Chapter 487: Want to be the student council president?
"Student Council President?!"
Both Yukino and Yui were somewhat surprised to hear this title.
"Iroha-chan, are you running for Student Council President? That's amazing," Yui exclaimed softly.
Yukino, standing nearby, also asked, "So, Senpai, you came today to help us support Isshiki in winning the Student Council President election?"
Unfortunately, Yukino was mistaken. Meguri shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"No, it's not like that. Actually, we're here because, well, we want her to lose the election."
"Eh?"
This answer made both girls widen their eyes in surprise.
"Iroha-chan, you don't want to be the Student Council President?" Yui asked.
Iroha nodded, "Yes, that's right."
"Then why are you running?" Yukino asked, puzzled.
Iroha looked a bit troubled by this question.
"Actually… I didn't sign up myself. Someone else did it for me."
"Because I stand out, and I'm the manager of the soccer club, and I have a good relationship with Hayama-senpai, some girls got jealous and decided to play a prank on me by signing me up for the Student Council President election."
Regardless of the truth of these words, Hachiman remembered that in the original story, Iroha eventually did become the Student Council President, which might actually suit her better.
After all, the position would garner her more attention, wouldn't it?
Moreover, she could use the convenience of the role to seek help from others openly.
Just like in the original story, once Iroha became the Student Council President, she frequently went to the Service Club for assistance, practically becoming the fourth member of the club.
Not only that, she often used the guise of seeking help to get closer to Hachiman.
The phrase "publicly supporting Hayama while secretly approaching Hachiman" perfectly described her actions.
However, unlike Minami Sagami, who simply sought attention, this little demon understood the principle of "the retreat for the advance" and knew how to use her youth to gain sympathy.
At this moment, Hachiman, standing nearby, smiled and spoke up.
"I remember that to run for Student Council President, you need at least thirty endorsements."
Hearing this, Iroha was momentarily stunned, and then Yui and Yukino chimed in.
"Eh? You need that many people? It's impressive they managed to gather that many."
"That's right. If it was just a prank, it would be too elaborate."
Seeing them begin to doubt her, Iroha didn't panic. Being a little demon skilled in manipulating people, she wasn't going to be troubled by something so minor.
She fully leveraged her young age, acting innocent and coy.
"I didn't expect them to take it so seriously this time, so now I'm really troubled."
Hachiman didn't expose her further and instead smiled, "If you don't want to be elected, you just need to lose the election."
However, Meguri beside them looked distressed.
"But the problem is, Iroha-chan is the only candidate for Student Council President. If she loses, there will be no one..."
Ugh, is it really that bad?
Thinking it over, it made sense. Although the position of Student Council President sounds prestigious, it involves a lot of responsibilities, like organizing major school events, all of which fall heavily on the President. It's no wonder no one else wants to run.
After hearing Meguri's words, Yukino shared her idea, "In that case, it will depend on the confidence vote. If the confidence vote fails, she will naturally be disqualified."
"Eh, but losing in a confidence vote would be too humiliating," Iroha said reluctantly, thinking it would be too embarrassing and knowing those who signed her up would probably enjoy seeing her fail.
"Then just make sure the failure of the confidence vote isn't blamed on you," Hachiman shrugged with a smile.
Yui was curious, "Eh? What do you mean by that?"
"Just blame the person responsible for the campaign speech. That way, no one will hold Isshiki-san accountable for the failed election," Hachiman explained.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Yukino interjected, "I disagree. That would be unfair to the person giving the speech, and it would also reflect poorly on Isshiki since she chose them."
"So, your idea is rejected."
Yukino gave Hachiman a stern look as she spoke.
In response, Hachiman merely shrugged nonchalantly and sipped his tea.
Seeing that he had calmed down, Yukino shared her own thoughts.
"The main issue is the lack of other candidates. If there were another candidate who could win, Isshiki could simply step down without any problem."
"But no one else wants to run for Student Council President," Meguri said awkwardly.
Suddenly, she seemed to have an idea, her eyes lighting up.
"How about you, Yukinoshita-san? Why don't you run for the position? After all, your sister Haruno was also the Student Council President. I'm sure you could do it just as well."
"Ah, typical of you," Hachiman thought.
Why bring up Haruno? Although Yukino no longer obsessively chased her sister's shadow, being compared to her still made her uncomfortable.
Sure enough, after hearing Meguri's words, though Yukino's face remained impassive, her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
"I'll pass. I'm already the Service Club president, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to hold two positions." Yukino shook her head.
Meguri's face showed a hint of disappointment. "That's a shame..."
But as she was speaking, a thought struck her, and she turned suddenly to Hachiman.
"Why don't you take the position, Hikigaya-kun? You did a great job organizing the cultural and sports festivals. I'm sure you'd make an excellent student council president."
Iroha chimed in, "Yes, exactly! Those events were amazing! It was Hikigaya-senpai who planned them? That's incredible!"
"Eh? Having Hikki as president sounds interesting," Yui said, her face showing some interest.
As tempting as the suggestion might sound, there was no way Hachiman would agree. Being student council president was too much trouble. Enjoying a relaxed school life and flirting with the girls now and then was far more appealing.
"No thanks. I'm not suited for a position where I'd be in the public eye all the time," Hachiman said firmly.
Yukino nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you're better suited to behind-the-scenes work."
Hachiman's brow twitched. "That makes me sound shady."
"I didn't say that," Yukino replied, mimicking Hachiman's shrug and calmly sipping her tea.
But Yui hadn't given up. "Hikki, you should give it a try."
"No, thanks. Besides, if I became student council president, I'd have much less time to spend at the Service Club," Hachiman countered.
"Really? Then forget it," Yui quickly changed her mind.
"Guess we'll have to see if anyone else is willing to run."
Yukino sighed. "It's no use. The call for new student council members has been out for a while. Meguri- senpai mentioned that all the other positions have candidates, but no one has applied for president."
"If anyone wanted to run, they'd have done so by now."
"Is that so..."
Yui fell silent, as did Meguri and Iroha, their faces showing dejection.
But then Hachiman started to smile.
"Don't be so down. Let's think of this from a different angle."
"A different angle? What do you mean?" The girls were surprised.
"Yes, for example, we could make sure Isshiki becomes the student council president," Hachiman suggested with a grin.
But Iroha immediately started shaking her head. "No way, Hikigaya-senpai, I can't do it."
"Don't be so quick to refuse, Isshiki-san," Hachiman reassured her with a smile. "Didn't you say you were nominated as a prank?"
Iroha nodded, looking upset. "Yes, they just want to see me fail. It's so mean."
"Exactly. If you back out now, you'll be giving them what they want," Hachiman's smile turned mischievous. "Instead, we should do the opposite. If you actually become the student council president, their plan will fail, and you might even get to rub it in their faces."
"Really? If I do that..." A glimmer of hope appeared in Iroha's eyes as she imagined those who tried to humiliate her being disappointed.
Hachiman continued, sounding like a devil whispering temptations. "Besides, being the student council president comes with perks."
"And since you're a first-year student, people will be more forgiving if you make mistakes."
"Being the football club manager can also be a good thing. If you ever don't want to go to club activities, you can use the student council as an excuse, and vice versa."
"Most importantly, if you ever encounter something you can't handle, you can use your position to ask for help, like from Hayama..."
"So, what do you think, Isshiki-san? Want to be the student council president?"
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