Chapter 8
The day of the debate. As Masachika and Alisa headed for the auditorium and the back door leading to the backstage, they met their debate partners.
"Oh, Welcome~"
Sayaka casually gave a nod and immediately entered the auditorium, but another student behind her called out in a relaxed atmosphere.
"Long time no see Kuze-chi~ I'll be in your care today. . .Though, isn't the atmosphere kind of weird?"
"You're not too tense, are you?"
"Well, I'm not in the middle of a debate, am I? So I'm taking it easy."
The one who waved her hand in a carefree manner, as she said, was a female student with loosely permed blonde hair in a one-sided updo. Her uniform was exquisitely worn out in a thin make-up that barely fit in school regulations. The offensive appearance, which was rare in this Seirei Gakuen, was in the so-called gal category. A female student turned her gaze to Alisa, who hardened in front of a type of person she never interacted with.
"Is this the first time we've talked directly? I'm Nonoa Miyamae. Ichio-Sayachi's companion."
"Yes… I'm Alisa Kujo. Let's have a good debate."
"Haha, you're so serious… I think you and Sayacchi would hit it off."
Laughing loosely, Nonoa said, "Well, it's nice to meet you~" and walked into the auditorium.
"What is it now, Taniyama-san?…"
"Well, they do seem disproportionate, don't they? If you just look at them, they're an uptight honor student and a loose gal. It seems like she's also modeling with that flashy look."
"Model? That… isn't it a violation of school rules?"
"I've heard it's a form of advertising for the brand my parents own, so I guess it's safe."
"I mean, I've seen it before and wondered about it. That hair is…"
"Oh, my hair is natural, all right? My grandmother is American."
"…Yes."
Masachika said that with a bitter smile. Alisa seemed to understand him but didn't seem to be disappointed.
"They are childhood friends. They have completely different personalities and atmospheres, but they are good friends."
"Oh, that's…"
"I'm telling you, you're making a big mistake if you think she's paired up with someone inappropriate. Miyamae is the girl at the top of the school caste, regardless of student council or anything else, and she's definitely one of the best in the school when it comes to connections."
"That's… certainly a threat in elections."
"Well, don't worry too much about it today. You just have to focus on Taniyama."
"Yeah, I understand."
Masachika exhaled and asked Alisa, who seemed to have removed Nonoa from her head.
"Then, do you want to go?"
"Yes"
Then, they set foot in the auditorium, which is the place of the decisive battle.
◇
"Wow, there are quite a lot of people gathering. I think more than half of the students without club activities are participating, right?"
"Well,This is the first debate of the year. And since Taniyama-san took on the challenge of Kujo-san… I think it's going to attract a lot of attention."
Takeshi and Koru who came to the auditorium looked around with a sense of dismay at the fact that the number of people who gathered almost filled the venue despite it being after school and a few days away from exams. With this many people just before the start of the debate, some students may be standing up due to the lack of seats.
"Taniyama-san is a person who fought for the chairmanship with Onii-sama until the end, right?"
"Oh yeah, I was regarded as the favorite for the chairman position during the next year, but in the end I lost to Suo-san."
"But wasn't Taniyama Unbeatable in the debates? I don't think we'd have known what the outcome would have been if the two had clashed in a debate before the election."
"I thought that too, but I think it was clear that I didn't compete in my area of specialty and settled the matter with an open election."
"No, you voted for Suo-san."
"Yes that's it. Though he's my enemy, I was impressed by him."
When he went through the auditorium looking for two empty seats, he heard the voices of the students aroundhim. From the first grade to the third grade, people from various positions talked about the expectations of the debate and the impressions of the participants.
"What do you think? This agenda"
"Hmm, it's something that most students have nothing to do with… well, she's done it right."
"What do you think of that transfer student? I don't know much about her…"
"I can only say that her grades are good… Will she be able to make a speech in the first place?"
"Have you heard of this Kuze student somewhere?"
"Isn't it the name of the vice chairman when Suo was the chairman? I don't know."
"Ah ~ Is there such a thing? That? If so, why is he with a random transfer student?"
Most of the stories he heard were about Sayaka, and few people were talking about Alisa. Some were even talking about him.
"… Isn't it already gone?"
"Well, there's too much difference in their popularity… Oh, it's empty over there."
"Oh, really"
Finding an empty seat in the middle of the line, Kouki and Koru settled down there. Then, when he turned his eyes to the stage in front of him, Sayaka and Nonoa were on the right side of the central podium, and he saw Alisa and Masachika sitting on the left side.
Although everyone was just sitting in a chair in the same way, mysteriously, Sayaka's eyes were drawn to him. The way she straightened her back and meditated calmly, she seemed to have a certain air about her.
"I'm in the hall… I don't feel like I can win. I can't imagine losing."
"Masachika looks calm, but… Is Kujo-san okay? She's going to be the one talking the most, isn't she?"
"Well, it's normal for the presidential candidates to talk mainly with each other, and the vice-chairman candidate goes to support. If only the vice-chairman candidate talks, the presidential candidate will look like a decoration. But it doesn't make sense if the impression of the presidential election is negative."
"That's right… I wonder if it's okay. Kujo-san, she doesn't look like she's good at talking, especially in front of such a large number of people."
"That's right… If you can't speak at least without being open-minded, you won't even have a match, right?"
Two people were worriedly staring at Alisa on the stage. Alisa sat straight in front of them, without showing any pretense when she noticed their gaze. Her blue eyes staring at the empty podium seemed to have no hesitation or anxiety…
(People… so many… her throat sticks… voice, will you come out?)
Her inner heart was as tense as it could be.
Of course, there was pressure on this debate that their future was at stake. But before that, it was her first experience to speak her opinion in front of so many people.
In the first place, Alisa was strong, but she was not strong in self-assertion. She didn't have to insist on her so far because she doesn't expect anything from others. Instead of her not trying to move others in her opinion, she was not driven by others' opinions either. That was Alisa's basic stance.
However, what was needed now was the ability to move other people. The power to put others on your side using your own words. Until now, Alisa had cut it off as unnecessary.
(Can I do it? I'm just going to get rejected like that time…)
Just the other day, she remembered the relentless storm of denial that was struck in the discussions between the soccer and baseball clubs, and her fingertips drew blood. Disgusting. She wasn't surprised as her legs were numb. Her feet, which were supposed to be hard, felt as if they were made of rubber.
"Alya"
Alisa looked back at the voice from next to her, with a half-hearted feeling. She felt irresistibly grateful to be able to look away from the audience in front of me.
"…What?"
Her voice that pretended to be calm was trembling which showed that Alisa was not confident. At the end of her line of sight was the face of a boy staring at her with a serious expression. He would normally be reliable, but now Alisa felt even more pressure.
(Kuse-kun, I'm calm… I have to be more solid. I need to do it myself. I don't want to disappoint Kuze-kun. I'm calm.)
She tried to breathe slowly, but her throat and lungs didn't listen. She trembled, trapped, and more and more blood drained from her limbs.
"Alya…"
"Kuse, kun…"
She couldn't be strong anymore. Her squeezed voice was quivering. She looked like she was about to cry, but she also looked like she was going to start laughing. Her mental state was in turmoil—
"Are you really an E-cup?"
"…Eh?!"
When Alisa was suddenly struck by a question that was so blunt, she couldn't understand what he was saying, and she was amazed for a moment. However, when Masachika glanced at her chest, she finally recognized the situation. She reflexively tried to hide her chest with her arms, but stopped at the moment she remembered that they were on stage.
"Hey, pervert…! What are you talking about in this situation!"
She barely suppressed her voice and raised her blame. Then, Masachika turned his gaze toward the audience with a very serious expression.
"Oh, I was thinking… You can't do anything strange in this kind of public situation… But? At the same time, I realized that if you can't do anything strange, it means you can't slap me and I can't run away"
Then, when he smiled, he looked back at Alisa with a strangely gentle expression.
"I thought… that? I can sexually harass people verbally all I want?"
"I hope you die."
"Come on, they would have never dreamed that we were having such a crazy conversation on the stage…"
"I don't even want to think about it."
"Guhehe, young lady… what color of panties are you wearing today?"
"Huh!… Huh"
Alisa sighed her exhausted sigh as she reflexively endured her sighing up to her companion who made a vulgar voice with his serious expression. She was worried about her own judgment as to whether she really liked him as a partner.
"Please, be a little nervous…"
"Hey, I'm a little nervous too? Oh, look at Kouki and Koru. Hey."
"Where? Oh, hey!"
She grabbed Masachika's wrist and waved it flippantly toward her friend and forced him to place it on his lap. Then, she glared up at his tension-free face with a sharp gaze.
"Hey, can you please stop? It's embarrassing."
"Relieve me, I'm definitely more embarrassed than you."
"If so, be a little embarrassed."
"What a strong hand… No, don't stare with such hot eyes. I'm embarrassed…!"
"…"
"Whoa, why do you look like you see garbage?"
Alisa roughly let go of his hand, and turned away silently, as she didn't seem to take him seriously.
"Hey, Alya-san!"
"…"
"What? You seem to be very tense, so I just thought I'd loosen you up a bit."
"… I'm not nervous."
"Really? Your face is still a little stiff?"
Masachika made a suspicious voice as she stared at Alisa's profile, which she casually turned back. In fact, her cheeks were much more ruddy, but she still felt overwhelmed. Masachika exhales a little and gently calls out with a serious tone.
"There is no need to hide your tension. It's natural to be nervous when it's your first time speaking in a student assembly. Rather, just say "I'm nervous, but I'll do my best, so please give me your support.""
"… I won't say that."
"Well, of course you wouldn't."
Alisa would never do anything to spoil herself by putting up a precautionary line.
She is a perfectionist, so she must be thinking of doing everything perfectly from start to finish.
"Alya, look at me…"
"…?"
Masachika asked, staring at Alisa's eyes, looking back at her suspiciously.
"Alya, who are your enemies?"
"… Taniyama-san, right?"
"No. Your enemy is your ideal, perfect self. Right?"
In the words of Masachika, Alisa shook her eyes a little, and then she nodded slowly.
"…Yeah. I may be most afraid of not being able to do what I want."
"Isn't it? In other words, you are the one evaluating yourself. And you are the only one who speaks on the podium. The audience is the audience. As long as there is no question and answer, it doesn't matter how many there are."
"Is that so?"
"That's right."
Masachika dared to affirm to Alisa, who was anxious about her gaze. Masachika knew that the more mentally unstable she was, the more confident and assertive words she would hear.
"You only have to think about playing the coolest thing you think. Rest assured, I'll do everything I can if something bad happens.."
"…"
Alisa blinked slowly to chew the words of Masachika, and she turned to him in a slightly calm manner.
Then Toya, the chairman, approached from the stage sleeve.
"Kuze, Kujo. It's about time, are you ready?"
"Yes."
After saying it so clearly, he turned his gaze to Alisa next to him. Then Alisa quietly looked back at Toya and nodded.
"I'm fine too."
"Yeah, good."
After nodding firmly, Toya headed for Sayaka this time. After confirming that with her, Toya stood on the moderator's stand at the left end of the stage and screamed into the microphone.
"It's time, so let the debates begin!"
Audience who was noisy at the opening declaration of Toya gradually became quiet. After waiting for that, Toya moved on to introduce the participants.
"Chairman is me, Student Organization Inside School Toshiya Kenzaki. The founders are Sayaka Taniyama of Group F in the 1st year and Nonoa Miyamae of Group D in the 1st year."
In response to Toya's eyes, Sayaka and Nonoa stood up and bowed. Applause arose from the audience seats, and encouragement from supporters flew.
"Protesters are Alisa Kujo, the student council treasurer, and Masachila Kuze, the general secretary of the student council."
Next, Alisa bowed beautifully and Masachika made a playful bow. The applause went up again, but the number was less than before and there was no encouragement.
"The agenda is "Introduction of teacher assessments in joining the Student Organization.""
"Yes."
Sayaka stood up with a clear answer with a voice that echoed well without a microphone. She walked on the stage without showing any nervous pretense, and on the way she gave a bow to Toya and then went up to the podium. At the same time, the appearance of Sayaka was greatly projected on the screen behind the stage.
"Everyone. Thank you for joining us during your busy schedule. This time, I would like to propose "Introduction of teacher assessment when joining the student organization." My suggestion is to make it necessary."
After looking around the audience and greeting her, Sayaka told about her own theory without stagnation.
"Currently, student officers are to be chosen by the president and vice president, but it is no exaggeration to say that the fact is that they are indiscriminately accepting students who have run for candidacy. In fact, middle and high school. However, we conducted a questionnaire survey of all the students who had become members of the Student Organization even temporarily.
(…Seriously? Do you bother to prepare such data?)
Masachika was amazed at the careful preparation of numerical data in this short period of time.
(No, this is Miyamae, not Taniyama…)
When she turned her gaze to Nonoa half and half with her praise and bitterness, the person in question was staring at her nails as if she was not concerned.
Apparently, she was going to stay on the sidelines during this assembly in earnest.
"From this, I think you understand the current situation that anyone can become an officer of the Student Organization if you can run for it. But what about this? This traditional and prestigious Seirei Gakuen. The student representative of the student. Is it okay for the student council to be an organization that anyone can enter if they wish, no matter how bad the behavior of the student?"
After showing the objective facts, Sayaka strengthened her words and spoke to the audience.
"I think the student organization should only include the best of the best. Isn't that the case? For those who represent themselves or are in club activities. Do you want people to become "better" than you no matter how good they actually are? Imagine that their grades are usually poor and their behavior is outright bad. As soon as those students become members of the Student Council, they will still become superior? They will be in a position to give instructions and give permissions to you, aren't they disgusting?"
When asked by Sayaka, Masachika felt the atmosphere of "Well, she's not wrong…" spreading among the audience.
(You're very good at this…)
By changing their perspectives, they made the students, who until then had been thinking that it's someone else's problem, saying, "I don't really want to join the student council, and I don't really care either way," into a party to the event.
"Therefore, we will introduce a teacher's assessment. Specifically, we have to get the teacher in charge and the teacher in charge of the grade, as well as the teacher of life guidance and the teacher of the school director in the registration of the student organization. Make it a format. This completes a student organization that is made up of only truly talented students, with the endorsement of the teachers."
Gaze at the audience seated and Sayaka spoke powerfully as her final touch.
"To realize a more sophisticated student organization with high dignity and authority! Thank you for your support!! Thank you for your attention."
When Sayaka gave a bow, a big applause and cheers of her supporters rose from the audience. After raising his hand and responding to them, Sayaka turned his gaze to Toya. At her will, Toya picked up the microphone.
"Then, let's move on to the question and answer session. Protesters, do you have any questions?"
Toya turned his eyes to Alisa and Masachika, and the eyes of the audience also gathered there. How does the rumored transfer student cut into Sayaka's splendid claim? In a gaze full of her interest and expectations, Alisa quietly looked back at Toya… and silently shook her head from side to side.
"Um, do you have anything to say?"
Toya confirmed that he was surprised, and asked Masachika to move forward with a gesture. The unexpected development created a disappointing atmosphere among the students, saying, "What's the matter?" However, this was decided from the beginning by Masachika in consultation with Alisa.
It was unlikely that Sayaka, who is a veteran in the battle, would show weakness in her question and answer session. When you ask a bad question, she'll just give you a perfect answer and let you gain points. If it's a difficult question, it's better not to ask it. Rather, it was better to listen to the opponent's claim and show her the room to speak her claim.
(Up to this point, as planned.)
Sayaka's claim was basically as expected. no problem. The rest is up to Alisa.
"Well, are you ready?"
"…Yes"
When Alisa answered quietly, Toya's voice echoed.
"… Then, let's continue with the protesters' claims."
"Yes."
Alisa stood up when she replied with a mysteriously familiar voice, even though she didn't have a special voice.
"OK, let's go!"
With the encouragement of Masachika on her back, Alisa slowly headed to the podium. Alisa seemed to be interesting to her audience.., but it was a bit more mean than anything else.
"(Hmm, how are they planning to turn things upside down?)"
"(No, no, no, no. It's over when they can't even get a word in edgewise, right? Taniyama's already won)"
"(I told you, didn't I? If Suo-san doesn't show up, there's no way they can win.)"
"(Well, let's just listen to what that "lonely princess" wants to say.)"
"(I wonder if she can even speak properly? You won't cry, won't you~?)"
From all over the auditorium, there was a mixed voice of contempt and ridicule. The atmosphere of the venue was no longer expected to be how the "lonely princess" would lose, rather than how Alisa would argue.
In the unpleasant air, Kayasaki on the stage sleeve lifted her eyebrows and tried to come out to her surface, but Mariya grabbed her arm and stopped her. Mariya watching over Alisa heading to her podium had the eyes of her strict and gentle sister who believed in her sister. And Alisa was concentrating her consciousness on her inner side, without being aware of anything around her…
(What do I think… The ideal me… The coolest me …)
She ruminated on what Masachika had told her and imagined her ideal figure. Speaking of looking cool, Sayaka was also imposing and cool. But more than that…
(Yes, what was he doing… at that time?)
She remembered. She remembered that time, when he was the coolest guy in the world. At that time, he was…
(Oh, that's right.)
The imagination was decided. All she had to do now is follow the image she drew in her head.
She stood on the podium and slowly looked around the audience seats. And… Alisa laughed.
◇
The moment Alisa stood at the podium and smiled, there was a not-so-small buzz in the audience. Some were struck dumb, some were genuinely surprised, and some opened their eyes to see the image… of a boy in the smile.
"Hello, everyone. I am Student Council Treasurer Kujo. As a representative of the student council, I would like to make a counter argument regarding this proposal. Please take care of me."
Then, in a somewhat theatrical manner, she bowed, as if to congratulate her opponent on a good fight.
In an instant, everyone in the room intuited that the silence during the earlier questioning was not because they "couldn't" ask a question, but because they "didn't have to".
The audience's eyes changed to a provocative greeting that did not match the image of the "lonely princess".
Now, Taniyama-san, you said that the student council would gain more authority by incorporating teachers' assessment into the process of becoming a member of the student council. However, my opinion is the opposite. In my opinion, I believe that teacher assessments would reduce the authority of the student council. This is because it would take away the power of the student council president and vice president to appoint members, which is the core of the student body.
The students in the spectators were inevitably attracted to the fact that Alisa argued head-on against Sayaka's claim, which seemed extremely logical.
"In the first place, it is the student council president and vice president who are most envious and respected by the student organization. They have won the fierce election campaign and won the position, so they have a lot of authority in the school. The right to appoint a student organization officer is the best of all. And why would you want to give that authority to the teacher, albeit partially? Isn't it like saying that the student council is useless without the help of a teacher?"
Alisa's claim echoed in the auditorium. The dignified and beautiful figure let out a sigh of admiration, and the dignified attitude admired and groaned. She was Alisa who changed the atmosphere of her venue in just a few minutes, but Alisa wasn't aware of it, and she expressed her thoughts.
"This school values student autonomy, which is why the Student Council has a great deal of discretion. The student council president and vice president are in a position to freely decide on the members of the student organization. It's special. What if the selection of student council members includes a teacher's assessment? The president and vice president will not be able to freely add the students they anticipate to the student organization. It will not be possible to refuse to join an endorsed member. In effect, the right to appoint a student organization officer is left to the teacher. The officer chosen by the teacher will do most of the work of the student organization. Isn't that different from what the Seirei Gakuen Student Organization should be?"
Masachika felt that the audience, who was inclined to Sayaka's opinion, shook due to Alisa's enthusiastic speech.
(Okay, I'm talking calmly. It's perfect.)
Masachika stroked his chest to Alisa's majestic talk. It was even more than he expected. Looking at the tension just before, he thought she would feel a little more awkward, but… this is enough to compete.
(Taniyama's claim that collecting only elites who have passed the teacher's assessment will raise the rank of the student organization. It is because the president and vice president selected by the student vote have all the right to appoint the student organization. Arya's claim that the student council's prestige will be protected because the president and vice president, who are elected by student vote, hold all appointments. Both sides have a reasonable argument … So far, this is fifty and fifty…?)
Masachika, who was looking at Alisa's back with satisfaction, felt a sharp gaze from the left side and turned around.
There, Sayaka glared at him with a sharp eye from the back of her glasses. Her eyes clearly asked, "Is this your job?"
(No, Taniyama. These are Alya's words.)
Masachika did not participate in making Alisa's claim this time. All Masachika did was anticipate Sayaka's claim. This Alisa claim is 100% Alisa's claim, which Alisa built on the predictions Masachika made.
(It's not me you're dealing with. It's Alya.)
When Sayaka looked back with such a will, Alisa's claim ended and the Q&A session began. Sayaka quickly raised her hand and cut in on Arisa.
"You said that the student council president and vice president have the right to appoint student organization members, but as I mentioned earlier, the reality is that in recent years all the students who have run for candidacy have become members. What do you think?"
"Isn't it okay if it doesn't cause any problems? If problems occur and the students complain, then the student council president should shake a big nata. It's the responsibility of those who stand in.
If that was Masachika's idea, this question would've broken her. However, Alisa was unwavering.
"The alumni association has voiced concern over the recent decline in the quality of the student council. That's why I think we need to bring in the eyes of the teachers, don't you think?"
"It should be up to the student body president and vice president to decide. It's one thing to admit that you're not good enough and ask for help from the teachers. But it should not be decided for them."
Sayaka was gradually running out of room. Gradually, the assertion was beginning to lack logic due to the unexpected strength of the opponent.
(You misjudged your opponent, that's your mistake. You didn't see Alya there, you were chasing a vision of me that didn't exist. Your opponent was Alya from the beginning, but you were only looking at me…)
Masachika had no intention of dealing with Sayaka from the beginning. He heard Alisa's allegations in advance, decided that Sayaka's opponent would do the job well, and left it to him entirely.
Yes, the opponent of Masachika was not Sayaka. What Masachika should deal with…
(Well, how does it work?)
Next to Sayaka, who asked Alisa a painful question, was Nonoa. Until then, Nonoa, who had been ignorant of herself, quietly looked back at Masachika.
And she closed her eyes and worshiped as if she apologized for something, and thrust her hand into her skirt pocket.
"…?"
…The change happened gradually.
The first thing that happened was a tiny rustle. It gradually began to spread throughout the auditorium. If you listen carefully, you will find words such as "transfer student" and "outsider" in fragments. At the same time, the audience cheered for Sayaka.
(Chi, you did it… Sakura, right?)
Impression operation. Off-board tactics that can only be done by Nonoa, who has a very wide network of contacts on campus.
Because there are many children of the upper class at this school, there are a number of students who have an elective mindset. For those students, there is a big difference in impression between Sayaka, the daughter of the president of a top-notch company, and Arisa, a middle-class transfer student. If Sakura, who was planted in the audience, could stimulate them in this area, there was a high possibility that they would put aside the logic of her argument and vote for Sayaka on emotional grounds. But more than that, the problem was…
"Ah…"
Alisa was now aware of the existence of the audience. Her calmness, which until then she had kept her consciousness only to herself, was shaken by her consciousness of the audience.
Even though he was looking from behind, he could clearly see her body suddenly tense.
"Um…!"
Alisa suddenly shuts up, and the noise of her students increases. The more she rushes to say something about it, the less Alisa can speak.
(I have to say it quickly… what? What are you trying to say … question, what was it, what, what, but something ──)
When her tension peaked and she was in a slight panic, she was gently tapped on her back.
"You did your best. Leave the rest to me."
When Arisa looked at the voice, she saw a boy who was more dependable than anyone else.
Masachika walked up to the podium alongside Arisa and picked up the microphone with a chuckle.
"Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a question and I'd like to take over from here. She has been talking longer than she expected, so I guess her throat got damaged. That's what happens when you don't talk much, you know?"
Then, he turned her gaze toward Alisa and told her to tease her. When Alisa was sick of her suddenly being messed with, laughter spread to her spectators' seats.
When the air in the venue became loose, Masachika decided to put out a trump card.
(If we could have won on the logic of our argument, that would have been fine… Now that you've appealed to my emotions, I'm going to use the same technique.)
He didn't want to do it if possible, but… he promised Alisa. "I'll do everything in case of an emergency". So … Masachika decided to destroy everything with a smile.
"Well, then, I'd like to quickly end this for the sake of my partner who got the throat damaged… Do we really need to discuss this further in the first place?"
The audience was buzzing at the question suddenly posed from a messy attitude. Masachika immediately added a chase there.
"Wasn't this discussion settled a month ago?"
Looking around at the audience, who was tilting his head, Masachika quickly raised his right arm and handed out Toya, who was standing on the chairman's stand.
"Isn't everyone's mind made up when they elected Kenzaki as Chairman?"
The students' gazes were drawn to Toshiya, who looked up at the sudden mention of his name.
"As you all know, Kenzaki was an inferior student who didn't stand out in class until a year ago. No, I'm going to make it clear now that he's already said it, but he was a shady character! He was such a shady character in fact, that he would never get the approval of the teachers!"
"Oh!?"
The auditorium erupted in laughter when a half-smiling Toshiya shouted, as if he hadn't thought of it. Masachika immediately followed up with another one.
"However, Kenzaki made an effort. After joining the student council, he worked hard to improve his grades, improve his manliness, and finally managed to win over the mother of all conquerors of Seiryo Academy! I'm sure you've all been moved by the sight of President Kenzaki, haven't you? I'm sure you're all excited to see how President Kenzaki has transformed himself from a shady underclassman into a charismatic student body president, and don't you want to support him?"
When he had said that much in one breath with gestures, Masachika closed his mouth and looked around at the audience. Then, just as the students' eyes gathered, he turned and spoke quietly.
"Chairman Kenzaki was able to become the student president because there was a system in which any student could become a student council member with enough enthusiasm. I would like to ask again. Do you need further discussion?"
Masachika's question went unanswered. Everyone… even Sayaka and Nona, fell completely silent.
"If there are no more questions, we will now move on to closing arguments. Is it okay, the proposing side?"
"…"
Seeing Sayaka stand up silently, Masachika pushed Alisa's back and urged her to return to her seat.
Then, when he got off the podium… Suddenly, a surprised voice of Nonoa came up.
"Eh, hey, Sayachi!?"
Looking back on that voice, Sayaka was about to run away to the stage sleeves. A completely unexpected situation. In addition, Sayaka's expression that he saw for a moment… Masachika got stuck on the spot. It was Alisa who moved instead of standing still. As soon as she ran out, Alisa followed Sayaka and disappeared into the stage sleeves.
The inside of the auditorium was violently noisy due to the unprecedented situation in which the representatives of the proponents and protesters were sent off on the way. Everyone was confused and just upset, and when Nonoa stood up scratching her head, she started walking to Stasta and the center of the stage.
"Sorry, I'm sorry to bother you."
And when she told Masachika on the way, she stood on the podium and raised her hands.
"Yes, we will surrender."
Again, after a moment of silence in the unprecedented declaration of surrender, a whisper full of confusion spreads in the auditorium. Toya, who recovered quickly, called out to her, though he was confused.
"Well, the proponent's proposal is a veto… is that okay?"
"Oh, it's good. No, my Sayaka made a lot of noise."
After seeing Nonoa bowing her head, Toya cleared his throat and declared.
"Then, the proposal is rejected… This closes the debate."
Then, the student council closed the curtain in a confused situation.
◇
"Then, please. Masachika-san."
"Oh, leave it to me. Yuki-san"
When I saw them, I thought they were ideal.
Human charm and overwhelming charisma that attracts everyone. The shadow meritorious person who supports her.
A relationship in which the front is entrusted with full confidence and the back is supporting it with endless dedication.
Ah, those two people have a stronger relationship of trust and a deep bond than anyone else. It can't be helped that I can't beat that. With praise and admiration… with a little envy, I was able to give up.
Therefore, when I saw them, I thought I was betrayed.
Why are you there? Was that bond that I longed for and felt more precious than anything else a lie? Longing and respect turned into hatred, and I decided to tear them apart and destroy their relationship no matter what I did.
But… Why did my heart tremble when I saw those two people standing side by side?
She used to take a step back, but now she is standing next to him. With a brighter and more lively look than before.
Why do you look like that? It's not her that is next to him. Why… Why does my chest hurt so much?
◇
"Wait!"
Alisa caught up with Sayaka when she ran out of the auditorium and came to the back of the gymnasium. She grabbed her arm from behind her and stopped her.
"Go back to the auditorium. I won't allow you to run away!"
Alisa lifted her eyebrows to Sayaka, who stopped her legs but didn't turn to her side and didn't reply.
"Somehow—"
And she forcibly went around in front of her and took her breath when she saw her face.
"You—"
Sayaka glared at Alisa, who was confused by her, with her eyes wet with her tears, and she shook her hand roughly.
"Why…! Why are you!"
Alisa stiffened to the words spit out with passion.
"Kuse-san and Suou-san were the one and only two people! Because they are the two, I am! I …! I gave up! Why…!!"
Sayaka squeezed out her blood as she spilled tears from her steeply lifted eyes. Immediately receiving a scream that seemed to be saturated with her anger, sadness, and various other emotions, Alisa was vaguely aware of Sayaka's true intentions.
"You, you ──"
No more words came out. For a long time, she had thought that her words and actions were malicious, but now she realized that they were the opposite. Now that she knew it was because she had good intentions, Alisa couldn't say anything.
She was always so. At times like this, she couldn't say smart things. Moving people's hearts was impossible to her. So… Alisa just decided to take it all. She should at least listen to her. She thought it was her only role she could do.
"If you have something to say, then just spit it out already."
(TN: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/856561263462318110/937012750280962058/Popgellion_CrunchPOP.mp4)
"Eh!"
Sayaka hatefully stared at Alisa, who had made a straight statement… She suddenly turned her face down, and she exhaled her for a long time and said in a quivering voice.
"I'm not qualified to say anything."
And when she raised her face again, there was a hollow expression of laughter on Sayaka's face.
"I really feel like an idiot… for believing in it, for admiring it, for feeling betrayed by it, for taking it out on it… when it was all my own fault. I was just selfish!…"
Alisa didn't understand Sayaka's feelings. But she could somehow tell that she was originally a very rational person.
It must have been such a shock to her that she forgot herself in anger. She was shocked that Masachika had paired up with Alisa instead of Yuki.
"Oh, there you are."
She looked at the voice she suddenly heard and saw Noa coming around the corner of the gym.
"I'm sorry I cried so loudly… I'm sorry, Kujo-san. You can leave this to me now. You can go to Kuze's side, please?"
"Well …"
"It's okay, isn't it? Please"
At Nonoa's words, Arisa started walking towards the auditorium while keeping her eyes on Sayaka. However, after walking a few steps, she turned around and called out to Sayaka, who was being held by Nona's shoulder.
"Taniyama-san"
Sayaka did not look back. Still, Alisa continued regardless.
"Why did Kuze choose me… I don't know, but I want to live up to that will…"
She couldn't put it into words. She didn't even know if this was the right thing to say to her. Even so, Alisa did her best to convey her feelings to Sayaka.
"That's why… I'll do my best. I hope you will recognize me someday… That's it."
Then, she left the place quickly. Nonoa looked behind her and muttered to herself.
"Well… you're a good girl, Kujo. I thought you'd be much colder, but you're not so bad…"
"…That's right. That's what Kuze-san chose."
When she said this in a tear-stained voice, Sayaka looked up slightly and asked.
"…What about the debate?"
"Hmm? Oh, I decided to give up here. It was pretty noisy, but it feels like Kuze and the chairman have picked it up well."
"Yeah… I'm sorry. I'm sorry to bother you…"
"Oh, it's okay, because I'm your best friend."
Speaking lightly and laughing, Nonoa took off Sayaka's glasses and hugged her tightly.
"And it's a little late regretting that. I can't believe it, Sayacchi has always cried and screamed and gotten out of hand…"
"Not true…"
"No, it is. Do you know how many times I've had to deal with your tantrums?"
Despite her words, Nonoa stroked Sayaka's back with a gentle hand and said as if to remind her.
"When you calm down, let's apologize to Kuze and Kujo-san. I'll go with you."
"…"
Sayaka nodded silently to her best friend's words. Nonoa continued stroking her back.