086. Join the Student Council, Iino Miko

Iino Miko prided herself on being a righteous individual, a model of unwavering morality and discipline. Yet, deep down, she carried a truth she couldn't deny—she had lied before.

To her, a truly "right" person adhered to the rules, upheld morality, remained honest, and took life seriously. Lying, in her eyes, was a betrayal of these values, an act that marred one's character. Yet, her own lies weren't born of selfishness. They were spun to protect others, to reassure her parents who were often consumed by work.

As a child, Miko had faced the ugliness of the world—bullying, prejudice, and even outright threats. But she never showed her weakness, never let her parents see her pain. She bore it all with quiet resilience, refusing to let her struggles dampen their spirits. For her, becoming a "right" person wasn't just a goal—it was a testament to her love and pride for her parents.

When she spoke, her tone was resolute, her eyes unwavering. "It's for others," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the weight of the conversation.

Kanade tilted his head slightly, watching her with an almost amused curiosity. "And because it's for others, you don't feel ashamed?"

"That's right," she replied. "I don't regret it, and I'm not ashamed. I'm sorry if it interfered with your plans, but I stand by my actions."

Kanade chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You've misunderstood me, Iino-san. I'm not here to nitpick about something so shallow."

Her brows furrowed, her irritation evident. "Then what exactly do you want to talk about?"

"Do you believe that lying—any kind of lying, even a white lie—is inherently wrong?" His question was calm, but the weight of it hung in the air between them.

Miko's frown deepened. "It depends on the situation. A lie is still a lie, but… the intent matters."

"Ah, so you believe in selflessness," Kanade said, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Even if it manifests in something questionable?"

"Where are you going with this?" she asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.

Kanade shrugged nonchalantly. "We're simply debating, aren't we? There's no harm in keeping it civil and logical."

Miko exhaled deeply, visibly reigning in her emotions. "Fine. Sacrificing for others is commendable, but using crooked methods to achieve it is still wrong!"

Kanade's grin widened slightly, but his tone grew quieter, almost contemplative. "And that's how it seems to you," he said, his voice low yet firm. Her resilience was impressive, far beyond what he had anticipated. Clearly, neither his reputation nor Kaguya's carried enough weight in her eyes to sway her. If this were someone like Fujiwara Chika, the outcome might have been entirely different.

Realizing that his usual tactics wouldn't work, Kanade decided to change his approach.

"Let's consider an example," he began. "Take the conventions you uphold so dearly—do you truly believe that forcing students to shave their heads is the right thing to do?"

"Of course it is!" Miko snapped, her tone indignant. "It promotes discipline and fosters a better school environment—"

"So you say," Kanade interrupted, his expression calm but cutting. "But what about the students themselves? What about their parents? And the teachers? Have you ever conducted a survey to see if the majority agrees with you? Do you even know how many people genuinely support this rule?"

Miko faltered, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

Kanade pressed on, his voice growing sharper. "Imagine yesterday's election. If some students voted for you simply because they thought it'd be funny, and you accidentally became president, would you continue imposing rules based solely on your own beliefs? Or would you take the time to understand the will of the people through proper surveys and research?"

"...I—"

"You assume that shaving heads builds discipline and improves the school's atmosphere," Kanade continued, his tone relentless. "But have you considered the possibility that such a rule might spark rebellion instead? That students might protest, refuse to comply, or even threaten to leave the school, worsening the very environment you want to improve?"

He knew he was exaggerating, but the point needed to land. Even if only partially true, it was enough to make her question her convictions.

"But some people support me—"

"And how many?" Kanade interrupted again, his voice razor-sharp. "Not many, I imagine. Elections are about numbers, aren't they? And yet, it seems you've never cared to gather them. All of this, Iino-san, is nothing more than your own assumptions."

Miko's silence was telling.

Kanade observed her closely, noting her rigidity, her inability to adapt to different perspectives. It was something he had heard from Ishigami before—her unyielding nature and her obsession with rules. Now, he was seeing it firsthand.

To put it kindly, she was inflexible. To put it bluntly, she was stubborn, even to the point of refusing to empathize with others. Her worldview was built entirely on her own judgments and personal will, untainted by the perspectives of those around her.

And yet, Kanade thought, she calls herself a 'right' person?

Even Yukinoshita Yukino, a figure equally devoted to ideals of "correctness," would have found fault with such rigidity.

"Iino Miko," Kanade began, his tone softening, a rare kindness glimmering in his voice. "I admire you, you know."

His words carried a surprising warmth, a stark contrast to the sharp rebuke that had preceded them. Yet his smile, calm and composed, reflected a deeper sincerity.

"Unlike so many who parade their virtues while secretly indulging in hypocrisy, you're different. I've seen countless people who proclaim their nobility only to betray it in the shadows. But you? You genuinely strive to embody the ideals you uphold. You walk the path you preach, and I admire that."

Miko blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment, though she said nothing.

"But..." Kanade's voice grew firmer, the gentle smile fading slightly. "That alone isn't enough. Practicing what you think is right is a good start, but as a leader, you need to go further. You must step beyond your own convictions, dive into the lives of the people you wish to represent, and understand their desires and struggles. Only then can you make decisions that truly serve the greater good. That's the responsibility of a student council president."

Her posture stiffened, and though she stayed silent, the faint quiver of uncertainty in her eyes betrayed her shaken resolve. Kanade recognized the shift. It was the perfect moment to press further, to let the weight of his argument truly sink in.

"Your father is a judge, isn't he?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "Has he ever told you about the gray areas of the law? About those 'unfortunate cases' where people acted with good intentions but suffered consequences because they used improper means?"

Miko's brows furrowed, but she didn't interrupt.

"Even the law recognizes that the world isn't simply black and white. There's a delicate gray line in between—a space where intent matters just as much as actions. Take the yakuza, for instance."

"The yakuza?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yes," Kanade continued calmly. "They're far from paragons of virtue, but their existence is tolerated, even regulated, because society finds use for them. They're not inherently 'right,' but they occupy a space that can't simply be erased. You can criticize them all you want from a moral high ground, but learning to coexist with these imperfections is just as important as striving for purity. Whether you choose to adapt to the world or remain a lotus blooming unstained in the mud, that's up to you."

His words carried a somber weight, one that matched the harsh realities of the world. "This world isn't inherently correct or kind. Chasing perfection at all costs will only lead to your own suffering. Unless, of course, you possess the strength to remake the world entirely. Otherwise, all you can do is ride the waves in your small boat, enduring the storms as they come."

Miko clenched her fists tightly, her silence growing heavier.

"I'm not saying you should abandon your principles," Kanade clarified. "But sometimes, bending the rules is necessary to achieve the greater good. If the original intent is noble, then breaking the rules, even slightly, isn't inherently wrong."

The silence between them stretched. Kanade could see the conflict playing out in her mind, her ideals clashing against the reality he presented.

He sighed softly, stepping back just enough to let her breathe. "You don't have to believe I'm a good person. Frankly, I'm not. I care about the people I choose to care about, and for everyone else? They're not my concern."

He met her gaze directly, his tone steady but sincere. "That said, I've done my best as student council president. I haven't betrayed the trust placed in me by the school or the students. And Kaguya Shinomiya? She believed in my leadership enough to support me, even if her methods made you uncomfortable. For that, I owe you an apology on her behalf."

Kanade bowed deeply, his voice filled with genuine regret. "I'm sorry."

Miko blinked, startled by the unexpected gesture.

He could've easily distanced himself from Kaguya's actions, brushing off the responsibility entirely. But he refused to do that. Not when Kaguya's actions were motivated by her trust in him. Moreover, he couldn't afford to let Miko's dissatisfaction fester. A rift between them would only lead to whispers and rumors, ones that could tarnish Kaguya's reputation. And for someone like her, reputation mattered immensely.

Straightening up, Kanade offered her a small, knowing smile. "You might not trust us yet, and that's fine. In fact, that's why I'm inviting you to join the student council. Think of it as your opportunity to monitor us. With your 'correct' ideals, you can keep an eye on everything we do. If you see anything amiss, you can call us out immediately. Isn't that the role of someone truly righteous?"

Miko hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. For several long moments, she remained silent, lost in thought. Finally, she spoke, her voice firm despite the tremor of lingering doubt.

"Fine," she said. "But let me make one thing clear. I'm not joining because I believe you. I'm joining because this student council clearly needs an inspector—someone who can ensure you don't step out of line. If I see anything suspicious, I won't hesitate to act!"

Kanade's smile widened, his tone light with satisfaction. "Of course. Use your talents as much as you like, Iino Miko. I look forward to seeing the good you'll bring to our council."