Chapter 13

Ichinose Honami. "Honami, this is President Manabu Horikita." "Nice to meet you, President Horikita. I am Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B." Ichinose bowed with a hint of nervousness; in her mind, the speech Manabu Horikita had given that day was still quite intimidating. Manabu Horikita nodded at Ichinose, acknowledging the greeting. "Ichinose, is it? There's no need to be so tense." He then turned to Yuan Yuyuan and asked, "You brought her here—are you hoping to have her join the Student Council?" "That's right. Honami is the consensus choice in our class and an indispensable part of it. Besides, I won't let her be led astray by Nagumo." Yuan Yuyuan patted Ichinose on the head. Seeing that she was currently looking completely bewildered, he smiled and signaled that he would explain it to her later. "In that case, I have no objections. As for the matter regarding Nagumo, you can explain it to her later. Let's first discuss the position of Vice President. I have already spoken with Kiriyama, who previously held the post. Although he wasn't exactly thrilled, he has agreed to step down. I had originally appointed him to keep Nagumo in check, but unfortunately..." Manabu Horikita didn't speak ill of others just because they weren't present; he simply rubbed his temples in resignation. Yuan Yuyuan, however, lacked that same sense of restraint. "Is it because of his incompetence? I seem to recall Tachibana mentioning that this Kiriyama was the leader of the former Class 2-A. I didn't expect him to be so utterly useless." Manabu Horikita didn't know if he was defending someone he had once valued, trying to salvage his own reputation for poor judgment, or perhaps a bit of both. "You can't really put it that way. According to Kiriyama, there is a very capable girl in his class, but unfortunately, she seems uninterested in class struggles, which led to him suffering repeated setbacks in his confrontations with Nagumo." "Ridiculous. What do you mean 'led to'? Isn't the most basic requirement of a leader to make those under them willing to work for them? Not only did he fail to fulfill his duties, but to cover up his own mistakes, he pushed all the blame onto someone who had no obligation to help him in the first place." "It seems his greatest flaw isn't even his incompetence, but his complete lack of awareness regarding it. After failing, he only knows how to complain and blame others. Is his life motto 'rather than improving myself, I'd rather slander others'? Honestly, your eye for talent is truly average. The two juniors you've valued can be said to be uniquely rotten—one arrogant and greedy, the other angry and jealous. Are you trying to collect the Seven Deadly Sins to summon a dragon?" Manabu Horikita knew that every word Yuan Yuyuan said was reasonable, but he still couldn't bring himself to admit that his judgment of people was essentially garbage. "I cannot deny that point. That is why you are the only one who can stop Nagumo. According to school regulations, every Student Council President must step down in the third term of their third year, so that the new president can familiarize themselves with the work in preparation for the orientation and club briefing after the freshmen arrive." "So you only have two terms. Within this time, you must at least reach Class A. Otherwise, even if I wanted you to take this position, the school leadership would not agree to it." "Of course, if I can't make it to Class A, I wouldn't have the face to be this president even if you knelt down and begged me." "I hope so. But regarding the leader of your class—is it this student, Ichinose?" Being addressed, Ichinose blinked. From the moment she entered the room, the conversation between the two had left her feeling completely lost. "That's right. Honami used her powerful personal charisma to win over everyone, including myself, on the very first day. However, considering that Honami is a bit too kind, I will have a good talk with her later." "That would be for the best. I have looked over Ichinose's file. She has a great personality and is willing to help others; at any other school, she would be a top-tier candidate for president. Unfortunately, at Advanced Nurturing High School, these virtues are of no help in becoming president. If anything, I actually think she is the most likely person to be led astray by Nagumo." Seeing that Manabu Horikita had already started discussing Ichinose while she herself remained completely clueless, Yuan Yuyuan explained Nagumo's identity and his actions to her. Only then did Ichinose have a sudden realization. "So that's how it is. I never imagined the situation in the Student Council was so complicated." "So Honami, you must be careful. If you run into any trouble, you must come to me and discuss it immediately. I don't want Honami being deceived by any man other than me." "What do you mean 'any man'? I wouldn't do that! Yuyuan, stop teasing me!" First Term: Chapter 14 Chapter 13 If it were Yuyuan... "I'm back. So this arrogant junior has finally arrived. Honestly, making the President and me wait for you for so long—oh? Who is this student?" Just as Yuan Yuyuan's half-joking, half-sincere warning made Ichinose blush, Akane Tachibana appeared like a savior. "This is our class representative, Ichinose Honami. Honami, this is the President's 'better half' I mentioned earlier, Secretary Akane Tachibana." Yuan Yuyuan introduced them to each other, but he didn't let Tachibana's comment slide. "Though, it really is Tachibana, isn't it? You didn't even prepare a loving bento for President Horikita. The President might not say it out loud, but he must feel empty inside." "Don't talk nonsense. Tachibana and I are just classmates." Manabu Horikita's blunt, oblivious remark made Akane Tachibana feel a bit sad, and she lost all desire to bicker with Yuan Yuyuan. Seeing that Manabu Horikita had made the atmosphere awkward with a single sentence, Yuan Yuyuan stood up to take his leave. "Let's just leave it at that. I'll leave the matter of Honami joining the Student Council to you, President Horikita. Honami and I are going to grab a bite to eat. Come to think of it, a woman whom the President both loves and hates asked to meet me in the cafeteria. It's truly surprising." "Suzune? What does she want with you?" "Ha? So the President really does hate Suzune in his heart? What a terrifying older brother." Seeing signs that Manabu Horikita was about to lose his temper, Yuan Yuyuan finally turned serious. "Relax, I'm not a bad guy. I just sold the class-sorting rules to Class D, so she's probably coming to me to vent her frustrations." Seeing this, Manabu Horikita didn't say anything more and signaled for them to do as they pleased. After Yuan Yuyuan and Ichinose arrived at the cafeteria, they found Horikita Suzune reading a book; it looked as if she hadn't moved since she finished her meal. The two sat down across from Horikita Suzune, and after eating, Yuan Yuyuan took the initiative to ask her. "Is there something you wanted, Suzune?" "I want to know why I was assigned to Class D. I don't consider myself lacking in either academic ability or physical fitness." "Why did you think to ask me? Manabu should know more about this than anyone, right?" Horikita Suzune hesitated for a moment, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I suppose I believe that your insight, which allowed you to discover the school's test, is sharper than mine. That is why I want to know your opinion of me. The people in my class are of no use at all in times like these." "You dodged the question about your brother. You really are a difficult pair of siblings. However, I have heard that Suzune hasn't had many friends since childhood." Horikita Suzune wanted to retort, but Yuan Yuyuan didn't give her the chance. "Don't be in such a hurry to deny it. You're just going to say you can do everything on your own, right? But that won't work at this school. Not to mention Class A, where the two strongest students are still fighting for the leadership position, or Class B, where Honami has integrated the class through her own efforts—it seems even Class C, the closest to Class D, is already being ruled by a violent delinquent. But what has Suzune done since school started? Read books? Does Suzune really look down on us three upper-tier classes that much?"