Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

Playing games was merely a way to foster camaraderie; ultimately, the student council needed to return to its proper course and focus on actual duties.

"The student council elections are coming up soon. I've heard there's a first-year who's been gaining a lot of attention lately. Should we gather some intel, President?"

"No need. A direct confrontation will suffice. If soldiers come, we'll meet them with generals; if water rises, we'll dam it with earth. If she manages to defeat me, it'll only prove that I lack the ability." Kanade Natsukawa shook his head but didn't pause his work.

Part of the reason he had previously considered resigning was his belief in stepping aside for more capable successors. Though he'd declined to run for re-election, he was starting to regret it now.

With the new school term in full swing, the workload was overwhelming. Although Kaguya and Shirogane were helping out, the pressure had only slightly eased, and there was still a mountain of tasks awaiting attention.

Rather than scheming to retain the student council presidency, Kanade thought it better to simply focus on his duties. After all, in Shuchiin Academy's democratic elections, the people's eyes were sharp.

"Knock, knock, knock…" A steady rhythm of knocks came from the door.

"Come in."

"Excuse me. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino, from Class 2-3."

Announcing oneself before entering the student council room was certainly a polite habit, but that alone wasn't enough to make Kanade look up.

The visitor was none other than Yukinoshita.

"Yukinoshita… This is the student council. Please state your business." Kanade put down the report in his hands and replied seriously.

He had received a heads-up from Hachiman earlier that morning, warning him that Yukinoshita might come looking for "trouble" in the coming days. He hadn't expected her to show up so soon.

Her speed of action was remarkable.

"I'd like to inquire about the funding request submitted by our club. Why was it denied?"

Her tone was calm and composed. Even when facing Kanade Natsukawa—once a fellow club member and now the student council president—Yukinoshita Yukino showed no interest in small talk, sticking strictly to business.

"I provided a detailed breakdown of how the funds would be used in the application. There's no reason it should have been rejected outright without any response."

"…" Kanade didn't immediately reply. Instead, he turned to Kaguya Shinomiya.

He had no recollection of the matter, so it must have occurred during his absence from the council.

"Kaguya?"

"I think I remember… Was your club called the 'Service Club'?"

"Yes."

"Do we still have the documents? Let me take a look."

"Yes, President." Kaguya handed him a stack of papers.

Kanade quickly located the funding request from the Service Club.

—To promote a spirit of support and assistance, our club proposes…

The middle section was filled with verbose text, but the key point was the red "Rejected" stamped at the bottom, along with the student council president's seal.

Clearly, it wasn't his decision, but since it bore the presidential stamp, he had to provide an explanation. Fortunately, Kanade had a good understanding of Kaguya Shinomiya and could infer her reasoning.

"Before explaining, may I ask, Minister Yukinoshita, if you are aware of the school's regulations for forming clubs?"

"…" Yukinoshita frowned slightly but answered honestly, "While it's true that our club doesn't meet the minimum requirement of five members, we've achieved tangible results…"

"The lack of sufficient members is already grounds for rejecting your funding request," Kanade interjected without hesitation.

"But our previous funding requests were approved…"

"That was because your 'interest group' had demonstrated contributions to the student body, warranting some support. However, that doesn't qualify as official 'club activity funding.' I hope you can understand this distinction." Kanade shook his head.

In fact, Kanade himself had approved those previous requests. Having been a member of the club, he had a soft spot for it and was willing to bend the rules.

But now… following the rules couldn't exactly be called wrong, could it?

Kaguya Shinomiya nodded in agreement with Kanade's reasoning. While she thought the president was being overly lenient—such "funding scammers" should be sent packing—his willingness to show empathy was part of what she admired about him.

"Of course, if you can meet the minimum membership requirement before the next funding cycle, I'll acknowledge the Service Club as an official club and will even consider approving additional funding for your activities."

"President, isn't that a bit…" Kaguya gently reminded him.

"Kaguya, I've spent time in that club." Kanade shook his head, explaining, "I'm well aware that its activities haven't strayed from its original purpose."

Kaguya's eyes widened as if discovering a new world. She turned sharply to Yukinoshita, her gaze filled with vigilance.

This woman was dangerous!

No wonder Kaguya had felt an ominous vibe from her earlier—she had come here to make an impression on the president!

Kanade, oblivious to the internal drama, continued calmly, "Resolving issues and offering support… The Service Club's contributions to our student body are real. Personally, I believe a club like this is far more valuable than ones like the 'Board Games Club' or the 'Nap Club.'"

"If that's the case, why not show a bit more leniency to such a club?"

Kanade still held a grudge against the Board Games Club. If not for Chika Fujiwara's interference, he would have found plenty of reasons to cut their funding entirely.

Instead of developing bizarre games, why not take inspiration from the neighboring 'Afternoon Tea Club,' which occasionally held concerts?

"…I understand." Yukinoshita nodded lightly, giving Kanade a deep look before leaving the room.

Though she hadn't achieved her initial goal, the visit wasn't fruitless. At the very least, she had gained some insight into Kanade's thoughts and attitude.

This left Yukinoshita puzzled. Had she misunderstood him? How could he act so composed around a woman who had rejected his confession? There wasn't a trace of the "scumbag" image she had attributed to him.

Was he just putting on a façade? No, it felt more like this was his natural demeanor.

Still, she couldn't be sure. Since his failed confession, he had avoided appearing before her, leaving her to rely on a constructed image that might have been inaccurate.

Perhaps she needed to confirm things with that woman again. Maybe she really had misjudged him back then…

For some reason, this thought left Yukinoshita feeling strangely irritable, as if she had missed something important. A hollow emptiness grew in her heart, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of loss.