Chapter 137

Chapter 137

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 137: Elections (6).

Life has been tumultuous.

First, I was considered a cosmic delinquent, then a genius, then a physics pervert, and finally, a hero who saved humanity.

And now…

“Isn’t that candidate a graduate school ghost?”

I’ve become the ghost of the graduate school.

All sorts of rumors are spreading on campus:

That I’m coexisting with an Outer God.

That I’m actually an outsider with a Ph.D.

That I bribed a professor.

Surprisingly, all three are true.

“Human instincts are more accurate than I realized. I now see them in a new light.”

If there’s one injustice, it’s that since the video was released, my approval rating in the polls has plummeted. Because of that, the gap in support between Zelnya and me has narrowed to within the margin of error.

Honestly, does being good at research have much to do with leading the undergraduate student council?

Because of this reasoning, some of my votes have shifted to her.

I glared at Zelnya. She tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

“What? Why?”

“Why on earth did you do that?”

“I was trying to defend you. The seniors were saying such nonsense…”

“But how could you play the video there!”

Zelnya, who had been confidently standing tall, shrank her shoulders like a scolded child as soon as I yelled.

“You know it too! The entire school was watching! There were hundreds of spectators! Our debate scene was being broadcast live on the school TV! I was immortalized in front of 25,000 people!”

Not just any 25,000 people. These were the pillars of the Raniakae Federation.

Me, flirting with ‘Professor, I like you so much…’ in front of the brightest minds. Ugh.

“But the proof was definite, wasn’t it?”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

“Everyone must have known by watching you doing the research. They must have thought, ‘He’s a genius.’ So you’re different from those who fake their thesis by having the professor write it for them. I didn’t mean to…”

“…It was just buried.”

“What?”

“I said it was just buried!”

I distinctly remember the expressions of the senior candidates and the audience when the video was playing.

They didn’t look at me like I was human.

This can’t be. I am human.

“You’re not thinking of changing your pledge even now, are you? You’ll be called a wishy-washy guy.”

“Why would I?”

I can’t abandon my graduate school pledge, not even if it kills me. For the juniors who will enroll next year, and for myself!

“I’m not mad about that. That video was only meant for Professor Feynman to see!”

“That makes it even weirder, you idiot!”

“…Does it?”

Looking back, she was right. I couldn’t argue with that.

Zelnya looked up at me with her hands in her pockets, a rather triumphant expression on her face.

“We’re competitors. We’re fighting to see who becomes president. This much is necessary.”

“Huh.”

“Don’t worry. If you become vice president, I’ll take good care of you.”

It’s not you taking care of me; it’s me taking care of you, you fool.

If Zelnya becomes president, Outer Gods will cling to her in an instant. If possible, I should become president to make things run a bit more smoothly.

“And by the way…”

“What now?”

What kind of embarrassment are you planning for the next debate.

“I actually quite like your pledge more than I thought.”

“…?”

What is this?

Is she trying to seduce me?

“Now, we will proceed with the second debate and hearing for the student council election candidates. The first half will be conducted in a Q&A format, where the candidates will answer questions from the audience…”

The host is rambling on and on, but none of it is sinking in.

‘I actually like your pledge more than I thought.’

I’m still dissecting what Zelnya said.

Is she considering graduate school, too?

I recall the conversation we had before. Back then, Zelnya got angry when I asked her about grad school.

But now, just a few months later, her reaction has completely changed.

I can’t understand it.

“If any audience members have questions, please raise your hand.”

I slowly lift my head.

Among the hundreds of people, most are looking at me with their right hands raised as if taking an oath in court.

I feel like a criminal.

No, but what did I do wrong?

“I have a question for Candidate Reinhardt. It’s known that in your youth, you squandered your fortune and led a debauched life. Have you ever reflected on or apologized for this?”

“It was during my reckless youth. I’ve since repented and become a new person. I am sorry.”

Yes, such questions are rather mild.

“I have a question for Candidate Adelwein. How did you obtain the evidence video regarding Candidate Reinhardt last time?”

The problem is the video. The moment that topic comes up, I begin to feel suffocated.

“I was at the scene at the time. The video was taken with the consent of the person involved.”

“Then, are you two friends?”

“Fr-friends?”

Zelnya stammers but then nods.

“Yes, we are friends.”

Laughter ripples through the audience.

It seems many think one side is playing tricks on the other for fun. No, folks. We’re not that close.

“I have a question for Candidate Reinhardt. What is your relationship with Professor Stranov, who leads Resonator research?”

“As you saw in the video, she will be my advisor when I enter the graduate program.”

Oh, at this point, I might as well brazen it out.

“Are you planning to go to Eruyel Academy for graduate school?”

“No. I’ve applied for joint advisement at Stellarium…”

“In Stellarium, I understand that joint guidance with other schools is impossible.”

“The professor of the lab I plan to join is soon to marry Professor Stranov. While studying in that lab, I can maintain continuous interaction with Professor Stranov.”

Murmurs ripple through the audience.

Their expressions change noticeably.

“…So there was such a method. Thank you for your answer.”

In any case, the Q&A session about me continues in this manner.

What is this?

Why do I feel like only I am being attacked?

For an hour, they’ve asked questions centered around me and Zelnya, hardly anyone directing anything toward the second-year seniors about policy directions.

Upon careful consideration, this could only mean one thing.

[“It means they don’t intend to elect the second-years as candidates. Their interest has already shifted entirely to that girl and you.”]

Turning my gaze, there she is, smiling contentedly.

That’s right. This was all part of Zelnya’s scheme.

“That silver-haired girl is really smart. She made sure that the video shone the spotlight solely on you two. She sees you as her only competitor, so she’s pressuring the others to just stand by as extras.”

In the minds of the students, only Zelnya and I exist.

They’re curious about which of us will become president.

That’s why they’re bombarding us with questions.

“I have a question for Candidate Adelwein. What policies do you plan to implement if you become student president?”

“I will discuss with the vice president to select suitable people for each department and review the budget. That way, we can estimate how much to spend on student welfare.”

“I’d like to ask the same question to Candidate Reinhardt.”

“I will also take the same approach as Candidate Adelwein.”

Budgeting is most important.

And soon, the critical topic comes up.

“Personally, I have a request for all the candidates. Currently, the Federation is in an economic downturn due to the prolonged invasion of the Darwin System Outer God. As a result, the employment situation in Stellarium isn’t what it used to be.”

Employment.

Even Stellarium has to worry about jobs.

Don’t the big corporations recruit?

“I hope you can expand recruitment efforts toward galactic mega-corporations like the Adelwein Group or the Hedson Corporation rather than just local companies.”

“Ahem, I will try my best.”

“I will also do my utmost.”

The second-year seniors cough awkwardly.

Now that I think about it, it was a vain complaint. It’s like people who can get into Samsung asking for a chance to join Google or nothing else.

The problem is, can this be done with the power of the student council president?

“If it’s at the level of the Adelwein Group, I’ll try to set up a recruiting booth.”

“Ooh!”

Except for Zelnya.

I’m envious of how she can speak so freely.

Zelnya smiles and adds another remark.

“Additionally, I’ll arrange specific measures such as lectures by professional consultants and attracting external capital for large-scale startup support.”

“Ooh!”

The audience is instantly swept into a frenzy of admiration.

“What do you think, Candidate Reinhardt?”

Zelnya asked me.

Her sinister smile is unusual.

“I’m curious how you plan to solve the employment worries of the students.”

It seems she’s decided to stop at nothing to become president.

No way. I have a plan of my own.

“There’s always the option of graduate school employment.”

Vote Results

1. Zelnya von und zu Trisha Adelwein: 8472 votes

2. Aidel von Reinhardt: 8219 votes