Chapter 11

A week passed without any incidents. Today was the day the list of election candidates would be announced. Over this past week, Yuina had raised her profile through the broadcasting club’s radio show. The midday broadcast had become popular among the students and was a frequent topic of conversation. I even saw some students in class talking about Yuina. Overall, the radio strategy seemed to be working well.

When I arrived at school, the candidates’ names were already posted on the bulletin board. As expected, only the Kuze–Madame pair and us had submitted candidacies.

Moving to the classroom, I felt eyes on me. The cause was obvious—it was because I was running alongside Yuina. Most of the gazes were curious, but some even held murderous intent.

As I entered the classroom, Ikki raised his hand and called me over.

“Good morning. There’s a huge rumor going around that Izumi-san is running for president.”

“Yeah, well, I’d be in trouble if it wasn’t getting talked about.”

“So, how does it feel to be in the spotlight?”

“Terrible. It’s like sitting on a bed of needles.”

While I was chatting with Ikki in the classroom, a male student approached cautiously.

“Hey, Anjou. You’re running for president with Izumi-san, right? What’s your relationship with her?”

“Izumi asked me to. We’re just friends.”

Aside from becoming siblings, that was true—for now. We used to be sex-friends, though. Hearing that, the boy sighed in relief and gave a wry smile.

“Oh, I see. You were close with Izumi-san, huh? So, does she have a boyfriend or anything?”

“Even if I knew, I have no interest in spreading rumors. If you’re curious, why don’t you ask her yourself?”

Saying that, the boy made an awkward face. I guess he didn’t have the courage to ask her himself.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

Without waiting for a reply, I said that and took out a paperback book to start reading.

“Yeah.”

Seeing my attitude, the boy slowly backed away.

I really hate being the center of attention. My small wish to live quietly through school was unlikely to come true. I sighed and lowered my eyes to the book, following the lines of text.

Yuina’s point of view

When I got to school, many people called out to me before I reached the classroom. Hotaka had told me to be friendly, so I dutifully responded. Since today was the day the election candidates would be announced, that was probably how everyone found out I was running.

Kuze-kun, who was vying for the president’s seat, had an impressive aura, but I wasn’t planning to lose either. Above all, Hotaka was helping me. The two of us absolutely wanted to win.

Maybe thanks to the midday broadcast, I felt like I was getting more chances to be approached by people than before. Everyone affectionately called me “Yui-nyan.” Every time I heard that name, I felt the radio broadcast was truly having an effect.

When I reached the classroom, my friend Mina saw me and beckoned me over.

“Good morning, Yuina. It’s quite a commotion, huh?”

“Yeah. Everyone thought only Kuze-kun and the others would run, so I think they’re surprised by a challenger showing up.”

Mina Satou was my best friend, someone I could talk to about anything. She had short black hair and wore her uniform a little casually. We’d known each other since middle school, and she was one of the few friends who stayed close since my old self. Actually, I confide everything to Mina—about Hotaka too. That included being sex-friends and then becoming siblings. Even so, Mina was on my side and wouldn’t gossip.

“But, Yuina, since you’re popular, Anjou-kun might be having a tough time now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if he’s running as your partner, it’s not strange for students to speculate about your relationship.”

“Oh, right.”

I was aware of my own popularity to some extent. I was even pushed by my classmates to run for president, and some boys had confessed to me. Still, I couldn’t just happily accept that popularity. I only wished one person would look my way. After that heartbreak, I worked hard to change myself. It made me happy that it was paying off and I was now popular.

“But even putting the sibling thing aside, I don’t think Anjou-kun was a bad choice.”

Mina said that while looking at me.

“Kuze-kun and Madame-san are the second and third ranked students in the year, so they overshadow him, but Anjou-kun has relinquished his top spot in the year since enrollment.”

“Really? I didn’t know that. Even though I’ve known Hotaka for a long time.”

“He’s kind of inconspicuous. It’s amazing, but that means there’s room for excuses too. You can say he was picked as your partner because he’s number one in the year.”

“That’s true.”

I knew Hotaka was smart, but I didn’t know he was the unshakable number one. Even though I was close to Hotaka, I realized I really didn’t know him well.

“Well, since you have been consulting me about him, I’ve been observing him sometimes. He doesn’t stand out, but he has an aura of competence.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Like a behind-the-scenes power player.”

“You watch too much anime.”

Mina was an anime otaku and tried to drag conversations into anime topics. I didn’t watch much anime, but sometimes I accompanied her, so I could follow along well enough.

“But it’s like a manga, right? To go from liking someone, to having just a physical relationship, and then ending up as siblings.”

“But because we became siblings, Hotaka stubbornly refuses to do it.”

“The plan to slowly win him over from being just sex-friends can’t be carried out.”

That’s right. I like Hotaka. I confessed to him in middle school, but he rejected me. He seemed to have no memory of that. Back then, I was plain and not the bright person I am now. That heartbreak made me want to change. This time, I wanted Hotaka to notice me, and that became my driving force. Thanks to that effort, I debuted in high school and became popular. When I ran into Hotaka again at a group date I joined just to fill the numbers, I thought it was fate. A chance to fall for him once more. But I didn’t have the courage to confess again. No matter how much I changed, my core self hadn’t changed at all. Still, wanting to keep a connection with Hotaka, I suggested becoming sex-friends.

Looking back, I think I was pretty bold. Still, with Hotaka, I felt fulfilled. He was kind and careful. Even though I knew there was no love in our acts, I sought him. While continuing our physical relationship, I planned to slowly make him fall for me.

But Hotaka never showed any openings. He didn’t talk about himself, nor try to get to know me. That was frustrating and painful.

“I understand Hotaka’s side too. It’s definitely bad if family finds out. But living under the same roof and not being able to do it feels like torture.”

“Yuina lacks confidence. That’s why she appeals with her body.”

“Because on the inside I’m still gloomy. I used to wear glasses and was even gloomier.”

“I liked the old Yuina too. She was cute.”

“Don’t deny my efforts.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

It hurt that Hotaka didn’t remember me. My appearance had changed a lot, and I was proud of that. But the shock of being forgotten was real. When I confessed, I properly said my name and put my whole heart into it. Yet he hadn’t remembered.

When Mom remarried, and I found out her new husband was Hotaka’s dad, I was so happy. I thought I’d get to know Hotaka better and that he’d know me too. But because we became siblings, I learned there were things that wouldn’t go smoothly. Hotaka stopped embracing me and didn’t respond to my seductions.

Sigh. I’m really trying my best.

It’s embarrassing to actively seduce Hotaka. You might think it’s not, since we’ve already gone as far as seeing each other’s bodies, but it’s different. Something embarrassing is still embarrassing. Still, I try hard to seduce him, hoping he’ll notice me.

I’m kind of losing confidence.

I collapsed onto my desk. Mina smiled as she ran her hand through my hair.

“Well, love is a marathon, you know, sister.”

“That’s right. That’s it.”

Yes, love is a marathon. I already proved in middle school that a short-term battle doesn’t bring results. Only a long game offers hope. So I intend to keep trying to seduce Hotaka, no matter how much he refuses. I’ll do what I can now and wait for the right moment. Until that moment comes, I’ll wait silently.

“Thanks, Mina. I’m feeling motivated now.”

“You’re welcome.”

But first, it’s the student council president election. A joint effort by the two of us. If we cooperate and win the election together, our relationship will surely deepen. Because of that, I can’t afford to lose this campaign.

However, Hotaka said my poor grades were a concern. It’s hard to improve immediately, but at least I have to grow enough to avoid failing grades. I’ll overlook that weak point for now. If I have a chance to win, it’s probably my idol-like appeal. Kuze-kun definitely has an amazing aura, but he’s not exactly handsome. If anyone can gain idol-like popularity, it should be me. That’s probably why Hotaka told me to do the broadcasting club radio.

Then, what I need to do is provide fan service that’s almost flattering. When someone talks to me, I’ll respond as kindly as possible and flash smiles. That’s how I’ll fight in this election.

Hotaka is my partner. To say that confidently, I have many things I need to work hard on myself. Hotaka will work hard too, and I have to meet his expectations and want to. For that, just like when I changed myself before, I flipped the effort switch in my heart and ignited my fighting spirit.