrr…” and held her head.

Isn’t that reaction a bit exaggerated?

No… if I found out that my sister, Ichika, was going on a date with some unknown guy, I might have the same reaction.

“By the way, when is the date?”

“This Saturday!”

…Huh? This Saturday?

“The name was… I believe… Kandou.”

Wait… Isn’t that me?