Thanks, but I Have More Spies Than You / Countering the Impeachment, Hashima Hikaru's Pursuit
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned slightly. She also noticed that the atmosphere in the Student Council room was a bit off, but the girl didn't actively pay attention to these things.
Looks like you're just like me.
Hashiba Hikaru didn't press the matter further. She carefully observed all the members who were busy at work. Although it seemed like nothing was different from usual, some things were not apparent on the surface.
"Is that so?"
After Hashiba Hikaru said that, Sakayanagi Arisu became a little curious. She turned her head to look at the members in the Student Council room, and after a while, she seemed to have caught some information, and a smile appeared on her lips.
"Has Classmate Sakayanagi discovered something?"
Hashiba Hikaru noticed some clues, but her expression remained calm.
"All I can say is that something is about to happen, and it will most likely be related to Classmate Hashiba."
This was a judgment made directly by Sakayanagi Arisu. She had long known that Hashiba Hikaru was trying to win over other Student Council officers in order to organize a group to impeach Miyabi Nagumo, so that he could achieve true centralization of power.
"Just as I suspected, it seems our Student Council President is getting restless."
Hashiba Hikaru chuckled coldly. He had long expected this day to come. After all, Miyabi Nagumo had taken the initiative to send Asahina Nazuna to contact him, which meant that this guy had noticed his movements.
"Classmate Hashiba seems very confident. Aren't you worried about things going wrong?"
Looking at the composed young man, Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and asked, "For example, if something unfavorable happened to you, how would you handle it?"
"It's alright, no matter what tricks he plays, I'm confident I can handle them."
"Then let me look forward to it."
As soon as their conversation ended, Hashiba Hikaru immediately heard the blond-haired man's voice.
"Hashiba Yujima, a meeting is about to begin. Please assemble in the Conference Room immediately!"
"Clear."
Hashiba Hikaru stood up, picked up his phone and sent a text message to someone, then followed the other student council members into the Student Council Conference Room. Today was not a regular meeting day; it was a sudden decision.
Good afternoon, everyone. Please take your seats.
Miyabi Nagumo sat at the head of the long table and instructed everyone to sit down. After the third-year seniors left the club, there are now 12 Student Council officers. In addition to Miyabi Nagumo and Hashiba Hikaru, there are 10 other students who have the right to vote on the agenda, all of whom are Second Year members.
"Today's meeting is somewhat unexpected, but I will explain the reasons to everyone. Please be patient."
Miyabi Nagumo glanced at the calm-faced Hashiba Hikaru, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. He had been preparing to launch an impeachment campaign for the past few days. After all, the vote was about who had more of their own people, and he didn't believe he would lose.
"What is the specific agenda for today? President Nagumo, would you mind explaining it to us?"
Hashiba Hikaru looked up.
"This agenda item concerns the Vice President and was proposed by Higashida, a student from the Club Management Department."
Miyabi Nagumo pointed to a Second Year boy with a buzz cut, her tone slightly somber, "The specific content is..."
"Regarding whether Junior Hashiba is still qualified to continue leading the Student Council as Vice President."
Upon hearing this, everyone else present changed their expressions and began to cast strange glances at Hashiba Hikaru.
The true intentions are revealed at this very moment!
424
Chapter 424 Thanks for the invitation, I have more undercover agents than you.
The atmosphere in the Conference Room became extremely tense after Miyabi Nagumo uttered that remark related to impeachment.
The remaining ten Student Council officers all had very expressive faces. Although they didn't immediately express their opinions, they exchanged frequent glances, each of them seeming both out of the loop and pretending not to know what was going on.
After scanning the members one by one, Hashiba Hikaru pondered the chain reaction this matter would cause, since the previous recruitment plan had not been very well concealed.
Miyabi Nagumo's preemptive countermeasure was within Hashiba Hikaru's expectations.
But is this guy really that confident?
Isn't he afraid of my teammates?
"I see. So that explains why the meeting was suddenly called; it's related to me."
Hashiba Hikaru's expression was calm, completely out of place with the tense atmosphere. "Since it concerns me, I shouldn't have the right to vote, right?"
The boy tossed the topic to Miyabi Nagumo, but the blond Student Council President didn't see the surprise and helplessness he wanted on Hashiba Hikaru's face, so his expression became even more unpredictable.
"Of course. According to the Student Council's rules, the person impeached is not allowed to participate in the vote on matters of great importance. So, Vice President Hashiba, please listen to everyone's discussion and remarks."
Miyabi Nagumo said expressionlessly, "As a senior member of the Student Council, I will also not participate in the voting, in order to ensure fairness."
"Understood. President Nagumo is indeed impartial and incorruptible."
Hashiba Hikaru clapped his hands and looked at the other ten Student Council officers present. Logically speaking, under the influence of Kiriyama and Horikita, five of them, including Kiriyama, had clearly stated that they wanted to join the boys' side.
But the situation seems to have changed now. After all, the fact that Miyabi Nagumo dared to launch an impeachment today means that someone has defected.
"Please feel free to speak up and express your opinions. Voting will begin in ten minutes."
Miyabi Nagumo was in charge of the meeting's proceedings. After saying that, he shut his mouth, indicating that he was not involved.
"Higashida- kun, why do you think Vice President Hashiba is incompetent in her job? What are your specific reasons?"
A Student Council member spoke up and asked a question.
"Because I received many complaint letters from club leaders, who stated that Vice President Hashiba did not follow the rules when performing her duties, and even abused her power by threatening their clubs."
Higashida's answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and seemed quite serious.
Could you specify which clubs or organizations you mean?
"Of course not. We must keep the information of the club leaders confidential to prevent further retaliation."
When Higashida said this, he specifically glanced at Hashiba Hikaru, whose expression remained calm.
"You're overthinking it, Higashida- senpai,"
Hashiba Hikaru suddenly spoke up, "If I get kicked out of the Student Council, how will I get revenge?"
"... This has nothing to do with me; my purpose is simply to protect these people's privacy."
Higashida paused for a moment, then continued to deal with the situation as Miyabi Nagumo had instructed earlier.
"That's good."
Hashiba Hikaru didn't say anything more, but continued to listen to everyone's discussion. After Higashida finished stating his reasons for impeachment, the ten Student Council officers clearly split into two factions and began to talk loudly.
The boy could tell that some people were vehemently refuting the claims, while others were just muddying the waters. Of the five people who initially sided with him, about two had already changed their minds.
[This must be the source of Nagumo's confidence...]
Hashiba Hikaru stroked his chin, recalling the text message he had sent before entering the Conference Room. If all went well, it should soon take effect.
"I still think your accusations are too extreme. Putting aside the fact that Classmate Hashiba has a very good reputation in many clubs, even if there were problems, why don't they come to the Student Council to file a complaint directly? Why do they have to have you relay it?"
"Because they're worried the accusations will be suppressed. Doesn't Kazama- kun understand that?"
As the initiator of the impeachment, Higashida was practically leading all those who supported the impeachment in their speeches. A fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead; debating with a group of scholars was indeed no easy task.
"Vice President Hashiba is only a first-year student. If I remember correctly, many club leaders are Second Year- or third-year students, right?"
The one who spoke out in support was naturally Kiriyama Ikuto from Class B of the Second Year. After completely breaking ties with Miyabi Nagumo, he didn't care about saving face anymore; what mattered was defeating her.
"What does Kiriyama -kun mean?"
"They could have communicated directly with President Nagumo; there was no need for them to go through this process, right?"
"Kiriyama is thinking too simply. Vice President Hashiba got this position through a vote and election. Don't those club leaders understand that?"
Higashida's lips curled into a cold smile. "After all, a single accusation might not be enough to make Vice President Hashiba realize his mistakes, but impeachment can have an immediate effect."
"..."
Kiriyama hesitated for a moment, but before he could continue arguing, he heard Hashiba Hikaru speak.
"It's indeed a very interesting logic, and I don't think there's anything to argue about, so please start voting."
Hashiba Hikaru shook her head calmly, stopping Kiriyama with a look as he was about to continue explaining.
"Then let's do as Vice President Hashiba says."
Miyabi Nagumo glanced at Hashiba Hikaru's calm expression, and her displeasure intensified.
Besides using up all the leverage he had previously acquired, he also paid a considerable price to gain the support of those who had long since sided with Hashiba Hikaru.
After all, Hashiba Hikaru wielded considerable power after becoming Vice President. In addition to the support of the previous President, Horikita Manabu, the enormous amount of Private Points he controlled was also a bargaining chip that allowed him to command a large following.
After Miyabi Nagumo became the Student Council President, he devoted most of his energy to reforming the Student Council. Because he neglected the situation of the Second Year, the loopholes turned into a breakthrough. Now that he has realized it, it is too late, and he can only make more concessions.
As for promises, Hashiba Hikaru can still offer his own bargaining chips, after all, he is the closest to the Student Council President, and he can simply repeat the promises Nagumo made earlier.
This is the true source of confidence in a young man.
"Vote."
"Those who agree to impeachment, please raise your hands."
After Miyabi Nagumo finished speaking, one by one, the people belonging to his faction raised their right hands.
However, after the third person finished raising their hand to vote, the process stalled when it came to the fourth person.
The blond man looked over and saw a girl he was quite confident in, but there was a clear hint of hesitation on her face. She was holding her phone, biting her lip tightly, as if she was thinking about something.
[Has it taken effect?]
What an excellent partner...
Compared to undercover agents?
Sorry, I still have more people!
425
Chapter 425 Impeachment Countermeasures, Hashiba Hikaru's Pursuit.
After the fourth person supporting Miyabi Nagumo hesitated for a long time, Hashiba Hikaru suddenly felt much more relaxed. He had been a little nervous just now, but now he was quite confident.
"Are you planning to think about it some more, senior? It's okay, there's no rush to vote."
The boy spoke up to the Second Year student, saying, "Maybe the first round of voting won't reach a consensus."
"..."
After Hashiba Hikaru made her statement, Miyabi Nagumo's expression changed slightly.
The blond man immediately shifted his gaze to the remaining student council members. According to his original plan, today's vote should have been 7 to 3, so that Hashiba Hikaru could be successfully kicked out of the Student Council.
But after the fourth member hesitated, the fifth member, after looking at his phone, seemed to have made up his mind and ultimately did not raise his hand.
Are there still people who support impeachment?
Hashiba Hikaru naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity and immediately asked a follow-up question. He glanced at Miyabi Nagumo, whose face was gradually turning ashen, and said, "President Nagumo is still waiting for everyone to express their opinions."
"Yes, everyone needs to think this through carefully, after all, this is not an easy choice..."
Miyabi Nagumo continued to use his eyes to signal to those in the Conference Room who had not yet voted, trying his best to control his expression and not wanting anyone to detect his true emotions.
"Whoosh!"
The fourth person to agree raised his hand about a minute later; he was a Second Year boy. With his participation, the number of people who agreed to vote increased to four.
However, there were only four left. After Hashiba Hikaru's countermeasures took effect, the cooperative relationships that had been established through different transactions were broken once again.
"Hehe."
A cold smile crept across Hashiba Hikaru's lips. What was that saying again? People who give you money won't work for you.
Because the other party has too many options, you are not their only choice. The leverage that Miyabi Nagumo controls and the inducement of benefits cannot achieve the most perfect coercion. Once they turn against you, it will immediately turn into a more intense counterattack.
Seeing the Student Council Conference Room quiet down, Hashiba Hikaru waited three minutes before speaking before Miyabi Nagumo could, "President Nagumo, shouldn't we move on to the next step?"
"..."
After giving the other officials a vicious glare, Miyabi Nagumo gritted her teeth and said, "Now, let's move on to the next step. Those who oppose the impeachment, please raise your hands."
No matter how unhappy he was, he couldn't lash out directly. After all, everyone has pride, and breaking his word would be a devastating blow to the Student Council President's authority.
"Whoosh!"
This time, people raised their hands very quickly. In just a few seconds, all those who hadn't made a choice before had raised their hands. After a quick glance, Hashiba Hikaru knew that the outcome was decided.