As Tatsuya had reported to Mori, no one was foolish enough to attempt an attack on Mayumi, leaving him distinctly unmotivated in his security duties. On the stage, a student named Asano was fervently arguing against Mayumi's proposal, but her points failed to sway the resolute president.
(Emotional arguments won't change President Saegusa's mind. She must know that…) Tatsuya thought, observing from the sidelines.
Most students opposing the removal of the First Course restriction for student council roles clung to childish notions: Second Course students weren't capable, or they simply didn't want them in such positions. Tatsuya mused that if Mayumi were the type to waver under such flimsy reasoning, the school would have crumbled under her presidency long ago.
"There's no necessity for this proposal," Asano declared. "Second Course students lack the magical prowess to serve as council officers. Why bring this up now?"
"Magical ability alone doesn't determine a magician's worth," Mayumi countered smoothly. "What matters for council roles is competence, not raw power. Magic alone can't run a school."
"But if there's no suitable Second Course student, this proposal is pointless!" Asano shot back. "Admit it—you just want your favorite Second Course student on the council!"
Tatsuya's lips twitched into a wry smile. ("Favorite Second Course student," huh? She's really letting her emotions get the better of her.)
Mayumi, set to retire after the election, would have no stake in who joined the council, making Asano's accusation irrelevant. Yet Mayumi, instead of denying it, flushed slightly, seemingly delighted that yesterday's walk to the station had been mistaken for a "date."
(Why are you reacting like that? You're just fueling the misunderstanding…) Tatsuya thought, exasperated.
Asano's words caught him off guard, dragging him into the spotlight. Had Mayumi firmly denied the claim, the issue might have died there. But her ambiguous response—neither confirming nor denying—sparked whispers among the audience about her and Tatsuya. Naturally, someone wasn't about to let that slide.
"Your statement contains personal slander," Miyuki's voice cut through the auditorium, icy and commanding. "As acting moderator, I order Asano-senpai to leave. If you disagree, present evidence that President Saegusa harbors special feelings for an individual."
"I… I…" Asano stammered, her outburst born of hysteria rather than proof.
Miyuki's unrelenting aura froze the entire auditorium. Even Hattori, momentarily overwhelmed, regained his composure and intervened. "I retract the order to leave, but this debate is over."
Hattori's decision was apt, defusing the situation. Between Mayumi's well-reasoned arguments and Miyuki's overpowering presence, the opposition fizzled out. The proposal to abolish the First Course restriction passed with a majority vote.
The assembly moved swiftly to the presidential election. Azusa took the stage, greeted by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Tatsuya, watching from the wings, noted that her fans seemed distinct from Mayumi's or Mori's—loyal in their own unique way.
Azusa gave a small, endearing bow and began her speech. When she mentioned selecting officers based on the new rule, a few hecklers piped up.
"Is Azusa-chan into wild younger guys?" one shouted.
"It's just gonna come down to ability, right?" another jeered.
Tatsuya figured Azusa would brush it off—she knew how to handle such remarks. But an unexpected counterattack came from the crowd.
"Who's mocking Azusa-chan?!" a voice roared.
"Coward! If you've got something to say, come out and say it!" another demanded.
A group of fervent Azusa supporters began hunting for the culprits, and the crowd teetered on the edge of chaos.
"Please, calm down!" Hattori called.
"Everyone, quiet!" Mayumi urged.
Despite their efforts, unrelated scuffles broke out, threatening to plunge the auditorium into disorder.
"Silence!" Miyuki's voice thundered, so powerful it was a miracle it didn't cause feedback. Her emotions surged, unleashing a tempest of psions that swept through the room. She stood like a queen of an icy realm, her presence overwhelming.
Mayumi, Mori, and Juumonji reached for their CADs to counter her magic, but before they could act, a lone figure stepped in front of the Ice Queen. As if shielding her from the crowd's gaze, the boy enveloped the storm of psions, gently guiding it back into Miyuki.
To onlookers, it seemed the two were locked in a silent exchange, their eyes meeting intensely. Whether they spoke or not, no one could tell.
"…My apologies for the disturbance," Tatsuya said, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "This is neither an idol concert nor a place for fooling around. Please refrain from heckling."
The crowd, still reeling from Miyuki's chilling pressure, now faced a new force—Tatsuya's voice, sharp as tempered steel. Stripped of resistance by Miyuki's aura, they could only nod in compliance.
"President Nakajo, please continue," Tatsuya said, his usual calm returning as if the pressure had never existed.
"R-right…" Azusa replied, shaken but resuming her speech.
No one wanted to endure that pressure again. The heckling ceased, and the crowd, tamed like docile sheep, proceeded smoothly through the voting. The election concluded without further incident.
In the original, Tatsuya stayed silent, but I thought letting him exert some pressure would be fitting. And it seems the mob of girls has fallen for him all over again…
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