Chapter 25: Suspense.

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one’s older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

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On Friday, Matsuyama and I were called to the council office, where we found them already sitting there.

“Welcome!” Midou—I mean, Ayaka greeted us both with a warm smile on her face.

“Hello,” we both answered in kind.

Today was the day one of us would be chosen to join the student council. While I knew the results, this atmosphere begets a little anxiousness. I couldn’t truly relax until all was said and done.

What if yesterday was all a dream? I don’t know what I would do…

“We’ll reveal the results of you guys’ trial, and the three judges will provide their reasons for choosing,” President Ayaka continued.

“What a drag…”

“Hmm…”

“Do we really need to do this when it’s already obvious?”

“We do! We need to provide reasons even to the losing side for them to accept it, right?” Ayaka scolded the three unenthusiastic council members.

“What a drag…” The secretary was back at it again.

“Yuki-chan! Try to be a bit more motivated!”

After they agreed, Matsuyama suddenly spoke up from next to me.

“I want to know the reasons as well! If I do lose, I intend to use the feedback as a springboard!”

Surprisingly, he made a sensible statement. One look into his eyes, though, and you couldn’t imagine for a second he thought he’d lose. He can only say all that precisely because he believes, from the core of his soul, that he’s better than me.

One person in the room nodded along to his words, even going as far as giving it support.

“I think Matsuyama-kun’s opinion is wonderful. A competition is not just about winning or losing. I believe there’s value in how you reflect and learn from a loss. Right, Matsuyama?”

“Y-Yup! That’s right, Saki!” He seemed to be on cloud nine, blushing top to bottom at her praise. Being elevated by someone you like sure must feel good, huh?

Well, you’d be surprised.

“In that case, as seniors in the student council, we should make sure to provide our reasons properly. Seniors, I also request this from me,” Saki bowed to the four senior members. Matsuyama also lowered his head, considering it his opinion.

“Saki-chan…”

“Saki…”

“Saki…”

“Saki, you’re obvious to a tee…”

All the other council members looked at her as if she were a mischievous little devil of a sister. Ayaka sighed at the devilish plot while Saki had a sly smile on her face, which she tried to hide.

“Well, before that, let’s just announce the results.”

“Great idea!” Matsuyama perked up, giddy as he’s never been.

Why did he have to speak like that?

It was clear Saki’s praise put him in the best of moods. Seeing this with her ever-present smile, Ayaka prepared two ballot boxes.

“Now, please vote for the one you think is most suitable for being our general affairs officer. If you don’t think either is suitable, you can choose not to vote.”

“Mm.”

“Yes.”

“Sure.”

The three of them responded lazily. Ayaka then looked at us.

“Could you two, Yuu and Akito, step out into the hallway for a moment?”

“Yes,” we both nodded and stepped outside.

As soon as we were out the door, he spoke to me in a tone so hushed only I could hear him. “Your luck’s zeroed out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m talking about everything that’s happened up to now,” he taunted me with a disdainful scoff. “The only reason you beat me is that you had that amazing girl, Saki, supporting you. So, without her support this time, you don’t stand a chance.”

“Sure…”

I couldn’t argue with that. Without Saki coming to my house, I would still be getting bullied. And with no time to study, I might have even been expelled. That’s why he was correct in saying that—without her barging into my life, I would’ve gone nowhere and tried nothing.

“Well, I’m not a monster. Saki probably agreed with my opinion, right? Even if you lose, what’s important is how you climb back from rock bottom. That’s my gift, so you won’t be treated miserably when you inevitably lose,” he said, praising his previous assessment.

I just nodded. He was all mouth, no ears.

“In any case, I hope you’ve got it by now. Someone who can actually stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her is miles better than someone she has to baby day in and day out. So you better step back from her before she does it to you. Y’know, ending things hurts far less than being kicked to the curb, hm?”

“Hahaha.”

I forced a dry laugh for now. In situations like this, it’s best to play it cool rather than to try and argue. He wouldn’t listen either way, so I’d be throwing words to the wind.

Then, the door opened.

“Sorry for the wait. We’re ready!” Ayaka motioned for us to walk back in.

“Finally!” He entered the classroom as if he’d just won the lottery, and I followed right behind him.

“Now, I’d like to announce the results for the general affairs position.”

“Yay!” Both Matsuyama and Karen rode off Ayaka’s cheerful mood.

“So, let’s announce it!”

I gulped nervously while Matsuyama stood with his chest stuffed proud, waiting for the announcement.

I pray yesterday wasn’t just a dream… I silently made that wish.

“Oh, before that, there were three votes and no abstentions. Moreover, it was a landslide victory: 3-0.”

“Seems like it was obvious, haha!” Matsuyama shot me a glance, clearly enjoying the hell out of himself.

“Without further ado, let’s announce the winner! Drumrolls, please!” She tried to build as much suspense as she could. “And the winner is… Iwaki Akito-kun! Congratulations!”

“Yes!” I modestly celebrated with a fist pump.

As for Matsuyama beside me…

“Heh?”

He let out a girlish shrill and froze in place.

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