You're Next / Class 3-C

At Horikita Manabu's introduction, Suzuki Toru's gaze fell on the Student Council officers.

Excluding the first-years, the Student Council had only thirteen members in total, seven of whom were second-years.

By next semester, once the third-years stepped down, the key positions in the Student Council would probably all fall into Miyabi Nagumo's hands.

Horikita Manabu had them introduce themselves, then said, "Since you've only just joined the Student Council and aren't familiar with how things work, I think you should start with clerical duties for now. Your upperclassmen will help you get acquainted with the job."

That was only natural. There weren't many vacant positions on the Student Council, after all.

Still, judging by its size, the Student Council probably wasn't very busy. For a high school with fewer than five hundred students and teachers, this many members might even be excessive.

As Suzuki Toru was lost in thought, he noticed Horikita Manabu staring intently at him.

"Suzuki, you'll be Vice President."

### At first, Suzuki Toru wanted to refuse Horikita Manabu. It wasn't as if Horikita could simply decide he'd become Vice President and expect him to accept.

Being appointed in front of so many people would make it seem like he'd been handpicked from within. What would his fellow officers think of him after that?

But when he saw how serious Horikita Manabu looked, Suzuki Toru could only nod.

"Huh? You're making a first-year Vice President?" Tachibana Akane was dumbfounded. Her confusion was shared by almost everyone there.

A newcomer who'd only just arrived had already become a Student Council officer?

To be honest, most of them had never even met him before, so naturally they were astonished.

"The Vice President position had a vacancy, so it makes sense to have Suzuki fill it." Horikita Manabu spoke calmly. As President, he could directly appoint anyone he wanted as Vice President. The others didn't even have the right to object.

Tachibana Akane knew that, of course. She just couldn't understand why.

By tradition, the Student Council usually had two Vice Presidents. What was strange was that Horikita Manabu had never appointed a second one.

Aside from Miyabi Nagumo, the other Vice President position had been left vacant for a long time.

She hadn't expected Horikita Manabu to appoint a newcomer as Vice President today.

He'd joined the Student Council and been promoted to an officer on the same day—and not just any officer, but Vice President. That was unbelievably fast.

"I think a newcomer who's earned the President's confidence is certainly capable of handling the position." Fujimaki Hiroki, the treasurer, gave him a friendly smile.

The second-year officers all looked toward Miyabi Nagumo, who simply smiled.

"If it's Horikita-senpai's decision, I don't mind. To be honest, I quite agree with it."

As he spoke, Miyabi Nagumo met Suzuki Toru's gaze. His smile grew broader, and he seemed completely at ease.

But to Suzuki Toru, the Vice President was clearly provoking him.

It was as if Nagumo were saying, I'll deal with you sooner or later. Enjoy your moment while it lasts.

Tch. You're next.

Suzuki Toru calmly looked away. He didn't care about becoming Vice President.

He might not care, but Katsuragi Kohei and Ichinose Honami couldn't help looking utterly shocked.

Katsuragi Kohei, especially, had thought it was already astonishing enough that Suzuki Toru had joined the Student Council and even produced a million Private Points to help him join.

He hadn't expected Horikita Manabu to think so highly of Suzuki Toru and make him Vice President right away.

The next position up was President!

The more Katsuragi Kohei thought about it, the more puzzled he became. No matter how he looked at it, there didn't seem to be anything Suzuki Toru needed his help with.

What exactly was this favor he wanted?

"For the next few days, Suzuki, you'll stay by my side. Tachibana Akane will look after Ichinose and Katsuragi," Horikita Manabu instructed.

In reality, since the school handled nearly all the major student activities, the Student Council's work mainly involved mediating disputes between students and managing the various clubs.

Well, no matter how you looked at it, this Student Council was much smaller than those at other high schools.

They probably didn't even have Disciplinary Committee Members.

After all, there were cameras everywhere, and surely no student would dare break the school rules.

Today was just for introductions. Horikita Manabu hadn't assigned them any work. Once everyone had more or less left, he turned to the only person who remained.

"What do you think of the second-year officers?"

"Nagumo has a lot of control over his year. The officers basically follow his lead," Suzuki Toru said. "But, President, is that all you wanted to ask me by keeping me here?"

If Horikita Manabu hadn't told him to stay, he would already have gone after Ichinose Honami.

At his tone, Tachibana Akane felt a little annoyed. First-years really had no respect for their upperclassmen!

Horikita Manabu fell silent for a moment. "Sorry I didn't consult you beforehand about making you Vice President."

Tachibana Akane froze. What was going on? Her President was apologizing to someone?

And to a newcomer, no less?

"It was a little sudden, but it doesn't affect me much. You agreed to let me join the Student Council, which already shows you have confidence in me. Nagumo would naturally take an interest in me too."

Suzuki Toru could tell what Horikita Manabu was thinking. He'd already had a minor clash with Miyabi Nagumo, and being named Vice President today had only added fuel to the fire.

Horikita Manabu, of course, knew nothing about that. He simply wanted Suzuki Toru to rise quickly and draw Miyabi Nagumo's attention, keeping him in check.

Although he believed it was inevitable that Nagumo would take over, Suzuki Toru's presence might at least put a stop to some of Nagumo's reforms.

"Among the second-years, Tonegawa and Mizowaki are Nagumo's classmates and most trusted advisers. Kiriyama and the others are students from different classes."

Horikita Manabu took out a document he'd prepared in advance and indicated that Suzuki Toru should take it home and study it.

Suzuki Toru glanced through it. It was mostly a list of Miyabi Nagumo's trusted people on the Student Council—the officers Horikita Manabu had just mentioned.

"Although Nagumo and I serve together on the Student Council, I don't know much about his situation in the second year. Still, there are students in his year who see him as an enemy."

"Who?"

"Sorry, I can't tell you the name right now. He's very wary of Nagumo, and if his identity were exposed, the consequences would be hard to control."

Although Suzuki Toru didn't know much about Miyabi Nagumo either, rulers tended to treat rebels in much the same way. They'd probably be executed.

Well, at this school, that probably meant expulsion.

Suzuki Toru thought for a moment, then casually asked Horikita Manabu, "If someone broke a school rule a little, what kind of punishment would the school give them?"

Horikita Manabu was taken aback by the question. Then he replied, "It depends on the circumstances, but usually it's a suspension."

"Can they use Private Points to avoid the punishment?" Suzuki Toru continued.

Horikita Manabu's expression grew even stranger. He got straight to the point. "What are you planning to do?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to find out in advance." Suzuki Toru asked another question. "I have an idea, and I'd like to ask the President for a favor."

"You really don't hold back, do you?" Tachibana Akane couldn't take it anymore. She glared at Suzuki Toru, cheeks puffed out.

Getting a Vice President position wasn't enough? Now he wanted the Student Council President to help him too? How arrogant!

Suzuki Toru glanced at her. To be honest, this upperclassman was pretty cute. Her hair was tied up in a bun, making her face look even more delicate. She had the youthful energy and vitality of a girl her age.

Still, she seemed a little too full of herself, just because she was an upperclassman.

You've got to be kidding me. I'll pin her down in bed and teach her a lesson...

So wishes could update in real time too?

Suzuki Toru was a little surprised.

"I want to hear what you're planning first," Horikita Manabu said calmly.

As Student Council President, he did lean toward conservatism and didn't want to change too many things about the school.

He didn't approve of Miyabi Nagumo's insistence on absolute merit and extreme individualism, nor did he like that approach.

It would make the students' competition even fiercer, and could even lead to competition within the same class.

But being conservative didn't mean Horikita Manabu couldn't be flexible. If the risk wasn't too high, he was willing to help Suzuki Toru with something.

Well, he'd helped Suzuki this time, so next time Suzuki would have to help him.

### The next morning, Suzuki Toru arrived at the entrance to Class 3-C.

"Good morning, Sato-senpai."

Hearing the voice, Sato Keisaku instinctively turned around. A boy he'd never seen before was standing behind him.

"You know me?" Sato Keisaku sized him up. He looked good, and this type would probably be popular with girls.

Still, Sato Keisaku was certain he'd never met him before.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Suzuki Toru from Class 1-A. The President told me you're the leader of Class 3-C, so I was hoping I could trouble you for a little of your time."

A first-year student?

Sato Keisaku was momentarily stunned. He couldn't figure out why this new student had come to the third-year area, and the name seemed a little familiar.

After a moment, Sato Keisaku suddenly remembered the news he'd heard yesterday. His pupils contracted sharply.

"You're the new student Horikita promoted to Vice President in record time?"

"Senpai, you're well-informed," Suzuki Toru said, a little surprised.

Sato Keisaku put aside his contempt. No matter what, this newcomer was a Class A student, and he'd become Vice President right away. That meant even Horikita Manabu had to acknowledge his exceptional ability.

"What do you want?"

The different years' areas weren't connected. Aside from the cafeteria and dorms, the students probably only crossed paths on the shopping street.

Without a special reason, almost no one went to another year's area. It would draw too much attention.

In fact, when Suzuki Toru called out to him, quite a few people had already turned to look.

"The President told me that before graduation, the school converts students' Private Points into cash at a rate of five to one." Suzuki Toru's gaze was serious. "I can buy the upperclassmen's Private Points at a rate of two to one. What do you think, Sato-senpai?"