"Listen, Ishigami-kun. Soon you'll be moving up to your second year and will be in a position to lead others."
"Being able to command people... I'm not Shinomiya-senpai, so there's no way I can do that."
"I don't always have people following me around. But... to accomplish something or achieve a goal, people are absolutely essential. Is that clear so far?"
I was intimidated by the strong will reflected in those eyes.
"Well, that's... but there's no way I could ever make people obey me."
"In your case, perhaps it would have been better to say you were using me rather than making me obey you."
"Using people...that's impossible for me. I can't even imagine how to do it."
"...Really?"
"picture...?"
"You've seen the method right before your eyes, haven't you? ...Now, try to remember."
Senior Shinomiya approached me and whispered in my ear as if trying to hypnotize me...
"Remember how Ogino Kou handled the situation back then?"
"Huh!?"
Those words from Shinomiya-senpai... brought back a painful memory that I'll never forget.
Ishigami, you can't win love with violence!
If you keep quiet, I won't lay a hand on Kyoko Otomo.
...You're the one who's crazy.
"...Are you saying I should become like Ogino?!"
The unpleasant memories brought up by Shinomiya-senpai's words... made me raise my voice and ask the question.
"...No, don't get the wrong idea. Your straightforward sense of justice is a good quality. If possible, please stay that way."
"Then why..."
"Regardless of whether it was good or bad, Kou Ogino's actions were skillful in making use of the people around her and her own position. She protected herself with quick judgment... she created the armor of being part of the majority."
"...Majority?"
"I mean the majority. In that scene, you made me hit you, let multiple people witness it, and then used the acting skills you honed in the drama club to control the impression people had of you and successfully win them over to your side... You're quite the petty villain."
"..."
"...Ishigami-kun, if you were ever faced with a similar situation again...what would you do?"
"it is..."
"I'm sorry if I said something unpleasant. But, Ishigami-kun... if you ever find yourself in a similar situation again... use it to your advantage."
"picture...?"
"Use your position to your advantage. Use your circumstances to your advantage. Use the other person's character to your advantage. And most importantly... use the people around you... so that you don't suffer, okay?"
"Shinomiya...senpai..."
"Compared to back then, you've become so much stronger. Strong enough that you won't lose even when you face someone like Ogino in the future... That's why, Ishigami-kun."
"...yes."
"You can't lose next time."
With those words... the view I had been seeing just moments before switched to the ceiling of my own room.
...…
"dream..."
Even in my dreams, seeing Senior Shinomiya still caring for his juniors brings a smile to my face.
"..."
You can't lose next time.
"Yes, I will absolutely not lose."
It was at this moment that a clear vision formed in my mind.