Dissolution Election!
A declaration of war from a Battler to the Student Council. When a group of students harbors dissatisfaction with the current council, they can choose a Battler to represent them. A one-on-one vote showdown follows—and the losing Battler is immediately dissolved!
******
"Ro-ro-ro-ro-ro-ro!" after declaring his challenge right in Ameri's face, Ronove burst into laughter as his attendants showered him with rose petals.
'Izuku, do me a favor and punch this moron in the face,' Nana's voice echoed dryly in his mind. 'I can't take that laugh anymore. It's like nails on a chalkboard.'
'Believe me, I get it,' Izuku replied with a sigh, his brow twitching as he watched Ronove bask in the spotlight like some kind of rose-covered peacock. 'But I can't just go around punching people for being annoying... no matter how tempting it is.'
"And before anyone dares to accuse me of falsehood or deceit—behold all the signatures!" Ronove proclaimed, dramatically unfurling a massive scroll. It spilled from his hand and rolled across the floor with a flourish, covered edge to edge with names and signatures.
"As expected of Ronove-sama! The embodiment of the people's hope!" the two girls flanking him squealed in perfect harmony, still tossing rose petals into the air like confetti.
"These are all the Battlers we've cracked down on before," Kimaris noted, stepping forward to inspect the scroll with a skeptical eye.
"Wait a second... I recognize a few of these names too," Izuku said, leaning in for a closer look. "Some of these guys are repeat offenders. I've had to track them down myself more than once." He turned a cautious gaze back to Ronove, his voice laced with suspicion. "You've certainly assembled quite the upstanding support group for yourself."
"They're just misunderstood, that's all," Ronove waved off Izuku's comment with a dismissive flick of his wrist as he strolled past him toward Ameri. "Until now, no one dared to challenge the Student Council because Miss Azazel's authority was absolute. But now that you've become this sweet little thing, your grip on power has weakened—despite the help of this killjoy tagging along," he added, casting a smug glance at Izuku.
He reached out, taking a glossy strand of Ameri's crimson hair between his fingers. "Honestly, this version of you is much more fitting to be my secretary when I take over the Student Council."
He leaned in, clearly intending to sniff her hair—until a black rope shot out from nowhere, wrapping tightly around his wrist and yanking his hand away with a harsh snap.
"Keep your hands off her." Izuku's voice was low, sharp, and colder than frostbite. His eyes locked onto Ronove with uncharacteristic intensity. "I seriously doubt she appreciates you getting that close, let alone touching her like that."
Something inside him had ignited the moment Ronove invaded Ameri's space. It wasn't just irritation—it ran deeper, darker. A protective instinct had surged up, catching him off guard. Even he was surprised by how harshly he'd reacted, almost before he realized it himself.
"Besides, for someone who calls himself a gentleman, shouldn't you know that touching a lady's hair without permission is incredibly impolite?" Izuku added as he stepped forward, positioning himself between Ronove and Ameri.
"Impolite, you say..." Ronove muttered, his voice quiet and trembling. For a moment, a heavy silence fell over the room. Then, without warning, he collapsed to the floor, curling into a melodramatic heap as dark, gloomy clouds began to swirl ominously above him.
"How dare you lecture Romi-sama!" "Don't you feel bad for him?!" His followers rounded on Izuku, glaring daggers before pelting him with fresh handfuls of rose petals like they were hurling insults.
'I swear, I'm going to burn every rose bed on this entire campus,' Izuku seethed inwardly, barely managing to keep his expression neutral as he took a calming breath through gritted teeth. "I apologize if I used excessive force—"
"It wasn't your power that hurt me..." Ronove sobbed, lifting his tear- and snot-streaked face toward Izuku. "It was your words that shattered my delicate, fragile heart!" He sniffled, then dramatically rose to his feet, throwing his cape behind him with a flourish. "Hmph! I see how it is now... This is a hostile environment! But I accept it—fully and nobly!"
With a grand spin, he flopped onto a moving platform of rose petals, which began gliding away as his two attendants solemnly pushed it forward like a mobile stage. "Prepare your necks for the chopping block!" he declared, pointing behind him as he was wheeled out. "For I, Ronove, shall have you all removed once I ascend to power and claim the Student Council throne!"
"Hey! Wait!" Johnny yelled, peeking out from behind a desk. "Clean up your flowers, you theatrical jerk!" But Ronove was already gone, leaving only a trail of wilting petals—and a stunned silence in his wake.
"What a fucking character," Izuku muttered, rubbing his forehead with an exasperated sigh before turning to the rest of the Student Council. "I'm guessing we can't just reject his challenge—otherwise, you guys would've tossed him out ages ago."
"Unfortunately, no," Sunny replied with a grimace. "He's technically fulfilled all the requirements to issue a formal challenge, and once that happens, the President has to accept." He crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "Now the real question is... what do we do next?"
"Don't worry, we'll figure something out," Izuku said, trying to sound reassuring as he scratched the back of his head. "But first... does anyone here happen to have a flamethrower?"
"...Why the hell do you need a flamethrower?" Johnny asked, clearly concerned.
"Nothing serious," Izuku said with a casual wave of his hand—then his expression darkened, eyes narrowing with quiet vengeance. "I just need to burn some flowers..."
******
The next day, after wrapping up his classes, Izuku made his way to the Student Council office. The moment he stepped inside, he was struck by the heavy, oppressive air hanging over the room and couldn't help but ask, "Okay... what's with all the gloom? Who died?"
"Some of Ameri's chances of winning this election," Smoke muttered from where she sat slumped over the table, arms folded beneath her head like a wilted houseplant. "Ronove's already launched his campaign. He's pulling in a ton of attention—and he's locked in a bunch of guaranteed votes already."
Izuku raised an eyebrow. "So why are you all sitting around like a flock of motherless ducklings? Shouldn't we be working on a plan to shift the spotlight back to Ameri?"
"You think we haven't tried that?" Johnny said flatly. He leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh, the bags under his eyes speaking volumes. "But we're up against two major issues. First—and you already know this—President Ameri's personality shift has made her way too timid to speak in front of large crowds."
He held up two fingers. "And second... there's Ronove's bloodline magic."
######
Bloodline Magic: Attention
Effect – Commands or draws the attention of everyone within a certain radius, regardless of circumstance or emotional state. The more dramatic or charismatic the user, the stronger the pull.
######
Izuku's expression darkened the moment he heard that. A deep frown formed on his face as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Fantastic. That just made things even more complicated," he muttered. "And since his bloodline magic probably doesn't break any rules, we can't file a complaint or try to block it. So that means the only option we've got is to tighten things up on our side."
"Right—no point sitting around and sulking," Sunny said, rising from his seat. "Let's get out there and give it everything we've got—for the Student Council and for President Ameri!"
With renewed determination, the team stood up and stepped out of the office, ready to give their all to Ameri's campaign.
And for the next four days, that's exactly what they did.
The Student Council launched into the campaign with relentless energy, pulling out every stop. They worked from morning until night, trying to keep up with Ronove's momentum. But by the end of the fourth day, Izuku found himself facing a hard truth: Ameri was fighting an uphill battle.
Her changed personality had turned her into a shell of her former self—soft-spoken, hesitant, and reluctant to step into the spotlight. That alone was a massive disadvantage. But when you added the lingering resentment some students still felt from her strict, no-nonsense days as President, her presence in the campaign was practically nonexistent.
That's not to say she had no support. Her past leadership had earned her the loyalty of those who appreciated her efforts to maintain order and fairness in the school. Combined with Izuku's own popularity and accomplishments as a Prefect, they were able to draw a decent chunk of support.
Even so, their combined influence couldn't compete with Ronove—at least, not at the moment. His flamboyant personality, over-the-top charisma, and dramatic speeches won over the crowd. On top of that, his absurd campaign promises—like cutting school days in half or installing juice fountains—only added to his appeal. It didn't matter that they were completely unrealistic; the students ate up his words like candy, choosing him over the strict and imposing Ameri.
Even so, the Student Council never stopped trying. They gave everything they had, determined to support Ameri to the very end.
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, four exhausting days passed—and the day of the decisive battle arrived.
"Well, guys, this is it—the big day," Izuku said, his gaze sweeping across the tense faces of the Student Council members. "Whatever happens today, happens. We might win, we might lose, but one thing's for sure..." he turned to Ameri and offered her a warm, reassuring smile. "Whether Ameri stays President or not, we'll always stand by her."
His words broke the tension just enough to draw a few smiles from the others—small, but genuine.
"You already know I'm with her," Smoke said, lifting his head and flashing a grin in Ameri's direction. "Win or lose, we've got her back."
"Hmph. She's our President," Sunny added with a soft, rare smile. "That doesn't change just because a title does."
"Heck yeah! No way I'm bowing to some sparkle-obsessed drama queen!" Kimaris chimed in, arms behind his head in his usual laid-back pose. "He's got nothing on Ameri."
"Indeed," Johnny said as he adjusted his glasses with a calm certainty. "There is no one more worthy of leading us than the President."
Ameri blinked, visibly moved. She brought a hand to her face, dabbing gently at her eyes. "Thank you... all of you," she said quietly, voice trembling with emotion.
Izuku clapped his hands once, the sound crisp and confident. "Alright then. This is the final stretch—let's give it everything we've got!"
A chorus of cheers and affirmations rang out in response, and with renewed energy, the team scattered in all directions to begin their final push, leaving only Izuku and Ameri behind.
Izuku then turned to Ameri, noticing the uncertain look on her face. "Ameri? What's wrong? You seem... off. Is something bothering you?"
"Um... Izuku," Ameri began hesitantly, eyes lowered as she searched for the right words. "I want to talk to you... Can you meet me in my office in half an hour?"
"Of course," Izuku nodded, concern flickering in his eyes. "I'll be there."
Ameri gave him a small nod, then turned and hurried off before he could say anything else.
"...Strange," Izuku murmured, watching the direction she disappeared into.
******
Half an hour later, Izuku arrived at the Student Council President's office, only to find it empty.
He let out a small sigh and stepped inside, letting the door close behind him. "Guess I'm early..." he murmured to himself, and with nothing else to do, he began pacing the room. The ticking of the wall clock seemed louder than usual in the silence, and the longer he waited, the more boredom started to creep in.
Eventually, Izuku gave up on pacing and pulled out his sketchbook. Sketching was one of his rare hobbies—something he'd never actively pursued or trained in, yet he'd grown surprisingly skilled at it over time. While keeping his Quirk analysis notes, he often included detailed sketches of people and their equipment, which naturally improved his drawing abilities. And after arriving in the Demon World, he'd kept up the habit, using it to record new demons, their magic, and now and then, sketching just for fun.
He lost himself in the motion of his pencil, lines forming with practiced ease. His brow furrowed in concentration as a familiar face slowly took shape on the page. So focused was he that he didn't hear the office door open—or the soft footsteps approaching behind him.
"Oh, is that me?" came a sudden feminine voice from just over his shoulder, startling Izuku, who nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Ah—! Ameri!" Izuku exclaimed, spinning around in surprise. "You scared me—" he began, but froze mid-sentence, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Standing in front of him wasn't the shy, hesitant version of Ameri he'd gotten used to over the past few days. No, this was her—the Ameri he remembered. Confident. Poised. Wearing her usual Student Council uniform
"Ameri, you've recov—" he started to say, but before he could finish, her face turned bright red and steam all but burst from her head.
"Ahh~! Please stop staring at me!" she squeaked, curling into herself as she tried to hide her face. "These clothes are way too embarrassing!"
Izuku blinked, then let out a soft sigh, realizing she hadn't fully returned to her old self after all. His expression shifted, a touch of amusement tugging at his lips, and he quietly took off his coat, gently draping it over her shoulders. "There," he said with a small smile. "Now it's a little less embarrassing, right?"
Ameri peeked at him from behind the collar of the coat, her face still burning. "...A little," she mumbled.
"So... what happened?" Izuku asked gently as he settled on the floor beside her. "Why are you wearing your regular uniform?"
"That's... I thought maybe... if I wore my old clothes, my personality would go back to normal," Ameri said, clenching her fists in her lap, eyes cast downward. "But it didn't work. And if things stay like this... I'm definitely going to lose the election. I'll end up dragging everyone down with me."
"What are you even talking about?" Izuku asked calmly. "You're not troub—"
"I am causing trouble," Ameri cut in, her voice rising slightly before dropping into a shaky whisper. "I know everyone's been picking up my slack. Even you got dragged into this... all because I can't keep order in the school anymore."
Izuku offered a lopsided smile. "You really don't have to worry about me. Honestly? I kinda enjoy putting unruly students in their place and getting praised for it."
That earned a small laugh from her, quiet but genuine. Still, it faded quickly into a sigh as she looked away. "I can't say this to anyone else but you, Izuku. I really care about everyone in the Student Council. They work so hard. They give their everything for my sake. Every word, every action... it's all so warm," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion as memories flickered behind her eyes.
But then her shoulders began to tremble. "However, all of that... those feelings... they're for the old me. The one they respected. The one who could lead them." Her grip on his coat around her shoulders tightened as her voice cracked. "That's what scares me the most. I thought... if I just did well in school, everything would be fine. That I'd be enough. But now, I'm not even sure I can manage that anymore. I've lost confidence in myself, Izuku... and I'm terrified."
Her tears started to fall, silently hitting the floor. "I'm scared I'll disappoint them. That I'll betray everything they believe in."
She tried to smile, but it was fleeting, fragile, and glistened with tears. "So maybe... maybe I should just give up. Step down as president. Take normal classes like a normal student... Read books. Drink tea with you... and live out peaceful days like that. Just the two of us."
Suddenly, she leaned forward, gently cupping Izuku's face in her hands.
Then, without warning, she leaned in. Her hands reached up, gently cupping Izuku's face. Her eyes were shimmering, cheeks flushed. "Izuku... if you'll accept me—right here, right now... then I'll stay by your side. Always."
Izuku stared into Ameri's eyes for a long moment before his expression cracked—and then, all at once, he burst out laughing.
The sudden sound startled her, completely shattering the tension that had built between them. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, confusion and embarrassment written all over her face. She blinked at him, stunned, her hands still cradling his face as he doubled over slightly, trying—and failing—to stifle his laughter.
A second later, she snapped out of her daze. Puffing her cheeks in frustration, she pulled her hands back and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Stop making fun of me!" she huffed, glaring at him with a pout that, unfortunately for her, looked more endearing than threatening.
"Sorry, sorry," Izuku said between chuckles, waving a hand in apology as he tried to catch his breath. "It's just... the idea that you, of all people, would seriously talk about giving up?"
His smile softened, warmth replacing amusement as he met her gaze again. "Ameri, I get what you're feeling right now. That desperate urge to throw in the towel, to walk away from everything because it all feels too heavy... I've felt that too. More times than I can count."
Ameri's lips parted, her pride instinctively ready to argue—to tell him he couldn't possibly understand. But the look in his eyes stopped her. Whatever words she'd prepared dissolved in her throat.
"But here's the thing... even if you did try to run, those idiots would chase after you anyway," he said with a gentle laugh, glancing toward the window like he could already see the Student Council sprinting down the street after her. "They don't follow you just because you're the President. They follow you because you're you. You've changed their lives, Ameri. They've told me how they were drifting, wasting their potential, until you pulled them out of that and gave them something to believe in. Someone to believe in. That's why, even if things seem tough right now, it's still worth it to them if it means standing by your side."
He let that sit for a moment before continuing, his voice quieter now. "And as for running away... as far as I know you, you couldn't even if you tried. That's just not who you are." His gaze returned to hers, steady and full of quiet admiration. "Even with everything going on, you still show up to school every single day. You walk those halls, face those stares—the ones treating you like some strange new creature they don't recognize—and you don't break. You keep moving forward. And the fact that you're still standing here, still pushing through all that pressure... that takes more strength than most people will ever understand."
He reached out, gently brushing her cheek with his hand, wiping away the lone tear trailing down her face. "Ameri... you're one of the strongest demons I've ever met. And you're someone I respect—someone I look up to." He smiled, not with pity, but with pride. "The Ameri I know, the one I admire, is always shining brightest when she's chasing her ambition. It doesn't matter what form that takes, or what personality you're wearing. As long as it's you... that's enough."
"Thank you..." Ameri whispered tearfully, her voice trembling with emotion. There wasn't even a trace of doubt in Izuku's words, no hint of pretense. She could feel it in her bones—every word he spoke came from the heart. He truly believed in her. Her hand rose to rest gently over his, still cradling her cheek. She leaned into his touch just slightly, drawing strength from it. "I promise you, Izuku... I'll take on this challenge with everything I have."
"And you'll always find me beside you," Izuku replied softly, his voice steady. "No questions asked."
Before either of them could process it, the air between them shifted. Their breaths slowed. Their hearts beat in sync with a silent rhythm that seemed to draw them closer. Their eyes drifted shut as they leaned in, lips just inches away...
"Ameri, are you ready for—"
The door creaked open. Smoke stepped inside—then froze, eyes going wide as the scene before her hit her like a truck. "SORRY! I didn't mean to intrude!" she yelped, spinning around so fast her hair whipped behind her. She was already halfway to the door when—
Snap.
A tendril of Blackwhip gently looped around her wrist.
"Wait! It's not what it looks like!" Izuku blurted out, cheeks blazing red as he scrambled to explain.
Ameri, her face nearly as red as her uniform, didn't say a word. She just bolted into the next room like her soul had left her body, slamming the door shut behind her.
"Sorry you had to see that," Izuku muttered, scratching the back of his neck in mortification as Blackwhip quietly retracted.
"It's okay..." Smoke replied, voice half-apologetic, half-stunned as she awkwardly rubbed the back of her head. "Actually, I think I should be the one apologizing. I didn't mean to ruin the moment."
"No... if anything, I should be thanking you," Izuku said, exhaling deeply.
"Why?" Smoke frowned, tilting her head. "I thought you two liked each other enough to finally take things to the next level."
"I mean... yeah, we care about each other," Izuku murmured, eyes dropping to the floor. "But there was... a complicated situation going on between us before the accident, and honestly, I feel like starting anything romantic while Ameri's personality is still altered would be unfair to both of us."
Hearing that, Smoke smiled gently. She reached over and gave him a firm pat on the back. "You really are a good guy, Izuku. I'm rooting for you." Then, with a playful grin, she shoved him toward the door. "Now shoo! I need to help Ameri get ready for her final speech."
"Of course," Izuku nodded as he stepped out, his expression sharpening with resolve. "Get her ready, because I don't care whether we win or lose... but I'll be damned if we go down without giving it everything we've got."
To be continued...