198 – Student Things #2
Aira was convinced that the results were rigged.
And that although people voted for her, it got altered and manipulated, that was why Serazade got in first place.
Aira got up from her seat, which in this situation, was an ominous sign. So I asked in a panic.
"Where are you going, Aira-nim?"
"To the newspaper department, of course. As Queen, I have the duty and the right to counsel those pitiful creatures who speak falsehoods~."
So, she was going to flip the newspaper department upside down. As I racked my brain to prevent this, Mirna, who had been silently listening to the conversation, finally spoke up.
"Even if you go now, it'll only appear as throwing a hissy fit over the results. By then, you'll really lose in the election."
Mirna was right. Aira also quieted down, seemingly lost in thought after hearing her words.
A moment of silence ensued.
I pondered on how to calm Aira's anger and make the situation favorable.
Then, I remembered that Aira was part of accounting in the student council.
The Election Management Department and the Nymph Newspaper Department got their budgets from the student council. Therefore, as someone responsible for the finances, she had a legitimate right to get involved with them.
Of course, it could be seen as a retaliatory audit or inspection, but there was a difference between approaching them with purpose and doing so recklessly.
"Theo, I can't watch Serazade's dirty tricks and sit idly. Let's go and give a visit."
"Wrong. This is confirmation bias."
After finishing tea time with Aira, Mirna shook her head as she walked back.
As Mirna said, Aira was convinced that 'cheating' was involved in this election, and seemed hell-bent on finding proof.
But what if there was no evidence?
In that case, being the woman she was, Aira would create one. This was troublesome. I wasn't sure what to do.
Feeling unsettled, I turned my steps back towards 「Fairy Paradise」. As I gazed upon the garden adorned with pretty blossoms, my heart already felt calmer.
"Aahhh-! Comrade is here!"
Marmar, who was watering the flowers with a watering can, waved at me. Her cheerful demeanor was always pleasant to see.
"Marmar, have you been well?"
"En! We've been getting a lot of support from all over the place these days! Look! I got a magic stone vacuum cleaner, and various other things!"
Although I didn't quite understand, but Marmar seemed to be leading a comfortable life in her own way. A quiet and secluded paradise. It was always so calming to come here. ɽ𝐚₦𝖔ВЕⱾ
"Here, would you like some ice honey black tea?"
I sipped the iced tea Marmar offered, soothing my troubled mind. While I was trying to calm myself, Marmar chuckled and showed me a newspaper.
"Comrade, look at this!"
Marmar pointed to the results of the preliminary voting for the Queen Contest. I wondered if she'd point out Aira coming in second, but Marmar was pointing further back.
"My name is on the other votes! People gave me 32 votes!"
Sure enough, Marmar's name was indeed on the other section, with 32 votes.
It was a far cry compared to Aira's second place, but Marmar seemed very happy with that alone.
"The world is finally shining light on imps!"
"Yeah, that's great."
Marmar went from almost getting burnt at the stake, to getting on the list in a popularity vote. That alone could be seen as a great triumph.
Was the perception of imps gradually improving?
"What about the other imps?"
"Purpur is working under someone called Professor Balan. Gargar and Tartar are making dolls there as well. Wanna say hello?"
"Imp dolls. They're quite popular these days. You know about the Marumaru doll, right?"
Elga had just been complaining to me about wanting a Marumaru doll for herself. At this moment, Marmar raised both hands with a mischievous chuckle.
"That's what we're making! We're also going to be making Garugaru and Tarutaru dolls!"
I felt both surprised and puzzled.
It was surprising that Marmar was making dolls based on herself with the imps, but it was also puzzling why she was making a knock-off of her name.
When I asked about it, Marmar glanced around and said in a hushed voice.
"Well, if we use an imp's name and trademark it, it could violate proper etiquette. So, we have no choice. They said if we ignore the recommendation, they'll take everything away."
Oh, it'd been censored…
After all, in this world, imps were a kind of demon. It wasn't strange if there was at least one conservative group that opposed caricaturing them.
"Who's taking everything away?"
The answer I got back was somewhat unexpected.
"The nymphs. They've been pressuring us lately."
"Nymphs? Haven't you got along well with the nymphs?"
"We did. But things have changed a bit since Empress Serazade or whatever arrived. They'll be here today…."
Marmar trembled with anxious eyes.
In Marmar's apprehensive gaze, a swarm of little girls was gathered in the distance.
━Get the illegal imps out-!
━Guarantee the nymphs' right to live!