The announcement for student council president candidates still echoed in the minds of the third-year students at Hikari ga Oka High School, even though a few days had passed. The school atmosphere had become noticeably more lively. The main topic of conversation during lunch breaks or after school inevitably revolved around "who" would become their next leader. Iris Mikazuki's name was mentioned as one of the frontrunners, given her outstanding academic record and her active role in the current student council. However, small criticisms about her strictness and overly serious demeanor also began to surface, posing an initial challenge for this aspiring candidate.
Inside the science club room, which had now become the unofficial headquarters of "Team Mikazuki," the close-knit group of friends was brainstorming intensely. The whiteboard was covered in mind maps and jumbled schedules. Lumine Komori, as the de facto campaign manager (a role her friends had unanimously assigned her), was summarizing the results of a "preliminary student opinion survey" she and Himari had unofficially conducted the previous day.
"From what I gathered talking to friends in other classes, most of them want a president who truly understands student problems, like the repetitive cafeteria menu or smaller clubs not getting enough budget support," Lumine reported, her voice clear and serious.
"Exactly, Lumine-chan!" Himari Kanzaki added enthusiastically, her hands busy sketching a brightly colored campaign poster. "Our concept needs to emphasize 'approachability' and 'attention to every detail,' Iris-chan! Sora-chan also designed a really cute logo for our team, look!" She showed everyone a sketchbook with a simple yet meaningful design of a blue iris flower surrounded by small stars.
Sora Aoki, sitting next to Himari, smiled shyly. "I just... wanted it to look friendly." Being part of the team and using her abilities to help her friends truly made her feel valued.
"As for technology!" Zeno Kazuma snapped his fingers, then held up his "Popularity Survey Drone V.0.5" (a modified toy drone with a tiny camera and small speakers). "It might still crash into walls sometimes, but if I fine-tune it a bit more, it can fly around announcing Iris-san's policies in different classrooms! Plus, it can measure cheer levels in real-time!"
Riku Lancaster and Ken Arisawa exchanged glances and dry laughs. "Just don't let it crash into the disciplinary teacher's head, Zeno," Riku said, spreading out a school map. "As for us two, we've planned a 'Meet the People Tour Schedule.' We'll start with the first-years; they have a lot of votes and are easily swayed!" Ken nodded in agreement.
Takumi Yoshida, who had been sitting quietly in a corner, slowly looked up from his notebook. "Based on preliminary information gathered through informal intelligence networks (which means eavesdropping on students from other classes), it seems we have at least one interesting competitor. His name is being mentioned more and more frequently."
Takumi's words silenced everyone in the room. Iris sat up a little straighter, her misty gray eyes focused. "Who is it, Takumi?"
"Kenta Saeki... third year, Class B. Captain of the school's basketball team."
That name made Ken raise an eyebrow. "Hey! Kenta? That guy is really popular among athletes, and he's good-looking too, a lot of girls scream for him. I can't believe he's running for student council president."
Iris frowned slightly. Kenta Saeki... She knew him as a talented and well-liked athlete, but she had never thought he would be interested in student council work. "He has formidable strengths: popularity and approachability," Iris admitted to herself.
The next morning, the area in front of Hikari ga Oka High School's gate was more bustling than usual. A group of students was gathered around something with great interest. When Iris's team arrived, they saw a sight that made them stop in their tracks. Kenta Saeki, in his neat school uniform, was standing on a small wooden crate with a megaphone in his hand. Around him, a group of athlete friends wearing basketball team jerseys served as his cheering squad, and another group of female students periodically shrieked their support.
"Good morning, everyone! Fellow students of Hikari ga Oka!" Kenta's voice boomed through the megaphone, echoing throughout the area. "I'm Kenta Saeki from Class 3-B! This year, I'm volunteering to be a part of making our school an even more 'fun' place! A place we 'want to come to' every day! If you agree with me and want to see bright and lively changes, give me a cheer!"
"Yeah!!! Go Saeki-kun! Saeki-kun is the best!" The cheers from his supporters were deafening. Kenta smiled broadly, waving to everyone in a friendly manner. His tanned skin from playing sports looked healthy, and combined with his friendly smile and confident, sparkling eyes, he possessed a strange, captivating charm.
"My policies are simple!" Kenta continued. "One! Increase the budget for all sports clubs and activities! Because the power of youth is doing what you love! Two! Make the school festival incredibly awesome! With concerts, competitions, and delicious food! Three! Those nitpicky and outdated rules... let's work together to modernize them! If you agree with me, raise your hands!"
Quite a few students raised their hands and voiced their enthusiastic support. The atmosphere was lively and filled with positive energy.
Iris's team watched the scene with mixed feelings. Riku clicked his tongue. "Hmph! Just pandering to the teenagers." Zeno quickly pulled out his "Pocket-Sized Popularity Meter" (which looked like a modified digital thermometer). "Whoa! Saeki-san's popularity score is soaring! But the credibility score of his policies is still moderate."
Lumine looked at Iris with concern. "It seems we've found a really strong competitor, Iris."
Iris nodded slowly, her expression still calm, but internally she acknowledged that Kenta's debut had created a formidable ripple. "He knows how to connect with people... and uses his strengths very well."
That same day, Kenta Saeki's first campaign posters went up on notice boards throughout the school. Images of him in his sports uniform, along with slogans emphasizing fun and freedom, attracted the attention of many students.
"It's time we made our move too," Iris said during their team meeting that evening. "We'll start by presenting our core policies to everyone."
Team Iris's first set of posters was meticulously designed by Himari and Sora, using a clean and trustworthy blue-and-white color scheme. Iris's photo in her school uniform looked elegant and determined. The main policies presented were: "One: Reform the library into a modern learning center and extend its opening hours. Two: Establish a student project support fund to promote creativity and innovation. Three: Create genuine channels for student feedback, for a school that truly belongs to all of us."
Distributing flyers and talking to small groups of students began. Leo and Lumine took on the task of explaining Iris's policies to their friends and juniors with dedication. Ken and Riku used their friendly demeanors to reach out to student groups who might not know Iris well enough.
The battlefield of policies had officially begun. In the cafeteria or along the hallways, students started comparing the policies of the two candidates. "I think Mikazuki-san's policies seem more beneficial in the long run," one female student remarked. "But Saeki-kun's are interesting because they sound fun," her friend countered.
One day, as Iris was looking at the notice board where her and Kenta's posters were displayed side-by-side, Kenta happened to walk by and greet her. "Hey, Mikazuki-san. Nice posters, they look serious, just like you," he smiled amicably.
"Thank you, Saeki-kun," Iris replied politely. "Your policies are interesting too. They seem to appeal to most students."
"Haha, I hope so," Kenta laughed. "Anyway... let's have a fun and fair competition." He extended his hand.
Iris shook his hand. "Likewise, Saeki-kun." Though they appeared friendly on the surface, both knew the stakes of this competition were high, and neither would give in easily.
That evening, as Iris was walking home alone, she overheard a group of second-year girls talking nearby.
"I think I'll vote for Saeki-kun. He seems much friendlier. Mikazuki-san is smart, but she looks kind of stuck-up and rarely smiles."
"Yeah, and his policies sound more fun. Who wants a president who's stressed out all the time?"
Those words were like little arrows piercing Iris's heart. She knew what her image was like in others' eyes, but she couldn't help feeling a little discouraged. The pressure began to creep in silently. She walked with her head down, pondering what she had heard.
"Perhaps... being approachable doesn't mean abandoning your principles," a familiar faint whisper sounded in her head again. It was so soft Iris thought she might have imagined it due to stress. "Try to find a way to communicate that is 'you,' but that others can also understand... You don't have to be like anyone else."
Iris paused for a moment. She shook her head slightly, trying to dismiss the thought. "I must be really tired." Nevertheless, that unsolicited advice continued to linger in her mind.
When she arrived back at the team's workspace at Himari's house (which was being used as another temporary base), Iris saw her friends diligently preparing materials for the next day's campaign activities. Their smiles and laughter partly dispelled her fatigue. A spark of determination rekindled in Iris's eyes. "This competition... it's really not easy. But I'm not fighting alone," she thought to herself, before rejoining her friends, ready to face the next challenge.
(End of Chapter 24)