Chapter 97: Elections and Reflections After Summer Vacation (Reincarnated as a Beautiful Girl and Aim to Become a Top Actress!)

 

97 — Elections and Reflections After Summer Vacation

“Now then, we will begin this year’s student council election speeches.”

As I announced into the microphone, I saw all the students from the three grades filling up the many seats in front of me, all dressed in the same uniform. Behind the stage curtains stood the student council president, who had forced this role on me, and the members of the election management committee, which I belonged to.

Why was I, a first-year student, suddenly chosen for such an important role? It was because of what happened during the rehearsal to decide the MC for the previous day.

When we had chosen our committees shortly after entering school, I picked the election management committee. The reason was that usual committees often required regular meetings or duties, sometimes after school, which could interfere with my schedule. Yoko had helped me organize a routine where I would go to school in the morning and work from the afternoon onward. It felt unfair to join a committee but then back out by saying “I can’t because of work,” as that would breed resentment among the other committee members.

So, even though the election period might be busy, I chose the election management committee because its work would be limited to a short timeframe. That plan mostly worked out — there wasn’t much work beyond regular meetings during the election period. Maybe because only one person ran for vice president, so it was just a confidence vote, which reduced the workload. The presidential election, however, was a heated contest between current student council officers.

That alone wouldn’t increase the committee’s work, so it was fine. The problem was that the election management committee members this year were all introverts — people who didn’t like to stand out, were bad at speaking in front of others, and absolutely didn’t want to be MC. You’d expect at least one person to volunteer, but somehow all the members were this way.

Apparently, there’s an unspoken rule that if no one volunteers to MC, the president of the committee steps up. But our committee president hated the idea of MC–ing and eyed me instead. Everyone was so nervous they stumbled over simple lines and some couldn’t even speak loud enough. I read the script smoothly, and the president begged me to take over.

I refused at first, but if I’d kept saying no, everyone else might have started kneeling down begging. I don’t have a weird fetish for enjoying others’ begging, so I gave in to their pressure. I didn’t want them to think I was just being mean or difficult, especially since I’d given the New Student Representative speech at the entrance ceremony.

With all three grades of students and teachers in the auditorium, the air felt thin somehow. It was October, cool enough for winter uniforms without sweating, but having so many people inside made the air feel humid. On stage, with lights shining down, it was even hotter. I wanted to quickly introduce the candidates and get off stage.

Just then, the same instruction came through my earpiece. I called the vice president candidate and the two presidential candidates to the stage. The vice president candidate wasn’t actually competing, but would give a speech for a confidence vote — over 60% approval means confidence, otherwise the president picks the vice president. No vice president candidate has ever been voted down before, so everyone expected the same this time.

Once the stage was set, I led the two presidential candidates backstage, while the vice president candidate stayed on stage. The candidates were seated, while I waited standing. I felt their eyes on my back.

“Let me know when it’s your turn,” I said with a bow and started to leave.

“Wait a moment,” one called quietly, beckoning me closer. Since the speech was already underway and normal volume might carry to the audience, they wanted to talk quietly.

I wondered what it was about as I leaned in. The senior’s gaze swept over me from head to knees. I wasn’t sure what to think until the senior smiled and said,

“You speak clearly and have good posture. If you’re interested, how about becoming a student council officer?”

“What? You’re recruiting already, even before anyone’s won?”

The senior on the right got a playful scolding from the one on the left. They’d been arguing over their campaign promises, but they didn’t seem to dislike each other.

Maybe sensing my confusion, the right senior smiled and explained,

“We’re not really at odds. We’ve spent the past year together in the student council room, so we know each other’s personalities well.”

“Yes, in the election, we argue because we prioritize different things. I want to start with one issue; they want another. We point out good parts of our own plans and the flaws in the other’s, but it’s not personal dislike.”

They explained patiently, probably thinking my first-year self wouldn’t grasp campaign politics. Judging by their quick wit, either would make a decent student council president. After all, it’s middle school, and a slightly rough student council isn’t a big deal.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sorry — I usually have plans after school.”

When I politely declined, they asked what kind of plans. I told them honestly, “Acting work.” The senior on the right sighed and looked at me like a troubled child.

“You worked hard to get into this school, right? Then you should focus on studies before work. The entrance to high school is easier if you come from here, but the standards are pretty high.”

“Thank you for the advice, but I chose this school because it fits my acting schedule well. Of course, I’ll study hard, but I can’t neglect my work.”

The senior admired my straightforwardness but shook her head.

“If you ever struggle with studies, come to me. I’ll find time to help.”

Despite arguing, she spoke kindly, showing she had a big heart. I was relieved not to have upset her.

“Don’t worry — I think you’ll be fine. If I’m wrong, sorry — you’re the one who gave the entrance ceremony speech, right?”

“Yes! So that means you were top of your class?”

The senior on the left chuckled and asked, and I nodded. The right senior gasped loudly, then covered her mouth, embarrassed.

Do I look like I’m bad at studying? I even thought, maybe wearing fake glasses would make me look smarter, but that sounded silly.

Seeing me look down, the right senior tried to explain but couldn’t get the words out. The senior on the left  smiled and helped.

“She didn’t mean to say you looked dumb. You said your after-school hours are busy with work, so we thought you might be average or below in grades because of time constraints.”

“That’s kind of creepy how accurate you are, but yes. Sorry if it hurt your feelings.”

The right senior gave a playful glare but apologized with a bow. I wasn’t angry, but I didn’t want rumors spreading about the student council’s next officers bowing like that.

“Please raise your head! Your turn is coming soon!” I whispered with a little force. Reluctantly, she looked up.

Just then, the applause after the vice president candidate’s speech thundered like rain. The two seniors’ expressions turned serious.

I silently thought, “Perfect timing,” and led them to the edge between stage and backstage to wait for their names to be called. I asked them to wait there and stood quietly with the mic on the side of the stage. As the vice president candidate left backstage, a bright spotlight blinded me.

Though I couldn’t see the audience, I smiled and called the first speaker — the right senior — onto the stage. She walked slowly to the podium, took a deep breath, and began her speech. Listening, I thought back over everything since the end of summer.

After my sister’s scandal settled, I still didn’t go back home to Kansai. I really wanted to see Naoto and Fumika, but I absolutely didn’t want to face my parents or sister. They were disappointed, but I planned to visit during winter break. Meeting them in a busy city like Osaka rather than my hometown would avoid any awkward encounters. No point ruining a fun visit.

Azusa-san advised me to avoid new jobs for a while, as I’d had a tough schedule before summer. I planned to focus on lessons and current work, accepting new jobs only after consulting Yoko-san.

A few days into the new semester, a new dorm manager arrived unexpectedly. The surprising news came from Toyo-san, who had long been Azusa-san’s housekeeper but quit due to severe back pain.

However, it wasn’t simple. The new manager was Toyo-san’s daughter-in-law. They had no children for years, but last year Toyo-san’s son’s infidelity was discovered. The daughter-in-law wanted a divorce but faced harsh judgment in a male-dominated society. She turned to her mother-in-law for help.

Though most expect conflict in such cases, Toyo-san and her daughter-in-law had a surprisingly good relationship. Toyo-san was busy and didn’t meddle, and the daughter-in-law appreciated her kindness.

When the daughter-in-law asked to live with Toyo-san until her final days, Toyo-san declined, warning that living together would bring out flaws and friction, which she wanted to avoid.

Though the daughter-in-law would check in occasionally, she’d mostly be on her own. Having been a housewife for years, she struggled to find a job. With no children, she was confident in household duties but lacked work experience.

Toyo-san, concerned about the vacant housekeeper role, asked Azusa-san to hire her daughter-in-law as her replacement. Azusa-san and I welcomed the idea, trusting Toyo-san.

Next spring, several new child actors would move into the dorm for lessons. Having the dorm and main house clean would be a huge help, as I alone struggled to keep up.

Although the daughter-in-law would have days off, she’d start with basic housework, helping Azusa-san as needed.

However, for Ai-san, who’d just quit acting and had worked in the dorm for years, it was a huge change. I wondered how she really felt about quitting her beloved work. She smiled and said, “I’ll do my best for the kids from now on,” but I once saw her quietly shedding tears late at night. I guessed she was dealing with a deep inner conflict she couldn’t share.

Carrying those feelings in my heart, here I was, MC–ing the student council election speeches. All eyes on me made me nervous, but somewhere deep inside, I felt I was growing bit by bit.

The summer vacation events had changed my life a little. But I would keep moving forward, at my own pace. Surely, more challenges would come, but I’d face them, not run away.

The microphone echoed, and the next speaker’s name was called. Feeling a small resolve growing in my chest, I quietly applauded from the side of the stage.

(T/N; Hello hello! Posting schedule will change tomorrow, chapters will now be released at 6:00AM GMT+8)