Another Defeat: The Class President Election
Yeah, she hated it. Before the class president election, in the bustling morning classroom. When Bianca walked in, the room fell silent for a moment, as if everyone had been hit by a spell.
"Whoa..."
"No way."
Sighs of admiration and awe. For some reason, her excited classmates immediately surrounded her.
"New hairstyle?"
"So cute, Bianca!"
Her seatmate Shasha, sidling up next to her, chimed in.
"That's not all, is it? You guys probably wouldn't know, but..."
No way! With a bad feeling, Bianca immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. Shasha's mouth, that is.
"She has such pretty underwear—mmph! Mmph!"
A wise choice, as expected.
"Haha, nah."
"Underwear? What?"
"It's nothing, really!"
Bianca, breaking into a cold sweat, quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, anyway! I found this great cafe in town with awesome stuff."
"For real?"
"Where is it?"
After yesterday's shopping, they'd gone to a cafe too. Bianca clearly remembered Emily asking that awkward question there.
—So, Bianca. Someone you like besides Carlyle. Who is it?
Emily's eyes sparkling with curiosity she couldn't contain.
—Huh, really?!
And Shasha's over-the-top reaction upon hearing it. She'd struggled quite a bit to brush it off vaguely.
—I can't say who, but she's super kind.
—Ooh... wow.
—...She's incredibly thoughtful too, and just seeing her bright vibe makes me feel better.
At Bianca's words, the two nodded slightly.
—Definitely not Carlyle.
—Impressive, Bianca. Looking at you now, you're a total fox.
—Huh? Eek?!
It was a dizzying conversation like that. She didn't remember the dessert's taste well, but since it was the first time Bianca had brought up such a topic herself, the conversation quickly shifted that way.
Tasty cafe desserts, opposite-sex encounters at the cafe, and eventually even makeup talk.
"Come to think of it, Bianca doesn't wear makeup at all, huh?"
"And she still looks so pretty."
The girls burst into giggles at Shasha's words.
"I'm so jealous."
"Kinda envious, actually."
Of course, this kind of girls' talk was pretty tough for Bianca, who used to be a guy. But thanks to it, she felt a bit closer to the girls before today's election.
And today was finally the class president election.
"Alright, so I've explained enough?"
The thirty or so students focused on the teacher.
"Anyone who wants to run for class president?"
Bianca raised her hand right away.
"Me, teacher!"
She couldn't let a position like class president slip by. It added points to her overall grades, and every little bit connected to her ranking.
Fortunately, the classroom vibe was mostly positive.
"Oh, teach! I think Bianca would make a great class president!"
Led by her energetic seatmate Shasha, many classmates nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, right."
"Bianca would do great."
In a class of about thirty, 'Bianca Shama's' reputation was pretty good. The boys were generally favorable, but that wasn't strange at all.
'Well, of course. This body's looks are at least a little pretty, right?'
Bianca's honest inner thought. Not baseless. She knew exactly how she came across to boys.
Of course, that didn't mean she liked it. Ahem, anyway. Since she'd turned into a girl, being pretty was better than not. And she'd gotten closer to the girls through morning chats.
'So the class president spot should be in the bag.'
As Bianca thought that, the first nominee spoke up.
"Then, me too."
What the—? Carlyle Schultz was running too.
Bianca panicked briefly but quickly regained her composure.
'Even here...?'
Why was this guy so desperate to get in her way? But Carlyle Schultz had one tragic flaw. This time, Bianca was truly confident.
'I'm tight with the girls, and most boys will vote for me too...'
Why would they vote for a fellow dark-hearted guy like you? If you're jealous, turn into a girl like me.
And finally, the moment arrived. The teacher announced the results with a smile—
It was beyond Bianca's expectations.
"Our class president is Carlyle. Congratulations, Carlyle! Bianca, you'll be vice president."
No, again? She lost again?
Clapping hands echoed.
"Congrats, Bianca! Vice president's not bad."
Shasha tried to console her, but Bianca couldn't control her expression. She'd lost again, after all. And from the start, with only two candidates... Being class president meant a lot. Extra points, for one. President got 5 points, vice 3. Those points were huge in the top ranks, beyond just academic scores—extracurriculars too.
So Bianca had run for class president, entrance guide, even moral committee spots before. All for points. The shrewd Carlyle had balanced with student council roles and work-study scholarships. Even if they didn't suit him. Anyway, even as a girl, her goal hadn't changed. Vita—no, Bianca Shama's goal was to be number one.
Thankfully, non-academic practicals had different standards for girls, which oddly worked in her favor.
'Number one among boys was impossible anyway...'
Because of Carlyle Schultz.
Bianca Shama's athleticism was excellent. There were just always better runners ahead.
Last semester's practicals had ended the same way. High jump, probably.
'But listen, Carlyle.'
This time was different. Among the girls, Bianca firmly believed she'd take first!
So she was fired up to challenge again, reclaim number one.
'I've been too lax lately.'
Honestly, she thought. Because of Carlyle Schultz. And spending time with seatmate Shasha and Emily, slacking on studies. So from today, using the election as a turning point, she'd steel her resolve.
"I'll run!"
And she'd been spectacularly crushed. By her rival, Carlyle Schultz, of all people.
Bianca gritted her teeth.
'Why, always...!'
A fact she'd momentarily forgotten. Why did that guy always pull ahead? Her stomach boiled. How could it not? She'd never lost a class president election before. Her pride was shattered.
This was her first class with Carlyle Schultz, so it felt like all past wins were only because he wasn't there. Victim mentality or not, she had no rebuttal. She'd been dead sure she'd win, and the margin was huge.
Election Results
Bianca Shama – 8 votes
Carlyle Schultz – 20 votes
Honestly, embarrassing. She wanted to crawl into a hole. She didn't even want to think why she'd lost.
"Congrats on vice president, Bianca."
"Uh, yeah..."
Even congratulations felt off. Her competitive streak was excessive, even by her own standards. She'd hated losing even rock-paper-scissors since childhood. Dropping from usual first in academy scores bred resentment. Of course, Carlyle Schultz was her true rival. She acknowledged he was better than her old prejudices. Surprisingly upright, with clear personal standards.
Honestly, she'd almost wavered. Without Emily, her grade identity might've crumbled.
'But that's that.'
This was different. Bed battle lost, but unrelated. Why? She didn't know, but that's how it felt. Suddenly, like dousing herself in cold water. Losing this pushed number one further away.
Bianca clenched her fist hard. It didn't improve her mood.
Lunchtime after the election. Bianca was in a bad mood, but eating with Emily helped. Kind, pretty, feminine, elegant. The real deal girl. Being with Emily healed her a bit.
"Ome rice today?"
"Yeah, want some?"
Emily's lunches were always cute and dainty. Bianca's mouth watered naturally. Emily was amazing. Bianca was decent at cooking herself, but never like this.
"...Looks too good to eat."
"Aw, you're too kind."
Their distance had definitely closed after yesterday's shopping. They'd even made a group chat last night. Carlyle Schultz seemed oddly quiet.
'Well, if I were him...'
He probably wouldn't care about two girls chatting. Bianca didn't mind him anyway. Especially not now.
"Oh, delicious."
"Have more, Bianca. Carlyle, want some?"
"No, I'm good."
What a weird situation. Emily Swan was conscious of Carlyle Schultz, Carlyle had been inwardly wondering what he'd done wrong to Bianca Shama since morning. Of the three, only Bianca was oblivious to the subtle vibe.
So Emily, reading the room, cautiously spoke up.
"Hey, you two... something going on?"
"Huh?"
"Nah."
Simultaneous replies.
'Definitely something...'
Emily pondered, then slowly spoke a sudden thought. A bit sly, but somehow now felt right—or it'd be awkward later. As someone who liked Carlyle, she needed confirmation.
"You two."
After a deep breath.
Emily Swan asked.
"Once the promised period ends, what then?"
Purposely light, like casual chit-chat. Since they ate together from the bet. Actually, asking made her tense. Bianca liked someone else, thankfully, but Carlyle's feelings were obvious to her.
The unexpected question left Bianca blank.
'What then...?'
Never thought about it. But probably. Right now, she'd stop eating with Carlyle Schultz after.
Yeah, probably. No need to deliberate. Even without him, Shasha or others to eat with. Continuing after the bet would be weirder.
So Bianca answered.
"We'll eat separately then."
"We'll eat together then too."
Contradictory answers. Only now, up on the rooftop avoiding Carlyle, did Bianca face him.
"Who decided that..."
"What, you hate it?"
Normal Bianca might've hesitated. Maybe even flustered. But now, she wasn't herself—twisted up. She wanted to pick a fight with Carlyle Schultz for no reason. Why assume for her?
"Yeah, I hate it."
So she said it, blatantly unlike usual. Almost like acting to justify it, diving deeper. She knew it.
Strictly, it wasn't his fault. But she was irritated. Mostly at herself, but Carlyle got the blame anyway.
Her voice came out cold, seemingly sincere.
"Why assume I'd like it?"
Emily who'd asked, and relaxed Carlyle—both faces stiffened. The mood chilled.
"Ah..."
Bianca too. Suddenly feeling ugly, she swallowed her words.
'...What am I doing?'
She clenched her fist. Her chronic issue. Her competitiveness sometimes raged uncontrollably. Even with close friends, family. She'd messed up before, letting it override.
Too late to take back.
"Uh... um..."
Emily fidgeted, Carlyle's face blank. Hurt by the unexpected response?
"Fine, sorry. I misjudged."
Their lunch ended awkwardly, ushering a cold war between Bianca and Carlyle.