The Student Council? That's Exactly What I Want!

Makoto Miyano and Honami Ichinose first went to the restroom to wash out their lunch boxes, then headed together to a nearby convenience store to buy something.

Of course, Honami Ichinose paid with her points.

"Thanks, Honami."

"It's no problem. You should save your points, Makoto~"

Honami Ichinose never stopped smiling, so Makoto Miyano couldn't tell what she was really feeling.

Just then, the school broadcast came on.

It announced that a club information session would be held at the First Gymnasium at five that afternoon.

"Are you interested in joining a club, Honami?"

"A little. What about you, Makoto?"

"If they'll let me join..."

"What do you mean?"

Makoto Miyano leaned close to Honami Ichinose's ear.

"Because I stole my points from them yesterday."

"Just say it! Why did you have to get so close?!"

Honami Ichinose gently pushed Makoto Miyano away. Her ears quickly turned red, and a faint blush spread across her lovely face.

It seemed that Honami Ichinose was more concerned about how close they were than about what he'd just told her.

Another new piece of information about Honami Ichinose, Makoto Miyano thought.

"Sorry."

"...You don't need to apologize, Makoto."

Honami Ichinose came back to her senses, as if she'd messed things up again.

"Okay."

Makoto Miyano was at a loss. He felt like a fish in a pond who couldn't see where the other fish were.

"We can decide about clubs later. There's no rush."

"Mm. If I can, I'd like to join the Student Council."

"The Student Council? That's a good idea. You used to be Student Council president, after all. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to have you."

The two of them spent the rest of their lunch break together, chatting about this and that.

When they returned to the classroom, Beppu Ryota immediately came over to Makoto Miyano.

"Hamaguchi told me. You really do have a childhood friend!"

"Yeah. People from the Dragon Kingdom don't lie... Bah! College students don't lie to college students."

"Um... Could your girlfriend—no, no, I mean your childhood friend—introduce me to some girls sometime?"

Beppu Ryota slung an arm around Makoto Miyano's shoulder, acting like they were old pals.

"I can ask, but are you sure you want to date someone from another class?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Beppu Ryota asked in puzzlement. Dating someone in another class wasn't the same as dating someone from another school. What was so hard about it?

Wasn't there a perfect example right in front of him?

"Uh... Then I'll wish you luck in advance."

Makoto Miyano didn't know what to say. Wasn't the grass always greener on the other side?

Kanzaki Ryuji gently adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and said,

"I actually knew all along that Miyano was an honest person."

"I think you just saw my lunch after class."

Makoto Miyano retorted.

Boys rarely made their own lunches. If they did bring one, it was usually made by their mother or girlfriend.

That was simply how things were in Sakura Country.

And there was no way his mother had made his lunch.

The answer was obvious.

His childhood friend had made it!

"Ahem, class is about to start. Beppu, you'd better get back to your seat."

Kanzaki Ryuji cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkwardness.

The teacher who walked in just then saved him.

The afternoon classes passed quickly...

"Want to go to the club information session together?"

Kanzaki Ryuji invited him.

"No, I've already made plans with someone."

Makoto Miyano turned down Kanzaki Ryuji's invitation and walked away.

"He's got a girlfriend and a great social life. Unlike us..."

In the end, Kanzaki Ryuji went to the First Gymnasium with Hamaguchi Tetsuya and the others.

"Have you been waiting long, Honami?"

Makoto Miyano asked as he reached the door of Class A.

It was a completely pointless question. Class had only just ended.

"It only just ended."

Just as he'd expected, Honami Ichinose teased him for asking.

"Right. What was I thinking?"

Makoto Miyano theatrically tapped his head with his hand.

But soon he spotted a lone figure in the classroom.

"Who is that?"

Makoto Miyano asked, pretending he didn't know.

Honami Ichinose turned to look at her.

"Arisu Sakayanagi. I heard there's something wrong with her heart."

"So that's Classmate Sakayanagi. Why don't we invite her along?"

"...Okay."

Honami Ichinose thought it over and agreed.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, would you like to come to the club information session with us?"

Honami Ichinose invited her.

"I'd be delighted."

Though she was alone, Arisu Sakayanagi spoke with effortless composure.

"Mm-hmm."

Makoto Miyano nodded. The poor kid. He'd decided: from now on, he'd study medicine and do his best to cure congenital heart disease like hers.

"What is the relationship between Classmate Ichinose and Classmate Miyano?"

"Childhood friends." x2

They answered in unison.

"..."

"I see. You two certainly have a close bond. I wonder how much longer it will last?"

"Classmate Sakayanagi, what do you mean by that?"

Honami Ichinose frowned. She was starting to dislike this girl.

"Nothing. You'll find out someday."

Arisu Sakayanagi smiled mysteriously, making Makoto Miyano click his tongue.

"Don't pay attention to her, Honami. She's just a brat. How dare she question our relationship?"

"Wha—did—you—say?"

Before Honami Ichinose could respond, Arisu Sakayanagi snapped like a cat with its fur standing on end, enunciating each word.

"What? Is it because your father's the chairman of this school that you're so confident? Want to write an essay right now called 'My Father, the Chairman'?"

Makoto Miyano kept taunting her.

"I've never relied on my father here."

That was an indirect admission that the chairman of the school was her father.

Honami Ichinose listened, utterly bewildered.

"Is that so? Then can you explain why you were placed in Class A while I'm in Class B?"

"What are you getting at?"

Arisu Sakayanagi had calmed down. Though she hated to admit it, growing up with her father had given her a better understanding of the school than anyone else from the very beginning.

Anyone except Makoto Miyano.

"I mean that, judging by our class assignments, I seem to be inferior to you. But the truth is, you're no match for me."

"Fine. Why don't we compete later?"

Arisu Sakayanagi challenged him. She didn't believe she could lose to anyone in anything outside of sports.

"Why don't you get past Ayanokoji Kiyotaka first? Oh, wait. I almost forgot—you haven't even taken control of your class yet."

"...You bastard."

Arisu Sakayanagi's face darkened. She'd gotten some valuable information, but it seemed like he'd looked down on her.

Was he saying she didn't even matter enough to take seriously?

Was that why he could reveal information to her so carelessly?

"How do you know about Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?"

Arisu Sakayanagi asked outright. Since he already looked down on her, she might as well take advantage of it.

"I know a lot more than you think."

Makoto Miyano tapped his temple with a finger, but didn't answer her question.

That made Arisu Sakayanagi grit her teeth in frustration.

"Why do you know all this, Makoto? Who is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?"

"..."

Oh no. Brats like her are so annoying.

He'd spoken without thinking and forgotten that Honami Ichinose was still here.

"I'll tell you tonight."

Makoto Miyano gave Arisu Sakayanagi a look to remind her that they weren't alone.

"Okay."

Honami Ichinose let him off the hook.

It wasn't really appropriate to talk about it in front of Arisu Sakayanagi, an outsider. Judging by Makoto Miyano's expression, he didn't want her to know.

"..."

Arisu Sakayanagi's heart quietly shattered.

Those two were flaunting their affection right in front of her! Unforgivable!

"Forget it. You look so pitiful that I'll give you a chance to challenge me after dinner. You can choose the event. How's that?"

Seeing Arisu Sakayanagi's dark expression, Makoto Miyano couldn't help softening. He couldn't stand seeing a tiny girl as delicate and easily toppled as her.

"No need. I'll find my own way to get even."

Arisu Sakayanagi smiled without warmth. She'd find a chance to get her revenge.

"Fine. We're here."

The three of them had walked slowly to match Arisu Sakayanagi's pace. After chatting all this time, they had finally reached the entrance of the First Gymnasium.

The club recruitment presentations seemed to be over. Horikita Manabu was standing onstage now.

He looked toward Makoto Miyano and the others, apparently surprised that some students had arrived so late.

"...We only welcome those who can understand this. That's all."

"Oh. Looks like it's over?"

Makoto Miyano tilted his head. "Are we late?"

"Are you stupid? Only the presentations are over. Applications to join are just starting."

Arisu Sakayanagi thought there was something wrong with Makoto Miyano's head.

"Can't you tell I'm trying to lighten the mood, you arrogant brat?"

"Say that again if you dare."

"Brat, bleh! Brat, bleh..."

ヾ(^▽^*)))

As Makoto Miyano kept repeating himself, Arisu Sakayanagi's expression began to settle.

(●_●)

"If you say I'm arrogant, what about you?"

"Me? I'm just me."

Makoto Miyano was utterly confused. He had no idea what the brat was talking about.

"Never mind. I don't know where you heard about Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but please don't get in the way of my showdown with him."

"If you're sick, go see a doctor. A showdown? Is that really something a student should say?"

Makoto Miyano thought this wasn't some Ultraman show or anything. Could she stop using the word showdown?

"It feels like I'm talking to a wall."

Sakayanagi Arisu let out a deep sigh. She had finally realized that this guy was nothing special—he'd just gotten lucky and happened to hear some inside information about Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and the school.

"I feel the same way."

Miyano Makoto nodded in agreement.

Sakayanagi Arisu had developed a resistance to this by now. She no longer cared about what Miyano Makoto said.

"Which club would you like to join, Makoto?"

Ichinose Honami finally got a chance to speak.

"The Student Council, I guess. I heard outside just now that people who want to join the Student Council can't participate in other club activities at the same time."

"I see. Then let's go together. Would you like to come too, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

"I'll pass. Thank you for the kind offer, Ichinose."

Sakayanagi Arisu turned down Ichinose Honami's proposal. She had no intention of joining any club or the Student Council.

Her body wouldn't allow her to do that.

"Okay, then wait here for us, Classmate Sakayanagi~"

The two of them helped Sakayanagi Arisu settle into a seat in the gymnasium, then went to fill out and submit their Student Council membership applications.

"Your name is Miyano Makoto, right?"

Horikita Manabu watched Miyano Makoto fill in the name field on the form, then slowly began to speak.