Chapter 255: I Still Need a Chairman

Saturday morning, the student council gathered to celebrate the successful election.

Despite some hiccups, Shirogane had secured another term. A good reason to celebrate.

They met at the same family restaurant where they'd had a previous group meal.

"I've got another year of this ahead of me," Shirogane said with a laugh. "I think we'll need to expand the council. Iino Miko is a solid candidate."

"She is. I worked with her before. She's serious and dependable—definitely a good fit."

Rinji didn't object to the idea of Iino joining. In fact, no one at the table did.

After the election, Iino's popularity had grown. She was the girl who had stood up to Rinji, after all.

Rinji, of course, was also popular—but for all the wrong reasons.

Still, no one seemed to mind that he remained in the council. Because in the eyes of the students, the only one who could rein him in was Shirogane.

"Rinji-kun, you might want to start worrying about your own reputation," Fujiwara warned. "Most of the school sees you as the enemy right now."

"Let them. Those useless clowns won't dare do anything to me anyway."

He laughed. From the beginning, he had never cared what anyone thought.

"Well, for your own school life, you might want to fix that reputation."

Fujiwara thought hard, then raised a finger as if she had a flash of inspiration.

"Oh! The school's 'Hoshinsai' cultural festival is coming up, and we'll have our ensemble performance. That'll be the perfect chance to change people's impressions of you!"

"Hoshinsai isn't for a few months," Ishigami said. "We need to do something sooner to help fix Rinji's image."

While Rinji himself wasn't worried, the rest of the student council certainly was—especially Ishigami.

"So, I think you should take part in some group activities for now."

"Like what?"

"Let me think…"

After a moment, Ishigami had an idea.

"How about the cheer squad?"

"…What's that?"

"Before the sports festival, students form a cheer squad to pump up the participants," Shirogane explained. "I think it's a good idea. You're athletic enough. Show up in the cheer squad and participate in a few events. That'll help your reputation."

"Sports festival, huh…"

Rinji thought about it.

He wasn't too keen on sports events. Winning was expected, but he had to deliberately limit himself to normal high schooler levels. It was annoyingly technical.

But the cheer squad? That was doable.

"Fine. As long as the cheer squad isn't doing anything too weird."

"Judging by past performances, they're pretty normal."

---

After giving out the post-election work assignments, the group finished their meal and went their separate ways.

"President, wait a second."

"Hm?"

As everyone else left, Rinji called out to Shirogane.

"What's up?"

"Remember when I told you I'd found you a job?"

"Oh, right. I remember."

After Shirogane's family moved into the same complex as Rinji, he needed a new job closer to home.

"I've registered a pharmaceutical company. Got all the licenses, a factory, and office building. Staff is more or less in place, but I'm missing one role."

"What role?"

"Chairman."

"…"

Seeing Shirogane stunned, Rinji explained, "I spent all my energy raising the money to start it, but I haven't touched the production or distribution side. So right now, the company has money—but no output."

"…So you want me to…"

"Be the chairman," Rinji said. "You already managed a bank for ten days. Running a company should be fine."

"This is completely different! Managing that bank nearly killed me. Now you want me to start from scratch again? Isn't there any other role?"

"All the others are taken. Just the chairman left."

"Rinji, be serious! I'm not some genius. I'm grateful you believe in me, but this is too much pressure."

First a bank president, now a company chairman. A few months ago, Shirogane had been doing food service and heavy lifting jobs. Now it was like he was on a whole different track.

He still remembered that fateful day he reported to the bank job, only to be led into the president's office. His mental state nearly collapsed.

"This is training, President."

"But it's way too hard."

"The harder it is, the more you grow. And don't you want to win Shinomiya over? This'll help strengthen your hand."

"That's true… but what if I mess it all up…"

The offer was tempting—this would be a big step toward being worthy of Kaguya. But Shirogane feared that if he made a mistake, it would cost Rinji dearly.

"It won't collapse. The people I hired for the key positions are all elites. As long as your decisions are normal, everything will run smoothly."

"But still…"

"Just help me out. All the capable people I know are already unavailable. And I don't trust people I don't know. After thinking it through… only you fit the role."

"…Fine. I'll give it a try."

"Great~"