Ch.142I am the Chairman and You are (5)

The student council handover was successfully completed.

Five second-year seniors were promoted to department heads. Thanks to this, support rates from the second-year students started to look good.

Moreover, there was an immediate announcement of successful recruiting. It became known that work had been done even before the launch. Zernya’s evaluation skyrocketed.

Zernya smiled with satisfaction as she looked at the elegantly furnished new president’s office.

“Good job, Vice President.”

“Ugh, President.”

Exhausted, I just shook my head. Between assisting with administrative work, studying, and research, it was killing me. Zernya, a medical student, wasn’t much different. We yawned simultaneously.

We still couldn’t rest.

“I’ll now begin the meeting.”

The secretary scribbled on the electronic board.

Major Experience Fair Assistance.

“We need to send personnel to Academia from the academic affairs team.”

Excluding administrative promises like improving medical mutual aid, this was the student council’s first activity.

“By next week, we’ll select helpers for the Academia Fair in cooperation with the colleges. We also need to prepare booths and equipment. We need active support from the Department-College Cooperation Bureau and External Cooperation Bureau.”

I’m the External Cooperation Bureau director. Looks like I’ll be running around again.

Actually, I prefer it that way.

“Director Rheinland.”

Sinclair, a second-year senior, singled me out. He had lost the presidential election but was recognized for his student council experience and became the Planning and Culture Bureau director.

“You must have known the fair was happening soon. Have you contacted the Physics Department student council?”

“The Physics Department doesn’t have a student council.”

“…? Ah.”

It’s under an emergency committee system. The students don’t vote!

“Then have you at least contacted the College of Natural Sciences student council?”

“I’ve spoken with them. I’m gathering volunteers, and I’m planning to staff the Physics Department booth myself.”

Sinclair and the other second-year seniors opened their eyes wide. Not a pleased expression. Zernya’s face also hardened.

“Wouldn’t it be better to send someone else instead of you, Director? You must have a lot to do.”

“It’s fine.”

The Major Experience Fair was an event I really wanted to participate in as a host. It’s a perfect opportunity to see potential juniors.

If I do well, I might convince students who would go to other departments to come to ours.

Plus, the Physics Department is at a high point right now due to the resonator research. It’s common sense to row when the tide is high, right?

“Junior Rheinland, no, Director. It must be difficult for you. You can just provide support from behind.”

“I agree.”

“Me too.”

The second-year seniors cast their opposing votes one after another. At first glance, they seem to be considerate. But not to me. I can’t miss the fair.

“What do you think, President?”

“Sigh.”

Zernya shook her head.

“I’d prefer if you didn’t go.”

“But everyone, would you look at this?”

I stood up and displayed a DM on the electronic board. In a group chat titled ‘Professor☆’, a series of conversations was written.

[Oblon(Department Chair): Rheinland student, congratulations on being elected vice president of the College student council. I’m leaving this message to recommend your participation in the upcoming Major Experience Fair, as our student has achieved a proud research accomplishment in the Physics Department.]

[Rudan(Director of Admissions): That’s a good idea. I believe Rheinland student understands the importance of nurturing future researchers. It’s not mandatory, so please consider it if you have time.]

[Abel(Director of Strongly Correlated Materials Research): I also recommend it.]

[Chlore(Graduate School Dean): Oh…! I recommend it too!]

[Feynman(Director of Gravity Theory Research): I recommend it. If Eidel decides to participate, I’ll help with booth setup.]

[Stranov(Director of Iryuel Quantum Gravity Research): Professor Feynman is currently receiving treatment for a herniated disc. Though I’m from another school, I think I can help.]

There were over 50 more messages below. I showed just enough. I’ll omit the rest.

“You know, even if they say it’s not coercion, there’s such a thing. Yes. You understand what I mean, right?”

The seniors and Zernya became speechless.

***

I came to Academia to set up the booth.

“Mmm, that sexy smell.”

Physics newbies have a distinctive smell.

I want to quickly teach them everything. I want them to taste the true flavor of physics and choose the Physics Department in undergrad. I want to tutor them when they join. I want to memorize each student’s name while taking attendance during TA sessions. I want to take them on a tour every time they come to complain about midterms and finals.

“Hey, don’t leave my side. Stay close and follow me.”

Ah, I want to become a professor.

“Hey, hey!”

“What?”

“Are you not listening to me at all?”

Zernya was looking up at me with her arms crossed.

“When someone speaks, you should at least pretend to listen, shouldn’t you?”

“Sorry, President. I was just thinking about something else.”

“Thinking? About what? Don’t tell me about that blonde girl?”

“Which girl? Oh, you mean Rustila?”

Zernya nodded. She was looking around while maintaining eye contact with me.

Those two don’t get along.

Regardless. I should probably see Rustila after today. It’s been too long since we met. She’s rejected my invitations to meet several times.

“What time do you think we’ll finish today?”

“We’re just here to survey, so we’ll finish early. So hurry up and follow me.”

That’s when it happened.

“Hurry up and follow? Alright.”

I turned around at the familiar voice and saw Rustila. I involuntarily choked. Her gaze was as cold as frost.

However, I realized that gaze was directed not at me but at Zernya. Zernya turned around like a broken wooden doll and frowned.

Eventually, the two girls’ eyes met. I was caught between them. The temperature seemed to drop by about 5 degrees, making my back feel chilly.

“It’s been a while, Adelbein.”

“Who are you? Why are you acting like you know me?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember me? Ms. Eternal Second Place.”

I was a bit surprised. Usually, Zernya was the one to pick fights. This time, Rustila launched the first attack.

But normally, when you meet someone after a long time, you don’t immediately start with provocations, right?

As I thought this, Rustila’s expression softened as she approached me.

“It’s been a while, Eidel.”

It was an angelic, radiant smile. Yes, this is the Rustila I know. Just looking at her is healing.

“I heard they’re setting up major booths from this week, so I thought you might come. I heard you’ll finish early today, want to have dinner together at that restaurant from last time?”

“No. He’s busy.”

“I didn’t ask you, Zernya.”

“Come on! Both of you, calm down!”

If this continues, they might start pulling each other’s hair. I desperately tried to stop them. But this was not as easy as I thought.

While checking the booth location and greeting the Academia staff, Zernya and Rustila continued their back-and-forth. It was so intense that the stares of passersby were noticeable.

“Can’t you two stop fighting?”

“We’re not fighting?”

“No, we are fighting. Sorry for the commotion.”

“Is she crazy? Why are you apologizing to her?”

“You…”

Fearing Rustila might explode, I patted her shoulder. Seeing this, Zernya exploded.

“Don’t follow us.”

“I’ll help you, Eidel.”

Rustila directly helped set up the canopy. Indeed, having two tall people made tying the upper knots easier. We worked together as if we were one body.

“This is ridiculous, really.”

Zernya flushed and rolled up her sleeves. Seeing us working together seemed to provoke her competitive spirit.

“Give me the string. I’ll set it up too.”

“Here.”

“Be grateful that the president is helping, Vice President.”

Zernya struggled to tie the string and make knots. She managed the lower part skillfully. The problem was the upper part. Being short, she couldn’t reach the connection point.

“Get me a chair, Vice President!”

“Here it is.”

“Give me a piggyback ride, Vice President!”

“Ah, yes.”

Rustila frowned. Zernya also glared at me. Her expression suggested she’d make me experience all sorts of injustices if I didn’t comply.

I hesitated before lifting her onto my shoulders. It was a kind of compromise. Of course, I added the ad-lib that she was heavy. She pulled my hair for that.

As I stood up with her sitting on my shoulders, Zernya started making a fuss.

“Ah, wait! Too, too high…!”

“What? Are you afraid of heights? Then get down.”

I put Zernya back down. She had a stupid expression. Rustila was busy chuckling.

“You’re having a hard time.”

An Academia teacher patted my shoulder and smiled sadly.

***

“A mosquito that couldn’t even graduate early is buzzing around. Why don’t you go practice your beloved sword training instead of bothering us while we work?”

“I already finished that? And you, after bringing Eidel here, you didn’t do anything. What did you come for?”

“I’m the student council president and he’s the vice president.”

“So what?”

“Don’t you know it’s natural for the student council president to supervise the vice president’s work? Oh, you don’t know much about college, do you? Well, what would an idiot who couldn’t even graduate early know?”

“The idiot would be you. You haven’t even written a single paper.”

“What? And you have?”

“I’ve had my name in <Universe>. I wrote it with Eidel. Want to see? Eidel is the first author and I’m the second, so our names are right next to each other.”

“Look at you bragging about riding a shuttle when all you have in your head is plasma. Ugh, it’s irritating.”

This is crazy. It’s mentally exhausting.

Meeting two women with terrible chemistry is more tiring than I imagined. I paid 100 prons and asked Cartesia for noise cancellation. I didn’t have the energy to mediate between them right now.

I’m hungry. Exaggerating a bit, I feel like I’m starving.

[“Rookie. Want me to help? I could just tweak their brains a little and it would be quick.”]

No. Don’t do that.

“Are you ready to order?”

The three of us were currently choosing from the menu at the restaurant Rustila recommended.

…Let’s eat first and think later.