So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 16: An Unexpected Grade Student Council!?

Chapter 16: An Unexpected Grade Student Council!?

“I’d like you to join the grade-level student council.”

So it wasn’t a confession after all.

Well, it’s not like it wasn’t kind of obvious.

This is why jumping to conclusions is bad!

“Grade-level student council?”

I’ve heard the term before, but I don’t really get it.

“Yes. Would you like me to explain briefly?”

That would help a lot.

“Please.”

Machida-san cleared her throat once, then began.

“The grade-level student council is something unique to this school. It operates separately from the regular student council and handles work specifically for its own grade. Think of it as practice for the third-year student council—so when you become a third-year, you’ll join the proper student council that runs the whole school. One person is chosen from among the first-term first-year committee chairs, and that person becomes the student council president. I ended up being chosen. Once you’re chosen, you must gather five remaining members, making six members total. However, because I have many other duties, I’d like to ask you, Ichikami-kun, to help search for members. Of course, I will look as well, but I truly don’t have time, so I wanted to ask someone in the same class—and I set my sights on you. It’s certainly a lot of work, but I believe you can do it, so would you accept?”

“…………”

“What’s the matter?”

“That was way too long!”

From the second half onward, I was prepared to die.

“Is that so? I thought I was keeping it short.”

Machida-san said that with a troubled look.

“That was ‘short’!?”

“Yes.”

Well, setting that aside—

“Why me?”

“As I said, I wanted someone from the same class, and also, when you were made to explain in class why you study, your excu—cough, cough—your ‘reason’ was admirable.”

Huh?

Didn’t she almost say “excuse”?

“Also, your studying during breaks, your grade test rank being eighth, and so on—your academic ability is superior to mine. Your earnestness and diligence toward many things were admirable. I’ve never seen anyone take cleaning duty or daily monitor duty so seriously. And the way you get along with others regardless of gender is wonderful. Even when teachers tease you, you don’t get angry—that’s wonderful too. If it were me, I’d completely snap. Also, the way you proactively take on tasks is wonderful. You even did work that should have been mine, Ichikami-kun. I was moved by how hardworking you are, and I wanted to invite you to the grade-level student council. Of course, I have even more reasons. For examp—”

“As I said, your explanations are too long!”

This time I seriously thought I was going to die.

Also, the reason I’m serious about everything is just because I want to be popular, so I don’t want to join based on that kind of misunderstanding.

“I’m honored, but I’ll pass.”

“Eh?”

She looked genuinely shocked.

Sure, if I joined, I might get a little more popular, and my record might look better too—but I still don’t want to join over a misunderstanding.

“Is it… not possible?”

For some reason, she looks like she’s about to cry.

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Please. I was really nervous about inviting you. Ichikami-kun is the only person I can rely on.”

Ugh… so there’s no way out but to accept?

“O-okay. I understand.”

“Really!?”

Her eyes lit up.

“Yes.”

“Thank you very much! Yay!”

She started bouncing around like a little kid.

“But, Ichikami-kun.”

She suddenly stopped, and looked at me with a serious face.

What?