— — — — — —
Even though Meguri's promises were clearly imaginary, likely just on paper and not something that would benefit anyone, her words still stirred the crowd. Quite a few people seemed tempted, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
"Um…"
Someone suddenly spoke up.
Oikawa glanced over and found a familiar face.
Sagami Minami.
The girl who'd bullied Yui at the fireworks festival.
Ever since that day, Sagami pretended not to recognize Oikawa whenever she saw him. He hadn't bothered with her either.
"I'm Sagami Minami from Class 2-F. If nobody else wants it, I can try."
"I'm not very good at this kind of thing, but I'm interested. I also want to grow through organizing this cultural festival."
Hearing that, a faint mocking smile appeared on Oikawa's lips. He suddenly felt sorry for everyone who would end up working under her.
School was basically a workplace.
If a "leader" wanted to grow on the job, the people beneath them were bound to suffer.
Still, not his problem.
"Well then, if there are no other volunteers, we'll appoint Saga—"
A cool voice interrupted.
Yukino stood up from her seat.
"I would also like to serve as Executive Chair. And I'm confident I can do the job well."
Oikawa was genuinely surprised.
Yukino was never the hesitant type. If she hadn't spoken up at the beginning, she normally wouldn't jump in later.
Was it because Sagami volunteered?
Oikawa looked toward Yukino.
He noticed Yui's slightly uneasy expression, and everything clicked. So Yukino actually had a strong sense of loyalty toward her friends.
It felt like one of those wish-fulfillment moments spilling into reality.
Meguri spoke up. "Um… you're Yukino Yukinoshita, right?"
"Yes."
"Just as I thought. You're Haruno-senpai's younger sister, aren't you?"
Meguri smiled warmly. "Back then, Haruno-senpai also served as Executive Chair. That cultural festival was one of the most spectacular in Sobu High's history."
The student council president really was a master of words.
Saying something like that at this moment made her intentions painfully obvious.
Sure enough, everyone in the room looked at Yukino with trust. If they voted now, Oikawa was certain it would be overwhelmingly one-sided.
Oh my. Sagami must have felt terrible.
Like thorns in her back, a bone stuck in her throat, sitting on needles.
If Oikawa were her, he'd withdraw voluntarily instead of humiliating himself.
He secretly glanced at Sagami, hoping she'd stubbornly push forward. That would make things interesting.
Sigh~ Too bad he didn't have any popcorn.
"..."
A trace of resentment flashed in Sagami Minami's eyes. She hid it well, but Oikawa still caught it.
Still, she was smart enough. She quickly realized she had no chance of competing with Yukino for the Executive Chair. Smiling, she said, "Since Yukino-san is interested in the position, she should take it. She's more experienced."
Sagami sat down.
Yukino merely gave her a cold glance and said nothing more.
Not kicking someone while they were down?
Boring.
Oikawa felt a little disappointed. He pulled his phone back out and skillfully reopened Pokémon.
"Very well. Yukino Yukinoshita will serve as the Executive Chair for this year's cultural festival."
"Next, we'll assign the remaining roles. I've written descriptions of each task in the meeting materials. Please think about which type of work you'd like to take on."
Oikawa froze.
Huh?
Besides performing, they had to work too?
What the hell?
Even capitalists weren't this exploitative. This was practically indentured labor. If he'd known, he wouldn't have come.
He hurriedly put away his phone and flipped through the materials, searching for something with a lighter workload. Then he'd immediately volunteer.
Media publicity. Personnel coordination. Equipment management. Health and sanitation. Accounting review. Records and miscellaneous…
Oikawa felt his head spinning.
Equipment management was out first. That clearly meant managing desks for each class and hauling equipment around. In other words, manual labor.
Personnel coordination wasn't great either. That probably meant dealing with every group performing at the festival. A nightmare of tedious communication.
After thinking for a moment, Oikawa decided on accounting review. It sounded like money-related work. He could just hand everything to the impartial, stone-faced Kawasaki later and claim it would improve her math.
Genius decision.
He raised his hand immediately, afraid someone else might take it.
"President, I'd like—"
Before he could finish, Yukino stood up and cut him off.
Seeing the faint smirk at the corner of her lips, a bad premonition formed in Oikawa's heart.
Don't. We can talk this out.
That was probably what his eyes were saying.
Too late.
That was what her eyes replied.
"Senpai, I think to ensure the cultural festival runs smoothly, we'll also need a Vice Executive Chair to assist me."
"Oikawa-kun is the president of the Literature Club and placed fourth in the year exams. Moreover, his clubroom is right next to my Service Club. I believe he's the ideal candidate for Vice Executive Chair."
Yukino calmly laid out her reasoning.
At that moment, Oikawa became the center of attention, like a spotlight had been turned on him. Every gaze in the room focused on his face.
It's over.
Completely over.
Oikawa slumped in his chair like a lifeless salted fish, the light gone from his eyes.
Women really were the most vindictive creatures in the world.
...
..
Over the past few days as Vice Executive Chair, Oikawa's life has been pure suffering. He woke earlier than a rooster and went to bed later than a pig. Endless coordination work, meeting after meeting. He felt busier than executives at a major corporation.
And after another exhausting day, Oikawa returned home and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Just you wait!" he shouted. "When Your Lie in April gets published, I'm making you apologize in front of the entire school!!!"
He'd originally planned to let Yukino off the hook. Now that was absolutely not happening.
No mercy.
None whatsoever.
After lying there for a while and recovering some strength, Oikawa took out the bento Kawasaki had prepared for him.
He wasn't sure what had gotten into her these past few days. Not only was she making lunch, she'd also started preparing dinner.
Maybe she felt bad seeing how hard he was working?
"Kawasaki really is the best." Thinking of her, Oikawa was almost moved to tears.
He turned on the TV and played a random movie, enjoying his dinner after a long day.
Besides grilled fish, the bento also contained tonkatsu and dumplings.
Everything tasted amazing.
Oikawa mentally gave Kawasaki's cooking another enthusiastic thumbs-up.
At that moment, his phone screen suddenly lit up.
An email.
The subject read: {"Hello, Oikawa-Sensei. This is Chris Yamada, chief editor of FULL-DRIVE Bunko. I hope to get in touch with you."}
Oikawa opened the message, puzzled.
Then his expression turned complicated.
Well damn. Were editors from major publishers this competitive now? The chief editor personally headhunting people?
.
.
.