Ah, the Student Council

At lunchtime, Toru Hasegawa took the initiative to call Masayoshi Hashimoto out via his phone.

Since it was Sunday, the Student Cafeteria was not very crowded.

"This is rare, you actually calling me out like this." Masayoshi Hashimoto looked quite surprised, setting his tray down before plopping into the seat opposite Toru Hasegawa.

"Because I have something important to tell you."

"What is it?"

Toru Hasegawa said earnestly, "I told the people in Class D that there will likely be an exam this month."

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

"There are many reasons. In any case, I'm telling you this fact first, and then you can go tell Arisu Sakayanagi."

"We're friends, right?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me the reason."

Toru Hasegawa laughed, "I'll tell you after we finish eating."

Lunch ended, and since he had things to do later, Toru Hasegawa decided to keep it brief.

"First, to some extent, this is because I promised someone I would do it."

"Second, I've already told you the basis for the class divisions, and you know the current situation of Class D better than I do; whether they will believe this news remains to be seen."

"And furthermore..." Toru Hasegawa paused for a moment, "I also intend to use this matter to gain as much benefit as possible."

However, he did not specify what the actual benefit was, because he had already obtained it.

Of course, Toru Hasegawa could have used this information to squeeze Class D, but he didn't want to do that; once the persona of a villain is established, it becomes very difficult to change it.

"You mean, this sounds like an act of betrayal to the class, but there's actually a benefit to it?" Masayoshi Hashimoto was not so easily convinced by Toru Hasegawa.

"Although the benefit is only for me personally."

"I understand. Even though from the perspective of Class A itself, it doesn't cause any damage to the class, you have cultivated a potential enemy."

"If that situation arises, I will take responsibility. But hearing me say that must sound very irresponsible to you, right?"

"Yes, it does." Masayoshi Hashimoto admitted it readily, "But since you've been honest with me, I have no choice but to trust you. After all, Her Highness might be a bit unreliable. If any problems really arise in Class D by then, I'll leave it to you to handle."

As for Arisu Sakayanagi, it wasn't just a matter of her goals; her physical condition was also quite worrying.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

"I will convey your meaning to Her Highness properly." Masayoshi Hashimoto nodded, then left with a thoughtful expression.

After sending Masayoshi Hashimoto off, Toru Hasegawa arrived at the Student Council Room, which was already full of people.

"Oh, this is truly rare. President Horikita bringing in a first-year student... I didn't think that would happen." As soon as he saw Toru Hasegawa enter, a boy with neat blonde hair laughed.

"However, shouldn't this be against the rules?"

"There is no problem. He has already gained a deep understanding of the essence of this school. Adapting to the Student Council environment early on won't do him any harm, and besides, this is just a routine meeting." Manabu Horikita sat in the seat representing the Student Council President, handling the provocation from Miyabi Nagumo with a calm and composed demeanor.

Seeing this, the blonde boy, who was Miyabi Nagumo, cast an interested gaze at Toru Hasegawa, but didn't say anything more.

"Tachibana, go instruct him on how to record the meeting proceedings."

And so, Secretary Tachibana, whom he had met a few times already, came before Toru Hasegawa.

"I'll be in your care from now on, Secretary Tachibana."

"Likewise, Secretary Hasegawa~"

For some reason, Secretary Tachibana's attitude toward him seemed to have improved quite a bit.

And so, the weekly routine meeting of the Student Council began, and under the guidance of Secretary Tachibana, Toru Hasegawa quickly mastered the skills of recording the meeting.

It was mostly about student disputes and club budgets; it seemed President Horikita had a hard time on a daily basis.

Soon, the meeting ended, and just as Manabu Horikita had said, it was just a routine meeting.

But some people didn't think so.

"Hasegawa, right?"

"Yes." Toru Hasegawa nodded, though he had his suspicions, he didn't show it at all.

Miyabi Nagumo said to him quite explicitly in front of Manabu Horikita, "Has President Horikita mentioned me to you?"

"Senior Nagumo?" Toru Hasegawa said tentatively.

"Hahahaha!" Hearing this, a bright smile appeared on Miyabi Nagumo's face, "Hasegawa, would you like to join my camp?"

This could almost be considered a face-to-face provocation, but Manabu Horikita's expression remained unmoved. He just glanced over here slightly before leaving with Secretary Tachibana.

"Sorry, judging by what Senior Nagumo just said, it seems I've been arbitrarily categorized into President Horikita's camp, but that's not the case." Toru Hasegawa responded with a smile.

Miyabi Nagumo's expression turned stern, and he stared at Toru Hasegawa with a dangerous look: "Are you rejecting me?"

To be just a high school student, isn't he putting on quite the airs?

After a slight internal grumble, Toru Hasegawa hurriedly lowered his head and said, "I wouldn't dare."

"Then joining my faction wouldn't be a bad thing for you, would it?" Miyabi Nagumo said coldly.

"Is that so? So that's what you think, upperclassman?" Toru Hasegawa looked up, meeting the other's cold gaze without a hint of fear. "But I won't be joining either side. That is my answer."

"Think about it carefully. If you refuse me now, there will be many disadvantages for you in the future." Miyabi Nagumo smiled, but there wasn't a trace of warmth in his eyes.

Three boys stood behind him, respectful like lackeys; the mere sight of this scene would put significant pressure on an average student.

However, Toru Hasegawa was not an average person.

"I also carry the expectations of President Horikita, so I'm sorry. You can plan me into his faction as you please, but I hold grudges, you know."

"You don't seem to be afraid of me at all?"

"Why should I be? We are all just high school students. I hope you keep that in mind, Nagumo-senpai."

"Hahahahaha!" Miyabi Nagumo burst into laughter again. He stood up and walked over to Toru Hasegawa's side. "What you said actually makes a lot of sense. At the end of the day, we are all just high school students."

"Forget it, let's end it here for today. Let's go."

Having heard words he hadn't expected, Miyabi Nagumo left with a face full of smiles, and the other three followed behind him. This left Toru Hasegawa feeling a bit confused for a moment.

They're just leaving?

In any case, it seemed to be over.

The Student Council Room was now left with only Toru Hasegawa. He scratched his head, and after confirming that no one else was inside, he closed the door and locked it securely with the key Secretary Tachibana had given him.

Then, he took out his phone and sent a message to someone. The content was simple.

[Tomorrow you should receive a notification from the students in your class regarding the truth about this school.]

As for what the other person would think, that was something Toru Hasegawa would need to confirm tomorrow.