SCPK 54

Chapter 54 

 Before the Contest Voting

At Kōchū Private Academy, the school festival takes place in late October, followed by the athletic festival in early November.
That’s why, when September begins, the student council and the festival committee—made up of volunteers—enter an extremely busy season.

And at the end of September, the first event held is the election to determine Mr. and Miss Kōchū.

During lunch break, after eating with our usual group, Seiya and I noticed posters for the contest being put up on the school bulletin board.

“So they’re doing the contest again this year, huh?”

Voting starts tomorrow, apparently, and runs for a week.
At this school, the process is basically based on nominations from other students. The top three vote-getters appear on stage in the gym during the first day of the festival to make their appeal presentations.
Then, the judges tally the scores on the spot to decide the final winner.

“You entering again this year, Seiya?”
“I’d like to say ‘no way,’ but those ten free meal tickets for the cafeteria are too tempting.”

Kaminagi Seiya was last year’s Mr. Kōchū.
Being the spitting image of Tsukiyo, his twin sister, he’s incredibly handsome and last year gathered an overwhelming 80% of all student votes.
For his appeal round, he teamed up with the Home Economics Club for a full-scale fashion show—and, unsurprisingly, won first place.
I mean, a good-looking guy in cool clothes… that’s just unbeatable.

He’s probably planning something similar again this year.

“Any real competition this time? The other two finalists from last year were seniors, so they’re gone now…”
“Ten Amatsu will probably rise up. He’s pretty popular among the first-years.”

Yusa Amatsu—the same junior who shocked everyone recently with his bold confession.
He has a boyish face but very sharp features, and there’s no doubt he’s popular.
The student council might even back him.

“I’m more curious about the girls’ side! What if the whole lineup ends up being Seiya’s harem?”
“Don’t call it that. Well, Tsukiyo’s a given, but I am curious who the others will be.”

“The biggest name is obviously the student council president, Kudohara Saika—she’s got the looks and the recognition. Next is the active idol, Hii-chan. Add Tsukiyo, and the top three practically decide themselves.”
“Nope, not this year.”

Seiya pointed to a line on the contest notice.

“Note: Saika Kudohara and Hiyori Amano will attend as judges and are therefore excluded from voting.*

Ohh… smart move. There are too many famous names this year anyway.
That really shakes things up—now I’ve got no idea who the other two might be.

“Who do you think will rise up, Seiya?”
“In terms of recognition, maybe Kaika—the swimmer who just broke the high school record. And… maybe Mizusato.”
“Huh? Why Mizusato?”
“Just a thought.”

That was a rare slip from Seiya. He turned away slightly, as if to hide his expression.
Moments like that really show how much he resembles Tsukiyo.

The day I went hiking with Tsukiyo, it seems Seiya and Mizusato had something going on too.
Maybe that “shared lunchbox” between Tsukiyo and Mizusato was referring to that.

Looks like this year’s Miss Contest will be… interesting, in more ways than one.

“Tsukiyo, are you aiming to win Miss Kōchū?”
“Eh?”

It was after club activities, walking home under the orange sunset.

“You know, you might make it to the finals.”
“I’m not sure about that yet.”

“Last year, Seiya said the same thing—and he ended up getting first place by a landslide.”

With her level of popularity, it’d be strange not to see her on stage. Honestly, who else would they even pick?

“I don’t really want to enter, but… ten free cafeteria meal tickets are hard to ignore.”
“You sound exactly like Seiya.”

Tsukiyo wasn’t as much of a penny-pincher as her brother, but she definitely tried to save wherever she could.
Sales, coupons, free vouchers—she loved that kind of thing.

“Ahaha… but doing an appeal in front of everyone in the gym sounds embarrassing…”

Honestly, Tsukiyo’s very existence is an appeal.
Every move she makes is charming enough to win votes on its own—she’s cute beyond reason.

“If you want a safe bet, you could do a fashion show like Seiya did. The Home Ec Club would probably help. You’d look amazing in anything. I’d love to take pictures.”
“You’ve really stopped hiding your desires lately, Taiyō-san.”
“It’s like your big appetite thing—it’s okay to show that side depending on who you’re with.”

It’s been almost a month since we started walking home together after club activities.
I wonder how Tsukiyo feels about our relationship.
As for me… I’d like to keep things just the way they are.
I hope she feels the same.

“Hey, Taiyō-san.”
“Hmm?”
“If… I win first place… will you grant me a request?”
“A request? I always do.”
“This one’s really important.”

Tsukiyo hopped a step ahead of me as she said it.
An important request, huh?
Last time it was just something simple—like going out somewhere together.

“Sure, as long as it’s something I can do.”

Honestly, with how she is, I can totally see her getting first place.
And if that means I get to hear her “important request,” I’m fine with that.

“But maybe you will end up in the finals, Taiyō-san.”
“Ahaha, yeah right. I wouldn’t get a single vote.”
“You would. I’d vote for you… fufu.”

…Jeez.

The way she said that—her playful little smile, her gentle voice—
it was so irresistibly charming that my heart just kept pounding and pounding.
It took everything I had not to let it show on my face.