The following morning, I formally concluded a contract under the names of both Katsuragi and Arisu, securing a guaranteed 40 votes.

After school, I visited Class C, where Kanzaki led the discussion on our cooperative relationship. With approval from both me and Honami, we formally established an alliance with Class C. At that time, Honami, with whom I had arranged things beforehand, naturally steered the conversation, saying, "Since it's our ally's election, let's support him!" Thus, we smoothly obtained the 40 votes from Class B as well.

With this, the currently confirmed votes are: 39 votes from Class 3-A + 160 votes from all first-year classes = 199 votes. Securing just one more class's worth of votes will guarantee my victory. Therefore, I approached that man who admires Manabu—Kiriyama—with the proposal.

Kiyotaka: "Kiriyama-senpai, I have a request."

Kiriyama: "It's about voting in the election, isn't it."

Kiyotaka: "Yes. I have already secured the votes of all first-year classes and Class 3-A. Therefore, if your class, Kiriyama-senpai, votes for me, my election will be decided."

Kiriyama: "I understand the situation, but it may be difficult. Class 2-B is the only class that can still oppose Nagumo, but some have already given up and surrendered to Nagumo's faction. Persuading them won't be easy."

Kiyotaka: "This is where you show your skill as a leader, Kiriyama-senpai. If you cooperate and stop Nagumo, Horikita-senpai will surely be pleased. What I can guarantee in return for your support is the vice president's seat, the weakening of Nagumo's authority, and praise from Horikita-senpai."

Kiriyama: "Understood. I will do my best."

'This is fine. I don't need a firm promise. I simply want to see whether this man, who has surrendered to Nagumo's faction, will show his pride while Manabu is still enrolled, or if he will betray me out of concern for appearances before Nagumo. If he doesn't betray me, he's actually worth making vice president. But if he does, then Honami will become vice president instead.'

After finishing my discussion with Kiriyama, I returned to class and reported the establishment of the alliance with Class C.

Kiyotaka: "The alliance with Class C has been formed. For now, regarding the sports festival, representatives from both classes will discuss and decide on adjustments to the participation list and the schedule for joint practice."

When I announced this, the whole class erupted in cheers.

Hirata, who had played a part in establishing the alliance, asked me a question.

Hirata: "Ayanokoji-kun, I thought the detailed conditions were supposed to be discussed between the leaders of both classes—Ichinose-san and you. What was the final outcome?"

Kiyotaka: "It was decided that during special exams we will avoid direct confrontation, and in exams like this one, we will coordinate our actions so as not to disadvantage each other. Of course, if the school forces a direct confrontation, we will fight without holding back."

Hirata: "I see. A simple yet useful alliance."

Kiyotaka: "Additionally, as a condition, I will cover all points for joint practice. Furthermore, in the next special exam that is not a direct confrontation, I have agreed to make every effort to ensure Class C takes first place and our class takes second."

When I said that, a stir ran through the classroom.

'It's only natural. After all, I've effectively declared that we won't be aiming for first place next time.'

Hirata: "I understand about the exam results, but was it necessary to bring up the exam at all?"

Kiyotaka: "The purpose of this alliance, in the first place, is to reduce the number of opposing classes in exams like this one and to gain a partner we can cooperate with in times of need. In that case, we can't ally with Class A, which is mired in factional strife, or Class D, which has a dictator. That left the trustworthy Class C as our partner. However, from their perspective, we are the class directly ahead of them that they need to overtake next. There's no way they'd form an unconditional alliance. So, I arranged a compromise by offering them the opportunity to prioritize class points just this once. If there were negative penalties for second place and below, it would be difficult, but if it's plus-minus zero like this time, there shouldn't be a problem."

Some nodded in understanding after hearing my explanation, but there were still those who weren't convinced about our side conceding. They probably thought that being in a higher class rank meant we held the superior position. So I decided to give one more push.

Kiyotaka: "Those of you who aren't convinced yet likely think that a higher rank equals a superior position, and you're not satisfied with the higher-ranked side conceding. But please consider the opposite perspective. Ideally, those in a higher position should deal with those below them with composure. Of course, this was only a condition for forming the alliance; afterward, there is no hierarchical relationship whatsoever."

I paused briefly, and just as Ike started to say, "But still..." I continued.

Kiyotaka: "Besides, our initial class was D. We climbed up from there to where we are now. Even if we don't take first place this time, we have the power to accumulate points like this. This is a stepping stone to more reliably securing Class A. Please trust in me, and in your own abilities."

When I concluded with that, all objections subsided. Perhaps I have a talent for demagoguery (speaking).

Kei: "Since we've formed an alliance, why don't we try to get them to vote for you, Kiyotaka, in the election too?"

Kiyotaka: "Honami was already steering the conversation in that direction without me even having to bring it up. I intended to gather all the first-year votes regardless, but this was an unexpected byproduct."

A few people—mostly those close to me—realized it wasn't a byproduct at all, but that was a minor detail.

After finishing the explanation to the class, I asked Shiro to go request the use of the physical fitness test equipment. In the meantime, I went to report the progress to Manabu.

Kiyotaka: "I've gathered all the first-year votes."

Manabu: "That was fast. How many points did you use?"

Kiyotaka: "One million to Class 1-A. Nothing aside from that."

Manabu: "Well done. But you should expect it to cost a bit more when dealing with upperclassmen."

Kiyotaka: "I'll manage somehow. I also spoke to Kiriyama, just in case."

Manabu: "What did he say?"

Kiyotaka: "He said he'd do his best. The compensation I offered was the vice president's seat, the decline of Nagumo's authority, and praise from you."

Manabu: "All of those are byproducts of winning the election. It's as if you're saying victory is certain. You intend to win even without Kiriyama, don't you?"

Kiyotaka: "Actually, just getting all the votes from Class 2-B would be enough to win. Of course, I'll make sure I can win even without them. I thought having the more experienced Kiriyama as vice president would be better than giving the seat to Honami. But if he doesn't vote for me, he's not worth trusting, so I won't."

Manabu: "You're thorough. But once you win, requesting disclosure would be a waste of points, wouldn't it?"

Kiyotaka: "Even if I don't, Nagumo will do it to find out the truth. This election was essentially guaranteed to have disclosure from the start."

Manabu: "That's true. I can already picture his dumbfounded face."

Kiyotaka: "I'll make sure you get to see it soon."

Manabu: "I'm looking forward to it."

Receiving Manabu's words, I left the student council room.

After that, I received a report that we could borrow the equipment starting tomorrow, so I dismissed everyone on the spot.

* * *

And the next day, we conducted the physical fitness test jointly with Class C.

Our class's rankings (in terms of overall ability) went: me, Shiro, Yuki, Ken, Hirata, Onodera, and then Suzune. Koenji, naturally, had no record (did not participate).

Kiyotaka: "We will share this data with Class C. The training menu will be created by the top seven in the rankings, which also provides a good male-to-female ratio."

I announced this and dismissed everyone except for the seven of us, including myself.

Kiyotaka: "Hirata, Suzune, and I will coordinate the participation list with Class C. The remaining four of you, please work on the training menus."

Onodera: "Isn't it tough to do forty people's worth in one day?"

Kiyotaka: "Prioritize those who are low in both academics and physical ability. If they excel in one area, it's fine to put them off until later."

Onodera: "Got it. But is it okay, even though you said seven people would do it?"

Kiyotaka: "It'll be fine if we just check the final product for any issues. Besides, once the participation list is finished, I'll join in as well."

Onodera: "Okay, then I'll do my best."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'm counting on all four of you."

'I had initially thought to bring Yuki along, but it's been proven that leaving things to Suzune can turn into a disaster...'

And so, together with the Class C representatives—Honami, Kanzaki, and Shibata—we worked on the participation list in a karaoke room and submitted it the next day.

The reason it was at a karaoke place was because it was a suitable location for a private meeting. However, at Shibata's earnest request, we ended up extending the time and singing after we finished…

* * *

The next day, I handed out the training menus in the classroom. The ones completed yesterday were for ten people, including Ike, Yamauchi, and Airi.

Kiyotaka: "For now, yesterday we prioritized and created menus for the ten lowest-ranked individuals. Those of you should start training today and join the practice once you finish. Those whose menus aren't ready yet, please do some light warm-ups and then practice on your own. Joint practice will begin once we can all participate."

After giving those instructions, I set to work on creating the menus. Today, with Hirata and myself joining in, progress was faster, and we completed the menus for the remaining thirty people.

'All that's left is the joint practice. But it should proceed without any issues.'