At noon, Miyano Makoto and Ichinose Honami finished their lunches in the classroom. It was worth noting that two lunch boxes, one blue and one orange, sat in front of Makoto.
As for where the lunches had come from, Ichinose Honami had made them herself that morning in Miyano Makoto's dorm room.
"Somehow, it feels like nothing's changed from before."
"Maybe it's because we've already gotten used to living like this."
Ichinose Honami and Miyano Makoto chatted as they usually did.
"Looks like the Student Council has something going on this afternoon. Did you ask for the day off, Honami?"
"Of course! I'm really looking forward to being in the Student Council with you, Makoto."
"I see. Won't you fall behind in class?"
"I'm sure you'll help me catch up, Makoto."
"You really have a lot of faith in me."
"That's because, to me, you can do anything, Makoto. Except socialize."
"Give me a break. I'll leave the socializing to you, Honami."
The Class B classroom was a little livelier than yesterday. Scattered groups of students had stayed behind to eat the ready-made food they'd bought at the convenience store.
Ichinose Honami and Miyano Makoto hadn't made any effort to keep their conversation quiet, so most of the people in the classroom had no choice but to hear it.
I'm never staying in the classroom for lunch again.
That was what most of the people who'd stayed behind were thinking.
"Come to think of it, it's so convenient to take leave. As long as you have a valid reason, it seems like you can take as many days off as you want."
"Even so, you still have to go to school properly, Makoto. And try to make your first friend."
"Does a girl count?"
"Makoto, you're being naughty."
Ichinose Honami gently tugged on Makoto's ear, then gave it a little twist.
"Don't forget about Mom and Dad. They won't approve of what you're thinking."
"I know. My ear hurts a little, Honami. Can you let go?"
"Huh? I barely used any strength! I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Ichinose Honami quickly let go, looking flustered.
"I was kidding. You really are so gentle, Honami."
"Honestly..."
Ichinose Honami pouted adorably.
Their pleasant lunchtime came to an end.
The previous night, Miyano Makoto had asked Hoshinomiya Chie to excuse him from class. The teacher had not only approved his request right away, but had also eagerly invited him to her private office after school for a meeting.
It didn't sound like anything good, but a homeroom teacher wasn't someone he could afford to offend, so Miyano Makoto readily agreed.
The relationship between teachers and students was inherently unequal.
But the more important matter now was the Student Council.
"You're here."
"I'm here."
"You shouldn't... Never mind. Sit down."
Horikita Manabu had nearly let slip something he shouldn't have said. He stopped himself and instead invited Makoto to sit.
"It's the second day of school, Miyano Makoto. What do you think of this school?"
"It's great. The students get along well, the cafeteria food is delicious, and my love life has made a huge breakthrough."
"Those things are certainly important, but you know that's not what I'm asking about."
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his expression serious and his gaze sharp.
Seeing this, Miyano Makoto dropped his casual attitude. He knew the main event was coming.
"Although I'd like to give the same answer as before, the existence of personal points is still too strange. I'm afraid campus life won't stay this peaceful in the future."
"You're right."
Horikita Manabu nodded in agreement. The school's rules meant he couldn't say much, but that didn't stop Makoto from figuring it out on his own.
"If I'm not mistaken, class competition is next, right? The ABCD ranking system also represents the quality of the students, from best to worst. Class D will probably be plunged into hell next month."
Miyano Makoto said it as if it were obvious. He'd already known all this in his previous life, and bringing it up now truly startled the Student Council president.
"You know this school's system remarkably... thoroughly."
Horikita Manabu considered his words, then settled on "thoroughly."
"I imagine there'll be some Special Exams, too. If classes were assigned solely based on academic and athletic ability, students in the lower classes wouldn't have any hope of climbing up. And their individual strengths wouldn't have a chance to shine."
Miyano Makoto laid his cards on the table, and this time Horikita Manabu was genuinely shocked.
"You're even more capable than I thought. In that case, I have something I'd like to ask of you."
"What is it?"
Though he asked, Miyano Makoto had already guessed.
"You already know, don't you?"
Horikita Manabu sighed softly.
"Miyabi Nagumo is currently the Student Council vice president, and he'll soon be the one in control of the entire second year."
"He wants to turn this school into a true meritocracy. So your task is to stop him from putting that idea into practice."
"Are you saying that he's taken control of the entire year in just one year?"
"Not quite yet, but I think it's only a matter of time."
"I understand. But rather than asking me, can't you, President Horikita, do something about it yourself?"
That was what had puzzled Miyano Makoto all along. Miyabi Nagumo had always wanted to challenge Horikita Manabu, so why couldn't Horikita Manabu deal with him?
"There's no disputing his ability. That's why I could only promote him to Student Council vice president."
"I see. I understand. Leave this to me, then."
Makoto understood. Horikita Manabu couldn't get involved himself, so he had to leave the matter to someone else capable of handling it.
And that person had to be a first-year. The third-years didn't have much time left at the school.
"It's a huge help that you understand. By the way, that person who's always with you... Where is Ichinose now?"
"President Horikita, you're joking. Didn't you deliberately arrange for us to speak separately? I imagine Honami is talking with Secretary Tachibana right now."
"I thought so too. Excuse me."
"Then what's the relationship between Horikita Suzune of Class D, Year 1, and you, President Horikita?"
Miyano Makoto asked the question Horikita Manabu least wanted to hear.
"How do you know about her?"
Horikita Manabu knew he couldn't deny it. If Makoto dared to ask, he must have had some confidence in his guess.
"It was written on the notice board at the start of term. I remembered it."
"You have an impressive memory. But is it a little presumptuous to conclude we're related based on our names alone?"
"At the opening ceremony, I saw you look at her. Her reaction was strange, too."
Hearing this, Horikita Manabu sighed.
"You have frightening powers of observation. I thought I'd hidden it well. I suppose it's amusing to you that my little sister was assigned to Class D."
"No. The school's class-placement system clearly has flaws. There's nothing wrong with it overall, but the details are full of problems."
"My being assigned to Class B is the strongest evidence."
Horikita Manabu stood up, his back as straight as ever.
"She's not like you. She's mistaken pride for loneliness. She shouldn't be here."
"I think everyone deserves a chance, don't you?"
Miyano Makoto had no intention of letting him off that easily.
"Someone like you, President Horikita, who cares so much about his little sister—if you smiled at her, it might work wonders."
"I have my own plans."
Horikita Manabu's voice had clearly grown colder. He made as if to leave the Student Council president's private office.
"Is your plan to force your sister to drop out?"
Horikita Manabu stopped. He and Miyano Makoto stood with their backs to each other.
"It's the best thing for her."
"No. It's what you think is 'best for her.' Is forcing your own ideas on your family really the way you intend to live, President Horikita?"
"..."
"I'll think about what you said."
Horikita Manabu left.
Before you continue