The Boundaries of Power: Rejected Nominations and Schemes Behind the Scenes

Dozens of eyes turned toward the podium at once.

"Yamauchi Haruki, one vote."

"Pfft!"

"Hahaha!"

Ike Kanji nearly sprayed his soda everywhere.

Several boys nearby burst out laughing.

Yamauchi Haruki's face turned bright red, but he still muttered, determined to save face:

"Ahem... See? Someone in this class knows talent when they see it. I've got leadership potential, you know."

That's Black Room's Greatest Masterpiece for you, Yamauchi Haruki.

That was Tatsuya Sakuya's assessment.

Everyone knew Yamauchi Haruki had shamelessly voted for himself. No one else would have written down his name.

"Horikita Suzune, two votes."

"Hirata Yousuke, six votes."

"And finally..."

Chabashira Sae's gaze settled on Tatsuya Sakuya beside her.

"Tatsuya Sakuya, thirty votes. One ballot was left blank, with no name written on it."

"Thirty votes..."

Hirata Yousuke froze for a moment when he heard the number. That was three-quarters of the votes.

Then he let out a long breath.

He gave Tatsuya Sakuya an approving look, without a trace of resentment. After all, Tatsuya had delivered the actual midterm exam questions Class 1-D needed right now.

As long as someone could lead Class 1-D forward, Hirata Yousuke didn't mind who became its leader.

"The vote is concluded," Chabashira Sae announced.

"Based on the results, Tatsuya Sakuya will serve as secretary of the Class 1-D committee, effective today."

"We should unite more closely around the class committee, with Tatsuya Sakuya at its core."

Karuizawa Kei was the first to raise her hands and clap.

To her, the more power Tatsuya Sakuya held in the class, the safer she would be.

Thunderous applause filled the room.

Under the gaze of the entire class, Tatsuya Sakuya stepped up to the podium once more.

"Thank you all for your trust and support."

Tatsuya Sakuya spoke clearly and steadily, gesturing for the applause to die down.

"I have two choices in taking on this role."

"One is to hold office. The other is to get some work done."

"Since you've elected me committee secretary, I'd rather do some work for the class."

The students below the podium broke into enthusiastic applause. A little hope for the future had appeared in their eyes.

"But..."

Tatsuya Sakuya's tone shifted, and his gaze sharpened.

"A class can't run efficiently on the efforts of its committee secretary alone. To ensure we can carry out class affairs going forward, I propose forming a Core Class Committee."

He turned and wrote several large words on the blackboard: Class Committee Members.

"For now, there will be six seats."

"To represent the interests of both boys and girls, three boys and three girls will take those seats and help me coordinate class affairs."

A low murmur spread through the classroom. Students whispered to one another, trying to work out what their newly elected secretary had in mind.

"As for the candidates, to ensure the committee can get things done and earn everyone's trust, I nominate the following six students in my capacity as Class 1-D's committee secretary."

"Among the boys, I recommend Hirata Yousuke, Kouenji Rokusuke, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."

Whispers rose throughout the room, and many students turned toward the three boys he had named.

Almost no one was surprised by Hirata Yousuke's nomination. Everyone had seen how he treated people day to day.

The other two names drew frowns and quiet exchanges of opinion.

Kouenji Rokusuke was an eccentric who lived entirely in his own world.

To most people, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was simply an expressionless boy who barely registered.

"Among the girls, I recommend Kushida Kikyou, Karuizawa Kei, and Horikita Suzune."

"Those nominated are free to accept or decline. If you have any objections, now is the time to speak."

Tatsuya Sakuya calmly looked over the students he had named.

The girls responded first.

"If you trust me this much, Tatsuya, then of course I'd be happy to do my part for everyone."

Kushida Kikyou gladly accepted the nomination. It was recognition of her abilities, after all.

Horikita Suzune looked around the classroom and fell silent for a moment, weighing it carefully.

"...If I'm only responsible for academic tutoring, I'll accept."

She spoke coolly, but her words amounted to accepting the appointment.

Hirata Yousuke spoke next.

"Tatsuya, I'm willing to help you keep the class stable."

"Ho ho..."

A self-satisfied chuckle rang out.

Kouenji Rokusuke sat with one leg crossed over the other, admiring himself in a mirror as he arranged his blond hair.

Then he drawled in an exaggerated, arrogant tone:

"Handsome boy, you certainly have an eye for talent. You spotted the most dazzling person in this classroom at once. Unfortunately..."

"My time is far too precious. So I decline this so-called committee position."

The class exchanged glances, but no one was particularly surprised.

After all, Kouenji Rokusuke hadn't taken anyone seriously since the first day of school.

Tatsuya Sakuya merely nodded, his expression unchanged.

"If your ambitions lie elsewhere, Kouenji, I respect your choice."

"What about you, Ayanokouji?"

Tatsuya Sakuya's gaze went straight to that inconspicuous seat.

As every eye in the class turned toward him, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka slowly lowered the right hand that had been propping up his chin.

The scene from the other night flashed through Ayanokouji's mind.

But he preferred to keep to himself. He only wanted to spend three quiet years at this school, and becoming a committee member watched by the entire class was the last thing he wanted.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka answered:

"Sorry, Tatsuya. No matter how you look at it, I'm just an ordinary student."

"I'm not good with people, and I can't organize or coordinate anything. Putting me on the committee would only hold the class back, so... you should give the seat to someone more capable."

The classroom fell briefly silent.

From his seat, Ike Kanji couldn't help muttering under his breath:

"That's what I thought. Why pick Ayanokouji? He can barely string a sentence together most days..."

At the side of the room, Chabashira Sae watched Tatsuya Sakuya at the podium with interest, seemingly curious how the young leader would handle two rejections in a row.

But all of this was within Tatsuya Sakuya's calculations.

He had expected both of those monsters to react this way.

He hadn't nominated them publicly because he truly expected them to work for him. He wanted to establish the boundaries of his authority before the entire class.

He turned to face the students and spoke with perfect composure.

"Since those two have declined, the remaining two seats for boys..."