CH#193

10-13 minutes 25.07.2022

It was after school when we were editing the video we had shot, at President’s house.
I was shown into a room which was more ladylike than I had imagined. I was sitting on a chair which she provided and was giving a few instructions while she was editing the file.

“Please keep the text …modest and natural, with no more presentation than what is necessary.”

“I understand, the screen looks a little dark, so I’ll just keep it on the brighter side.”

President was editing the video according to my requests.

As she tapped away at the keyboard in a steady and familiar way, I was reminded again that this person could do anything. As I thought this, I asked for an additional request.

“…So could you also make an opening scene using this image?”

I held out the screen of my phone to her.
The screen displayed an image of the symbol of Sakuranaoka Academy.

“I don’t mind, but is this for the beginning of the video?”

“…No, it’s not. After you make this video, the account that would be used for it could be used for the student council, so please use it there. It’s a good opportunity to film behind the scenes and let the students know what the student council is like.”

When I said this, President nodded her head.
I took that as an approval and began to write a manuscript on the small table President had prepared for me.

Since posting only the URL would only make people suspicious, I also thought to write an explanatory text so that people would feel secure accessing it.

I was struggling a bit because the manuscript I would use tomorrow had to convey my ideas concisely and with the minimum number of words necessary.

“Shinra is in my room, but the atmosphere is not at all different from usual when I’m busy doing the student council work.”

“…I’m sorry for always relying on you.”

“No, that’s not the case …Rather, it’s sad as a senior if you don’t rely on me.”

She turned her chair around as she spoke those words.
The PC screen showed that the video had already been created as requested.

“I wonder how we will proceed after this?”

President, who asked that question happily making the face of a child participating in a prank, was enjoying the situation more than anything else.
I honestly don’t know if I will be able to live up to her expectations, but I don’t want to do anything that would discourage her.

The third day of the election.

I went to school early and put up the papers on the bulletin board.

One by one, I manually put up a piece of paper with the link to the video we had just filmed and edited yesterday so that people could view it.

I didn’t forget to add an explanatory note next to it with a statement explaining that it was safe to access.

I’m afraid of getting complaints and stuff. … Especially the PTA, that’s scary.

Shizuku and the others offered to help, but I refused, saying that I could do this by myself.

I returned to the classroom after making sure I had finished putting them up on all the bulletin boards.
Then I waited for my classmates to come to school as if nothing had happened.

I observed the gradually increasing number of students carefully with a sideways glance to see if they were doing anything on their phones.

If no one looked at it, our efforts would have gone to waste.

While I was doing so, Shizuku and Kirasaka also came to school and the day started.

Lunch break

I left my seat, not even having eaten my lunch.

“An errand?”

Kirasaka, who was reading a book next to me, asked.
A little further on, Shizuku stood up and walked over to me.

“I need to go to the broadcast room. Are you both coming?”

Kirasaka closed her book and stood up without saying a word.
At their accustomed response meaning that they would follow, I left the classroom without saying anything.

“The video is getting good response, about two-thirds of the total students have already have watched it.”

“That’s great.”

As we walked down the stairs and proceeding quickly to the broadcast room located on the first floor of the third-year building, Shizuku told me something that had been bothering me.

As I was feeling relieved hearing that, I could see the broadcast room in front of me.

President was already in front of the room.

“The teacher gave us permission to go, but we only have five minutes, so let’s make this quick.”

Using the key that she had in her possession, President opened the door to the broadcast room.

Upon entering the room, we found a chamber with broadcasting equipment, and further in was a glass-walled chamber.

A microphone was placed in that room, and even though I had never seen it before, I can guess that this was the place where announcements were made.

“When I give the signal, you can begin. Kanazaki, help me measure the time, and Rei, assist me here.”

At her quick command, the two girls jumped into action.

I went into the chamber in the meantime, muttering to myself as I reviewed what I had been thinking about.

“Shinra, let’s begin.”

When I heard those words, I waited for her signal to begin.
Three fingers held up fell one by one, finally forming a fist.

The sound of the start of the broadcast echoed throughout the school, and when it subsided, I spoke.

“I am Shinra Minato, a candidate for the Student Council Member Election …and I am making this broadcast because there is something I would like you to listen to for a moment.”

My voice echoed through the school.

I am sure that inside the classrooms, the students’ eyes are directed to the speakers installed in the classes.

I know I know, you’re watching it.

With this, I would like to casually eat my friend’s bento, and at the moment the moment they notice me, I want to say “Fooled ya!” with a smug face.

If I were in this situation while having lunch with Yuuto and his friends, I would definitely have said that.

Putting the jokes in my mind aside, I proceeded with the main topic.

Time is short, so I must be brief.

“I would like to tell you two things today. One is about the URL of the video site that was posted on the bulletin board. As many of you may have seen, we have created an account for the Student Council starting from this election. I hope you will be interested in and understand what we’re doing.”

I took a breath and sorted out the contents.

Three fingers were held up by Shizuku through the glass, telling me that I had three minutes left to finish.

“The second is about the election.”

Frankly speaking, this is the main reason why I am here.

Whether or not I could convey this in a clear way would determine whether the broadcast would be a success or not.

“The other day, the president and vice president of the student council for the next term were decided. And I believe that what is going on now is the election of the members who would support them.”

These were my own honest words. They’re like self-satisfaction, just telling them what I think.

I don’t know if it will resonate with the students or not.

“I am very well aware that in an election, it is a matter of course to act on one’s promises, and it is the role of those who are elected to carry them out.”

I wonder if the three people behind the glass would be offended or taken aback if I told them what I was about to say.

I don’t really care what the students in my class or in the school think of me, but for some reason, I began to feel that I didn’t want them or the people who were helping me to think ill of me.

Still, I have to say it when I have come this far.

“But our biggest job is to support Koizumi, the president, and Shiraishi, the vice president …and we only need to help them achieve the student council that they are aiming for. …So I don’t have any personal commitments.”

I declared quietly, yet emphatically.
From here, I don’t know what the reaction inside the school would be.

So I can’t change my statement based on the circumstances.

I can only hope to hear from the students and faculty whether these words were good or bad.

“This is my personal opinion. Yuu …Ogiwara must have his own commitments, and I have no intention of denying them. So, please listen to my words now and to Ogiwara’s words and make your decision…”

After I said those words, I turned the microphone off.”
Then, after leaning back on my chair, I let out a breath of relief.

…No, I was nervous.
After all, I was able to reaffirm that I’m not good at public appearances.
I don’t want to do this kind of work even if I were given money.

As I was easing myself, President, Shizuku, and Kirasaka came inside.

“Good work! That was just about five minutes.”

“I thought it would be difficult for the microphone to capture Shinra-kun’s voice, but it sounded better than I thought it would.”

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

After giving appropriate replies to her words, I turned my attention to President.
I’ve declared with no hesitation that I don’t have any commitments, so she might have something to nitpick.

“How you act and what you say is your choice. I’m helping you with it …so there’s nothing I’m going to caution you about.”

Did I look that anxious?

President, who said this with a gentle smile on her face, quickly switched the subject.

“That’s the last of the big moves we can make, now we just have to collect the votes steadily.”

“Yes …I’ll do my best.”

I separated from President there, and the three of us walked the rest of the way to the classroom.

“Supporting Koizumi and his team? …I think it’s a good idea.”

Shizuku said next to me.
When I turned to look at her, I knew from years of our acquaintance that she was faking it with a smile.

“It would be weird if Shinra-kun had started talking about reforming our school.”

“That’s terrible…”

Kirasaka’s words were harsh, but not negative.
They are the two people who know me better than the others, so they may just have an impression of me that the others do not.

This uneasiness remained in my heart even now.

“Minato-kun, it’s best that you act the way you always do …because you can’t lie.”

“Yes, you can only tell lies that are obvious.”

The relationship between the girls and me is still a bit vague, I can’t be mad at them for helping me in a situation that’s not clear.

When this issue is resolved, I might be able to understand things a little better.

There might be a change in me.
I had such expectations in my heart as well.

That is why I was determined not to waste the support of the two of them, and not to neglect my efforts to win.

Well, although in the atmosphere I spoke as if this was as far as I was going to let those two help me, but I’m totally going to let them help me.

If anything, it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

But, since the two of them were walking nimbly with a look of accomplishment on their faces, I decided to keep my mouth shut for now.