Chapter 12

Hotaka’s POV

After school. Yuina and I met up and went around putting up campaign posters.

When that was done, we returned to the classroom to go over the election strategy.

“So, there’s going to be a debate before the election. The results of that debate will probably have a big impact on the outcome, so we have to give it everything we’ve got.”

“Right. I’ve honestly never done a debate before, but I’ll do my best.”

Yuina made a small fist pump and gave a determined breath.

The debate would be open only to students who signed up in advance, but every year, a large number of students applied to watch. It showed just how much attention the elections got at this school.

The flow of the debate was simple: each side would present their campaign pledges, then proceed to a Q&A session.

To win the election, it was crucial not to lose in that debate.

“When it comes to this debate, we have one advantage: we already know our opponent’s pledges.”

“That’s thanks to you gathering the intel. I appreciate it.”

“Which means we can prepare our questions in advance.”

Our opponents didn’t yet know our pledges, so they’d have to come up with questions on the spot after hearing them. We, on the other hand, could formulate countermeasures ahead of time.

“Obviously, we should go after their ‘no romance’ policy.”

“I know.”

If we wanted to beat the Kuze–Madame pair, the key was to attack their weak points thoroughly.

“I think the strongest angle is the idea that it takes away the students’ freedom.”

Yuina calmly considered her question. It was a good approach.

Our school wasn’t particularly big on encouraging student autonomy, but recently there’d been a trend toward schools respecting it more. From that perspective, a no-romance rule was indeed excessively strict.

“From what I’ve gathered, it was Madame who pushed for this proposal. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect from the disciplinary committee.”

“Yeah, Madame’s pretty stiff. Sounds like her.”

“Which means if we go after the romance ban, Madame will probably be the one to answer.”

“Got it. Should I be the one asking the questions?”

“It’s better if the presidential candidate does it. And if possible, you should handle most of the answers to their questions as well.”

“Understood.”

That about wrapped up our planning session. I tidied up the documents and stood to leave.

“I’ll head home first, then.”

“Wait.”

Yuina grabbed my arm before I could go.

“What is it?”

“I just got a message from Mom—she wants me to run an errand. Help me carry the stuff.”

Honestly, being seen with Yuina outside school was risky. But I also understood that, as family, helping with shopping was only natural. To avoid drawing attention, I suggested an idea.

“Then let’s just meet there separately. The supermarket, right?”

“Huh? You want to go separately?”

“We have to. If people see us leaving school together, it could lead to weird rumors.”

“You might as well just tell everyone we’re siblings.”

“No way. I don’t want the attention.”

I eventually convinced her, and we agreed to go separately.

Yuina left the school first, and I followed at a reasonable distance.

But a little while after leaving the school grounds, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder from behind.

I turned to find a short-haired, glasses-wearing girl with black hair—Madame Asuka—standing there.

“Are you stalking Izumi-san? As a member of the disciplinary committee, I can’t overlook this.”

“Hold on, I’m not stalking her.”

“I don’t believe you. You’ve been following her from a distance ever since she left the school.”

“And what about you?”

“You looked suspicious, so I followed you.”

Madame didn’t seem interested in listening. With a commanding presence, she pulled out her phone and showed me the screen—it had “110” typed in.

“If you don’t want me to call this in, you’ll come with me.”

“…Fine. I’ll go.”

I was completely innocent, but I had no interest in the hassle that would come if she reported me. Worse, that could blow my cover about being Yuina’s step-brother.

I sent Yuina a message saying, Something came up. I can’t make it, and quietly followed Madame back to school.

She took me to the disciplinary committee’s room, sat me down, and began her interrogation.

“So, why were you stalking Izumi-san?”

“I told you, I wasn’t.”

“Still denying it?”

Her gaze was razor-sharp.

“If you just write a letter of apology, I’ll let you off this time. But I’ll be monitoring your behavior for a while.”

“I’m not writing anything. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was there because I had an errand.”

“You sure? I can call the cops.”

No good—she wasn’t going to listen at all. I sighed, wondering what to do.

Then, suddenly, the sliding door opened.

“Asuka, so you were here. What’s up? Still doing committee work?”

It was Kuze Sousuke. Madame’s partner in the election.

“Sousuke… I just caught this stalker, so I’m interrogating him.”

She explained the situation while fiddling with her hair and glancing away slightly.

“What, Anjou-kun? You must be mistaken.”

“You know him?”

“We met the other day, remember? He’s Izumi-san’s partner in the election.”

Only then did Madame seem to realize who I was. She adjusted her glasses.

“You’re Izumi-san’s partner?”

“That’s right.”

Madame studied me closely, glasses glinting. I swallowed, enduring her scrutiny.

“But you were following Izumi-san.”

“He probably had some reason. I think you just jumped to conclusions.”

“Mind your own business, Sousuke. And why are you here?”

“We finished putting up posters, so I just came to say I’m heading home. Anyway, let him go.”

With that, Kuze left the room. Madame stared after him blankly, then exhaled deeply and patted her chest as if relieved.

I decided to probe a bit.

“Well, this is unexpected. I didn’t know you have someone you like, Madame.”

She visibly flinched, snapping her gaze to me.

“W-What are you talking about?”

“You like Kuze, don’t you?”

She muttered my words to herself as if chewing them over, then lowered her head.

“…How did you know?”

Bingo.

“Just a hunch, from the way you were acting.”

Her face flushed, a look completely unlike her usual stiff demeanor.

“What are you going to do?”

“Nothing. Just let me go.”

“Are you trying to blackmail me?”

“Like I’ve said a dozen times, I wasn’t stalking Izumi. Just let me go.”

“…Fine.”

Finally, she relented. Turning away, she slapped her own cheek lightly.

“I thought I was hiding it well.”

She spoke quietly.

“I never wanted anyone to find out I like Sousuke.”

Strange, though if she liked him, why propose a romance ban? I asked her directly.

“Why did you come up with that romance ban?”

“How do you know that?”

“Heard it somewhere.”

She gave me a sharp look, then sighed.

“…Because I don’t want anyone to take Sousuke from me.”

So it was that selfish. I’d assumed it was because she was a strict disciplinarian.

“Why not just confess?”

“Don’t say it like it’s easy! We’ve been together since we were kids. He’s never thought of me that way.”

I felt like I’d heard something similar recently.

“Wait… was it you who wrote in to the broadcasting club’s advice segment?”

“Yes. Got a problem with that?”

“No, not at all.”

“Just like Izumi suggested, I made him lunch. I was hoping it’d make him notice me.”

She spoke in a rush, like a dam breaking. Clearly, she’d been holding this in for a long time.

“But I can’t work up the courage to confess. If I failed and our relationship changed… I couldn’t handle it.”

So the romance ban was her way of making sure no one else could have him. Seeing this pure, lovestruck side of her changed my image of Madame.

“Well, good luck. I’ll listen if you ever need to talk.”

“Really?”

She leaned forward eagerly. Maybe just having someone to confide in was refreshing for her.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with the election.”

“Please. I’d like that.”

I chuckled at her bright-eyed enthusiasm and nodded.

“First bit of advice, do you think Sousuke’s popular?”

“Yeah, I do.”

She made a face like she’d just coughed up blood.

Truthfully, Kuze probably was popular. He had charisma, great grades, and a clean image.

“So… he is popular.”

“Which means you have a lot of rivals. You should act so you won’t regret it.”

“You mean confess?”

“No. First, make him see you as a woman. Without that, you’re nowhere.”

Luckily, Madame had a feminine figure that could easily catch a guy’s attention.

“Go for the slow, steady approach. Love is a marathon.”

“Which is why the romance ban is essential.”

“Sorry, but I’ll be stopping that.”

She puffed out her cheeks in frustration, but I had to—Yuina’s victory came first.

“Fine. Then we’ll settle this in the election. But… please keep letting me talk to you.”

“Sure. Want to swap contact info?”

“Yes, please.”

And so, in an unexpected turn of events, I got Madame’s number. Expanding my network could only be a good thing.