The Student Council

At lunchtime, Toru Hasegawa called Masayoshi Hashimoto over on his phone.

Since it was Sunday, the Student Cafeteria wasn't very crowded.

"This is a surprise. You actually asked me to meet you." Masayoshi Hashimoto was astonished. He set down his meal and dropped into the seat across from Toru Hasegawa.

"I have something important to tell you."

"What?"

Toru Hasegawa said seriously, "I told the students in Class D that there'll very likely be an exam sometime this month."

"..." Masayoshi Hashimoto fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Why?"

"There are a lot of reasons. Anyway, I wanted to tell you first, then have you tell Sakayanagi."

"We're friends, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then tell me why."

Toru Hasegawa smiled. "I'll tell you after we eat."

After lunch, with something else coming up soon, Toru Hasegawa decided to keep it brief.

"First, in a way, it's because I promised someone I'd do something."

"Second, I told you how they decide the classes, and you know the current situation in Class D better than I do. It's still unclear whether they'll believe this."

"Then..." Toru Hasegawa fell silent for a moment. "I also plan to make as much of an advantage for myself as I can out of this."

But he didn't say what that advantage was, because he'd already secured it.

Of course, Toru Hasegawa could have used the information to squeeze Class D for all they were worth, but he didn't want to. Once he got branded a villain, it would be hard to change people's minds.

"So you're saying that even though this sounds like you're betraying your class, there's something in it for you?" Masayoshi Hashimoto wasn't so easily persuaded.

"Though the benefits are only for me personally."

"I see. Even if this doesn't hurt Class A itself, you've still created potential enemies."

"If things come to that, I'll take responsibility. Though I guess that sounds pretty irresponsible to you, doesn't it?"

"It does." Masayoshi Hashimoto admitted it without hesitation. "But since you've been honest with me, I'll have to trust you. Her Highness might not be entirely reliable, after all. If something really does go wrong with Class D, you'll have to handle it."

As for Sakayanagi Arisu, both her motives and her physical condition were cause for concern.

"I'll leave it to you, then."

"I'll make sure Her Highness understands what you mean." Masayoshi Hashimoto nodded and left, looking thoughtful.

After seeing Masayoshi Hashimoto off, Toru Hasegawa went to the Student Council Room. It was already full of people.

"Well, this is a surprise. I never thought President Horikita would take in a first-year." As soon as Toru Hasegawa entered, a young man with neatly styled blond hair laughed.

"But isn't that against the rules?"

"It's fine. He's gained a deep understanding of this school's true nature, and getting used to the Student Council early won't do him any harm. Besides, this is just an ordinary meeting." Manabu Horikita sat in the student council president's seat, calmly and composedly fending off Miyabi Nagumo's provocation.

At this, the blond-haired young man—Miyabi Nagumo—cast an interested look at Toru Hasegawa, but said no more.

"Tachibana, show him how to take the minutes."

Secretary Tachibana, whom Toru Hasegawa had met several times before, came over to him.

"I look forward to working with you, Secretary Tachibana."

"Likewise, Secretary Hasegawa~"

For some reason, Secretary Tachibana seemed a lot friendlier toward him than before.

And so the Student Council's weekly meeting began. Under Secretary Tachibana's guidance, Toru Hasegawa quickly learned how to take the minutes.

Most of the discussions concerned student disputes and club budgets. President Horikita must have had a tough time of it every day.

Before long, the meeting ended. Just as Manabu Horikita had said, it had been an ordinary meeting.

But not everyone saw it that way.

"Hasegawa, right?"

"Yeah." Toru Hasegawa nodded. He had a guess about what this was about, but didn't let it show.

Miyabi Nagumo spoke to him bluntly, right in front of Manabu Horikita. "Has President Horikita ever told you about me?"

"Senior Nagumo?" Toru Hasegawa asked tentatively.

"Hahahaha!" Miyabi Nagumo burst into hearty laughter. "Hasegawa, how about joining my faction?"

It was practically an open provocation, but Manabu Horikita remained unfazed. He merely glanced over before leaving with Secretary Tachibana.

"Sorry, but from what Senior Nagumo just said, it sounds like I've been assigned to President Horikita's faction without my permission. That isn't the case, though." Toru Hasegawa smiled as he replied.

Miyabi Nagumo's expression turned stern. He fixed Toru Hasegawa with a dangerous look. "Are you refusing me?"

He's only a high school student. Why's he acting so high and mighty?

After a brief complaint to himself, Toru Hasegawa quickly bowed his head. "I wouldn't dare."

"Then there's no reason for you not to join my faction, is there?" Miyabi Nagumo said coldly.

"Is that so? Is that what you think, Senior?" Toru Hasegawa looked up and met his cool gaze without flinching. "But I'm not joining either side. That's my answer."

"Think it over. If you refuse me now, you'll regret it later." Miyabi Nagumo smiled, but there wasn't a trace of amusement in his eyes.

Three boys stood behind him, deferentially, like his underlings. The sight alone would have put most students under considerable pressure.

But Toru Hasegawa wasn't like most students.

"I'm also carrying President Horikita's expectations on my shoulders, so sorry. You can assign me to his faction without asking if you want, but I have a long memory."

"You don't seem afraid of me at all."

"Why should I be? We're all just high school students. I hope you'll remember that, Senior Nagumo."

"Hahahaha!" Miyabi Nagumo laughed again and stepped over to Toru Hasegawa. "That's a fair point. When it comes down to it, we're all just high school students."

"Forget it. That's enough for today. Let's go."

Having heard words he hadn't heard in a long time, Miyabi Nagumo left with a broad smile. The other three followed him, leaving Toru Hasegawa momentarily confused.

That's it? He's leaving?

Anyway, it seemed to be over.

Toru Hasegawa was now alone in the Student Council Room. He scratched his head, made sure no one was left inside, then closed the door and locked it with the key Secretary Tachibana had given him.

Then he took out his phone and messaged someone. The message was simple.

[Tomorrow, you should hear from someone in your class about the truth behind this school.]

As for what the other person would think, Toru Hasegawa would have to find out tomorrow.