Backstage 1"Accomplise"'s Blunder
The day before Torisawa-kun's live performance, on Friday after school.
I was in the hallway on the first floor of the North Building, picking up some prints that were scattered on the floor.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
Bending down to pick up the printouts was my target, Shiozaki-senpai.
"No, I'm sorry. I suddenly jumped out..."
"Yeah, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."
And then, the other target —Hinoharu-senpai— breathed a sigh of relief and muttered,
"—Now is the time for the school lockup check."
This patrol had to be carried out by the Student Council Officials, and today's duty fell on the two of them.
The patrol route had been determined: They would split up to guard the North and South Buildings, then meet at a predetermined spot before returning to the Student Council Office — that was how it was written in the 'Friends Notes'.
So, I timed my move and appeared from an invisible angle, bumping into the senpai-s and leaving the printouts I was holding scattered on the floor.
Of course, this was a strategy to create an opportunity to talk to them while they were together.
I quickly picked up the printouts near us and tapped my knees to stand up.
Then, feigning ignorance, I looked at Shiozaki-senpai, who was still crouched down.
"Thank you for your help. Um..."
"I'm Shiozaki of the second-year."
Shiozaki-senpai just raised his face and nodded with a firm expression.
As expected by the data, Shiozaki-senpai looked like a straightforward person. But perhaps because his eyes looked soft, he didn't seem as intimidating as I thought.
"Shiozaki-senpai... ...Oh, are you not the Shiozaki-senpai who is running for Student Council President?"
"Hmm, you're very insightful... ...You're the second person I've met who knew about me before we met."
Perhaps, the first person Shiozaki-senpai mentioned was Kouhei. Yeah, it was about the level of awareness of the Student Council President Election. I myself didn't even know about the Student Council President Election schedule until Kouhei told me about it.
I do feel sorry for the Student Council Officials, but in reality, most people probably don't care who the Student Council President is or what their policies are.
Because no matter how interesting the policies are or how innovative the reform plans are, they are basically irrelevant to us.
Especially for large-scale reforms, it's not as easy to say that it will change things. Even if we see it every year, the progress will probably just amount to "we're one step closer to making it happen." By the time these reforms are fully put into practice, we will have graduated.
Everyone realizes this, which is why they are basically disinterested. It's much more meaningful to focus on the next exam or club activities — Something that directly affects us.
That's what most people think...
"...So, Hinoharu-senpai is not running for the Student Council President Election, huh?"
I forced myself not to think about the words that almost crossed my mind and continued my strategy.
"...Yeah, I'm not running for Student Council President."
Hinoharu-senpai paused for a moment before answering, and the smile she gave me was more mature than the one I saw during lunch break yesterday.
—Hinoharu-senpai seems to have her own reasons.
However, that's not the reaction I'm looking for. I don't think Hinoharu-senpai cares much about this Student Council President Election, so I might as well take her out of my plans.
"But it's okay. Shiozaki-senpai is an extraordinary person. He is serious, diligent, and gets things done... ...Yeah, he is a reliable person. At least, that's what I think."
"..."
Hinoharu-senpai patted Shiozaki-senpai's shoulders, who was still adjusting the printouts, without changing her expression.
Shiozaki-senpai remained silent, his expression also unchanged.
—It's hard to read their minds from their expressions. Then...
I made a disappointed face and replied,
"I see... ...Kouhei — I mean, Nagasaka was hoping Hinoharu-senpai would run for Student Council President. He said it would be interesting if you ran for Student Council President."
I deliberately mentioned Kouhei's name while glancing at Shiozaki-senpai out of the corner of my eye.
Now, how did Shiozaki-senpai react?
Shiozaki-senpai stood with the printouts in his hands and muttered, "Hmm."
"Are you Nagasaka's friend?"
"Yeah, we were childhood friends. So, Shiozaki-senpai also knows Nagasaka?"
Shiozaki-senpai nodded without changing his expression.
Then, Shiozaki-senpai took a step forward and held out a stack of printouts to me.
As I thanked Shiozaki-senpai and took the printouts, he muttered softly,
"...So, that 'more suitable person' Nagasaka mentioned..."
Shiozaki-senpai glanced at Hinoharu-senpai for a moment.
—That reaction confirms it.
As I expected, it seems like Shiozaki-senpai had some thoughts about Hinoharu-senpai not running for the position. There must be some reason related to Hinoharu-senpai that made Shiozaki-senpai decide to run for Student Council President.
If I follow that relationship — That might be the key.
"Huh, so you also know Nagasaka-kun, Shiozaki-kun?"
Just as I felt a sense of accomplishment, Hinoharu-senpai opened her mouth in surprise. She must not have heard what Shiozaki-senpai just said.
"Yeah. We've talked once or twice."
"Nagasaka-kun seems to know everyone, doesn't he? I think he has made friends with everyone at school."
Hinoharu-senpai sighed in admiration.
Yeah, most of them were just acquaintances to gather information, not really friends.
"Yeah, he has a lot of connections, that boy. Even though he's from the East Side."
"Nagasaka-kun is amazing! Oh, I really wish Nagasaka-kun joined the Student Council..."
Seeing Hinoharu-senpai looking so disappointed, I was curious.
...I heard that Kouhei got a lot of invitations, but it seems like he's more serious than I thought.
But did Kouhei really do something that the Student Council evaluated so highly?
In Class 1-D, Kouhei did stand out because of incidents with his "childhood friends", namely me, and Katsunuma-san, but that's about it. In our class, where Kouhei had few connections, it was more like, "Oh, he's a ronin."
Kouhei seems to be helping the Student Council under the guise of investigations, so maybe he was evaluated based on those results?
...Maybe I should ask Hinoharu-senpai about that.
"Hey, Hinoharu-senpai, you seem to really like Kouhei."
"Yeah! Nagasaka-kun has amazing abilities!"
Hinoharu-senpai's face lit up, and she looked very happy, as if it was her own accomplishment.
...Hinoharu-senpai answered without hesitation. I wonder how much Kouhei showed his strength to Hinoharu-senpai.
"Nagasaka-kun is amazing when it comes to numbers. He is very accurate and fast like a machine, but he also has the power to be flexible... ...And most importantly, his proactive attitude is amazing! You can really feel that he will give his best when doing something."
"Is that so?"
"And Nagasaka-kun said that it's all because he worked hard to make his ideals come true. How could I not recognize that?"
Yeah, the contents of those ideals are something incomprehensible, like a rom-com...
As I made this retort, I thought about how to respond.
—It is indeed partly my fault that Kouhei has attracted Hinoharu-senpai's attention.
It might get annoying if Kouhei kept getting invited to join the Student Council, so maybe I should back him up a little.
With that decision, I forced a wry smile, pretending to be Kouhei's "childhood friend".
"You praise Kouhei too much because he's not that great. Basically he is freak, he's annoying, and most importantly, he's an idiot."
"Really? I completely disagree."
—
Hinoharu-senpai suddenly put on a sullen and disapproving face.
Huh...?
Wait, did I misjudge this situation?
Before I could realize my mistake, Hinoharu-senpai took a step forward and looked into my eyes.
Hinoharu-senpai's eyes, with a slight bluish tint, were very straightforward, and I felt intimidated and lost for words.
"Nagasaka-kun is someone worthy of respect. Even though he failed his exams, he didn't give up on his goals and kept going. You shouldn't call him an idiot."
"Oh, no, that's..."
"At least, that's the Nagasaka-kun I know. I admit that he is extraordinary... ...Maybe you don't see it because you've been close to him since childhood."
Hinoharu-senpai's one-sided way of speaking made my blood boil.
—How dare Hinoharu-senpai say that I don't understand Kouhei?
...Or rather, to begin with.
Why was Hinoharu-senpai acting like she was the only person who actually knew Kouhei?
"Don't be so serious, Hinoharu-senpai."
—The next moment, unconsciously.
I found myself saying those words.
"Huh... ...Oh."
Hinoharu-senpai snapped back to reality.
At the same time, I regretted what I had just said.
"—Just kidding. I went a bit too far, sorry."
"...No."
Hinoharu-senpai had a resigned and mature smile on her face.
Seeing that expression, I felt even more guilty for my mistake.
—I, against Hinoharu-senpai...
Of all things, I told Hinoharu-senpai to 'read the atmosphere'.
I put the same pressure as everyone else...
"—Hinoharu-san. What do you mean by saying that the previous task was completed quickly?"
Shiozaki-senpai, who had been quietly listening until then, interjected in a heavier tone.
"Eh? ...Oh!"
Hinoharu-senpai closed her mouth, realizing her mistake.
Facing the silent Shiozaki-senpai, who crossed his arms, Hinoharu-senpai frantically looked around, her eyes staring intently.
"W-What do I mean by that, huh... ...Oh! I just remembered the window I forgot to close! I'll be right back!"
Leaving behind this flimsy excuse, Hinoharu-senpai quickly ran away from the scene.
...So the task Kouhei assigned was unofficial.
As I quietly breathed a sigh of relief, the remaining Shiozaki-senpai sighed.
"I'm sorry if Hinoharu-san's words offended you. She always speaks the truth."
"Oh, no..."
Oh, yeah, it's just like I expected. I carried it out and made things complicated, putting unnecessary pressure on Hinoharu-senpai... ...And I acted on impulse again, which is very unlike me. I'm usually known for my calmness and support gathered as an "Accomplice".
Shiozaki-senpai softened his expression slightly as he replied, "Hinoharu-san is only committed to what he believes is right, and has no ill intentions. You may think that Hinoharu-san is selfish... ...but I would appreciate it if you could understand that."
As Shiozaki-senpai spoke, he narrowed his eyes as if staring into the distance.
...At the very least, I must make up for this somehow.
"Shiozaki-senpai — Do you still think so?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you still think Hinoharu-senpai upholds that sense of righteousness?"
At my question, Shiozaki-senpai paused for a moment before answering, his expression unchanged.
"—If that were the case, I wouldn't be doing this. The reason I ran for Student Council President was to help Hinoharu-san regain that sense of righteousness."
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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