About the Case of Me Being Reincarnated as a Side Character Who Got Kicked Out Immediately Of The Story, but the Heroine, Who’s My Yandere Fiancée, Won't Leave Me Alone

Chapter 33: Are you interested in joining the student council?

The academy I attend is filled with the sons and daughters of the upper class, and the education they receive is undoubtedly top-notch.

However, there are people like the old Akito, or the cronies who hung around him, and while there aren’t extreme cases like Maria, there are still a few who’ve tried to get close to me through the salon to set me up.

Well, maybe that’s just how it is.

In a way, this world is one where power speaks louder than anything else.

“…”

I’ve gotten used to walking through the academy without Arisu by my side.

It was during lunch break, after finishing my meal, while I was exploring the school with a childlike sense of curiosity, that it happened.

“Hey!”

“Urk!”

It wasn’t a fight… It was outright bullying.

A bespectacled boy was surrounded by three others. One of them shoved his shoulder hard, slamming his back against the wall.

The boy with glasses was visibly terrified. From my angle, I couldn’t see the faces of the three closing in on him, but I was sure they wore nasty expressions.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Don’t talk back!”

“I was already kinda pissed off, y’know.”

“Right? We’re just letting off some steam, that’s all.”

“Why me!?”

“’Cause you were right there, duh.”

“Didn’t we tell you to shut up? Keep defying us, and your family might end up in trouble, y’know.”

“…!”

“Haha, look at him shaking!”

I see… I already knew this, but that glasses kid didn’t do anything wrong.

He was just being used as a punching bag for their frustrations—and for a completely unfair reason.

“I think I’ve seen this before.”

I’d definitely seen this scene in the manga.

But by the time I realized it, my feet were already moving. I called out just as the leader raised his hand.

“Hey, that’s enough.”

“!?”

They clearly weren’t expecting anyone to show up, as all four of them flinched.

I didn’t know any of their names, so I hesitated on how to address them, but for now, I stepped in between them.

“Three against one? That’s pretty low.”

“…Tch.”

“Saijou-sama’s lapdog, huh?”

“Let’s go.”

Lapdog… It’s not exactly wrong, I guess.

With the leader’s tongue-click as a signal, the three turned and left immediately.

I was worried it might turn into a fistfight, but it seems I avoided that future.

“You okay?”

I turned and asked.

Getting closer, I noticed signs that he’d been lightly slapped on the cheek before the shoulder shove.

It didn’t seem bad enough to cut the inside of his mouth, but it must’ve hurt.

“…!”

I wasn’t going to lay a hand on him or hurl insults.

I came here to help him, after all… But despite that, he glared at me sharply.

His unexpected reaction made my eyes widen. Why was he glaring at me?

“Cut the crap…”

“Huh?”

“Why don’t you ever end up like me!? Our families aren’t that different in status… You’re fine because Saijou-sama protects you!!”

“H-Hey…”

“If anyone touched you, they’d incur Saijou-sama’s wrath! That’s why no one dares mess with you, an Izayoi! That’s… That’s not fair! You should be in my place, shouldn’t you!? It’s just too unfair!”

“…”

He was breathing heavily after unloading all that.

After catching his breath, he gave me one last glare before running off.

“…Ha, what the hell?”

I really wanted to complain.

If I hadn’t stepped in, he could’ve faced worse, yet he didn’t thank me at all—just pure jealousy… Ugh.

“Because Arisu protects me… huh.”

It’s not like I don’t think about it.

What he said makes perfect sense, and it’s true that I’m protected by the Saijou family’s big name, including Arisu.

I’m not trying to disparage my own family, but as I’ve said before, the Izayoi family is near the bottom at this academy. That’s why people complain or grumble about my engagement to Arisu, saying we don’t match or that Arisu must be out of her mind.

“…Whatever, idiot.”

I might think about it, but that’s about it.

Thanks to recent events, I’ve started to feel less weighed down by my position and the connections I’m blessed with.

Yeah, that’s right… I don’t match up to Arisu, do I? But I’ve already moved past that phase.

Still, having a wonderful girl like Arisu stay by my side unchanged… I always think that’s nothing short of a miracle.

“Back to the classroom—”

“Good work, Izayoi-kun.”

“Abra-ka-dabra!?”

“Haha, nice reaction!”

The sudden voice nearly made my heart leap out of my mouth.

Appearing as if moonwalking was none other than Miyazaki, the student council president, whom I’d met just the other day.

“P-President!?”

“Yeah! I happened to spot them too and was about to step in, but you beat me to it. I watched for a bit.”

“…I see.”

“Hmm.”

As he approached, the president put a hand to his chin and studied me.

“It sounds like he said some harsh things, but you don’t seem too hurt by it?”

“Well… He didn’t do anything to me. Plus, my mental resilience has gotten a lot stronger this past month.”

I had to get stronger, after all…

At that, the president laughed, shaking his shoulders, and nodded with a smile, saying, “Is that so, is that so?”

Then he glanced in the direction the boy had run off to.

“As student council president, it’s frustrating, but completely eliminating incidents like that is no easy task. Of course, hurting others is unacceptable… but some students still act out.”

“…Same everywhere, huh?”

“Yeah… In a world like this, you see adults who try to control everything with money or power. Kids who grow up watching that up close end up mimicking it. I’d rather they learn from it as a cautionary tale, but being spoiled plays a big part too.”

Uh… That kinda hits home for the old Akito, doesn’t it?

Akito didn’t act out because of his own family but because of his connection to the Saijou family, which made people hold their tongues… That’s probably why he got so cocky, now that I think about it.

“They understand instinctively that money and power can get things done, but they also fear being crushed by it. That’s why they didn’t openly oppose you and left so quickly.”

“I figured as much.”

“Maybe the post-party you would’ve been different, but now you’re getting along so well with Saijou-san. Haven’t the pranks and teasing dropped off compared to before?”

“Yeah… Definitely less than before.”

In the end, owning it confidently is probably the way to go.

It’s not bad to feel down sometimes… But with Arisu by my side like that, moping around forever just isn’t acceptable.

“Anyway, putting that aside… Izayoi-kun.”

“Yes?”

“Are you interested in the student council?”

“The student council?”

“For next year. When you jumped in to help without hesitation, I saw the look in your eyes. I thought, ‘He’s someone we need on next year’s student council.’”

Spreading his arms dramatically, as if performing a play, the president continued.

“I won’t be here next year, but someone with a passionate heart like yours is perfect for the student council! It’s almost set in stone, but Nagatsume will take over as president next year… And I want you to join as one of the officers to support her.”

“…I see.”

“And… kukku.”

“?”

“If you say yes, maybe Saijou-san will come along too. Family status carries a lot of weight in this academy, but you and Saijou-san joining the student council could shake things up… It’d be the dawn of a new era!”

“That’s way too dramatic!”

Is this guy filming for some hidden camera!?

In the end, time ran out, so the conversation ended there, but he strongly urged me to think it over.

***

‘If you’re interested, I’d be fine joining you.’

…That’s way too casual.

After school, back at home, I recalled Arisu’s words.

I’d told her about my talk with the president, and she said if I was up for it, she’d join too… Ugh, what do I do?

“The student council, huh… Maybe I’ll ask Minato.”

In my past life, I was never involved with anything like the student council.

My school activities were mostly just playing baseball in a club… Well, whether I do it or not, I should at least get Minato’s opinion as the current student council president!

“Minato~”

I knew Minato was already home.

But when I called out from outside their room, there was no response… Maybe he’s not in there?

Thinking that, I opened the door… and it swung open easily.

“Oh, you are here.”

Minato was there, but it seemed he was asleep, leaning back on the sofa.

“…Guess it can’t be helped.”

I could talk to him tonight, but seeing their sleeping face sparked a mischievous urge.

With a sly grin, I crept closer on tiptoe and peered at Minato’s face—then my eyes widened.

“…Huh?”

It wasn’t Minato’s face that caught my attention… It was his chest.

Still in his uniform, with the jacket unbuttoned and a few buttons of the white shirt undone, there was a large bulge rising and falling with their breaths.

“…Huh?”

I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

A bulge on par with Arisu’s… But Minato’s a guy, so that shouldn’t be there.

On the table was a bandage-like item I’d seen before… Oh, I must be exhausted.

“Phew…”

Acting like nothing happened, I left the room and pinched my cheek for good measure.

“Ow…!?”

…

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