LGHTNOVELBOOK “Mika.”
How long has it been? It’s been ages since I last visited the Student Council in person.
The catalyst for this visit was a consultation with the teacher.
I don’t know exactly when it happened, but Kaya’s determination to get me into the Student Council President position became solid. I took a stance that I’d never sit in that chair, no matter what.
However, after discussing it with the teacher, I found myself pondering a bit differently.
I’m not as capable as the missing Student Council President, but I’m not completely useless either.
In other words, while I don’t quite have the confidence to meet others’ expectations, I’m not totally lacking either.
Moreover, since that position is directly linked to the ideals I dream of, I couldn’t help but fall into deep contemplation.
“Hey, Kaya-chan. I’ll skip the greetings for now. We definitely need to discuss something important, right?”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you too, Mika.”
Hearing Kaya’s response, I paused for a moment. Does she have some complaints about me or something?
I was briefly wondering whether to flat-out ask her that.
“Mika, just so you know… I will never give up.”
“…Ah, uh.”
Well, I’ve been thinking about it. But the feeling that telling Kaya this would not change anything, and might make matters worse, kept nagging at me.
“Um, shall we go up and talk?”
“Yes, let’s go. This way.”
I started following Kaya as she led the way. It was a little surprising to see everyone bow their heads in greeting to Kaya as we passed by.
She really does seem to have quite a reputation within the Student Council.
As those thoughts swirled in my head, after entering the elevator, Kaya spoke to me while I was taking in the view of D.U. through the glass window.
“What do you think when you see that, Mika?”
“…Heueng?”
“I realize, once again, how high my position is now. Even if last year’s incident hadn’t happened, I would have been the Defense Office Head. But apart from that, I’m always grateful to you, Mika, for helping me advance that opportunity even just a little.”
Kaya, having said that, moved closer to me and looked me straight in the eyes.
As I met Kaya’s unique gaze, which was roughly at my eye level, I suddenly thought to myself: whether it’s squinting or otherwise, it seems equally prone to misunderstanding, doesn’t it?
Honestly, I don’t dislike either and even have a preference for her pretty eyes.
“Thanks to that, I could devote myself to the duties of the Defense Office Head, supporting the security of Kivotos, instead of the incompetent predecessor. You have a keen interest in that too, so I felt completely satisfied during that time.”
“Ahaha… I was just doing what I had to do, you know. Right?”
“That’s not wrong, but I think it’s wrong to deny an obvious fact.”
Hearing Kaya’s firm answer, I realized that the elevator had arrived at the top floor.
“Mika, I believe I’m the kind of person who lacks connections. Except for one.”
“And that would be me?”
“Of course, that goes without saying.”
With a smile, Kaya resumed walking. After following her for a while, we arrived at the Student Council President’s office.
The inside was empty. Only a year ago, the President would have been here, chatting with me while calmly dealing with paperwork, but now that person was gone.
“The acting Student Council President Rin could sit there, but she doesn’t. That’s her limit. While she has the capability to assist an extraordinary person, she can never become one herself. That’s the limitation of the woman known as Nanagami Rin.”
“Well, it’s true that I’ve heard criticisms about the Student Council not being capable. But still, I think there are quite a few people who like the fact that there’s been less interference in their academy…”
“Even so, a fact doesn’t change just because someone thinks that way. Those who deny that things were better before the Student Council President went missing are likely only the students from Gehenna and Trinity.”
…Ah, I see. This is a build-up. Clearly, they’re going to drag me into this, claiming I need to be the Student Council President simply because those two academies deny it.
“Mika, do you honestly think you’re unworthy of sitting in that chair?”
“…I’m closer to saying that I just don’t want to sit in that position, regardless of ability.”
“So, did you come here today to express your refusal?”
I could see disappointment in Kaya’s eyes. Her lips seemed to pout in discontent. Honestly, all I could think was that she was just a kid.
“…Kaya-chan.”
“Yes, Mika.”
I placed my hand on the desk used by the Student Council President. Despite being unused for a long time, there was no dust on it.
…I guess someone has been cleaning it, waiting for the President to return.
I decided to set aside my thoughts about whether I should occupy that position or not. After all, the Student Council President will likely remain missing until the final chapter I know begins.
It’s fair to assume that person won’t be back until we graduate.
“Have you ever considered wanting to sit in that position?”
“Are you asking me?”
“Yes.”
Kaya blinked at my question. Then she looked at me as if to say ‘How could I dare?’
“If you hadn’t been here, I might have thought about it. I can’t deny that.”
Kaya’s answer was clear and straightforward. It wasn’t a hard pill to swallow.
Her faith in me was so strong that she never even imagined sitting in that chair in the first place.
“…I see.”
If I hadn’t talked with the teacher beforehand, I might have found that faith a bit burdensome.
But if someone believes in me that much… instead of doubting whether I’m worthy of that faith, I should work to become someone who deserves it.
At least, that’s what I think for now.
“Most of the Student Council members agreed to my becoming the President, right?”
“…If you are referring to what was said at the press conference, the content differs somewhat from reality.”
“…Huh?”
“The entire Student Council unanimously agreed to elevate you, Mika, to the position of Student Council President. That’s the fact.”
“…”
For a moment, I felt my head go blank upon hearing Kaya’s words. Not just a majority, but unanimous agreement?
“That means you’re held in high regard by so many people, Mika. There’s no one among the current third and second-year students of Kivotos who could sit in that chair besides you. That’s what the Student Council has deemed.”
“…While I don’t think there’s a shortage of talent, simply going by ability…”
“I, Shiranuichi Kaya, have unwavering belief in your abilities, Mika. Furthermore, your humble mindset and kind nature will naturally turn into goodwill. What you possess will be transformed into passion, and your ability to lead others will become your authority. Moreover…”
“Okay, okay! Kaya-chan, that’s enough! Too much flattery is hard to bear!”
“Too much? I’m merely stating the facts.”
With that, Kaya changed her position. She walked over to the chair used by the Student Council President.
After pulling it out, she sat down, resting her elbows on the desk with her hands overlapping. Then she asked me.
“Mika, do you think I look good sitting in this chair?”
“…Do you want an honest opinion?”
“No, I feel like I might get hurt, so you don’t have to say it.”
…I wasn’t planning to say anything that harsh. I would’ve just said she emanated the vibes of a classic mastermind. Probably.
“I don’t think I fit in this chair.”
Kaya said with a self-deprecating voice.
“I’ve seen extraordinary people govern with their talents and wield their authority to stand out in every way… That moment made me realize.”
I could never become like them.
My ideals are so insignificant and unremarkable.
That chair is a place I should never even think about.
“I am merely a commonplace person, not gifted with extraordinary capabilities.”
Kaya said in a voice laced with bitterness. She looked up at me while remaining in her seated position and inclined her head slightly.
“Mika, please sit in this chair. Only you have the capacity to do so. So, as the Student Council President—”
“Kaya-chan, stop. You can stop now.”
“…”
Kaya, interrupted mid-sentence, didn’t raise her head. I couldn’t know what thoughts were going through her mind as she remained in that bowed position.
However, once she heard what I said next, whatever she was thinking was bound to flip 180 degrees.
“I’ll do it. I’ll be the Student Council President.”
The moment I said that, Kaya’s head shot up. There was a sound like a pop that seemed quite painful.
“…Are you serious?”
Yet Kaya showed no sign of her earlier emotion and asked me. It was clear she was taken aback, struggling to believe it.
“Of course, I wouldn’t say something like that just for fun.”
“Ah…”
“But I’m not saying I’ll transition to the Student Council right now.”
“I can understand that. You probably have some matters to handle at Trinity…”
The most urgent issue is finding a successor and finishing the handover. Not to mention, I still need to wrap up the matter concerning the real Mika.
Even if I were to eventually transition to the Student Council, I must not forget my position as a third-year student who is on the verge of graduation.
I recalled Makoto’s earlier comment about voluntarily repeating a year and squeezed my eyes shut.
This is insane. Really insane.
Still, isn’t it right to do what needs to be done…? Why does that thought keep creeping in?
“That’s not the way! Mika!”
Kaya, who quickly got up from where she was seated, grabbed my arm. I could have held on for a thousand years, but I ended up sitting in the chair as she pulled me.
Maybe I was always destined to end up in this position, the very conclusion of my ideals.
“Whoa… Seriously, Rin should work on her judgment when it comes to people.”
“…Huh? Why Rin-chan?”
“To think of you as just the Queen of Trinity is laughable. You should be recognized as the Empress of Kivotos or something.”
“…”
Seeing Kaya’s gaze turn a bit unsettling toward me, I squeezed my eyes shut. I cleared my doubts about my choice from my mind.
…Okay, let’s think positively.
I’m sitting in a position even higher than my childhood dream of being president when I was in first grade!
If this isn’t success, then what is?
As I thought that, I heard Kaya’s laughter.
And,
“Hehe, hehehe… I look forward to working with you, my lord.”
“…Huh?”
“Yes?”
I had to doubt my ears.
…It seemed I had made an irrational choice, and now my ears must be playing tricks on me.
It had to be that way.
*
The day after I made that irreversible decision.
Two days before the Getzen event, in the dream of that night, I received a visitor.
Finally, all the preparations were complete.
I was ready to welcome the princess.