Power is like a double-edged sword.
Moreover, those who obsess over power are, more often than not, bound for destruction.
Power is also a trial that constantly tests those who hold it.
The moment one begins to cling to this sweet poison called power, it becomes inevitable to fall from grace, regardless of the degree. Thus, those who grasp power should prioritize themselves over their competitors as their foremost point of caution.
So, what kind of power does a student council president of an academy actually wield?
Basically, it can’t be seen as an omnipotent position. In most academies, the existence of the student council can act as a check on the president.
There are exceptions—let’s see. Sanhaegyeong or Trinity, maybe the Red Winter?
However, in the case of T-party, which is the student council of Trinity, the president is part of a triumvirate of three. And as for the Red Winter, they seem to love repeating coups to overthrow the regime…
In practical terms, it seems only Sanhaegyeong can truly realize a dictatorial regime.
Well, perhaps in Kisaki’s case, her students are so blindly devoted that it might feel that way.
In any case, even Gehenna has student councils that possess the characteristics of a legislative assembly.
Manma Battle is comprised of members elected by students, so it is only natural that Makoto’s dictatorship cannot be achieved…
Surprisingly, Makoto’s charisma that leads Manma Battle is pretty strong, making it somehow plausible for her will to equal the will of Manma Battle. What a bizarre narrative!
Does Makoto think that her powers will remain at such an abnormal level even as the Student Council President?
The reason the previous Student Council Presidents could dominate as omnipotent rulers was solely due to their personal abilities, not the power of the position itself.
…I think I’ll avoid bringing up these things to Makoto. I doubt she’d listen anyway.
“Hehe. What an interesting expression you have. Is my determination that shocking?”
“You failed? Hmm. Yeah, that’s surprising. I never thought about that.”
But still, is there really no preparation against such cunning ways to maintain power?
Logically speaking, there’s no way a student who can’t even graduate would be allowed to continue as president. A capable president wouldn’t fail to graduate.
Right at our T-party, unless you’re an exceptional case like me, we take turns with the host role. So, there’s no meaning in using the grace period as a trick.
Honestly, I’m far more interested in resting than lusting for power. If I had to roll around as a slave for another year, I’d rather graduate promptly and focus on making money with a peace of mind. At the same time, I’d prefer to invest my entire life in my relationships, which would be a hundred-fold better.
In any case, there should naturally be measures taken in regular student councils to prevent maintaining power through such tricks.
Gehenna is, well… Basically, it’s the only exception since the members of Manma Battle are elected by students. It seems possible since students are generally indifferent to school politics.
Of course, the position of the Student Council President could also serve as an exception. I have little interest in that, so I’m not well-informed.
If the student in front of me weren’t Makoto, I might have offered some words of encouragement.
But as Iroha once grumbled to me, one must tread carefully in front of someone as unpredictable as Makoto. A single poorly thought-out word could lead to bizarre consequences, after all.
“Hey, Makoto-oneesan.”
“Wait, what’s with that strange title?”
“Huh? Isn’t that right? If I’ve had a year in, I’m older than you…”
“No, I’m not denying it! It’s just—hearing that title from you makes me feel quite uneasy!”
“Aha… I see. Yep, our Makoto-oneesan is a bit shy.”
“Stop! If you call me that awful title from now on, I’ll take it as a provocation. Rather, I’d prefer if you just call me senpai!”
“Heueng…? I don’t want to.”
“What?”
What’s with this, not a student from our academy, yet calling me senpai? Get real.
“Well, let’s stop the jokes here. Are you seriously talking about being Student Council President?”
“Hmph? Do I look like the kind of shallow person who’d tell a lie? A leader’s words filled with falsehood have no weight, so a rightful leader should only speak the truth. If it’s a situation where the truth can’t be spoken, it’s better to say nothing than to utter lies.”
…Oh. For the first time in a while, Makoto seems to have said something agreeable.
Considering how hard it is to get this kind of sentiment from her is truly surprising.
…But you know, this girl, she can easily lie like it’s nothing when she’s backstabbing in the Eden Treaty.
“Ah, of course, saying the truth also to enemies only makes you not a rightful leader, but a foolish one. It’s better to mix truth and lies cleverly to deceive your adversaries. Kik!”
Hmm. She makes a fair point; I can’t argue with that.
Why is Makoto looking so capable today? It’s getting a bit envy-inducing for a guy who already looks so cool.
That’s right… While I’m just a softly spoken person, over there, she’s a leader whose charismatic words make you want to follow. But when she lets out bad words, she turns into a tyrant overflowing with charisma.
I don’t dislike her striking looks, but I do envy those who have a fascinating aura like Makoto or the teacher.
Speaking of what Makoto just said…
“Then, let me ask.”
“Hmm?”
“Am I, and is the current Trinity, your enemy?”
“…Oh. That’s quite an interesting question.”
With a kik laugh, Makoto suddenly took a step forward.
Then two steps, three steps.
Makoto is closing the distance, looking down on me. And her wildly fluctuating eyes pierced through me.
Makoto isn’t a match for me. That’s an undeniable fact.
But at this moment, Makoto’s momentum held a weight befitting her position at the pinnacle of Gehenna.
“If you think of me as an enemy, then I shall respond as such, wouldn’t it?”
With a deep smile, Makoto posed that question back.
From that question, I could infer her answer.
Currently, Makoto wouldn’t view me and Trinity as enemies. Unless I were to strike first, that is.
For example, unless I suddenly grow greedy for the position of Student Council President. Makoto wouldn’t cross that line otherwise.
Suddenly aware of my heart racing, I closed my eyes. Good grief, getting flustered just by looking at Makoto? What a mess!
Though my cheeks might be flushed red, thankfully, Makoto might be too dense to realize.
If a fool sticks around, it’s exhausting to push them away too.
“Well, shall we duel?”
After calming my mind and chuckling lightly, I replied. Then Makoto startled and took a step back.
Yeah, even if Makoto were a fool, she wouldn’t crash into me like that.
Looking back, it’s clear that Mika and Makoto are fundamentally opposites in every way—character, ideology, every single aspect.
Back in the day, during the time I easily got swayed by real Mika’s feelings… Oh, how hard it was to calm my heart when facing Makoto!
Thinking on real Mika’s past, that is, her feelings while fighting a full-scale war against Gehenna…
Honestly, perhaps those two coexisting under one sky is utterly impossible.
“Ahaha, it was just a joke, why the shock?”
“…Huh? Who said they were surprised?!”
“Yep, let’s just brush off what isn’t true. But about Gehenna, I find it more charming than expected. Though there are a few troublemakers… that’s pretty standard anywhere.”
…Of course, it’s rare to find a place as severe as Gehenna.
Looking at Highlander or even Red Winter doesn’t seem easy for other academies either.
“While I do have my concerns, it’s definitely an attractive academy. If our kids can just overcome their biases, they might realize that.”
This kind of statement only applies when excluding thoughts like, how will those who often skip class cope after graduating, or how those causing trouble are nearly committing school violence—those worries aside.
“In that sense, what if we gradually expand the connections between the two academies?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I propose to hold regular exchange meets between the two academies. I found out there’s a tea ceremony club in Gehenna. We could encourage exchanges between their tea ceremony club and our academy’s. Or perhaps hold friendly baseball matches between our baseball clubs every quarter.”
“Kik, ehehehe! Ah, is that it? If you wish to redeem the disgraceful defeat of the Trinity baseball club from last time, I would gladly accept. That outcome will undoubtedly be another victory for the magnificent Gehenna!”
…Huh? How did she know?
The Trinity baseball club’s rigorous training and their resolve for redemption, with plans to make Gehenna’s baseball club a sacrificial lamb for that—how did she see through me that quickly?
Yet I firmly believe next time the outcome will be utterly different. Our baseball club, sharpened by their training from Red Winter, will be on another level this time.
The way of a gentleman’s revenge is slow, but there are indeed those revenges that shouldn’t take a decade.
