The Development as Expected

"Ah, I chatted quite a bit with Secretary Tachibana about student council matters. Did you talk about anything with the President, Makoto?"

"Do you want to know, Honami?"

"Hmm... if you don't want to say, then you don't have to."

"It's nothing much, really. Just some things regarding the second-year students."

"Second-year... is that so? Before I knew it, the burden on your shoulders had become so heavy."

"Isn't that why I have you, Honami?"

"Even I would feel embarrassed hearing that."

After leaving Horikita's office, Miyano Makoto ran into Ichinose Honami in the hallway.

"Are you heading back to class, Honami?"

"Yes, getting along with classmates is also a very important part of school life."

"In that case, I'll see you tonight."

"Are you going to do something again, Makoto?"

"...I get the feeling your possessiveness is a little scary."

"Eh! Is that so? Then I won't ask anymore in the future."

Ichinose Honami wore an expression of obvious distress, trying to adjust her behavior.

"My homeroom teacher from Class B needs to see me about something, that's all."

"Mm, I won't ask you these kinds of questions again, Makoto. I trust you."

"Speaking of which, I don't think I've asked much about you. It's always you asking about me."

"That's because you're very busy, Makoto, and my life is relatively simple."

"Then I'm relieved. I was worried you might think I don't care about you."

"How could that be? I have always believed in you, Makoto."

Ichinose Honami lightly brushed her lips against Miyano Makoto's cheek.

"I think this should be fine, right?"

"Yeah, see you tonight, Honami."

"See you tonight, Makoto."

Ichinose Honami walked away, and her retreating figure left Miyano Makoto in a daze. Had she really already left so many traces on his life's journey?

Shaking his head, Miyano Makoto stepped toward the school track, intending to try his luck.

Luck is also a part of strength.

Clearly, Miyano Makoto's luck was good; he found the target he wanted to approach.

White hair and purple eyes... very easy-to-identify features. Her height also stood out from the crowd, making her pop out among the girls, and even among the boys, she held her own.

Kiryuin Fuka, the "Beautiful Sister" who corresponded to the "Beautiful Brother" in his past life, each representing the extreme of their respective genders.

Both were people of extreme arrogance.

"Hello."

Miyano Makoto stepped forward to greet her. There were no other girls around her; she was clearly being ostracized.

"You are... a first-year?"

"Exactly. Let me introduce myself. My name is Miyano Makoto, and I came here because I want to challenge you to a contest."

"Miyano Makoto... so you're that Miyano Makoto."

Kiryuin Fuka nodded as if she had just realized something.

"A boy like you wanting to compete against a girl like me, aren't you embarrassed?"

"The difference between men and women isn't important to you, is it?"

"But if the opponent is you, I think that point has to be brought up."

Kiryuin Fuka was not easily provoked by Miyano Makoto.

His reputation among the upperclassmen was, if not thunderous, at least quite illustrious.

Miyano Makoto smiled helplessly; it seemed things would be a bit more troublesome than expected.

"Then what would you like, Senior Kiryuin?"

"Speak. Why are you looking for me? I don't believe you really came all this way just to spar with me."

"Shall we go somewhere else?"

Miyano Makoto tilted his head, signaling to find a place where they wouldn't be disturbed.

The surrounding upperclassmen had already cast their gazes toward them.

"I can probably guess why you're looking for me, but... what can you give me?"

Kiryuin Fuka smiled dashingly, completely unbothered by the strange looks from those around her.

"Does the fact that the original Class A was surpassed by newcomers not even stir your motivation?"

"If that were truly the case, I would have taken action long ago."

"I suppose so; that is just the kind of person you are, Kiryuin-senpai."

Miyano Makoto sighed, "But, to be ridden over like this, don't you feel any dissatisfaction, senpai?"

"What's wrong with meritocracy? I'm actually hoping for such changes."

"But if it were you, Kiryuin-senpai, surely you would have done even better, right?"

"I like hearing that, but no."

"Why?"

Miyano Makoto asked curiously, wondering if there was some hidden masochistic streak inside her.

"Because it's a hassle."

Kiryuin Fuka gave an unexpected answer, making the corner of Miyano Makoto's mouth twitch.

"A hassle... honestly, I also think these kinds of things are quite a hassle."

"So, do you have anything else?"

Kiryuin Fuka wanted to send him away.

"In that case, can you assist me, senpai?"

Miyano Makoto gave up on the idea of getting Kiryuin Fuka to step into the spotlight; she was just as stubborn as that guy named Koenji.

"...What do you mean by that?"

Kiryuin Fuka narrowed her eyes; this was something she hadn't anticipated.

"It means I want to borrow the influence you have behind you. At the end of the day, Class A is just a resource."

"I believe the power you possess is not inferior to the resources the school provides to Class A."

Hearing this, Kiryuin Fuka laughed, "You really see things clearly, unlike that person who gets all smug and self-satisfied just by getting a little bit of power leaked through the cracks of those above."

"Fine, I agree, but I have one condition."

"Please, speak your mind, senpai."

Miyano Makoto knew that from this moment on, the plans of Nagumo Miyabi had failed; he would never be able to realize his initial vision of unifying the second-year students.

Time was now on Miyano Makoto's side.

"For the next two years, you will be responsible for guiding me in all sorts of things."

"...Is this condition not a bit... broad?"

Miyano Makoto felt he was getting the short end of the stick.

"That's already generous enough. You didn't think the power behind me could be borrowed just because you asked, did you?"

Kiryuin Fuka looked at Miyano Makoto with a half-smile; she liked holding the initiative in a conversation.

"Alright, I agree, but in return, you'll have to put in some effort as well, senpai."

Miyano Makoto helplessly agreed to Kiryuin Fuka's request; he had been too presumptuous.

Being from a wealthy conglomerate is great, damn it! He wanted to be a rich second-generation heir too!

Miyano Fuka? That actually sounds pretty good...

Better stop thinking about it.

"Since things have reached this point, it's impossible for me not to contribute. This is what you wanted to see, isn't it?"

Kiryuin Fuka rolled her eyes at Miyano Makoto; she felt this guy was being a bit cheeky after getting what he wanted.

"Let me see your true strength."

"How so?"

"It just so happens to be P.E. class, so why don't you race me?"

Under the watchful eyes of the Class 2-B students and the P.E. teacher, the two of them ran 50 meters, 400 meters, and 1000 meters together...

"You guy... are you a monster?"

Even someone as strong as Kiryuin Fuka was panting heavily by now, yet Miyano Makoto's breathing remained steady and long.

"I consider myself a genius on the level of a Demon King."

Miyano Makoto boasted; Ichinose Honami was being a bit greedy, actually wanting to keep him all to herself.

"That was just running; there are other events, but if the rumors are true..."

"Could it be that you're omnipotent?"

Kiryuin Fuka asked skeptically, referring to the day Miyano Makoto had absolutely crushed all the major clubs.

"Omnipotent is probably a stretch, but I can learn."

Miyano Makoto took a slight step back; it was better not to be too full of himself, especially since he didn't have a system.

"That's enough then. Come work for me after you graduate."