Support Speech [Introduction]

Shuchi'in Academy has nearly 500 students across all grades combined.

(The original book should have six hundred, but the setting was wrong at the beginning of the book. The author just found out now, so I have to keep the mistake until the end ╮(╯_╰)╭)

Now, following the lead of the teachers, these people are flocking into the gymnasium and taking their seats in the pre-arranged chairs.

Although the teachers have tried their best to control the atmosphere, murmurs still echo in the gymnasium, making it impossible to know who is whispering.

Besides, the presidential election is a significant event for the entire school. It takes a lot of effort to keep a large number of students quiet for an extended period. Therefore, the teachers only shout a few words, only after the official speeches begin, and ask the students to be silent.

As a member of the group speaking on stage today, Shinichi and his campaign team are standing at the edge of the gymnasium, observing the crowd and listening to the usual opening announcements by the host.

Suddenly, a surprised whisper reaches his ears.

"Wow, how many people are there... And they are all girls, with only one guy. Ck, ck, fan support group? Or..."

Then there are deliberately exaggerated echoes, and the content cannot be heard clearly, but the contempt contained in them is very clear.

Shinichi's expression remains unchanged; he slightly squints his eyes and compares the information in his mind. He quickly recognizes the speaker's identity.

The first among the first-year students and the second-highest supported candidate, his name is not important because it's only for this appearance.

The handsome young man is staring in this direction, with a puzzled expression on his face, but there is a mocking grin in his eyes.

Shinichi sighs inwardly.

Violation is always admired behavior in Japanese culture but not dared to be done.

Those who can do it have extraordinary abilities or family backgrounds, or extraordinary confidence, enough to allow them to tread on the strict upper and lower classes and counterattack against their predecessors.

Just like the one in front of him.

Or should it be said that the nobles of Shuchi'in Academy all have their own pride? This first-year student would look down on ordinary seniors with only average looks and average family backgrounds, then come to mock them and change their mood.

Fortunately, Shinichi has already thought about the posture he will use to silence them, make them lose confidence, and become angry if provoked by arrogant and dominating rich kids. He records their crude expressions and then undermines them through public opinion manipulation, ensuring the election victory, etc.

He and Chika have discussed detailed plans and are almost ready to publish an urban novel in which commoners slap the face of a noble.

It's too late now; Shinichi can only look at the arrogant first-year campaign team that looks a bit jealous and envious and sigh helplessly.

"Couldn't you have jumped out a few days earlier? I really want to try the feeling of making someone else's face swell..."

Shinichi spends his days chatting and playing with the girls or working hard to earn money and study. He is very envious of the protagonist in the novel who pretends to be cool.

Moreover, there is no point in pretending to be cool in front of the girl you like.

Remembering this, Shinichi grabs Nino's arm.

The first-year students didn't hear that mutter; they were just confused by his strange expression and were talking about something, but they stopped talking.

Although the light is dim, the campaign team waiting at the edge of the stage is still very eye-catching. Whatever they say will surely attract the attention of teachers and students. Only nonsense they say without mentioning names makes many people curious. Senior students gather there, making them afraid to act recklessly.

That's why Shinichi stopped Nino, who wanted to rush and confront the junior students directly.

"Nino, as seniors, pay attention to the juniors who can only achieve by talking nonsense."

Shinichi only said this, even without looking at the first-year student group, but the volume was low enough for the other party and Nino to hear clearly, while others were not sure.

Anyway, he has practiced.

The first-year presidential candidate widened his eyes. After reacting, anger appeared on his face. He opened his mouth half to answer sarcastically, but the host happened to shout towards them.

"Well then, next is the support speech of student ○○. I would like to invite student ●●."

Under the focus of the stage lights, hundreds of eyes simultaneously illuminate the stiff face of the first-year presidential candidate.

He quickly covered his mouth, forced a gentle smile to respond to the audience's gaze, and patted the shoulder of the guy next to him with a pretentious attitude.

Then, he turned his face and stopped looking in Shinichi's direction and others. He didn't want to accidentally lose his composure and be seen by other students losing all his elegance.

And Shinichi just shrugged, with a smiling expression on his face.

"No matter how good your family background is, you're still just a youth."

"Hey, are you mocking me?" Next to him, Nino, whose anger has subsided, said angrily.

Shinichi couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Well, let's use an analogy – it's just some provocation from a Magikarp. No need to sacrifice lives, right?"

"Tsk, otaku, stop using games as metaphors all the time."

Nino looked very displeased, but she honestly admitted her mistake.

"Are you too nervous? Seeing that guy seems to require a punch, making me feel more disgusted than when I see you teasing Fumino and others. Whether I like it or not, my brain feels hot."

"Fortunately, you stopped me, or else I would be embarrassed..." Only now did Nino sigh.

Shinichi still smiled and didn't answer; responding to flirtations is very difficult, so he could only pretend not to hear it.

However, shortly after the silence occurred, the girl's arm slipped from his hand, then a hand gently held his.

Shinichi's expression was slightly stiff, and hiding the hand they were holding, he quickly looked left and right, whispering at the same time.

"Even though everyone's attention is focused on the stage speech, there's still a chance of being found out."

To his knowledge, Nino doesn't like being affectionate in public.

This is not surprising for Ichika, but she has work and couldn't come today. Although Ichika wouldn't make jokes like that in serious situations.

"...It'll be okay in a moment; I'm still a bit nervous," Nino whispered.

Her long hair fell to cover one side of her face, and her current mood could only be felt as heavy.

Shinichi smiled helplessly on his face.

"Are you worried about Yotsuba?"

Nino lifted her head and looked at him with clear eyes.

"How did you know?"

"If not, do you think I would ask a stupid question like, 'You're not on stage, why are you so nervous?'"

Shinichi's relaxed and calm voice reached Nino's ears.

"You care about your sister; look closely at Yotsuba's appearance now."

"Yotsuba..." Nino looked in the direction of Yotsuba, closest to the podium.

She raised her head with a serious face, gazing at the students on stage giving support speeches, nodding from time to time, and what was reflected in her eyes was rare admiration.

No, Nino had seen it.

When Yotsuba worked hard to run faster, when she wanted to be the most unique among the five sisters, she wore a rabbit ear headband.

Nino had seen it many times, but she was used to it and forgot.

It was a sign of Yotsuba dedicating herself entirely to something, discarding all distracting thoughts, and fully focusing on one thing!