Chapter 75 Student Freedom Alliance Information Session
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Secretary Sugimoto Rikka quietly slipped out of the meeting room where supporters were getting excited.
”Togamine is back, Rikka.”
A student council member waiting in the hallway said so. Looking down at the courtyard from the window, Togamine Hatsune, accompanied by her party members, was still unsteadily making her way towards the Student Council building.
Confirming her expression, Secretary Sugimoto Rikka frowned and headed to the 1st floor.
As she descended the stairs and reached the landing in front of the entrance, Secretary Sugimoto Rikka crossed her arms and waited for Togamine’s arrival.
Before long, the glass door opened, and the female students from her party entered with Togamine at the front.
Togamine started to head straight for the stairs but stopped when she noticed Secretary Sugimoto Rikka.
”Rikka…”
”Hatsune, is your body okay?”
Secretary Sugimoto Rikka asked Togamine, who furrowed her brow suspiciously, while crossing her arms and maintaining a blank expression.
”Yes, I’m fine. But how is Tsuchimiya Takeru doing?”
”He’s attending the meeting. By the way, Hatsune, you were hiding Tsuchimiya-kun’s involvement in the Class 2-D incident report.”
Togamine clenched her lips. In the investigation of the Class 2-D brawl that drove out Demiurge, Togamine’s report only mentioned Akiyama and his party members as the central figures, with no mention of Tsuchimiya.
”…Well, I don’t know. Can you please step aside?”
”I won’t. You’re not planning to go to the meeting room, are you?”
”Is there a problem? I’m a member of the Student Council!
Togamine glared at Secretary Sugimoto Rikka with a low voice.
”Do you even realize how you look right now? Thanks to Tsuchimiya-kun and the others, the meeting is going in a good direction. We can’t have a tense atmosphere. Go wash your face and come back fresh!”
As Secretary Sugimoto Rikka scolded, Togamine, with a twisted face of hatred, shook her body slightly.
”Hatsune!”
Shimura Hidemi, her party member, supported the unsteady Togamine.
”Take Hatsune to the nap room on the 3rd floor.”
When Secretary Sugimoto Rikka pointed to the elevator, the party members hesitated, but Togamine, supported by Shimura, dragged her feet towards the elevator.
”Remember this… Rikka.”
”Yeah, this Rikka-chan don’t forget about her friend.”
When Secretary Sugimoto Rikka didn’t even smile and just replied, she waved goodbye to Togamine and went up the stairs.
* * *
”See you later, Tsuchimiya-kun! I’ll make sure to let my friends know that you’re still alive!”
After shaking hands with me, Arioka-san happily left the meeting room.
The meeting was over, and Arioka-san was the last supporter to leave. The only ones left were me, Higurashi, six Student Council members excluding Togamine, and 9 people including Kijima-senpai (Sogahara’s girlfriend).
”In the end, it turned out that only one person dropped out.”
Ukita-senpai (Amahara’s classmate) breathed a sigh of relief.
When we confirmed the departure of the supporters at the end, the only male student who raised his hand and heckled while riding on Takahashi-senpai was the only one who left. This male student agitated everyone while calling for agreement, but when he realized there were no other departures, he left the meeting room dissatisfied.
”This is all thanks to you guys. Thank you very much.”
Amahara-senpai turned to us and bowed.
”N-No, it’s not something to be thanked for.”
Feeling restless after knowing that the story of the ‘Student Freedom Alliance,’ which was the decisive factor, was completely nonsense, I couldn’t calm down.
”As Tsuchimiya-senpai said, this is something mutually beneficial. Regarding the ‘Student Freedom Alliance,’ if there are any developments, I will come back to report from here.”
Higurashi casually crosses her arms in front of the senpais, even crossing her legs and lounging back. I can’t really ask her here, so I wonder what she’s planning to do…
”Hehe. Even if you don’t have any business, feel free to come by anytime. Well, you can come by every day if you want.”
Amahara-senpai smiles kindly, but it feels awkward. It’s so awkward, it’s unbearable.
Suddenly, I remembered something that caught my attention.
”That guy who left, he seems like a spy for Demiurge, but what about the other person? Is it Takahashi?”
I thought it was suspicious as a newcomer, so he must have a deeper understanding.
Thinking that, Sogahara-senpai answered.
”You don’t need to worry about Takahashi-kun. We’ve been friends since middle school. He’s just overly cautious, or rather a bit cowardly, the type to be overly careful.”
That’s worrying in a different way.
”Well, it’s a bit tricky to handle, but it’s useful for flushing out spies.”
Ukita-senpai chuckled.
”Oh, anyway, I have to meet Akiyama-senpai before the end of the fourth period. We’ll take our leave for today. Also, I’d like to get the student list.”
Come to think of it, Higurashi made a promise about that. There’s no choice but to move that story forward now.
After receiving the student list, we left the Student Council building with Amahara-senpai seeing us off.
”Hey, Higurashi! What’s the Student Freedom Alliance all about? What’s the plan with that! And I’m being exposed, what happened to the optimal solution!”
As we crossed the courtyard together, I pressed Higurashi in a low voice.
”Well, it’s already too late there. I mean, Tsuchimiya-senpai, you have already thrust your spear into Kibakura-senpai while many students were watching. Moreover, without any retaliation, Kibakura-senpai was forced to retreat. The school is probably buzzing with rumors about you by now, Tsuchimiya-senpai, and as soon as the morning classes end, the school newspaper’s special edition will be distributed. The newspaper club probably wants to include as much information about you as possible, so it’s clear they’ll quickly gather unfavorable rumors from the past and write all sorts of things, whether true or not.”
”Damn it… Should I attack the newspaper club to stop the special edition…”
”Stop it. It’s a bad move to make the media your enemy. It’s better to spread accurate information. Those who were there are Amahara-senpai and the Student Council members who have a great influence on the students in the school, as well as the supporters who will be on our side. The information will also reach the students who were helped by you like Arioka-senpai at the starting point of the first dive, and they should be able to deny the bad rumors.”
”Darn it… Is it inevitable that my face and name will become known?”
”It’s your own fault, give up.”
Higurashi, who said that, always had her poker face on, but I could tell she was in a good mood from the atmosphere. This guy, she’s enjoying this situation.
”So, what are we going to do about the Student Freedom Alliance? You were talking about recruiting 200 people by the end of this week, you know?”
”Maybe it’s not that crazy after all. I told the supporters to keep it a secret, but you can’t keep a lid on things. There were a few of Demiurge’s spies at that event, so rumors will spread quickly. Along with Tsuchimiya-senpai’s tales of valor.”
”Hmm… can they believe 200 people showed up for that?”
As we approached the open corridor, Higurashi stopped in her tracks. It’s probably best not to discuss this inside the school building. Voices carry and I never know who might overhear.
”Many students are feeling uneasy about Demiurge’s dissatisfaction and the expansion of their influence. In fact, isn’t it safe to say that almost everyone except those siding with Demiurge is part of it? The Student Freedom Alliance should be the refuge they’ve been waiting for.”
”If they’re looking for a refuge, isn’t the Student Council exactly that?”
The Student Council is rational, peaceful, and the only opposing organization standing shoulder to shoulder with Demiurge.
”Well, the Student Council is kind of weak when it comes to using force, giving off a somewhat unreliable impression. It’s more of a personality issue with Amahara-senpai, being overly polite. It’s like trying to balance things out with the relentless pressure from Togamine-senpai. Even without this incident, students can sense the anxiety that they’ll eventually be overwhelmed by Demiurge.”
So, Togamine is considered an indispensable asset to the Student Council. Comparing the organizations of Amahara-senpai and Kibakura, when it comes to strength, the latter is scarier if they were to turn against the students who opposed them.
”The key now is to make it appear that there’s a solid support system in place for students to participate without worries. This is where our skills will be put to the test.”
This guy, is she really planning to turn lies into truth with bluffs? Either way, I can’t handle her anymore. Reluctantly, I have no choice but to leave everything to Higurashi.
”First, I’ll start by talking to Akiyama-senpai. I want to talk to the students who offered an alliance, so I want to settle things before class ends.”
”In that case, we should hurry.”
We crossed the covered walkway and entered Building B, heading towards my classroom.
”Oh, you’re planning to use me to gather students, but I don’t want to be the leader of any organization. And somehow, it seems like cooperating with the Student Council has become the norm. Well, I can’t just leave Amahara-senpai alone, and if we’re going to settle things with Kibakura anyway, I guess there’s no choice…”
”I’ve thought about that part carefully. Well, don’t worry. More importantly, what kind of person is Akiyama-senpai? Does he seem ambitious enough to aim for the leader of the organization?”
”Well, he’s the one who can’t eat. He’s the one who made me the scapegoat to deflect attention, and he’s aiming to be number two to enjoy the benefits. Ideally, I’d like to hand over the whole organization to him.”
”I see. He seems to have a pretty rational personality. That should make things easier.”
When I arrived at the classroom, I left Higurashi waiting in the hallway and quietly opened the door.
Inside the classroom, a male staff member from the School Management Committee was standing at the podium, giving a lesson on the ecology of monsters.
Unlike regular subjects, the classroom was quiet, and a few people looked in our direction, but Akiyama was diligently taking notes.
After waving to Maekawa-san and the others who were fidgeting and looking at me, I approached Akiyama and patted his shoulder.
”Oh, Tsuchimiya! I saw the commotion earlier. What happened after that?”
Akiyama looked up at me while trying to keep his voice down. The attention quickly turned towards us in the classroom, causing a stir, but let’s not worry about it.
”Including that, my staff officer wants to talk to you right now. Can you come out now?”
”Oh, that discussion. It’s quite sudden. Understood.”
Akiyama stood up and signaled to his party members who were watching us intently to wait as he followed me out of the classroom.
In the hallway, Higurashi was waiting for us with one hand on her hip.
”Oh, Higurashi-chan? I’m Akiyama Yuuki. I’m Tsuchimiya-kun’s best friend. I remember, your hair used to be long before, right? The boyish hairstyle really suits you and enhances your beauty.”
”Who’s your best friend! Don’t start hitting on my girl the moment you see her!”
”It’s common courtesy to flirt with a beauty at first sight, isn’t it?”
What’s with this energy? Is this what they call a party animal!
”I’m Tsuchimiya’s Harem’s Higurashi Asuka. It’s news to me that Tsuchimiya-senpai has friends. Let’s go to the rooftop for now. I have something urgent to talk about.”
Higurashi casually brushed off Higurashi’s words and quickly climbed the stairs with her back turned. Is it okay to casually spread the word “Tsuchimiya’s Harem”?
”Oh well, no chance, huh? You’re quite popular, Tsuchimiya-kun.”
Akiyama chuckled and followed Higurashi up the stairs.
There was no one on the rooftop, and Higurashi continued walking towards the back, away from the entrance, until she finally stopped in the middle, far from the stairs.
”I think we won’t be overheard here, but let’s not speak too loudly.”
Higurashi glanced towards Building A and slowly squatted down, avoiding eye contact.
Akiyama tried to peek under a skirt while sitting cross-legged, so I pushed his head down and also crouched myself.
”It seems like Tsuchimiya-senpai has received an offer for an alliance. Some members might include Akiyama-senpai and students from the second year Class D. We’ll gather them and form a counterforce against Demiurge. I want to have a meeting for that.”
When Higurashi brought up the topic, Akiyama’s expression changed. Even though there was a smirk, it might just be his usual look.
”That’s nice. But to be straightforward, Tsuchimiya doesn’t seem motivated. I was honestly worried.”
”Don’t expect too much from Tsuchimiya-senpai. We’ll handle the organization building and management ourselves since he only steps in at crucial moments.”
Will I be called upon?
”First, how do we gather and manage them? No, even before that, what kind of organization do we want to create? Do you have any ideas?”
”Our organization is considering a system that doesn’t create a specific leader, like a republic.”
”A republic… It’s the one where representatives gather and decide through discussions, right? What are the benefits of that?”
”But first, I want to confirm the number of people who have offered to form an alliance.”
”Oh, three people have approached me saying they want to ally with Tsuchimiya. Two of them are party representatives, making it a total of 13 people. It seems two people have also approached Irie-chan, the class rep. So, we still don’t know the total number on our side.”
”That’s not nearly enough…”
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Even if the other party from the clas rep’s side is a party, it would barely reach 20 people.
”No, it’s not bad. Some of them might be Scouts.”
Higurashi’s gaze sharpens, but a smile plays on her lips.
”Scouts?”
”We want to team up with others, but they don’t understand us. If we reveal the names of our allies, we might become targets for Demiurge’s attacks. Since we’re not sure if we can trust them, it’s safer to first make contact as individuals or small groups rather than representing our classroom or larger organization.”
”Yeah, that makes sense, Higurashi-chan. I was hoping for alliances on a classroom level, but it seems that’s not the case. We need to draw them out first, but just watching won’t get us anywhere.”
Akiyama starts thinking with his arms crossed.
”Let’s gather those 5 people for a briefing. The meeting will be held in the meeting room of Dormitory Building C for girls. It starts at 12:30 today. I don’t plan to take up too much of their time.”
”Hey, that’s sudden! We need to send a messenger before the 4th period ends, or we won’t catch them.”
Akiyama takes out his smartphone to check the time.
”Actually, we said we’ve already gathered a 100 and secured an alliance with the Student Council. But we promised to gather 200 people by the end of this week.”
”Hey, Tsuchimiya! That’s crazy! It’s impossible to gather 200 people by the end of this week!”
For some reason, Akiyama grabs my collar and gets in my face. The warm sunlight makes me feel sleepy.
”Well, we don’t actually have to line up 200 people in front of Amahara-senpai. We can make it work somehow. We can count the second-year Class D students as participants. Explain to those five that we already have over a hundred people gathered. Divide them into small groups so they don’t recognize each other’s faces. Once the story reaches the classroom, the rumors will spread.”
”Tsuchimiya… You’re dating an unbelievable girl… Hey, don’t fall asleep! Wake up!”
”…Ah, it’s okay. I’m not asleep yet.”
It was a close call, but we’re safe. Since I haven’t been called into action for my job yet, it’s fine to just sleep.
”Oh yeah, that’s the advantage of a republic. Without a leader, it’s harder for Demiurge to target us specifically. Even if some representatives are taken out, they can be replaced easily, so it wouldn’t be a fatal blow to the organization. If anyone is targeted, it would probably be Tsuchimiya-senpai, who stands out the most. We should focus on building the organization while the attention is on him.”
”Huh? I’m being targeted?”
”You’ve probably been a target for a while now. Nothing has really changed.”
”Oh, okay…”
That’s true, but… if rumors start spreading about us forming an organization to oppose Demiurge behind the scenes, their desperation might change.
”This organization is a group of individuals and groups, and there is currently no need to organize or manage it as a unit. However, since we operate as a republic, we will need funds for activities, so we will collect them from members after the launch. Akiyama-senpai, you, who are the one of the initiators, will likely be part of the decision-making body, so if things go well, you might have some authority. While you can’t do whatever you want, you can manage things reasonably, and there won’t be as much pressure on you as leaders to deal with expectations and hate.”
”Haha, I see. That might suit me. Not bad.”
Higurashi and Akiyama smirked with mischievous expressions. Indeed, that means I can avoid being a leader too.
”The organization’s name is ‘Student Freedom Alliance.’ Since we don’t plan to discuss complicated matters at the orientation, Akiyama-senpai, you should also participate and be able to conduct the orientation even if I’m not there.”
”Got it. I’ll send a message to our friends right away. Let’s meet at the meeting room in the girls’ dormitory building C at 12:30.”
Akiyama stood up and dashed back to the classroom.
”He seems like a reliable person. I was worried he might back out like a coward.”
Higurashi nodded in satisfaction with her arms crossed.
”Is it okay to use the meeting room in the dormitory without permission?”
”I asked Asagiri-san and Watarase-san to get permission. It’s already reserved.”
Higurashi showed the chat screen on her phone. Looks like everything is going as planned.
”I might be busy for a while, so I might not be able to join the dive too often.”
”That would leave us with a three-person party. Our attack power is fine, but if there are too many monsters, we might not be able to focus on protecting Kanon. Maybe we should stick to the shallower floors for now…”
”If that’s the case, you guys should just join Maekawa-senpai’s party.”
”Huh? Maekawa-san’s party?”
”Since they’ve already gotten along with Asagiri-san, it would be a good opportunity to deepen our friendship.”
”Well, that’s true… Oh, by the way, Maekawa-san and the others are having a dive debriefing and a welcome party for Valeria tonight, and they invited us to come and join the fun.”
”That sounds good. Let’s contact Asagiri-san and the others.”
Higurashi sends a message in the chat.
”Since we’ll have to explain the situation to Maekawa-senpai and the others anyway, it might be a good idea for them to participate in the meeting.”
”I remember Maekawa-san and the others saying they were going shopping in the afternoon. Well, I’ll try inviting them at least.”
”Alright then, I’ll head back to the dorm and get ready.”
I returned to the classroom and parted ways with Higurashi.
* * *
Girls’ Dormitory Building C Meeting Room──
In the empty room, five chairs were arranged in a row with space in between. Four boys and girls were seated there. Some crossed their arms without moving, while others fidgeted restlessly, shifting their gazes.
At the front, Higurashi stood, with five chairs diagonally to the left. Akiyama, Kageyama, and I were seated, with Himeno and Kanon standing quietly behind me.
One of the participants who had been still raised their head and spoke,
”It’s already past 12:30, isn’t it?”
Their gaze was directed at the clock on the wall above Higurashi. The time was a little over 12:30.
”We’re still waiting for one more person. Let’s wait for another 5 minutes.”
Higurashi replied shortly and fell silent without trying to please the participants.
Shortly after, led by Maekawa-san and Satou-san, a female student entered and took her seat.
Maekawa-san and Satou-san sat down next to me. By the way, Hano-san and Nishina-san are off to the special zone for shopping as planned.
After confirming everyone was seated, Higurashi spoke up.
”It looks like everyone is here. Let’s start the briefing. No need for introductions for safety reasons; it’s better if we don’t know each other’s backgrounds yet. Any questions?”
Not imposing, but still with her usual big attitude. Is she a No. 4 student?
Then, a male student raised his hand and directed his words towards Higurashi and us who were standing beside him.
”Thank you for your consideration. By the way, is this all the participants?”
The calm second-year male student glanced at the male three and female two participants, including himself.
”Well, I can’t go into details, but the total number of people offering us an alliance has already exceeded a hundred. However, considering the possibility of spies infiltrating, we have decided that it’s too risky to hold a large-scale gathering at this stage. So, to prevent participants from meeting each other as much as possible, we have decided to hold explanatory meetings in small groups like this.”
”Over a hundred people already…”
The participants ponder silently.
”All of you are equal to us and are on equal footing, we are not leaders but rather the immediate contact point. From now on, the main representatives will discuss and decide on the actions of this group. In fact, Tsuchimiya-senpai has already secured a promise of cooperation with the Student Council. It was just decided a moment ago. The name of this group is the ‘Student Freedom Alliance’.”
”Student Freedom Alliance…”
The gaze of the five people focuses on me.
”To prevent impersonation, we ask all alliance applicants to submit signatures again. When the time for action comes, we will contact you. If there are no further questions, this briefing is now concluded.”
”Huh?”
The participants were left speechless, mouths agape.
”Wait a minute! Is this really the end!?”
The male student exclaimed in a fluster.
”Yeah. I believe we’ve covered all the necessary information. There are still briefings for other groups, and until representatives decide on our course of action, we’d like to keep contact to a minimum.”
At that moment, a female student raised her hand and stood up. With long black hair and a dignified aura resembling a warrior, she calmly spoke up.
”I’m Kutsuki Mashiro, a third-year student. This time, I offered an alliance as the leader of a party, but I’m actually the leader of a group called ‘Southern Cross’ that oversees four parties. Soon, two more parties will join us, bringing the total to 30 members. As the leader of ‘Southern Cross,’ I hope to join the Student Freedom Alliance. Can I participate in the meeting as a representative?”
Higurashi places a hand on her chin and gazes at Kutsuki-senpai.
”Hmm… alright. Later, please submit the list and the signatures of those who wish to form an alliance. Once confirmed, Kutsuki-senpai can also attend the representative meeting.”
Upon Higurashi’s response, the male student who spoke first hurriedly raised his hand.
”Wait! I want to go back and discuss with everyone too. I need a little more time!”
”Alright. That’s fine. If there are any changes, tell Irie, the class rep of Class 2-D, or Akiyama over there when submitting the list and signatures. I’ll contact you when necessary. Well then, let’s adjourn for today.”
As Higurashi declared the meeting adjourned, the five participants sat in stunned silence for a moment before one by one, they got up from their seats and left the meeting room.
* * *
”Well, not a bad feeling overall. It’s a decent start, I suppose.”
Higurashi said, crossing her arms and flashing a mischievous grin.
”The way you operate is pretty sneaky… After being told that we’re all on the same level in this potentially huge organization, it’s no wonder some of them with ambition would want to aim for the top instead of being treated as outsiders. It seems like we’re in a situation where we can’t afford to keep our strengths hidden without taking risks.”
Akiyama sighed, with a look that could be interpreted as either impressed or exasperated.
”Here’s how the meeting went. Just inform the representatives of a decent number to attend the representative meeting. Those who get nervous after seeing that will reveal their strengths. Just so you know, 200 people is just the beginning. Both Tsuchimiya-senpai and Akiyama-senpai, be careful not to fall victim to Demiurge’s ambush.”
”Tsuchimiya… You’re really involved with someone unbelievable, aren’t you…”
Akiyama looks at me with empty eyes.
”Phew… Asuka-san, that’s amazing…”
Kanon looks at Higurashi with admiration in her eyes. As for Himeno, she came up from behind and started sniffing keenly at my neck and shoulders.
”Tsuchimiya-senpai… Whose scent is this?”
”Huh?”
Memories from the morning flashed through my mind like a movie reel.
Himeno moved in front and started sniffing all over my body.
”Um, well… I wonder if Lugia-san or the girls from Akiyama’s place have caught me.”
”Intense contact…”
Himeno, who buried her face in my chest, looked up at me with wide eyes. She’s beautiful like a Western doll, but it feels like a scene from a horror movie.
Oh no, making a poor excuse is a death flag. I have to admit some of it and ask for forgiveness.
”A-actually, this morning, I-I-I was with Nishina-san──”
”This isn’t just about Tomoko-senpai, right…”
Why?! How can human senses be this sharp!?
”Oh, it’s because I got close to Amahara-senpai when I lent her my shoulder…”
”……”
”Come to think of it, he was flirting with Shitone-senpai on the stairs.”
Akiyamaaa!!
You traitor! I knew I couldn’t trust this guy!
”…Who is Shitone-senpai, by the way?”
”Um, well, no matter who it is, even I…”
Himeno placed her hand on my cheek and leaned in with a smile on her face. I know. This smile is dangerous.
”It’s okay. I’m not the type to get angry over something like that. But I don’t like being kept in the dark… so, please, let me hear your story tonight.”
It’s over──
”I’m so jealous I could die.”
Akiyama’s quiet murmur reached my despairing ears.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.