The Telephone Prankster

The sudden ringtone of a mobile phone was jarringly loud in the silent gymnasium, creating a somewhat delicate atmosphere for Horikita Manabu's speech.

"Whose phone is that?"

He had stood motionless on the stage for several minutes, aiming to command the entire gymnasium and create a silence that showcased his absolute control.

According to the intended script, he should have fully dominated the arena by now. All that remained was to announce the student council recruitment notice to everyone, say a few brief words, and then make a quick exit.

Yet, this unexpected phone call had suddenly cracked his composure.

Down in the audience, some students looked at Horikita Manabu on stage, waiting to see how he would handle the spectacle; others covered their mouths with both hands, struggling to hold back their laughter.

Everyone looked at one another, searching for the source of the sound.

At that moment, a girl with long, deep purple hair raised her hand expressionlessly. "Sorry, it's my phone."

It was Masumi Kamuro.

The students around her looked at her with gloating expressions, as if to say: You've really done it now, offending the student council president.

It wasn't just her who felt awkward; to anyone watching, Horikita Manabu on stage should have felt even more so.

But Horikita Manabu's expression remained unchanged. "I hope the new students will take this as a warning: remember to set your phones to silent during critical occasions."

He then continued as if nothing had happened. "I am student council president Horikita Manabu. Welcome to the student council. We will strictly vet all applications. Additionally, a reminder: students participating in other club activities are not permitted to join the student council. That is all."

With that, he stepped off the stage. Despite the minor interruption, Horikita Manabu truly possessed an imposing presence when he spoke, making the student council sound almost like a yakuza organization.

After he left the stage, a girl with short, purple hair styled in a bun stepped up. Her lively and cheerful demeanor greatly eased the pressure Horikita Manabu had brought upon the room.

However, the moment Masumi's ringtone shattered the silence he had so carefully cultivated, perhaps his aura of intimidation was no longer what it once was.

"Everyone~ those who wish to join the student council can come over here to pick up an application form~" The purple-haired girl on stage introduced herself as Akane Tachibana, clutching a thick stack of forms.

One has to wonder if she's holding a bit too much; does she really think that many people want to join the student council?

It seems one might be able to catch a glimpse of Akane Tachibana's personality from this.

"Hey, I did what you asked." Once the atmosphere in the gymnasium had recovered, Masumi Kamuro immediately leaned in, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

Arisu Sakayanagi had just sent her an email, instructing her to turn her ringtone to the maximum volume immediately.

She had assumed it was so they could stay in contact, not that she was being made to make a fool of herself in front of the entire school.

Because of this, Masumi didn't have a single pleasant look for Arisu right now.

"Just a little bit of entertainment. Are you enjoying the show, Yuto?" Arisu Sakayanagi ignored Masumi entirely, smiling as she spoke to Yuto.

So, it seems she was the one behind Masumi Kamuro's phone call.

"I thought you might have her walk through the gymnasium doors in broad daylight and ask everyone in the silence, 'What are you all doing?'"

Yuto glanced at Masumi's wrist, noticing a bit of red on it.

"My, that would have been quite something—perhaps even more effective. I must say, Yuto-kun, you have a wicked side too~" Sakayanagi paused for a moment before laughing involuntarily. "However, it seems you didn't notice, Yuto-kun. The gymnasium doors were locked while the student council president was speaking. It would have been impossible for her to enter that way."

"I see. I just hadn't noticed Masumi, so I assumed she would be coming in from outside. I didn't realize she had been in the gymnasium the entire time."

The two continued their conversation, completely ignoring Masumi Kamuro standing right beside them.

"Hey, are you two treating me like air? And honestly, you two are really close, aren't you... Did you know each other before this?" Masumi crossed her arms, looking dissatisfied.

"Indeed~ Yuto-kun and I are childhood friends."

"Wow, what incredible intel. I can't wait to go back to class and share that with everyone." Although Masumi's words were exclamatory, her tone lacked any inflection, sounding like a monotone, mechanical reading.

Both Masumi Kamuro and Horikita Suzune were the cold, aloof type of beautiful girls, and both possessed sharp tongues. However, while Horikita Suzune always spoke with an air of haughty superiority, Masumi spoke with a sense of world-weary disdain.

Even though both looked at people as if they were insects, why was Masumi not as annoying as Horikita?

To Yuto, Masumi's act of coming to report to Sakayanagi felt, in a way, like a puppy seeking affection from its master after completing a task.

Even that world-weary, sharp-tongued disdain felt a bit like a tsundere attempt to grab her master's attention.

Thinking about it that way, she actually seemed quite cute.

"By the way, I didn't expect you to be interested in painting, Masumi," Yuto suddenly said to her.

Masumi froze. "Eh? How did you know?"

"Because we just saw you painting over at the art club, Masumi-san. You looked very cool while you were focused."

Sakayanagi took over for Yuto, gazing at Masumi with a gentle expression.

"W-what is that supposed to mean... you two..." Masumi pursed her lips and turned her head away, avoiding their gaze. "I do like sketching, that's all. I'm leaving!"

With that, she turned and left like a gust of wind.

"Did you really see her painting over there, Sakayanagi?" Yuto asked.

"Not at all. I was just guessing. That child didn't wash her hands properly, and she left a bit of paint on her wrist."

"She was clearly embarrassed just now. You're quite wicked, Sakayanagi."

"Likewise, I suppose. After all, I have come to view Masumi-san as a capable pawn—no, assistant—for my three years here~ Naturally, I must win her heart."

I have to admit, Sakayanagi's method of winning people over is quite effective: first, show them you have leverage to make them obediently do your bidding, and once they've actually done it, treat them with the utmost kindness and gentleness.

This sense of contrast can also create a sort of suspension bridge effect, causing the person being threatened to fall deep into it, unable to extricate themselves.

But did she just mean to say "pawn" a moment ago?

"Then, there is now one more club available to choose from. Question: Yuto-kun, would you like to join the student council?"

"I'm slightly interested."

"Eh?" Seemingly not expecting such an answer, Sakayanagi widened her eyes slightly in surprise. "I didn't expect Yuto-kun to be interested in student council affairs."

"I heard that the student council at this school holds a great deal of power, so I'm just a little curious."

"Then, are you going to sign up now, Yuto-kun?"

"No, now is not the time. I'll wait until they notice me. There's no rush."

"Hehe, their attention must be on Kamuro-san right now, after all, she is the one who caused trouble for the student council president~"

That wouldn't be the case. Their attention won't be on Kamuro for long.

Clearly, the person who made that phone call is the troublemaker they are looking for. Therefore, it is only natural for them to observe who Kamuro goes to settle scores with the moment she regains her freedom; that person is the real troublemaker.

In other words, if the other party has any brains, they should have already noticed me and Sakayanagi.