As the high school advancement party reached its crescendo, President Milly climbed atop a chair and clapped her hands, drawing everyone's gaze to her.
A mischievous smile played across her lips as she held her champagne flute aloft.
"Attention, everyone! It's time to announce a special gift for the true guest of honor today—Lelouch!"
Every eye in the room pivoted toward me. Instantly, I was seized by a chilling premonition.
Milly Ashford's 'special gifts' were never, under any circumstances, ordinary.
From the Gender-Swap Festival and the Heartbreak Contest to the dreaded Cupid's Day, the eccentric events birthed within her mind always resulted in the Student Council members—myself included—being driven to the absolute brink of exhaustion.
"As of this moment, you are the Vice! Pres! i! dent! of the Ashford Academy Student Council!"
"…I beg your pardon?"
The entire council, Shirley and Rivalz included, stood frozen in collective shock. A sudden, heavy silence descended upon the room.
"Wait a moment, Milly. Is the Vice Presidency not typically reserved for second-year students? I have only just entered the high school division."
I attempted a frantic rebuttal, but Milly hopped down from her chair and wrapped a firm arm around my shoulder, whispering directly into my ear. Her tone was playful, yet her gaze carried a sharp, undeniable weight.
"This is my kingdom, Lulu. My word is law! Consider it a perk of being the Chairman's granddaughter. Besides, leaving a mind as brilliant as yours to rot would be a criminal waste of talent. I plan to work you to the bone until I graduate, so prepare yourself!"
It was pure sophistry masquerading as logic—one of her specialties.
In truth, the Ashford Academy Student Council was less a democracy and more of an absolute monarchy, ruled by Milly's whims. And so, before I could process it, I was burdened with the prestigious, yet cursed, title of Vice President.
The weight of that mantle was heavier than I had imagined.
The role of Vice President was more than just assisting the President; it was a managerial nightmare responsible for overseeing all practical operations. In short, it was my burden to implement and clean up after every 'fun idea' that Milly impulsively unleashed upon the world.
My personal purgatory began the very next morning.
"Lelouch, I need these budget reports organized and submitted to the Chairman for approval by the end of the day! Oh, and you need to finalize the proposal for next week's 'World's Greatest Pizza-Making Contest.' Also, would you mind tidying up the storage room? The props from Arthur's welcoming party yesterday are still a mess!"
President Milly unleashed a torrential storm of tasks before humming a cheerful tune and vanishing into the hallway.
"I'll leave the rest to you!"
I was left alone in the council room with a mountain of documents and a mounting sense of despair.
'I'm finished...'
Budget reports? My head throbbed at the mere sight of the numbers. Proposals? My mind was a complete blank, devoid of anything except perhaps the taste of a decent pizza. I slumped onto the desk, my forehead hitting the wood with a dull thud.
I was barely keeping up with my studies as it was; I possessed zero aptitude for this level of complex administrative drudgery. The mask of the 'Genius Lelouch' was in imminent danger of shattering into a thousand pieces.
Then, a soft, hesitant voice broke through my misery.
"Um… Lulu? Do you want some help?"
I looked up to find Shirley standing there with a worried expression, two cups of steaming black tea in her hands.
"No, I'm fine. I can handle this much on my own—"
My bravado didn't last long. Shirley peered at the nearly blank proposal and the chaotic jumble of receipts on my desk and let out a faint sigh.
"You've looked exhausted lately. I'm a member of the council too, so it's only natural that we work together. Don't try to shoulder it all yourself."
Without giving me a chance to argue, Shirley sat down beside me and began sorting through the chaos. Her proficiency was staggering. She categorized the receipts by item, filled out the budget forms with surgical precision, and drafted the rules and promotional copy for the pizza contest in a matter of moments.
'She's a genius... The real prodigy was sitting right here.'
From that day forward, I began subtly shifting my workload onto Shirley. Initially, the guilt was stifling—I felt like a parasite exploiting her pure kindness—but once I had tasted the nectar of efficiency, it was impossible to turn back.
"Shirley, I hate to ask, but could you help organize these files?"
"Shirley, I'm struggling to find a hook for this new proposal. What do you think?"
"Of course! Just leave it to me!" she would chirp, helping me with a bright smile. She seemed to interpret my constant requests for help as a sign that I relied on her. Whenever her cheeks took on a faint rosy hue, I felt a simultaneous prickle of guilt and a wave of profound relief.
One evening, after we had finally finished the day's tasks late into the night, I turned to her.
"Thank you, Shirley. I would have been in a dire state without you."
"Don't mention it. Helping you is fun, Lulu. But really, don't push yourself so hard. It's okay to lean on others once in a while."
She spoke with such genuine concern that I couldn't bring myself to confess the truth—that I was simply incompetent. I merely offered a vague smile and another word of thanks.
After parting ways with Shirley, I left the main building and headed toward the old Club House, the residence shared by my sister and me.
The night air was bitingly cold. While it was a cozy sanctuary provided by Milly's grace, it was ultimately just a temporary refuge within the school grounds—not a true home.
As I walked the short path to the Club House, I was gripped by conflict. Shirley's help was the only reason the Student Council wasn't in shambles, but was it right to lean on her heart like this? Knowing the tragic fate that awaited her in the original story, common sense dictated that I should push her away.
And yet, I had already become a useless Vice President who couldn't survive a single day without her tenderness.
'In the end, am I just parasitizing someone else again?'
Living under the protection of the Ashford family, relying on Shirley's goodwill to maintain my facade… the realization that I was a pathetic man who could do nothing on his own stung like a fresh wound.
When I arrived at the Club House, a warm light spilled from the window. Nunnally was clearly waiting for me.
'No. It's fine to be pathetic. It doesn't matter if I'm incompetent.'
I shook my head to dispel the encroaching negativity.
'If it means protecting that light for Nunnally—and Shirley's pure smile—I will gladly become the most cowardly and cunning man alive.'
I steeled my resolve and opened the door. It was a vow that would prove to be much heavier and darker than I could ever have imagined.
That resolve translated into immediate action the following day.
While Shirley was an exceptionally capable supporter, the fundamental problem remained. I couldn't rely on her favor forever, not because of guilt, but because of simple efficiency. The scale of Milly Ashford's grand designs was far too vast for Shirley to shoulder alone.
'Indeed, this isn't about laziness or lack of ability. This is the agony of a leader seeking efficient manpower management.'
Having completed my shameless self-justification, I surveyed the Student Council members. My eyes first fell upon Rivalz Cardemonde. Though he often seemed to be dozing or distracted in class, he was surprisingly quick-witted and adept at various odd jobs.
Just then, Milly had announced another absurd plan—'A school-wide treasure hunt! The grand prize is a dinner date with me!'—before vanishing. I approached Rivalz with a mountain of equipment lists and complex route maps.
"Rivalz, you have quite a wide network of contacts, don't you?"
"Of course! You'd be hard-pressed to find a student at Ashford who doesn't know the name Rivalz Cardemonde."
"Excellent. Then I need you to procure everything on this list. The council budget is tight, so use your connections and silver tongue to secure as many 'sponsorships' as possible. Also, take your motorcycle and run these routes to check for viability. You know the shortcuts better than anyone."
"Hey, isn't this just making me an errand boy?"
Rivalz looked incredulous, but despite his grumbling, he accepted the papers with a look that suggested he secretly enjoyed being relied upon. He was the type of person who complained but delivered results beyond expectations.
'Precisely. A commander doesn't fire the gun himself; his true talent lies in placing the best marksman in the right position.'
My machinations grew even bolder. My next target was my savior, Nina Einstein—the one whose brilliance had provided the light of a 'passing grade' on my exam.
She wasn't a council member yet, but that was a mere technicality. I would utilize every available resource. If the President wanted someone, she could drag them in, and I would do the same.
I approached Nina, who was sitting in the corner of the room staring intensely at a notebook filled with complex equations.
"Nina Einstein. Would you be willing to lend your extraordinary calculation skills to the Student Council?"
"…Me?" Nina adjusted her glasses, looking bewildered by the sudden proposal.
"I want you to handle the council's budget management and settlements. I have no doubt that these tedious, complicated figures will find a beautiful sense of order in your hands. It would be a waste to let your talent wither in a place like this."
I used my most solemn, desperate expression to persuade her. Nina, moved by the prospect of joining the council she admired and—more importantly—thrilled that Lelouch had recognized her talent, accepted with a deep blush.
With that, I was completely liberated from the headache of accounting. My 'art of war' did not stop there.
"How about using that overflowing energy for the benefit of your fellow students?" I asked the Rugby Captain, granting him the title of Physical Education Chair to handle manual labor.
"Your artistic sensibilities would surely elevate the Student Council to the next level!" I told the Arts Club Ace, appointing them as Design Coordinator for the event posters.
Before I knew it, the 'Special Advisory Committee' members outnumbered the actual Student Council. Remarkably, the system functioned perfectly.
"Oh my, Lulu! The Student Council has grown so much in such a short time. My intuition about you was right on the mark!" Milly remarked, beaming with satisfaction.
"Work is simply better when it's efficient, President," I replied smoothly. The other members seemed to find fulfillment in applying their specialties to the tasks at hand.
I sat at my desk with my legs crossed, watching my mobilized army with satisfaction. Shirley was refining the overall proposals, Rivalz was negotiating with external vendors over the phone, and Nina was crunching numbers faster than an abacus.
In truth, I was doing nothing at all. I had simply found what they were good at and provided them with the appropriate praise and a grand pretext.
'Isn't this the picture-perfect image of an ideal leader? Hahaha.'
I marveled at my own talent for cunning leadership while sipping a fragrant cup of tea Shirley had just brewed. It was the moment my perfect outsourcing system for the 'incompetent Vice President' reached completion.
With my system firmly in place, the Ashford Academy Student Council was operating more efficiently than ever before. To the outside world, I appeared to be the ideal leader—a man who commanded every operation with authority. In reality, I was more like an incompetent boss enjoying tea while his brilliant subordinates did the heavy lifting.
In the quiet light of the Club House living room, Nunnally and I sat across from a chessboard. I was losing, quite one-sidedly.
"Elder Brother, you've lost again. That's five games in a row," Nunnally said with a clear, gentle laugh.
I couldn't hide my bitter expression. Before my transmigration, I was just an average student; I had zero talent for the high-level psychological warfare required for chess. Yet Nunnally, the sister of the genius Lelouch, had far surpassed my abilities simply by watching her brother play over the years.
"I suppose my mind is simply exhausted from all the Student Council work lately," I offered as a feeble excuse while resetting the pieces.
Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind me, arriving without so much as a footstep.
"A somber atmosphere does not suit either of you."
I turned to see Sayoko Shinozaki standing there with a faint smile. Employed by the Ashford family to care for the blind and lame Nunnally, she was far more than a simple maid.
"Sayoko. Any irregularities on the perimeter?"
"No, Master Lelouch. The academy remains peaceful today. No signs of intrusion were found."
Her report was mundane, but I understood its true meaning. It meant the safety of our small family—living in hiding from the eyes of the Britannian Imperial Family—was secure. As the 37th successor of the Shinozaki School of Ninjutsu, her physical capabilities were rumored to rival those of Suzaku Kururugi. She was the strongest shield Milly Ashford could have provided us.
"Thank you, as always, Sayoko," Nunnally said, bowing her head slightly. Sayoko responded by gently resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Protecting Lady Nunnally is my duty and my honor."
Watching them, I realized that Ashford Academy was not merely a school. it was my small fortress, built to protect Nunnally. And while I might be the incompetent king of this castle, I was steadily gathering the finest subjects a man could ask for.
A few days later, the final phase of my outsourcing system began. The objective: to bring Kallen Stadtfeld into the Student Council. It was the perfect method to increase our natural points of contact and complete my selfish recruitment goals.
However, approaching her directly would be a tactical blunder. After our previous encounter, her guard would undoubtedly be high. Instead, I chose to deploy my most powerful and innocent weapon.
"Shirley, do you have a moment?"
During lunch, I called Shirley—who was mid-sandwich in the council room—out into a quiet hallway.
"What is it, Lulu?"
"It's about Kallen Stadtfeld, the girl in our class."
Shirley looked puzzled. "Kallen? Oh, the one you bumped into in the hallway the other day?"
"Yes. Her. Despite being in our class, we've barely spoken to her, haven't we?" I continued, adopting my most pained and sincere expression. "She's always alone, frequently absent from class… I'm worried that her health might be quite poor."
Shirley's innate compassion flared instantly. "Now that you mention it, you're right. She always looks so pale, and I've never seen her talk to anyone. I've wanted to reach out, but there's this atmosphere around her that makes it hard to approach..."
The operation was proceeding smoothly. I fanned the flames of her sympathy.
"That's why I need your help, Shirley. If we bring her into the Student Council, it might give her a chance to mingle with other students. If we look after her, perhaps her health might even improve?"
'Of course, I know firsthand that her "health" is practically superhuman,' I added silently, maintaining a calm smile.
Her act as a frail girl was flawless, but that hidden strength could not be denied. Precisely because of that, I had to keep her close.
"Wow, Lulu! You're so kind! I never thought you were worrying about things like that!" Shirley beamed, grabbing my hand enthusiastically.
I felt a sharp pang of guilt at her pure reaction, but I held my mask in place. "However… she seems to be quite guarded. If I approach her, it might only make her more uncomfortable."
"Don't worry! Leave it to me!" Shirley pumped her fist with fiery determination. "I'll find a way to persuade her! I can't just leave a classmate suffering like that. I'll drag her here if I have to!"
'Typical Shirley.'
I gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. With her boundless sociability and penchant for meddling, she was the only one who could breach Kallen's 'Iron Wall.' As I watched Shirley head back to the classroom with her head held high, a satisfied smirk touched my lips.
Milly Ashford: the blunt but deep-hearted Castellan.
Nina Einstein: the Treasurer who would manage the castle's coffers.
Rivalz Cardemonde: the Vanguard who would serve as my hands and feet.
Shirley Fenette: the ultimate Support who would always believe in and back me.
Sayoko Shinozaki: the Peerless Knight guarding the castle from within and without.
And soon, Kallen Stadtfeld: she who would become my strongest spear.
'Suzaku, Ohgi, Jeremiah...'
I envisioned the faces of those still outside the castle, those who would eventually become my knights. I let out a low, cunning chuckle.
"…And if it helps complete my harem, all the better."
Yes, that was my true motive. I had no interest in playing the hero of the world. I simply wanted to live a leisurely life in this peaceful academy, surrounded by beautiful girls. The Emperor's grand designs were nothing more than a nuisance interfering with my simple happiness.
In that moment, the laughter of Milly, Rivalz, and Nina drifted in from outside the window. They were likely brewing up some new mischief in the council room. Listening to the sound, I let a genuine, faint smile cross my face.
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