Joining the Student Council

"You currently have nearly one million points on your phone. Am I right?"

President Horikita's words made Hoshino jolt in surprise, his face full of disbelief. But after thinking it over, he accepted it.

If homeroom teachers had the right to check students' records, then it wasn't strange for the Student Council President to have the same right. What was strange was why the Student Council President had taken an interest in him. It was only a million points. Surely that wasn't enough to warrant it?

"Returning to my earlier question: what do you think of this school?" President Horikita's imposing presence pressed down on him at once.

It seemed he had no intention of letting Hoshino off easily.

"...The leaders use all kinds of strategies to lead their classes to the top, and in the end, only Class A gets to enjoy the benefits of a high employment rate. At first glance, it sounds wonderful. Of course, that's only at first glance. But... things are pretty good right now. Really good! President Horikita, you're amazing! This kind of game-playing, at this level, is actually pretty fun."

"...Thank you."

Hoshino caught the fleeting hint of a smile on President Horikita's face.

"...Would you be interested in joining the Student Council?" After a moment's silence, President Horikita asked something unexpected. Not only was Hoshino surprised, but Secretary Tachibana beside him also looked astonished, as if she wanted to say something.

That was awfully abrupt.

Hoshino couldn't understand it. He didn't feel like he'd done anything. He'd just set up a secondhand market once. That shouldn't be enough! Was that really all it took for the Student Council President to take notice of him? And even with Sakayanagi and Ryuen, he hadn't done anything particularly impressive. He'd just gotten lucky and found some compromising information or leverage. He hadn't actually done much.

"Um... why me?" Hoshino searched his mind for a long time, but couldn't come up with anything useful.

"After observing you from various angles, I decided you have the aptitude."

What was that supposed to mean? Hoshino couldn't understand how these people thought. What did he mean, deciding he had aptitude after observing him? Hoshino hadn't done anything. Most of the time, he'd just been in the right place at the right time.

"Maybe I should pass...?" Hoshino remembered the "mountain" he'd seen that day and shuddered. He didn't want to spend every day drowning in a "sea" of work.

"If you join the Student Council, you'll receive a salary of 100,000 private points a month." Before Hoshino could finish speaking, President Horikita laid out the offer.

"Huh? That much?" Hoshino was so surprised that his voice trembled.

"Why is President Horikita so practiced at this? He must have done some research on me." Hoshino wasn't sure what to say. He'd be guaranteed 100,000 points every month. That actually sounded pretty good! And being on the Student Council would make it easier to handle other things, too.

No matter how Hoshino looked at it, the offer was tempting!

"...There are plenty of talented students this year. I think there are lots of people who'd be a better fit for the Student Council than me. For example, Sakayanagi, Ichinose, or Ayanokoji?" As tempting as the offer was, Hoshino didn't accept right away.

Hoshino thought either Sakayanagi or Ichinose would be a better choice. Even Ayanokoji would be quite a good candidate.

Hoshino couldn't believe President Horikita hadn't noticed that something was off about Ayanokoji.

"Ayanokoji? Who's that? Why did you mention Ayanokoji?" Secretary Tachibana asked, puzzled.

"..."

"..."

Why had President Horikita gone quiet, too? Had he really not noticed? No! Wait! Could something have already happened between them?

As if sensing something, Hoshino looked up at President Horikita, who wore an expression that said he wasn't going to comment. Hoshino suddenly felt he might have stumbled onto something incredible!

Ayanokoji had some kind of connection with President Horikita! And President Horikita looked like he didn't want to say more! Hoshino's curiosity was instantly piqued. It seemed he'd have to ask Ayanokoji about it later.

After all, right at the start of the school year, President Horikita had put all the first-years in their place. Hoshino had always thought he was the kind of serious person who never made mistakes.

"...Ayanokoji is a student in our Class D. He's... pretty capable in a lot of areas." Seeing that President Horikita had nothing to say, Hoshino could only give a vague explanation.

"...Well? Are you interested?" President Horikita changed the subject and asked again, his expression serious.

"I do..." Hoshino hesitated, thinking it over. After all, that was a mountain of work!

"I believe there's still an opening for a secretary." Seeing that Hoshino seemed tempted, President Horikita glanced at Secretary Tachibana.

"...Yes... President..." The girl looked surprised, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

"Huh...?"

Most students started out doing odd jobs when they joined the Student Council, gradually learning the ropes. Of course, there were exceptions for particularly capable students, who could be promoted right away. But it was extremely rare for someone to be appointed secretary just two months after the school year began!

Hoshino couldn't understand why President Horikita had suddenly invited him to join the Student Council, let alone offered him such a high-level position. But with the principle of "never turn down easy money," Hoshino accepted. At the very least, he couldn't see how Manabu Horikita could make things difficult for him. Either way, it was a sure win.

"Then your official start date will be next Monday. You can come by and take a look over the next few days," President Horikita said, making the arrangements.

After a few brief instructions, Hoshino said his goodbyes and left.

"President, I don't understand..." Secretary Tachibana watched Hoshino's figure gradually disappear, her face full of confusion.

"A student who still managed to hold on to over a million points despite being at an absolute disadvantage after just two months of school can't be mediocre." President Horikita explained, his expression softening.

It was already completely dark.

"What was President Horikita thinking? Asking me to join the Student Council... And Ayanokoji—is he planning to make his move?" As he walked back to the dorm, Hoshino thought over President Horikita's strange behavior.

Come to think of it, Hoshino was really curious. Was Ayanokoji actually that strong?

"Grrr..." His stomach growled. "...I haven't eaten yet!"

Hoshino went to the cafeteria with one last glimmer of hope, but sure enough, it had already closed. Luckily, the convenience store was open twenty-four hours! It looked like he'd have to settle for some instant noodles tonight.

Was it true that good and bad fortune always came together? With that thought, Hoshino stepped into the convenience store near the dorm...