Chapter 7: Vote for the cherry!
On Monday morning (October the 7th) I sit in my bed and brush my hair, when I hear a knock on the door. "Miss Ojousama, if you please?"
Excitedly I jump from my bed to the door and step outside to Professor Grabiner. "Good morning, Sir", I greet him a bit shy, since I didn't expect him.
"Is there a problem?", he asks me. I'm kind of confused. "... No?" Am I BLUSHING? No my cheeks might feel a bit warm, but I'm definitely not blushing! I'm a grown woman, god dammit. But his voice sure sounds nice… Especially early in the morning. He sighs. Have I done something wrong?
But he just hands me a folder with the title 'Election protocol'. "You will review these documents and meet me after class today to discuss your campaign strategy. Unless you'd prefer to forfeit now and save us both the trouble." Nope, definitely not. "No, Sir." "Very well, then. Good day to you.", he bids good bye and disappears into the direction of Falcon hall, probably in order to meet Jacob Blaising.
Now when, about my strategy, I should definitely offer free hugs I guess. I also have enough money for posters and paper badges, which should be enough.
As for a glorious name to promote my greatness… I think I should go with something weird, but not Lady Lampshade Head, since I have a small aversion against the game choices. How about the cookie queen? But then I should give out free cookies as well, but I can't afford that.
The tooth fairy? Some fairies might feel offended… Which is a pity, since the tooth fairy leaves money under pillows in exchange for milk teeth, so it would be a fitting name for a treasurer, since the jobs are quite similar.
Or maybe… Mademoiselle cherry-hairdo? My hair has the colour of dark red yummy cherries after all. It might not be weird enough, but it would help in leaving an impression, which is my main goal, since my hair colour is a good trait to recognize me by. Though it's true, that many students have bright hair colours, but those bright hair colours are not a rarity in this academy. I have yet to see another person with the same dark-red hair as I, but I can't recall any of those bright hair colours as unique. As a logo I can use the picture of a cherry. Such a pity, that there are no cherries in October, otherwise I could give out some for publicity instead of cookies. Since I have to write a speech and go through the folder given to me by Grabby, I only attend one of his blue classes today.
After class I arrive in the empty campus room and spread out my documents. Professor Grabiner enters the room after a while.
"Would it be too much to hope, that you have already made your decisions?", he asks me. Before I can answer him, William storms into the room.
Ugh, great. How to shoo him away in the best way? I just want to do this on my own. It feels wrong being baby-sat by Virginia's big brother.
At least Grabby couldn't care less about this campaign and won't try to interfere.
"Just a minute! Sorry to burst in, sir. I'd promised my sister; I'd serve as Elise's campaign manager. You don't have to stay." No, you don't have to stay, William.
"I know how much you have to do. I can talk her through the steps and deliver the requisitions to you later." Professor Grabiner raises an eyebrow.
"Is this what you want, Miss Ojousama?", he asks me. "I don't remember hiring a campaign manager. I know Virginia just wants to help, but I'd prefer doing this alone, I'm the one running for treasurer after all, and not Virginia. So thank you, for your kind offer, William, but I am afraid I'll have to decline it." Also, I prefer working with Grabby, he's more my type you know? Well, through a shallow point of view at least. Though William is also good looking, I can really understand why Ellen fell for him. "Interesting. However, a leader is wise to take advantage of the resources made available for her." "Well, since I can only choose one resource, I'd rather go with the one which will aid me, instead of leading me. Otherwise I couldn't be called a leader anyways, could I?" He chuckles a bit at that remark.
Somehow it makes me really happy. My cheeks feel a bit warmer… William looks at me, first surprised and then suddenly with a knowing smile.
Great, he will tell Virginia that I would have a crush on Grabby. Which is not true. Well, maybe a bit. "Well... I suppose I'll be on my way, then.", William comments. Before leaving he winks at me. You…don't go gossiping to Virginia about weird stuff! Well, he's gone now anyway, so I guess I can't change it now.
And I'm alone again with Grabiner. "Well, then. As you should be aware, that I need from you at this point is a decision about the theme elements of your campaign. It is traditional for candidates to adopt a ludicrous nickname in the hopes of associating positive virtues with themselves in their voters' minds. This slogan and the associated imagery will be used to design any marketing materials you requisition. The school will create and reproduce these items for you. Have you decided on such a name?" I fidget a bit. "I think I'll go with 'Mademoiselle Cherry-hairdo'" "Mademoiselle… Cherry…" He looks surprised. That's good, right?
So it should be weird enough, right? "Well, all campaign nicknames are ludicrous, right? I don't think I would leave much of an impression, if I choose something so generic. And since my dark red hair IS an eye-catching trait of mine, a name which emphasizes it, will help me more in leaving an impression, than one of those standard campaign names. Since it's a weird name, it's more memorable anyways. For a campaign to be successful, one needs the attention of the voters in the end. ", I explain. "Interesting. And what marketing articles do you want to order? While the school will acquire the items for you, you must bear the cost out of your own pocket." A small hint of curiosity can be seen in his expression. It might be just my imagination though. "Posters and badges in bright green with cherries, of course. That's all I can afford for now, but it should be enough. Being too lavish and wasteful, would be bad taste for a treasurer anyways, right?" He nods slightly.
"They are a waste of resources, of course, but they are traditional. Tradition can be the deciding factor."
After everything is set, he bids me good bye with a small smile. So nice, makes me feel refreshed. I go back to my room in a good mood, humming a pop song.
The next morning my campaign materials arrive, and Ellen and Virginia help me with setting the posters up and distributing the badges.
The badges are Cherries with my name on it, which you can pin on your robe. While they are cute, so that girls will like wearing them, they're not girly, so that the boys won't mind wearing them as well. We catch a bit of attention, due to my unusual name, so I guess it was original enough.
I wonder, if 'Lady Lampshade-Head' would have gotten more attention? A day later, on Thursday, Virginia suddenly approaches me.
"Is it true?" Is what true? What are you talking about? You think I can read your thoughts or something? We can only cast 'Empathy'… "Is what true?", I ask politely. "You! And Professor Grabiner!" I get what she is trying to ask me now, but decide to act dumb for now. So William, that old tattletale finally gossiped about the incident in the conference room, huh. "William said you ditched him, because you wanted alone-time with the professor and were practically flirting with him!" Whoa, hold your horses there. Professor Grabiner is not the kind of person you can 'flirt' with. Holding a friendly conversation with him is already difficult enough, almost impossible for a student. "That is so absurd, I can't even believe you would ask that. ", I answer honestly. "Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little bit. That's not the point. Elise, do you have a crush on Grabby?" Ugh. Well, I don't think it's that bad? I only like his looks and his voice after all. Okay, keep calm and try to… change the topic?
"I don't know, what you're talking about. Hey, have you heard about Jacob's campaign? He uses the 'Blazing Fire'- Slogan, how boring. He isn't really creative, huh." Virginia stares at me. "But he's horrible!" Ok, so she is just going to ignore my miserable attempt at changing the topic?
The game's influence is strong in this event, huh. "He's grumpy", I correct her out of instinct. Damn you game-fate-thingy. Someday, I will change one of the possible outcomes of an event, just you wait! I would promise, but I don't want to lose my magic… "He picked on you, on your very first day of school!", Virginia counters.
"He picks on every student upon meeting them.", I argue. "It's not like I'm in love or anything, I just respect his intellect. I also enjoy listening to his voice… ", I stop myself from continuing. Too late. "Eeeeew", Virginia reacts, as expected. "Well, have it your way." Great, now she thinks I would've a crush on Grabby.
On Wednesday morning, the next day, campaigning is in full swing, and all the candidates have taken position in the campus gardens. Chaos ensures, as everyone tries to get some attention. I did my hair into a bun and stuck a grass stalk into it, to imitate the stem. This weird 'cherry-hairdo' should help me in getting some attention. Oh god, I feel like an attention-wh***. I clear my throat and braze myself for my ultimate attention-seeking cheat-weapon. Oh gosh, this is going to be embarrassing. "Free hugs! Free hugs!", I shout. Luke stops and stares at me in surprise. "…What?" I bravely proceed to give him a good hug.
God thing I'm used to body contact with strangers. When I was a teenager, I tried out all kinds of sports, among others sumo wrestling. I only did it for a few months or so, mainly because the German female sumo wrestling community is pretty much non-existent.
However, those few months were enough for me to stop minding body contact too much. "Vote for me!", I ask him cheerfully. "Uhm... okay.", he answers, slightly blushing. Cute. Good thing, I didn't create a weird avatar, otherwise this strategy might have failed. Pastel immediately appears beside him. She's such a flirt.
"Oh, did I hear someone say free hugs?", she asks. I detach my arms from Luke in order to hug her but stop for a second due to her wings. Somehow I end up placing my arms on her hips – she's a crafty one – and feel her slightly moving her hips against mine. Alright, she definitely has guts. Such a pity, that it's not enough to make me lose my composure. "Vote for me?", I ask, maybe not 100% calm anymore, but still calm. "Perhaps", she answers flirty. I'm surprised about how many people want to hug me. Some of them aren't even freshmen, juniors, sophomores and seniors also come to hug me.
You can't even vote for me! Why do you want to hug me? Oh well, whatever. This school really IS open about love. Not that I would particular mind that.
On Friday the elections finally take place and everyone meets in the gym. I'm a bit anxious about my speech, since I used to be quite shy, but I have practised my speech a lot, which gives me confidence. I used to be good at doing presentations, despite my shyness, since it was only a problem in an unknown situation and with unknown people. Now that I have 'adapted' to this academy and feel at home here a bit, things should be better. After Jacob's speech, it is finally my turn.
I walk up the podium and calmly smile. "Hi, I'm Elise Ojousama, and I'm running for treasurer. I'm confident in my math abilities and will do my job diligently, so that you will get your allowances on time. In order to raise more money through our fundraisers, I will innovate with new events, so that we will be able to afford the things you deserve. I don't mind taking responsibility and will fulfil my job maturely. Thank you for your attention please vote for Mademoiselle Cherry Hairdo." I do a small bow and leave the stage, while everyone applauds. I have a good feeling to be honest, but since my decisions differ a bit from the game, it should be possible, that I lose.
I vote for Minnie, since she will win anyway and she will do a good job as well, until Kyo starts to stress her out.
Which reminds me, maybe I should warn her about him. And for treasurer I vote for myself, of course. It's embarrassing to vote for yourself, but in the game the players vote had significant influence on the result, so better safe than sorry, I guess.