"The Vice President of the Student Council receives 150,000 points per month from the school, can exert some influence over Special Exams, and has the authority to make decisions regarding the point expenditures of the student clubs, among other privileges."
Uesugi Gen fell silent for two seconds, stood up, and waved at Sakayanagi Narimori behind him, ready to leave.
"Not interested. Chairman, you should know that for someone like me, who has 30 million personal points, this Special Exam at Advanced Nurturing High School is already game over."
"No matter what I do, I'm guaranteed to graduate from Class A. So why would I take on the thankless job of Vice President of the Student Council?"
"You may state your demands. The school can consider them as appropriate."
Though it might sound harsh, it was simply the truth. Sakayanagi Narimori tried to make one last attempt to dissuade the student.
"No, I'm no longer interested in this school."
As if. He'd have to approve a mountain of pointless documents, keep an eye on a whole bunch of students, and deal with all the useless interpersonal drama in the Student Council. Wasn't it better to spend that time playing games?
Wait, keep an eye on a whole bunch of students? Deal with all the useless interpersonal drama in the Student Council?
If he remembered right, Ichinose had said she planned to join the Student Council.
At that moment, Uesugi Gen's mind began racing.
Uesugi Gen equals Vice President of the Student Council. Ichinose equals Student Council member.
Vice President of the Student Council outranks Student Council member.
Uesugi Gen outranks Ichinose.
Uesugi Gen, victory!
In an instant, Uesugi Gen's mind felt as if it had been shot by a bullet flying in at a 45-degree angle.
"I've suddenly come to think that Vice President of the Student Council would be a great choice. It'll help me grow quickly at Advanced Nurturing High School."
Uesugi Gen instantly flashed back to his seat and started spouting nonsense to Sakayanagi Narimori.
He even shamelessly tried to squeeze another benefit out of the school.
"Before that, though, the school needs to give me an anonymous account that can't be traced, for storing my points."
"No problem. I can agree to that on the school's behalf."
Sakayanagi Narimori looked at Uesugi Gen, whose attitude had made a complete 180-degree turn, with some confusion. But as long as the outcome was good, he didn't much care about the process.
"Lastly, I have a personal question. Will you tell your Class B about what happened in this exam?"
After all, the deal was only that he wouldn't disclose the information to the other classes. Telling his own class was fine.
"No. It'll actually do them good to see how cruel the school's rules can be. Those guys have been far too lax."
Uesugi Gen glanced at the string of text notifications popping up on his phone and said with a dark expression.
"Then let's work well together over the next three years."
"Likewise."
After Uesugi Gen left, Sakayanagi Narimori sighed. He reached into his office desk drawer and slowly pulled it open, taking out a letter.
The letter had been delivered directly to Sakayanagi Narimori the previous night. He hadn't told anyone about it.
[Notice Regarding Investment in Advanced Nurturing High School]
What a forceful move. The people backing him hadn't managed to put up even the slightest resistance.
They'd brazenly inserted themselves into a school whose required funding was fully covered by the government.
Arisu, was it lucky or unlucky that you'd be in the same year as him?
His heart raced, his hands trembled. Just thinking about pinning Ichinose beneath him made Uesugi Gen want to burst out laughing.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Outside the office, Sakayanagi Arisu tilted her little head in confusion as she watched the student hopping around before her.
What a weirdo!
Chapter 7: Class B Gathering
After leaving the Chairman's Office, Uesugi Gen looked at the students coming and going around him, stretched, and let out a long breath.
He'd done what he needed to do. What should he do next?
For now, unless someone else had figured out all the school's rules in such a short time, the four first-year classes probably wouldn't make any major moves over the next month. He could just take it easy and go to class.
All that remained was Ichinose, that troublesome girl.
Thinking of Ichinose, Uesugi Gen couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
He really couldn't understand what was so charming about her. With a little sweet talk, small favors, and an outstanding appearance, she'd won the support of most of the class.
Though he hadn't interacted with her much, based on the qualities she'd shown so far, Uesugi Gen judged that she probably lacked the ability to lead Class B to graduate as Class A over the next three years.
Which meant I'm the one who has to lead Class B to victory. I, Uesugi Gen, am the one!
Overthrow Ichinose's tyranny? I wouldn't shirk my duty.
...Scene break...
Inside a karaoke room at Keyaki Mall.
Uesugi Gen sat in a corner, sadly munching on snacks.
At the center of the crowd, the evil Ichinose siren lured the unsuspecting people into the abyss of the dark sea with her utterly bewitching singing voice.
That Ichinose effect was terrifying. Plenty of classmates had resisted Ichinose's influence that morning, but now nearly the entire class had joined the Ichinose cult.
I'm talking about you, Kanzaki Ryuji. This morning, you still looked like a cool, aloof heartthrob. Now you're helping Ichinose organize activities for the boys. Did you really have to surrender that fast?
As for Shibata, better not to mention him. He was useless as an ally.
In a Class B this huge, only he remained, standing alone to face the darkness.
The strong really were always lonely, carrying the world's hopes on their shoulders as they pressed on alone.
At the thought, his feelings welled up like bitter wine. Damn it, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Uesugi Gen sped up, shoveling snacks into his mouth. Eat, eat as much as he could. He'd eat all their snacks and drain them of all their points.
Shibata's points, Kanzaki's points, Ichinose's points. One serving, two servings, three servings, four... Hm?!!
Uesugi Gen saw her. Amid the boundless darkness of Class B, one person still hadn't yielded to Ichinose's tyranny. She glowed faintly, stubbornly resisting the darkness from beyond the world.
There was no mistaking it. Though she'd hidden it well, Uesugi Gen recognized her at a glance.
Compared with the atmosphere around them, she seemed completely out of place, like a firefly in the darkness.
Swearing on his friend Shibata's name—no, betting his life on it!
She had to be the person he'd been looking for.
Earlier, she'd been sitting in front of him. She didn't seem to have made an effort to befriend any of their classmates and had sat by herself.
Though they hadn't properly met yet and had only exchanged a few words while passing out materials, Uesugi Gen had remembered her name from the class introductions.
Himeno Yuki!
Uesugi Gen downed the Coke in his hand, stood up, and strode forward, plunging into the endless darkness to meet his comrade.
At the outer edge of the girls' group, a pretty girl with twin ponytails sat on a U-shaped couch. Her face was lightly made up, and her features were delicate and refined. Though her slightly upturned, flirtatious eyes disrupted the harmony of her face a little, she was still an exceptionally beautiful girl.
No, her looks weren't important. What mattered was her unyielding heart, her burning soul.
Feeling Uesugi Gen's gaze on her, the girl sitting by herself turned her head.
They'd made eye contact~
The girl's slightly irritated expression gradually changed to one of surprise.
So, you'd sensed it too? As expected, people of the same kind were drawn to each other.
"Didn't you go back to the dorm to rest because you weren't feeling well?"
Uesugi Gen, who'd been striding toward her, stumbled.
Shibata, no need to investigate this one. I could've figured it out with my eyes closed. You were definitely behind it. Betting your life just now had been the right choice after all.
"Are you feeling better? Ichinose wanted to check if there was anything you needed, but Shibata said you were fine and would be okay in a little while, so she didn't go."
Confirmed. It really was you, Shibata.
"Ahem. Thanks for your concern. I'm fine now. I came over because I wanted to ask Himeno something."
Uesugi Gen smoothly changed the subject without batting an eye.
"Hmm? If you have a question, why not ask Ichinose? Why ask me?"
The girl took a sip of juice and looked at Uesugi Gen suspiciously.
While everyone around them was distracted by Ichinose, their eyes fixed on her, Uesugi Gen edged a little closer to Himeno Yuki.
Ignoring the look of distaste Himeno Yuki gave him, he lowered his voice and asked, whether or not she answered,
"Hey, Himeno, you don't want to stay here, do you?"
Himeno Yuki's expression changed. She was just about to deny it when Uesugi Gen continued,
"Ever since we got here, your attention has been all over the place. Unlike everyone around us, whose eyes have stayed fixed on their companions or Ichinose, you've spent a lot of time looking toward the door."
Himeno Yuki was a little surprised by Uesugi Gen's deduction, but she had no intention of admitting it.
"Huh? Why wouldn't I like it here?"
"As I thought. You don't like being here either. You think Ichinose isn't as simple as she seems, and you don't like her."
What was this guy talking about? How could anyone not like Ichinose?
Himeno Yuki looked completely dumbfounded.
She just disliked being around too many people, but she'd thought that not going would make her seem antisocial.
Himeno Yuki thought her seatmate behind her had something seriously wrong with him. She was about to explain.
"No, don't explain. I get it, I understand."
Uesugi Gen grabbed both her hands, looking like he understood her completely.
"Enough. I just don't like being around too many people. I'm used to being alone."
Himeno Yuki pulled her hands away and explained, blushing.
"I see."
Uesugi Gen's familiar attitude vanished in an instant, and he gave Himeno Yuki a slightly amused look.
"You jerk, you did that on purpose!"
Himeno Yuki realized at once that she'd fallen for his trick and glared furiously at Uesugi Gen.
"Can't be helped. You're a little shy, Himeno, so I had to use this method to get you to say it honestly."
Uesugi Gen spread his hands and spoke in a helpless tone.
"You're so annoying. This is my business. It has nothing to do with you."
Himeno Yuki was so embarrassed and annoyed that she gritted her teeth.
Seeing Himeno Yuki's look of distaste, Uesugi Gen instead looked a little excited as he said,
"There's one thing I didn't lie about, Himeno. I really don't like being here either. So let's leave together."
Before Himeno Yuki could say anything, Uesugi Gen pulled out his phone and called Kanzaki.
Kanzaki Ryuji looked at the caller ID, glanced at Uesugi Gen with a strange expression, but still answered the call.
"Kanzaki, Himeno and I have something to do, so we're leaving. You guys stay and keep having fun."
Uesugi Gen said it at top speed, then hung up before Kanzaki could react.
Kanzaki Ryuji stared at him, first looking stunned, then helpless. He gave Uesugi Gen the OK sign.
Done!
Before you continue