The calendar flipped page by page.
As the cultural festival drew closer, an increasingly lively and enthusiastic atmosphere enveloped all of Sōbu High School.
Dry branches and fallen leaves in the courtyard added to the serene beauty typical of winter. However, the cold wind couldn't extinguish the swaying flames of the festival's excitement. Amidst the orderly preparations, a half-finished school celebration signboard already stood at the school gate.
Additionally, the student council president election, which few paid attention to, had quietly begun.
The number of candidates this time, as usual, was small. Nearly half of them were running just for fun, with the mentality that it was fine if they didn't win, and if they did, they'd do the bare minimum. No wonder the students' enthusiasm for voting was low.
Because of this, the campaigns of Tachibana Kanade and Isshiki Iroha were proceeding remarkably smoothly.
The publicity of the two beautiful girls, combined with their proactive campaign activities, had verbally secured the majority of the students' votes. The support survey conducted by the journalism club even outshone all others. The combined votes of the other candidates still couldn't rival them.
"Isn't this already a landslide victory?!"—So declared Iroha, the candidate for Vice President of the Student Council.
This wasn't just recklessly raising a flag but a fact widely believed by those following the election.
No other candidates could compete. If they still failed to be elected, there must be foul play.
"Damn, there's no challenge at all in this election fight. I want to see some bloodshed!"—So said Iroha, the aspiring master strategist, pounding her chest in frustration.
If there were no surprises, after the cultural festival ended, the day when Kanade would officially take the Student Council President seat, despite being a first-year, would soon arrive.
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"So, senpai, can you create some surprises?"
During the lunch break, in the Service Club.
While sipping Musashino milk in her hand, Iroha made an absurd request in a cute, whiny tone.
"Kanade-chan's power is too strong. Without a bit of a shake-up, it feels like all my election preparations would go to waste~"
"Not a waste."
Holding a bowl of instant mapo tofu rice, Kanade raised her small face, stained with red sauce. She looked at her calmly and seriously.
"Everything Iroha has done proves that we became student council members through our own efforts, not other factors… This way, everyone will trust our abilities more."
"Ngh…" The relaxed expression on her face froze for a moment. Iroha waved her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her lazy demeanor turned shy.
"I-I know. I was just kidding… Don't praise me so seriously. It's embarrassing."
Yuu was someone who knew how to seize opportunities.
Seeing Iroha's shy expression, he immediately set down his lunchbox. Sitting up straight, he looked at the ash-blonde, short-haired girl with a serious gaze. He spoke solemnly, as if reciting scripture:
"No need to be modest. Without your efforts, how much cost and sacrifice would Tachibana have to bear alone to become Student Council President? It's precisely because you supported her behind the scenes that you two can shine on the throne now. You can bring greater prosperity and new transformation to Sōbu High…"
"Yes, Isshiki Iroha, you are the greatest hero who made this new student council possible!"
"Ngh, ngh, aaahhh!"
Her ears turned redder. Her hands frantically fanned her face. Iroha was so embarrassed she could practically dig a hole to Tokyo Tower with her toes.
"Senpai! Senpai! That's too much! Teasing a junior like this in front of the senior girls, aren't you afraid of being misunderstood as a playboy who loves younger girls?!"
Still trying to deflect the attack? What a poor trick.
Yuu sneered with disdain. He tapped his lunchbox with his chopsticks.
"If I act upright and sit straight, what do I have to fear? Besides, what if I'm misunderstood? If I'm afraid of even saying a single word—"
Before he could finish, Yuigahama nodded thoughtfully, muttering to herself in a voice only she could hear: "So that's why I was rejected before—because I'm the same age as Yuu-kun, huh… If I were a year younger, maybe he wouldn't keep his distance?"
Yuu coughed. He changed his words as if nothing happened: "You're misunderstanding. I don't care much about age—"
"Heh."
Before he could finish, a cold laugh came from near the window. Her eating movements remained as graceful as a painting.
Yukino didn't look up. While moving her chopsticks, she spoke casually, as if chatting: "You're only realizing his reckless nature now? It's not just first-year juniors. I bet middle school girls and college students are his targets too. It's not a misunderstanding at all."
Yuigahama blinked, looking at her with shock and worry.
"Yukinon said so. Yuu-kun, don't tell me you…"
"I said it's not true! Why do you believe her so much?"
Yuu's cheek twitched. He shot a sharp glance at Yukino, who was smiling calmly.
Yuigahama said honestly: "Because Yukinon knows Yuu-kun so well…"
"She doesn't know anything."
"I didn't mean it like that."
They spoke at the same time, and simultaneously, they turned their displeased gazes at each other.
"You think you know me so well?"
"You're saying my judgment is wrong?"
Seeing the two, Iroha couldn't help clapping: "Though the words are different, their synchronized voices feel so harmonious… Hahaha."
Under their oppressive stares, her voice grew quieter. Finally, she laughed awkwardly a few times and hid her head behind Kanade's long hair, acting like an ostrich.
Kanade glanced at her. She shifted her gaze back and asked with a blank expression: "What's up? Fighting?"
""Nothing's up.""
They answered in unison, seemingly unwilling to involve their junior in their dispute.
"Hmm, good. You should get along."
Her soft, flat voice landed. After nodding slightly, Kanade continued scraping the remaining sauce and rice grains from her bowl with her spoon, not wasting a bit.
While playing with her hair, Iroha pouted and muttered softly:
"Tch, differential treatment…"
But she was used to this kind of daily treatment. She didn't feel any imbalance.
Since the seniors returned from Kyoto, she often came to the Service Club with Kanade for lunch—what else could she do? They stopped club activities after school, and the seniors didn't visit the café because they were busy with the cultural festival.
To get the full details of the National Kendo Championship and regularly send desserts to a certain senpai for feedback and suggestions as agreed, Iroha had to 'reluctantly' chase them down during lunch break. She also brought Kanade, who wanted to personally thank the Service Club for their help.
After coming a few times, she got used to it.
After all, the environment here was quiet, and the interactions between the seniors were fascinating. Even Kanade said if the cafeteria's mapo tofu could be brought here, she'd prefer eating lunch at the Service Club. Naturally, she couldn't resist coming and chatting with them.
What's called a 'safe haven' where she could be herself calmly might feel like this.
"Oh, right!"
In the silence where the two turned away from each other, seemingly uninterested, and resumed eating their respective meals, Yuigahama suddenly clapped her hands. She proposed enthusiastically: "Wanna try a test? A Compatibility Quiz!"
"Using scenarios about what Yuu-kun would do in certain situations, we all write our answers—if Yukinon's answers match Yuu-kun's, it means you're super compatible! If not, it means she's being arrogant!"
"If I join in, it'll test how well our Service Club members understand each other!"
"How about it, wanna play?"