The commotion had settled when Sayaka murmured softly.
"By the way, the student council president election's coming up soon."
"End of the month, right? Yeah, soon enough."
"This year, it's supposed to be Hattori versus Nakajou in a showdown."
Tatsuya recalled a similar chat in the student council room recently and tuned in. Azusa had said she wasn't running, so Hattori would likely take it. But Kirihara dropped a surprise.
"Nah, Hattori's sitting it out."
"Really? The president mentioned Hattori-senpai as Tenjiku's heir."
"Yeah. He's keen, but they wouldn't run the next clan head in a school election."
"So, Nakajou-senpai next?"
Kanon muttered, but Tatsuya shook his head.
"Nakajou-senpai said she's not interested."
"Yeah, with her personality..."
"She doesn't scream 'president'..."
The four same-year students nodded in agreement, while Tatsuya pondered. With both top candidates out, who...?
Finishing patrol at the shoe lockers, they found Miyuki done with council duties, Honoka, Shizuku, Erika, Mizuki, Leo, and Kanjiro already there from club or training. Talk turned to the election.
"She seems a bit unreliable..."
"But her skills are top-notch."
"So Hattori-senpai's completely out?"
"Looks like. Kirihara-senpai said the clan's formally approaching him."
"But Onii-sama, Nakajou-senpai said no too, right?"
From the recent council chat, Azusa had indeed bowed out.
"Then who...? Oh! Miyuki could run for president!"
"What? I'm still a first-year."
"No rule against it. Plus, as president, you could pull Tatsuya-kun into the council."
"True. President Nanakusa's scrapping the Course 1 rule."
"Exactly. Miyuki as president means more time with Tatsuya-kun at school."
Not countering Erika's Mephistophelean pitch, Kanjiro offered another angle.
"Or Tatsuya could run."
"Ooh, that'd be fun!"
"Cut it out. Miyuki might get votes, but me? No way."
"But Tatsuya-san's the hero of the Nine Schools hero."
Shizuku joined the guys' talk, making Tatsuya clutch his head for real.
"Shizuku... Even if true, I only did one event. Backstage stuff isn't obvious."
"But if you run, I'd support you!"
"Me too, Onii-sama!"
Honoka and Miyuki vied, and Tatsuya finally gripped his forehead.
"Enough joking. My head's killing me..."
"I'd support Tatsuya-san too."
"At least all the Course 2 girls would back Tatsuya-kun."
"Most guys too."
"Stop..."
Noticing Tatsuya's genuine distress, Miyuki dropped it. She'd love seeing him lead, but not at his expense.
"By the way, Onii-sama, what'd the counseling department want?"
"Hm? Oh... Something about Hiragawa-senpai."
"Hiragawa? The Nine Schools engineer, Hiragawa Koharu-senpai?"
"Yeah. She's guilt-ridden over the accident. They're counseling her, but... they roped me in too."
"Who?"
"Ms. Ono..."
Everyone nodded knowingly.
"That sounds like Haruka."
"Tatsuya-kun could heal her wounds."
"On what basis...?"
"If you seriously comforted her, she'd bounce back."
"Yeah... Tatsuya-san seems counseling material."
Erika's flippant remark drew serious nods from Mizuki, worsening Tatsuya's headache.
Days later, Kanjiro beat Tatsuya to class.
"You're early."
"Added to morning rituals lately—probably that."
Regaining his prodigy edge, Kanjiro rejoined family rites. Thanks to Tatsuya trimming his CAD waste for smoother casts and prompting self-reflection.
"Speaking of, Tatsuya... weird question..."
"Weird how?"
"N-No! I don't think so, but... Yesterday, Mayumi-sensei asked if you're really running for president."
"...What?"
Tatsuya narrowed his eyes. Kanjiro had joked it first, but he waved frantically.
"Not me!"
"Oh, a senior asked me too—if the Course 2 disciplinary kid's running. That's you, right, Tatsuya-kun?"
"My club seniors are buzzing about it."
As Tatsuya groaned, another classmate chimed in.
"I heard too."
"Mizuki too? Club seniors?"
"No, yesterday at counseling—Ms. Ono mentioned it."
"Counseling? Mizuki, something wrong?"
"Just a chat. Nothing for Erika-chan to worry about..."
"Now I'm worried! Spill!"
Erika pivoted, but Tatsuya fixated on Ms. Ono spreading election rumors.
"Anyway, I'm not running, and I doubt votes for me."
"Aw, but my seniors support you."
"Ours too."
Tatsuya resolved to trace the rumor source. Without someone stirring, such nonsense wouldn't spread.
Mizuki's issue—Kanjiro-related? Clueless rom-com duo.
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