My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 21: Useless Me [Side: Rena Kashii]

I think I'm quite capable; I excel in both academics and sports, and I can generally motivate people well by looking them in the eye and sensing what they're feeling.

That's why, even though it was a small community, I'd always been at the center of things and managed to keep things running smoothly. I was confident, foolishly so.

After becoming class president for a while, I had most of the Girls under my control. I brought friends and classmates who were separated into my group, and those who were already cohesive started eating lunch together and talking a lot, becoming friendly, so there were no hostile groups. The friendly ones were the majority, and my group was the overwhelming ruling party among the Girls.

As for the boys, Tachibana-kun was isolated. With his only best friend, Kousuke-kun, absent, the hostile group consisted of Sotomachi-kun and his five companions, three others who were friendly with the Sotomachi group, and about three timid ones who were easily swayed. So, out of 18 boys, it was 12 enemies, 4 neutrals, and 1 Tachibana-kun, making it a completely hostile environment.

It's impossible to lead people in such a situation. No, I think it's impossible. If it were the other way around, 4 enemies and 12 neutrals, there might still be a way.

Some of the Girls, instigated by the boys, even started to provoke Tachibana-kun.

It's really better not to meddle in boys' affairs, but I couldn't stand by, so I decided to act.

I asked each of the boys who were severely provoking Tachibana-kun to stop that kind of teasing.

Everyone understood at the moment, saying things like, "If Kashii-san says so," but they would resume after a little while.

Even when I talked to them again, saying, "About that matter I asked you about the other day," they'd say, "No, Tachibana is arrogant," or "He's the one at fault," and the second time was even worse.

I was troubled. Tachibana-kun was also very down, and he turned down my invitation to work together. I was disappointed, as I had wanted to work hard and happily together despite the difficulties.

His submissions were tampered with, he was asked for apologies, and he was harassed; the treatment towards Tachibana-kun was only getting worse.

Then, on the day before GW, during the final homeroom.

After the Teacher finished her announcements, she said:

"Tachibana-kun, I've been getting consultations from everyone, and from my perspective as well, there are many issues, and you're unable to unite everyone. After listening to everyone's stories, I've decided that it would be too difficult for you to continue as class president, so we will be changing the class president. Thank you for everything up to now, okay?"

I gasped and looked at Tachibana-kun's face. After being surprised, Tachibana-kun's face clouded over.

From his expression, it seemed like the decision was made unilaterally without discussing it with him beforehand.

I couldn't take my eyes off Tachibana-kun's tearful face.

Sotomachi-kun's group, unbelievably, was overjoyed. They were laughing loudly and saying, "Agreed!"

Tachibana-kun was looking down.

Sotomachi-kun was recommended for the boys' class president and was easily decided.

"I'll work with everyone to create a class where everyone can have fun! Nice to meet you, Kashii-san ♪"

'Yeah, nice to meet you, Sotomachi-kun....'

None of that mattered. I was worried about Tachibana-kun.

We had worked so hard together, but it felt as if his dignity had been trampled.

'...I'm sorry for being incompetent and causing trouble for everyone. It was a good experience, thank you.'

Tachibana-kun forced a smile and gave his greetings.

Even though he must have been frustrated, he was admirable.

After homeroom ended, I chased after the Teacher.

I protested to the Teacher in the staff room.

There, I learned that someone from Sotomachi-kun's group had been regularly visiting the Teacher every day, taking turns to badmouth Tachibana-kun and complain, meticulously running a negative campaign.

I explained to the Teacher that this group had recommended him during the class president selection and promised to cooperate, but then immediately complained behind his back, which was bullying and harassment. I also explained that submission issues only occurred with the Sotomachi group, and that loss incidents occurred three more times after I started checking and confirming with a list from the second time onwards, and that the culprits were the Sotomachi group, and I demanded a retraction.

"Kashii... it's already decided."

The Teacher seemed to understand, but perhaps she couldn't take it back now, and intended to go through with it.

Still, when I continued to protest—

'Kashii-san, it's fine now.'

Tachibana-kun entered.

"See! Tachibana also agrees, doesn't he?"

(I absolutely won't forgive this!)

Even though Tachibana-kun must be the one suffering more.

'It's really fine, I'm sorry for causing trouble.'

'I'm fine, but what about you, Tachibana-kun!'

'I'm really disappointed we can't work together anymore. I'll leave the rest to you, okay?'

'Yeah, leave it to me. Maybe... maybe we can work on something together again sometime?'

'It would be nice if we could, right?'

I couldn't help but worry, so I asked Tachibana-kun's friend, Kousuke-kun, about the situation.

Kousuke-kun didn't want to talk about it at first, but when I told him about Tachibana-kun being removed as class president, he reluctantly opened up and told me how the boys in the class had been treating Tachibana-kun.

I felt like the world went dark before my eyes.

Hearing how each of the boys in the class had rejected him made me feel sick.

I thought I could somehow manage the class, but I was completely mistaken.

I was useless, unable to even support a boy who was trying so hard.