086. Join the Student Council, Miko Iino

Miko Iino wasn't a perfect child—not entirely, at least. She had lied before.

In her mind, a truly "correct" person should always follow the rules, be moral, sincere, and earnest. Lying was unacceptable, as it strayed from the path of righteousness.

Even so, her lies were always told to ease the worries of her overworked parents. Growing up, she had endured countless difficulties: labels, insults, even threats. Yet, she never revealed her struggles to her parents, choosing instead to shield them from her vulnerabilities. To her, they were a source of pride, and she didn't want to burden them.

"That's right—it was for someone else," Miko affirmed, her tone resolute. "Because it was for someone else, I don't feel ashamed. So your little scheme won't work on me."

"No, you misunderstand." Kanade Natsukawa shook his head, seemingly unbothered by her blatant hostility. "I'm not trying to trap you with something so shallow."

"Do you think lying is inherently wrong, even if it's a white lie for someone else's benefit?"

"Of course, it depends on the situation. At its core, lying is still deception, but intent matters," Miko replied cautiously.

"So, you acknowledge the value of selfless intentions, even if they involve 'improper methods'?"

"...What are you trying to say?"

"We're having a debate, aren't we? Try to think calmly about it," Kanade suggested.

"..."

Miko took a deep breath before replying, "Acts of goodwill are commendable, but not if they rely on unethical means!"

"That's just your perspective," Kanade countered, his tone dropping slightly. Miko's unwavering conviction was proving more formidable than expected. It was clear she didn't hold him or Kaguya in high enough regard for their words to sway her. Had it been Chika Fujiwara, she might have been easier to influence.

Kanade decided he needed a new approach.

"Let's consider one of your policies—like the 'shaved head' rule. Do you believe it's the right thing to enforce?"

"Of course! It promotes discipline and…"

"As I said, that's only your belief," Kanade interrupted. "What about the students? Their parents? The teachers? Did you conduct a survey? If so, how many supported the idea? Was it a majority?"

"What if, during yesterday's election, some students voted for you simply because they found your campaign amusing? If you'd won by chance, would you implement policies based solely on your own ideas, or would you conduct thorough research to determine what's best?"

"..."

"You assume that 'shaving heads' will instill discipline and improve the school's atmosphere. But have you considered the possibility that students might rebel? They could protest or even threaten to drop out, worsening the school's environment instead."

Kanade intentionally exaggerated to emphasize his point. Any policy, no matter how well-intentioned, would inevitably face resistance from certain quarters.

"But some people said they supported me…"

"How many? Probably not enough, right? Elections are based on majority votes, so shouldn't policymaking follow the same principle? It seems you didn't conduct any surveys. In other words, everything is just your assumption."

Miko Iino wasn't flexible; Kanade had deduced this from both Ishigami's observations and her own rigid policy proposals. Today's discussion had only deepened his understanding of her personality.

To be generous, one could describe her as unwavering. To be blunt, she was stubborn and resistant to compromise, rarely considering perspectives other than her own. This inflexible mindset meant her "correctness" was ultimately self-serving.

Even someone like Yukino Yukinoshita, another champion of "correctness," wouldn't act this way.

"I actually admire you, Miko Iino." After his pointed critiques, Kanade softened his tone with a warm smile.

He didn't enjoy being this confrontational, but Miko was proving to be a challenging prospect. She was like an unpolished gem—worthwhile but tough to shape.

"I've met plenty of people who, like you, champion high morals publicly but behave reprehensibly in private. You're different. I believe you practice what you preach and genuinely embody the rules you advocate."

"But that alone isn't enough. If you only enforce what you believe is correct, it won't suffice. To be an effective student council president, you need to immerse yourself in the community, gather input, and find solutions that work for everyone."

Miko's expression wavered; his words seemed to resonate.

Kanade pressed on.

"Your father is a judge, isn't he? Has he ever shared stories of 'tragic cases' where someone acted with good intentions but was punished for their methods? Even in the legal system, such individuals can receive reduced sentences because their intentions are acknowledged."

"The world isn't purely black and white; there's a delicate gray area."

"Take Japan's yakuza, for instance. They're far from righteous, yet their existence is tolerated because they serve a purpose. You can criticize them from a moral high ground, but you also need to accept their place in society. Whether you choose to coexist with them or remain untainted by their influence—that's up to you."

Kanade leaned forward, his voice steady but firm.

"I'm not excusing wrongdoing. I just want you to understand that methods are often a necessary means to an end. If the intent is good, sometimes bending the rules isn't entirely unacceptable."

"..."

Kanade never saw himself as a particularly good person. He cared deeply for those close to him but had little concern for anyone else.

"Good intentions should be judged by their motives, not just their actions. During my tenure, I've never betrayed the school or the trust of its students. I've worked diligently to fulfill my role as student council president."

"And Kaguya Shinomiya acted out of trust in my leadership. Her methods may seem inappropriate to you, but her intentions were pure. For that, I offer you a formal apology on her behalf."

Kanade stood and bowed deeply, seeking Miko's forgiveness.

He didn't have to do this. He could've distanced himself from Kaguya's actions entirely. But he couldn't bring himself to do so.

For one, Kaguya's actions had been motivated by her desire to support him, and he felt obligated to protect her reputation. Miko harboring resentment toward Kaguya or spreading rumors about her would only create unnecessary friction. Even if Kaguya's family background shielded her from open criticism, whispers behind her back could still tarnish her image.

"Of course, you may still struggle to trust or forgive us. That's fine. Consider this an opportunity to test us. By joining the student council, you can use your principles to monitor our actions. If we ever stray, you'll see it firsthand."

"..."

Miko fell silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright."

"But let me make this clear—I'm not joining because I trust you. I just think someone needs to supervise this student council! If any of you step out of line… I won't hesitate to act!"

"Of course. Use your talents to their fullest, Miko Iino."