Yesterday, on my way to school, I received an email that said I got accepted into the student council, what position I occupied—assistant secretary—and that I should come to their office in the special building used for clubs.
I showed my phone to Kumi, and we both squealed in excitement before I headed to the special building after school.
A student was waiting for me there but nobody else was there.
"I presume no one followed you," she said.
"Yeah."
"Good, I'll lead you to the real student council room."
"Real student council room?"
"..." she didn't say anything, simply gesturing to me that I should follow her.
I followed her but the silence was deafening.
"Are you in the student council?"
"..."
I suppose that much is obvious.
"What position do you occupy?"
"..."
"I haven't seen you before. Are you my senpai?"
I couldn't tell because she wasn't wearing my blazer. Though she carried an air of superiority, so maybe she was.
"I really like your hair. Is it natural?"
Her hair was quite beautiful. It was long, flowing hair—black at the roots and dyed pine green at the tips.
Though, like I just said, it was obviously dyed pine green. No one's hair started to change green at the tips.
"Such obvious flattery is useless. Are you unable to shut up?"
"That's a bit harsh—"
"If it's so hard for you to keep mute, then let's make a deal. If I answer one of your questions, keep quiet for the remainder of the journey."
"I agree."
"Good, now what's the question?"
"Why hide the student council?"
"Hmm? You're asking such an obvious question? I suppose it doesn't matter. It's hidden to avoid students stealing documents and altering them. In the case that a situation needs to be handled, we go to that fake office."
"I see."
It made sense. If the location was known to all, students could alter anything, maybe even change expulsions or inflict expulsions.
"Now, let's go."
We headed to the library and I was led to a room hidden behind the school library in a wing reserved for administrative records.
"Woah!"
"..." the unnamed girl eyed me like I broke a rule. Well, I suppose I did since I said I wouldn't talk.
There was a large metal door that had a Q.R scanner so to enter, you had to show your student ID.
On entering, I saw all the student council members with Satou-senpai sitting on a swivel chair and the rest on a couch with some documents scattered on the floor.
"We've been expecting you," he grinned, his dressing casual—wearing an unbuttoned white shirt revealed a worn grey undershirt, and his pants were loose without a belt, and of course, he wore Crocs.
That being said, I wasn't focusing on his dressing but rather on his words.
Damn, that really sounds like a movie villain's line
"Damn, that really sounds like a movie villain's line, right?"
He read my mind?
"By the way, I didn't read your mind; it's just that your expression is predictable."
"Oh."
"Anyway, onto introductions. I'm Satou Gotou, the president of the student council and the single best student, though you already knew that."
I nodded in affirmation, though the part about being the single best student might be a stretch but no one countered him.
"Yeah, I'm also in my second year. Class Alpha."
"Huh? Second year?"
"Shouldn't the school president be a third year?" was what I wanted to say but I got an answer even before asking.
"Grade doesn't matter here; it's merit that's important."
An elegant-looking orange-haired boy with green eyes nodded; he was quite the contrast to Satou, who dressed pretty casually.
"Hey, my name's Mizumi Kazuto. The vice president," he spoke. "I'm also in my second year. Class Beta."
"I'm Saito Tenjin, the secretary. I'm also a second-year student. Class Alpha," the girl beside me spoke.
So she was in her second year and in the same class as Satou-senpai. Also, it seems I'm her assistant.
"I'm Takemine Hoshino. The treasurer," a girl with platinum hair and vermillion eyes. "I'm also a second-year student. Class Beta."
"My name is Kadenokoji Akito. I'm the third-year class representative. Class Beta," a blonde-haired boy said energetically. He dressed casually like Satou-senpai. "I'm also captain of the volleyball team."
Huh? I thought you couldn't be in a club if you were on the student council or is it because he is a third year?
Maybe they are exempt from such rules. I'll ask later.
"The name's Sawada Hikaru. I'm the second-year class representative. Class Alpha," he said, adjusting his black hair from his eyes and focusing on his book.
Since he was my senpai, he didn't have to show respect or be polite; he simply introduced himself and went back to reading his book.
I was sure that if he wasn't a second-year student or that his senpai wasn't here, he wouldn't introduce himself.
He's so immersed in his book.
It was then for the last student council member to introduce themselves.
It was none other than my class leader—Hoshikawa Ayaka.
"I am Hoshikawa Ayaka," she said. "I'm the first-year class representative. Class Alpha."
I didn't know she was in the student council but it wasn't surprising that she was in it.
After the members finished introducing themselves, they stared intently at me, even Sawada-senpai, though his book was still in hand.
Oh, they expect me to introduce myself like them.
I gave a warm smile before introducing myself in an audible tone.
"My name is Hayashi Nanase," I grinned. "I'm the assistant secretary. I'm also a first-year student. Class Alpha."
They all clapped monotonously, though Satou-senpai and Mizumi-senpai had warm smiles on their faces.
"Welcome aboard, Nanase," Satou-senpai said. "Now, time to explain the positions and layout of the student council. If you will, Tenjin."
"Yes, sir," she replied. "The positions are as follows:
The student council president oversees everything and makes sure everything is in order. He also handles meetings.
The vice president does the same, assisting him whenever he falls short or taking over when he is tired or unavailable.
The secretary makes sure the student council president's work is organized. Handling his schedule and helping him make better decisions.
The assistant secretary handles the documents and makes sure that the vice president is attended to when he needs aid.
The treasurer helps draft the budget for the student council and other clubs to make sure money is not wasted.
The class representatives help deal with class issues and help make the club budgets more smoothly. They also act as intermediaries if a case cannot be solved by a teacher.
Of course, if the case turns more serious, they will have to come and we'll have a court action.
Where the student council president will help deal punishments if necessary.
They also handle suggestions from their respective grades to help give suggestions for rule making and possibly school activities.
That is all for the roles."
Saito-senpai paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"Student Council Layout (By Ranking):
The President—50%
The Vice-President—20%.
The Secretary—10%.
The Assistant Secretary—14%.
The Treasurer—13%.
The Class Representatives;
The Third Year Representative—1%.
The Second Year Representative—1%.
The First Year Representative—1%.
These numbers represent how much power each position occupies; this power is useful in voting.
For the student council to exercise power, a mandatory voting session had to occur.
For which the side that agrees with the action needed at least 60% power.
This law was created by Satou Gotou because before the Student Council President had absolute power.
That was what helped Satou become president—it aided him and Mizumi's campaign. In fact, he said he wanted to create a fair school and abolish what the president did.
He also established the roles of the class representatives."
So it was Satou-senpai who did all that? He was quite a person.
Indeed he helped establish equality…or so it seemed. Yes, he made it more equal but it was still tipped in his favour as well as increasing his Rp passively because of how good his reputation would become.
If it was done intentionally then it was quite the strategy, of course I couldn't accuse him of that.
"Ok, I think I understand but what about the rules?"
"Rules?" Satou-senpai smirked. "Seeing as no one here is in Class Gamma, I can presume that we all know what to do. No offence to them, of course."
"So there is no special rule to follow."
"Well, there are, but they are quite basic. You are prohibited from showing anybody this bunker and you are prohibited from telling them anything discussed here. Of course, breaking the other rules is not that bad though, especially since there are no security cameras here," he winked.
"That's it?"
"Yes, so any questions?"
"Just one. You said we can't join clubs if you are in the student council. But Kadenokoji-senpai is in the volleyball club."
"Hmm? Yeah, but he's my senpai so he's exempt."
What kind of rule is that? So we can't have privilege because we are his kouhais? Not that I actually want to join a club.
"Huh? So if—"
"Relax, I'm teasing you."
"O-Oh."
"Well, you took that well. Unlike a certain Tenjin."
She narrowed her eyes at him before quickly calming herself down.
"The real reason is because representatives are basically part-timers. Well, them and the treasurer because they aren't needed every day, unlike us. In fact, they came today just to welcome you. Though you don't have to come every day."
"Oh."
"Anyway, that's all for today."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yup, feel free."
I wanted to ask about the documents on the floor but I quickly shut myself up so I wouldn't warrant myself more work.
I took a bow and left for the door.
"Yeah, also please do your job. I would hate to 'handle' it myself."
I suppose that was a threat that meant, 'Don't be unserious with your job or you will get fired.'
I silently nodded and headed to my room for an online study session before Nakamura came and blackmailed me.
You know the story after that and also understand why I couldn't help Nakamura.
I couldn't go against Satou; I could get removed from the student council.
That being said, after school I still went to the student council office because what Nakamura had as leverage was too important to me.
I-I can't let him use that against me; however, he might still have it after the blackmail but at least for now the leverage will be gone.
I quickly entered the student council office and saw Satou-senpai asleep.
On the ground were the same disarranged documents from yesterday but that wasn't my problem for now so I tiptoed to the documents that housed the student records and quickly searched for Class 1-Epsilon.
Luckily, it was arranged by grade and class and not by name.
Anyway, it didn't take long to see Yoshida and Kato's file and I was even about to read them when—
"Hmm? Nanase? What are you doing with those files?"
Shit.
I internally cursed but quickly calmed down.
"I'm asking a question, aren't I?" Satou-senpai asked, his voice a bit cold.
My mind racked for an answer that would make sense. What could I do? What could I say? I might be screwed. No, I was screwed.
It was then I got an idea.
"I was arranging the files on the floor."
Yesterday Saito-senpai said one of my jobs was to arrange documents so I could use that to my advantage.
I'm so happy I didn't do my job yesterday.
"Really? I see, I knew you were a good pick," Satou-senpai stood up. "Let me supervise."
Satou-senpai walked over to me with a wide grin. As he was coming, I looked through Yoshida and Kato's file, memorizing what I could.
Hmm…?
Anyway, before Satou-senpai woke up, I planned on taking a photo but Nakamura would have to take my word for it; in fact, I could actually just lie.
It hadn't occurred to me because of how heavy the blackmail was.
Though if he found out that I lied, what might happen would be too big of a risk.
I quickly changed my mind from lying and hurriedly arranged the documents before going to my room.
However, as I left, Satou-senpai made a comment but I didn't hear him.
"Good work, now relay it to him."
Anyway, after taking my bath and changing into more comfortable clothes, I lay on my bed thinking about what happened.
Talk about a heart attack. My heart is still pounding.
If I were caught, then I would be screwed. Luckily, there were no cameras there.
I sent a message to Nakamura.
[Me: Hey bastard. I have the info.]
[Nakamura Eiya: I'm on my way.]
Before I knew it, Nakamura came to my room.
"So, show me the picture."
"I can't. I have no picture."
"So I'm supposed to take your word for it?"
"Think about my situation. Can I really lie to you now?"
"...Go ahead."
"Ok, for Kato. She's a triplet but her siblings aren't in this school; she had trouble making friends as a child, and her grandmother's second husband is Nigerian."
"Ok," he looked disappointed.
I couldn't blame him; the descriptions were barely interesting. Well, for Kato at least.
"Yoshida is the daughter of a famous baker… but I can't remember the name of said baker; she loves dogs, she had few friends in middle school, and she is…the niece of the chairman of this school."
I paused for dramatic effect, expecting Nakamura to react in shock but he answered quite calmly.
"I see," he nodded.
"Huh? Did you know this?"
"Nope, it's very shocking news."
"Then why are you so unreactive?"
***
Author's Note:
Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.