Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 9 Bonus Chapter

What If Itsuki Ran for President

After school, I was thinking about the future campaign with Tennouji-san and Narika.

"The platforms of the three of you don't overlap at all, do they."

I said, observing the past few days. Tennouji-san and Narika nodded.

"That's right. My policy is to further refine the dignity of Kiou Academy..."

"And I hope to make Kiou Academy more free..."

Tennouji-san's platform aims to help students cultivate a nobler character through etiquette seminars. Narika's aims to establish a salon to promote the exchange of ideas and broaden students' horizons.

"And then Joutou-kun, he wants to overturn Kiou Academy's common sense..."

The three appeals are completely different.

Only Joutou's is in a class of its own, but Tennouji-san's and Narika's also contain elements of 'breaking the old and establishing the new.' No matter who wins, Kiou will change. In that sense, this election is guaranteed to be innovative.

Frankly, I was surprised no one proposed "maintaining the status quo." In a parliamentary or party leadership election, that's usually the most advantageous strategy. But this time, all the candidates are running on what they want to do... If I had to say, if Hinako were running, she might have advocated for the status quo.

"Just as a reference for us, if you became president, Tomonari-kun, what would you do?"

Tennouji-san threw me an unexpected question, making my eyes widen.

"...I've never thought about it, so I can't give you an answer right away."

I gave a strained laugh, trying to change the subject, but they both looked at me with great interest.

"President Minato said it, didn't she? That it would be interesting if you became president. I'd like to see a future with you as president, Itsuki."

"I feel the same. You were the star of the Management Tournament. If you ran, you might get a surprising amount of support."

Even so, I couldn't win against you two... But since they asked, I decided to think about it.

"Hmm..."

If I became president, what kind of school would I want to build?

What I want to do is learn about management, but I can do that on my own without changing the school.

I can't change the school for selfish reasons.

"Hmm————..............."

For example, helping people like Hinako who are struggling with the school's strict curriculum? There might be a demand for it... but it could damage Kiou's dignity. Besides, if you can't keep up, you can just transfer. Of course, there are students like Hinako who can't transfer, but that's a family issue, not the school's—not something the president can interfere with.

What kind of reform would people want from me?

In the tournament, I was a consultant. If people expect a similar service...

"..............I'd want to build a school that listens to the students' opinions."

"How ordinary."

"So plain."

After racking my brain, I could only squeeze out a very mundane answer.

"It's ordinary... but Itsuki, you're the kind of person who could truly achieve it."

"That's right... If you make a request, the student council will mostly make it happen. And you'd help anyone as if it were your own problem... You'd be a tough opponent."

I feel like they're overestimating me.

However, if they believe in my abilities... I promise to offer those abilities to whoever wins.

What If Hinako Ran for President

The night of the fourth day of the student council election period.

As I was in my room thinking about campaign strategy, I heard a sound from the bed behind me.

"Ooh—..."

Hinako had been quiet for a while, so I thought she was asleep, but she was awake. She said she wanted to use the laptop, so I lent it to her. It seems she's been on it this whole time.

"Hinako, what are you doing?"

"I'm looking at the poll results... So this is what everyone thinks of me."

This was the poll Tennouji-san had asked me to run, asking what people would want Hinako to do if she were president.

And, of course, we got Hinako's permission. She was now looking at the results.

"By the way, you're not running, but if you did, have you ever thought about what kind of president you'd be?"

"...Nope. I don't even want to think about it."

"But if you became president, you could change Kiou Academy however you want."

Within reason, of course.

'Change the school however she wants'—Hinako seemed intrigued by this possibility and thought for a moment.

"Then... first, school is only three days a week."

Not 'days off,' but 'school days'...

What to do? I only asked out of curiosity, but I feel like I already see the result.

"Lunch break is two hours long, and naps are mandatory."

"Mandatory..."

"If someone is studying, other people can't sleep."

She's being strangely considerate of others. How clever.

I wish she wouldn't use her 'talented girl' traits on weird things.

"Also... you can buy potato chips at the school store."

Honestly, I want that too.

But I also feel it doesn't suit Kiou. You can just buy them at a convenience store. But if Joutou's platform is realized, maybe one day...

"...In reality, if I became president, the school would probably stay as it is."

Hinako whispered.

"After all, everyone wants me to produce 'solid results that meet expectations.'"

"...I see."

Hinako has always lived up to everyone's hopes.

And 'meeting expectations' means being practical. Since she won't betray those expectations, the results will be just as others predict.

To the people at Kiou, Tennouji-san's and Narika's platforms are refreshing, and Joutou's is novel. But Hinako doesn't represent that. She would most likely advocate for the status quo.

"But it's not like you can't change Kiou. You acquired a company in the tournament."

"Well... technically, it's not impossible."

In the tournament, Hinako reformed the Konohana Group to meet demand. Her biggest selling point is 'solid,' but she's not incapable of change. Takuma-san must have caused the recall scandal at the end to confirm exactly that.

"But I'm better at solid results than reform... I guess everyone senses that."

Hinako said, looking down.

"I'm a little... frustrated."

She murmured quietly.

"Frustrated about what?"

"I can innovate if I want to... but no one thinks so. This poll... if it had been 'What do you want Tennouji-san or Miyakojima-san to do?' the results would have been totally different."

If this poll had been about them, it's true, the opinions seeking reform would be the majority, completely different from her poll. It seems this fact left a complicated feeling in her.

(...So Hinako is conscious of them.)

I've been so focused on the election, I haven't thought much about them, but in the long run of school life, they are the ones who can be compared to Hinako.

The three of them have been challenging each other. That's why Tennouji-san is running, and Narika must have been influenced by her.

If Tennouji-san heard what Hinako just said... she'd be so happy.

Ah... Tennouji-san.

Hinako sees you as a rival...

"...Who were you just thinking about?"

"Eh... n-no one. I wasn't thinking about anything."

She's so sharp all of a sudden.

Hinako is in a competitive mood right now. If I said I was thinking about them, she'd get mad, so I reflexively dodged.

"I don't want to be president... "

Hinako said, her cheeks turning red.

"But if it would make you think about me more... I might consider it."

She said this, and buried her face in my blankets.

I'm honored you feel that way, but unfortunately, you're mistaken.

After all, I'm thinking about you all the time.

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