Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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17, Strategy Meeting?


　I look at the crazy Tatsumiya, who has lost her mind, and I look at her without saying a word.
　For a while, she kept a wicked smile on her face, but after a little while, she seemed to notice my eyes on her, and she was a little embarrassed, coughed one more time, and then opened her mouth.

"So, now that it is confirmed that kaichou has feelings for me, the next question is how to get him into a situation where he will confess his feelings to me."

"What do you mean?"

　When I say so without pause, Tatsumiya is stunned.
　She seemed to want to say "What is this guy talking about?", I let out a sigh of amazement and then say,

"Hey, I think "Tatsumiya" is just one of the candidates for Ike's favorite girl... I'm sure there are plenty of girls with initial 'T' around Ike?"

"Even if there are a ton of candidates... How many people are qualified to stand next to him?"

　This time, Tatsumiya answered my words without a pause.
　Not knowing what she meant by that, I asked her again.

"You don't need any kind of qualification to stand next to someone."

　At my words, Tatsumiya looked surprised.
　Then, with a somewhat wicked smile on her face, she said,

“In other words, Tomoki-san, are you saying that there is no need for qualifications to fall in love?”

　She asked.
　The way she asked was meaningful, but I nodded and then answered.

“Yeah, well. ...That's what I mean."

　After chuckling cutely at my answer, Tatsumiya said,

"You are surprisingly romantic, aren't you? How cute..."

　She said so with a look of pity in her eyes.

　...I had no idea that Tatsumiya was a fan of not only light novels but also romantic comedy manga...
　To my surprise, Tatsumiya tells me with a composed look on her face.

"I don't know what Tomoki-san thinks, but what I mean is that I am not worried about kaichou falling for another woman."

　Looking at the confident Tatsumiya, "Then why don't you just go ahead and confess?" I thought to myself, but let out a sigh of dismay before answering.

"...I see. Then that's the way it should be, right?"

"You're a good listener, thanks."

　With a smile on her face,

"Now then, let's get back to the subject. How can we get kaichou to confess to me..."

　Placing the tips of her fingers over her mouth, she made a thoughtful gesture,

"This time... Let's use the sports festival."

　She suggested.

“Do you take advantage of the sports festival? ...Is there some kind of jinx that says the person who becomes the MVP at the sports festival will be confessed to by the person they like?”

"... What are you talking about? There is no such jinx, and they don't pick MVPs in the first place."

　After putting on a calm expression, Tatsumiya coldly stated.

“Then what do you mean by using the sports festival?”

　At my words, Tatsumiya smiles proudly and says.

"As you know, the school's gymnastics festival is divided into red and white groups, class A-C and class D-F, to compete for points."

"Ah, that's right."

　I kind of skipped last year's sports festival halfway through, but I still knew that much.

"So kaichou of Class A will be in the red group, and I, in Class D, will be in the white group. In other words, we will be in separate groups. ...That is my opportunity to overthrow the chairman!"

"... Ha? No, sorry Tatsumiya. We were just talking about how to get a confession from Ike, right?"

"Yeah, you're right."

　I ask Tatsumiya, who nods naturally.

"How did that turn into the talk of an opportunity to overthrow Ike?"

　At my words, Tatsumiya let out obvious sighs.
"I don't think I can expect him to confess to me unless I surpass kaichou's best efforts to get him to recognize me."

　What she said earlier about how qualified she is to stand next to him may have something to do with the line she just said. But,

"... Even if that were the case, if, say, the white team of Tatsumiya won the sports festival, that would not = a victory for Tatsumiya against Ike, right?"

"Yes, that's true. But there will be opportunities for direct confrontation."

　Ufufu, Tatsumiya smiled happily.
　I am sure she has defeated Ike in her mind, and then she will have a confession from him. ... What a happy girl.
　
"... I understand from hearing the story that Tatsumiya strongly wants to beat Ike."

"Not only kaichou, but I want to win against you too, Tomoki-san. And I strongly hope so, okay."

　Tatsumiya replies to my words without a pause.
　What does that mean, I think, and look at her.

"I don't like losing all the time."

　Tatsumiya gives me a challenging look.
　Come to think of it, I've beaten her on the last two academic tests, I guess that's what she's talking about.
　However...

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have a turn at the sports festival or any other school event. And after I get through the obligatory events, I'm going to hang out and spend some time where I won't be in anyone's way, just like I did last year."

　Then, after a pause, I say,

"That's why. There's no way to compete in the first place."

　Hearing my words, Tatsumiya ― somehow, she smiled happily.
　It was a somewhat gentle smile, unlike the smile from just now.


"... Well, how about that?"

After that, Tatsumiya muttered meaningful words,

"Well then, it's time for us to head back to the classroom."

　Then, with a carefree look, Tatsumiya said so.
　I was about to ask her what she meant by what she just said,

“Ah, come to think of it, there was still something I had to tell Tomoki-san.”

　Her words interrupted my words.

"... Is there anything else?"

　I said, tiredly,

"Thank you for letting me know the name of kaichou's favorite person."

　With a smile on her face, Tatsumiya lowered her head politely.
　
　Hearing her words of gratitude, I felt a little bit of energy to go along with Tatsumiya's crazy outburst, and I thought to myself, "I must be a very simple person".