Classroom of the Elite: Free Will

V6: Chapter 1 - Power Struggle

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka POV

The sports festival was over.

It was mid-October and getting chilly outside. The student council held an election, complete with a ceremony to honour the outgoing members and swear in the new ones afterward. That event was significant, with the entire student body assembled in the gymnasium. And despite the boring speeches, people, especially the first years, were expectant seeing the new additions of the student council. Nao's appointment as the vice-president surprised more than one.

"President Horikita has some final remarks he'd like to share with you all."

The moderator stood aside as Horikita Manabu slowly took the stage and approached the microphone. Since I was now a member of the student council, I was on the stage and couldn't see the elder Horikita's face. He probably looked serious and unemotional as always.

"I'm very proud to have led the student council for nearly two years. I'm also quite grateful. Thank you all very much," Horikita's older brother said to the crowd.

His address was brief and unemotional, delivered with the air of a solemn obligation, and he retreated to his original position once it was done.

The ceremony didn't end there. We, the other student council officers remained on the stage.

"President Horikita, thank you for all your hard work. Now then, we'd like to welcome Nagumo Miyabi, a second-year Class A and the next student council president, to say a few words."

Nagumo walked onstage and stood in front of the microphone.

"Thank you for that introduction. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Former Student Council President Horikita whom has shown me strict yet kind guidance. I have great respect for you, and I couldn't have asked to serve alongside a more capable president. In fact, this school hasn't had a more capable president than you, so far. You established a strong leadership that I'm proud to inherit."

Nagumo bowed his head deeply toward Horikita's brother. Then he faced the student body once more.

"Now. As our moderator informed you. My name is Nagumo Miyabi and I will be assuming the position of student council president at the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. I look forward to working for the progress of our school."

I narrowed my eyes. That wasn't the original speech. His tone had also changed after addressing the elder Horikita. As he marked a pause, the atmosphere of the gymnasium changed completely.

"This may be sudden. But This is a good opportunity to expose you my first order of business. I pledge to change the term length for student council members, as well as the general election method. The previous student council president held the general election in October instead of December each year. This arrangement, which saw the next generation of leaders move into their roles early, yielded mixed results. Therefore, the new student council has determined that it's time to take things a step further. From now on, the student council president and officers will have indefinite terms while attending school, so that they may serve continuously until graduation. At the same time, we'll annul both the current general-election system, and any restrictions on the student council's size. The council will constantly accept new officers. In other words, an excellent candidate may join the student council no matter how many people are currently on it. Also, if someone is determined to be unfit for office, they can be removed by a majority vote of the members of the council. This has just been confirmed to all students, teachers, and student council members who served under the previous president. To make this school improve, we must revision the wrongs of the past and reform them."