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Has Kushida been watching too many band anime lately?
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were forming some kind of rich-girl band with five members.
"I'll definitely support Kushida-san with everything I've got!"
"That's right! This month's class representative has to be Kushida-san!"
However, Kushida's passionate declaration clearly struck a chord with most of the people present, and enthusiastic applause instantly erupted throughout the café.
Especially those two idiots, Yamauchi and Ike, who clapped their hands red with excitement, looking like fanatical fans who'd just seen their idol in person.
'So... our little community here is definitely going to fall apart eventually, right? After all, the last band ended so tragically.'
Akira suppressed the urge to cover his face, his peripheral vision catching Ayanokoji mechanically clapping along to the rhythm, his poker face showing absolutely no emotion.
'This guy's even cooperating with the performance...'
'Should I call him dedicated or... just going through the motions?'
Kushida continued, clasping her hands together on the table in front of her, speaking in a sincere tone. "First, I want to make something clear. Even though Hirata-kun and I are competing for the class representative position, we're both working for the better development of our class. I hope no one will hold any grudges against Hirata-kun just because you support me."
"As expected of Kushida-san! That's such a magnanimous attitude!"
"Exactly! If Hirata wasn't always acting like such a normie, I wouldn't have chosen to join Kushida-san's side in the first place!"
The students responded enthusiastically, their voices full of admiration for Kushida.
Kushida adjusted her skirt again. "As vice class representative, I hope everyone can respect some basic principles."
She raised one slender finger, her tone suddenly turning serious. "First, regarding those hidden rules—" Her gaze slowly swept over everyone present. "They absolutely, absolutely must not be leaked to other classes. After all, institutionally speaking, every class is in competition with each other."
Then she extended a second finger. "Second, I hope everyone will strictly follow the student behavior guidelines from now on." Her voice carried a hint of earnestness. "We can't afford to lose any more precious class points because of disciplinary violations."
"Understood! We're Class D!" Ike shouted, thumping his chest, his face filled with determination.
Yamauchi immediately jumped in. "That's right! How could we possibly give such important information to other classes for free? You know, this is critical information that was obtained with a whole million private points!"
"You two should manage your own attendance first!" a girl couldn't help but interject. "During the first week of school, who knows how many class points were deducted because of you two!"
"Hey, hey, you can't blame us entirely for that, can you?" Yamauchi retorted indignantly. "Doesn't Koenji come late all the time too? Why doesn't anyone say anything about him?"
Kushida's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she quickly replaced it with a comforting smile. "Alright, alright, let's let bygones be bygones. What's important is that from now on, everyone must strictly follow the school rules, okay?"
Right after, Kushida glanced at the time on her phone, then clasped her hands together in an apologetic gesture. "It's getting late, and finally, I have one small personal request..." She bowed solemnly to everyone. "I hope everyone can help me win over the people who didn't vote for Hirata-kun."
"Eh, is there a reward?" a boy jokingly called out.
"That's right, give us some motivation!" Others chimed in as well.
Yamauchi even jumped up directly. "If I could go on a date with Kushida-san, I'd be super motivated!"
Kushida's cheeks flushed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she bit her lower lip. "O-okay... whoever gets the most votes wins. As a reward for the winner, if it's a single boy, I can agree to go on a date with them..." She quickly added, "For girls, I'll give an additional eighty thousand private points as thanks!"
'To use conditions like that...'
'She's really going all out.'
Akira couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Meanwhile, the boys around them were already worked up, like sharks that had caught the scent of blood.
The girls' side also sparked quite a bit of discussion, since eighty thousand points wasn't a small sum—it was enough for an average student to live comfortably for several days.
"That's all for today then. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me in the group chat." After Kushida announced the dismissal, she suddenly called out to Akira, who was about to leave. "Um... Shimizu-kun, could we talk alone for a moment?"
Noticing the puzzled looks from the boys around her, she quickly waved her hands and explained, "Everyone, don't misunderstand! It's just because Shimizu-kun and Koenji-kun have a good relationship, and I wanted to ask him to help gather votes!"
The boys, who had been somewhat restless, immediately quieted down upon hearing the name "Koenji Rokusuke"—after all, he had publicly stated last week that he owed Akira a favor.
After everyone else had left the café, Kushida gently sat down across from Akira, her hands clasped uneasily in her lap.
"Shimizu-kun..." Her voice was a few shades lower than usual. "Um... can I give you all the people I've found?"
Akira was about to politely decline—he really had no reason to get involved in this matter.
But unexpectedly, she didn't mention Koenji at all.
'Give me the numbers? Does that mean she's essentially rigging it in my favor?'