Explanation

He paused, and only continued after seeing Honami Ichinose nod thoughtfully. "Manabu Horikita is impressive, but there's one fact he can't change—he's about to graduate, and he'll have to step down as Student Council president. A transfer of power is never smooth."

"The current vice president, Miyabi Nagumo..." Yun Lan's tone darkened slightly as he mentioned the name. "His ideas... or, rather, the rules he wants to implement, are extremely radical. I don't know all the details yet, but according to Manabu Horikita, if Miyabi Nagumo takes over as president and pushes his agenda with all his might, competition within the school could deteriorate to the point where it's impossible to control. It might even... lead to large numbers of students dropping out because they run out of points, buckle under the pressure, or for some other reason. That's not what Manabu Horikita wants to see. He believes it would violate one of the school's fundamental principles in 'cultivating talent.'"

Ichinose held her breath as she listened. She hadn't imagined that such profound ideological conflict and undercurrents of power were churning beneath the calm surface of campus life.

"The problem is," Yun Lan said, interlocking his hands and tapping the back of one with his fingertips, "Miyabi Nagumo has enormous influence among the second-years. Apparently, he's already more or less united their factions and built a strong support base. That means he has a huge advantage within the Student Council, as well as in the possible election for the next president. As the outgoing president, Manabu Horikita's options for direct intervention are limited. He needs a new 'variable.'"

He looked at Ichinose and spoke clearly. "So he found me. A first-year who'd only just enrolled, with a relatively simple background—at least on the surface; without the Chairman's introduction, Manabu Horikita wouldn't have known what kind of power I had behind me—but who seemed unconventional, willing to act, and to have a clear understanding of the school's power structure. He wanted me to join the Student Council and enter that arena. One of his goals was to drive a 'wedge' into Miyabi Nagumo's sphere of influence. Or, to put it more directly, make me one of the people who could 'go toe-to-toe' with Miyabi Nagumo when necessary—a force to restrain and balance him, at the very least."

The room fell silent for a moment. Ichinose tried to take in all this information, shock written across her face. "'Go toe-to-toe'... But, Lan, you're only a first-year, and he's the vice president who's practically united the second-years... That's so dangerous! Isn't President Horikita treating you like... like..."

"Like a weapon? Or maybe a pawn with a mind of its own?" Yun Lan picked up where she left off, smiling. There was a hint of helplessness in his smile, along with something cold. "That's right. In a way, that's exactly what it is. It's a deal—or a high-risk investment. He gave me a ticket into the inner circle and a certain degree of 'free rein.' In return, I have to face enormous pressure from Miyabi Nagumo and his supporters, and maybe even open attacks and covert schemes."

He looked at Ichinose, his gaze softening a little. "Now you understand why I couldn't simply say, 'I want to contribute to the school,' right? And you understand the weight behind President Horikita's 'welcome aboard,' too? This isn't some easygoing club activity."

Ichinose pressed her lips together, her hands unconsciously clutching the bedsheet. She was worried about how complicated the situation was, and at the same time, pained that Yun Lan had been drawn into such a turbulent mess. After a long while, she finally asked in a quiet voice, "Then... why did you agree, Lan? That sounds..."

"Because of what I stand to gain, and because..." Yun Lan paused and looked out at the dark night beyond the window. His voice lowered. "Because I want to protect you. Joining the Student Council and gaining a certain amount of influence is one of the fastest ways to achieve that. And besides..."

He turned back, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "'Going toe-to-toe' sounds dangerous, but it's also an opportunity. At a school where strength is everything, the fastest way to gain power and a voice is to enter the eye of the storm. Miyabi Nagumo is both a challenge and a stepping stone."

It just so happens that my goal is pretty much the same as Manabu Horikita's. Miyabi Nagumo will target Honami sooner or later. I won't let him get his way. I might as well go toe-to-toe with him and eliminate the threat while I'm at it.

Ichinose froze. She hadn't expected her to be part of Yun Lan's reasons. "Because of me? Why?"

"It's..." Yun Lan looked away. "That's a long story. I'll tell you another time, when I get the chance. Anyway, Honami, that's the situation. I joined the Student Council both because it was part of Manabu Horikita's plan and because it was my own choice. The road ahead won't be easy, but I've already set foot on it."

He looked into Ichinose's worried eyes, softening his tone further. "So keep this a secret for me, okay? The fewer people who know about these internal power struggles, the better."

Ichinose nodded firmly, the worry in her eyes gradually giving way to determination. "Okay! I understand, Lan. I'll keep it secret! You... you have to be careful!"

"Don't worry." Yun Lan smiled, trying to lighten the heavy mood. "Your big brother Lan is pretty good at navigating this kind of game."

Even so, Ichinose's worry didn't completely fade. She knew that, starting tonight, the familiar "big brother Lan" she knew would have to navigate a far more complicated and dangerous chessboard. Perhaps all she could do was quietly support him and keep this heavy secret. The light in the room seemed to take on an unusual weight after their conversation.

After hearing Yun Lan's lengthy explanation of the power struggles within the Student Council, Honami Ichinose didn't press him for more details about Miyabi Nagumo or express concern about what lay ahead for him, as he'd expected. A brief silence fell over the room. In the background, the distant school broadcast was just barely audible through the window.

She was still sitting on the edge of the bed, but her body, which had been leaning forward slightly as she questioned him, slowly relaxed. She folded her hands in her lap. Her gaze never left Yun Lan's face, especially his eyes. Those eyes, which so often held a gentle smile or a cool calculation—now that he'd told her the truth, were they still hiding something?

"Lan," she suddenly said, her voice much softer than before, with less of the sharpness of a question and more of a delicate perceptiveness. "Actually... you don't want me to question you like this, do you? Especially about things that are... complicated and dangerous."

Her gaze intently followed every possible change in Yun Lan's eyes, trying to see past his words and touch the real emotions beneath them. She could tell that, although Yun Lan had given her what seemed like a reasonable explanation, he hadn't been entirely at ease as he spoke. It was as if she'd touched on some private part of his life, making him uncomfortable.

Yun Lan was taken aback by her sudden question about his own feelings. He instinctively wanted to brush it off with his usual smile or a casual remark, but when he met Ichinose's clear blue eyes, which seemed able to see through every disguise, the dismissive words he'd prepared suddenly wouldn't come out.