Rewind a bit.
Shinichi went to the bathroom after class, and as he left the toilet, he had an "unexpected encounter" with Itsuki.
Although he wasn't surprised at all.
Because Shinichi already knew that Itsuki secretly followed him out of the class, hiding behind a pillar until he finished using the toilet, then jumping out to talk to him.
"Itsuki, you really need to change this habit."
Facing the helpless Shinichi, Itsuki blushed slightly, ignoring his words.
"Asada-kun, are you really running for student council president?"
"That's right," Shinichi nodded, feeling the urge to sigh.
"Is it just to make sure you block me in front of the men's toilet?"
Following his steps back to the classroom, Itsuki continued to cover her ears, but her fair cheeks turned redder.
"Ahem, in general, I already understand the details of the election rules."
With the tone of a forest school secretary at that moment, her ahoge hair slightly lifted, Itsuki walked behind him with a dignified attitude.
"Will the campaign preparations start tomorrow? Do you need my help, Asada-kun?"
Shinichi glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Itsuki looked calm and quiet, as if she was casually giving this advice, her eyes filled with tranquility.
However, Shinichi felt like Itsuki was silently screaming.
"Can I help with something?"
"Please let me help!"
"You promised to help me grow, but you didn't leave me after the exchange meeting, did you?"
"Asada-kun, please talk faster!"
"Let me help you!"
The hands folded in front of her lower abdomen were already nervously clenched, still wanting to appear calm and relaxed?
Quite cute.
Shinichi praised Itsuki in his heart, but the answer that came out of his mouth was quite harsh.
"I'm glad you have such a kind heart, but I started preparing for the election a few days ago, and with great help from the president and others, I won't trouble you anymore."
Simply put, I don't need your help.
"Oh, so that's how it is..."
Itsuki looked depressed, lowered her head weakly, and sighed heavily.
"Asada-kun will be the student council president, but I'm still the foolish person ranked in the top 100 in my class. I can't do anything..."
Shinichi's cheek twitched; he wanted to laugh but dared not.
"Why are you so shameless about yourself..."
When she heard this, Itsuki spoke with empty eyes.
"Moreover, doesn't everyone think so? Asada-kun thinks of me the same way, right?"
"It's okay, I know everything... Just like how Asada-kun is called a playboy, in everyone's eyes, I also have a big label on my body that says 'meat bun.'"
The more she spoke, the darker the gloomy energy enveloping her.
"Sigh... Humans are slaves to fate, and this is my fate..."
Falling into a rarely self-mocking state, Itsuki wandered behind Shinichi like a ghost, with so much resentment that passing students avoided her.
Shinichi said as if there was nothing he could do about her.
"Okay, okay! Let me think of anything I can ask you to help me with. I won't leave you alone."
It felt like picking up a wet puppy; although troublesome, he couldn't just let her go.
"Really?" Itsuki's surprised voice rose. "Don't worry, I'll do my best to help Asada-kun as much as possible. Let's continue the legend of success in the forest school and the exchange meeting!"
Itsuki quickly became enthusiastic, and vitality radiated from her innocent and cheerful smile.
It also made people wonder if she was just pretending to be pitiful.
But with Itsuki's honest character, she probably wouldn't do that.
Shinichi entered the classroom, his mentality changed, and he began to seriously think about what he wanted Itsuki to do.
Of course, he couldn't just randomly assign her tasks like serving tea and water. As he told her before the exchange meeting, he had to think about any task that could make her develop in the process of doing something.
The first thing that came to mind was, of course, the undecided supporting speaker candidate.
He considered for a long time. As he walked towards his seat, he said to Itsuki.
"Right now, I haven't decided who I want to give the support speech to..."
At that moment, Fumino suddenly interrupted.
"Asada-san, there is a support speech after all!"
"Fumino?"
Shinichi stopped what he hadn't finished and looked at her strangely, finding that the Thorn Club trio in front of him was also staring at him.
He didn't know why, but suddenly he felt a bad premonition.
"Yes, yes... Since we can only find people from the same class, the student council can't help, so I thought..."
Before Shinichi finished speaking, Fumino couldn't wait to raise her hand and shouted enthusiastically, "I'll do it, I'll do it! I'll help you support me! I'm the best at giving speeches!"
Shinichi was about to ask her when she became good at speaking when he heard Itsuki's voice of apology coming from the side.
"Furuhashi-san, sorry for interrupting your interest, but Asada-kun just said that he wants me to help support his speech, so..."
She swung her fist and smiled confidently, "Don't worry, I won't embarrass Asada-kun!"
"Eh?"
Fumino looked at Itsuki, then at Shinichi, her cheerful expression slowly fading.
"Asada-san, is that true?"
Itsuki turned, her eyes filled with anticipation, as if there was a wagging tail behind her.
"Is that so, Asada-kun?"
Shinichi: "..."
Caught between those two gazes, Shinichi fell silent.
He thought, why hasn't the class started yet?
But even if the class started, he would still face the same problem after the next class, as long as he hadn't decided on his supporter, he couldn't escape from the fate of his choice.
Yes, destiny is a sleeping slave, but humans are not slaves of destiny.
Courage is the anthem of humanity.
As chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind, Shinichi sat back in his chair.
"Support speeches are crucial for elections. All factors must be considered rationally. Don't easily judge candidates. Let me think twice."
His vision became slightly sharper.
"Asada-san?"
"You just said it clearly..."
Both girls showed dissatisfaction at the same time.
Shinichi quickly added:
"Although I feel a little sorry for you, I want to use this issue to give you an opportunity to educate yourself."
"Educational opportunity?"
Both girls tilted their heads in confusion.
Feeling more stable, Shinichi explained to them.
"Yes, whether you apply for college or look for a job, you will definitely face an obstacle – interviews."
"As soon as school ends tomorrow, we will go to the study room for the 'Support Speech Selection Interview' meeting."
"Anyone who can prepare for the interview most thoroughly during this period and perform perfectly will be the one I entrust to give the support speech."
"It's okay if you don't want to. Anyway, this is not an easy job, and there's no payment or reward. You must not use self-centered methods like interviews to choose a candidate."
Shinichi looked at Itsuki, apologetically saying, "Itsuki, I did consider asking you to help with the speech now, but in terms of popularity, achievements, and speechwriting skills, Fumino is much higher than you."
"Eh... That's true..."
Itsuki was disappointed but had to admit this fact.
Shinichi immediately looked at Fumino and smiled helplessly, "Fumino, thank you for your willingness to help. I'm also convinced of your abilities. However, I had a prior agreement with Itsuki, and she is genuinely eager to assist. That's my mistake. Regardless of how realistic it is, I can't just leave her like that."
"It's okay; I think it's good that you think that way. It's Asada-san's style." Listening to her honest words, Fumino smiled gently.
"No need for an interview; let Itsuki help you..."
Before Fumino finished speaking, the Thorn Club trio tightly held Fumino's hand. Enthusiastically, they looked at her sincerely.
"Furuhashi-san, give it a try! The second rank also said that this is a rare opportunity to get an education."
"Yes, even if it's a bit selfish, and I feel sorry for Nakano-san, we really want to see Furuhashi-san give a speech on stage!"
"Please try it, Furuhashi-san! Isn't youth about fighting with friends, and after one of them falls, shaking hands and making peace? Let's duel peacefully and be friends!"
After the three of them finished speaking, they all bowed deeply to Itsuki at the same time.
"Nakano-san, please be a bit more accommodating!"
"Ah?" Itsuki was confused, not understanding why they were asking her.
After locking eyes with Fumino, the two beautiful and bewildered faces became even more confused.
Shinichi, who was in the background, at one point, looked at the three Thorn Club members, his lips twitching.
"What does this have to do with you..."