Joining the Student Council

Yun Lan waited quietly, waiting for Manabu Horikita to show mockery or coldly dismiss him. He could almost foresee how the other would state the pros and cons, using cold logic to crush his "immature" reason.

However, Manabu Horikita remained silent.

He stared at Yun Lan, that sharp gaze seemingly piercing through his pupils, reaching deep inside to examine every shred of hypocrisy or hesitation in this answer. Time flowed slowly in the silent confrontation.

A few seconds later, Manabu Horikita nodded ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Then, he spoke in that habitual, steady tone that betrayed no emotional ripples:

"In that case, welcome to the Student Council."

These words fell like a pebble cast into a calm lake.

A flash of surprise crossed Yun Lan's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He bowed his head slightly, his tone becoming more solemn: "Thank you, President. I will fulfill my duties."

Manabu Horikita said nothing more, only giving Yun Lan one last look. That gaze was extremely complex, seemingly mixed with a faint, inscrutable depth—perhaps scrutiny, perhaps some form of recognition, or perhaps, he had simply seen an interesting "variable" that did not play by the rules.

"Well, I will help you."

Yun Lan said something that sounded nonsensical.

Upon hearing this, Manabu Horikita's pupils contracted sharply, and he took a deep look at Yun Lan.

"I look forward to it."

Yun Lan and Honami Ichinose left the Student Council room.

Yun Lan's figure disappeared behind the door of the Student Council room, the slight sound of the door closing appearing exceptionally clear in the quiet interior.

The room fell into a brief silence, leaving only the faint bustle from outside the window and the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Akane Tachibana withdrew her gaze from the closed door and turned to Manabu Horikita behind the desk, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes revealing clear anxiety. She held her notebook, her fingertips unconsciously brushing the edge of the paper.

"President..." She hesitated, then spoke, her voice lower than usual, filled with cautious inquiry.

As the secretary of the Student Council, she was not only the recorder of meetings but also the President's most capable assistant, long responsible for precisely archiving various affairs, discussions, and even subtle shifts in atmosphere. Precisely because of this, she was more familiar with Manabu Horikita's style of conduct than anyone else—efficient, calm, focused on performance and rules, and maintaining a near-harsh scrutiny of any factor that might affect organizational efficiency or deviate from established goals.

It was for this very reason that the scene just now left her particularly puzzled, and even uneasy.

"Just like that... is it really okay to let Yun Lan join?" She weighed her words, her gaze sweeping over the "application reason" Yun Lan had just written, which was shockingly brief, and the President's final "welcome to join." "His answer... and those 'methods' he used with the clubs yesterday... this doesn't seem to align entirely with our Student Council's consistent selection standards." She was not questioning the President's decision, but as part of her duty, she had to point out potential risks. Yun Lan was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake; his unpredictability appeared particularly jarring in a Student Council that emphasized order and control.

Manabu Horikita did not answer immediately. He remained seated in the large office chair, his body leaning back slightly, his gaze falling on the application form Yun Lan had just filled out, the ink seemingly not yet dry. The words "Because I want to join" appeared unruly within the formatted table.

A moment later, he raised his eyes to look at the anxious Akane Tachibana. His expression remained calm, the gaze behind his lenses deep and devoid of ripples.

"Tachibana." He called her name, his voice steady as usual, yet carrying a power that could put the other at ease. "Do not worry."

He paused, tapping his finger lightly on the desk, as if organizing his thoughts or emphasizing what he was about to say.

"I have my own plans."

This sentence was said very lightly, yet it carried the weight of a thousand pounds. It did not explain the specific reasons, did not dissect Yun Lan's "value" or "danger," and certainly did not mean he would change his decision. It was merely a statement, a declaration of confidence based on higher-level considerations.

Akane Tachibana looked at his calm profile, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. She understood the President. He was not someone who would be swayed by emotions or make decisions on a whim. The "plans" he spoke of must have been carefully considered, only the depth and direction of this consideration might be something she could not yet fully grasp.

Perhaps, what the President saw was not just Yun Lan's unconventional "feelings are important," but the courage to speak his mind frankly in the Student Council and in front of him; it was the "strength" and flexibility shown in his actions that differed from conventional paths, or even... the impact and variables that such an "unstable factor" might bring to an unchanging system? In this school where everything was calculated and planned, an "outlier" who could not be easily categorized and did not play by the rules might in itself be a scarce "resource" or "touchstone."

"I understand, President." Akane Tachibana took a soft breath and nodded, the anxiety in her eyes not entirely dissipated, but replaced by professional obedience and trust. She turned to a new page in her notebook. "Then, regarding the initial work arrangements and observation points for Yun Lan, do you need any special notations?"

"Let him be a secretary for now." Manabu Horikita turned his gaze back to the other documents on the desk, his tone returning to its usual concise efficiency. "As for observation... no special notations are needed. The Student Council itself is the best observation ground. Every choice he makes, every action he takes, will naturally explain everything."

"Yes." Akane Tachibana recorded the instructions crisply.

Manabu Horikita said no more, immersing himself back into his work, as if the episode that might affect the future landscape of the Student Council was merely a common part of daily affairs. Only, the moment he lowered his gaze, a faint, near-expectant glimmer seemed to flash deep in his eyes.

He had his own plans. And the first step of these plans was to place Yun Lan, this unique chess piece, onto the board. The ensuing match was worth observing.

"Lan-ge!" Her voice was lowered, yet sounded exceptionally clear due to her urgency. "What you just said inside... to President Horikita at the end, what on earth did you mean? 'Feelings are more important than graduation'... how could you say that? And the President actually let you join!" Her questions were like a barrage, her face slightly flushed from excitement and worry. She didn't know the school's rules very well, but to her, Yun Lan's answer sounded like dancing on a landmine in front of the Student Council President, yet the result was unexpected, which made her even more confused and curious.