The president's position is tempting for us to grab hold, mainly because of its exceptional benefits. Who would not want to control everything, including the exemplary grades and extra loads of cash received during the term?
But, of course, these have their limits. We cannot abuse its power. But we can always do something using its title everywhere in Tokyo, explicitly for discounts and coupons.
Although we can satisfy ourselves with the prevailing advantage of being in the council, greed is never enough to tear us down.
Most of us aim to wrest the prize, and that is what we are aiming to achieve.
"We will give you a week to compete and select who is worthy to sit in the position." Nakamura scans our faces, checking for something only he knows.
"What are the criteria for checking all of us?" One student lifts her hand and bravely quizzes them with a question.
"Do what you think is best for you and the school." Byakko is the one who answers the girl. Her orbs are still gazing at Roxanne, as if she sees something that we do not know. "You do not need to worry about anything. All you guys need to observe and wait for one week to pass."
"This is a peculiar way to assess the talents of an individual." Nickson slides his temples and leaks his inner nature like a beast. "Don't we have anything that can evaluate our works?"
"You can be the president even if you have done nothing in a week." Nakamura interposes while meeting Nickson's gaze.
"Do you question my authority, Nickson Park?" He adds and moves to his side without averting his gaze.
"I know all about your unfathomable secrets, and I know you have the rudiments to lead a team. But that is not the job for student presidents, compared to yours."
Nickson could not refute his remarks, despite taking off his glasses a while ago. I know Nick is a talented young man, but I have not thought about his past or what he does.
All I know is that he is a mangaka that forcefully adapted my book into black and white comics.
"We have eyes to watch over every bit of your actions. We know all of your mysteries and personalities in and out of the school. Don't think that we are slacking off and giving you a week to prepare. Those few days also count as your tests, so be careful." Nakamura appends while returning to the desk and browses his innumerable documents. The mountain of sheets looks significant, as if containing our information that they have gathered.
"Any more questions before I can dismiss all of you?" Byakko leaps out from the platform and opens the door, showing us the way outside of the school.
They have told us everything that we need to know, so staying here is a waste of time for both of us. Besides, we still need to figure out what to do for the next seven days.
We do not understand their means to gauge our strengths and weaknesses. It was like Nickson had pointed out a while ago.
"Hey, hold up!" A familiar voice calls our attention from behind. I almost assumed that he was screeching out someone else's attention. But as I presently spin around, I see Nickson jogging towards us while waving his hand.
"What do you want right now?" I cross my arms excruciatingly and wait for him to respond.
"What are you planning to do about the election?" He asks straightaway while fixing the unaligned temples of his glasses.
"It is not your business, and why would I even tell you?"
"I just want to gain friends, and you are the only one that I know and competing with."
Silence fills the atmosphere after our unpleasant exchange. I recognize that what I have said is improper for our conversation, but we are not exactly on good terms. The two of us are strangers. We already butt our heads the moment we introduced our names long before this academic year has started.
"Yuki, I think you're overdoing it," Roxanne leans her head and murmurs at my ear.
"I don't know what to do or what am I even planning to do." After finally gathering my courage, I step out of my shell and admit my mistake and urge myself to repeat my answer to Nick in a more conventional manner.
However, before I can even continue where I left my sentence, Nickson removes his glasses and stares me in the eye. I can see his pupils dilating into something that a demon would look like up close.
"I don't care about what you do since we already know who is going to win this match." He abruptly changes his manner of speaking, and the course of the conversation.
I could not even retaliate to his words as he walks up to me and grabs me by the collar.
"Listen to me, Yuki. I will win that president's seat no matter what. So, I advise you to not interfere with my plans."
"Nobody is interfering with anyone," I retort, while confidently pushing his arms away from my neck.
"I like tough girls like you." Out of nowhere, Nickson throws me a flirty phrase that might push other women at their limits. Most people find him attractive with his unique facial features.
I care less about his "Handsome" looks since I regard kind people as sexy to me.
"That did not work?" He grumbles to himself and returns his glasses on his face as if nothing had happened during the talk.
I do not mind his actions one bit as long as he does not hurt me, my family, or Roxanne.
"We will compete with whatever they want us to do. But my ground stays strong, and I plan to get that seat even if it is the last thing that I will do." I firmly pronounce my state, hoping that he could perceive his unprofessional aggressiveness towards me.
Before I go on my way, I see a poster on the wall and catch my attention since it has the word "author" with bold texts written in the centre. I notice the event is also open with various art forms, including poetry, creative writing, manga, dancing, dancing, and acting as the categories upon inspecting the poster. Anyone can win each of the following classes. There are no runner ups or third places.
There is one thing that catches my eyes amidst everything written before me. It is the grand winner of everything from the competition.
It is the one and true champion of the match.
The winner takes it all. Losers go home with nothing in their hands.
"Nickson, I have a fantastic idea," I exclaim and mark my finger at the billboard. "Whoever wins that grand prize will give the seat of being a president!"
After hearing my proposal, Nickson ponders to himself and thinks for a complete minute. At once, he opens his eyes and gives me an answer.
"Okay. We will do just that." He utters and gives me a thumbs-up before he leaves.
"Let's meet in six days for the announcement of the winners, Yuki," Nickson bids his goodbye and soon leaves the area.
It is a good thing that the contest ends six days just before Nakamura and Suzuki will disclose the student council members of the school.
Roxanne and I are the only ones left inside the empty hall. The rest of the students are already on their way home, leaving the two of us alone in this spacious passage.
"Yuki, are you sure about that?" Roxanne jumps at my side and points at the banner. Her face bathes with bewilderment, knowing that I accidentally challenged Nickson into a battle of literature just now.
"Do you not believe me?"
"I do." Roxanne looks at the window from our side and watches the trees sway with the breeze.
"But you also have three chapters to finish every day. Don't you think you're overworking yourself?"
Roxanne is the type of girl that expresses her thoughts openly without restraint. Although sometimes we experience troubles because of it, she is still a nice girl that overly cares for someone close to her. She always notices almost everything happening around her, despite not being involved with the situation.
That's why she voices her concerns to me, thinking that I would exhaust myself from this pointless competition.
"I guess it will affect me. But that does not mean that I wouldn't learn anything from that contest, right?" I assure her while nuzzling her head using my arms. "Besides, if I strained myself, then I will rely on my weakened body to your hands, Roxy."
"But you're so stressful to work with!" Roxanne pouts but refuses my hand to stop caressing her hair.
It is the most childish thing I know about this girl. She loves head pats coming from me more than anything in this world.