My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 20: What to Do About Being Class President? [Side: Rena Kashii]

My older sister told me that while it's not everything, getting into a good high school is the best way to expand my options. She said I can always lower my sights later, so I should study hard and aim high. I think she's right.

My older sister also said that on top of that, being class president for a few years, joining the student council, or achieving good results in club activities would be a huge plus. She added that it's also a great experience.

I've already decided to join the tennis club. As for piano, maybe I'll just keep it as a hobby.

What should I do about being class president? It's a hassle, but I feel like it suits my personality.

But it's really annoying if I get paired with the wrong person. The last time I did it, the male class president liked me and neglected his duties just to talk to me, which was exhausting.

I don't have to do it in my first year; I can always do it in my second or third year, right?

Checking the class list,

Obata-chan is here, the guy from another town is here, Koishi-kun is here, and Tachibana-kun is here!

I thought to myself that this class seems a bit troublesome with so many noisy boys.

Just a while ago, everyone was in elementary school wearing casual clothes, but now in uniforms, everyone looks more grown-up.

The homeroom teacher came in and greeted us, saying that middle school has a lot more facilities than elementary school.

After the entrance ceremony, there was a brief explanation.

The next day, we'll be touring the facilities, having health checkups, and it looks like it'll be busy, but I was looking forward to middle school life.

A few days later, it was time to decide on various committees and the class president.

There are no male candidates. Isn't the guy from another town going to run for class president?

"I think Tachibana-kun would be great!"

"I also think Tachibana-kun is a good choice!"

Are the noisy boys nominating Tachibana-kun?

Koishi-kun is being loud.

Tachibana-kun is desperately trying to decline, though.

"Don't worry, we'll all support you!"

"There's no one else but Tachibana-kun! If anything comes up, we'll help out!"

No matter how you look at it, this kind of talk is just harassment disguised as a nomination, right?

They're all buddies with the guy from another town, so is he the one behind this?

Tachibana-kun used to stand up to bullying directed at him and help out weaker kids, so after Atsuki-kun transferred, he started standing out in a bad way. They're targeting him for that.

In the end, Tachibana-kun gave in to the pressure and accepted the role of class president.

'What a day!!'

I thought Tachibana-kun's impression of Kotoge-san from Viking was funny, even though everyone ignored it.

"Alright, let's decide on the female class president. Any volunteers?"

I was planning to take a wait-and-see approach and offer to do it if no one else stepped up, but if Tachibana-kun is my partner, then I'll do it!

'Yes, if no one else volunteers, I'll step up.'

Everyone agreed with my nomination.

"Alright, then the other one will be Kashii. You two new class presidents, go ahead and decide the other committee members after this."

The teacher completely handed over the rest of the proceedings, so we had to decide on the athletic committee, library committee, and other roles.

Tachibana-kun took the lead in the discussion, but nothing was getting decided.

For the girls' committees, I asked for volunteers, and even if there were none, I'd gently ask those who seemed hesitant to speak up. When I did, the girls who actually wanted to do it happily accepted. You can kind of tell just by watching, right?

The boys, who just said they'd cooperate, clearly had no intention of helping at all.

The girls started getting irritated too.

Since the class was starting to get chaotic, I began supporting the girls while preparing to back up Tachibana-kun.

Even though homeroom time was almost over, hardly any of the boys' committee roles were filled.

Tachibana-kun was desperately trying to fill each role by naming suitable candidates with reasons and bowing to ask for their help. But since they had no intention of deciding, that approach was tough, wasn't it?

It was about time, so I smiled brightly while asking (with a bit of pressure) and looked up at them with my hands clasped in a pleading gesture.

'As Tachibana-kun said, I also think you're the right person for this. I saw you handling books so carefully before, so I'd like to ask you to be on the library committee. Is that okay?'

"Ah, if Kashii-san insists that much..."

And just like that, everyone shyly agreed to take on the roles.

Tachibana-kun looked apologetic, but I thought it's the fault of the people who disrupted the process, right?

Starting the next day, we began working as class presidents together, but the class was already a mess. The boys especially refused to follow Tachibana-kun's instructions, ignored commands, or deliberately submitted things late.

Tachibana-kun got so frustrated that during the final homeroom, when he was provoked,

'If you've got a problem, come at me.'

he said something like that, and things almost got out of hand, so I had to step in and scold everyone.

The next day was the same. I thought to myself, this is tough, Tachibana-kun is having a hard time.

After school, under the pretext of discussing class president duties, I got to talk with Tachibana-kun alone for the first time in a while.

And on top of that, we walked home together!

It's tough, but I thought to myself, I'll do my best with Tachibana-kun!

But I didn't realize back then what kind of days Tachibana-kun was going through or how he was feeling.