NOVEL NEXT Hanuma Makoto. The current chairperson of the Manma Battle, but in reality, a useless and dumb loser who just lazily stirs up trouble and wastes Gehenna’s budget like a glutton. If the Gehenna Students hadn’t been so indifferent to politics, she wouldn’t even have been able to enter the Manma Battle—just an average, perfectly average student.
Although she’s silly and simple-minded, her unpredictable personality makes it surprisingly difficult to achieve the desired results when dealing with her.
The Student Council… or more accurately, the Student Council President, Hina-sama, seems to harbor some sort of inferiority complex or ill will towards her, desperate to pick fights but unable to lay a finger on the Student Council.
There are times when she surprisingly shows a sharp edge. Especially when she intends to bother the Student Council, that aspect stands out more, but considering her inherent shortcomings, outside of her petty power, she doesn’t pose a significant threat.
“…Uh, Aco-chan?”
“Yes, what is it, Mika-san? Is there something you’re curious about?”
“That explanation feels very malevolent. Do you really dislike this Makoto that much?”
“Well, Mika-san isn’t part of the Student Council, so it might be hard for you to empathize. But once you deal with that raccoon, you’ll understand to some extent.”
“Aco’s words might seem a bit much, but there’s nothing fundamentally wrong. Especially the part about her showing an unexpectedly sharp demeanor. Maybe the appearance she shows normally is just a mask. Though the possibility is small.”
“Hey, President! That’s going a bit too far, isn’t it?”
“Hmph! Now, onto the next character—Senior Satsuki. She might not even be at the academy right now, but if she happens to be at the Manma Battle, she could rush over with a coin to hypnotize you right in front of your eyes.”
With only 4 people, it’s easy for the conversation to spiral off weirdly with just a word or two, and Aco’s quick cough to redirect attention showcases her adeptness. A capable and visually appealing secretary—I’d love to have one too…
But wait, was there such a character as Satsuki in the Manma Battle? I can’t quite remember. What I know is only about Ibuki, who might eventually become an executive, and the devil of infidelity, Natsume Iroha…
Ah, she did appear alongside the Manma Battle in the final chapter. She looked like Aru’s older sister. It was a recently updated story, so I could just barely recall it. Makoto must have drawn so much aggro in that section that even if I saw her, I could barely remember.
But hypnosis? It seems fitting, whether it’s related to Aru or not.
“The moment you see that coin, just turn your gaze away without asking anything.”
…Huh?
“Hahaha, what is that? Are you saying Aco-chan seriously believes in hypnosis? Haha, got it! I might not know much, but if you wave a coin in front of me, I’ll just blow it away!”
“I didn’t say to go that far. And I don’t seriously believe in hypnosis either! This is just a calculation that by playing along with Mika-san’s foolishness, we can reduce the number of concerning opponents at the Manma Battle by one! You get it? Fools tend to develop a fondness for those who humor their foolishness.”
Oh. That sounds plausible. It’s definitely a credible story. So it means Satsuki, being affiliated with the Manma Battle, is a little spaced out too, so there’s no need to take it too seriously. Aha, I see now.
…Are you joking, Aco? No matter how much the Manma Battle exists to worship Ibuki, there can’t be more than one character that simple, right?
If you look at the Gehenna clubs…?
Huh? Now that I think about it, it’s actually rarer to have more than two civilized people here, isn’t it?
On the Heungsinso side, we have Kayoko and perhaps Mutsuki as the common sense duo, while in the Student Council, we have Chinatsu and Hina.
In that sense, since Iroha already belongs to the Manma Battle, it means that another unknown student is covering the other common sense position. Then it’s possible that Satsuki could simply be a slightly foolish kid…
Glancing to the side, I see Hina has completely closed her eyes. Wait, has she really given up? Hina, she’s your subordinate…?
“Next is Natsume Iroha. She claims to merely be an ordinary middle management type, but the fact that a first-year student caught Makoto’s attention and was promoted to a significant role in the Manma Battle makes her an obvious target. For that reason, if you try to persuade her logically, she’d likely be easier to deal with than Chairperson Makoto, yet her personality is such that if she decides to brush you off, she’ll definitely do it.”
“In other words, there’s no need to persuade her☆”
“…If you wrap it up that easily, it makes my lengthy explanation feel pointless.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it, Aco-chan?”
Sigh… “Iori, please be quiet. I’m aware of that too.”
Putting down her clipboard, Aco lets out a small sigh.
“In reality, there was one person who was ten times more difficult than the three of them combined, but that senior has left the Manma Battle. I don’t know the reason well, but it’s fortuitous for us.”
“I heard she started a company with other students.”
Huh…? If Aco’s talking about a senior, she must be a third-year. If it’s about a company, there’s one that comes to mind immediately.
So this means Kayoko, the senior of Heungsinso 68, used to belong to the Manma Battle, doesn’t it?
“Whoa—”
It feels a bit surreal discovering a truth about a plot twist I didn’t know about. Well, it’s not as shocking as finding out Mika was the host before Seiya and Nagisa. Nothing could top that no matter what.
“First, I’ll briefly brief you on Plan A that I’ve prepared.”
“Um, Aco-chan, does Plan A mean that there are other plans prepared afterward?”
“Oh my, of course. I’ve prepared up to Plan H for today.”
“Ugh, with that many plans, it makes me feel uneasy!?”
“Iori, let’s listen first and then judge. With that many plans, there must be at least one worthwhile option.”
“Um, Chairperson? My treatment seems a bit strange!”
Laughing the entire time I listened to Aco’s ‘Hanuma Makoto Persuasion Operation A to H’, which could only be described as a mess in many different ways, I couldn’t help but feel that this is how Kivotos should be. It’s really a place you can’t truly dislike.
*
On the way to the headquarters of the Manma Battle. A few Gehenna students looked at me with questioning expressions, but thanks to Hina beside me, they didn’t approach.
If I were alone, I would’ve definitely had a few confrontations, but no student would be crazy enough to pull such stunts in front of the Student Council President.
While Gehenna has plenty of lunatics who would do such things without a second thought, ironically, it’s because we’re in Gehenna that they manage to keep their wits about them in front of Student Council President Hina.
“…It’s rare to see the Chairperson looking for the Manma Battle with her members. Moreover, among the entourage is a distastefully troublesome Trinity student. It seems that it’s not an ordinary hassle… or rather, an important issue, isn’t it?”
As we entered the headquarters of the Manma Battle, Iroha, exuding a strong air of annoyance, greeted us with a sigh. Since it’s a person of such rank as the Student Council President, it seems the Manma Battle executives sent out Iroha as Makoto’s subordinate. She may also simply be a casualty of circumstance.
By the way, starting off with outright dissing the troublesome Trinity student! This is actually normal in Gehenna, but I feel a little awkward because I’ve formed friendships with Hina and Haruna through mutual understanding.
The members of the Student Council were naturally tight-lipped due to my status and since Aco, aware of the friendship built between me and Hina, had concealed her intentions. The hostility had decreased a lot since they realized how much I respect Hina.
“Indeed, Councilor Iroha. The first time a Trinity student council president visits Gehenna. So I hope you can guide me to Makoto immediately.”
“The student council president of Trinity…? Chairperson, that’s quite a stretch for a joke…”
After starting to speak, Iroha freezes upon noticing Hina’s unfaltering expression, transforming into a pale shade as she mutters.
“Ah… you weren’t joking…”
Iroha blinks and turns towards me. I wave back with a smile.
“Sorry if I seemed unpleasant☆”
Throwing in a light jab is just an added bonus. While I don’t dislike Iroha, hearing such words right in front of me is a little tough. I can’t help it; my inner Michael won’t allow it.
“I-I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness—”
“Sure, I’ll forgive you. So don’t worry too much~ I didn’t have high expectations either.”
I decided to let Iroha, who calls herself middle management, torment me just up to this point. After all, it’s laughable to be building relationships for better ties with Gehenna while amassing ill will with their students. Having heard something is enough, so responding lightly can be seen as self-defense, right?
“Please wait a moment. I’ll contact the senior Makoto right away.”
Seeming to recognize the seriousness of the situation, Iroha keeps her usual “annoying” phrase to herself.
“How annoying…”
Uh… well, I guess.
“Iroha, it’s not like Makoto is idly sitting on the office chair wasting time. So, instead of contacting her, take me to her first.”
“…Sigh. Understood, Chairperson. I’ll guide you immediately. It’s annoying, but as long as it’s just passing the message to senior Makoto, it’s not my problem.”
“Wow… I can’t believe someone can say that so confidently.”
Iori exclaimed at Iroha’s impudence. I’m sure everyone present has the same thought.
Um… to be honest, it’s a bit apologetic, but one of the people who would have to work hardest when this happens is Iroha.
The more I egg on Makoto, the more tasks Iroha ends up with. A sad reality, but isn’t that the tragedy of what you call middle management, Iroha?
After arriving at the office of the Manma Battle headquarters, Iroha just barges in without even knocking.
Through the open door, I could see Makoto slumped over her desk, resting her chin in her hand.
…But Makoto, where the heck did you sell your Halo?
“Sigh… I really don’t get what kind of reasoning led to someone like her becoming chairperson.”
“Good fortune, I guess.”
While the two next to me showed their incredulous expressions, Iori looked utterly speechless.
“Makoto-senpai, would you please get up now.”
“…”
“Ugh, how annoying…”
Iroha let out a sigh as she glanced our way, raising her finger to signal us to shush. Then, wham—
BAM!!
She smacked Makoto on the back of the head with the book she was holding.
“W-Who dares?! To take on the great Makoto!? Reveal yourselves instantly!”
“…Makoto-senpai, the Student Council President is looking for you.”
“What? Iroha? But the President is looking for me?”
After picking up the hat that was knocked off, Makoto turned her head toward us.
“Haha! The Student Council President is looking for me? Wow, what a crazy day! So what is it? Have you come to kneel and praise me in verse today?!”
“Makoto-senpai, more importantly, it’s the person next to the Student Council President.”
“…Huh?”
Upon hearing Iroha’s words and turning to look at me, a stunned expression flooded Makoto’s face.
“Given that this person holds a significantly important position in Trinity, you should be careful with your words and actions—”
“HAHAHA!!! What’s this? What kind of place am I in for some pigeon girl to crawl in here?! And more importantly, is the Student Council President really betraying Gehenna? What kind of cornered situation made you resort to teaming up with Trinity to kick me out?! You’ve really hit rock bottom, Sorasaki Hina!”
“…Ahh, this is bad.”
With Iroha sighing deeply, Makoto’s cold gaze turned toward me. The only thing I could do in that moment was say one thing.
“Truly, you’re disgustingly good-looking…”
And the instant I said that, everyone froze completely. What on earth?