Uneasy daily life

Huh? When did Xiaoqi slip away?!

……

Class J, Grade 11.

"The Hero of Soubu High School, the Cat Master, the Flower of Old Age..."

Suddenly, a loud, impassioned voice came from outside the classroom door, silencing the students' casual chatter during break. A burst of whispers followed, like scattered showers of rain hitting the skyscrapers.

The students' eyes suddenly turned to them.

This feeling... what does "a flower in her later years" mean? Sakurajima or her older sister?

Yukino Yukinoshita, who was flipping through a book, sighed and calmly looked up: "Haku-kun, what's wrong... um?"

Her gaze passed over the white figure and landed on the camera that Jiu Chongyun was carrying, causing her to frown.

"How can a ruler bring peace to the world? How can he govern the world?"

A white figure strode over, holding a voice recorder for interviews... wait, isn't that just a ballpoint pen?

"Are you a reporter today?" Yukino Yukinoshita sat in her seat, slightly cautious and wary. This was a classroom, and if her unlucky boyfriend suddenly leaned over and sniffed her, she couldn't guarantee she could keep her composure. "Your equipment seems to be malfunctioning."

"Tools are merely derivatives of will, gears of efficiency; they represent nothing," the white-clad figure uttered a few words of profound wisdom, before solemnly asking again, "How will you pacify the world? How will you govern the world?"

"About running for student council president?" Yukino Yukinoshita closed the book in her hands and said calmly, "As for qualifications for running, I should have quite a few—for example, my exam scores above Shiro-kun, having presided over school events such as the cultural festival as the executive committee chairperson, and having participated in extracurricular activities such as organizing fireworks displays, so I have some management experience. But these are all old stories and don't count as reasons. I want to become student council president, to take on new challenges, overcome more difficulties, and become a better version of myself. That's the most important reason."

"As for how to manage after becoming the student council president, it would be a bit theoretical to talk about it now, since I have never been a student council president before. I will do my job as student council president well, and try to bring some changes to school life, and strive to provide students with more meaningful and fun group activities in addition to the usual cultural festivals and other events."

Yukino Yukinoshita paused slightly, then tentatively asked, "How about a Christmas ball?"

"I see, I understand now..."

Bai Ying nodded knowingly. After the interview, she left the classroom excitedly, taking the camera with her to the next location.

"?"

Yukino Yukinoshita was a little puzzled. Why hadn't Haku done anything strange? She had been on high alert, prepared a bunch of scenarios for what to do if Haku went crazy, and mentally prepared herself to remain calm and composed in front of everyone... but Haku hadn't done anything weird at all?

What exactly is Bai Jun trying to do? Didn't he just keep saying he wanted to run for office?

The snow beneath appears as if it were white, a mere shadow.

……

Grade 11, Class B.

"How do I run for student council president? What should I do after I become student council president?"

Chitanda Eru tried hard to think, organizing her thoughts for the camera: "Um...uh...uh..."

"Didn't you organize school trips before? And you also served as an executive committee member in later group activities. These experiences and resumes earned through hard work are the foundation of your candidacy, proving that this isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision," Bai Ying remarked. "The principle is simple to say, but it's easy to be lazy. The so-called unity of knowledge and action means that a person knows what they should do and does it with action, putting it into practice—that is the realm of a sage."

"Mmm-hmm." Chitanda Eru nodded her little head in agreement.

Bai Ying said with satisfaction, "As expected of my niece, those are well said."

"what?"

Chitanda Eru asked doubtfully, "Uncle Haku, I don't think I said anything just now?"

"You didn't say it aloud, but you already felt it in your heart. I'm just expressing it," Bai Ying said succinctly, then asked kindly, "If my niece becomes the student council president, what policies will she adopt?"

"First, we need to learn how to be a student council president, and then we need to find ways to do some good deeds," Chitanda Eru said excitedly. "The Aid and Service Club established by Uncle Shiro is great. We can definitely have the student council do something similar, accepting everyone's requests and helping them solve various difficulties! Also, haven't the first-year students never been to Jinde? I'd like to act as a tour guide and take them to experience the charm of Jinde. Although the first-year school trip is over, could we try to add another one?"

They're all full of crazy ideas.

Sitting by the window, Houtarou Oreki listened quietly to the interview, inwardly criticizing Chitanda's linear thinking—the student council's duties were busy enough, and now they had to accept requests from students? The student council was generally not a group students wanted to interact with, and even with Hakukage's Aid Service Club, not many people in the school would consider asking for help… Organizing a school trip for the first-year students would probably be very appealing to them, but the school itself would likely be less enthusiastic; the success rate of the application was practically zero…

"I see," Bai Ying said approvingly. "Becoming the student council president will allow you to better serve everyone and help them solve their problems. I've chosen to listen closely to the voices of my classmates, understand their various troubles, and offer help as much as possible, while also developing myself in the process. At the same time, I will boldly innovate, adhering to the principle of 'reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles,' to provide everyone with more opportunities to broaden their horizons, so that the student council under my leadership can fulfill its responsibility to assist the school in nurturing students and perform its most fundamental duties..."

Chitanda Eru was stunned: "Huh? That's not what I said, is it?"

Bai Ying asked in surprise, "Isn't this the same thing?"

It seems...that's true?

While her niece was pondering, Bai Ying interrupted, "You're the head of the Classical Literature Club. If you run for student council president, will the Classical Literature Club be disbanded?"

“If we win the election, of course we’ll have to disband,” Chitanda Eru nodded. “Oreki-san plans to join the student council with me…”

“This is not good.” Bai Ying sighed with a melancholy expression. “The Classic Literature Club was passed down to you from Brother Guan Gu, and then you brought it from Jinchu to Chiba. It is a kind of fate that has been passed down. I suggest that Xiao Zhezi inherit the Classic Literature Club and let him work hard to make the Classic Literature Club bigger and stronger.”

Oreki Houtaro: "..."

got used to.

“My uncle has gotten out of his predicament, and I need to get out of mine too.” Chitanda Eru shook her head and said, “In the beginning, I established the Classic Literature Club at Soubu High School just because I was used to it, so Oreki-kun went along with my nonsense. But if I’m always used to being in the Classic Literature Club, I can’t be the student council president. Whether the Classic Literature Club is disbanded or not is not important. What’s important is moving on to the next place.”

Bai Ying glanced at Oreki Houtarou by the window and said with a smile, "Eru, don't you think it's a bit of a pity?"

“There’s nothing to regret. Uncle Shiro and Yukinoshita are also disbanding the Aid Service Club, aren’t they?” Chitanda Eru clenched her fist. “Everyone is working hard, and Oreki-san and I have to work hard too!”

"Oh ho ho ho ho ho ha ha ha..."

Houtarou Oreki silently closed the book in his hands and turned to look at the scenery outside the window.

The wind is so noisy today.

……

The soccer field is a good place to arrest Hayato Hayama.

"The prince of Soubu High School, the pinnacle of popular life, a charming and gentle guy who appeals to both men and women, the male protagonist of a light novel..."

After giving a formal introduction to the camera, Bai Ying held up a ballpoint pen: "Your Highness, what are your thoughts and actions regarding the student council election?"

Hayato Hayama looked at the white figure, then at Kokonoe Kumo carrying the camera: "...White-kun, what are you doing?"

"We're filming 'The Legend of the Supreme Warriors'," Bai Ying said enthusiastically. "I'm interviewing the candidates one by one. If His Highness participates in the election, he will definitely be the strongest enemy of the other candidates. The opportunity to seize the world is right in front of him. This is His Highness's only chance in this lifetime..."

"I don't plan to run for student council." Hayama Hayato coughed and showed off his team uniform and sneakers to the camera. "As the captain of the soccer club, my responsibility is to lead everyone to a good result in the national tournament. I am not capable of fulfilling the duties of a student council position."

Bai Ying: "Who does Your Highness favor to become the student council president?"

"Bai-kun, just call me Hayama or Hayato." Hayama Hayato smiled.

White Shadow: "Hayato, who do you support as student council president?"

Hayato Hayama's eyes flickered slightly as he noticed Iroha Isshiki, who was leading a group of boys carrying a basket of equipment. "Of course, I support the soccer club manager more. I wish her the best of luck in the election."

Not far away, Isshiki Hachiman noticed a strange scene by the court—a cameraman? A white shadow? Captain Hayato?

Is Bai Ying filming a new project?

She hesitated for a moment, then jogged over with a smile on her face: "Senior Shiro, Senior Hayato, what are you doing?"

"Inquire of the opinions of renowned scholars throughout the land regarding the various feudal lords," Bai Ying said solemnly.

Isshiki Hachiman: "?"

What the hell are you talking about?

"Hasn't the student council election already started? Shiro is interviewing the candidates." Hayama Hayato said with a smile. "Isshiki, you've arrived just in time. You guys go ahead with your interviews, I'm going to warm up."

Hayato Hayama calmly slipped away.

"Various lords? Famous scholars of the world? These are quite interesting alternative terms." Iroha Isshiki chuckled knowingly. "Hmph~ What did Hayato-senpai say?"

"He believes you'll rise to power." Bai Ying held out a pen. "Please, pretentious junior, share your thoughts on your election defeat."

In front of the camera, Iroha Isshiki smiled broadly, radiating youth and energy: "No problem, I'm running for office... Senior, what do you mean by losing an election? Can you predict the future?"

“Because based on the intelligence I’ve gathered so far, you’re the weakest one.” Bai Ying pushed up her non-existent glasses. “The others either have years of experience, great ambitions, or professional teams. Compared to them, this pretentious junior is far too weak. So rather than waiting until you lose the election and are in no mood for an interview, it’s better to do an interview now while you’re in a good mood.”

Big fire!

Although I do want to lose the election, this tone of certainty that I will definitely lose—it makes me incredibly angry!

Isshiki Iroha stood tall with her hands on her hips, her slightly rough movements giving her a charming and adorable air: "According to the story's flow, isn't this perfectly in line with the protagonist's role? A minor character that no one paid attention to suddenly turns the tables and makes everyone gasp in amazement—a classic tale."

"How does this pretentious junior plan to run for student council president?"

"Hmm... it's not about running for student council president, but about who everyone recognizes and likes becoming student council president," Iroha Isshiki said. "Rather than preparing to run for student council president, it's more about who everyone wants to choose as student council president."

"Because it was everyone's choice, losing doesn't really count as a loss, I understand." Bai Ying nodded repeatedly. "If you became the student council president, what would you do?"

Isshiki Iroha's eyes twitched slightly, her face full of smiles. If it weren't for the camera, she would have already blurted out, "Of course, I will try my best to meet everyone's expectations and become a responsible student council president."

After a brief interview, Shiroki left with the camera. Iroha Isshiki's face fell, and she watched Shiroki walk away with a sullen expression...

This idol is so different from what I imagined.

But...did I just appear on TV?

Isshiki thought about it and felt it was unlikely. How could someone carry a camera and film in such a rudimentary way? It was probably Hakuei who deliberately hired someone to act in order to put pressure on him.

It's a little disappointing that I can't be on TV.

……

After wandering around for a while, the white-clad figure started working, typing away at the computer.

Jiu Chongyun exited work mode, fast-forwarded through the footage she had shot, and couldn't help but frown: "Bai, not much of this footage is usable. It involves so many people, and asking them one by one whether they need to be blurred or not is a hassle... What exactly did I shoot today?"

"Didn't you want to film me and talk about me? Of course, I'll film the details of my life."

Bai Ying typed rapidly on the keyboard: "Don't be fooled by the seemingly ordinary content. The ingredients need to be carefully prepared to become a meal... Hmm, it's about time. Let's go to the copy room and borrow the photocopier."

"What are you planning to photocopy?" Jiu Chongyun suddenly remembered the things she had picked up when she first arrived at Zongwu High School. "Flyers?"

"Oh, that was just a small test to see everyone's reaction, and the result wasn't ideal, but this time it's different..."

Bai Ying chuckled: "Rebellious director, do you even know what the essence of humanity is?"

Jiuchongyun: "It's human."

"Looks like you've grasped the essence of nonsense." Bai Ying looked at the formatted and text-filled document with satisfaction, then casually added some decorations. "Humans also have an essence called strength ranking!"

"A ranking system?" Jiu Chongyun was baffled. "What kind of human nature is this?"

Bai Ying immediately replied, "You're better than your dad."

Jiu Chongyun: "Are you being sarcastic?"

Bai Ying: "Then you're not as good as your dad."

Jiuchongyun: "..."

"Look, you've already fallen into a vortex of intense anxiety."

……

boom!

Under the watchful eyes of a crowd that had more than doubled in number, stretching from the courtyard to the teaching building, the gavel slammed loudly on the table.

"The rise and fall of dynasties have turned the world upside down. I say that the people of the past suffered much, and those who come after us will share the same fate."

The white figure flicked a folding fan in the dead of autumn, his voice loud and clear, his words flowing endlessly.

"The Complete Martial Arts Chronicle, Chapter Two: Warlords Fight for Supremacy, Scholars Assess the Rankings of the Eight Regions!"

There was a scholar who, in order to seek out an enlightened ruler, traveled across the land during a time of great chaos, sitting and discussing philosophy with various feudal lords.

Yumiko Miura, from a prestigious family, was the queen of Soubu High School, with women from all over the country flocking to her.

The scholar visited her and asked, "The world is about to fall into chaos, how will the Queen pacify it?"

Miura said calmly, "Why bother pacifying the world? The world will naturally fall into our hands."

The scholar asked again, "If the world is at peace, how will the Queen govern it?"

Miura coldly replied: "Those who obey me kneel, those who defy me crawl."

The scholar then asked, "Yukinoshita described the Queen as a love-struck idiot and a cowardly rat. How did the Queen respond?"

Miura proudly declared: "Those who obey me kneel, those who defy me crawl, and roll under the snow."

The scholar took his leave and then visited Xue Nai, who was not as famous as Xue Nai, but had made many contributions and had great ambitions.

The scholar asked, "Do you wish to pacify the world through your achievements?"

Yukinoshita said, "No. Past achievements are useless today. I do not use achievements to pacify the world; rather, pacifying the world is my achievement!"

The scholar asked again, "How will you govern the world?"

Yukino said, "Inherit the lost skills of our predecessors and lay the foundation for future generations."