"Itsumi's Ultimate Goal"

I'm honestly quite surprised that everyone was willing to cooperate so easily and that not a single person is making a fuss about what Itsumi proposed. Sana's the only one who really seems to be somewhat grumpy, but even he hasn't said anything about what Itsumi said. I think to myself, "Now I know why they were all student council candidates... They may not seem all that serious, but when it comes to this school and their positions in the council, they're dead serious about this it seems like..."

"Now that introductions are out of the way, I'd like to discuss my goals as this year's student council president, and I hope to hear your opinions on those goals as well, no matter what they may be." Itsumi speaks loud and clear, but politely at the same time.

"Sure. Go ahead and shoot." Nakawara says nonchalantly.

"I care not whether we're considered the 'best' or the 'strongest' student council in this school. In fact, I'd prefer we not focus on such unimportant things. The main thing I want the council to focus on is improving their acolyte abilities for the better of this school and the city of Sufmiota. Other than that, I only have one main goal, and that is to change this school for the better." Itsumi says.

"Change this school in what way..?" Sana narrows his eyes in Itsumi's direction.

"The fact that this school runs on the strength of an acolyte's abilities is something that needs to change, and I plan on insinuating that change." My eyes widen when I hear Itsumi's bold declaration, everyone else's eyes widened with shock and a few mouths are hanging open. The only person with a different kind of reaction is Gentarō, who grins somewhat as he leans back and crosses his arms.

"Are you crazy? This school has been running on acolyte strength, ability, and talent since its creation!" Sana exclaims.

"I-I don't mean to be a debbie downer, but this sounds like no easy feat. It sounds like something that may even take years to accomplish..!" Kochizuki states.

"They both got a point prez. What made you wanna do such a thing anyway, and how would you even plan to accomplish it?" Hiri asks.

Itsumi closes her eyes before she begins to speak. "The fact of the matter is, having this school run on strength and talent causes many issues. One, everyone thinks they need to be better than everyone else to make something of themselves. Two, it causes an extreme amount of fighting and property damage, all day, every day. Three, the weak are excluded and judged on a daily basis, especially those who don't even have the capability of fighting. And finally four, the fact that the strong feel the need to show off their strength, and they do that by picking on those who don't even have the ability to fight back."

Gentarō and I both frown at that last comment. Itsumi continues nonetheless however, opening her eyes and giving us all a serious gaze. "These are all clearly problems that need to be fixed. The biggest targets of the bullying I mentioned are Boost Acolytes. They may not be the only targets, but the most frequently targeted acolytes are Boost Acolytes. Thankfully, Gentarō and Genta were an excellent starting point to fixing all of these problems."

"W-We were..?" I tilt my head.

Itsumi smiles at me and nods. "Yes indeed. You showed everyone at that tournament that you do not need to fight alone to be able to grow and become strong, as well as the fact that acolyte abilities are not the only thing that determines how strong you are. When I heard the reason you were joining the tournament, that is when I started to respect you both." I blush and avert my gaze, my heart racing but I do my best to stay calm.

"I'm glad to hear that our goal is in safe hands with you as the student council president." Gentarō chuckles.

"Indeed. As a matter of fact, your goal is only the first part in my ultimate goal. The first step in my plan is to stop all this senseless bullying, meaning that if we see it happening at any point, we step in and stop it, with force if necessary. It doesn't matter what kind of acolyte is bullying any other kind of acolyte, we will stop it. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to just command you all to do that, so this is something we're going to have to vote on." Itsumi's expression grows serious once more. "Please, I need everyone to really think about this and consider the possibilities before outright refusing."

The room grows eerily silent as everyone begins silently thinking to themselves. For me and Gentarō, it's no question what we'll vote for, but as for everyone else, I'm a bit nervous to say the least. Stopping the bullying going around in this school is one thing, but to change the entire school as a whole? I just can't see everyone agreeing to something like that.

My nerves begin to build slowly over time until Itsumi finally speaks up. "Alright. All in favor of stopping the bullying going around at this school using the method I proposed, please raise your hands. Genta, your vote will be the one that counts, since Gentarō is just your stand in for fighting." I nod and quickly raise up my hand, hesitantly looking around the room to see who else has their hands up. Itsumi, Natsuri, Nakawara, and Hiri all have their hands raised, while Sana, Usana, and Kochizuki do not. "That makes the vote five to three, meaning this will now be a rule that's put in place." Itsumi says with a smile.

Sana just looks at everyone in disbelief. "Y-You utter fools... Why would you-"

"Because I hate seeing people suffer!" Natsuri exclaims. "If I can use my power to stop it for good, then I'm definitely gonna do it." She lightly holds out her fists.

"That must've been why she..." I think back to Natsuri's actions during our fight, and they match up perfectly with the statement she just made.

"After being picked on myself a week ago by some big shot wearing glasses, I realized that it kinda sucks to be bullied." Nakawara says in a smug manner, though doesn't even look at Sana. "To think that booster-" He clears his throat. "Boost Acolytes, and even other students have to go through that crap every damn day...yeah, that's not gonna fly with me. Plus, Genta and Gentarō saved me from being crushed and Itsumi kicked your butt in the finals, so I've got their backs for that." He snickers, and Sana slowly glares at him.

"I'm honestly kind of indifferent about the whole thing if ya get my drift. But, when you really sit down and give it some thought...they're all right about the whole bullying thing. I always went around on my merry way, ignoring everything going on around me just because I felt like it wasn't my problem. Thinking that way is...totally messed up when there are people around you being picked on and beaten up every single day. I'm not just gonna sit around and let that happen anymore. Not to mention, Genta and Gentarō seem pretty cool, and if they had to go through that shiz, I'd be pissed. So yeah, there's my point of view on the subject." Hiri crosses his arms, leans back, and closes his eyes as he explains his position on the matter.

Without saying a word, Usana and Kochizuki smile and raise their hands as well. "I agree." They say in unison.

"You all...are such fools..! Do you really think you can change this whole school?!" Sana shouts in annoyance and stands up, pressing his palms against the table.

"...M-Maybe not the whole school...but if nothing else, I at least want to stop the bullying and the discrimination towards Boost Acolytes... After watching us getting bullied and beaten up for so long...you have to realize that stuff like that just isn't okay..." I lightly clench my fists in my lap.

Everyone grows silent and Sana sighs in defeat, taking his seat again and crossing his arms. "Fine. Do as you please."

"Well said Genta." Itsumi praises me with a smile, making me blush once more, but I look down to hide it.

"I-I just said what was on my mind... N-Nothing special to it..." I scratch my cheek nervously.

"I don't think so." Natsuri says with a smile of her own and spins in her chair, but doesn't follow up on her statement, Nakawara and Hiri chuckling in their seats as well and making me feel extremely confused.

"You do not have to participate in this endeavor if you don't wish to, Sana, but I hope you'll at least try and stop some of the bullying happening around this school." Sana doesn't reply to Itsumi, just keeps his arms crossed and his eyes closed. "Very well then. Please tell your support council members of our plan as well. If anyone needs a reminder, those are the people you beat in the first round of the tournament. Also, if you find yourself needing to take on a group, please contact your team members and wait for all four of you to have met up before taking on the group. I know we're all student council members, but I'd rather not take any chances. Another reminder, when I say team members, that refers to the person you defeated in the first round, the person you defeated in the second round, and the person they defeated in the first round."

We all nod our heads as Itsumi explains that to us, and throughout the rest of the meeting, we simply go over our mandatory duties as student council members and what each of our jobs are. As the secretary, my job is to maintain the student body files, prepare agendas for meetings, take and distribute minutes of meetings, represent the student body at school district, civic functions, and other meetings as requested by the president, type material for student body officers and support council members as needed, and sign all purchase orders. Thankfully I'm the one in this position, because I'm absolutely positive that Gentarō did not retain any of that information.