Even in Hell 3

Tsumugi: Eichi-kun, you’re grinning to yourself...

Did something good happen? Maybe you were able to reconcile with your childhood friend, Keito-kun?

Wow, that’s really great ♪

Eichi: We didn’t, but talking with him after such a long time cleared some things up for me. I needed to meet up with him in person after all...

It’s true that once the seeds of doubt are planted in your mind, you begin to jump at shadows.

Anyway, it seems that the student council is currently trying to pick up big names within the school and support them to... boost their popularity.

I was asked to lend them my power by becoming a member of the student council.

Having authority is, well, convenient to say the least...

So I thought I would accept the offer as presented and become some sort of officer.

Tsumugi: Does our student council actually have any authority? It’s hard to say, since it’s only just been reinstated...

For right now, though, it’s more like glorified servant work. They’re nothing more than gofers, really.

Eichi: That’s all a student council is, when it comes down to it. But it is also a representative of the student body, fairly elected and with positions secured even by the faculty.

It is also the highest position of authority among the students; it’s only a matter of how it’s used. Such is the nature of power.

It may sound like menial labor, but it holds the opportunity to shape the very foundation of student life.

It’s even possible to change school regulations, and from what I can see of the board elections, everyone seems someone indifferent about politics.

If one possesses the skill, they could pass any kind of sinister amendment. It’s a tremendous amount of power.

Compared to those who merely wield such weapons as swords or spears, this is the equivalent of holding the switch to detonate a nuclear bomb.

Tsumugi: ...Eichi-kun, your family doesn’t have access to nuclear weapons, do they?

Eichi: We do have a fighter jet. It’s something of a hobby for my mother.

She believes she is the reincarnation of Marie Antoinette—allowing her to handle our assets is like giving a bomb to a child.

Well, that aside, it seems Hasumi-kun doesn’t get along with the current president.

He’s looking to replace him, and he recommended me as his successor.

Tsumugi: You? So who’s the president right now?

Eichi: Sakuma Rei...senpai. On paper, at least. I thought you were friends with him? Did you really not know?

Tsumugi: Hm, we might be? For some reason, he’s taken a lot of interest in me...

But I really admire him. He’s easily the most famous person at school.

Eichi: I know. Actually, he’s at the top of my list... I’d like to pick out five such famous people at the school.

We’ll call them the Five Oddballs and get everyone to rally around them.

Tsumugi: Wow, that sounds like a good idea. As it stands now, everyone here only does whatever they want...

It’s a state of chaos, like everything is in disarray.

It would be nice to have clear representatives at the center of things.

But the name... I don’t like it. Isn’t it too mean?^[1]

Eichi: (Yes, that’s exactly what I’m aiming for. The impression the name gives is crucial.)

(The great, respected reputation of the Five Oddballs will be flipped on its head... If the title takes on a negative connotation, that’s my victory.)^[2]

Tsumugi: But Rei-kun... oh, I know he’s technically older than me, but he asked me to treat him like my peer.^[3]

He’s an incredible genius, but he’s also very blunt.

Eichi: I believe that would be the conceit of the strong. At the same time, it’s likely for precisely that reason that everyone in his vicinity adores him.

In any case, what were you saying about Sakuma-san?

Tsumugi: Ohh, right. I was just thinking it would be difficult to find others famous enough to hold a candle to him.

Five of them, yes? Rei-kun is the cream of the crop, so everyone else sort of blends together... Among our third years, I can’t think of anyone at all.

Eichi: That class was a considerably poor harvest right from the moment they enrolled here. On the other hand, the second year class is filled with unprecedented talent.

Take Hibiki-kun, for example ♪

Tsumugi: Oh, Hibiki-kun... I heard his score for the entrance exam was the highest in Yumenosaki history.

The others that stand out to me would have to be Shinkai Kanata-kun and Itsuki Shu-kun.

Eichi: Oh, Shinkai-kun. He’s garnered a reputation for surpassing even Hibiki-kun in some areas.

If he can outperform Hibiki-kun, he must stand at the pinnacle of humanity.

Tsumugi: Eichi-kun, you have an awfully high opinion of Hibiki-kun, don’t you?

Eichi: I’m a big fan of his. Anyhow, Itsuki-kun is also a wonderful choice.

With the unit he formed, Valkyrie, he’s already appeared on television. He’s highly regarded in the entertainment industry.

Tsumugi: From the perspective of the industry and our faculty, I would say Shu-kun is far and away the best of the second years.

Whenever I talk to him, he comes off a bit strange, but he’s still good-natured at heart.

Eichi: Are you acquainted with Itsuki-kun, Tsumugi?

Tsumugi: We’re in the same club. But recently... the clubroom has become more of a hangout space for Valkyrie than anything.

I feel pretty out of place there, so now all I do is work for the library committee.