A swarm of students from Seinen High gathered in the auditorium, imparting a buzzing excitement into the atmosphere. The speculative murmurs among students filled the air, as student council elections were a quite big affair at best, but the announcement of the new candidate took it to another level.
Everlyn stood with great confidence on the stage, surveying the audience. In her perfectly tailored appearance in a prominent spotlight, the sheen on her golden-brown hair was irresistible. She had charisma-three pure vibrating force compelling her to be listened to.
She walked up a little closer, offering more warmth in her smile. Then gently but decidedly, she continued to speak.
Everlyn's Speech:
"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Everlyn, and today, I stand before you not just as a fellow student but as someone who truly believes in the potential of this school."
She paused for effect. The students leaned in slightly.
"We are more than just individuals going through the motions of school life. We are a community—a place where the brightest minds and strongest hearts can come together to make something greater. If I am given the honor of joining the student council, I promise to bring fresh ideas, open ears, and most importantly, a voice for all of you."
The tinge of persuasion returned into her voice-anything but obvious.
"We all have dreams, ambitions, and concerns. And I want to make sure they are heard. I will push for more interactive events, fairer policies, and a stronger sense of unity among us. Together, we can make Seinen High not just a school, but a place where each of us can thrive."
Everlyn cast a confident smile and clasped her hands as if making a promise under seal.
Reactions:
From the crowd came a ripple of reaction: It was hushed silence first, then applause.
Emi watched Everlyn with narrowed eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line; in this attitude, she had been contemplating her chances against a strong opponent from the opposing side since she was the student council president. There was something impermissible in that voice of Everlyn; too polished, just too perfect. Emi chose to believe in her mind that her words were not there to help but to win people.
Just having his smirk, David, who was sitting near the front, found his sister to be performing very convincing. He had seen this winning side of hers before-charming, persuasive, and altogether very strategic.
Ren in the back afforded his interest with very little reaction. He was not like most people; he was not easily moved by words. Nevertheless, he saw the crowd responding to Everlyn and, worse, how effortlessly she commanded the room. That was dangerous.
True to form, Aoi found something strange stirring deep within her chest. The whole event seemed too unreal-right down to the well-rehearsed flourish of Everlyn. However, Aoi gave credit in her mind that, even in her impeccably orchestrated speech, the girl could charm anyone.
Everlyn's Thoughts:
Applause rumbled through the auditorium, and Everlyn maintained her inscrutable smile, all the while channeling her analytical faculties.
"That was smooth," she thought, keeping her expression soft and warm. "Not too forceful, just the right amount of persuasion. They're already drawn in."
The subtle look was out across the auditorium, observing reactions. Most students looked amazed, some even euphoric. Good. That was to be expected. But then her sight landed on Emi, who was suspiciously looking back at her.
Everlyn felt an urge to smirk. "Of course, you would be wary. Being president, I mean. But don't worry, Emi…I am not here to fight you. Just classy balancing."
And then there was Ren, in the back, who kept his expression as blank as the next one: nonreactive and unfazed. Instead, he just kept watching. Everlyn felt like she was being dissected under the lens of that lucent gaze of his.
"Interesting. He's different from the rest."
Finally, her gaze rested upon Aoi, who, lost somewhere in her mind, was hard to read. The hint of hesitation betrayed Everlyn's charming smile just for an instant. Who knows? There was something about her that Everlyn did not get quite yet. But that was okay.
"I'll figure you out soon enough."
Ending the Chapter:
The students exchanged whispers on the believable nature of Everlyn's promises, while Emi poised to stand up from her seat.
"Well then," she said under her breath. "Looks like this year, we have a real contender."
The battle for influence has just begun.