It was obvious that both Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane believed Suzuki Toru didn't have much time or strength to deal with Miyabi Nagumo at this stage.
After all, the first-years' competition hadn't fully begun, and getting involved in the upperclassmen's battles too early would be more trouble than it was worth.
"Senpai, I still think you should accept these Private Points." Suzuki Toru didn't care what they thought. Neither of them had many wishes, so neither was worth paying much attention to.
Well, compared to Horikita Manabu, his little sister was more interesting.
Hearing Suzuki Toru, Horikita Manabu furrowed his brows and asked in confusion, "You know perfectly well that you've already met my requirements. Why waste your Private Points?"
Suzuki Toru replied calmly, "Because I need a spot on the Student Council—a spot that anyone can use to join."
Tachibana Akane froze, realizing she had no idea what he was talking about. Who did he want to join the Student Council?
"Fine." Horikita Manabu gave Suzuki Toru a long look. "The deadline is the end of this month. The list of new Student Council members will be announced next month."
Suzuki Toru finally showed a faint smile. The deal was settled. Now came the cooperation.
"If I have something to ask of you that might involve areas of the school that are off-limits, would you help me, Senpai?"
Horikita Manabu fell silent for a moment. "That's the real reason you came to me, isn't it?"
"It's just cooperation between us." Suzuki Toru smiled faintly.
"I'll decide whether to help depending on the circumstances."
"I'm very grateful, Senpai."
After exchanging contact information, Suzuki Toru transferred one million Private Points to Horikita Manabu's account without hesitation.
As soon as the transfer was complete, Suzuki Toru suddenly asked, "By the way, Senpai, do you have a younger sister?"
Tachibana Akane's eyes widened at the question.
"Wait, wait—you have a younger sister, President?"
Horikita Manabu paused, then looked Suzuki Toru up and down. "You've met Suzune?"
"I have, but something seems strange to me. She's your younger sister, so why isn't she in Class A?" Suzuki Toru didn't think he was lying. After all, he'd caught a glimpse of Horikita Suzune at the club orientation.
After a moment of silence, Horikita Manabu said, "She lacks the necessary aptitude in certain areas. It's not strange that she isn't in Class A."
Suzuki Toru's eyes glinted. "Aren't you going to help your own sister, Senpai?"
Horikita Manabu frowned at that. "Suzune isn't worth paying that much attention to, is she?"
"I'm just curious about what you think, Senpai."
"Even as Student Council President, I have no reason to use my position for personal gain. I won't do anything unnecessary."
"I see."
Having said all that, Suzuki Toru was satisfied and turned to leave. But Horikita Manabu unexpectedly called out to him.
"Suzuki, I have one last question." Horikita Manabu fixed him with a piercing gaze. "Why do you want to join the Student Council?"
He'd said a lot, but not a word about himself.
Even now, Horikita Manabu still couldn't see what this new student was thinking—or what his goal might be.
The more inscrutable Suzuki Toru seemed, the more serious Horikita Manabu's expression grew. Suzuki Toru was too outstanding, and that only made him worry.
Suzuki Toru met Horikita Manabu's gaze in silence. Was he afraid Suzuki would become the next Miyabi Nagumo?
The thought crossed his mind in an instant, and he answered.
"I need the Student Council."
With that, Suzuki Toru left the Student Council office.
Tachibana Akane was a little annoyed. This first-year was far too rude!
And what did he mean, "I need the Student Council"? He made it sound like he was buying a hammer at the convenience store!
"President, I think we should properly discipline this new student. His conduct needs to be corrected!" Tachibana Akane said indignantly.
"Why are you so angry with him?" Horikita Manabu asked.
"B-because he looks like he thinks he's something special!"
"Tachibana, could it be that he needs to project that kind of overwhelming confidence to keep us in check?"
"What do you mean?"
Horikita Manabu didn't answer Tachibana Akane's question. He only sighed deeply. There was Miyabi Nagumo in the second year, and now there was another formidable first-year. What would happen next?
Just as he was about to get back to his Student Council work, he heard another knock at the door.
When he looked up, he saw a student standing in the doorway. The boy was not only bald, but had no eyebrows either—a remarkably unusual sight.
"Sorry to bother you. I'm Katsuragi Kohei from Class 1-A. I'd like to apply to join the Student Council. Here's my application."
Horikita Manabu was taken aback. Another student from Class A? Were all the students in this year's Class A exceptional?
The thought flashed through his mind, and he pushed down his feelings.
"Come in."
It didn't take long for Horikita Manabu to feel disappointed in Katsuragi Kohei.
The student was quite capable in his own right, but compared to Suzuki Toru, he seemed ordinary. He didn't have the same striking brilliance.
I'll leave him waiting for now and observe him again later, Horikita Manabu thought.
Ichinose's Anxious Worries
Just after leaving the Student Council office, Suzuki Toru hadn't gone far when he spotted a familiar figure.
Katsuragi Kohei.
The other boy was clearly taken aback too. He hadn't expected to run into Suzuki Toru here.
"Good afternoon." Suzuki Toru greeted him first. "Are you planning to join the Student Council too, Katsuragi?"
Katsuragi Kohei had been about to ask why Suzuki Toru was there, but Suzuki spoke first. Caught off guard, he nodded without thinking.
Sakayanagi Arisu had drawn far too much attention today, making Katsuragi Kohei feel a sense of crisis. Besides, he'd already been interested in joining the Student Council.
So he'd prepared his application right away and hurried over to the Student Council office.
Who would've thought he'd run into Suzuki Toru here?
"Looks like I got here first. Sorry, I've already joined. Good luck to you too." Suzuki Toru seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and offered him an encouraging smile.
Katsuragi Kohei looked puzzled. They hadn't interacted much, but the Suzuki Toru he remembered wasn't this warm.
"Thanks. Could I ask you something?" Katsuragi Kohei said. "Does the Student Council have any requirements for applicants?"
"Basically, it's up to the Student Council President to decide whether you're suitable. There aren't any specific requirements," Suzuki Toru answered honestly.
Katsuragi Kohei inclined his head slightly, thanking him again for the answer.
Then Katsuragi Kohei added, "Suzuki, forgive me for asking, but you seem to be on good terms with Sakayanagi. Did she tell you to join the Student Council?"
Was he afraid Suzuki Toru would become one of the Sakayanagi Faction?
"It's entirely my own idea. It has nothing to do with Classmate Sakayanagi." Suzuki Toru smiled. "To be honest, I have more faith in you than in Classmate Sakayanagi. You're considerate and care about your classmates, Katsuragi."
Katsuragi Kohei froze. Suzuki Toru said nothing more, simply walking past him and leaving the corridor.
Aside from Katsuragi Kohei, there was Ichinose Honami from Class B. In essence, the two weren't so different; both of them considered other people.
It just wasn't as obvious with the former, while the latter stood out in that regard.
"That's wonderful, Honami! I knew you were amazing. I knew the Student Council wouldn't turn you down!"
A petite, adorable girl looked at Ichinose Honami, genuinely delighted for her. A radiant smile spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled.
Yet seeing the girl smile made Ichinose Honami stiffen a little. She forced a smile.
"I didn't realize there was a second round of reviews. They probably don't offer many second chances like this," someone remarked.
"Hey, Ichinose, what happened?"
"Did you really get into the Student Council?"
"Maybe the Student Council realized they'd missed out on a great future member and decided to make it up to her!"
Under everyone's gaze, Ichinose Honami let her eyes dart away. She tried to speak as she usually did. "I was just lucky. I thought I wouldn't get into the Student Council, but then they suddenly told me I'd passed."
A lie. She'd only joined the Student Council because Miyabi Nagumo had threatened her.
Not only had she naively believed Miyabi Nagumo, but Suzuki Toru from Class A had also caught her secret.
Someone like her probably didn't deserve everyone's trust, did she?
"Heh heh, Honami could always have joined the Student Council! I've always believed that!" The girl instinctively tried to puff out her chest, then realized the gesture might be improper and stopped at once, her face turning bright red.
"Thank you, Chihiro-chan." Ichinose Honami didn't dare look at the girl now. She reminded Ichinose Honami of her little sister. Looking at her made Ichinose Honami think of her sister—and of what had happened back then.
Shiranami Chihiro was one of the good friends Ichinose Honami had made in Class B.
"By the way, Ichinose, did you ask us to stay behind just to announce this?" a boy asked.
Before class today, Ichinose Honami had arrived later than usual. She'd also inexplicably asked everyone to stay in the classroom after school, saying she had something to announce.
His question drew a reaction from quite a few classmates. In an instant, everyone's eyes were on Ichinose Honami.
Still, no one was annoyed or complained. The students in Class B were simply curious.
Ichinose Honami took a few deep breaths. She had to do something for everyone, at least.
"Actually, there's something very important I need to tell you all. It's about the truth behind this school, and I think it's better for you to know as soon as possible."
She held nothing back. She told everyone in her class everything: the conversation between Miyabi Nagumo and Suzuki Toru, as well as her own suspicions.
Halfway through, some of them were already wavering. Shock showed on everyone's faces.
When Ichinose Honami finished, they looked at one another. Silence hung over the room for a long time.
A boy was the first to break the silence.
"No wonder the school was so generous. It was only splashing out during the first month after all."
Before you continue