It was the last week of May, and surprisingly, Satoshi had been consistent with waking up on time lately.

"Why do you have to phrase it like that, author-san?" Satoshi muttered.

"Well, because it's true!" the author responded.

"It’s not!"

After some back-and-forth, they finally agreed that while it was a bit surprising, it wasn't *too* out of the ordinary.

"So, Satoshi, how does it feel? The calm before the storm? Tomorrow’s a big day, you know."

"If by 'big day' you mean the student council elections, then yeah, sure. But honestly, I just want it to be over. It's been non-stop campaigning for days."

"Non-stop campaigning? Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?"

"Yeah, true, but it gets tiring after a while."

"Hmm, that’s also true, I guess."

"But watching Shizuka every day isn’t tiring, right? Hehe."

"Stop it. Please don't go down that road every day."

With that, more playful banter ensued. Satoshi rolled his eyes as he walked to school, tuning out the internal dialogue. Tomorrow was the student council election, and the tension in the air was palpable. Banners were hung everywhere, and clusters of students gathered, handing out flyers for their preferred candidates.

At the school entrance, several groups were already campaigning aggressively. Shinji’s team handed out flyers near the main gate, while Sakura’s supporters waved bright signs near the courtyard. But it was Mai Minamoto’s camp that dominated. Posters of her face lined the hallways, and her team moved through the crowds with clipboard surveys, eager to leave a lasting impression.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Looks like a full-on battle out here. Who are you voting for?" Author asked Satoshi.

"Haven't decided yet. I’ll figure it out when I have to."

"Spoken like a true tactician… or someone who's incredibly lazy."

Classes were cut short due to election activities, and after the final bell, Satoshi headed to the debate club room earlier than usual. But when he got there, he wasn’t alone.

Sitting comfortably in a chair, talking with Arata-senpai, was none other than Mai Minamoto herself.

Arata-senpai turned to face him, his calm expression softening into a polite smile. "Ah, you're here, Satoshi."

Satoshi blinked in surprise. "Minamoto-senpai? What are you doing here?"

Arata chuckled, crossing his arms. "No need to be so formal. She’s my cousin. We were catching up, and well, she’s quite curious about you."

Mai nodded, her eyes scanning Satoshi thoughtfully. "Yes, Arata speaks highly of you. I wanted to meet you in person before the election."

Satoshi scratched the back of his head. "Me? I’m just a first-year trying to keep up with everyone else. I didn’t think I was that interesting."

Mai laughed softly. "Humility? That’s rare these days. But Arata doesn’t praise people lightly, you know."

"Oh boy, looks like she's sizing you up. Better not mess this up, Satoshi," the author quipped.

"Relax, I got this," Satoshi muttered internally.

Mai leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharpening. "Tell me, Sugimoto-kun, what do you think makes a good leader? Not just for this school, but in general."

The sudden question caught Satoshi off guard, but he quickly composed himself. "A good leader is someone who knows how to listen and adapt. It’s not about being the loudest or strongest, but about understanding the people you’re leading and helping them reach their potential. They shouldn’t be afraid to make hard decisions, but they need to be open to criticism too. After all, no one can lead alone."

Arata smiled, clearly pleased, while Mai’s eyes narrowed with interest. "Very insightful for someone your age. You speak as if you’ve given this a lot of thought."

Satoshi shrugged. "I’ve been paying attention to the election, even if it doesn’t seem like it. It’s interesting to see how different people approach leadership."

Mai nodded, leaning back in her chair. "I’m impressed. Arata wasn’t wrong about you. I’m glad we had this conversation."

Satoshi gave a small, uncertain smile. "Thanks, I guess?"

Mai stood up, brushing off her skirt and adjusting her blazer. "I’ll be counting on your vote tomorrow. But I have another request."

Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Another request?"

Mai glanced at Arata-senpai before meeting Satoshi’s gaze again. "I’d like you to meet me tomorrow evening after the election results are announced. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

"Ooh, mysterious. What could the mighty front-runner want from you, Satoshi?" the author teased.

"What is this about, exactly?"

Mai smiled, this time with a hint of intrigue. "You’ll find out tomorrow."

With that, she turned and left the club room, leaving Satoshi standing there, slightly bewildered.

"Well, that was unexpected. What do you think she wants?" the author asked.

"No idea, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough."

"I think it’s something good? Or maybe she just wants to use me for some kind of grand scheme?"

"You really overthink things."

"I’m literally a figment of your imagination. Overthinking is what I do."