Failed Conversation / Airi Sakura Feels Like She's Dreaming

She emphasized this premise, speaking faster as if afraid that she would lose her courage if she paused.

"If in the future, he's destined to be surrounded by more than just one person... if that's truly an unchangeable fact..."

She paused for a moment, as if gathering her last bit of strength.

Then, with all his might, he uttered that earth-shattering conclusion.

"Then, I hope that the partner standing beside me is you, Sakura Airi."

"Snap!"

Sakura Airi's chopsticks fell to the floor with a crisp sound.

She froze completely, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes wide open, as if she were seeing her friend for the first time.

The immense shock rendered her incapable of reacting; her mind went blank, and she could only stare blankly at Karuizawa Kei.

What did you just hear?

What is Hui-chan saying?!

"Megumi... Megumi-chan... you... what you just said..."

Sakura Airi stammered, her face flushed red, feeling as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

The words she had just heard were so informative and impactful that they left her feeling dizzy.

Karuizawa Kei was calmer at this moment, with a hint of composure after burning her bridges.

"It means exactly what it says, Sakura Airi. I know it sounds absurd, but... some feelings and premonitions just can't be faked."

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the comfortable sofa in the corner of the activity room.

Sakura Airi followed her gaze and froze instantly.

Tanaka Yukishin was seen reclining there, her eyes closed, seemingly taking a nap.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting soft shadows on his sharply defined profile.

His breathing was even, as if he were completely unaware of the momentous declaration that had just been made about him.

Sakura Airi was speechless, her mind completely blank.

She could only stare blankly at the quiet figure on the sofa, then glance at Karuizawa Kei beside her, whose expression was complicated.

The series of immense shocks and bewilderment she experienced in a short period of time completely robbed her of the ability to organize her thoughts.

Karuizawa Kei also saw Tanaka Yukishin, and two red clouds instantly appeared on her face.

There was both the embarrassment of being caught and a sense of relief, like "I've already said it all."

She pressed her lips tightly together, waiting for a reaction she herself could not predict.

Inside the activity room, the afternoon sun was still warm, but the air felt still.

Only Sakura Airi's rapid heartbeat and the unresolved silence remained.

Chapter 124, 123: Conversation Failed

The sunlight after school slanted into the quiet reception room of the old teaching building.

The air was filled with the faint scent of wooden furniture and a subtle sense of confrontation.

Miyabi Nagumo sat gracefully on a single sofa, a steaming cup of black tea beside her, its aroma rising gently.

He wore a perfect social smile, but his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, locked onto the arrogant young man opposite him.

"Ryuen,"

Miyabi Nagumo's voice was gentle and pleasant, as if she were chatting casually, "Your abilities are truly impressive among the first-year students. Under your leadership, Class C has shown a... 'unique' vitality. The Student Council highly values every talented individual with potential."

He picked up the teacup, gently blew away the foam, and moved with composure.

"Especially for leaders like you, who are unconventional and dare to break with tradition. The Student Council needs this kind of fresh blood and way of thinking."

Miyabi Nagumo deliberately emphasized her "way of thinking" in a barely perceptible tone.

Ryuen Kakeru grinned, revealing a smile that was a mixture of wildness and mockery.

He leaned forward, his elbows casually resting on his knees, his eyes meeting Miyabi Nagumo's gaze without flinching, sizing her up like a wild beast.

"Heh, Vice President, you flatter me. I'm used to working my own way, and I'm afraid of places with too many rules where I can't really do what I want."

He abruptly changed the subject, getting straight to the point. "Fresh blood? What can fresh blood do in the Student Council? Will they serve tea and water to Vice President Nagumo, or... can they actually do something interesting?"

Miyabi Nagumo's smile remained unchanged, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

He put down his teacup, making a soft clinking sound.

Leaning slightly forward instantly shortened the invisible distance between us.

His voice was lowered, carrying a seductive quality.

"Serving tea and water is unnecessary; what the Student Council needs is the power to bring about change."

"As for interesting things... the scope determines the size of the stage. Constantly floundering in the small pond of a class limits your potential. But in the Student Council... the resources, information, and leverage you can access are unimaginable at the class level."

He paused for a meaningful moment.

A light tap of the fingertip on the table is like knocking on a hidden door.

"Some rules can only be seen more clearly from a higher perspective, and... there is a greater opportunity to redefine them."

Ryuen Kakeru let out a short, mocking laugh, his eyes gleaming with undisguised greed and scheming.

"That sounds tempting. But, Vice President, anyone can make empty promises. I need to see real leverage, something that will allow me to move something substantial. Like... some crucial information? Or something that will make it easier for my people to operate in certain key positions?"

He stated his price directly and frankly, without any beating around the bush.

Miyabi Nagumo's smile faded slightly, and her eyes became deep and unfathomable.

He leaned back on the sofa, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

"Ryuen, cooperation requires sincerity, and even more so... mutual trust. Thinking you can achieve everything overnight is unrealistic."

"The doors to the Student Council are open, but the path to its core requires taking it one step at a time, earning it through strength, a clear understanding of its role, and a firm stance."

Miyabi Nagumo sneered inwardly. Ryuen Kakeru's appetite and ambition were even greater than she had anticipated, and he made no attempt to hide it.

Such a person is like a double-edged sword, sharp but also extremely prone to hurting themselves.

Ryuen Kakeru stood up, his tall figure exuding an aura of oppression. He looked down at Miyabi Nagumo with a blatantly provocative smile.

"Strength? Position? Stance?"

"I'll show you my strength. As for my position? Heh, I, Ryuen Kakeru, am only used to standing at the top, or... pulling those above down. Vice President, it seems our friendly exchange today has to end here?"

He clearly had no interest in Miyabi Nagumo's empty promises and attempts to win him over.

Miyabi Nagumo slowly stood up, her face once again displaying that gentle yet aloof smile.

"Of course, it's regrettable that we couldn't reach a deeper consensus. However, Ryuen, remember what I said today. The doors of the Student Council are always open for a promising talent like you. But ultimately, the path you choose is up to you."

He extended his hand, making a gesture of seeing the guest out.

Ryuen Kakeru didn't even glance at Miyabi Nagumo's outstretched hand. He turned and strode towards the door, leaving behind only a boastful remark.

"Don't bother! I, Ryuen Kakeru, will only follow my own rules! Student Council? We'll talk about that later."

He was thrown up with a "bang".

Miyabi Nagumo was the only one left in the reception room.

The smile on his face vanished instantly, leaving only a cold scrutiny and a hint of displeasure at being offended.

He walked to the window and watched Ryuen Kakeru's arrogant figure disappear at the end of the tree-lined path, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

This tough nut to crack was harder than he had anticipated, and even more... illogical.

The other party's behavior was too blunt, bordering on foolish.

This is completely inconsistent with the cunning and patience that Ryuen Kakeru showed in his previous schemes against Ken Sudō and his attacks on Class D.

A strong sense of unease welled up inside me.

Has Horikita Manabu, without his knowledge, already come into contact with Ryuen Kakeru, and perhaps even reached some kind of tacit understanding?

Otherwise, given Ryuen Kakeru's shrewdness, he shouldn't have been so short-sighted and resistant to the opportunity to gain information and power by joining the Student Council.

If Horikita Manabu had planted the seed first...

Miyabi Nagumo shook her head, dismissing the idea from her mind.

Ryuen Kakeru Sho took an unconventional approach, before demonstrating sufficient ability.

Given Horikita Manabu's logic, it's impossible for him to allow the other party to join the Student Council.

However, this experience was still somewhat fruitful.

He observed something about Ryuen Kakeru's true nature during their conversation.

What he needs is a compliant knife, not a venomous snake that might turn on its master at any moment.

Such a person cannot be allowed into the Student Council's chess game center for the time being.

As for the others?

Horikita Manabu hasn't graduated, then Miyabi Nagumo is just a vice president.

Limited rights and low tolerance for error.

The only one, Tanaka Yukishin, was someone who shared the same unofficial lineage as Horikita Manabu.

It either depends on the individual's wishes, or it requires the school leadership to step in and invest massive resources to satisfy those wishes and change their mind.

Why would someone as outstanding as him willingly become the first to "go backward"?

It wasn't even the promised resource allocation and "green channel" for future development from the Nostalgia Faction leaders; that kind of "corruption" was simply too tempting to resist.

Only then did he willingly serve the old guard on the school board, as a pawn to check and balance the reformists.

Of course, he doesn't deny that he's very interested in Horikita Manabu.

Walking back to the dormitory, a strong, cool wind blew through Ryuen Kakeru's hair.

He pondered the conversation they had just had, a cold smile playing on his lips.

As a "bad boy" who fought his way up the ranks, winning and losing are commonplace for him.

He's not invincible.

But in the end, he was the one who always won.

Therefore, he never minded bowing his head temporarily as long as it could bring him final victory.

Miyabi Nagumo's attitude disgusted him—it wasn't negotiation, but more like a condescending act of charity or a test.

"Ask for an exorbitant price, then negotiate on the spot." He proposed a price, and if the other party was sincere, they should give a corresponding "deposit" to show their respect.

He, Ryuen Kakeru, would naturally adjust the level of his reciprocation based on the other party's "sincerity."

However, the other party started talking to him about "strength" and "positioning"?

This treats him like one of those brainless brats who can be easily manipulated.

Since the other party subconsciously felt that he, Ryuen Kakeru, was not qualified to have an equal dialogue, then this so-called "cooperation" was simply a joke.

Naturally, there's no need to continue the discussion.

Horikita Manabu, as the Student Council, directly addressed their ideological differences.

The goal is to remind them, not to force them to take sides.

That means that, as the Student Council, he successfully and effectively suppressed Miyabi Nagumo.

With Horikita Manabu leading the charge, what can Miyabi Nagumo do?

As for Miyabi Nagumo becoming the Student Council, that was a year later.

Since we can't reach an agreement right now, all we need to do is follow Horikita Manabu's advice.

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

Those who are not yet capable will not be accepted. However, they can gain valuable time and space to grow and accumulate strength during their senior year of Horikita Manabu.

Chapter 125, Section 124: Sakura Airi feels like she's dreaming.

Since yesterday noon, Karuizawa Kei's earth-shattering words have struck my ears.