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!?

“As expected.”

“…As expected.”

During lunch break, Akane and I were looking at the student council election support rate survey results posted on the bulletin board.

There are several other candidates for this student council election besides Akane and Fumiko.

Currently, Fumiko Hiyo is in the lead by a large margin.

And Akane was in second place, but there isn’t much difference between her and those ranked below, it’s essentially a flat race.

In other words, Fumiko is overwhelmingly winning at the moment.

“Well, this is just a forecast based on the current survey. I’m not concerned at all.”

Even if she says that with such a strained face…

Well, seeing the results as actual numbers probably stings a bit.

That can’t be helped. It’s not something you can completely brush off.

“…Ah”

Looking at the bulletin board, I see Fumiko coming this way.

“Ah, Sato-senpai. Hello.”

Fumiko greeted me with a slightly delighted smile and a small bow.

Her demeanor was different from at home, more like an acquaintance.

Is this her “saint-like” mode?

“Ah, hello. Did you come to see the survey, Fumiko?”

“Yes, it’s part of gathering information.”

“Quite impressive. You’re far ahead in first place.”

“Well, the situation can change depending on future activities, so I can’t let my guard down.”

“Yet you seem to be in a good mood?”

“That’s for a different reason. By the way, your tie is loose… don’t move.”

Without paying any attention to the stunned Akane, Fumiko reached out to my loose tie.

And in an instant, she adjusted the shape of the tie and tightened it.

“Ah, isn’t it a bit tight?”

“It looks better when it’s tied a bit tighter.”

Well, it’s a bit tight, but Fumiko seems satisfied, so I guess it’s fine.

“Um, are you two close? You seem quite friendly.”

Watching the exchange between Fumiko and me, Akane frowned and asked in a casual tone.

“I don’t think it’s any of Vice President Shinjo’s business?”

“Huh? No, no, it’s very much my business. Sato is my… partner! So I think I have a right to know.”

Wait, since when did I become your partner?

Fumiko’s gaze changed, perhaps angered by Akane’s words.

“Could you not act like a partner just because you’re getting a support speech?”

“Huh?”

Eh, this is kind of scary. They’re both really tense…

“Oh, I see. You might not know, but we’re childhood friends, you know? We’ve been close since we were very little.”

Fumiko gave me a questioning look as if to say, “Is that so?” and I nodded.

I don’t want to admit it, but it’s a fact.

“Oh? Is that so? Well then, let me introduce myself again. I’m Fumiko Hiyo, living next door to Senpai.”

“What are you saying? What are you saying!?”

Fumiko was sporting a warm smile like a saint, but each of her words carried a weight.

Eh? I didn’t hear about this, I thought, looking at Akane, and I nodded.

Because it’s true.

“We’re just close enough to nurse each other when sick, share meals, and help unpack things. I look forward to getting along with you.”

Upon hearing Fumiko’s words, Akane was at a loss for words.

I was at a loss for words too.

Wha, what should I do? I can’t stop sweating…

“Ha, don’t get too carried away just because you’re a freshman!”

Hey, hey, Akane, could you stop talking like you’re picking a fight?

“I was the student council president in my junior high last year. I also have the best grades in my grade. I pride myself on having the track record and ability to shoulder the responsibility of Aorei Academy, even if I’m a first-year student.”

The word “grade-topper” was a critical hit to Akane, who was second in the grade.

“Ku, ku… you little brat!”

Little brat…

“Ha! I might be behind in votes right now, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get the position of student council president! We will be the ones to win in the end! So don’t you dare gloat later!”

Somehow, everything she’s saying sounds like she’s playing the role of the underdog…

“I have no intention of losing. No matter what tactics you use, I will crush you head-on.”

It’s… it’s no good. Watching these two go at it makes me worried if Akane can win…

“Wow, what’s going on? The princess and the saint are talking.”

“Oh. Two of the top five beauties of Aorei Academy together… this combination is pretty rare.”

“They’re both really cute, as expected.”

Admiring and surprised voices could be heard from around us.

Well, these two are pretty famous in the school. I should get out of here before things get messy.

“Oh, this is… quite a group of interesting people.”

That one voice silenced the surrounding chatter.

I reflexively turned to where the voice came from.

In my line of sight was a girl with pale skin, silver hair, and a somewhat fantastical and ephemeral aura, accompanied by a large group of students.

Just her presence there seemed to draw everything to her.

She was the very image of a queen.

Her name is Shion Kanzaki.

The only daughter of one of the so-called three noble families standing at the top of Japan, the Kanzaki family, she is also a talented girl with the highest grades in her grade.

She is beautiful, one of the top five beauties of Aorei Academy, and has many students under her command. She is referred to as the queen of Aorei Academy.

She is also the chair of the election committee and the vice president of the 100th Aorei Academy junior high student council… She is my partner who has been supporting me at my side.

“Hello, Kanzaki-senpai,”

Fumiko, despite her childlike appearance, bows her head nervously in response to Shion’s mature aura.

“Yes, hello. Ah, I see. Both of you have been checking your approval ratings.”

Shion looks at the bulletin board as if she understands something.

“I can’t show favoritism in this election because of my position, but please do your best. And try not to cause too much of a commotion… okay?”

Fumiko and Akane instinctively bow their heads in response to her overwhelming presence.

I should probably bow too.

Shion’s eyes meet mine.

Actually, I had sent her a letter telling her that I had transferred to this school as soon as I transferred.

I told her why I decided to go by the name Sato, about the situation of the Kanto family, and various other things. So, I asked her to pretend we were meeting for the first time at school.

Understanding this, Shion didn’t say anything and just stared at me for a few seconds before giving a slight nod.

“Well, I’ll be going then,”

She says, addressing Akane and Fumiko, and then walks past us.

“…Hehe.”

As she walks past me, Shion has a somewhat joyful smile on her face.

It felt as if she was enjoying a secret just between the two of us…

“I’ll be going as well. Vice President Shinjo. I won’t lose to anyone but you.”

Fumiko told Akane this and then left.

“Well, we should get going too.”

“Wait a minute.”

Just as I was about to leave, she grabbed my shoulder with a firm grip.

“…Yes?”

“About Hiyo Fumiko. What do you mean by ‘neighbor’? Nursing? Cooking? I haven’t heard anything about this, you know? You’re going to tell me everything that’s happened so far, right?”

“No… well…”

Feeling as if I had been caught cheating, I looked up at the sky, thinking about how to explain myself.