After finishing my conversation with Chabashira, I headed to the student council room.

Nagumo: "What's the big idea, the main attraction showing up last? Ayanokoji."

Kiyotaka: "The star of the show always arrives late. However, I do apologize for making my upperclassmen wait."

Manabu: "Don't worry about it. You were on time. I assume you were discussing the sports festival with your class."

Tachibana: "That's right. It's amazing that you can balance being a class leader and student council work. And you're doing it as a first-year, no less."

Nagumo: "Even so, Honami got here before you."

Kiyotaka: "That's precisely because she is the star of today. She was bombarded with questions about my appointment as vice president."

Manabu: "Nagumo, it's a waste of time. Drop it."

Nagumo: "Fine."

Manabu stopped Nagumo, and the appointment ceremony began. It proceeded without a hitch, and finally, it was time for my declaration of intent.

Tachibana: "Finally, please give your declaration of intent."

Kiyotaka: "As vice president of this school, I intend to learn from the esteemed Student Council President Horikita-senpai and the equally esteemed Vice President Nagumo-senpai. I will strive to understand the rights and responsibilities entrusted to me and dedicate myself to my duties."

Scattered applause was given for my speech, and the appointment ceremony concluded.

Manabu: "Let's move to the main topic. As you know, the student council general election will be held in October. We are now accepting candidacies."

Nagumo: "It's just gonna be me."

Kiyotaka: "I will run for office."

Nagumo: "What did you say?" tch

Nagumo glared at me with a look that said, "Are you messing with me?" He was surprised. In the first loop, Nagumo had looked down on me. However, since I hadn't told any of the second-years about my candidacy, it was only natural for him to be surprised.

Nagumo: "You think you can win?"

Kiyotaka: "The second-year votes aren't everything."

Nagumo: "If it comes to buying votes with points, I already have the advantage of securing four classes. Plus, I have more points than you. You'd be better off giving up for your own good."

Kiyotaka: "If you think people move for points 'alone,' then I will definitely win."

Nagumo: "I suggest you first-years don't throw your precious points down the drain."

Kiyotaka: "President, is that all for today's discussion?"

Manabu: "Yes. Today was just your appointment ceremony and the confirmation and announcement of election candidates."

Kiyotaka: "There's no issue with speaking about the election publicly now, correct?"

Manabu: "No issue. Consider the election campaign already underway."

Kiyotaka: "Then, if you'll excuse me. I have an urgent matter to attend to."

Saying that, I left the student council room. I went to a certain place and conducted a transaction. After that, I headed toward the Class 1-A classroom.

Before entering Class A's classroom, I contacted Arisu.

Kiyotaka: "Candidacies for the election were called, and I declared war on Nagumo. I'm going to buy Class A's votes now. To avoid it looking like reconnaissance, let them know I'm coming."

Arisu: "Leave it to me."

And then, I entered Class A's classroom.

Kiyotaka: "Excuse me."

Arisu: "We've been expecting you."

Katsuragi: "Ayanokoji. What business do you have?"

Kiyotaka: "I have announced my candidacy for the student council general election to be held at the beginning of October."

Many students were surprised, but this man was extremely calm.

Katsuragi: "Hoh... And what of it?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll be direct. I would like Class A's votes to go to me."

Katsuragi: "Is there any merit in accepting that?"

Kiyotaka: "You may already know this, Katsuragi, but the current president, Horikita Manabu, views Nagumo's policies as dangerous. Nagumo relentlessly corners those who oppose him and expels them, thereby seizing control of the entire second year. I am cooperating with Horikita Manabu to prevent that power from extending over the entire school. I'm counting on you, who values honor and justice, to side with me."

Katsuragi: "It is true that I have heard the dark rumors about Vice President Nagumo. Furthermore, I have also heard of your virtue and outstanding ability. My personal opinion is that I would like to be your ally, but that is not the view of the entire class. How do you see it, Sakayanagi?"

In addition to the image improvement using Kikyo, the matter of the present for his twin sister, the glimpse of my ability shown on the uninhabited island—it was worth laying the groundwork to sway the honor-bound Katsuragi's thoughts toward me.

Arisu: "I have no objection either. However, even if we are convinced, not everyone will necessarily trust you and cast their vote for you."

Kiyotaka: "As compensation for your cooperation, I propose transferring one million private points to Class A."

Arisu: "One million points from an enemy class. I believe this holds value equivalent to receiving two million points from Vice President Nagumo. And considering the difference in trust between the two parties, I believe choosing him offers both advantage and honor. What do you all think?"

Katsuragi: "I share Sakayanagi's opinion. Let us hear everyone's thoughts."

Perhaps because the two, who are normally at odds, presented a united front, the proposal was accepted unanimously. A promise was made to receive the votes of all members of Class A.

Kiyotaka: "I will formally draw up a contract and pay the one million points at a later date. Until then, please do not entertain any offers of bribery from Nagumo."

Katsuragi: "Naturally. I swear I will not break a promise."

Arisu: "Of course. Please settle your negotiations with the other classes quickly."

Kiyotaka: "I'm indebted to you."

And so, I left Class A.

After that, I contacted Kanzaki and had a private conversation.

Kanzaki: "You said you had something to discuss with me. What is it? Regarding cooperation for the sports festival, I just spoke with Tsubaki and Hirata. We concluded that we should adjust the conditions with both leaders present."

'The two of them fulfilled their roles.'

Kiyotaka: "I appreciate you accepting the cooperative relationship. I've come to you about a separate matter."

Kanzaki: "To me... and not Ichinose?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm running in the student council general election in early October, aiming for the presidency. At that time, I would like all of Class C's votes to go to me."

Kanzaki: "I still don't understand. In this school's election, I can imagine motivations like bribery with points or contracts based on mutual interests. But I don't understand why you're negotiating with me. Something like that should go through Ichinose."

Kiyotaka: "I'm usually on close terms with Honami. So no matter how unified this class is due to Honami's virtue, a negotiation concluded solely between me and Honami could be seen as prioritizing personal relationships."

Kanzaki: "I see your point. But even so, I think everyone would accept it if it came from Ichinose."

Kiyotaka: "Even if treated as the consensus of the class, wouldn't there be some who feel resentment or a sense of crisis about it?"

Kanzaki: "!"

When I pointed that out, Kanzaki wore an expression that said, "You saw through that?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm not exactly popular with the guys, to put it mildly. There must be a certain number of people who see Honami not just as the class leader, but as an idol. Those types will inevitably harbor resentment. And someone like you, Kanzaki, who can calmly assess the situation, would likely analyze the benefits and risks of accepting Nagumo's deal versus mine. And you'd feel a sense of crisis about Honami's decision, which would clearly appear as favoritism."

Kanzaki: "I understand why you wouldn't choose Ichinose as a negotiation partner. But I want you to state clearly why you chose me."

Kiyotaka: "First, because you're a man. Those who feel resentment toward me are mostly male. So if a male representative negotiates, the resentment will be somewhat mitigated. Second, you, Kanzaki, serve the role of class strategist and sub-leader. There is no one else besides you who could discuss this matter."

Kanzaki: "You observe things well. Understood. Let's begin the negotiation. However, if Ichinose does not approve, this discussion never happened."

Kiyotaka: "No problem. I can't imagine Honami setting stricter conditions than you, Kanzaki. If anything, she might say to ease the conditions. But I'll insist that's a guarantee of trust and push through."

Kanzaki: "That seems fine then."

And so, Kanzaki sat at the negotiation table.

Kiyotaka: "There are mainly two advantages I can offer. First is the cooperative relationship between our classes. Currently, Class A and Class B, as well as Class C and Class D, are closely matched in class points. If we join hands and focus on fighting the adjacent class of the other pair, it will bring great benefits. The participation list for this sports festival is a prime example. Above all, compared to allying with Class A, which lacks cohesion with two leaders, or Class D, which has many schemes and cannot be trusted, forming an alliance with Class C, which is bound by trust, is something we welcome as well. In exams where two classes cooperating, except in direct confrontations, gives an advantage, this relationship will be valuable."

Kanzaki: "I understand the first point. Indeed, compared to the other two classes, your class is more trustworthy. What is the second point?"

Kiyotaka: "In the next exam that is not a one-on-one format, I promise Class C victory. Of course, we will take second place."

Kanzaki: "You can do such a thing?"

Kiyotaka: "It's premised on an alliance, but it could take a form similar to the supply contract between Classes A and D during the uninhabited island exam, or I myself could fully assist Class C. My ability was demonstrated on the uninhabited island."

Kanzaki: "It's a generous offer, but why not aim for first place in an exam you can win?"

Kiyotaka: "If Class B and Class C achieve a one-two finish, Class A inevitably falls to third place or lower. In cases like the sports festival, where there's a class point penalty for third place and below, this is more desirable than A and B taking the top two spots."

Kanzaki: "I see. So there's also the advantage of reliably bringing down the current first-place class..."

Kiyotaka: "Also, as a bonus, I will cover all usage fees for the gymnasium and other facilities used for joint sports festival practice."

Kanzaki fell silent in thought for a moment, but soon opened his mouth.

Kanzaki: "Having been offered such terms, there's no way I can refuse. No matter how much the other side tries to buy votes with points, private points can't buy class points. And points can't buy trust."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. Please discuss it with Honami as well."

Kanzaki: "Yeah, I promise. If Ichinose approves, will a written contract be necessary?"

Kiyotaka: "No need. It's a promise based on trust. I don't want the guarantee of that to be a mere piece of paper. I don't believe your class would break a promise."

Kanzaki: "I see. I will persuade the class tomorrow so we can live up to that trust."

Kiyotaka: "I'm counting on you."

After concluding the discussion with Kanzaki, I told Honami why I had negotiated with Kanzaki and asked her to proceed with the voting matter under the conditions Kanzaki discussed. I received her consent.

With this, I had secured all the first-year votes before Nagumo's hand could reach them.