Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

The next day was bright and sunny, but Shinomiya Kaguya's mood couldn't have been gloomier.

First, she had missed her chance to get closer to the President due to her own mistakes. Then, a cunning junior—Isshiki Iroha—had appeared out of nowhere, shamelessly vying for the President's attention.

She had only been absent from the President's side for one evening, and suddenly there was a new rival? How could the world change so fast?!

"President, I heard you met with a first-year candidate yesterday? Is everything alright... you know, with public opinion and all?" Kaguya asked casually as she handed him a freshly brewed cup of tea.

In truth, she was dying to pry out every last detail about their conversation.

"That spread so quickly?" Kanade blinked, surprised at how fast the news had traveled. He had underestimated the journalism club's efficiency—they must work non-stop, even after school, to churn out stories like this.

"So it wasn't just a coincidence…" Kaguya's eyes narrowed, her expression growing serious. "Should I step in to handle this?"

A mere first-year junior, daring to compete with her for the President's attention? Did juniors not care about respecting their seniors anymore?!

And those paparazzi-like journalists—utterly clueless! If they wanted a story, they should have been reporting on her sweet daily interactions with the President, not some unremarkable meeting with a candidate. Their photos were even taken at ambiguous angles... they'd better watch out or risk getting ambushed with a burlap sack!

Fortunately, Kaguya trusted the President. She knew he wouldn't "cheat" on her like that.

Thinking it over, the President was probably just gathering intelligence on the enemy himself, wasn't he? Yes, that had to be it! It was just like him to personally investigate. If only he had let her handle it—she would have completed the task flawlessly.

"No need. Let it be. It'll add some heat to the election," Kanade said with a light shake of his head. This was within his expectations, though how it would affect his support rate remained to be seen.

Kanade understood the journalism club well—they had no clear political stance and were solely driven by sensationalism. While their reporting often put people in the spotlight, it rarely caused real trouble. They were careful to avoid defamation, instead relying on vague and ambiguous wording to spark intrigue.

Becoming the subject of their stories meant standing in the limelight. But for someone like Kanade, who didn't mind public attention, it could also be a boon. Some people, uninterested in the details, might simply support whoever was more famous.

What's more, Isshiki Iroha had repaid him with a list of recent "supporters" who had been suspiciously kind to her. The information was valuable, and he considered the trade fair.

Kanade took a sip of tea, the rich aroma clearing his mind and alleviating some of the fatigue from his recent workload.

"Speaking of which, it's about time…" Kanade muttered.

"Hmm? Time for what?" Kaguya asked.

Before he could respond, a familiar knock came at the door.

"Knock, knock, knock…"

Just like yesterday.

"Come in," Kanade called.

The door opened, and in walked the morning news sensation herself—Iroha Isshiki.

Kaguya: "...?"

Kanade stood and addressed the room. "Allow me to introduce Isshiki Iroha, one of the current candidates. She'll be working with us this week as an auxiliary member of the student council. Let's all give her a warm welcome."

Everyone in the room applauded politely—everyone except Kaguya, who was too stunned to react.

What shocked her even more was how her best friend, Fujiwara Chika, suddenly dashed over to Isshiki and started enthusiastically embracing her.

"Iroha-chan, welcome to the student council!" Chika chirped, even pressing their cheeks together in a friendly gesture.

"It's been a while, Chika-senpai," Iroha responded warmly, matching Chika's energy.

The cheerful camaraderie between the girls immediately infected the rest of the student council, bringing smiles all around—except to Kaguya.

Not only are you after the President, but you're even taking Fujiwara away from me?!

Unforgivable! Retribution! Immediate retribution!

As Kaguya's face cycled through expressions of frustration and indignation, Iroha suddenly broke away from Chika and approached her with a brisk jog.

"Vice President Shinomiya, I've always admired you! I'm so excited to work alongside you. I hope I can become the kind of reliable partner you are to the President!" Iroha said with an earnest look.

Kaguya's heart instantly soared.

She called me the President's reliable partner! She's acknowledging me as his chosen Vice President! This means she sees us as a perfect pair! (←self-indulgent fantasy)

What a wonderful junior!

Kaguya's suspicions melted away.

So, Iroha wasn't here to pursue the President. She had joined the student council because she admired Kaguya! How could Kaguya not support such a promising young talent?

"Isshiiki-san seems capable enough, though she's not yet familiar with our operations. Please help guide her," Kanade said, turning to Kaguya.

"Of course, President! Leave it to me!" Kaguya agreed with enthusiasm.

For the longest time, Kaguya had felt isolated within the student council.

Hayasaka couldn't join, Chika was unreliable, Ishigami seemed afraid of her for some reason, and Shirogane—well, he was her "rival in love." Without anyone she could fully trust, Kaguya had been unable to develop an inside ally.

But now, she had been gifted a steadfast comrade. How could she not be thrilled?

She resolved to carefully train Iroha, nurturing her into a loyal member of the "Kaguya-Kanade Alliance."

Every day thereafter, Kaguya patiently mentored Iroha, teaching her the ropes of the student council. She took time to build a rapport, subtly praising the President's virtues in the hopes that Iroha would come to see how well-matched they were.

She envisioned the day Iroha would become her devoted supporter.

That was how it should have been.

"Iroha, could you pass me those documents?"

"Iroha-san, this data needs to be updated…"

"Iroha-chan, let's have lunch together!"

"Iroha…"

...???

Why?

Why did everyone like Isshiki Iroha so much? Even the President seemed to enjoy assigning her tasks—tasks that Kaguya had previously handled herself!

Sure, Kaguya had wanted Iroha to be approachable and trusted by everyone. But this was too much!

She couldn't help but feel…

...like she was being replaced.