Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 134: ES' Negotiations

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
𝗬𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆'𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆

"....🎶!" "What's with that grin Oogami? Did something good happen to you?" Hokuto asked. "And you look as sour as ever Hidaka. Like a kid who just got cash as a birthday present from their parents." Koga said. "How do you know about that?" Hokuto asked. "E-Eh?! ...T-That really happened?" Ito asked.

"Yeah. Back when my parents were really busy they sent me cash by registered mail saying 'buy whatever you like'. But what I wanted was something they chose for me. Even if it was cheap or boring. Taking the time to pick something for me would have been proof of their love." Hokuto said with a sigh.

"But they gave up on that. Along with their right to call themselves parents. Haaa you just made me remember something unpleasant. I'm in a bad mood now." He then said. "Hah! Then go blows off that bad mood during the live! Thanks to a little encouragement from a friend I'm more fired up than ever!" Koga said.

"You have friends Oogami?" Hokuto asked seriously. "About as many as you do." Koga said. "Oi~ You three lonely souls." The two turned to see Ritsu. "Sakuma? So you're also joining today? Didn't you say you wouldn't bother showing up anymore because the meetings were meaningless and tiresome?" Hokuto asked.

"You're as unpredictable as ever huh Richie?" Koga asked with a sigh. "I just know when to call it quits. I do whatever I enjoy. Playing the rebel against the authority and backing the opposition was fun but pushing it further would seriously hurt my idol career. I wouldn't mind if it were just me but Knights is in a tough spot after your crushing defeat in the SS Qualifying Round. It's about time I stopped messing around and went back to being the model student ES favours." Ritsu said.

"Hmph. Can't you stick to one thing for once you weathervane bastard?" Koga asked. "Call me bat bastard thanks~ You know since I'm a vampire." Ritsu said. ..S-So you're fine...with being called....a-a bastard? Ito thought. "...If you're no longer interested in the opposition then why are you here?" Hokuto asked.

"I heard an interesting rumour and thought I'd check it out. I'm not at the 'I know everything about Yumenosaki' level like my brother but I can pick up a lot of intel just by having a nap here and there." Ritsu said. "What do you mean?" Hokuto asked. "You'll find out soon enough. Today seems like a fairly important turning point so we should take it seriously." Ritsu said.

"....?"Hokuto tilted his head in confusion. ""...Nobody move! This is the student council executive team!" Mao said as he suddenly enter the auditorium. "...Just kidding. Ahhh I really respect Hasumi-senpai for being able to say manga lines like that with a straight face." Mao said.

"Forehead....What the hell are you doing here?" Koga asked with skepticism. "Didn't you resign as Student Council President Isara?" Hokuto asked. "Haha. Not exactly a warm welcome but I'm not surprised." Mao said. "I'm welcoming you with open arms! I love you Ma-kun!" Ritsu said.

"...You came to today's meeting because you knew Forehead would show up didn't you?" Koga asked. "Do I have any other reason to move?" Ritsu asked. "Ah...S-So you admit it...?" Ito asked. "It's the truth after all~" Ritsu said. "Isara I'll ask anyway. Why are you here?" Hokuto asked.

"...You already know Hokuto. Don't make me say it. As the former Student Council President I'm here to negotiate with the opposition faction. To be precise I'm here to ask you to stop protesting the concept of ES Academy." Mao said with a sigh. "You have had it enough right? It's time to settle this for good." He then said.

"We've made our stance as students clear. Thanks to your flashy guerrilla lives even ES is finally responding. They're willing to make some concessions to move the ES Academy project forward. What ES fears most is the collapse of their heavily invested ES Academy project." He added.

"To avoid that they can compromise to some extent. But if you reject even that it'll lead to an all-out battle against ES. Or more likely a one-sided beat down. We're just a bunch of powerless kids while ES is a massive profit-driven corporation. That's not an opponent you can defy in modern society. Opposing them recklessly could even be worse than defying the government." He then said.

"You're speaking in very grand terms. It sounds cheap Isara." Hokuto said. "I don't want to hear it from you. You're always the first to start talking big about the world or ways of life." Mao said with a sigh.