Chapter 32

When the president was pointed out about the gimmick card, she fell silent,

"......W-what a ridiculous accusation! A gimmick card, of all things... Do I really look like someone who would cheat like that...?"

She tried to counter, but her agitation was evident, and her response was delayed by a few beats.

(To still try to deceive even after being caught...)

She turned out to be quite persistent, despite appearances.

"Even so... We have solid evidence right here."

She directed her gaze to the deck of cards on the table.

The back of this card was densely marked with small × symbols from the top left to the bottom right. Upon closer inspection, one of the × symbols had a missing line, forming an 'error mark.'

This error mark, depending on its position from the top left to the right, revealed the number written on the front of the card at a glance.

"For example, the top card in the deck... Counting from the top left to the right, it's the seventh one. Only here is a line of the × symbol missing, right? So, this is—"

She then flipped the card over,

"Sure enough, it's the '7' card."

As expected, the result matched her prediction.

"Wow, you really figured it out, that's amazing!"

"You have an almost creepy level of insight..."

"..."

Unable to deny it any longer, the president bit her lower lip in frustration. It seemed she had finally admitted to the cheating.

"...When did you notice?"

"Of course, from the very beginning."

"From the very beginning...!?"

"Yes. In a game, 'never trust the tools your opponent brings,' as Old Bamboo—my acquaintance, a master of games—taught me. So, I paid a bit more attention to the deck, and sure enough..."

Old Bamboo had taught me about typical gimmick cards and common cheating techniques.

"But even if you noticed the secret of the cards, how did you manage to set up such a move!? I was the one who dealt the cards and shuffled them, and you never touched the deck at all!?"

She pointed to the deck in the center of the table.

(...This is a bit of a problem. What should I do?)

I wasn't bound by any promise to Old Bamboo, but revealing the secret of cheating isn't something to be praised.

"Well, um... It's not exactly a 'secret'—"

"That's just cruel! Please, Allen, tell me! I won't be able to sleep tonight!"

The president clung to me, pleading.

"You're... too close... President, you're too close..."

A faint, sweet scent wafted, and my heartbeat quickened slightly.

Then,

"Come on, Allen, don't be so stingy, tell us!"

"I'm really curious too..."

Lilim and Ferris circled behind me, lightly poking my sides.

It seemed they were also interested in the secret of the cheating.

"Alright... But you mustn't tell anyone, okay?"

"Thank you, Allen!"

"Don't worry, I can keep a secret!"

"I really hope you can keep it a secret..."

Then I explained the secret of the cheating.

It wasn't anything particularly impressive.

First, I immediately started 'collecting cards' as soon as the match began.

The method was simple.

When we revealed our hands and returned the cards to the deck, I would slip the target card under my sleeve.

I repeated this several times to create a Royal Straight Flush under my sleeve.

Then, at the right moment, I would discard all my cards and place the five hidden cards on top of the deck. This way, the cards I drew would always be a Royal Straight Flush, guaranteeing a sure win.

"—See? You can cheat without even touching the deck, right?"

The one setting up the cheat never suspects that they are being 'set up.'

In fact, the president was looking around to avoid being caught with the gimmick card and never suspected my cheating. As a result, I easily collected the cards.

The president, who had been listening quietly to my explanation, said,

"Horrible! Horrible, Allen! I never thought you would be such a person!"

Her face turned red with anger, and she shook my shoulder.

It was a perfect example of turning the tables.

"Ahaha. I thought, 'For victory, the president would probably cheat too.'"

At that time—during the club fee war—she had glared at me in frustration after losing. A typical reaction from someone who hates losing.

"...Enough! Listen, Lilim, Ferris! Allen isn't as cute as he looks!"

"That's what I thought. He looks gentle but is surprisingly strong."

"I was surprised he figured it out on the first try... Unlike the vice president, who didn't notice even after two years..."

It seems the vice president, who is currently on a penalty game abroad, has been a victim of this for a long time. ...It's a bit pitiful.

"Well... Then, President, this match is my win, right?"

"Ugh..."

She bit her lip and nodded reluctantly.

With the gimmick card exposed and being caught in the cheat, even the president had to admit defeat.

"What should I do with the right to command you to do one thing...?"

Rose had said that the student council president has various rights, such as allocating club grounds, organizing events like Tanabata and New Year's countdown, etc.

But I have no particular complaints about the current Thousand Blade Academy.

The people in Class A are nice, and I'm very satisfied with the classes and facilities.

(...Honestly, there's nothing I want to ask the president to do.)

As I pondered what to do with this useless right,

"A, ah! That face... You're thinking about something perverted! You're trying to do something perverted to me!"

The president started saying mean things to confuse me.

...If you're going to do that, I have a plan too.

"Right... Indeed, that might be an option."

"..."

Surprised by the unexpected response, the president's eyes widened.

"Even if it's any command, the loser must absolutely obey... right?"

"A, ah, no, that... That's..."

Her cheeks turned bright red, and she took a step back, looking down.

It seems she's quite weak against pressure.

(...Oh... Allen is surprisingly assertive...)

(...She's completely being toyed with... He's quite skilled...)

The president's little retaliation was enough. If it goes on too long, it might become troublesome later.

"Ahaha, just kidding. Of course, I won't use it for that."

"...! No more...! Don't tease me!"

"I'm sorry. But since you started it, let's call it even."

For now, I'll put this right aside.

There might be a time when it could be useful.

"Then, President, I'll take my leave now."

Just as I was about to leave the student council room after settling the aftermath of the match,

"Wait, Allen!"

The president hurriedly grabbed my hand.

"What is it?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"A favor?"

She nodded.

"Actually... I want Allen to join the student council as a 'general affairs' member."

"Me, in the student council?"

"Yes, we are traditionally a complete meritocracy. Lilim and Ferris are also very strong, right? I recruited them both."

I looked at Lilim and Ferris,

"Hehe. You saw the match, Allen? I'm really strong!"

"She was quite persistent at that time..."

They responded differently.

"I really want Allen to join us. That's why I proposed that match."

"I see, so that was it..."

The president intended to use the 'right to command one thing' to recruit me to the student council. It's a rather forceful method, but it's very much like her.

"Is it... no good?"

She asked hesitantly.

"...So, you're using that right to make me join the student council?"

"That's cheating! No way!"

"...I see."

She's a bit childish despite calling herself 'big sister' sometimes.

She's a year older, but I find her a bit cute.

"...Hehe."

"Wait, you just laughed! You laughed at me, didn't you!?"

"No, it's just your imagination, President."

I brought the conversation back on track.

"Alright, enough joking... Regarding joining the student council, I can't decide on my own."

"If you're worried about the shadow sword club, there's no problem. The 'general affairs' job is almost nothing, and you only need to attend the regular meeting during lunch break."

"I understand. I'll discuss it and get back to you later—excuse me."

I briefly summarized and left the student council room.

■

After returning to Class A, I told Reia and Rose what happened in the student council room.

Then,

"Allen in the student council!? No way, that's absolutely not allowed!"

"Allen is ours!"

"I see..."

I don't know when Allen became theirs, but it's clear they are against it.

"Alright, I'll decline that offer."

It's still fifteen minutes before lunch. Better to communicate early.

As I stood up from my chair,

"Wait! I'm coming too this time!"

"I'm coming too! We should firmly and clearly refuse!"

For some reason, they got excited and decided to come with me.

"Alright, thanks for the support."

With Reia and Rose leading the way, I headed to the student council room.

After a quick two-minute walk through the large school building, we arrived at the student council room.

"Here it is."

Reia knocked three times without hesitation and opened the door without waiting for a response.

"Excuse us!"

"Excuse us!"

Inside the student council room, the president, Lilim, and Ferris were playing 'Big Two' together.

"Oh, you're from the shadow sword club, right?"

"Ah, what was it... I forgot your names."

"Reia Vestaria and Rose Valencia... 'Princess' and 'Bounty Hunter' are quite famous..."

Reia and Rose stood in front of the president and said,

"Please stop trying to recruit 'our' Allen!"

"We firmly reject joining the student council!"

They said it clearly and strongly.

The president stood up smoothly and spoke.

"Um... Why are you rejecting it?"

"Because Allen is our shadow sword club captain!"

"That's right!"

"I think Allen told you... The 'general affairs' job is really nothing, and it won't affect the shadow sword club. You only need to attend the regular meeting during lunch break."

"Ah, Allen eats lunch with me!"

"Me too...!"

As they strongly countered,

"Ah, I see... I understand..."

The president nodded, seemingly understanding something.

"Then, how about if Reia and Rose join the student council with Allen?"

"Us...?"

"Join the student council...?"

"Yes. There are still open slots for 'general affairs,' and you two would be very welcome. Joining the student council is fun. For example, we can use a lot of club funds to have a monthly snack party!"

"With Allen...?"

"Snack party...?"

"No, President... Let's use the club funds properly for the student council's operations..."

It seems the president has targeted Reia and Rose, trying to persuade them with various offers.

"Also, the student council has a summer retreat. This year, it's decided to be at a southern resort. Allen and you can go to the beach and have a barbecue... What do you think?"

"With Allen at the resort...?"

"Beach and barbecue...?"

...The conversation seems to be heading in a strange direction.

Then, the president suddenly approached Reia and Rose and started whispering to them.

"Allen is a boy, you know? If you show him a more relaxed swimsuit instead of your usual stiff uniforms, he'll be... completely charmed, won't he?"

"..."

They blushed for a moment, seemingly surprised by what they heard.

And in the next moment,

"Allen... Let's join the student council!"

"Thinking about it calmly, it's not bad, I think!"

"...What?"

The two trusted swords were—somehow—in the president's hands.

"...President. What did you say to them?"

"Hehe, it's a secret! I won't tell bad kids who cheat!"

She's still holding a grudge over the match.

"Alright, Allen! Now there's nothing to stop you from joining the student council! Of course, you'll join, right?"

Looking at Reia and Rose, they nodded.

(They were so strongly opposed before... What did she say to them...?)

I don't understand, but they seem to agree.

As long as it doesn't reduce my shadow sword practice time, I have no complaints.

"Alright... I'll join the student council."

"Yay! Got Allen!"

Thus, my dual life as a member of the shadow sword club and the student council began.