Ryuen's trump card is Miyabi Nagumo.

"Well, the setting isn't quite right, so it's not quite perfect."

The boy gently kissed Ichinose Honami on the forehead, then took her hand and led her outside.

"Honami, do you remember what I told you? Do it that way when you get back."

"Yes, I know."

The girl leaned tightly against her boyfriend. Although doing this in an empty classroom was a bit daring, she felt that as long as she was with him, it didn't matter where they were.

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the notepad on her phone, which showed the start time of each competition. Since the next event wouldn't begin until all three grades had finished competing, there was still time remaining.

The two first wiped the sweat off their faces by the pool on campus, and then walked together toward the Red Team's position.

Inside Class A's tent, after Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami left, the atmosphere among the students remained heavy. Although the match in between hadn't been delayed, neither the boys nor the girls knew what to say because of the absence of those two most important people.

After all, what had just happened was completely unexpected. Hashiba Hikaru rarely showed an angry expression, and Ando hurriedly apologized. This was the first time such a thing had happened in Class A, where everyone trusted and had a friendly relationship.

When the two returned to Class A's tent, everyone immediately perked up and focused their attention on them, wanting to see if anything bad had happened.

Hashiba Hikaru's expression was calm, while Ichinose Honami had a gentle expression after the lingering feelings. She held her boyfriend's hand with a soft smile on her lips.

This scene brought a sigh of relief to everyone, as it seemed there was no major problem.

"Why are you all looking at us like that? How long until the first match?"

Hashiba Hikaru released Ichinose's hand and walked to the front of the tent to talk to the boys, while the pink-haired girl returned to Ando Sayo's side.

"Is... it alright?"

Shibata asked in a low voice.

"Yes, everything is fine now, everyone don't need to worry about it."

Hashiba Hikaru's voice rose a few decibels. As the core planner of the class, the task of stabilizing morale still had to be entrusted to him.

"That's good, we were all very worried."

"Yes, yes, it's good that you're alright. Your expression just now was really scary."

The boys around Hashiba Hikaru all smiled easily. They were used to him being their leader, and when the boy showed his anger just now, no one dared to speak up for Ando at that moment.

Now that everyone has heard the person in question speak out and announce that they are alright, they are finally relieved.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ichinose Honami was quietly comforting Ando Sayo, whose eyes were already wet with tears. She had been sobbing softly since the beginning because of worry and self-blame, and only stopped when she saw the two of them return.

"It's alright, the problem has been solved, Ando- kun."

The pink-haired girl grasped Ando's hand, a gentle smile on her face. "Hikaru isn't blaming you. It's just a matter of talking things out."

"Ichinose... are you and Classmate Hashiba alright?"

Ando was still a little choked up, but his expression gradually calmed down.

"Yes, he apologized to me, I accepted it, and we've made up."

"Really?"

"Hmm, but this matter has given me an idea, please listen."

Ichinose Honami remembered Hashiba Hikaru's instructions, cleared her throat, and slowly spoke to the girls.

"Dating is a matter between two people. There's no need to involve everyone else in my problems with Hikaru. Whatever the problem is, I can ask him directly. Everyone doesn't need to give me advice. Doing so will only make us all tired."

Do you all understand what I mean?

"Understood, understood. We won't do this again. You can solve the problem yourselves."

Ando nodded quickly, his face still showing lingering fear.

"We understand. We really didn't think this through."

"That's right."

The girls all understood what Ichinose Honami meant by those words. No matter what, even if she was jealous, it wasn't anyone else's place to put pressure on Hashiba Hikaru. The "unity" they had just discussed was completely unnecessary.

"That's good. Now, everyone, please refocus your attention on the game."

"Uh-huh."

Hearing the girls' laughter and chatter return, Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of water, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

After this incident, the students in Class A should understand one thing: no matter how good the relationship is, the red line always exists. It cannot be crossed, and there is no way to laugh it off just because everyone is on good terms.

Having grown accustomed to managing everyone in Class A as a whole, Hashiba Hikaru understood very well that this was an act of identifying and addressing shortcomings; he wanted to build the class into a better collective.

"Is it already the third grade's turn?"

"Yeah, it feels like there's absolutely no suspense in the third-year competition."

The boys were all intently watching the race. It was the turn of the first group of the third grade for the Borrowing Race. As a member of Class 3-A, Student Council President Horikita Manabu had already entered the field as the first runner.

When he took the stage, the students of Class A of the Third Year immediately cheered loudly, and in any case, their momentum was much stronger than that of the other classes.

"I heard that Horikita-senpai has maintained a very disciplined lifestyle since the start of the semester. The track and field club members all say they see him on the field every day."

"Because of that position, one can't relax for even a moment."

Listening to her classmates' discussion, Hashiba Hikaru stared at the Student Council President's back. She had to admit that although the information they received might not be complete, it at least represented the thoughts of most of the students.

As the most outstanding student in Class 3-A, Horikita Manabu not only serves as the Student Council President but also leads the class to consistently maintain its number one ranking. To balance both aspects, he must always be in top form.

But people are not machines; no matter how strong they are, they will still get tired.

That's why he needs to find a suitable successor to delegate authority, since managing the campus is a responsibility that cannot be neglected.

"Beep!"

As soon as the starting gun fired, Horikita Manabu dashed off. As a third-year student who had already participated in two Sports Festival, his understanding of the rules and his rich experience helped him leave his three teammates firmly behind.

The competition ended without any controversy with Horikita Manabu taking first place, but the next match surprised Hashiba Hikaru. As the most important competitive event, the recommendation competition should have been attended by the class's most elite members.

Apart from Horikita Manabu, who won with a significant Lead, no one else in the remaining groups of Class A of the Third Year stood out. Although the final result was good, they didn't seem to be much different from the students in Class 3-B, and some were even overtaken midway through.

"Does this mean... Horikita Manabu is carrying the entire Class A of the Third Year by himself?"

Because of the difference between recommended matches and all-out matches, this distinction was immediately apparent. Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin, seemingly understanding Horikita Manabu's initial inexplicable attitude.

Although he agreed to let Nagumo succeed him as the next Student Council President, Nagumo Horikita Manabu's rise to power because of their significant differences in ideology. That's why he wanted to support a newcomer to challenge the other party and limit his power.

After all six rounds of matches were completed, the halftime break began. With some time before the next match, Hashiba Hikaru planned to talk to Horikita Manabu.

"Um, I have to leave for a bit, I'll be back before the next match starts."

The boy shared his idea with his classmates, and no one objected. Ichinose Honami smiled at her boyfriend and said softly, "Just go about your own business. I'll coordinate with everyone to help with the preparations."

"Um."

Hashiba Hikaru walked into the campus. He had already sent a message to Horikita Manabu, and they would meet at the agreed place.

About two minutes later, Horikita Manabu arrived with a boy.

"Good afternoon, Horikita-senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru immediately noticed the boy standing behind Horikita Manabu; if he remembered correctly, this boy was a Second Year student.

Good afternoon, Hashiba- kun.

Horikita Manabu looked at Hashiba Hikaru's face, then introduced the person behind him to her.

"This is Kiriyama from Class B of the Second Year. You must have met him before, right?"

"Of course, hello Kiriyama- senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded to the boy, who was also a current member of the Student Council, but not in the same department as the boy.

"Good afternoon, junior Hashiba."

Kiriyama sized up the first-year student, whose reputation was widely known among the upperclassmen.

Aside from the handsome men rankings on that forum, the more important thing is that when it comes to Hashiba Hikaru, the people involved are all quite extraordinary.

For example, there's Student Council President Horikita Manabu, Vice President Miyabi Nagumo, and Kiryuuin Fuuka Kiriyama. Even though she's someone who never gets involved in class affairs, she took the initiative to help this Hashiba, promote his activities in Class B of the Second Year that day, which surprised Kiriyama quite a bit.

"Now that we're here, please tell us your thoughts, Hashiba- kun."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and looked at Hashiba Hikaru.

"That's natural."

~~~~~

290

Chapter 290: Ryuen's trump card is Miyabi Nagumo.

In a quiet corner of the campus, facing the gazes of Horikita Manabu and that senior Kiriyama, Hashiba Hikaru slowly revealed her thoughts.

"I've solved the problem Horikita-senpai left me with last time, and now I think joining the Student Council was a really good decision."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly; this was his true feeling.

"Really? I've always felt that you can only get motivated when you find the answer yourself."

Horikita Manabu looked at Hashiba Hikaru's face and said, "It seems my judgment was correct."

"That's right, it's not a complicated issue, and I made up my mind quickly."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Kiriyama, who was standing behind Horikita Manabu, and asked, "So, Kiriyama- senpai is my assistant?"

"Yes, he Nagumo are not on the same side. If you want to have better control over the Student Council in the future, he will help you."

Horikita Manabu nodded.

He was pleased that Hashiba Hikaru agreed to join the game. Now that he had chosen a suitable candidate, Horikita Manabu needed to increase the opponent's trump cards as much as possible in order to help him counterbalance Nagumo.

"While that's what Horikita-senpai did say, I'm not very familiar with Hashiba -senpai yet,"

After overhearing their conversation, Kiriyama said, "I think you need to prove something to me, otherwise I won't dare to put all my eggs in one basket."

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu did not express his opinion, but instead looked at Hashiba Hikaru. This scene made the boy instantly understand what the other party meant.

I've entrusted this man to you, but whether you can subdue him depends on your abilities.

"Yes, I actually already have a preliminary idea."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and continued, "Isn't the last race Relay Race involving all three grades? I'll prove my strength to Kiriyama- senpai."

What ranking are you aiming for?

Kiriyama glanced at Horikita Manabu, then pressed for an answer.

"Of course it's number one."

"..."

Kiriyama paused for a moment, then looked at Horikita Manabu, who had remained silent, and said in a subtle tone, "The President will probably participate in this competition too, right?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I accept your statement."

After receiving the reply, Kiriyama looked at Hashiba Hikaru's face and said, word by word, "If you can get first place in the final leg, I will fully acknowledge your strength and support you to rise to the top in the future."

"That's good. I heard that Miyabi Nagumo will also be participating in this competition. Wouldn't that be very interesting?"

Hashiba Hikaru didn't use any respectful address for her senior at this moment, which was also a implicit statement, since none of the three people here liked that blond guy.

"I'll be looking forward to the result of the match."

After saying that, Kiriyama shut his mouth, because Horikita Manabu had something else to say.

"Besides this matter, does Hashiba- kun have any other plans?"

"Certainly."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. After a semester, he had a new understanding of the connection between reputation and power. Although his name was circulating among the three grades, it was mostly useless gossip and didn't have much effect.

Only by doing something that surprises everyone under the spotlight can you truly make others remember you; this is the key to gaining prestige.

"I've already gained some prestige in the Student Council's Club Management Department. To better manage my authority, I'd like to recruit new members after Horikita-senpai and the others step down."

"Hiring matters currently do not overlap with the authority of the Club Management Department. Are you planning to change departments?"

After thinking for a moment, Horikita Manabu said, "Once Nagumo takes over as Student Council President, you will be fully responsible for the Club Management Department."

"That's still not enough. After the Sports Festival ends, please ask Horikita-senpai to transfer me to the Activities Department."