The day after the Sports Festival—Sunday.
A little after noon, the students of First-Year Class A had gathered inside a spacious party room at a large karaoke venue in Keyaki Mall, one large enough to hold dozens of people.
"Everyone got their drinks? Then—!"
Standing at the front of the room with a microphone in hand, Honami Ichinose looked around at her classmates with a radiant smile.
"This Sports Festival ended with us losing a few class points, but we still managed to take first place within the first years! More importantly, everyone worked together, gave it their all, and made it through without injuries! Let's use this teamwork to overco the next exam too—as Class A together! Anyway, great work, everyone! Cheers!!"
"""Cheers!!"""
The sound of glasses clinking echoed throughout the room.
Even though their class points had decreased by fifty due to the festival penalty, their biggest rival—Class B—had suffered the exact sa deduction, aning the gap between them hadn't shrunk at all. Combined with the pride of ranking first among the first years, nobody looked particularly downhearted.
The tables were covered with party food—fries, pizza, fried chicken—and the students chatted happily while praising one another's performances from yesterday.
"Man, Aizen's last relay was insane! You totally left Nagumo-senpai in the dust!"
Shibata smacked my shoulder repeatedly while holding a cola.
"Indeed. Without that coback, we might not even have taken first place among the first years. Aizen, thank you again."
Kanzaki nodded seriously.
"—Think nothing of it. It was not that they were slow. rely that the laws of this world could not keep pace with the stride by which I ascend to the throne."
(Translation: You're welco! It was thanks to the baton everyone passed to !)
"Hahaha, Aizen's scale is always ridiculous!"
My classmates had begun acquiring the skill to treat my poems as "Aizen jokes," laughing them off as they started queuing karaoke songs one after another.
Amid the lively music, Hiyori—sitting beside —fidgeted while staring at the karaoke tablet.
"...Um, Sousuke-kun. Would it be alright if I tried singing too...?"
I smiled gently, intending to wholeheartedly encourage her.
"—I shall permit it. Let the lody spilling from your soul color this space as it wills. ...Sing beside to your heart's content."
(Translation: Of course. I'd love to hear you sing, Hiyori!)
"Hehe, thank you."
Even in response to my absurdly grandiose approval, Hiyori only smiled bashfully and selected a song.
Eventually, her turn arrived.
The song she chose was a soft, adorable ballad.
♪〜〜〜
Holding the microphone tightly with both hands, cheeks slightly red, Hiyori began singing in a sweet, crystal-clear voice like the chirping of a little bird.
(OOOOOOHHHHH!! A GREAT ANGEL HAS DESCENDED!! What is this healing space!? Is she emitting negative ions!? This is the best!!)
Internally, I was waving glowsticks at maximum speed while tears stread from my eyes as I listened.
When she finished, the class erupted into applause.
"Shiina-san is so cute!!"
"That was so soothing!"
"Phew... I was nervous..."
As Hiyori returned to her seat slightly out of breath, I tried to praise her sincerely.
"—I comnd you. The lody you spun transford this room into a heavenly garden. ...Few miracles have ever delighted my ears to such an extent."
(Translation: You were amazing! Your singing was incredible!)
"Ah... thank you very much. Hearing you say that makes glad I worked up the courage to sing."
Even my overly dramatic praise poem made Hiyori beam with joy.
"...Um, Sousuke-kun, aren't you going to sing? I'd really love to hear your singing too!"
Hiyori looked up at with sparkling eyes full of expectation.
(Ugh...! There's no way I can refuse when she looks at like that...! Fine, guess I'll give it a shot!)
I picked up the karaoke tablet and selected a famous jazz-style classic everyone knew.
As the intro began and I stood up with the microphone, the entire room buzzed with excitent.
"Ooh!?"
The perpetually arrogant Aizen-kun was finally going to sing.
Everyone watched nervously, wondering what kind of chaos would unfold.
Then, I began to sing.
♪〜〜〜
The voice that filled the room was an unbelievably deep, rich, overwhelmingly seductive baritone powerful enough to shake the speakers.
Thanks to the abnormal lung capacity and vocal control granted by "Aizen Specs," my pitch and vibrato were so flawless even professional opera singers would run away barefoot in defeat. Matching the mood of the song perfectly, my voice alternated between gentle and powerful with absolute perfection.
In one corner of the room, Kanzaki stared in shock.
(Wha...!? He's actually singing normally...!?)
Kanzaki's thoughts descended into complete chaos.
(No, he's insanely good! But...! This is Aizen we're talking about! I was absolutely convinced he'd ignore the lyrics halfway through and start reciting original poetry! Yet sohow he's just... absurdly good at singing!? ...As expected of Aizen...! A man who always exceeds expectations...!)
Ignoring Kanzaki's completely misguided astonishnt, I finished the song flawlessly and set the microphone down.
"""OOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"""
"Aizen-kun is amazing!!"
"He's like a professional!!"
"So cool!!"
Thunderous applause filled the room.
I bowed gracefully and returned to my seat.
"Sousuke-kun! That was incredible! You're really amazing at singing! I was completely captivated!"
Hiyori clapped enthusiastically beside .
(YES! Hiyori praised so much! I'm glad I sang!)
Embarrassed, I tried to answer casually.
"—Ordinary people fear the death known as silence and spin aningless noise to escape it. But if you desire it, I would not mind painting this world over with my voice and making all existence swear eternal submission."
(Translation: If it made you happy, then I'm glad I sang even though I was embarrassed!)
"Eek!?"
"W-Wait, what!? Are we all about to be conquered by Aizen-kun!?"
Nearby, Shiranami and Kobashi turned pale and clung to each other in terror after hearing my overwhelmingly villainous declaration.
But Hiyori simply smiled and calmly translated.
"Don't worry, Shiranami-san, Kobashi-san. He's saying, 'If everyone enjoyed it, then I'm glad I worked up the courage to sing even though I was embarrassed.' Souusuke-kun is actually kind of shy."
"...Eh? R-Really...?"
"Geez, Aizen-kun, don't scare us like that!"
Thanks to Hiyori's perfect interpretation, the room quickly returned to its cheerful atmosphere.
---
A Few Days Later
Several days after the karaoke celebration.
The student council room after school was enveloped in an unusually solemn and heavy atmosphere.
Today was the succession ceremony where third-year Manabu Horikita would step down as student council president, and second-year Miyabi Nagumo would officially assu the role.
"—With tomorrow's transition ceremony, I will relinquish my position as student council president. Nagumo, the rest is yours."
Standing in the center of the room, Manabu Horikita addressed Nagumo with calm but absolute authority.
"Yes, leave it to , Horikita-senpai. I'll transform this boring school you built into what ritocracy was truly ant to be."
Nagumo grinned fearlessly and reached for the transfer docunts in Manabu's hands.
But just before handing them over, Manabu stopped.
"There is one condition."
"...A condition?"
"I will acknowledge you as president. However, under the new student council structure, Aizen Sousuke must remain in the position of vice president. That is my absolute condition."
"...Tch."
The mont he heard those words, Nagumo's smile vanished and he clicked his tongue openly in irritation.
To him, the underclassman who constantly looked down on him was nothing more than an eyesore he wanted expelled from the student council imdiately.
But defying the current president here would stain his own inauguration.
"...Fine. If it's your final order, Horikita-senpai, I'll accept it. I'll just work him to the bone beneath ."
Nagumo glared at while speaking bitterly.
(Wow, he's glaring hard. Honestly, I don't want to work under such a petty upperclassman either... But if Manabu-senpai asked , I can't just quit. More importantly, if I want to protect my classmates from the 'mass expulsion system' this guy wants to create, I need to stay in the student council as a breakwater against him...)
Internally sighing, I tried to reply politely.
But Aizen Sousuke's pride could never stay silent in the face of such petty provocation.
"—Do you truly believe soone of your caliber can control ?"
The temperature in the student council room seed to drop below freezing instantly.
My voice echoed low, cold, and utterly emotionless.
"—I move solely to crush those who seek to dominate . If you wish to amuse yourself playing king upon your borrowed throne, I shall not interfere. But should you trespass even slightly into my domain... then I will crush your throne itself beyond recognition."
(Translation: Since Manabu-senpai asked , I'll do my best as vice president to protect everyone in my class!)
"...! Aizen...!!"
Veins bulged on Nagumo's forehead as the grinding of his teeth echoed through the room. He looked monts away from grabbing by the collar, but barely restrained himself because Manabu stood right there.
"...Heh. You're as uncompromising as ever, Aizen."
Manabu chuckled softly before finally handing the docunts to Nagumo and turning back to .
Apparently, he had interpreted my speech as "a clear warning against Nagumo's recklessness and proof of Aizen's resolve to protect the students."
"I will no longer interfere with the student council. Judge this school with your own thods."
"...Hmph. I shall endeavor to do so."
And so, amid a painfully tense atmosphere, the student council transfer was sohow completed successfully.
---
That Night
Still carrying the aftereffects of the transition ceremony, the student council mbers gathered at an upscale yakiniku restaurant in Keyaki Mall.
It was a farewell party for Manabu Horikita and Akane Tachibana.
The attendees were:
Manabu and Tachibana,
the new president Nagumo,
the new vice president Kiriyama and myself,
and first-year secretary Honami Ichinose.
JUUUUUU...
Thick premium kalbi sizzled on the grill, fat dripping beautifully.
(...Manabu-senpai really loves yakiniku, huh. He's usually so strict and disciplined, but his eyes sparkle a little in front of grilled at. The gap is kind of funny.)
Thinking that to myself, I flipped the at with tongs at the perfect timing.
"Aizen. Mine rare."
"—Only crimson untouched by fla befits you. Naturally, I understand."
(Translation: Got it. Rare.)
"Mine too! I want mine cooked thoroughly!"
"—The fleeting instant before it falls into ash... I shall preserve that mont of greatest beauty for you."
(Translation: Tachibana-senpai looks like she'd burn it, so I'll cook it perfectly for her.)
"Aizen-kun, can you do mine too?"
"—Indeed. The heat upon this battlefield is entirely under my dominion. Entrust yourself without fear."
(Translation: Leave it to ! I'll make it delicious!)
Nagumo and Kiriyama were glaring at like I'd killed their parents, but I ignored them completely.
The four of us—Manabu, Tachibana, Ichinose, and I—enjoyed the yakiniku together peacefully.
The al was surprisingly warm and enjoyable as everyone reminisced about student council mories and the Sports Festival.
When Tachibana laughed and said:
"Honestly, when Aizen-kun first joined the student council, I thought we were dood. But you actually handled the work perfectly, so you really helped us out!"
—even though she hadn't touched alcohol, her cheeks were red.
Seeing that made my heart feel warm too.
Eventually, the al ended, and it beca ti to present farewell gifts.
Nagumo, Kiriyama, and Ichinose each gave their presents first.
Then my turn ca.
"Manabu. Tachibana."
I stood up and handed them two paper bags.
Inside:
for Manabu: a luxury fountain pen,
for Tachibana: a premium tea set with high-quality tea leaves and cups.
(I want Manabu-senpai to continue writing the path he believes in. And I want Tachibana-senpai to relax and heal a little. ...I truly respect both of them. Thank you for everything these past months. I'm cheering for your futures!)
I intended to say those heartfelt words sincerely.
But naturally, my soul refused to read the atmosphere even at the very end.
"—This pen is not ant to record the past. It is a blade with which to carve the future battlefield you envision using your own blood."
First ca the poem while handing Manabu the pen.
"—And peace cos only after struggle. Do not drown in this sweet fragrance; instead, let it beco the strength by which you rise once more."
Then the poem accompanying Tachibana's tea set.
"...Prove with your backs that my judgnt of you was not mistaken."
(Translation: Thank you for everything. I'll be cheering for both of you!)
"......"
Nagumo and Kiriyama looked utterly horrified at my absurdly heavy, demon-king-like speech, while Ichinose looked nervously anxious.
But the reactions of the guests of honor were completely different.
"...Heh."
Manabu quietly accepted the fountain pen and nodded deeply in satisfaction.
"A blade to carve the future battlefield... I see. I accept your expectations. Until the day I graduate, witness my battle to the end, Aizen."
(Eh!? Manabu-senpai, how did you interpret my poem like that!? Why does it sound so profound to him!? ...Well, he's happy, so whatever!)
anwhile, Akane Tachibana laughed softly as she accepted the tea set.
"Honestly... you really are the sa to the very end, Aizen-kun."
Though sounding exasperated, tears shimred faintly in her eyes.
"You're arrogant, always talking down to people... but I understand the kindness hidden beneath your words. Thank you, Aizen-kun. I'll treasure this."
"..."
Seeing tears in Tachibana-senpai's eyes made feel slightly embarrassed, and I quietly sat back down.
And so, the farewell party for the forr student council president and secretary ca to a close, leaving behind a strangely warm feeling.
---
Late That Night
Back in my dorm room alone, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling.
(...It's over. The Sports Festival. The student council with Manabu-senpai and the others.)
I exhaled deeply.
(Back in the first sester, when Manabu-senpai practically dragged into the student council by force, I genuinely thought it was annoying. I kept wondering why I had to work in such an organization...)
Manabu Horikita:
strict, yet more devoted to the school than anyone else.
Akane Tachibana:
always flustered, always trying her best, the emotional support of the student council.
The months I spent working alongside them had not been bad at all.
(...Thinking the student council room will be without those two now... feels kind of lonely.)
Closing my eyes in the quiet room, I pictured the backs of the departing upperclassn.
But there was no ti to drown in sentintality.
Starting tomorrow, the student council would enter a new era ruled by Miyabi Nagumo. And the rciless special exams between classes would continue attacking us without pause.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.
Arisu Sakayanagi.
Kakeru Ryuen.
Miyabi Nagumo.
The invisible ga board had already begun turning quietly toward the next battle.
(...No matter how unreasonable the situation becos, if it's with everyone in Class A, we'll overco it.)
A faint smile rose to my lips as I drifted off to sleep.
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