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!?

Day of the student council election results announcement,

“Ugh, I don’t want to see it. Kazuki~”

“You…! You were so full of yourself until a moment ago! Why do you start throwing a tantrum right before the result!”

She’s really emotionally unstable…!!

“Because! When I think about it now, my speech was just me being defiant! ‘Lend me your strength!’ That’s just sheer impudence!”

“Calm down, it’s fine. You’ve always been like that.”

“That’s not helping at all!?”

I forcibly grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

It feels like I’m forcibly taking a dog out for a walk that doesn’t want to go…

And then, we both looked at the election results at the same time.

“…This is the result.”

This election must have been full of things that didn’t go well for Akane.

She ran into many obstacles, overcame them. The experience she gained will definitely become her strength in the future.

“So, I’ll be counting on you from now on, Student Council President Shinjo Akane.”

I patted the crying Akane on the head.

Shinjo Akane narrowly defeated Fumiko and won the seat of the student council president.

“Th-this is… a l-lie… I c-can’t…”

“Yes, yes…”

I ruffled the pretending-to-be-tough Akane’s hair.

The dark circles under her eyes prove that she was full of anxiety.

And the fact that her hands and feet are still trembling.

You really did a great job.

“…Congratulations, President Shinjo.”

Fumiko, who had been her greatest enemy, showed herself.

And handed Akane, who was crying, a handkerchief.

Akane, although confused, accepted the handkerchief and wiped her tears, thanking her.

“I am… upset, but I was moved by your speech. I couldn’t have made a speech like that. I admit my defeat. Shinjo… No, President Shinjo.”

Fumiko extended her hand for a handshake with Akane.

“Th-thank you… I don’t think I could make a dignified speech like Fumiko-san. Besides, I could never have won on my own.”

Akane glanced at me.

“I believe… we won this together.”

The two exchanged a handshake, honoring each other’s efforts.

“Well, I’ll take my leave.”

Fumiko bowed her head and left.

“Now, I also have to go to my sister as the new student council president.”

There are various procedures and things to do, so it seems Akane is going to see Aoi-san.

I could accompany her, but there’s something I want to do first.

“…Go ahead without me for a bit. I’ll join you later.”

Leaving those words with Akane, I followed after Fumiko.

“Fumiko!”

In the deserted fountain plaza, I called out to stop Fumiko.

“…What is it?”

Without turning to me, she asked. Her voice was slightly trembling.

“…I think, it’s okay to cry when you want to.”

“I’m fine, really. I just have to accept the fact that I lost and move forward.”

“There are times when you can’t move forward unless you let it out.”

Upon hearing my words, Fumiko sighed as if giving up, and then turned around.

She had tears welling up in her eyes. She was still holding back.

To not show her weakness.

Is it because she’s the only daughter of a distinguished family, or because she’s a ladylike figure? Or maybe…

I gently stroked Fumiko’s head.

“As a senior, it’s our role to acknowledge when our juniors have given their all. You did a great job.”

Regardless of the outcome…

Fumiko’s eyes widened, and a flood of tears spilled out.

“Isn’t it cheating to say that now?”

“Cheating?”

“Never mind… idiot.”

Fumiko buried her face in my chest.

While hearing her soft sobbing, I slowly stroked her head again.