The Unexpected Draws Closer to Kiyotaka Ayanokoji

"However," he changed his tone, his voice becoming more serious, "I am, after all, a senior in high school, and will graduate and leave school next spring. At that time, the power of the Student Council will change hands. If, during my term, I fail to cultivate enough outstanding talents among the freshmen to stand firm in the future landscape, then after I leave, Vice President Nagumo will definitely lead a joint competition among the grades. This is a situation I absolutely do not want to see."

His sharp gaze swept over the crowd once more.

Therefore, my selection criteria are purposeful.

Those with exceptional abilities can join the Student Council early to gain experience and protection.

Those who lack the necessary skills at the moment will not be accepted. However, they can gain valuable time and space to grow and accumulate strength during their senior year of high school.

"Based on this, I have divided your evaluation into three levels."

Tier 1: Those whose strength surpasses that of Miyabi Nagumo. If such talent can be discovered, I, Horikita Manabu, am willing to offer them one of the core positions in the Student Council before their graduation—one of only two vice presidents. This position requires the power to truly suppress Miyabi Nagumo's ambitions.

Tier 2: Those whose strength can rival that of Miyabi Nagumo. I will give them the important position of Student Council secretary, cultivating them as the backbone to succeed power in the future.

Tier 3: Those who lack the strength to suppress or contend with Miyabi Nagumo, but possess sufficient self-preservation capabilities and will not be easily devoured by her. These individuals can be given ordinary Student Council positions to participate in affairs outside the core circle and accumulate experience.

"Now, let's return to our specific evaluation of you."

Horikita Manabu's gaze became almost tangible, landing on each and every one of them.

Class A Ichinose Honami – "Your abilities and attitude are both excellent. Your leadership, teamwork, fairness, and ability to handle complex interpersonal relationships are the most outstanding among the current first-year students. You belong to the third tier, possessing excellent self-protection skills and able to play an active role within the Student Council framework. Therefore, you are qualified."

Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Hayate of Class A – "Your serious and responsible attitude is commendable. However, your current abilities, whether in terms of strategic thinking or control over complex situations, are not enough to convince me that you can completely protect yourselves under the pressure from Vice President Nagumo. Your abilities are tentatively deemed unqualified."

Sakayanagi Arisu Class B: "Sakayanagi, your intelligence, strategy, and control are undoubtedly top-notch. Your ability assessment is satisfactory, and you may even be close to the edge of the second tier. However, your attitude is lacking. To date, you have failed to truly unify Class B. You need to prove that you can truly lead a group, not just control it."

Katsuragi Kohei Class B) – "You have demonstrated considerable leadership skills and a strong sense of responsibility, and your attitude is satisfactory. However, your current abilities, especially in handling complex struggles that go beyond the established rules, are still insufficient. Your ability assessment is tentatively unsatisfactory."

Ryuen Kakeru from Class C: "Ryuen Kakeru, you were indeed able to gather strength in a short time using 'special' methods, and your attitude was very proactive, so I'll tentatively consider that acceptable. However, your ability assessment is temporarily unsatisfactory. Your methods are too extreme and destructive, easily triggering uncontrollable chain reactions, which could ultimately backfire on you, not to mention your ability to confront Vice President Nagumo. You need to prove that you can achieve higher-level goals within the framework of the rules, or at least without causing significant damage."

Horikita Suzune from Class D: "Suzune, you possess a strong drive to improve, but you are too aloof and lack teamwork and leadership charisma. You have tried to change Class D, but with little success. Furthermore, your own abilities, whether academic, leadership, or strategy, are not yet at a level where you can stand alone. Therefore, both your abilities and attitude are inadequate."

This comment made Horikita Suzune's face turn pale instantly; she bit her lower lip tightly and almost couldn't stand up.

"But,"

Horikita Manabu abruptly changed the subject, throwing out a piece of information that surprised everyone except one person, but for some it was merely confirmation.

"Class D is not without talent. Tanaka Yukishin's personal abilities—whether it's physical strength, decisiveness, or a certain special intuition—show potential that's top-tier. He has the potential to surpass Miyabi Nagumo."

The three students from Class A nodded slightly, their faces showing an "I knew it" expression.

As the core members of Class A, they had already made contact with this low-key but unfathomably powerful boy from Class D.

Sakayanagi Arisu's fingertips continued tapping the armrest in a consistent rhythm, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

As a student, she was naturally well aware of Tanaka -sensei's existence and abilities.

A hint of seriousness flashed in Ryuen Kakeru's narrowed eyes.

Horikita Suzune's face remained pale.

But there wasn't much surprise in his eyes; rather, there was more complexity.

She was well aware of Tanaka Yukishin's strength, but she never imagined that her brother would comment on her so publicly, and place her on such a high pedestal.

Katsuragi Kohei was the only one who seemed surprised.

His expression froze instantly, his pupils dilated in extreme shock, and his hands on his lap clenched tightly!

"Tanaka Yukishin? That... Club Tyrant from Class D?"

He gasped in disbelief.

This information was like a bombshell to him!

He had always thought that only a few people, such as Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, were barely keeping Class D afloat.

I never imagined that Tanaka Yukishin would be someone Horikita Manabu described as having "potential surpassing Miyabi Nagumo"!

Because he was too low-key and didn't participate in class activities.

A strong sense of shock and frustration from the lack of information welled up inside me.

Unfortunately,

Horikita Manabu continued, his gaze sweeping over the shocked Katsuragi Kohei before returning to Horikita Suzune.

"Tanaka Yukishin currently has no interest in power or organization; she only wants to maintain the status quo, and her attitude is seriously inadequate. Suzune, if you can successfully persuade Tanaka Yukishin to apply to join the Student Council, then I can make an exception and reserve a Student Council secretary position for her. This is Class D, and it's the only important opportunity you currently have."

He looked at everyone one last time.

"As for the other students who haven't fully passed the evaluation yet— Kanzaki, Shibata, Katsuragi, Ryuen Kakeru, and Suzune yourself—if you can improve the parts of your self-evaluation that you haven't passed to a level sufficient to pass by October of this year, then I will still offer you corresponding Student Council positions based on your specific circumstances. This door is not completely closed before October."

Horikita Manabu's words were incredibly informative, striking everyone like a heavy hammer blow, especially Katsuragi Kohei.

Only the low hum of the air conditioner and the faint chirping of cicadas outside the window remained in the Student Council Room.

After a brief silence, Sakayanagi Arisu broke the silence first.

A sweet smile returned to her face, and she nodded slightly.

"I see. Thank you for such a detailed and honest explanation, Chairman Horikita. I understand now."

Her tone revealed neither joy nor anger, but her composure seemed unwavering.

Then, his gaze inadvertently swept over Katsuragi Kohei, who was still in shock, and his smile deepened.

This feeling of Katsuragi only one drunk while she was the only one sober filled her with an unconscious joy.

But then I thought about the reactions of the people around me just now.

She frowned again.

How could the weak possibly know of a treasure like Professor Tanaka's?

Ms. Tanaka is still too kind.

If it were her, these people would only be toys.

Sakayanagi Arisu then maneuvered the wheelchair around.

"Kamuro, let's go."

Kamuro Masumi immediately stepped forward and pushed the wheelchair.

Sakayanagi Arisu's departure first seemed to be a signal.

Katsuragi Kohei barely managed to recover from his shock.

He glanced at Horikita Manabu with a complicated expression, then at Horikita Suzune.

He bowed slightly, then followed silently, filled with questions and a heavy heart.

Ryuen Kakeru took one last look at Horikita Manabu, the pale-faced Horikita Suzune, and Katsuragi Kohei was still processing the information.

He let out a soft, ambiguous laugh, then turned and left.

Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Hayate Ichinose Honami a "good luck" gesture, and then left the room.

Horikita Suzune was the last to leave.

She gave her brother a deep look, her eyes filled with resentment, grievance, and a hint of bewilderment and contemplation after being awakened.

She didn't say anything, turned around and walked quickly out.

Ichinose Honami remained; she needed to receive detailed instruction from her seniors regarding Student Council work.

Chapter 110, Page 109: Unexpectedly Approaching Ayanokoji Kiyotaka

The atmosphere in the long Student Council Room did not lighten much after leaving that serious space.

Sakayanagi Arisu's wheelchair was pushed by Kamuro Masumi, walking at the very front.

She suddenly chuckled softly, the sound somewhat abrupt in the quiet corridor.

"Hehe, this is really interesting."

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the people behind her.

"I always thought Chairman Horikita was a perfect leader who upheld absolute fairness and impartiality. Now it seems that in order to check and balance Vice President Nagumo and to maintain the order he believes in, he can also go to such lengths to plan, even using his own sister as a bridge... This is quite a subtle difference from his seemingly upright and incorruptible image."

These words, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up ripples!

"You!"

Horikita Suzune abruptly stopped, turned around, and glared angrily at Sakayanagi Arisu. Her face flushed red with rage. "You're not allowed to slander my brother! He... he was only thinking of all the students!"

Sakayanagi Arisu slowly turned her wheelchair around to face Horikita Suzune, her face bearing just the right amount of apology.

"Oh dear, Horikita, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to disparage your brother. On the contrary, his ability to remain in the position of president amidst rivals like Vice President Miyabi Nagumo, and to pave the way for the next generation, is truly admirable."

She abruptly changed the subject, her purple eyes flashing with insight.

"I'm simply stating a fact—to remain at the top of this meritocratic school, President Horikita has demonstrated far more than just outward appearances of righteousness. His methods and considerations are far more complex than what we see. To be able to wield the rules with such masterful skill, even at the cost of using every available pawn to achieve strategic goals—that's true strength."

These words, which seemed like an apology but were actually a deeper analysis, made Kanzaki Ryuji, Katsuragi Kohei Ryuen Kakeru, who were following behind, fall into deep thought.

Katsuragi Kohei frowned.

He was still processing the information about Tanaka Yukishin when he heard the sharp analysis of Horikita Manabu's style of doing things, and he felt overwhelmed by the amount of information.

Ryuen Kakeru then revealed an expression of amusement and agreement.

Horikita Suzune bit her lip. She couldn't refute Sakayanagi Arisu's affirmation of her brother's abilities, but the word "pawn" deeply stung her.

Just then, the terminal in Kamuro Masumi's pocket vibrated slightly.

She took it out and quickly glanced at it, then leaned down slightly and whispered a few words in Sakayanagi Arisu's ear.

In an instant, for the first time, an extremely obvious look of astonishment appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face, which had maintained a calm smile the whole time!

Her eyes widened instantly, her pupils contracted slightly, as if struck by an invisible electric current; even the slender fingers resting on the armrests of her wheelchair unconsciously curled up.

"Class D... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?"

She repeated the name almost subconsciously, her voice trembling slightly.

His brows furrowed unusually, his face filled with extreme confusion and disbelief.

A name imprinted in her heart for eight long years, a figure she thought had long since disappeared into the depths of her memory, existing only in that pure white, hellish facility, suddenly crashed into reality!

Is it the same name?

Or... that little boy who once left a deep impression on her?

Was it him?

The boy with vacant eyes in the White Room, yet who shone brightly while playing chess?

Thoughts flashed through my mind like lightning.

After the initial shock, a clear idea quickly took hold of her mind—take advantage of the current Matoba!

She had just been assessed by Horikita Manabu as someone who was on the verge of reaching the second tier, and now she was showing extreme attention and surprise towards an unknown classmate. The sharp-sense class representatives in the corridor would definitely notice this unusual behavior!

Kanzaki Ryuji's caution, Katsuragi Kohei's pragmatism, Ryuen Kakeru's "special methods" and belligerence, Horikita Suzune's persistence...

They will inevitably develop a strong sense of curiosity and vigilance towards the name "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka," and will then pay attention to it and try to probe it!

Perfect.

Sakayanagi Arisu sneered in his heart.

If he's just an unfortunate person with the same name, then he can only blame his bad luck for being targeted by representatives from each class and becoming an innocent victim of this game.

But if...

He really was that boy from the "White Room"...

That would be a perfect opportunity to use these people to test his hidden strength!

Look at this boy who left an indelible mark on her heart for eight long years. Has he, under the polishing of time, become a mediocre "prodigy who failed to live up to his potential," or... has he become even more unfathomable than before?

In a flash, Sakayanagi Arisu quickly adjusted her emotions.

The feigned astonishment on her face hadn't completely faded; instead, she cleverly transformed it into an eagerness tinged with inquiry and seriousness.

She looked up abruptly, her tone unusually urgent and serious, her voice not loud but loud enough for everyone in the corridor to hear clearly.

"A boy with almost no presence and pitifully little information? Kamuro, investigate immediately! I need every single detail about this Ayanokoji Kiyotaka! Don't overlook any specific information!"

Her reaction was even more intense than when she heard Horikita Manabu speak highly of Tanaka Yukishin!

Kamuro Masumi nodded immediately.

"Yes, Sakayanagi."