Chapter 247: Creating a Hero

"That's enough."

Rinji opened the classroom door.

"I'm supporting President Shirogane. Gathering people to help train you was already me being as generous as I could be. Think things over seriously."

"Yes. We're very grateful for your help, Takamine-kun," Osaragi said, bowing.

"But… the current situation is clearly unfavorable for Miko."

"Of course it is. As a disciplinary officer, she's been making enemies for years. Her strict approach doesn't sit well with the other students. There's no way they'd support her—and I'm sure you know that better than I do."

Standing at the door, Rinji turned to look at them.

"An ideal means nothing unless others accept it. What matters isn't whether your vision is correct—but whether people agree with it."

"Are we really going to let Shuchiin students keep going down the wrong path?" Iino asked emotionally.

"You know how the public sees this school, Takamine-kun. If things continue like this—"

"It'll only get worse. That's obvious. It's a school for privileged kids. Good PR? That'd be the miracle," Rinji said. "But this student council president is elected. So, the more idealistic a person is, the less likely they'll win. That's the flaw in elections."

"…"

Realizing she was stuck in a dead end, Iino bit her lip hard.

Osaragi thought for a while before asking, "If it were you, Takamine-kun, and you were in Miko's shoes… what would you do?"

"If it were me? Then there'd be plenty of options."

Rinji smiled.

"First, I'd bribe the election committee. Then I'd promise the biggest clubs more budget if I became president. I'd fabricate scandals about opponents and turn them into public enemies—then use the chaos to rally voters. Or better yet, engineer a public crisis to shake faith in the school and ride in as a savior."

"…That's pure evil politics."

"Yep. And it's the most effective way for Iino to win."

"Absolutely not!"

Iino flatly rejected his suggestion.

"Using underhanded tactics… I'd never allow it!"

"Which is why I say you lack resolve. You think your own purity is more important than your ideals. But someone who truly values their beliefs would even fall into hell to make them real."

"But—"

"Is there no way without all this shady stuff?" Osaragi asked quickly.

"There is."

"What is it?"

"Clearly express your ideals. Make students believe in them," Rinji said. "I told you before, you should interact more with students. You claim to be improving the school for them, but you never even explain your goals to them. You just manage without listening… Still, if you improve your public speaking before the election, you might pull it off."

"…"

Iino realized she was stuck.

---

As Rinji left the classroom, he headed around a corner.

Right as he turned, he stopped and spoke to someone behind him.

"That should do, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Rinji."

Standing behind him was Ishigami. He had been listening in the entire time.

"I don't quite get why you're helping Iino now. Isn't our goal to ensure President Shirogane wins?"

Rinji had brought in a bunch of students for Iino's training because Ishigami had asked him that morning.

"For a greater victory."

"What do you mean…?"

Then he paused and realized:

"You want the president to beat Iino Miko head-on?"

"You catch on fast, Rinji."

"Interesting idea. A direct win over a real opponent would boost his authority."

"Don't say 'authority' like he's a dictator," Ishigami said, exasperated.

Rinji looked at him and asked, "Besides wanting Shirogane to win fairly, you also want Iino to lose with dignity, right?"

"…"

After a moment, Ishigami smiled faintly.

"You really do know me."

"We're bros. I know exactly what you're thinking."

Rinji glanced at Iino and Osaragi emerging from the classroom.

"You seem to care about her a lot?"

"Not exactly. She used to steal my game consoles and tattle on me all the time in middle school. We've got history. But…"

A nostalgic look appeared on Ishigami's face.

Back then, Iino worked with relentless diligence. Even though people disliked her, she did everything she could to correct the twisted school atmosphere.

She was gossiped about, given dirty looks, even bullied—people left mean notes behind her back.

She cried over it. But every time, she wiped her tears and got right back to work, unwavering in her ideals.

Ishigami saw it all.

"People who mock those who try their best… are the absolute worst."

"...I think I get what you're trying to do."

Rinji patted Ishigami on the shoulder.

"But you saw it too, didn't you? Right now, Iino can't even manage a decent speech. I really don't think she's qualified to stand on the same stage as the president. It's possible to make her qualified, but that takes strategy. And helping a rival is essentially betrayal. We'll need to talk this over with the president."

"Huh? You thought of a way?"

"I did," Rinji replied with a smile. "If you want to create a 'hero,' then you first need a 'villian.' That's the strategy."