Horikita's Thoughts

"Kujo-kun, you are not allowed to damage my books."

Watching Hiyori's smile before she left, Kujo couldn't help but shiver.

He understood that it meant, "If you dare to mess around, I won't forgive you."

Hiyori then stood up to apologize to Horikita Manabu, indicating that she would be taking her leave first.

Horikita Manabu did not stand up, merely nodding slightly and signaling a waiter to show Hiyori the way.

With that, the hall, which had already been sparsely populated, became even quieter.

With no one else around, the atmosphere between Horikita Manabu and Kujo became even more silent.

Kujo set aside his sunglasses, which had long been clouded by the heat, and began to carefully place the books from his coat onto the table as far away from him as he could reach.

For him, sunglasses were indeed a bit inconvenient, and Hiyori's books were precious treasures; it was safer to keep them far away from President Horikita.

However, the books Kujo needed to protect were not limited to just one.

He reached into the inside of his jacket: one book.

Two books.

Three books.

Four books.

It wasn't until Kujo pulled out the seventh book that Horikita Manabu finally turned his head toward him.

Kujo's school uniform was custom-made by Hiyori, with pockets of various sizes sewn into the lining, all specifically designed to hold books.

It was originally done to break Hiyori's habit of reading while walking, but it had slowly become a habit for him as well.

Horikita Manabu, who had watched Kujo's actions the entire time, felt the corner of his eye twitch imperceptibly.

Unauthorized modification of the school uniform.

Violation of school rules.

The student council president's instincts kicked in.

No.

This was not the time to be thinking about such things.

"..."

But at Kujo's next action, even the battle-hardened Horikita Manabu couldn't help but feel a sense of speechlessness in his heart.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, this first-year junior actually took off his uniform jacket and draped it over his knees, as if to pretend the whole incident had never happened.

Horikita Manabu raised his internal assessment of Kujo once again.

This was a student who was exceptionally skilled at provoking others.

Having finished defining Kujo in his mind, Horikita Manabu spoke up and asked him:

"Kujo-kohai, do you not intend to explain why you used your points to apply for an exemption from classes at the start of the term?"

Horikita Manabu's question made Kujo breathe a sigh of relief.

He had been wondering what it was about; so it was just for something like this?

"Isn't it because my grades aren't that great? I figured I'd focus on physical training so I could become an athlete or something after graduation."

Horikita Manabu did not believe this nonsense for a second.

"Do you always like to spout such transparent lies? Or do you think I can't tell the difference between a falsehood and nonsense?"

Kujo rested his head on his hand, his tone casual and indifferent:

"Isn't that the style of this school? During recruitment, at the start of the term—doesn't this school always say half and hide half? I've always assumed that was our school's culture."

Horikita Manabu held the handle of his coffee cup, showing no intention of drinking it.

"You know a lot about this school. It seems you dislike this school very much."

Regardless of how Kujo came to know about the school's affairs, what Horikita Manabu cared about more at this moment was the other party's attitude toward the institution.

"Is a school that doesn't care about the students' feelings worth liking? By the way, President Horikita, don't you think you're too serious all the time? Why not try caring more about the feelings of those around you? Why not try dating someone?"

"This school prohibits students from engaging in casual romantic relationships."

"The school rules mention romantic behavior that is 'inappropriate for a student's status.' Does the student council president think that no one is worthy of your noble status?"

Kujo Makoto was a student skilled at provoking others.

One could not feel any sincerity in his usual words.

The only thing Horikita Manabu could confirm was that the other party hated this school.

Spreading true and false rumors among the first years—perhaps that was exactly to provoke the students and achieve the goal of having them spontaneously launch a challenge against the school?

Regardless, after this simple round of probing, Horikita Manabu had already reached his own conclusion.

Such a person is just as dangerous as Nagumo.

If he is left to act without any control, there is no telling what kind of consequences might follow.

The reason Horikita Manabu was so concerned about Kujo was not just because the latter had applied for an exemption from classes at the start of the school year.

The whole matter began a few days ago.

To put it simply: Horikita Manabu had a private meeting with his younger sister, Horikita Suzune, who is in Class D this year.

Because the school rules had been made public, he met with Horikita Suzune earlier than in the original timeline.

After not seeing her for many years, she once again lowered the bar for Horikita Manabu's assessment of his sister.

She was fragile, obsessed with class rankings, and focused solely on gaining his approval.

Horikita Manabu had originally intended to lecture Suzune, but he did not expect her to say something that the original her would never have said:

"Brother, I've heard everything. All four classes this year started with the same number of class points. If I can lead my class to work hard this month, there's a chance we can become Class A later on."

Horikita Manabu knew his sister was incapable of saying such things.

As her older brother, he understood her weakness.

Although it was still a naive thought, it was definitely not something his original sister could have uttered.

Leading the class?

Working together?

Horikita Manabu shifted his gaze to the shadows nearby; he knew this student whose footsteps made no sound was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class D.

Before Horikita Manabu could make a move against Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji had already stepped in front of her, shielding her behind him.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka of Class D, is it? Suzune, I didn't expect you to have a friend your own age."

"Ayanokoji is not my friend."

Horikita Manabu looked at the expressionless Ayanokoji, unable to detect any emotional fluctuation from his demeanor.

Just as he had imagined, this was a difficult person to deal with.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, right? I've seen your entrance exam scores. What are your thoughts? Do you feel dissatisfied that the school placed you in a class that doesn't reflect your true ability?"

Ayanokoji still maintained an indifferent air, but his words left Horikita Manabu feeling even more puzzled.

"Perhaps Class D isn't as bad as one might think. At the end of the day, just because we aren't students of Class A, does that mean we are completely worthless?"

Ayanokoji was currently recalling the way Kujo spoke.

If it were him, he would likely have answered this way.

Horikita Manabu took a deep look at Ayanokoji; this was different from his initial conjecture when he saw Ayanokoji's entrance scores.

Could a genius who hid his strength and entered the school by scoring exactly 50 points in every subject really say something like this?

Had he misjudged him?

Was there some special reason that forced him to remain in Class D?

Looking at Suzune, who stood behind Ayanokoji with a look of confusion, Horikita Manabu sighed and asked Ayanokoji again:

"Are you interested in joining the Student Council?"

"Sorry, I refuse. Your sister has already used a compass to force me into being the leader of Class D. If possible, I hope that instead of me, you can first teach your sister how to be a normal person. I personally think I'm quite normal."

"..."

"..."

After Horikita Manabu left, he ultimately decided to investigate the people around Ayanokoji.

A person's personality could not change so drastically in such a short period of time.

Horikita Manabu trusted his judgment, and he trusted his eye for talent even more.

In the end, Horikita Manabu set his sights on Kujo Makoto of Class C.

At this moment.

Kujo was sitting right next to Horikita Manabu, and everything was ready.

The coffee in front of them had long since gone cold, and Kujo seemed to have thought of something:

"President Horikita, you don't intend to make a move on a first-year student in a place like this, do you? To be honest, you are two years my senior; even if I lose to you, it wouldn't be a glorious victory for you, but if you were to lose to me, it would probably be quite embarrassing."

Horikita Manabu made his move.

Without even standing up, Horikita Manabu slid the coffee in front of him directly toward the other person's position.

He had not touched this cup of coffee from the very beginning, and the liquid inside was filled to the brim.

If Kujo could not block it, the books he cherished would be ruined.

What will you do?

Junior Kujo?

Facing Horikita Manabu's sudden assault, Kujo did not panic.

As if he had anticipated it, he was quick-witted and agile, hurriedly tossing the school uniform he had just taken off onto the table, his intention being to protect the books Hiyori had entrusted to him.

Next, Kujo hurriedly checked the covers of the books to see if there were any stains.

"So you really have been on guard the whole time?"

"President Horikita, it's one thing that you chose the cheapest coffee, but you kept leaving it there without drinking it, and your hand was constantly resting on the handle of the cup. Of course I had to be on guard. If the books got dirty, how would I face my girlfriend later?"

Ever since he transmigrated into this world, Kujo had been constantly speculating about others with malice.

Precisely because he understood these original characters so well, fragments of information about them were constantly flooding into his mind.

After this incident, Kujo was once again convinced of one truth.

This is a school that prioritizes force above all else; only strength is everything.

His decision at the start of the school year had been correct.

Compared to exam-oriented education, he should be more proactive in training his physical fitness and reaction speed.

Looking at it now, personal strength is truly useful!

Horikita Manabu nodded in approval and began to analyze the situation to the air with a serious expression:

"I see. Thinking about it carefully, it seems everything was indeed intentionally induced by you. Ever since Junior Shiina left, you have been showing a protective stance toward the books, deliberately placing them aside one by one, and even specifically using words to provoke me. These were all actually limiting my possible options."

?

Kujo didn't even know he was that impressive himself.

At this moment, he wished Horikita Manabu would say a little less.

"Then, Junior Kujo, are you interested in joining the Student Council?"

"Not interested."

Kujo never had any intention of joining the Student Council; that place was full of troublesome matters.

And compared to the boring business of joining the Student Council, he was more heartbroken over his school uniform at this moment.

He had only been thinking about protecting the books just now.

How was he supposed to explain the dirty school uniform to Hiyori?

It's over, everything is over...

Horikita Manabu stood up, feeling it was time to leave.

He felt that today's probing was enough, so he said in closing:

"Junior Kujo, the invitation from the Student Council still stands. However, my patience is limited. Within a week, if you have any thoughts, you can report directly to the Student Council."

Seeing Horikita Manabu about to leave, Kujo hurriedly called out to him.

"Wait a second, President. You haven't compensated me for what just happened. Sending this clothes to the cleaners costs points, you know."

"How much do you want?"

Horikita Manabu's straightforwardness caught Kujo off guard.

Immediately, Kujo thought it over carefully, then said to Horikita Manabu:

"You should still have the midterm exam papers from your first year, right? My grades aren't actually that good, and I need those."

Horikita Manabu frowned; one could visibly sense his confusion at Kujo's request.

But he didn't overthink it, and after agreeing to Kujo's demand, he left the cafe.

Before leaving, Horikita Manabu even took the liberty of paying the bill.

The waiter kindly informed Kujo that he could continue to consume here, and all his expenses would be covered by Horikita Manabu.

"Horikita Manabu is truly a good person."

Despite the various little episodes just now, Kujo couldn't help but praise him in his heart.

Outside the cafe.

Kujo walked out of the cafe carrying the eco-bag.

Hiyori, who had been waiting for a long time, stood with her arms crossed, quietly watching him as he exited the shop.

Looking at Hiyori's figure, Kujo couldn't say a word.

Hiyori reached out her hand.

Kujo obediently handed over the books wrapped in the eco-bag he was holding.

Seeing this, Hiyori shook her head.

?

No joy or anger could be seen on Hiyori's face; she simply withdrew her hand and reached out again.

?

Kujo had no idea what Hiyori wanted.

Hiyori pulled back her hand, stepped forward, and pointed at the school blazer hanging over Kujo's shoulder.

"..."

Helpless, Kujo had no choice but to take the blazer off and hand it to her as requested.

"I'm sorry."

Watching her stare at the spot that Horikita Manabu had dirtied, Kujo apologized.

Hiyori glanced once more at the plastic bags in Kujo's hand, which were carefully protecting the books she cherished.

Those were the eco-friendly bags Kujo had prepared inside his uniform beforehand.

"I'll wash the clothes for you."

Kujo felt that this would be too much trouble for Hiyori.

Too lazy to even wash his own clothes, relying on his girlfriend? What did that make his girlfriend?

"Also, why did Kujo-kun apologize?"

Kujo was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

It was because Hiyori had once told Kujo that she didn't want him to pick up bad habits from the students in Class C; those students liked to solve problems with violence, and she hoped that Kujo would at least cherish his own well-being.

Since then, Kujo had promised Hiyori that he would not get into conflicts with others.

"Because..."

Hiyori interrupted Kujo:

"You are not allowed to apologize to me from now on."

"Okay."

A few days later, Kujo unexpectedly learned from Ayanokoji that Horikita Suzune had signed up for the Student Council.

This was a development completely different from the original story.

It was a plot change brought about by the butterfly effect.

Even Kushida chose to sign up for the Student Council after seeing Horikita Suzune apply.