Why Is the Prettiest Girl in School Trying to Talk to a Loner Like Me during Lunch Break?

Chapter 125 – The Debate

“Now then, let’s move to the debate.”

“””……”””

(What’s the first topic going to be… Hmph, whatever topic comes, I’ve prepared thoroughly in advance… As Vice President, I leave nothing to chance!) (Ishida)

(Whatever the first topic is, the Class Rep and I have our strategy—attack every opinion Ishida voices, drag him down, and let Asakura-san take the glory! Since I’ve got zero support to lose anyway, if I just keep arguing with Ishida throughout this debate, both our images will tank while Asakura-san’s support soars—the perfect underhanded scheme!) (Andou)

(For dinner tonight I want Andou-ku—I mean, hamburger steak…) (Asakura)

“Our first topic is: ‘The School Cafeteria is Too Expensive Problem’!”

“The… cafeteria?”

“Ahh…”

“The cafeteria…”

“As you all know, during lunch break our school cafeteria opens, offering both a shop and meal service. The shop sells simple items like bread, juice, and rice balls. The cafeteria serves an extensive menu including set meals, noodles, and rice bowls. Students typically get lunch from the shop, the cafeteria, or bring their own bento. However, recent surveys show a growing number of ‘bento-bringers,’ with many complaints that ‘the shop menu lacks appeal’ and ‘the cafeteria is expensive.’

I’d like our candidates to discuss this issue and explain what measures they would take if elected student council president.”

“””YEAAAHHH! Make the cafeteria cheaper!””” ←Student audience

“Oh my! The students clearly have strong feelings about this topic. Let’s start with our current Vice President, Ishida-kun—what’s your opinion on this issue?”

(So Ishida gets called first… Phew, I hate going first in these things, so I’m glad it wasn’t me. Now, let’s see Ishida’s response—) (Andou)

“Hmph, what a trivial matter. This isn’t even worth discussing.

My opinion: ‘Cafeteria prices will not change.’ That’s all.”

“””BOOOOOOO! Ishida step down! You intellectual glasses!”””

“Wow! The students are absolutely drowning Ishida-kun in boos! That was more brutal than expected.”

“Hmph! Boo all you like—I won’t change my opinion. You claim the cafeteria is expensive, but those prices account for nutritional balance and fair wages for our cafeteria staff. We can’t slash prices like some cheap restaurant!”

(This complaint came up constantly when I was Vice President, yet even our Student Council President couldn’t reduce cafeteria prices. With low usage rates and minimal profits, we’re barely maintaining the status quo. The school would never approve risky new ventures.) (Ishida)

“……”

(Wait, Ishida’s already self-destructing faster than expected… Perfect, let’s use this!) (Andou)

“But seriously, this school’s cafeteria really IS too expensive! Ramen costs 550 yen, even soba or udon is 350 yen. And the daily set meal—just sides, soup, and rice—costs 600 yen? Honestly, I’d rather get a beef bowl at ●atsuya.”

“””That’s right! That’s right!”””

“Hmph, how shallow. Comparing our cafeteria to outside restaurants is fundamentally wrong. Besides, leaving campus during lunch violates school rules.”

“I know that. But that’s not the point—it’s about how it feels, right? When you can get ramen elsewhere for 280 yen, why pay for expensive, mediocre cafeteria ramen? Not everyone has money to spare for lunch, and nobody wants to feel ripped off by their own school.”

“Hmph! Then what’s your solution to this problem?”

“Me? Well…”

(It’s all just emotional whining anyway. Even if the student council takes it up, emotions alone won’t solve anything. I doubt this guy has any real ideas—) (Ishida)

“Simple—we make the school open entry and exit.”

“—WHAT!?”

“……”

(Oh no. I haven’t said a single word in this debate yet!) (Asakura)

Thud…