Leonamon's Smartphone. That was the name of the device currently in my hand. This gadget was a sensation in the kingdom, selling like hotcakes the moment it hit the shelves. And it wasn't exactly budget-friendly either – a whopping 99 gold coins. I couldn't fathom why they didn't just round it up to 100, but expensive nonetheless.
As I, Titania, strolled along the path towards the dormitory, my gaze remained fixed on the device. I already had images, or as they called them, pictures on the smartphone screen, all showcasing smiles. One, in particular, was used to spearhead my campaign for the student council presidency. The incumbent president was about to step down, now being in her fourth year, and I aimed to take her place.
"Why start the planning now, in the first semester?" one might question. Well, I believed it was better to begin preparations early rather than scrambling in the final semester.
What I didn't expect was that the top student from the second year was also gearing up for the race this early. She had amassed quite a following, while I... still had none.
A sigh escaped my lips. Why wasn't anyone rallying behind me? Wasn't it enticing enough to have the princess as their leader? Why weren't they choosing to follow me?
Well, deep down, I knew the reason. It was my overbearing personality. I had to admit that I could be a bit much, and while I tried to change, self-transformation wasn't as simple as taking candy from a baby. I couldn't just become a different person overnight.
Engrossed in my phone while strolling, a flicker of movement caught my attention. Lifting my gaze, I spotted a man engrossed in studying my poster on the bulletin board, situated in the heart of the academy, near the fountain. His eyes glittered with intrigue as he absorbed the image.
Seeing him like that, an unintentional smile played on my lips. I swiftly dashed towards him and exclaimed, "Hello~ Interested in joining forces to rule this school with me?"
"Huh?! Uh, ah... Well..."
Finally getting a good look at the young man, I observed his black hair and red eyes, his face bordering on handsome and cute. A rather slender build. Oh, I knew this guy.
"Huh? Aren't you the one who confessed his love to Zeruel yesterday?"
"Ah. Y-Yeah, that was me."
Of course, that wasn't the only reason I recognized him. He was famous at the academy, though not for the best reasons.
"I have to hand it to you, confessing to Zeruel when you're practically standing in different galaxies. Can't decide if you're brave or just shameless. It's a pity that Zeruel has her sights set solely on strength. But," I flashed him a wide smile while playfully patting his back, "who knows, maybe someday you'll work some magic on her!"
The young man winced, as if an unseen force had grazed him. My gestures weren't exactly a powerhouse, so it couldn't have been my doing. He should be grateful, if anything.
"I think it's impossible," he said, sporting a troubled smile. He looked rather cute... when he smiled like that. Cute? Why was my heart suddenly doing somersaults at the sight of him smiling? He continued, "I mean, as you said, we're galaxies apart. No one would date the lowest-ranking student in the school, right? So, I decided to give up and just admire her from afar."
"Aw~ You're sweet," I cooed with a smile. "Oh well, if you're free, how about we conquer this school together?"
"Conquer? You mean take over this class? Through war?"
"No, silly~ Not through war. We're going to conquer by winning the race for the presidency of the student council."
The young man wore a troubled smile, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on his cheek. "Are you saying that you're going to make me your follower?"
I recognized the subtle gesture – a prelude to rejection. It was a familiar dance, one I'd seen countless times. I needed to alter his perception, but how? Perhaps soften my approach, steer clear of being overbearing? Alright, let's give it a shot.
"Yes," I stated firmly. "I want you to become my follower."
In response, he dipped his head, a cascade of black hair veiling his eyes. "I don't think it's possible," he mumbled. "Becoming your follower might lead to losing without even getting a chance to fight, you know. I'm sorry." He bowed, the apology evident in his gesture.
Ahh... Is that so...
"You should feel remorseful for not aligning with my desires," I shot back, my inherent personality surfacing. "I've graciously extended an invitation for you to follow me, even taking the initiative, despite your status at the bottom. How ungrateful can you get?"
I should cease talking, but the compulsion held me captive. Why couldn't I just stop? Why was I plagued by this incessant need? All I yearned for was some genuine companionship.
That's the truth. My motivation for running for president lacked the noble goal of enhancing the school experience and fostering camaraderie among students. Those were just hollow justifications.
The position itself didn't truly interest me. Not until I laid eyes on her.
Artemis, the reigning top student of the fourth year and the current president of the student council, shared the same royal status as me.
Observing her strolling through the campus with a throng of followers, treating her with camaraderie, sparked envy within me.
Ah, I yearned to be like her, I thought. I yearned for the companionship of many friends, to be someone who commands such loyalty.
She was constantly surrounded by a crowd of people, while I, in contrast, had none. Even in our kingdom, I had no friends, always existing in solitude. Witnessing others form connections fueled my bitterness, contributing to the development of my resentful personality.
"You should be grateful that you're even allowed to breathe the same air as I do." "You should be grateful that all of you are in the same class as the magnificent me." "You should be grateful that all of you have been permitted to share the room with me." "You should be grateful...." The words echoed relentlessly, a phrase I detested. Why couldn't I cease uttering it for once?
"You should be grateful that I even took my time to talk to you, and yet, here you are, being ungrateful and rejecting me!" I declared to the young man.
"W-Wait, I'm not rejecting you!"
"...Say what?"
I abruptly stopped my verbal barrage. He wasn't rejecting me? But I thought...
"In fact, I want to join you in your faction, but I think it will be impossible to win with me at your side!"
"Why?"
"Because I am the lowest-ranking student here!"
Oh, I see. He was right. Despite his fame and recognition, everyone in the school knew him, but that wouldn't help us amass votes once the election started.
"T-Then, why are you apologizing?"
"I'm apologizing in advance that you might lose because of me."
So, he wasn't apologizing because he didn't want to be with me. Instead, he was saying sorry because he feared I might face defeat with him by my side. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, the rhythm echoing through my veins, and I felt a surge of emotions, like a tumultuous sea crashing against my insides. It was a strange mix, almost bringing tears to my eyes. However, I managed to summon the strength to hold back those tears, replacing vulnerability with a defiant, ear-to-ear grin that masked the internal whirlwind.
T-Then, you're gonna be my follower?!"
"I already said I think it's impossible for you to win because of me. Are you really sure you still want me as your follower?"
"Of course! I don't care even if we lose. We can always try again next year, right?"
The reason I gave for not caring about losing was a lie. The truth was... I didn't mind losing because I finally had a follower by my side. For now, having a follower was enough. I hoped that in the future, we could become more than that—maybe even friends.
"Yeah, we can always give it another shot next year," he grinned, his eyes reflecting a shared determination.
I wanted to hug him, but I knew it wasn't acceptable. Being a princess, if someone caught me embracing a guy, my guards would probably flip out. I didn't want anything bad to happen to him, so I resisted the urge.
"Oh? You got a smartphone on you?" he remarked, his gaze fixated on the device in my hand.
"Yeah. Wait, you have one too?"
"Of course. Just got it today," he declared, proudly showcasing the sleek device. His possession of such a luxury surprised me. Where did he find the funds for this, I wondered briefly. But I swiftly banished that thought. "Here. Let's swap numbers so we can hit each other up through this."
"Huh? It can do that?"
He beamed at me with a daring grin, exuding an air of pride as if he held the key to a forbidden treasure. "The mastermind behind this device is nothing short of a genius, you know. They managed to cram a petite voice crystal in there and even tossed in a messaging crystal. With this, we can have our calls and trade messages without relying on some mailman. It's a marvel."
"Yeah, it really is," I responded, feeling a surge of excitement matching his own. "So, where's this mystical number you're talking about?"
"Oh, it's right around here."
As we exchanged numbers, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. Glancing at my phone, a new entry stood out boldly, displaying his name like a proclamation. His name was Leon, and it felt like the beginning of something new.