LIGHTNOVELONLINE “Hey, Student Council President. Why are you testing me like this when you already know everything? It’s not even fun that way.”
Hmmm.
“What?”
Hina raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my response, and the Student Council President widened her eyes in surprise. Is she really going to keep this charade going even after it’s so obvious?
“The Student Council President has known for ages that I’m the leader of the hardliners, the Pater Faction. But now you want me to cooperate with this so-called Eden Treaty? Is this a joke? No, it wouldn’t even be funny that way. You know very well what would happen if I took the lead on that peace agreement.”
“Certainly, the only result that could come from that would be impeachment. Mika can only represent the entirety of Trinity as the head of the Pater Faction. In the end, if Mika’s policies are opposed from within Pater, it’ll all just fall apart like a sandcastle.”
Hina nodded in agreement, her arms crossed, projecting a true Student Council president aura.
“Yeah. The reason Hina and I have been secretly communicating without leaving any records to improve the relationship between our academies is that the moment I’m impeached, everything will go up in smoke. So naturally, my answer has to be no… I won’t say I don’t know that, right?”
“…Fufu. When you started your term, your evaluation was that of a puppet host who had no desire to change anything, and it was always other student council presidents who reacted whenever I interfered with Trinity’s internal affairs.”
It makes sense. From what I’ve heard about Nagisa and Seiya, Mika used to just wander around neglecting her duties. So the puppet label fits her perfectly.
But seriously, even in this situation, no change in her expression? She’s definitely teasing me.
“Oh, the only thing you tried to push through that got blocked was the full-scale war with Gehenna, right? So the attitude of the T-party host that I could confirm during our last meeting, and the changes that occurred were quite surprising to me.”
“Hey, we don’t have time to be going around in circles like this. I’ve never said this, but… can we please get to the point? Not this pointless chit-chat, but the real issue.”
Honestly, I find the Student Council President’s way of speaking more frustrating than the casual ice-breaking banter I usually engage in. However, when we get to the core, I tend to approach the main issue quicker than others.
And wow, the Student Council President is actually quite the sharp-tongued person.
When Mika was living in her own dream world and causing trouble for the teacher, she ‘graciously’ toned it down to something like, “Wow, I can’t believe a problem child like you could change. I believe you’ll help without dragging that person down this time, right?”
And then she leaves herself a sneaky escape route with, “If you didn’t get it, that’s fine. Just treat it like I said something silly.”
But today? She’s stepping it up a notch and brutally attacking with facts, “You’re a incompetent warmonger who lacks the vision to make Trinity a better place, while pushing the work to those two other student council presidents and only declaring war against Gehenna.”
As someone who adores Mika, I can’t let this slide. The Student Council President undermining my GOAT princess who went through so much hardship to prove her innocence… she can’t stand next to me under the same sky.
“…You’re right. Just as the Gehenna Student Council President said, both of you are quite busy, scarcely counting among the most engaged in all of Kivotos.”
Ah, I wouldn’t say I’m that busy anymore. I’ve handled all the urgent stuff, so I’ve had quite a bit of free time recently.
On the other hand, Hina… Hmm. Stay strong, our Hina. For now, I’ll cheer you on from afar. It’s still a bit difficult to show our friendship openly.
“To be honest, I’ve come to the conclusion that the T-party host’s change is so abnormal. It’s like her entire approach to things has changed to the point where it feels like a different person is acting.”
Yikes, that’s intense. Hearing something that hits so close to reality makes me break out in a cold sweat.
“Were you hiding your true feelings all along… or is what you’re showing now just another mask over your real intentions? I can’t help but dig into that aspect for the sake of Kivotos’ safety.”
“Hahaha, how amusing! To think that the most suspicious person here, the Student Council President, would point that out. It’s definitely a bad taste!”
“Umm, is that so? I didn’t think my behavior was so eye-catching…”
“Honestly, if you thought you could just brush off the things you said to me during our last meeting as nonsense, I wouldn’t have much to say about it. But thinking people are fools has its limits.”
“I can see that… I recognize that it was an unnecessary slip of the tongue. I apologize, even if it’s late…”
“Huh? No, no. Put that apology away, Student Council President. I still have a little more to say.”
I wave my hand to stop the Student Council President from readying her apology. I learned one thing from my short but long host life.
In political conversations, giving up the initiative once seized is for amateurs… or it’s a sneaky way to set a trap and regain a favorable position with the lost initiative.
Since I have no means to set such a trap, there’s no reason for me to relinquish control now.
“Student Council President, what you ultimately wanted to figure out here is my ultimate goal, right? Isn’t that the case? It’s about how my influence will affect the Kivotos that I’ve built up until now and plan to in the future… You’re scared of that, aren’t you? Your suspicions started from the moment I reintegrated that piece from Arius that had been cast aside.”
“…”
“You’re wondering if the image I showed during our last meeting was the real me… or if I still possess the warmonger’s traits you pointed out, silently waiting for the right moment. Those doubts, right?”
“…Huh. You’ve read me perfectly. Maybe I was a bit hasty this time.”
I could see from the Student Council President’s sigh that my suspicions were accurate. For me, who currently can’t initiate the Eden Treaty, it was indeed a hasty move for her to bring this up.
But it isn’t entirely incomprehensible. With less than a year until the teacher arrives, the Student Council President must need to identify and control uncontrollable variables.
…Perhaps this entire conversation was part of her plan. That thought sends a chill down my spine, but it’s a possibility that can’t be ignored.
“You’re right. I’m suspecting that the actions taken by the T-party host are all a facade. I think you might be planning to set Kivotos ablaze at the most unexpected moment, all while deceiving everyone.”
“W-well… as someone sitting in that position, it’s a natural suspicion. I don’t harbor that particular thought. However, I will be addressing those aggressive remarks from today. They really threw me off.”
I can tolerate a lot of things, but I cannot tolerate slander against our Mika princess. The sin of speaking recklessly is deep, Student Council President!
“Honestly, any words I speak will likely not ease your suspicions. So, how about we tackle this head-on in a straightforward manner☆?”
I already had some of the things I needed to say organized in my mind. Sometimes, disorganized words can gain more trust than neatly organized ones, but we don’t seem to have much time.
“Student Council President, my true purpose is… to help everyone in Kivotos find their happiness, except those who indulge in evil actions that crush others’ happiness.”
“I can guarantee the sincerity of that statement. Even if I sound like a hopeless idealist, Mika is working harder than anyone to realize that dream. If you ever try to deny that statement, I’ll make sure you understand just how unpleasant that would be for me.”
Just like I supported Hina earlier, this time I’m stepping in on Hina’s behalf. After all, in an ideal world, affection should flow between people. Hina really knows a thing or two.
“Hahaha… well, it’s a vague dream that Hina would consider idealistic, but the value I feel every time I take a step forward is as precious as anything in the world. I’m sure you know better than anyone what this feeling is like, right?”
“…”
“Trust is built slowly, with time and dedication. I can’t deny that fact. It’s the same concept of why you don’t trust me now. However… there are definitely things that can only be established by believing first. Just like that paradox of paradise that cannot be proven…”
If you probably failed because you were overconfident in yourself and didn’t trust the teacher, you’d understand these words better than anyone, Student Council President.
“Even if I’ve laid my sincerity bare, we are ultimately still strangers. Therefore, the truth of that sincerity cannot be proven. So, Student Council President, your only option is to ‘believe me.’ It has to be that way for our relationship to move forward.”
I must thank our suspicious demon, Kirihouji Nagisa, for providing me with this quote today. Thanks, Nagisa!
“Exactly. The fact that Trinity and Gehenna can move forward now is entirely because this ‘believing first’ has been preceded.”
“…!”
At my words, the Student Council President’s eyes widened as she finally displayed her feelings openly for the first time. Before being considered a superhuman by others, she’s fundamentally just a student like everyone else. If you genuinely clash in sincerity, you will eventually reach an understanding.
“If I don’t believe in you first, then nothing will change… I see. I’ve been trapped in a web I couldn’t escape alone until now…”
“Hahaha, that’s right. I’m not so ruthless as to demand you believe me without reason… But given your current suspicions of me, I can’t provide evidence to prove them wrong, can I? So, I think it’s alright to respond to your endless doubts with an equally endless appeal for your belief☆”
“…I understand. I have been very rude until now. An endless, unreasonable suspicion with no means of clarification is far too harsh for someone in this position. This matter is entirely my fault. I sincerely apologize. Furthermore, I will also apologize for the offensive remarks you might have felt were unfair.”
The Student Council President nodded and admitted her mistakes, appearing much lighter. No matter the situation, her devotion to Kivotos was unparalleled.
“Okay, I forgive everything.”
Of course, I should forgive her. But I won’t accept a verbal apology without substance behind it.
“But don’t you think a mere verbal apology lacks a bit of sincerity? So how about this: how about you take on part of the ETO, the Eden Treaty Monitoring Organization?”
“…Huh?”
Oh, her genuinely surprised expression is quite rare. This is somewhat delightful.
“You see, if you remove personnel from both academies to fill the Eden Treaty Monitoring Organization, it will inevitably lead to sacrifices on the side of the Council or the Justice Realization Department, right? Even if we succeed in improving the relationship between the two academies, it won’t truly be an alliance. If we also reduce the size of the club, which holds the actual military power of both academies, it’s only natural that there would be opposition from within.”
“…That argument has merit. Right now, every single member of the Gehenna Student Council is incredibly valuable, and a large-scale departure would offer more drawbacks than benefits.”
Oh, Hina. Didn’t you say the Student Council without you was a ragtag bunch?
…Almost said that out loud~ But saying such a thing would clearly upset Aco, and there’s no need to make Hina face reality. It’d be too cruel.
“Right? Therefore, Student Council President, I hope the monitoring entity’s authority remains with the SRT Special Academy. Of course, both academies must provide personnel, but… I think this approach is more rational. What do you think?”
After all, you’re soon to depart, and considering how you’re nearly a proxy for the teacher, Shalle’s with you. If the academy is closing anyway, why not join in on something good with the SRT Special Academy? Isn’t that okay?
“…I’ll need some time to think about that—”
“Oh? You see, Student Council President, suddenly I’m feeling like your apology lacks sincerity. Is it just me? You’re not going to toss my words aside and try to wriggle out of responsibility with an excuse, are you?”
“…Haa. Understood. I’ll revisit that matter in future negotiations.”
“Yup, good decision! By then, I probably won’t be here anymore! Ahahaha☆”
Honestly, the Student Council President must have sensed that there was a reason I kept pushing her. As someone in that position, she’s likely more adept at politics than me.
But I bet she could never guess that my true goal was to take over the SRT Special Academy, which will end up adrift after she’s gone missing. Having pulled off this little coup makes me feel absolutely great. Fufu.
“…Well then, we really are out of time. I’ll quickly brief you on the situation at the festival preparation site.”
Seeing the Student Council President look somehow aged—as if she’d suddenly grown old—doubles my mood. Ah, this is life!
*
“…”
After the two heavyweights departed, the lone Student Council President let out a small chuckle.
There would be a direct visit to Sanhaegyeong afterward, and with time pressing, there were several small mistakes made. Still, she was satisfied that she had accomplished at least the main objective.
“Your dreams are grand, T-party host. It’s true that those who prove themselves capable often find themselves without rest, isn’t it?”
Who would know better than the one who proposed the Eden Treaty? The topic had undoubtedly been brought up beforehand by Yurizono Seiya, who would soon take over the host position.
‘…Ah. The next host. That matter has already been settled within the Sanctus Faction. This current host term is set to be delegated to the Pater faction, which has shown excellent achievement. This type of reappointment is a rare honor in Trinity’s history, and since it’s Pater, they had no reason to refuse. So for this Eden Treaty, it would be better to directly speak with the current host.’
I wonder if Misono Mika knows that a scheme was already blooming to use her as Trinity’s personal servant from somewhere unbeknownst to her.
“SRT being requested was somewhat unexpected, though.”
Perhaps it was a hasty plan created the moment they seized the conversational lead. Considering that, it’s quite a polished approach and doesn’t cross any lines… but that’s simply the T-party host’s skill.
Moreover, as strange as it may seem, looking back… this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The signing of the Eden Treaty will ultimately take place after that person arrives.
“Thanks to this, I’ve gained certainty, T-party host. Please take good care of that person… that person.”
Of course, if that person ever tries to betray them, she wouldn’t let it slide… but looking at the gaze of the Gehenna Student Council President made it clear that no one would stand down on that front.
“Hehe, and if you’re like that person, I believe you’ll handle it just fine.”
Even an unexpected variable could end up being to her advantage rather than a setback. She firmly believed this was her turn for good fortune as she began preparing to leave for Sanhaegyeong.