After that day, when Sora's story reached its conclusion, life seemed to return to normal and move forward...
The Monday morning sunlight cast a warm glow through the windows of Classroom 3-A. The atmosphere at Hikari ga Oka High School had begun to settle back into its usual rhythm after the grueling final exams of their second year had passed. The students, now fully-fledged third-years, all showed traces of growth and a new determination on their faces. The sound of cheerful chatter mingled with the rustling of turning pages and the scraping of chairs as students still tried to settle into their seats.
Leo Tsukino and Lumine Komori walked into the classroom together. Their soft conversation and the occasional smiles they exchanged created a sweet atmosphere around them that their friends were starting to get used to. Himari Kanzaki, sitting nearby, teased them softly, making a heart shape with her hands, causing Lumine to blush slightly, while Leo could only smile shyly, his eyes, however, filled with happiness.
Ken Arisawa and Riku Lancaster were animatedly discussing basketball practice plans for the new season. Riku boldly declared he would lead the team to victory in this final year. Meanwhile, Zeno Kazuma was trying to explain the working principles of his "Prototype Cat Language Translator" (which looked like modified headphones with small antennas) to Takumi Yoshida, who merely raised an eyebrow slightly before continuing to sketch something in his notebook, unfazed.
Iris Mikazuki sat at her desk, calm but focused. In her hands, she held an old student council file, her misty gray eyes scanning its contents thoughtfully, as if pondering something important.
Sora Aoki, now a second-year, walked into Classroom 3-A to deliver some documents to Lumine as planned. She greeted Leo's group more casually, though a little shyness still lingered. She looked more relaxed and confident than when she had just gone through all the turmoil. Lumine accepted the documents with a warm smile, making Sora feel glad that she could now genuinely be a part of this group of friends.
Suddenly, an announcement over the school's intercom silenced everyone. "Attention all third-year students. The school is now accepting applications for the new student council president for this academic year. Interested students, please pick up application forms and further details at the student council administration office, starting now..."
At the end of the announcement, the buzz in Classroom 3-A returned. Murmurs and conversations about "who" would run for president started to fill the air from various directions. Many students' eyes began to turn towards those they considered strong candidates.
Iris Mikazuki slowly put down the file in her hand. She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with determination.
During lunchtime, the close-knit group of friends gathered at their usual corner in the cafeteria. After everyone had mostly finished their meals, Iris was the one to broach the subject.
"Everyone... I have something to tell you." Her voice was so serious that everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. "I've decided... I'm going to run for student council president this time."
"Really, Iris-chan!" Himari was the first to exclaim, her eyes wide with excitement. "That's great! I'll support you with all my heart! You're the most suitable person!"
"Yeah, Iris!" Leo nodded in agreement. "You have the ability and determination. If you become president, our school will definitely improve."
Lumine offered an encouraging smile. "We'll all support you, Iris, no matter what."
"Of course, friend!" Ken and Riku said in unison. Riku slammed the table. "President Mikazuki will win for sure! Her number one support team is ready to go!"
"Finally, the 'School Reform Project with Clean Energy and Artificial Intelligence' that I drafted will be presented!" Zeno snapped his fingers, his eyes sparkling. "I'll create the 'AI Mikazuki Campaign Assistant Robot V.1'! It can answer all student questions and even distribute flyers!"
Takumi, who had been listening quietly, spoke in his usual flat tone. "A challenging goal, but consistent with the leadership and management potential you've demonstrated. The probability of success in this election... is within a satisfactory range."
The encouragement from her friends warmed Iris's heart and gave her more confidence. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel the pressure and immense responsibility that would follow. Her eyes shone with determination, but also a hint of anxiety she tried to hide.
After school that day, the group of friends gathered again in the science club room (which had become their unofficial headquarters) to seriously plan how to help Iris campaign. A whiteboard was dragged out, and markers of various colors were readied.
"Alright, Team Mikazuki for Victory!" Riku announced, opening the meeting with enthusiasm. "First off, we need a campaign manager! Who's up for it?"
"I think Lumine would be perfect," Himari suggested. "Lumine is calm, meticulous, and considerate. She should be able to help Iris plan well."
Lumine smiled. "If everyone thinks I can do it, I'm happy to."
"Himari and I will take care of the posters, pamphlets, and other creative materials!" Sora, who had been sitting quietly in a corner, spoke up eagerly. "I can draw a bit, so I should be able to help design some nice things!" Being part of the group and contributing was something that made her very happy.
"That's great, Sora-chan!" Himari clapped her hands approvingly. "And I'll help with the colors and cuteness!"
"Ken and I will be the field assault unit!" Riku declared. "Putting up posters, handing out flyers, rallying cheers, or if anyone gives our president trouble, we'll take care of them!" Ken nodded vigorously in agreement.
"I'll handle the use of technology in the campaign!" Zeno offered. "Maybe create a campaign website or an interactive video presenting her policies!"
"I will assist in analyzing competitor data and assessing the overall situation," Takumi added, his hand rapidly jotting notes in his notebook.
"What about me?" Leo asked. "What can I do?"
Iris, who had been listening intently as her friends planned, turned to Leo with a gentle smile. "You... just being my important source of support is enough, Leo. And listening when I need to vent about something. That alone helps me a lot." Her words warmed Leo's heart.
The planning session was filled with creativity, laughter, and lively debates. Everyone seemed determined and ready to support Iris fully.
However, when Iris returned home that evening and was alone in her bedroom, the feeling of pressure began to weigh on her again. She looked at the comments on the school's online forum where people had started discussing the election. Some comments supported her, but others criticized her for being too strict, not smiling enough, or perhaps not understanding the concerns of ordinary students who weren't as gifted as she was.
"Iris Mikazuki? The next student council president? I can't imagine how boring our school will be," one comment read.
Those words, though not harsh, stung Iris. She clenched her fists, feeling the increasing weight on her shoulders. "I have to do better... I have to be a leader everyone accepts... I have to manage everything perfectly..." These thoughts swirled in her head.
As she was engrossed in policy documents and a schedule that was rapidly filling up – with studies, club activities (which she was still a member of), and campaign preparations – Iris suddenly felt her mind clear with an unusual lucidity. Good ideas for improving the library, which she had been stuck on for days, suddenly popped into her head with clarity, along with solutions for the club's lingering budget problems. She massaged her temples lightly, feeling as if "someone else" was helping her think, helping her prioritize tasks in her head with a speed and efficiency she had never experienced before.
"Strange..." she murmured to herself. "Why am I suddenly able to think of so many things at once?" She shook her head slightly, trying to dismiss the odd feeling, and continued to work, unaware that the "seeds" of something complex and inexplicable were slowly taking root deep within her mind.
That night, the ad-hoc group formed for Iris's mission was enthusiastically drafting their first campaign slogan in Himari's living room. Laughter and creative ideas flowed endlessly. The atmosphere was filled with hope and the power of friendship, ready to face any challenge.
The scene cut to Iris, who had slipped out to the balcony alone for some fresh air. She gazed at the distant city lights, her eyes still reflecting determination, but also a weariness and pressure she tried to hide. "I have to do this... for everyone... for our school..."
And in that silence, a faint whisper, which she thought was just a voice in her own head, sounded again, a little clearer this time...
"...You can do it... We will help you..."
Iris paused for a moment, frowning with a mixture of suspicion and surprise. She looked left and right, searching for the source of the voice, but found no one. "I must be overthinking things," she muttered to herself, before dismissing the feeling and rejoining her friends who were waiting for her, unaware that the "voice" might no longer be just her imagination...
(End of Chapter 23)