Chapter 7

"Alisa Kujo-san?"

"Huh?"

During lunch break, Alisa looked back at the voice that suddenly called to her.

Standing there was a schoolgirl with an aura of intelligence, her faultless black hair trimmed to her shoulders.

Alisa did not recognize the voice or face, but the color of the ribbon was a telltale that she was in the same year. And yet, even though she was supposed to be someone unfamiliar, there was an unfriendly glare peeking through the girl's glasses.

"…What do you need?"

Against such a cautiously spoken question, the girl fixed her glasses and said in a rugged voice.

"I'm sorry. I am Sayaka Tanimaya from Group F. Could you spare some time for me?"

She looked out the corridor windows towards the courtyard while asking. Although her words were polite, she did not seem friendly at all.

Normally, Alisa would respond with something like "Sure, what is it?", but…the name caught her attention.

(Sayaka Tanimaya…? The one who fought against Yuki for the Student Council president role in middle school?)

She had heard more about this student from Masachika the other day. This girl was one of the candidates for that presidency that they should've been wary about, aside from Yuki.

With the family name of Taniyama, she was the daughter of the president of Taniyama Heavy Industries, one of the largest shipbuilding companies in Japan. She was also one of the top students at Seiryo Academy in terms of wealth.

She was a very good student, always in the top ten in test grades, and was always the class representative, so the teachers remembered her well. Above all, in middle school, she had a track record of defeating three sets of vice-chairman candidates in a debate. No other candidate, including Yuki, had matched the number she defeated.

For that reason, Masachika was very wary of her, besides Yuki.

There was no reason for Alisa to not accept the invitation of a student that might be a rival for her.

"…Alright."

"Thank you."

Even if the words were said, there was no appreciation behind them, and Sayaka simply walked out to the courtyard. As Alisa followed, she stopped under the large tree in the center of the courtyard and turned back towards the former.

"First of all, I would like to confirm something. Kujo-san, is it true that you will challenge the presidential election with Masachika-san?"

"Yes, what about it?"

Alisa wondered where she had heard that information, but when she nodded in confirmation, Sayaka's eyebrows were wrinkled.

And the next moment, she uttered a clear, hostile statement.

"You're being very vulgar, aren't you? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"…Eh?"

Suddenly struck with contempt, Alisa was above all taken aback.

"You just simply steal Masachika-san away. How did you do it, was it by harassment?"

"Huh???"

Alisa couldn't put up with it.

"What's with that random accusation? In the first place, why should you say that to me, seeing as though we've never met before?"

Alisa's cry drew the attention of the students in the courtyard and adjacent school building. She was aware of this and quickly swallowed her words, but Sayaka didn't seem to care.

"As for why? Rather, I think I have the right to say it, except for maybe Suou-san. Could you please stop tainting our school's sacred presidential election with such a weak heart?"

"What? What are you trying to say, that I used dirty tricked to get Kuze to join me?"

"You think not? I don't know what sort of tactics you used, but I can only assume that you were trying to poke at Suou-san by choosing that coward Masachika-san as your partner."

"No wa-"

"Alya? Taniyama?"

When Alisa looked back at the voice from behind her, Masachika, who seemed to overhear the two arguing, was about to exit the corridor to the courtyard. Standing in between the two, he looked at the awkward atmosphere with worry on his face, and asked Alisa.

"…What happened?"

"I don't know. I was suddenly approached, then she accused me that I stole you away."

"What? What's that about?"

Tilting his head in confusion, Masachika turned to Sayaka and asked,

"Well, Taniyama? I don't know who told you that information, but I decided to help Alya on my own decision. She didn't do anything strange…"

Sayaka frowned at his words and slowly adjusted her glasses.

"…I can't believe it. How can you, the man with no guts, decide to join forces with the new student?"

"Well, ignoring the fact that I'm a coward…anyways, she didn't use any tricks or anything like that. It's all a misunderstanding on your part, so since you were rude to Alya, could you apologize?"

Masachika tried to keep the situation as calm as possible. However, at that moment, Sayaka released a horrifying blast of anger.

"So…it really is you who should be judged…"

Muttering with a soft voice, Sayaka approached Masachika and stared at his face, eyes full of hostility and hatred. From this, Masachika involuntarily stepped back.

"Kuze-san, I challenge you to a debate."

"Huh-?!"

Sayaka's declaration screamed at the students, who were watching the situation from afar. Masachika was shocked.

"The topic will be…how about 'Requirement of Teacher Recommendations for STUCO?"

"No, wait a minute! You…are you serious?"

"You think I'm joking? People like you should leave the student council as soon as possible. You don't think a real student council member would run away when challenged to a debate?"

The sudden declaration confused Masachika as he couldn't understand the reason Sayaka was so worked up. However, it really seemed she was trying to stop them, and the only way for Masachika to stop her would be to win the debate.

"…I understand. For the time being, the details-"

"Wait."

Alisa interjected with a sharp voice.

"Isn't the debate held between candidates for the election? How can you proceed when you just ignore me?"

Alisa glared at Sayaka, but the latter replied without even looking back.

"Can you please not disturb me? I'm not interested in you anymore. If you're just a candidate for show with nothing but grades, please get out of the way."

"Hey, turn around!"

Alisa forcefully stepped in between Masachika and Sayaka, glaring at the latter.

"We're participating in the election as a team! If you try to beat Kuze, then I will also be your opponent."

Sayaka finally turned around, looking at Alisa with an annoyed look. Spitting quietly, she muttered.

"And I was gonna let you off the hook too…"

Lifting her chin with contempt, she said in a chilling voice.

"Fine. I'll crush you both. People like you aren't suitable for the presidential election."

Buzzing with excitement, the surrounding students spread the news in no time.

"I didn't think there'd be another debate this semester…"

In the student council room after school, Masachika and Alisa were standing in front of Toya, who had an annoyed look at the application submitted by Sayaka.

"I'm sorry, and right before exams too…"

"No, you guys aren't to blame. It's fine, it's my job anyways. Don't worry about it."

Waving his hand at Masachika, Toya looked down at the application form again.

"Well, as long as it's already spread, I can't cancel it…but this topic is-"

"It'll affect me, right?"

"Um…correct."

The topic on the application form was "Requirement for Teacher Recommendations for STUCO" which Sayaka decided during the lunch break. It was simple. She wanted to make it so a teacher's recommendation was needed to become a student council member.

Toya instinctively frowned at the topic, aware of what the topic was aiming at. However, Masachika just shrugged and replied without hesitation.

"In the current lineup of the student council, I'm the least likely to have a teacher's recommendation. If she wins the debate and this proposal passes, I may have to quit."

"But, well, I also don't know if the school would adopt such a rule just because someone won a debate…not to mention the content. Anyways, are you sure you want to do this? To be honest, I don't see any benefit for you two."

"There are benefits."

Toya turned his eyes to Alisa, who made the clear statement. Turning around, Masachika was greeted by her eyes, which held a mellow fighting spirit.

"If I can defeat her, I'll be a good candidate to become the next president. On the other hand, if I run away here, it'll be impossible for me to beat her."

"Oh ho, is that so?"

"Also, she insulted Kuze and I. I have to make her eat her words and apologize."

"I suppose…"

Masachika chuckled at Alisa's quiet anger, and joined in.

"It's not such a bad thing. We also get a chance to present before the closing address this year. This debate with Taniyama is perfect to show off our candidacy."

"Whatever you say."

Nodding half-heartedly at Masachika's words, Toya checked his schedule.

"It's a bit of a rush, but how about we hold it this Friday after school. What do you think?"

"I don't mind."

"I'm okay with it too."

"Alright then, can you make an announcement regarding the topic by the end of today?"

"Chairman, I shall make a news slip."

"Suou, I leave that to you then."

"Of course."

Yuki, who raised her head from the office table, smiled while nodding happily, and turned to Masachika and Alisa.

"Masa-kun, Alya-san, please do you best."

"…Ah"

"Yes, thank you."

"Also, I'm sure you two are busy preparing for the debate, so how about being excused from the student council duties until it ends?"

Yuki said so and glanced around the room, seeing the rest of the members immediately nod in affirmation.

"That's alright."

"I think it's good too."

"As Yuki says."

"Yup. Kuze, Kujo-san, this is good, so you guys should go prepare."

"No, wait-"

"It's fine. If this rule is passed, it's going to add a lot more troublesome work. It's the student council's job to prevent it, so don't worry."

Laughing, Toya reassured them, while Masachika and Alisa bowed for the kind consideration of their seniors.

"…I understand. Thank you."

"Thank you, I will definitely live up to your expectations."

The two of left the STUCO room, thanking their friends for their concern.

"Well then…do you want to go back to our classroom and have a strategy meeting?"

"Yeah."

"Well, looking at it, it's expected for Taniyama to make such a claim."

"I guess…"

"Then, based on this info, how do we argue against it?"

In an empty classroom after classes, Masachika and Alisa were discussing their strategy, sitting in two desks facing each other.

"…I wonder if that would work."

"Yeah, it's good. I think it's pretty convincing. I need to summarize my argument a bit more, though…"

Based on the copy of the debate application that Toya had given him, Masachika predicted Sayaka's point and put together a counter-argument for it. As he did so, Alisa, who had been frustrated by Sayaka's outburst, gradually calmed down. She finally had the time to calmly analyze Sayaka's behavior.

"Hey, Kuze-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"A-are you on bad terms with Taniyama-san?"

"No, I don't think so, at least. When we were in the student council in junior high, we respected each other and did pretty well."

"Then…"

"Taniyama isn't the one who usually says such bad things, is she?"

"I've never seen such a fierce Taniyama-san…"

Alisa was sad to see Masachika's eyebrows lowered as his shoulders cowered in distress. It was the first time she had seen Masachika, who was usually so calm and collected, in such a state of anxiety.

Come to think of it, unlike Alisa, who had never really talked to Sayaka, Masachika had known her since junior high and was met with an unknown hostility. Even if it was unreasonable, there was no way he wasn't hurt.

"Kuze-kun…"

"Hmm?"

"Er…"

She tried to say something to Masaschika, who seemed to be stuck somewhere, but didn't know what to say. She had never comforted people before, and since she also didn't know what the relationship between Masachika and Sayaka was like, she hesitated.

"…Why would Taniyama-san do such a thing?"

A question escaped out of her mouth, who was disgusted that she couldn't give a word of comfort to her partner.

Masachika didn't seem to notice Alisa's self-loathing, lost in thought.

"Hmm…that's right. I was thinking about that too…maybe she thought I was treating the election campaign like a piece of cake?"

"Huh?"

"No, was that just an expectation? Considering the story I heard from you, Taniyama seemed to misunderstand and think that we were not serious about the election."

"Why would she misunderstand like that in the first place?"

"Hmm…I used to think you were only good at grades…well, that's what I used to think anyways, but objectively, you're a transfer student who has a track record in club activities. I don't know as much about Taniyama anymore."

Alisa gazed at Masachika and snorted.

"Well, I won't deny that…but you're not in the going home club either."

"Yeah, but the fact that the two of us joined forces to challenge the campaign might've seemed like a provocation for her to say 'you sure you want to do it? If not, then go away.' sort of thing…"

"Yes, I suppose that is possible?"

It was just that Sayaka's anger was unusual, even if she was angry at someone who looked like they weren't trying. Masachika soothed Alisa, whose expression turned grim as she recalled the unpleasant outburst at the time.

"I know you're angry, but calm down."

"Rather, how are you so calm?"

"In my case, since I know the normal Taniyama, I thought I must've done something that she really didn't like in order for her to be so angry."

Alisa raised her eyebrows in question and lowered her voice as Masachika weakly laughed.

"Even if I did, that wouldn't be reason enough to be called such a horrible thing. It's true that you're pretty lax on many things, but you're still not the kind of person that deserves this much hate."

Masachika noticed that Alisa was angry for him, and turned a little shy. However, he didn't want Alisa to be that irate, and followed up.

"Yeah, well…I was originally Yuki's partner, so she may think that it was unreasonable to break up the pair with Yuki, who was a favorite of the student crowd. Instead, I joined you, which could seem to be like I was fooling around.

"That-"

As she was about to say that it was too strange, Alisa realized that this entire debacle was because she was paired with Masachika. She also realized that this was not the only disadvantage that Masachika had suffered as a result of being partners with herself.

Yuki was his original pair. There was also Ayano, who was said to be their childhood friend. Just because he didn't say anything about it didn't mean that no one had attacked him in one way or another. Unlike Alisa, who had always been alone, Masachika must have sacrificed many things to join her.

"I-"

When she thought about it, she suddenly felt terrible. Masachika had taken her hand as an equal, but the price he paid for that was not equivalent. What could she possibly pay him in? What did she even have? Even then, she was constantly being supported by Masachika.

"Alya? What's wrong?"

Alisa suddenly fell silent, which worried Masachika. Sitting in front of him, she suddenly looked pale as her breathing became shallower.

"Are you okay? If you're sick…"

"I'm fine. That's not the case."

"Really?"

However, no matter how he looked at it, she did not look normal. At the same time, Alisa said with a somewhat distressed look on her face, "We've taken some measures for now. I think we should call it a day."

"Kuze-kun…what do you want me to do?"

"What? What sort of question is that?"

"…"

He tilted his head in question at the sudden offer, but Alisa just stared at him and said nothing more.

"Hmm…what do I want you to do?"

Feeling the intention of a 'don't ask questions', Masachika paused a little while scratching his cheek.

"Ah…a funny face?"

"Please be serious"

"…Hmm"

Although he was told to be serious, Masachika could not take a serious attitude in such an atmosphere. It was Masachika's nature to try and soften the mood by saying something stupid, especially when the other party seemed strangly tense.

"Oh, that's right. I want you to gently hug me, whisper sweet things in my ear, and let me drown in the overflowing motherhood."

Alisa's eyebrows jumped at the words he said with a grin. At her reaction, he expected her to get angry, preparing himself for the slap to come.

"…Okay."

"Huh?"

While he had a dumb reaction at the completely expected answer, Alisa stood up with a clatter and walked around the desks to stand next to Masachika.

"Waitwaitwaitwaitwaiwaitwaitwaitwaitwait"

Looking at her blue eyes in his immediate vicinity, Masachika stepped back from his chair, uttering a meaningless sound.

"W-wait, that was a joke. Please calm down?"

As if in surrender, he raised his hands to shoulder height and tried to stop Alisa from really spreading his arms out. Alisa then raised her eyebrows again and lowered her arms. And for a moment, she wrapped around Masachiaka's back. In the next moment, she hung around his neck as she closed her arms.

"What!?"

Suddenly, Masachika jumped up with a strange cry after feeling the smooth texture on his cheek and the soft feeling pressed against his back.

However, Alisa lifted her left arm without any notice, and slowly started stroking Masachika's head.

"Aaaaaa!?"

Masachika's voice turned upside down in panic, but couldn't move against such a nice feeling.

He also didn't want to surrender himself to Alisa's embrace, and his whole body tensed up and froze. As Alisa touched Masachika's cheek, she whispered softly.

[Sorry, and thank you]

With those words, Alisa wrapped her right arm around his shoulder and across his chest, and Masachika huffed.

"Alya?"

"…"

Alisa did not respond to Masachika. However, Masachika could feel Alisa's arm around him from behind as if she was holding on to him.

When Masachika suddenly relaxed, Alisa's left hand separated from his head and turned to cross his right arm.

[Please don't leave me…!]

The whisper, accompanied by a sad sound, made Masachika feel like she was grasping the depths of his chest. Burning emotions erupted with pain that tightened his chest.

Driven by the heat, Masachika grabbed Alisa's arm with his left hand and gently stroked Alisa's hair with his right hand.

"Alya. We will win. It doesn't matter if Taniyama is the opponent. I won't let anyone break the promise I made with you."

Looking forward, he declared clearly to Alisa, who was right next to him, as if to imprint his determination and resolve on himself. There was silence for a while, and then suddenly Alisa moved lightly.

"… Kuze-kun, it hurts."

"Oh, sorry, sorry."

Masachika realized that he had unconsciously put a lot of pressure on her hands and hurriedly pulled them away. Then, Alisa also gently removed her body and said a little meanly.

"Well, if you've gained some motivation, then it was worth it for me to fulfill your request."

When he twisted his neck to look up behind him, he saw Alya with her usual puffed-up, proud look on her face.

"Well, when Princess Alya herself gives you a hot hug, you can't help but get motivated."

"Don't call me 'Princess'."

When he teased her, she gave him a chop to the head. The chop, which did not hurt at all, made Masachika laugh harder, until he stood up and put the desk back in place.

"Then, this is a good time. Shall we end here for today?"

"Yeah."

When they left the classroom together as if nothing had happened, they walked side by side in the corridor after school.

(Taniyama, I'll beat you. So even if I hurt you…I'll keep my promise with Alya.)

The sight of her, which he had once beaten with half-hearted determination and made her cry, still lingered in his heart as a bitter memory. However, even if he had to see her crying face again, he would not hesitate. He would do his best to win.

He would definitely prove that they were serious. He believed that by doing so, her heart, trapped in anger, would be saved, even if only a little.

(Even so… I did something awkward again.)

Remembering his actions earlier, he laughed bitterly with the premonition that he would be embarrassed again later.

But he couldn't help but do so. He did so impulsively, just as he had done when he reached out to Alisa at that time. At that moment, a flash of inspiration flashed through Masachika's mind.

(But…that's why I chose Alya.)

Suddenly remembering Ayano's question the other day, Masachika stopped on the stairs. At that time, Masachika replied that he didn't know why. He was honest and confused.

But…the emotion that inexplicably drove him. That must be the reason he chose Alisa. That feeling of intense protective desire must be…

(Yeah…It's not love after all)

But maybe, if it wasn't love…

"Kuze-kun?"

Alisa, who seemed to have been walking thinking about something, looked up at Masachika when she was halfway down the stairs.

Then she squinted dazzlingly at the western sun shining in from behind Masachika.

Masachika whispered softly to such a partner, with a sad smile on his face.

[I will not leave you.]

(Until then, I will fulfill my promise.)

"Huh?"

Alisa, who held her left hand over her eyes, raised her voice suspiciously at Masachika's whisper.

"No, nothing."

Masachika brushed it off and walked down the stairs to stand next to Alisa again. At that point, Masachika's face had no trace of the smile that she had seen earlier.