Chương 19: Ideals and Reality
The day of the debate arrived. Masachika and Alisa were heading toward the back
entrance, which led to the stage in the auditorium where they would be debating, when they
suddenly ran into their opponent.
"Oh, hey."
Sayaka coldly bowed before immediately heading inside the auditorium, but the student
behind her replied in a friendly way:
"Yo, Kuze! Like, long time no see. Good luck out there… Wait. I guess I shouldn't
really be wishing ya good luck, huh?"
"How can you be so relaxed?"
"I mean, it's not like I'm gonna have to say anything during the debate, so what's there
to worry about?"
The female student, whose wavy blond hair was tied in a high side ponytail, casually
waved her hand. Her makeup was aggressive but just subtle enough to keep the teachers
off her back. Her school uniform was worn in a somewhat casual fashion, and her flashy
style, unique to Seiren Academy, was equivalent to whatever you would call the Japanese
version of a Valley girl. She shifted her gaze to Alisa, who froze, having never conversed
with someone like her before.
"I think this is, like, the first time we've actually ever talked? I'm Nonoa Miyamae,
Saya's partner."
"Oh… I'm Alisa Kujou. Let's have a good debate."
"Ha-ha-ha. You're sooo serious. You and Sacchi might actually really get along," Nonoa
said, laughing in a laid-back manner. "Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. Later," she added
before walking ahead into the auditorium.
"That was Taniyama's partner? She was…"
"Yeah, they aren't anything alike, appearance-wise at least. One's a no-nonsense elite
student, and the other lookslike some laid-back fashionista…which she is, butshe apparently
uses that loud appearance of hers to her advantage and works on the side as a model."
"She's a model? Isn't that against school rules?"
"Well…it's her parents' company's billboard, so that apparently makes it some sort of
loophole in the rules?"
"By the way, I've been wondering this ever since I saw her, but her hair…"
"Oh, that? She's a natural blond. Her grandmother was from America, I believe."
"…Oh."
Although she understood what he was saying, Alisa still seemed confused about
something.
"Those two grew up together. While they may look and act differently, they're actually
really good friends," added Masachika.
"Oh, so that's why…"
"But don't make any mistake. She didn't get to be Sayaka's partner just because they're
childhood friends. Nonoa was already at the top of the school caste without the help of the
student council, and she has a broad network of contacts. She might even have the biggest
network at this school."
"…She definitely would be a threat during the race, then."
"But you don't have to worry about her today. Just focus on Sayaka."
"Yeah, you're right. I will."
Masachika let out a sigh of relief after Alisa seemingly shook the thought of Nonoa out
of her mind.
"Anyway, ready to go?" he asked.
"I'm ready."
And just like that, they stepped into the auditorium, marching toward the final battle.
"Whoa. This place is packed. At least half the students who aren't in a club are here."
"This is the first debate of the school year. Plus, the Sayaka Taniyama challenged Alisa
Kujou of all people. It's no surprise this many people showed up."
Despite being so close to exam week, Takeshi and Hikaru stopped by the auditorium ten
minutes before the debate and were astounded by the huge crowd. They looked around, only
to discover that there were hardly any seats left. In fact, there were probably going to be a
few students who had to stand to watch at this rate.
"Didn't Taniyama run for student council president a while back? I think she was the
noble princess's last standing opponent if I can remember correctly."
"Yeah, a lot of people thought she had a chance to become the next president, but she
ended up losing to Yuki."
"Taniyama has never lost a debate, though, right? Who knows what would have
happened if they'd had a final debate before the election?"
"I know, right? But I thought it was really cool of her to try to settle things at the election
instead of trying to rely on her debating skills alone to win."
"You voted for Suou, you know?"
"Doesn't mean I can't admire the enemy."
They were walking down the aisle searching for two empty seats when they overheard
some other students talking. Teenagers from various backgrounds and all different grade
levels were speculating who would win and discussing how they felt.
"What do you think about the topic?"
"Uh… It really has nothing to do with most of us, but, well, I'm sure she's come prepared
and ready to kill."
"What do you think about the transfer student? I don't really know much about her…"
"Same here. All I know isthatshe has good grades. Doesshe even know how to debate?"
"I feel like I know that Kuze guy from somewhere, though…"
"Wasn't that the last name of the guy who was vice president when Yuki Suou was
president? I don't know much about him, either."
"Oh, I think you're right… Wait. Then why is he with that transfer student now?"
The majority of people were talking about Sayaka, but there were a few comments about
Alisa here and there. Masachika, on the other hand, wasn't worth mentioning for the most
part.
"Feels like we're at an away game."
"Well, only one of them is well-known for debating, yes? …Hey, look. There are two
free seats over there."
"Oh, great."
Takeshi and Hikaru took their seats in two empty spots close to the center of the row
before facing the front. To the right of the podium were Sayaka and Nonoa, with Alisa and
Masachika sitting to the left. Although everyone in the audience was simply hanging around,
they felt as though they were being mysteriously sucked into Sayaka's gaze. There was even
something regal about her appearance as she sat straight with her eyes calmly closed as if
she was meditating.
"She's really in her element. Like, I don't think we can beat her. In fact, I can only
imagine our guys losing."
"Nevertheless, Masachika is extremely calm. I wonder how Kujou feels, though? She is
going to be the one talking for the most part, after all."
"Yeah, usually the candidates for vice president only provide some backup. Can't have
them stealing the presidential candidates' thunder and all. Even if the vice presidential
candidate spoke up and won the debate for them, it'd just end up making the president look
bad."
"I'm worried… Kujou doesn't seem like she is used to speaking in front of people…
let alone this many."
"Right? At the very least, she's gonna have to be able to state her points without
stumbling over her own words."
They watched Alisa with concerned gazes, but she kept facing forward, showing no sign
that she realized she was being stared at. Her blue eyes were quietly fixed on the deserted
podium, without a hint of hesitation or anxiousness…
There are…so many people… My throat feels so tight… Will I be able to talk?
…but in reality, she had never been this nervous in her life. Of course, the fact that their
future depended on this debate was part of the reason, but this was also the first time she was
ever going to express her opinion in front of this many people. While Alisa may have been
opinionated, she never really asserted herself. She never expected anything from anyone, so
she hardly ever found it necessary to argue her position. She never tried to influence anyone
with her opinion, and in turn, she never let anyone's opinion influence her. That was her
stance for the most part. Nevertheless, what was required of her right now was the power to
move others. The power to convince people to choose to be on her side. It was a skill that
she had regarded as unnecessary up until now.
Am I going to be able to do this? …Or is my opinion going to be ignored yet again?
Alisa recalled how, just the other day, the soccer team and baseball team had argued and
shot down every idea she had. The tips of her fingers started to go white. She felt sick. Her
legs had gone numb. Her feet on the hard stage floor felt like they were stepping on rubber.
"Alya."
She turned to her side, almost as if she was desperate for his aid, and she felt extremely
grateful for getting the chance to look away from the crowd.
"…What?"
Surprisingly, her bravado held, and her voice didn't shake. Alisa herself wasn't sure she
could do it. Although she would sometimes turn to him from time to time, even his serious
gaze was making her nervous today.
Kuze'sreally relaxed. I have to pull myself together. I wasthe one who signed up forthis,
and I don't want to disappoint him. Relax. Deep breaths… Just keep taking deep breaths…
Alisa tried to take a deep breath, but her throat—her lungs wouldn't listen to her. She
trembled nervously as blood slowly retreated from her hands and feet.
"Alya…"
"Kuze…"
She wasn't able to put on a bold front any longer. Her desperate voice strained
pathetically. She was on the verge of tears, and yet she had to hold back laughter for some
reason. She felt like her head was going to explode when…
"Do you really have E cups?"
"…Huh?"
It was such a random, deranged question that Alisa couldn't process what he had said.
Only when Masachika glanced at her chest did she finally comprehend. She reflexively lifted
up her arms to cover herself when she suddenly remembered where she was and stopped.
"Y-you creep! What is wrong with you?!"
She tried to keep her voice as low as possible when she criticized him, but Masachika
immediately turned an extremely serious gaze at the audience.
"I was thinking, I can't do anything weird in front of all these people… But that's when
I realized I couldn't be slapped for anything, either, and there was nowhere for you to run."
He cracked a smile, then shifted his gaze back to Alisa with a strangely serene look.
"I was like, Wait… I can be a creep, and there's nothing she can do about it?"
"Go kill yourself."
"Heh-heh-heh. Never in their wildest dreams could they imagine the filthy conversation
we're having up here."
"I really hope they aren't having any dreams even remotely similar."
"Heh… So what color panties are you wearing today, young lady?" Masachika asked
with a cartoonish, repulsive voice yet serious expression.
"…! …Oops."
Alisa caught herself reflexively lifting a hand to slap him, then let out an exhausted sigh.
She was starting to actually wonder if she'd made the right choice teaming up with someone
like him.
"Could you please feel at least a little nervous?"
"Come on, Alya. I am nervous. Oh, hey. I found Takeshi and Hikaru in the audience.
Yo."
"Where? …H-hey?!"
She promptly grabbed his wrist as he waved at his friends and forced it back into his lap,
then sharply glared up at his carefree expression.
"Could you please quit it already? I'm being serious. You're embarrassing me."
"Don't worry. I promise I'm way more embarrassed than you right now."
"Then please start acting like it."
"Y-your hands are so big and strong… Ahn. ♪ Please stop gazing into my eyes so
passionately. Y-you're making me blush…"
"…"
"Ah, the ol' cold shoulder, huh?"
Alisa roughly let go of his wrist and looked away.
"Awww.Alya, come on," he joked, as if he wasn't taking this seriously at all.
"…"
"I was just trying to lighten up the mood a little because you look so nervous."
"…I'm not nervous," she bluntly replied.
"Are you sure? Because you still look a bit stiff," Masachika skeptically added,
examining her profile. Her complexion had improved considerably, but she still seemed like
she was stressing herself out too much. After briefly exhaling, Masachika spoke up once
more but with a serious, gentler tone.
"You don't have to hide that you're nervous. Who wouldn't be during their first debate?
I'd actually feel better if you admitted it. Like 'I may be nervous, but I am going to do
everything I can to win.'"
"…I'm not going to say that."
"Yeah, I guess I should have figured as much."
Alisa would never preemptively "make excuses" for herself like that. A perfectionist
like her was probably planning to nail this speech no matter what.
"Alya, look at me."
"…?"
Masachika met her skeptical expression and asked:
"Alya, who is your enemy?"
"…Taniyama, right?"
"No. Your enemy is the ideal version of yourself. Am I wrong?"
Her eyes briefly wavered, and she nodded. "…You're right. What frightens me the most
is not being able to do what my ideal self can."
"Right? In other words, you yourself are the basis for evaluation, and only you are
standing behind that podium and talking. The audience is nothing more than an audience.
You won't have to do a Q and A with them after you talk, so it doesn't matter how many
of them there are. Right?"
"Do you really think so?"
Her eyes anxiously wandered.
"I know so," Masachika clearly declared, since he knew that being assertive made one
sound more convincing to people feeling insecure.
"All you need to think about is acting like the coolest version of yourself. Don't worry
about a thing. If anything happens, I will take care of it."
"…"
Alisa slowly blinked asif to absorb everything he wassaying, then faced forward calmly.
That was when Touya, who was serving as the chairman of the debate, suddenly emerged
from the stage wing.
"Kuze. Kujou. It's almost time. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready," stated Masachika before glancing at Alisa to his side.
"I'm ready as well," she quietly answered while looking Touya in the eye.
"Perfect."
After giving them a firm nod, Touya headed over to the other side to speak with Sayaka
and check if they were ready as well. Once he was finished, he took a stand behind the
chairman podium on the left corner of the stage and said into the mic:
"We will now begin the student conference."
Touya waited for the buzzing crowd to gradually fall quiet before moving on to
introductions.
"I, Touya Kenzaki, president of the student council, will be your chairman today.
Today's proposer is first-year student Sayaka Taniyama from Class F, and she is
accompanied by Nonoa Miyamae, a first-year student from Class D."
When he turned to them, they stood out of their seats and bowed, which was followed
by enthusiastic applause from countless supporters in the audience.
"Her opponent today is Alisa Kujou, student council accountant, and she will be
accompanied by Masachika Kuze, who is a general member of the student council as well."
Alisa then gracefully bowed, and Masachika somewhat theatrically bowed, too. While
their introduction was followed by applause, it was sparse and far less passionate.
"Today's topic is Should we include teacher evaluations when accepting new members
into the student council? Sayaka Taniyama, please begin."
"Okay," she replied in a well-projected voice even without a mic. After leaving her seat,
she walked over to the podium with no sign of nervousness, but she did stop briefly to bow
to Touya before boldly taking a stand behind the podium. At the same time, her image was
projected onto the large screen behind her.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here today. We
will be debating whether or not we should include teachers' evaluations when accepting
new members into the student council. In other words, should a teacher recommendation be
required for joining the student council?"
After surveying the audience, Sayaka began to fluently explain her viewpoint.
"The president and vice president of the student council currently have the right to choose
who they want to join, but it is not an exaggeration to say that they allow just anyone. In
fact, after surveying previous middle school and high school members, both short and long
term, of the student council…"
…You've gotta be kidding me. She prepared data for this?
Masachika was astonished by how she could provide numerical data like this in such
a short span of time.
Wait. This wasn't Sayaka's doing. It was Nonoa's.
He shifted his half-admiring, half-bitter gaze to Nonoa, only to find her checking her
nails as if this debate had nothing to do with her. She was apparently planning on being just
a spectator during the debate.
"I believe you all can now see what this means: Anyone can become a member of the
student council as long as they come forward as a candidate. But let us look at this from a
different angle for a moment. Seiren Academy is a prestigious institution with proud
traditions. Is it really okay for the student council, who represents the student body, to accept
anyone who asks? Including those with poor conduct?"
After presenting the objective fact, Sayaka strengthened her tone and said to the
audience:
"I believe that only the gifted should be allowed to join the student council. Surely, you
all feel the same. You want someone qualified to represent you and someone who can act
as a leader for those of you who are part of a school club. Imagine someone who has worse
grades than you and poor conduct joining the student council and immediately becoming a
person of higher rank than you. This person is going to be in a position where they can tell
you what to do, and they will also be the one to decide whether you have permission to do
something or not. Does that not sound awful?"
Masachika immediately recognized that the audience believed she had a point they had
never thought of before.
Damn. She's good.
She even got those who weren't invested in this topic because they believed it had
nothing to do with them to start seeing things her way. The students currently seemed to
be leaning toward the idea that they didn't care that much, but they'd prefer someone who
excelled if given the choice. It was exactly what Sayaka was going for.
"That is why we need to take teacher evaluations into consideration. More specifically,
students would need to get the signatures of their homeroom teacher, head teacher, guidance
counselor, and principal in order to join. That way, only the best of the best will be in the
student council."
After sweeping her gaze over the audience one more time, Sayaka firmly finished her
speech.
"We must create a better student council with dignity and grace! Because you matter!
…Thank you all very much for your time today."
The audience erupted into applause as she bowed. After raising her hand and nodding at
the crowd a few times, she shifted her gaze to Touya, who recognized the signal and grabbed
the mic.
"We will now begin the question-and-answer period. Ms. Kujou, do you have any
questions?"
The audiences' eyes pursued Touya's gaze as it shifted toward Alisa. Their eyes were
brimming with expectations and intrigue, wondering how the rumored transfer student was
going to react to such a powerful argument. Alisa quietly looked back at Touya…and shook
her head.
"Uh… No questions?" asked Touya, like he was caught off guard, but Masachika waved
his hand as if to tell him to move on. The audience rippled with disappointment. Everyone
thoughtshe had essentially given up, but this was actually something Masachika had talked to
Alisa about and decided on from the start. Sayaka, who was a seasoned debater, would never
show any weakness during the Q and A. Plus, asking the wrong question and being hit with
the perfect response would make Sayaka look even better than she already did. Therefore,
it would be better not to ask any questions altogether. Showing confidence and fluently
conveying their opinion, especially after hearing what their opponent had to say, would be
much more persuasive. That was the decision they had reached.
Everything's all going according to plan so far.
They had accurately predicted what Sayaka was going to argue for the most part. There
was no problem there. The rest was up to Alisa.
"Are you ready to go?"
"…Yes," Alisa quietly replied.
"Then the podium is all yours," Touya said, his voice projecting around the auditorium.
"Thank you."
Her quiet voice strangely carried across the auditorium as she stood.
"Go get 'em!"
As Masachika cheered her on from behind, she slowly headed toward the podium while
the audience stared curiously…and extremely unkindly at her.
"I wonder how she's going to try to come back after that?" someone whispered.
"She couldn't come up with a single question during Q and A. It's over. Sayaka's got
this in the bag."
"I told you. You'd have to get Yuki Suou if you ever wanted a chance of beating her."
"Come on. Let's at least hear what the so-called solitary princess has to say."
"Can she talk after that? She better not start crying. That's all I ask."
The audience muttered scornful comments and jeers. It wasn't long until the crowd was
wondering how the solitary princess was going to lose, as if she had no chance of winning
no matter what she said. Chisaki, standing at the wing, raised her eyebrows as if she couldn't
stand back and watch any longer. But right as she tried to take a step forward, Maria grabbed
her by the wrist and stopped her. Maria's eyes were grim but loving. They were the eyes of
a woman who believed in her sister. Meanwhile, Alisa wasn't aware of the crowd because
she was focusing everything she had on herself.
The ideal me… The coolest version of me…
She replayed Masachika's advice in her mind and imagined the ideal version of herself.
Someone cool would be like Sayaka was a few moments ago when she gave her speech. But
even more than her…
Yeah… What was he doing again that day?
Try to remember what he was like then. He was cooler than anyone else…
Oh, right. That was what he was like.
She knew her idealself. Allshe had to do now was act the part. Alisa stood at the podium,
slowly surveyed the audience, and then…she smiled.
Her smile caused a slight commotion within the crowd. Some were caught off guard,
some were genuinely surprised, and one surprised observer even recognized the familiar
smile of a certain young man in hers.
"Good afternoon. I am Alisa Kujou, student council accountant. I will be representing
the student council today with my counterargument."
She bowed somewhat theatrically. She was confident. She was fearless, as if she was
more worried about her opponent than herself. Everyone in the audience immediately realized
the real reason she'd kept silent during the Q and A. It wasn't because she couldn't think
of a rebuttal or a question to ask. It was because she didn't need to. The audience's opinion
of her changed in the blink of an eye, for her provocative greeting was not what one would
expect from a "solitary princess."
"Now, I understand that Ms. Taniyama suggested that we require teacher
recommendations in order to improve our student council, but I believe doing so would
accomplish the complete opposite. Requiring teacher recommendations would undermine
the student council altogether. Why? Because it would strip the student council president and
vice president of their power of appointment, and they are the foundation of the council."
The audience was captivated by Alisa's straightforward rebuttal, whether they liked it
or not.
"The most coveted and respected positions in the student council are president and vice
president, and they are elected in addition to being given numerousrights because they earned
their positions through defeating the competition in a grueling election. You could say that
the power of appointment is the most valuable right given to them. Surrendering that right
to a teacher, albeit partially, is no different from admitting that you can't maintain dignity
without the help of your teachers."
Alisa's claimsresonated throughout the auditorium. Some people in the audience gasped
in admiration at the sight of her dignified, beautiful appearance onstage while others grunted
in deep interest when they saw how confident she was. The mood in the entire venue had
changed in mere minutes, but Alisa herself didn't notice as she eloquently continued to
convey her ideas.
"The students at this academy highly value their autonomy, which is exactly why the
student council is granted considerable discretionary power. The president and vice president
are special exactly because they can freely decide who joins the student council. But what
would happen if we required teacher recommendations when selecting new members? The
president and vice president would most likely no longer be able to freely select those they
feel are best for the job. They would probably lose the right to refuse students whom teachers
favor the most as well. In other words, the power of authority would more or less be
surrendered to our teachers. Most work done in the student council would be done by students
that they favor. That sounds like a far departure from what the student council should be,
if you ask me."
Masachika could sense people who were originally leaning toward Sayaka's opinion
start to doubt themselves.
Perfect. She's relaxed and saying everything she wants to.
He inwardly sighed in relief when he saw how confident and articulate she was being.
She was honestly doing better than he imagined. He was expecting her to be kind of awkward
after seeing how nervous she'd been up until a few minutes ago, but she wasn't going to
have a problem anymore.
Sayaka is arguing that the student council would improve if only the elite were allowed
in, while Alya is arguing that the president and vice president should keep their powers of
appointment, since that would protect what the student council stands for. These people were
elected by the students for a reason, after all. Regardless, they both have a point, and I'd say
they're probably evenly matched at the moment…
He was watching Alisa with evident satisfaction when he suddenly sensed a piercing
gaze coming from his left and looked over. It was Sayaka. Her sharp eyes behind her glasses
seemed to be saying, "You were behind all this, weren't you?"
No, Sayaka. That's all Alya. Those are her words.
Masachika didn't give Alisa a single argument of his own. He didn't put a single idea in
her mind, either. All he did was predict what Sayaka was going to argue. While Alisa based
her argument on his prediction, it was 100 percent all hers.
I'm not your opponent. Alya is.
As he glared back at Sayaka with hisstrong will, Alisa's argument came to an end, which
was immediately followed by the Q and A. Sayaka hastily raised a hand to strike back.
"You mentioned that the student council president and vice president wield the power of
appointment, but my research proved that in recent years, everyone who has asked to become
a member of the student council has been made into a member. How do you feel about that?"
"Is there a problem with that? There haven't been any issues so far. Even if a problem
did arise, the president can take care of it or remove said student from the council. That's
one of the president's responsibilities, after all."
Sayaka must have believed that Alisa would slip up if Masachika had prepared her entire
argument for her, but Alisa didn't blink.
"There are those in the alumni association who believe the quality of the student council
has been diminishing as of late, which is why I believe teacher recommendations should be
a requirement. How do you feel about that?"
"I feel that the president and vice president should be the ones who decide that.
Acknowledging their inadequacy and turning to a teacher for help is one option, but that is
not something for us to decide."
If anything, Sayaka was gradually losing confidence. Her arguments were becoming less
logical as time went on, perhaps because she was caught off guard by her opponent's skill.
You were defeated because you underestimated your opponent. Because you were
chasing my shadow without even looking at Alya. She was your opponent, not me.
Masachika was never planning on fighting Sayaka. He listened to Alisa's argument
before the debate, recognized she had a good chance of winning, and decided to let her handle
it however she wanted to.
Masachika's opponent wasn't Sayaka. The person he needed to focus on was…
So what's she going to do?
He shifted his gaze to Nonoa, who was at Sayaka's side. Even Nonoa, who'd been acting
like this had nothing to do with her up until now, was quietly staring right back at him. She
then closed her eyes and nodded at him as if to apologize for something before shoving her
hand into her skirt pocket.
"…?"
The change was gradual. It was a very faint rustling at first, which slowly began to spread
throughout the auditorium. It wasn't long before you could hear the words transfer student
and outsider if you strained your ears, while cheers and support for Sayaka simultaneously
started to come from the audience as well.
Tsk! She really did it. Plants. And not the green kind. I'm talking about sleeper cells.
She was manipulating the audience. It was a strategy that only someone with a network
at school as big as Nonoa's could pull off. There were more than a few students at school
who believed they were better than the rest, perhaps because they had been born into rich
families. Therefore, their impression of Sayaka, the daughter to the CEO of a top corporation,
was far different from how they viewed a transfer student who came from a middle-class
family like Alisa. The backers Nonoa had planted in the audience were trying to stir those
students' frustration, which had a high chance of pushing them to vote for Sayaka based on
emotion rather than logic. But there was an even bigger problem than that right now…
"Ah…"
Alisa had suddenly taken notice of the audience in front of her. She'd only been able to
keep a level head until now because she'd been focused solely on herself, and that was now
wavering. It was painfully obvious even from behind that her body had suddenly become
tense.
"…!"
The rustling in the audience grew louder after Alisa suddenly fell silent. The more she
panicked and tried to say something, the harder it was for her to get the words out of her
mouth.
I have to say something… Wait. What was I going to say again? …What was the
question? I have to hurry… But what should I…?!
Right as her anxiety was peaking and she was starting to panic, a gentle hand suddenly
patted her on the back.
"Good job. I'll handle the rest."
She swung her head around to find the person she could count on more than anyone else
in this world. Masachika stood by her side behind the podium and grabbed the mic with a
smile.
"I apologize for interrupting, but I'm going to be taking over from here. My partner has
been speaking for so long that it looks like she hurt her throat. Sigh… You wouldn't have
strained your voice if you weren't so quiet all the time," he joked while glancing at Alisa.
She immediately pouted, and the audience erupted into laughter. After lightening the mood,
Masachika decided it was time to pull the ace out of his sleeve.
I wish we could have won based on the logic of our arguments, but if they're going to
try to use emotion to sway the audience, then I'm going to as well.
He didn't want to do it, but he didn't have any other choice. He had made a promise to
Alisa. He'd told her he would handle things if she ever found herself in trouble, and that was
why…he was going to destroy it all, smiling every second of the way.
"So anyway, I really want to start wrapping things up, since I don't want my partner to
have a sore throat tomorrow. I mean, is there really anything else we need to discuss?"
As his abrupt question caused the audience to rustle, he immediately followed up with
another attack.
"I'm pretty sure this debate was already settled a month ago anyway."
After surveying the audience's baffled expressions, he swiftly raised his right hand into
the air before lowering it in Touya's direction.
"I believe everyone already made up their mind when they chose Touya Kenzaki to be
their student council president."
All eyes were on Touya, who was clearly startled by being named out of the blue.
"As you all know, he was a nobody and a poor-performing student up until a year ago.
In fact, I'm just gonna come out and say it! He was an awkward, socially inept loser! His
words, not mine. There was no way he was ever going to get a teacher's recommendation!"
"Hey?!" Touya unconsciously shouted with a half smirk, causing the crowd to burst into
laughter. Masachika promptly added:
"But he worked hard. He worked as hard as he could to be a part of the student council.
His grades improved, he became a better man, and he even ended up sweeping the famous
Donna off her feet! Surely, there isn't a single person here who wasn't inspired by his story.
A poor-performing, socially inept student has turned himself into the charismatic president
of the student council you all know today. How could you not root for a man like that?!"
Masachika feverishly spoke with his hands and body before taking a brief pause to view
his audience, and once all eyes were on him, he calmly concluded:
"Touya Kenzaki was able to become the president of the student council because of the
system we have in place. A system that allows anyone to become a member of the student
council as long as they have passion. Therefore, I must ask you all one more time: Is there
really anything more we need to discuss?"
Nobody answered him. Even Sayaka and Nonoa were completely silent.
"Sigh… Mmm… I was a little surprised to be suddenly dragged into the debate like that,
but anyway, I would like to move on to the closing arguments if there are no more questions.
Is that okay, Ms. Taniyama?" Touya took control of the stage once again.
"…"
Masachika saw Sayaka silently stand from her chair, so he placed a hand on Alisa's
back and nudged her to walk back to her seat. But the moment they stepped off the podium,
Nonoa screamed:
"Wh-what the…?! Saya?!"
When Masachika glanced in their direction, Sayaka was already hastily exiting through
the wing. It had taken him completely by surprise, and the brief glimpse of her expression
caused him to freeze. It was Alisa who ended up chasing after her, disappearing into the wing
herself. A commotion erupted. Never had both debaters ever made an exit halfway through
like this before. In the midst of the confusion and chaos, Nonoa scratched her head, then
stood up before briskly walking toward the center of the stage.
"Sorry about all this," she told Masachika before taking a stand at the podium. "We give
up," she declared while raising both hands into the air. The unprecedented surrender was
followed by briefsilence, then confused whispers began to spread throughout the auditorium.
Before long, Touya managed to speak up and react, although in a somewhat puzzled state.
"Uh… Are you saying you wish to withdraw Ms. Taniyama's proposal?"
"Oh, yeah. Sure. That's, like, totally cool with me. I'm really sorry about my girl Saya."
After Nonoa bowed apologetically, Touya cleared his throat and declared:
"Then it is official. The proposal has been rejected. Thank you all for coming today."
The student conference came to its conclusion, enveloped in bewilderment.
"Thank you, Masachika."
"You can count on me, Yuki."
I thought they were the ideal pair when I saw them that day. A woman of personal
magnetism and overwhelming charisma. And a man of merit who handled things behind
the scenes to support her. They had complete confidence in each other and a committed
relationship. Yes… They trusted each other more than anyone else in the world. Their bond
was unbreakable. Of course they would win. That was why I felt admiration, wonderment…
and only slightly envious when I allowed myself to give up… And that was why I felt betrayed
when I saw those two. Why were you there? Was this bond of yours, which I strived for and
considered sacred above all, nothing more than a lie? My admiration and respect
transformed into hatred. I wanted to do whatever it took to tear them apart and ruin their
relationship. And yet…when I saw them standing side by side, I was moved. Although in the
past he had stood one step behind in the shadows, he was now standing by his partner's
side…with an expression more radiant and animated than ever before. How could he look
so happy? Who was this girl by his side now? They weren't even dating. And why…? Why
does my heart ache so much?
"Wait!"
Alisa had finally caught up to Sayaka behind the gymnasium after running out of the
auditorium. She grabbed Sayaka by the arm from behind and stopped her.
"Get back here. I won't allow you to run away in the middle of the debate!"
Alisa's eyebrows were arched in fury, but Sayaka didn't reply, let alone turn around.
"Say something!"
But the moment she stepped in front of Sayaka and saw her face, she drew in a sharp
breath.
"You're…"
Alisa's voice trembled in confusion as Sayaka glared fiercely back through her tears
before violently knocking Alisa's hand off her.
"Why?! Why you?!" Sayaka screamed in explosive rage. Alisa froze. "Masachika and
Yuki's relationship was one of a kind! Because of them, I…! I…! I was able to give up!
Tell me why…!"
Tears rolled down her furious, crimson cheeks, and with the way she strained her voice,
her throat would be raw later. Her screams were saturated with anger, sadness—far too many
emotions to list, and that was when Alisa suddenly realized how Sayaka really felt, albeit
only vaguely.
"You… You're…"
But she couldn't say another word after that. This entire time, she'd believed Sayaka
had been doing all this out of spite, but it was the other way around. Alisa wasn't able to say
another word once she realized Sayaka's intentions were actually good. Alisa always acted
this way. She could never come up with anything thoughtful to say during times like this. She
couldn't inspire people. That was why she had no choice but to accept it all. Alisa decided
to, at the very least, accept these intense emotions of Sayaka on Masachika's behalf because
she believed that was her role and the only thing she could do.
"If you have something you want to say to me…say it. All of it."
"…!"
Sayaka responded to Alisa's straightforward demand with a vicious scowl…then she
suddenly lowered her head and deeply exhaled.
"I don't have the right to blame anyone but myself," she replied, her voice trembling.
When she lifted her head back up, she smiled an empty smile through her tears.
"I am such an idiot… I believed in him, admired him, and felt like I was betrayed, so I
took it out on you two, but…it was nothing more than my ego taking over. Nobody led me
on but myself. Ha-ha… Mmm…!"
Alisa didn't know how Sayaka felt, but she could tell that she was usually someone
very rational. She must have been so shocked that she'd lost herself in her rage. Masachika
choosing to partner with Alisa and not Yuki must have sickened her.
"Oh, there you are."
It was Nonoa walking around the corner of the gymnasium.
"Sigh… You're a mess… Sorry about this, Alisa. Let me take things from here, okay?
Like, I'm sure Masachika's waiting for you, so you can head back now."
"Uh…"
"It's fine. Okay? Please?"
Although concerned about Sayaka, Alisa began to walk back to the auditorium, but after
a few steps, she turned to find Nonoa with her arm around Sayaka's shoulder, and she said:
"Taniyama."
Although Sayaka didn't look back, Alisa continued:
"I don't know why Kuze chose me…but I'm not going to let him down, so…"
She was having trouble putting her feelings into words, and she didn't know whether
this was something she should be saying to Sayaka, but even then, she put everything she
had into it.
"So I'm going to continue working hard until I gain your respect as well… That's all."
Nonoa watched Alisa briskly walk away while quietly muttering:
"She's a good person—that Alisa girl. Like, I thought she'd be a lot more distant and
ruder…"
"…I am not surprised. He did choose her, after all," Sayaka replied in a tearful voice.
She then faintly looked up and asked:
"What happened to the debate?"
"Hmm? Oh, I told them we surrender. The audience didn't seem too happy about it, but
Masa and the president took care of it."
"Ah… I'm sorry. It appears my actions inconvenienced you as well."
"Don't worry about it. You're my bestie, and this is what besties do," Nonoa replied
with a faint smirk as she took off Sayaka's glasses, faced her, and then tightly held her in
her arms. "Plus, it's not like this is the first time. I'm used to seeing you suddenly crying,
screaming, and storming off already. Ha-ha."
"I don't—"
"You totally do. Do you want me to count off all the temper tantrums of yours I've
endured?"
But contrary to her harsh words, Nonoa was gently rubbing Sayaka's back.
"Let's go apologize to Masa and Alisa once everything calms down. I'll go with you,
okay?" Nonoa added as though she was trying to persuade herself as well.
"…"
Sayaka silently nodded back as Nonoa continued to comfort her friend.
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