ch401-ch420 · 401-ch401
Chapter 401: The True President
"President, about the graduation ceremony—how would you like to handle the graduating student's farewell address?"
The principal stopped me first thing in the morning, even though it's freezing out—he'd been cleaning behind the school building.
I bike to school, so I have no choice but to come around back, where the bike racks are.
But really, there's nothing to "handle," is there......
"Couldn't you just have the current student council president do it normally?"
The student council president's post was already handed over to a second-year back in October, so former president would be the correct term, wouldn't it?
"I see. Then I shall arrange it that way....... And here I thought this would be the last chance to receive words from you, President. What a shame."
Last chance? You never gave me a first one.
Why on earth would a regular student like me have to give a speech at a graduation ceremony that parents attend too?
Still, I'm glad I came to school today.
I managed to stop some bizarre scheme to ambush me with a sudden farewell address......
I shake off the principal and his nonsense about "selecting the President's words for the newsletter" and head for the classroom.
I walk in and...... the girls aren't there.
It's right in the middle of university entrance exams these days.
Classes are basically self-study, and unless you're short on attendance days or something, there's no problem skipping school.
But the boys are almost all here.
The only ones missing are the usual latecomers—it's like they're ALL going to show up.
Why, you ask?
Because today is February 14th......
That's right. Valentine's Day.
"That girl" or "this girl" with secret feelings for you might give you chocolate.
That's the kind of nonsense those boys came to school thinking.
Huh? Me?
I'm not like that.
My attendance days are short.
I am absolutely, positively different from them.
Ugh, Souma-san isn't here, is she.
She was the only one who might actually give me some......
"Good morning, President."
Who're you calling President?
Last year, Gotou-senpai gave me some, you know.
"It's just obligation chocolate, but here."
The year before that too.
Every year I worked hard for that single piece......
No, no—it's fine, because today Kasumi-san is giving me some later.
"Morning~"
The classroom falls dead silent......
The next instant, the boys who were sitting all stand up.
The Goddess has descended upon this grim, desolate classroom.
Why?
No wait—it's mostly the recommended-admission crowd who come to school around now, the ones who've already been accepted into university.
Mizuki got in through recommendation with her overwhelming grades, so her acceptance is already decided too.
Then of course she'd come.
So THAT's why the boys' attendance rate was suspiciously good—these guys knew the Goddess was coming......
"Rejoice, boys! Bounty from the Goddess herself!"
"WHOOOAH!"
Shirai-san, arms full of paper bags, moves to the front of the classroom.
"Don't rush, there's enough for the whole class, so line up. Anyone who can't keep order gets nothing. And remember, this is from the three of US girls, don't you forget it."
The black gal is here too.
"Here you go, Ito-kun. Thanks for always being such a help."
"Thank you very much. Thank you very much."
Handed over by the Goddess's own hands—what a blessing this is.
In no time at all, the boys are lined up perfectly neat.
Come on now, failing to notice a line at a time like this is a Japanese virtue, you know.
"Eat it right here, right now."
"Itsh sho goood...... I could die happy now......"
Apparently the rule is you have to eat it on the spot.
What about the people who come in late?
"It seems you may take the wrappers home. Make them family heirlooms."
That's Ota, in front of me, saying something.
"Hm. You can have two."
Apparently some people get extra from Shirai-san.
"I am the vice president of the Goddess Adoration Society, I shall say. Mercy, I beg of you, mercyyyy—"
"Don't get cocky, you get one. ONE!"
"Be grateful for whatever you get."
The gals are harsh on otaku, as expected.
Next is my turn, huh. Even one piece is something to be grateful for.
"Kasugano, looks like you've been working hard. Three for you."
"I-It's obligation, you know! Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Here—boneless chicken! Eat it while it's hot!"
The word "three" sends a stir through the classroom—but along with white chocolate and black chocolate, what Mizuki handed me was convenience-store chicken.
Offering up juice all this time finally paid off.
Huh? I eat all three right now?
No wait, what am I even supposed to say about the taste of convenience-store chicken......
Ah—yes. It's delicious.
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Lunch break. Today I'm alone.
Soushi, of all people, is skipping school.
So is Aikawa.
What is with those two.
I look for a seat in the cafeteria, but there are no familiar faces.
Should I call it generational turnover—even the seats where the third-years always sat now have underclassmen in them.
Seeing stuff like that makes me realize I'm graduating too.
Feeling oddly sentimental that this might be my last cafeteria visit ever, I sit at the edge and finish my meal.
Soba over udon—that's this cafeteria's motto.
In three whole years, I never once ate the curry udon.
"You there—halt!"
On the way back to the classroom, an unfamiliar girl stops me.
(Th-this is it—is this finally "that girl" or "this girl"?)
This is what I've been waiting for!
But I'm sorry, unfamiliar girl.
There's someone called Kasumi-san in my life.
So I'll just accept the chocolate and be on my way.
"You're Kasugano Haruki, aren't you. How bold of you to show your face before me."
Huh? Who!?
A girl I don't know—no wait, I've seen her face somewhere.
Same third-year, but we've never been in the same class......
"Did you need something?"
She doesn't seem like she's here to give me chocolate?
No wait—maybe she was searching for me all through lunch break.
That was rude of me, then.
"Don't play dumb with me. I've found out you're the top of that shady little organization."
"Seems we've got our wires crossed. Well then, if you'll excuse me."
What a sad turn of events.
"Hold it right there. I KNOW you're trying to steal my last job, and I won't allow it! Think back—the president election the year before last! That time too! Why did someone who wasn't even running collect more votes than me!? That was YOUR doing, wasn't it! And thanks to you, no one calls ME president! And worse, you go letting THEM call YOU president just to spite me! And on top of that, that woman even stole the recommendation slot from me......"
What "last job" is she even talking about?
No, wait—president election?
Don't tell me this girl is......
(The true President of the Goddess Adoration Society!)