"It's just about lunchtime. Takamine, are you planning to... whoa, what happened to your face?"
After the final class of the morning ended and lunch break began, Ishigami turned to ask Takamine where he planned to eat—only to see his classmate's face look completely burnt out.
Takamine slowly turned his head with a lifeless stare.
"Ishigami... what is classical literature?"
"...A required subject."
"Why does school teach such hellish material... are they trying to make my life harder?"
"I don't think it's personal... but as a foreign student, I guess this course is definitely a tough one for you."
Their last class had been classical Japanese literature. The teacher talked nonstop on the podium while Takamine sat in a daze.
It wasn't that he didn't want to pay attention—he just couldn't understand a word.
"Where am I? What am I even doing..."
"Snap out of it. It's just classical literature, no need to be that dramatic. Didn't you pass the entrance exam? Why is this giving you such a hard time?"
Ishigami still didn't know Takamine got in by buying his test scores.
"The entrance exam didn't include this. Who the hell would put ancient Japanese texts in a test for foreign students? Unless the Japanese Ministry of Education is brain-dead... okay, maybe they are."
"If you don't want to join a club and still want to raise your status in school as a transfer student, there's only one real way."
"What?"
"Exams," Ishigami said. "If you get high scores in the midterms or finals, your status among the students will naturally improve."
"So... I have to become first in our grade?"
"Top ten is enough. First place is kind of tough."
Ishigami pointed at the empty seat of Iino Miko in front of them.
"She's been number one in the first-year grade since the entrance exams. Every single test."
"Every test?"
"Yup."
"No exceptions?"
"Never."
"Hasn't second place ever considered putting laxatives in her food before a test?"
"How dark is your mind!?"
"If you can't win on the frontlines, use limited resources on sabotage behind enemy lines. It's basic strategy."
"That's not basic! That's terrifying!"
After hearing Ishigami say that, Takamine remembered something.
"Speaking of which, isn't our student council president also a transfer student? How did he get his position?"
"You mean President Shirogane? He's top in his second-year class in all subjects and excels across the board. Plus, he's got a good reputation."
"I see."
Takamine thought for a moment, then clapped his hands.
"Got it. I'm joining the student council."
"...Did you even listen to what I said?"
"I did. Sounds like the student council is pretty popular."
"...Do you know what the student council is?"
"The top dog of the school."
"It's not just one person..."
"A group of top dogs, then."
"...Okay, listen. The president is elected by the entire student body. The rest are appointed by the president. What skills do you have that would make President Shirogane appoint you?"
"I have plenty: airborne descent support, sniping, landmine placement, reconnaissance and counter-recon."
"??? Are you talking about a video game!?"
"Anyway, I'll go check it out. Maybe I'll get in."
With that, Takamine stood up and ran out of the classroom.
"Hey! Wait up!"
---
"..."
"…So, why are you here?"
The student council's office was housed in a standalone building. Takamine Rinji had been smoking just outside of it not long ago.
He had originally come to talk to President Shirogane about joining the student council. But when he knocked on the door, the one who opened it was the last person he wanted to see—
Shinomiya Kaguya.
The two of them sat face to face on the sofa. Kaguya calmly took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee.
"I'm the vice president of the student council. Of course I'd be in the student council office."
"…Damn it, was I set up?"
"No one set you up."
Kaguya set down her teacup, her face showing a perfectly poised smile.
"Did you come to the student council office because you needed help with something, Takamine-kouhai? The student council exists to support students. Since you're an international student, if you've encountered any trouble, we'll be more than willing to lend a hand."
"I'm here to see President Shirogane."
"The president isn't here. If there's something you need, I can help."
"I don't think you can help with this."
"Well, I am the vice president of the student council. When the president isn't around, I'm fully in charge."
"..."
Takamine silently glanced at the wall beside him, where the student council members' nameplates were displayed.
Next to the title of President was the name Shirogane Miyuki. Under Vice President was Shinomiya Kaguya. The Secretary's plaque had the name Fujiwara Chika — judging from the name, probably a girl.
The Treasurer and General Affairs positions were still blank.
"Then I'll get straight to the point."
"Please go ahead."
"I want to join the student council."
"..."
"What's wrong? Is it really that surprising that I want to join the student council?"
"No... What's your reason for wanting to join?"
"Nothing special. I just think the organization seems kind of cool, so I figured I'd apply." Takamine Rinji said. "I don't have many strengths, but I've got plenty of work experience."
"You mean the work experience in Afghanistan?"
"You know about that too... Oh, Hayasaka must've told you, right? I heard she used the Shinomiya family's connections. You two must be pretty close."
"Her mother is an executive at the Shinomiya Group. We're friends," Kaguya said with a smile.
She didn't mention that Hayasaka was actually her personal maid.
"It's just some overseas work experience. I also transport some goods to dangerous areas from time to time. When I was a kid, I handled a few orders too. With my capabilities, I think I can manage as an treasurer just fine."
"I've got a rough idea of what you're capable of, but..."
Kaguya suddenly smiled.
"You probably know this already—student council members are appointed directly by the president. Only the president has the authority to do that, so it's not up to me."
"So you're telling me I wasted my time listening to your nonsense?"
"Can't you say things a bit more nicely!?"
"Sorry, but that's just how I talk to people from the Shinomiya family."