Kiyotaka Ayano-koji's Day of Misfortune

He realized something instantly.

As expected, Tanaka Yukishin... his desire to join had always existed.

However, he was hoping the school would invite him to join.

Suzune... how did she do it? What leverage did she use?

More importantly, how does she define her role in this deal?

What did you use to win him over?

Horikita Manabu's question went straight to the heart of the matter, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing through his sister's calm facade.

Horikita Suzune had anticipated this question, especially with Ichinose Honami, the shrewd leader of Class A, standing nearby.

Noticing the curious look from Ichinose Honami, she knew her answer was crucial.

While using someone else's authority to intimidate others may be a strategy, if the "tiger" doesn't participate in the actual work of the Student Council at all, this lie will soon be exposed in front of the Student Council members who work with them day and night.

The details of the agreement she had reached with Tanaka flashed through her mind, and she selectively revealed parts of the truth.

The answer is nine true and one false.

"Exchange of benefits"

Horikita Suzune's voice was calm and even, stating a carefully crafted "fact".

"It's well-known that Tanaka Yukishin himself lacks enthusiasm for participating in daily class affairs. However, as a member of the class, the atmosphere of the group, certain mandatory activities or rules, will always inadvertently cause him trouble and annoyance. I used this as a starting point to reach an agreement with him."

That sounds quite reasonable.

Tachibana Akane nodded thoughtfully, her pen tapping lightly on the paper.

Horikita Suzune paused slightly, organizing her thoughts to ensure her logic was clear and accurate.

"He agreed to accept the position of Student Council secretary. In exchange, he only needs to personally attend all important meetings that the Student Council explicitly requires his attendance. Furthermore, within the scope of the secretary's authority, he promises to appropriately fulfill his duties and play his role when the school has relevant matters to attend to."

Hearing Ichinose Honami frowned slightly, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

"As for the price I paid," Horikita Suzune continued, her tone frank, "I took over his daily Student Council secretary duties. At the class level, as part of the exchange, he only needed to act as a ghost member in future class activities, fulfilling the minimum participation requirements, such as not being absent... but without having to put in too much effort. We each got what we wanted; he gained maximum freedom, while I gained the convenience and nominal support that the Student Council secretary position brought to the class and to myself."

This explanation cleverly obscures the key point.

It was emphasized that Tanaka Yukishin would properly perform her duties in "meetings that require her personal attendance" and "matters within her authority".

It sounds reasonable and fits Tanaka Yukishin's consistent image of being "averse to trouble" but not entirely unreasonable.

Most importantly, Horikita Suzune took the initiative to take on the "substitute work".

Including the promise of "ghost class members" at the class level as part of the exchange greatly increases the credibility of the entire deal.

Exchange of benefits... substitute work... ghost employees... very much in line with Tanaka's style.

Suzune grasped his core desire to avoid trouble and pursue freedom, using actual labor to gain nominal and key support.

This strategy... while taking advantage of the ambiguity of the rules, is logically consistent, and she proactively took on most of the responsibility.

It seems she has indeed learned something from "pooling power" and "exchanging benefits" and found a way to apply it that suits her.

But... won't the Student Council have to have another "shadow secretary" from now on?

Something feels a little strange...

Horikita Manabu received a logically satisfactory answer that could withstand short-term scrutiny.

He nodded slightly, no longer asking for details, and turned to Tachibana Akane.

"Tachibana Akane, you'll be in charge of the procedures for Tanaka Yukishin's joining and her subsequent work arrangements..."

"President!" Tachibana Akane suddenly interrupted, her face showing a hint of helplessness and protest, "I'm all alone! The Student Council's daily work is already busy enough, why do I have to mentor two apprentices? Besides..."

She glanced at Horikita Suzune, then looked at Horikita Manabu, her tone slightly teasing.

"Suzune is your own sister! As her older brother, shouldn't you take responsibility and personally teach her about Student Council affairs? You always push things onto me!"

Horikita Manabu clearly did not expect that Tachibana Akane would "go on strike" and "pass the buck" at this juncture.

A rare look of surprise crossed his face.

Tachibana Akane...

Horikita Suzune watched Tachibana Akane "speak up for her," her affection for her quietly increased.

The senior who had always assisted her brother seemed especially kind at this moment.

Horikita Manabu quickly regained his composure, adjusted his glasses, and pondered for a few seconds.

Personally teaching Suzune?

This is indeed an excellent opportunity to observe her growth up close and to understand the substance of her collaboration with Tanaka Yukishin.

"Alright."

Horikita Manabu made his decision, turning his gaze to Horikita Suzune. His tone remained calm, but there was a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible.

"Suzune, I will personally guide you through the specific content, procedures, and guidelines for the Student Council secretary's work, as well as the scope and precautions for your temporary duties. I hope you will not waste this... hard-won opportunity."

Yes, brother.

Horikita Suzune bowed slightly, her tone respectful, but a resolute flame burned in her eyes.

"Use your job title when you're at work"

Horikita Manabu corrected him.

"Yes, Chairman."

Horikita Suzune.

Tachibana Akane shook her head helplessly at the scene.

They're clearly siblings who care about each other, so why are they acting so awkwardly?

Chapter 120, page 119 Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's Day of Suffering

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, nicknamed "White Room's Greatest Masterpiece".

It is the only "perfect product" that took twenty years, tens of billions of yen, and hundreds of students to build.

His abilities are undoubtedly top-notch.

However, after entering the Advanced Nurturing High School, he became like a beast that had sheathed its claws, its sharpness concealed.

This contradicts the core belief he received in the White Room: "To possess power and not use it is the mark of a true fool."

Why?

Because they left that closed cage.

After truly experiencing the vast, complex, and unknown real world.

He immediately realized that the ironclad rule was nothing but nonsense.

Having power but not using it, or having no power but being able to use it.

That is a problem.

How to use it and when to use it are another question altogether.

What is the significance of his existence?

He had overheard the bigwigs who controlled the White Room talking about it.

The original quote was roughly. "The goal isn't to produce top students and stuff them into politics to win. What we need is a weapon that can fulfill any request, a monster that can defeat all opponents, never yield, and has an iron will. Once such a monster appears, it can slice through the current corrupt political system piece by piece."

How ridiculous.

Even a "child" like him, who was created, understands the simplest truth.

When a person is killed, they die.

Those powerful figures naively believed that simply cultivating an invincible monster would end the corruption in politics?

Let's put aside the question of why this monster should listen to them.

Even if they really do obey...

One bullet can end everything.

Such educational facilities are led by an utterly foolish person.

However, he was also well aware of how enormous such a facility would be for him.

Therefore, he did not immediately resist.

Instead, they chose to lie low.

The state, as the largest social organization, relies on legitimate and the strongest form of violence.

While the White Room may not be as powerful as it is, it is still an organization whose violence far surpasses what he can currently contend with.

His purpose in entering the Advanced Nurturing High School was simple.

Like an ordinary high school student, I spent three years of school life peacefully.

Unfortunately, this peace has been broken again in the last two days.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka walked through the campus, he felt the subtle gazes he was receiving.

It wasn't an open scrutiny, but rather a prying look tinged with curiosity and doubt.

This made him feel a little depressed.

Being forced into a "celebrity" status by teachers and classmates at the start of the school year is troublesome enough.

Afterwards, he put in a lot of effort to systematically and discreetly reduce his presence.

The cost was a significant reduction in interaction with others—rarely being invited out for meals, games, or shopping...

But the results were remarkable.

His status in the class finally dropped from a "celebrity" at the center of attention to an ordinary student who was "only slightly better than an inconspicuous, nameless passerby".

So, what's the deal with these gazes now?

He observed it discreetly.

The sources of attention were varied, but they were primarily focused on first-year students, specifically from classes A, B, and C.

This immediately put him on alert.

Something must have happened that he doesn't know about, and it's related to class competition.

The problem was that he had no friends from other classes, his access to information was extremely limited, and he had no way of knowing or speculating what had happened.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood by the window in the corridor, looking down at the noisy playground.

The sun was shining brightly, but those veiled gazes felt like tiny thorns pricking my back.

He needs information.

In Class D, who possesses the most extensive intelligence network?

The answer is obvious: Kushida Kikyo.

Their "friends" are everywhere on campus, and their information network is astonishing.

Although taking the initiative to contact Kushida Kikyo means that he may break the low profile he has worked so hard to maintain, and may even be entangled by her excessive "kindness".

But right now, acquiring information is a higher priority.

After weighing the pros and cons, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka decided to go and ask Kushida Kikyo about the situation.

This is currently the most direct and efficient option.

He turned and walked steadily toward the classroom.

In the classroom, Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, Wang Meiyu, Inogashira Kokoro were chatting.

With Kushida Kikyo at the core of her "circle of friends" Hirata Yosuke acting as a mediator, Horikita Suzune has been interacting more with her classmates in recent days.

This can be considered as officially etching Horikita Suzune's existence into the leadership circle in the hearts of the students of Class D.

Kushida Kikyo flipped through a fashion magazine with great interest, pointed to a page, and said to Wang Meiyu and Inogashira Kokoro beside her.

"Look, aren't these new nail polish colors super cute? Want to try them out this weekend? I heard XX store is having a promotion."

"It really does! It's gentle and makes your skin look brighter."