Kibe, Bato and the rest of the student council were all sitting in a comfortable room in the back of the auditorium. All of them were waiting for the final verdict on what was to come.
Bato would be tapping on his chair's armrest while Kibe was making himself some tea. He'd then begin making himself a sandwich. Katsumi would be playing with some playing cards while Rin texted on her phone.
"You sure made quite the appealing performance Nori." said a voice, Kibe briefly turned his head around and looked to see Cho sitting on a rocking horse while eating some gummy bears. Kibe would stare at her for a bit as he continued to cut the crust off his sandwich. Cho would hop off of the rocking horse and would begin walking over to him.
"Mmmm, gummy bear?" she asked as she handed him the small jar. He shook his head as she shrugged and kept eating them. "As I was saying, it was a hell of a performance, some would even say it was almost, life-like." Cho said.
"Everything I said on that stage, was real." Kibe said. Bato looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Real huh? Well, color me for surprised. Then again, if you were bluffing, I doubt anyone in here would know." Rin said. Kibe looked at her and then put his sandwich and tea on a plate and walked a table near the center of the room. Before he ate it he'd put his hands on the table.
"Nothing to say Bato?" Kibe asked without looking at him. "What do you want from me? Some sort of eluded attempt at pulling away at your words? No. I think I'll pass. Its clear as day whats going on, the only issue here is that no one knows...or maybe they don't dare, to try and say anything to prove it. So we'll just have the school body decide for us instead." Bato said.
"I couldn't agree more. Besides, we shouldn't have any bad blood over a few kind words to the good people of Sawa High." Kibe said as he began to eat his sandwich. Bato looked away, resting his head in left hand. He wasn't sure exactly what Kibe was playing at, but he knew he had to solve it. Otherwise he may see himself getting buried underneath this pile of masks he was putting up. Sometime would pass by, however during that time, thats when Kiko enter into the backroom. Everyone aside from Hideaki and Kibe.
"Well?" Rin asked.
"Don't just stand there shorty, tell us the business." Cho said. Kiko sighed with annoyance as she held a piece of paper up in front of all of them, waving it a bit.
"The results came in. Seems a though-
they couldn't decide on who to pick. So they've decided to set up a popularity poll for the both of you. With two events for you both to gouvern over to determine just who truly can be a representative for Sawa High." Kiko said. "What? Thats absurd, did you even-"
"I did recount, and I did ask them. They've made their voices clearly heard." Kiko said.
"A predictable outcome." Hideaki said. "What? Just how?" Rin asked. Hideaki leaned back in his chair and looked to everyone.
"Bato said everything the people needed to hear, which in hindsight, may be just what they need.
However, Kibe gave the people what they wanted to hear...he gave them hope. Which this school is lacking much of, but no one can shake away a tasty piece of cake, even if it isn't healthy for them. I think this can work in both of your favors." Hideaki said with a smile as he stood up. Bato looked at Hideaki with a raised eyebrow, and Kibe side-eyed him as well.
"What sort of game is he playing at?" Bato thought.
"Hes looking to see which of us is the most useful, then again, he could also just be seeing which one of use is truly the best for Sawa High. I doubt it though." Kibe thought as he finished his tea and stood up.
"Listen you two, I'm sure your both hoping dearly to get a chance to prove which of you both is the better of the bunch. Though lets be real, that doesn't matter right now. The name of the game now, is popularity." Hideaki said as he clasped his hands together. Kibe and Bato looked to one another for a moment. "Now then, just what is it that can be done to prove this? Ah! I know. How about this, we'll host a small festival. Along with it, we'll host the annual school race here too. You'll both be taking the place as the head planners and main sources of authority in them.
I assume you'll be up to the challenge." Hideaki said.
"Of course. Doesn't sound like a bad idea." Bato said.
"I agree." Kibe said. Hideaki nodded to them both with a smile. "Thats good to hear. I'll have schedules and times set for both of you. Since the IPOW is coming soon we'll have to make them a little short of course. So I hope you both are good under some pressure." Hideaki said.
"The annual race? really Hideaki? What makes you think the other three schools are going to actually agree to that so soon?" Cho asked. "Because, at a time like this, they'll think our athletes are out of practice. Luckily it may just be their downfall." Hideaki said.
"Sounds like an excuse to get some more notoriety for our school's running team." Kiko said, "You would think something like that Kiko." said Cho, Kiko and her share a brief glance before Kibe would then yawn, getting everyone's attention.
"I believe Hideaki's idea is perfect. At times like this when the world feels like its on fire, someone needs to come around and offer water." Kibe said, "Are you the one offering water Kibe? Or are you the one who set the world on fire?" asked Cho.
Kibe thought for a moment before then answering, "Nah, I think I'm more of a the kind of person whose already been engulfed in the flames. Luckily our athletes don't need to know that." Kibe answered.
Bato then stood up and looked to Hideaki. "I'll go along with this plan, but know this, I don't intend to follow any sort of guidelines, I have my own way of doing things." Bato said.
"Of course, Ojima, just be sure your way of things will get people to decide on your being the sole representative." Hideaki said. Kibe then would get his bag and fix his uniform, Cho looked to Kibe. Kibe then began to walk away and towards the door.
"Take care Nori." Hideaki said as he waved his hand to him, Kibe turned to him and gave him a peace gesture with his hand as he then left the room.