Classroom of the Elite, I Really Just Want to Collect All the CGs

Is it because this guy holds something over her, or because he keeps sticking around despite seeing how much she dislikes him, or perhaps because he stood up for her, or maybe because he was the first person to ever ask her about her birthday?

Kamuro Masumi's current state of mind is quite complex; she sighs helplessly, realizing she has become a bit less straightforward than before.

After school, Shikime Natsu sent a message to Kushida Kikyo first, telling her that he and Horikita Suzune planned to head to the student council office, then sent another message to Horikita Suzune, telling her to wait for him on the floor where the student council was located.

"By the way, Masumi, I have a favor to ask of you."

Kamuro Masumi, who was walking beside Shikime Natsu, suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?"

When Kamuro Masumi heard this, she actually felt a little happy inside. After all... Shikime Natsu had a need for her, and being able to make Shikime Natsu rely on her slightly gave her a sense of satisfaction.

Especially coming from Shikime Natsu, who could command the wind and rain within the class and possessed such keen insight into the big picture.

"It's still about Sakayanagi, but... there's no need to be overly concerned. Just keep track of who she's been in frequent contact with lately."

Shikime Natsu thought for a moment. After the humiliation she suffered yesterday, Sakayanagi Arisu must be thinking about building up her own armed forces, right?

After all, when it comes to verbal sparring, that girl is no match for me. If words don't work, she'll have to resort to force. Of course, Shikime Natsu is currently a man with A-rank strength and speed; no matter how many she sends, he'll just knock them all down.

"Alright, I understand."

Kamuro Masumi nodded and agreed.

After parting ways with Kamuro Masumi, Shikime Natsu arrived at the designated spot. Soon, Horikita Suzune walked over. Even though she appeared calm on the surface, her restless hands betrayed the inner turmoil she was feeling at the moment.

"Alright, let's head in."

Shikime Natsu spoke to Horikita Suzune, who was standing to the side with a grave expression. It's been so long, has she still not mentally prepared herself? (In the original work, it took her a month to finally meet her brother.)

"Mm... okay!"

Horikita Suzune nodded, her attention entirely focused on the door in front of them.

Seeing her like this, Shikime Natsu felt a bit like teasing her. For instance, if the person who opened the door wasn't Horikita Manabu but Katsuragi Kohei, he wondered what kind of expression Horikita Suzune would have.

Unfortunately, a bald guy couldn't just materialize out of thin air in the student council room.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Shikime Natsu tapped his finger against the door three times.

"This is Shikime, I have an appointment."

Shikime Natsu's voice followed immediately after the knocking.

"Please come in."

A very steady male voice came from inside. Shikime Natsu remembered clearly that this was Horikita Manabu's voice.

When Shikime Natsu opened the door, he noticed two people standing inside: one was the student council president, Horikita Manabu, and the other was a very cute girl with short purple hair. She seemed to be the secretary, named Tachibana Akane.

When Horikita Manabu saw Horikita Suzune, his gaze paused for a split second, but he quickly returned to normal and didn't pay too much attention to her.

"Please, sit."

Horikita Manabu gestured for Shikime Natsu and Horikita Suzune to sit in the chairs in front of him. Sitting face-to-face made Horikita Suzune feel even more uncomfortable.

"Brother..."

Horikita Suzune looked at Horikita Manabu and spoke involuntarily.

"Speak. What question do you wish to ask me?"

Horikita Manabu's gaze landed on Shikime Natsu, ignoring Horikita Suzune for the most part. The current Horikita Suzune knew nothing about the school's rules, and he couldn't exactly use the excuse of "my sister is in Class D" to deal with her.

Besides... wouldn't that be too strange?

When did Shikime Natsu from Class A get to know his sister?

[Ding~]

[CG18: Meeting with Brother Again (Horikita Suzune)]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the skill card: Admiration (The longer you are in contact with someone, the less likely they are to betray you. Note: Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding.)]

Oh? At this rate, I'm going to be initiated into the Suzune Cult. To think I've received two CGs in just a single day; bringing her along was definitely the right move.

"Regarding the student council elections, based on the information I've gathered so far, the student council has excluded all first-year students who applied to join, right?"

Unlike Horikita Suzune's reaction, Shikime Natsu's response was quite calm. Even when facing the oppressive presence of Horikita Manabu, the expression on his face didn't change.

Most students would naturally feel a sense of weakness when facing an organization like the student council, especially the student council president.

"That is correct."

Horikita Manabu confirmed Shikime Natsu's statement and provided his own reasoning.

"As the student council president, strictly vetting members who join the student council is my duty."

Hmm... a perfectly valid reason, but... why is a mere student council acting like some kind of secret organization?

"Then I would like to ask the student council president, what is the standard for joining this school's council? I think... everything should have a standard."

Shikime Natsu looked at Horikita Manabu with a meaningful gaze, just like the school's class system or the deduction of class points—there were essentially clear standards for everything.

For instance, how many class points should be deducted for truancy or expulsion, respectively.

"This standard is not transparent, just like the vast majority of standards here."

Horikita Manabu's gaze was calm as he gave a direct answer to Shikime Natsu. It was true; regarding the point deduction standards of this school, even though Shikime Natsu had purchased information from the school, he still did not know the specific criteria. All of these were non-transparent, at least as far as ordinary students were concerned.

"Is this standard set by the school, or... is it set by you, President?"

Shikime Natsu continued to speak. Beside him, Horikita Suzune couldn't even get a word in. Or rather, ever since her brother had ignored her earlier, Horikita Suzune felt as though she couldn't bring herself to speak.

As expected... in her brother's eyes, was she still just a good-for-nothing?

But... she had already tried her absolute best to catch up, even coming to this school—the school where her brother was.

"There is a dual standard here."

"In other words... it includes the personal standards of the Student Council President."

"Correct."

Horikita Manabu nodded, acknowledging it.

"Then... could I ask the school leadership to certify a student, and if they pass, they can join the Student Council? Or is the Student Council President's approval a necessary process?"

Thinking of bypassing him directly? A flash of light crossed the eyes beneath Horikita Manabu's glasses.

"This is a dual standard. If you want to join the Student Council, you must obtain approval from both the school and the Student Council."

This sounded quite rigid.

"Then, in the Student Council President's opinion, who among the first-years is suitable to join the Student Council?"

Shikime Natsu spoke straightforwardly. Originally, he had intended to flatter Horikita Manabu—"For example, the Student Council President is abusing his power, requiring extra fees to enter the Student Council; the Student Council President personally said that one million points can buy a seat in the Student Council"—take it slightly out of context, and then modify the timeline a bit. He figured he could cause Horikita Manabu some trouble.

Of course, Shikime Natsu didn't have much interest in such things. He didn't want to be taken out of context, so naturally, he wouldn't do the same to others.

Hmm... a fairly high moral standard. Major bonus points.

"I hope I'm not interrupting you two?"

Just then, a blond-haired student walked in.

Chapter 44: Only You Among the First-Years Are Qualified to Join the Student Council

This blond student also appeared to be a member of the Student Council, but unlike the aura Horikita Manabu possessed, the blond student's aura was quite frivolous; he looked every bit the playboy.

"Nagumo, why are you here?"

Noticing the blond student before him, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but frown, the expression on his face looking quite displeased.

"I am also a member of the Student Council. Even if today isn't a workday, there's no reason I can't come to the Student Council room, right?"

Second-year, Nagumo Miyabi, Vice President of the Student Council.

Upon hearing Horikita Manabu's address to the blond student, Shikime Natsu instantly pulled up the information he had on him. Of course, this was only what he had learned from Katsuragi Kohei, and that was the extent of the information he possessed.

"Are these two freshmen here for an interview? President, what's the result? Did these two pass?"

Nagumo Miyabi's gaze fell casually on Shikime Natsu and Horikita Suzune, then suddenly darted back and forth between Horikita Suzune and Horikita Manabu, before he let out a light chuckle.

"They are not freshmen here for an interview."

Horikita Manabu spoke very coldly.

"Eh, is that so? Could it be that you're too strict, President, and eliminated all the previous freshmen, which is why not a single one has joined our Student Council this year?"

Nagumo Miyabi wore a somewhat exaggerated expression and spoke quite casually, shifting the responsibility directly onto Horikita Manabu with a single sentence.

"Nagumo, how can you say such things?"

Tachibana Akane, standing to the side, couldn't help herself and shot a look of deep dissatisfaction toward Nagumo Miyabi.

"My apologies, that was rude of me."

Nagumo Miyabi nodded with a smile, looking as if he didn't care at all.

Shikime Natsu watched the scene before him and nodded slightly. He hadn't expected the Student Council to be more complicated than he had imagined; Katsuragi Kohei hadn't mentioned that the Student Council had such a situation.

This secretary named Tachibana Akane must be on Horikita Manabu's side.

"So... what were you all chatting about, President? Were you helping the cute underclassmen answer some questions? If it's alright, I'll sit down and listen in, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Nagumo Miyabi had come here purely by chance, but... after noticing Horikita Suzune, he felt there were some similarities between this underclassman and Horikita Manabu, so he developed the urge to stay.

"The question-and-answer session is over. You two can head back now."

Horikita Manabu issued a direct order to leave. With Nagumo Miyabi present, he didn't want to chat any further. Of course, the most critical point was that he didn't want Nagumo Miyabi to have contact with Horikita Suzune.

"But the President hasn't answered my question yet: among the first-years, in your view, who is qualified to enter this Student Council?"

Hearing this, Shikime Natsu didn't stand up immediately; instead, he remained seated quite firmly.

"Oh? So that's the question. I'd like to hear the President's opinion as well."

Nagumo Miyabi wore an expression of keen interest.

Beside them, Horikita Suzune was also listening very intently. She wanted to know if, in her brother's heart, she was qualified to join the Student Council.