Mid-June.
Perhaps because the rainy season was beginning, the sky was covered in thick gray clouds, and warm, humid winds drifted through the air.
Nearly two months had passed since life began at the Advanced Nurturing High School, and among the students, a complicated mixture of "adaptation," "resignation," and "ambition" toward the school's uniquely cruel rules had started to take root.
Students celebrated or despaired over the monthly changes in their point balances, while constantly probing the movents of other classes. That was everyday life at this school.
anwhile, my position in Class 1-B had settled into sothing… strange. Very, very strange.
(...Peaceful again today. It's so peaceful that it's actually starting to scare a little.)
My seat by the window at the very back remained surrounded by what felt like an invisible barrier. No one approached carelessly. Even when I rely rested my chin on my hand and gazed outside, the oppressive aura of "the Demon King surveying the mortal world" naturally radiated around .
However, the fearful looks from a month ago—the kind that scread "If we get involved with him, we'll die"—had almost completely disappeared.
Instead, the looks directed at now contained "respect"… and even a strange sense of "familiarity."
And all of that was thanks to everyone avoiding failing the May midterms, along with the daily "Spartan private tutoring sessions."
Nowadays, even if I opened my mouth and declared things like—
"—There is no need to lend your ears to the foolish ramblings woven by the idiots of the past."
—sounding like so world-destroying Demon King reciting ominous poetry, my classmates simply treated it as a normal, almost heartwarming part of daily life.
"Ah, there he goes again."
"Aizen World is in full swing today."
"Shiina-san, translation please!"
That was the usual reaction.
Because everyone knew I never taught anything incorrectly.
And above all, thanks to the "angelic translator" sitting beside —Shiina Hiyori—they were able to understand the real aning behind my words:
"I just want everyone to pass the test."
(A completely ordinary act of goodwill.)
Still, into this peaceful daily life ca a certain question.
"Hey, Aizen-kun… Can I ask you sothing?"
It was lunchti.
Class representative Ichinose Honami approached my desk with an unusually serious expression—one that also carried traces of worry.
Behind her stood the core mbers of the class, such as Kanzaki and Shibata, looking concerned.
And naturally, Hiyori sat beside .
"The rumor that you beca the Student Council's 'Vice President'… it was true, huh? Yesterday it was officially posted on the student council board, and everyone in class was shocked. …How did you get recognized so quickly? Could you tell how you joined the student council?"
Ichinose's straightforward gaze was filled with pure curiosity… but also unmistakable impatience.
It made sense.
In fact, both Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi Kouhei—the leading candidate of Class A—had applied to join the student council imdiately after enrollnt and attended interviews with Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
But they had both been rejected with a single phrase:
"It's too early."
And yet sohow, I—a delinquent-looking first-year who appeared incapable of speaking normally—had suddenly beco the Number Two of the entire student council.
From her perspective, she desperately wanted to know what she lacked.
(Ah, that… Honestly, I still don't understand how things ended up like this either. The student council is basically a mountain of exhausting work. I tried with all my strength to refuse, but sohow my mouth blurted out "I shall stand at the heavens," and the president interpreted it as "I'll ta even that ambition of yours.")
Internally sighing in embarrassnt, I opened my mouth, wanting to sincerely answer Ichinose's earnest effort and kindness.
"—Ichinose. …The scenery reflected in your eyes is far too dazzling."
(Oh no, here we go again. Automatic conversion activated. I just wanted to tell her not to push herself so hard! That she's already doing more than enough!)
"When one who crawls upon the earth dares question the laws of the heavens, the only answer returned is cold silence. …The seat you desire is not sothing granted by another. Unless you possess the resolve to trample over all things and seize it with your own hands, its gates shall remain forever closed."
(WAAAAAHHHHH!! That's brutal!! What is this!? I just told poor Ichinose-san, 'You're unqualified. If you don't have the resolve to take it by force, give up forever!' I'm the worst! She's definitely going to cry!!)
As expected, after hearing my rciless declaration, Ichinose's eyes widened in shock, and the color slowly drained from her face.
"…The resolve… to take it by force…? So that's what I'm lacking…?"
She lowered her head sadly, her voice trembling.
My nonsense auto-translation had completely shattered her delicate, kind heart.
Even Kanzaki behind her frowned.
"Aizen… isn't that going a little too far?"
(Ichinose-san!! No!! My mouth just went completely berserk on its own! Forget what I said! I only got into the student council because of luck and the president misunderstanding things! Please save , Hiyori!!)
As I scread internally and looked beside in desperation, there sat the world's strongest translator, smiling gently with boundless compassion.
"Ichinose-san, it's okay."
Hiyori stood up and softly placed a hand on Ichinose's shoulder.
"What Sousuke-kun ans is this:
'You're an incredibly sincere and righteous person, but perhaps the Student Council President believes that your kindness would beco a weakness right now. I only joined the student council because of coincidence and a bit of fate. You don't need to rush. If you continue walking the path you believe in, then soday you'll definitely be acknowledged too.'"
"""...Huh?"""
Not only Ichinose, but even Kanzaki and Shibata behind her stared back and forth between Hiyori and in surprise.
"Really…? That dangerous-sounding speech ant sothing that gentle?"
"Yes. Sousuke-kun's words can be a little too sharp sotis, but he values Ichinose-san more highly than anyone. Besides, even Sousuke-kun himself thinks the student council work is exhausting. Deep down, he just wants to quietly read books in the library."
(HIYORIIII!! That's perfect!! A flawless 100-point super interpretation!! Are you a god!? A Buddha!?)
"I see… So 'the resolve to seize it' doesn't an hurting others. It ans staying strong yourself. …Thank you, Aizen-kun. Shiina-san too. I almost misunderstood what you ant. I'll think carefully again about what I can do."
Ichinose regained her usual sun-like energy and left with a bright smile.
Kanzaki also nodded deeply, sohow respecting even more.
"…Aizen. Your words are incredibly difficult to decipher, but the truth flowing beneath them never wavers."
Sweating heavily, I ntally directed endless gratitude toward Hiyori.
After school.
I sent Hiyori a ssage:
"I'll finish the student council work as quickly as possible and head to the library. Go on ahead without ."
Then, with heavy footsteps, I headed toward the student council room on the top floor of the special building.
Two weeks had passed since I joined the council.
My relationship with Vice President Nagumo Miyabi remained locked in a cold war.
No—calling it a cold war was being generous.
Every ti I entered the room, he openly clicked his tongue and glared at with naked hostility.
I opened the door.
"…You again, first-year. When are you going to realize that seat of Vice President is still too early for you?"
Nagumo lounged arrogantly on the sofa, glaring at like I was his mortal enemy.
"—Nagumo. …After listening to your barking for two weeks straight, it's begun sounding rather soothing. Like a lullaby."
(Translation: Good afternoon, Nagumo-senpai. You seem energetic as always.)
"…You bastard!! Don't talk down to !!"
Ignoring the nearly exploding Nagumo, I sat at the desk assigned to the Vice President.
As usual, a mountain of paperwork awaited —budget reviews, club applications, event proposals, and more.
"Well then, Aizen-kun. Starting today, I'd like you to handle the inspection of these supply orders and draft the notices for each club. …At last week's pace, you should finish within an hour, correct?"
Student Council Secretary Tachibana Akane looked at with her usual composed expression—polite, yet sohow testing .
She was serious with everyone and absolutely adored Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
At first, she had regarded as a dangerous figure who had sohow "bewitched the president."
However, after witnessing my absurd office-processing abilities firsthand, her rigid attitude had gradually begun to soften.
"—One hour? …Tachibana, just who do you think I am? If I wished it, I could reduce this re collection of letters into worthless garbage in the span of a blink."
(Translation: Understood, Tachibana-senpai. I'll finish in thirty minutes. Leave it to .)
As I arrogantly declared that and placed my hands on the keyboard, Tachibana gave a small sigh.
Before, she would have seriously snapped:
"That's rude!"
But now, she rely looked slightly exasperated—yet also oddly trusting, like a coworker relying on another competent colleague.
"…I see. If you're that confident, then I'll look forward to it. I'll prepare tea once you finish your work. …Two sugars, correct?"
(...…!?)
Without stopping my typing, I internally stared in shock.
Tachibana-senpai… just understood !?
Without any translation from Hiyori, she figured out that I was thinking:
"I want tea after work. And since I like sweets, please put in two sugars."
The serious senior devoted to the president had started completely pattern-recognizing the pathetic true aning hidden behind my poetic nonsense… simply because of my work efficiency.
"—…Not bad. The tea you brew is the sole drop capable of moistening my intellect within this stagnant space."
(Translation: Thank you very much! I love the tea you make, Tachibana-senpai!)
"…Even flattery won't reduce your workload. Please hurry and finish."
Without changing her expression, Tachibana calmly returned to her own work.
Apparently, she had categorized my "terrible way of speaking" as so kind of "overly unique communication style," deciding:
"As long as the vice president chosen by the president performs his duties perfectly, I'll take care of him."
(...This helps a lot. Having soone besides Hiyori who can vaguely understand is an unbelievably huge step for my survival strategy.)
I began processing the paperwork at trendous speed.
The Aizen-spec brain instantly identified contradictions in the docunts and transmitted optimal solutions directly to my fingertips.
TATATATATATA!!
The sound of machine-gun-like typing echoed through the room.
And exactly as promised, I completed every task in precisely thirty minutes.
Watching this, Student Council President Horikita Manabu nodded with satisfaction.
"…Aizen. As expected, your administrative abilities surpass conventional limits. You process twice the workload in less than half the ti Nagumo requires."
"Tch…!" Nagumo clicked his tongue at being compared.
"—A natural conclusion. President… the ga board you prepared is simply too flat. My fingertips were beginning to grow bored."
(Translation: President, I've finished. May I leave for today?)
"I see. Then you may head out now. …Tachibana, prepare tea for him."
"Yes, President. I'll make it now."
After finishing a single cup of perfectly sweet tea—with exactly two sugars—prepared skillfully by Tachibana, I elegantly bid farewell.
"—Then, excuse ."
And left the student council room.
Library.
There, seated in the special spot by the window, quietly reading a book, was Hiyori.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hiyori."
"Ah, Sousuke-kun. Good work today. You finished unusually early."
The mont I sat beside her, I could feel the tension draining from my body.
At the student council, I wore the mask of the "perfect vice president."
But here, I could finally breathe.
"—It takes little ti to dispose of tedious nonsense. …More importantly, this silence flowing beside you is the only truth that exists for ."
(Translation: I finished work quickly today! Being beside you really is the most relaxing thing. Sorry to keep you waiting.)
"Fufu. Thank you very much. …Ah, Sousuke-kun. Are things going well with Tachibana-senpai at the student council?"
At Hiyori's question, I recalled the earlier exchange.
"—She seems blinded by the light I emit. …Yet little by little, she has begun understanding the outline of my shadows."
(Translation: Lately Tachibana-senpai has started understanding what I'm trying to say sohow. She even rembered I take two sugars. She's a really nice person.)
"That's wonderful. …I'm really happy that more and more people are beginning to see Sousuke-kun's true kindness."
Hiyori smiled as if it were her own happiness.
(...Kindness, huh. Honestly, I'm just desperately flailing around because I want to stay with Hiyori and couldn't refuse the student council.)
Outside the window, the hydrangeas deepened in color as raindrops began tapping against the glass.
The Demon King's poetry continued exploding out uncontrollably as always.
Yet alongside the angel who perfectly translated it, more and more people were gradually beginning to understand his intentions.
Without realizing it himself, Aizen Sousuke's lonely battle was slowly transforming into warm ripples that spread to everyone around him.
(Alright. Tomorrow I'll buy so nice tea leaves from Keyaki Mall as a thank-you gift for Tachibana-senpai always making tea for …! Of course, I already bought sothing separate for Hiyori too! And when I give the presents, I need to be careful not to accidentally say sothing like "It's poison"…!)
Holding such peaceful determination in my heart, I sank deeper into the quiet reading ti beside Hiyori, accompanied by the sound of rain.
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