My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 22: Don't Mess Around

Forced into becoming Class President, I was toyed with by Sotomachi and his popular clique, and eventually got fired from the position.

I felt frustrated, empty, and sad, completely lost in a daze.

My family noticed my state, and though I initially didn't want to talk about the shame, after being asked repeatedly, I gave in and told Mom everything.

As I spoke, I ended up crying despite my age, and Mom listened while making sure my little sister didn't see me like that.

On the last day of GW, I decided to tell Kousuke about the situation and went over to his place to hang out.

While playing games as usual, I brought up the story of my dismissal.

'Sho, that must've been tough. I'd already heard about it.'

Kousuke told me that Kashii-san had come over, and though he refused at first, she insisted on hearing about the teasing I went through, so he explained it.

I got angry at Kousuke for letting Kashii-san know about my embarrassing situation (the teasing that felt like bullying).

'...Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything.'

Kousuke's apology made me feel ashamed; I had lashed out at him out of my own embarrassment. What a pathetic man I am.

I apologized to Kousuke, sharing my honest feelings.

Kousuke nodded silently.

'Sho, what are you gonna do starting tomorrow?'

'Since I got fired as Class President, I'll do whatever I want. But I can't just leave things like this.'

'Violence?'

'I'm not good at violence. But the men I know wouldn't let something like this slide.'

I rejected violence, but couldn't I do something? Maybe due to my shy nature as a kid, I felt anger but still resisted resorting to violence.

After GW, when I went to school, the stares from my classmates stung. Sotomachi had the support of the popular kids and had control over the boys in class.

I could hear snickers. Comments like "How pathetic" and "How could he even show up?" reached my ears.

I felt embarrassed and wanted to run away, but I couldn't escape from here.

I told myself, don't look down, hold your head high. Getting fired isn't something to be ashamed of.

That day ended without any teasing.

Feeling a bit relieved on my way home, I heard something unbelievable.

Apparently, Mom had stormed into the school and lodged a complaint.

(No, don't do that kind of thing!)

I thought to myself, but Mom, in tears, passionately argued that she knew how hard I'd been trying and couldn't accept such an ending.

When she asked the homeroom teacher to investigate the situation and submit a written report, they just said things like "Well..." and "Uh..." refusing to commit to anything.

Even when asked if the school was aware of what happened, they claimed they thought it was just messing around or within the bounds of play.

When asked how it feels to be criticized under the guise of "feedback" by classmates for "play," they just dodged the question.

Mom was furious, saying the teacher was just a scumbag skilled at avoiding responsibility.

When she asked if it'd be okay with the teacher's permission to retaliate in the same way, they hesitated with a "Well, that's..." (lol)

Even though reinstating me wouldn't mean much, when Mom asked if harassment could get me back as Class President, they said, "We've already appointed someone new, so we can't reinstate you," or something like that, haha.

Mom laughed after getting angry.

I'll never forget what Mom said at that moment.

'Sho, you're important to me and the whole family. If you really don't want to go to school, you don't have to. There's always a way in this world. Some kids die from bullying, and I don't want you to go through that. But honestly, I don't want you to lose to bullying. If it comes to dying from bullying, I think it's better to set the bully's house on fire.'

(That's pretty extreme.)

'I understand, Mom.'

Words like these wouldn't erase her worries, but I answered with my head held high.

'I believe in the saying, only by risking yourself can you find a way out.'

'?? What does that mean?'

It means if you face things with the resolve to throw away your life, a path will open! I'm taking on multiple people alone, so I won't come out unscathed.

To intimidate them, I have no choice but to act crazy.

Even in 'Hanano Keiji,' it said something like, if you try to live, you'll lose.

I'm just an ordinary guy, so unless I aim for a mutual strike, I can't win.

The next day, as I went to school, my heart was calm.

I resolved that the next time I got angry would be when I was teased or when I clashed with the popular kids.

After morning homeroom, the teacher called me over.

'Yesterday, your mom came to complain about the Class President issue.'

(Why are you telling me?) I thought as I listened.

'The dismissal as Class President and the teasing? are issues, so while we'll set aside the teasing for now...'

(Setting aside the teasing? So, just cover up the bad stuff? This guy's trash.)

'Sotomachi is already managing the class well, so we can't reinstate you as Class President.'

'Huh?' (This guy— the teacher— is really looking down on people.)

'So, I came up with an idea. We'll create a new position called Class President Assistant and appoint Tachibana! You'll support the tasks of Class President Sotomachi and Kashii, easing their burden. Of course, as a special exception, you can attend the monthly Class President meetings too. How's that? Do you think your mom will be satisfied with this?'

'Don't mess with me.'

I couldn't help but let my true feelings slip out to the teacher.

I can understand a position like vice president, but assistant? The class is supposed to support together, so why be an underling to the Class President? Why does our class alone send three people to the Class President meeting, making others say, "Why three Class Presidents?" or laugh at me for showing up despite being fired?

I hadn't intended to get angry, but I was absolutely furious.

I used to think anger was a useless emotion.

Because getting angry doesn't make you stronger, and

it robs you of calmness and judgment. But at that moment, I understood.

Anger is a necessary emotion for the weak to stand up to something.

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My little sister, Nozomi, listened to the whole story from behind as I told Mom.

'Older brother, that must've been tough... That Sotomachi guy... I'll never forgive him.'

From that day on, Nozomi's subtle negative campaign against Sotomachi began.

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Sho finally resolved to confront the bullying.