A Twisted Sister Complex

At noon, Miyano Makoto and Ichinose Honami finished their bento boxes in the classroom. It is worth mentioning that in front of the former sat two bento boxes, one blue and one orange.

As for the origin of the bento, it was naturally prepared by Ichinose Honami herself in Miyano Makoto's dormitory that morning.

"It really feels like there's no difference from before."

"Perhaps it's because we've long since grown accustomed to days like these."

Ichinose Honami and Miyano Makoto maintained their usual daily exchange.

"The student council seems to have some business this afternoon. Did you take leave, Honami?"

"Of course. I've been looking forward to student council life with Makoto."

"I see. Will it be alright if you fall behind in your classes?"

"I trust that Makoto will help me."

"You really have a lot of confidence in me."

"That's because, in my eyes, Makoto is someone who can do anything—except socialize."

"Spare me. Having you handle the socializing is enough."

The Class B classroom was a bit livelier today than yesterday, with scattered students remaining in the room to eat instant food bought from the convenience store.

Ichinose Honami and Miyano Makoto did not deliberately lower their voices to whisper, which resulted in the vast majority of people being forced to take in their conversation.

I'm never staying in the classroom for lunch again.

This was the common thought shared by most of those remaining in the room.

"Come to think of it, taking leave is really convenient. As long as there's a valid reason, it seems like you can take as many days off as you want."

"Even so, Makoto, you still have to attend school properly and strive to make your first friend."

"Do girls count?"

"Makoto, you're being naughty."

Ichinose Honami gently tugged on Miyano Makoto's ear and then gave it a light twist.

"Don't forget about Mom and Dad; they wouldn't agree with your way of thinking."

"I know, my ear hurts a little. Can you let go, Honami?"

"Eh? But I didn't even use any strength. Sorry, sorry!"

Ichinose Honami hurriedly withdrew her hand, appearing somewhat flustered.

"I'm just kidding. You really are gentle, Honami."

"Honestly..."

Ichinose Honami pouted her cute lips.

The pleasant lunch hour came to an end.

Miyano Makoto had submitted a leave request to Hoshinomiya Chie the previous night. Not only did the teacher quickly approve his leave slip, but she also enthusiastically invited him to her private office for a meeting after school.

Although it didn't feel like anything good, a homeroom teacher wasn't someone who could be easily offended, so Miyano Makoto readily agreed.

The status between teacher and student is inherently unequal.

But for now, the more important matter was the student council.

"You're here."

"I'm here."

"You shouldn't have... never mind, sit down."

Nearly blurting out something he shouldn't have, Horikita Manabu stopped himself and instead invited the other to sit.

"It's the second day of school, Miyano Makoto. What are your thoughts on this school?"

"It's great. The students get along very well, the food in the cafeteria is delicious, and I've even made a huge breakthrough in my personal relationships."

"These are certainly important, but you should know that this isn't what I wanted to ask."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his expression serious and his gaze piercing.

Seeing this, Miyano Makoto put away his nonchalant attitude; he knew the big stuff was coming.

"Although I'd like to say what I just did, the existence of private points is just too strange. I'm afraid future campus life won't be as peaceful as it is now."

"You're right."

Horikita Manabu nodded in agreement. Due to school reasons, he couldn't say much, but that didn't stop the other from figuring this out on his own.

"If my guess is correct, the next step will be class competition, right? The hierarchy of the four classes, ABCD, also represents the quality of the student intake from best to worst. Next month, Class D should be falling into hell."

Miyano Makoto spoke with ease. These were pieces of information he already knew from his previous life, and saying them now truly startled the student council president before him.

"Your understanding of this school is truly... thorough."

Horikita Manabu thought for a moment and used the adjective "thorough."

"I imagine there will be some special exams, too? If classes were divided solely based on academic and athletic ability, then students in the lower classes would have no hope of climbing up, and their individual talents would never be utilized."

Miyano Makoto laid his cards on the table, and Horikita Manabu was truly shocked this time.

"You are even more outstanding than I imagined. In that case, there is something I would like to ask of you."

"What is it?"

Although he asked, Miyano Makoto had actually already guessed it.

"Haven't you already guessed it?"

Horikita Manabu sighed softly.

"Nagumo Miyabi is currently the vice president of the student council, and he will soon be the person in control of the entire second-year grade."

"He has always wanted to turn this school into a true meritocracy, so preventing his ideas from being implemented is the task I am entrusting to you."

"Does President Horikita mean that he has already dominated the entire grade in just one year?"

"Although it hasn't reached that point yet, I believe it is only a matter of time."

"I understand. But compared to me, is there really nothing you can do about this, President Horikita?"

This was the point that had always puzzled Miyano Makoto. Horikita Manabu was the person Nagumo Miyabi had always wanted to challenge; if that was the case, why was Horikita Manabu unable to handle him?

"His ability is indisputable, which is why I had no choice but to promote him to the position of student council vice president."

"I see, I understand. Then leave this matter to me."

Miyano Makoto understood. Horikita Manabu meant that it was inconvenient for him to intervene personally, so he had to leave it to someone else with the capability.

This person also had to be found among the first-years, as they, the third-years, did not have much time left in this school.

"It is a huge help that you can understand. By the way, where is that... Ichinose-san who is always by your side?"

"President Horikita, you are joking. Isn't this exactly why you intentionally arranged for us to talk separately? I imagine Honami is currently conversing with Secretary Tachibana."

"I suppose so. My apologies."

"Then, what is the relationship between Horikita Suzune of Class D, first year, and you, President Horikita?"

Miyano Makoto asked the question the other party least wanted to hear.

"How did you know about her?"

Horikita Manabu knew he couldn't deny it at this point; the fact that the other party dared to ask meant he had a certain degree of certainty.

"It was written on the bulletin board at the start of the school year, and I remembered it."

"That is truly an astonishing memory. However, isn't it a bit arbitrary to judge that I have a relationship with her based solely on a name?"

"During the entrance ceremony, I saw you glance at her, and her reaction was also quite strange."

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu sighed.

"What terrifying insight. I thought I had controlled it very well. It is a joke that my younger sister was assigned to Class D."

"No, the school's class assignment mechanism clearly has flaws. While there are no issues overall, there are significant problems in the details."

"The fact that I was assigned to Class B is the most powerful evidence of that."

Horikita Manabu stood up, his back as straight as it had always been.

"She is different from you; she has misunderstood the relationship between being aloof and being lonely. She should not be here."

"I think everyone should be given a chance, don't you?"

Miyano Makoto did not intend to let him off the hook just like that.

"For someone like you, President Horikita, who loves his sister so much, perhaps showing her a smile might have a miraculous effect."

"I have my own plans."

Horikita Manabu's voice turned noticeably colder as he made a move to leave the student council president's private office.

"Your plan wouldn't happen to be forcing your sister to drop out, would it?"

Horikita Manabu stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. He and Miyano Makoto stood back-to-back.

"That is the best way for her."

"No, that is the 'best way for her' as you see it. Is imposing your own thoughts on your family the way of life for President Horikita?"

"..."

"I will consider what you have said."

Horikita Manabu left.