"Don't you think it's a kind of passing the torch?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked at Miyabi Nagumo. "The younger sister takes the seat her older brother once held. Same surname, same school, same office."
He raised a hand and pointed at the chair Nagumo was sitting in.
"That seat used to be Horikita Manabu's. If Horikita Suzune takes it after you graduate, it'll be back in the Horikita family's hands."
"What kind of reason is that?"
Nagumo frowned, plainly unconvinced.
"The Student Council President's seat goes to whoever has the ability, not the right surname. So what if she's Horikita Manabu's younger sister? Her brother having been president doesn't mean she gets to be next. If she isn't capable enough, no amount of 'passing the torch' will make it happen."
"Is that your only reason?" he pressed again.
"They're both capable."
Kazehara spread his hands. "Ichinose has her strengths, and Horikita has hers. They're both qualified for the seat. There isn't much between them. If neither has a decisive edge in ability, then my reason for choosing one over the other doesn't really matter."
"I called it 'passing the torch.' If you like how that sounds, fine. If not, I can give you another reason."
He looked at Nagumo. "Either way, I'm not the one who'll end up in that chair."
"..."
Nagumo stared at him for a few seconds, then shook his head helplessly and leaned back.
"And we're back to 'it doesn't matter.' Whenever things get serious, you step back and wash your hands of it. You make it impossible for anyone to take you seriously."
He twirled the pen in his hand and fell silent for a moment. Then his eyes lit up, as if an idea had struck him.
"How about this?"
Nagumo sat up straight, his