Tsukishima laughed. "Because I know who Horikita Manabu's enemies are. Having a product isn't enough; you also need to know where to sell it."
What the hell did he know? He'd barely been at the school any time at all.
He'd only heard from a senior in the Manga Club about the ruthless guy who ruled the entire second year. He also knew the man was the student council vice president, but he had no idea what their relationship was like.
But people always needed a little ambition, especially teenagers of seventeen or eighteen, who thought they were second only to the heavens. He couldn't believe the vice president didn't want to be president.
He wasn't sure, but that didn't stop him from using it to mess with Horikita Suzune's state of mind.
Silence fell over the private room again.
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji looked at the coffee in his hand. It's already [checkmate].
Horikita Suzune's hand shook as she held her coffee cup. Her eyes instinctively turned to Horikita Manabu.
Horikita Manabu sighed. "Suzune's identity does have some market value. I'll offer you reasonable terms in exchange for not exploiting it."
Tsukishima rubbed his forehead. "That wasn't what I had in mind, but fine."
Tachibana Akane immediately pulled a sheet of paper from the files she was holding. "A digital copy will be generated at the same time."
Horikita Manabu signed his name, and Tsukishima signed his as well.
"Brother, I..."
Horikita Manabu waved his hand and sat back down, continuing to read the documents in his hands. "This matter is settled. Let's continue."
Looking at the awkward siblings, Tsukishima smiled at Horikita Manabu. "How about one more reasonable condition? What if I give her a little guidance?"
Horikita Manabu glanced at Tsukishima without saying a word.
But he stopped turning the pages.
Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth. "I don't need the kind of guidance you're talking about!"
Tsukishima laughed. "Look, everyone in Class D is defective. You are, I am, and so is Kiyotaka Ayanokouji. You have to face yourself before you can improve."
"I'll make it to Class A. The school's placement must be wrong!"
"But you can't even handle a defective like me. How are you going to make it to Class A? Have some dessert and think carefully about what other bargaining chips you have. Then we can keep negotiating."
Horikita Suzune didn't reach for anything. Her face was set with stubborn resolve. "Then tell me, what bargaining chips do I have?"
Tsukishima picked up a dessert and popped it into his mouth. His entire face twisted at once. "Ugh, it's so bitter!"
Horikita Suzune kept staring at him.
Tsukishima didn't care. He rang the bell, and a server quickly came in. "Do you have any sweets here? That was way too bitter."
The server nodded. "We do. Please wait a moment."
The server's comings and goings seemed to ease the tense atmosphere in the private room, and desserts were soon served.
Tsukishima reached for one and took a bite, nodding in approval. "Please, everyone, help yourselves. Don't be shy. Mr. Horikita is paying for everything today."
Horikita Suzune still didn't touch anything. She glared at Tsukishima. "The school's placement is wrong!"
Tsukishima replied with obvious insincerity. "Sure, sure, the school got it wrong. So, you mighty big shot from Class A, how are you going to make a defective from Class D like me do what you want?"
"I came here to discuss cooperation, not to fight!"
"I never said I wanted to fight you. We are discussing cooperation, but the problem is, you can't persuade me. So, given how things are going, our negotiations are bound to fall through."
Horikita Suzune fell silent again.
Tsukishima leaned back against the sofa and sank into it. "Do you have any other bargaining chips? Points, terms, promises, anything works. Cooperation means negotiating, doesn't it? And you have to give something up to get something."
"You have no real benefits that could sway me, and you're too proud to put aside your young-lady airs and give me the emotional gratification I want. Empty promises aren't enough."
Horikita Suzune remained silent.
Tachibana Akane glanced at Horikita Manabu, who gave her a slight nod.
"Ahem!"
She cleared her throat, but Horikita Suzune didn't look up.
"Ahem, ahem!"
She cleared her throat a few more times, but Horikita Suzune still didn't look up.
Tachibana Akane glanced at Horikita Manabu for help.
Horikita Manabu covered his forehead and reluctantly cleared his throat twice. "Ahem! Ahem!"
Horikita Suzune finally looked up and gazed at Horikita Manabu with concern. "Brother, are you..."
Tachibana Akane cut her off. "Tsukishima, the desserts at this café actually aren't very good. I know a dessert shop with some delicious sweets. Would you like to go try them with me?"
Tsukishima glanced at Horikita Manabu, then smiled. "Sure. I like sweets."
Horikita Suzune bit her lip, her gaze repeatedly drifting toward Horikita Manabu.
Horikita Manabu stood up. "I have something to take care of, so I'll head back first."
After that, he nodded to everyone and quickly left.
Tachibana Akane bowed slightly to Horikita Manabu and said, "The student council is actually quite busy. We have to handle all sorts of matters, and the friction between Class 1-C and Class B has been pretty bad lately."
The two of them left the café side by side.
Horikita Suzune clenched her fists and sat motionless, as though she'd grown roots in her chair.
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji also stood up. "Horikita, would you come with me to buy some sweets?"
"If you want to eat some, then let's go together..."
They walked out of the café and saw Tachibana Akane and Tsukishima slowly making their way toward the dessert shop, chatting as they went.
"Class C is full of delinquents. I hear they're good at playing dirty, but Ichinose Honami from Class B has beaten them several times."
"That's true. There have been plenty of disputes between Class B and Class C lately, and the student council has to deal with them every day." Tachibana Akane paused. "President Horikita is actually quite troubled by it. He says students should be focusing on their studies."
Tsukishima asked curiously, "How does the student council usually handle conflicts?"
Tachibana Akane narrowed her eyes. "By dealing with them according to the School Rules, of course."
She put emphasis on the words "School Rules."
Tsukishima nodded. "Got it."
Tachibana Akane continued walking, her tone casual.
"Those people in Class C aren't really that scary. They like to gather in groups and stir things up, but when something actually happens, Ryuuen... isn't very good at protecting his subordinates."
"Maybe you could stop by the student council when you have some free time. Or take the Main Road, even if it's a bit of a detour."
When she said "Main Road," Tachibana Akane looked up at the security camera on the streetlight.
They chatted as they walked and gradually reached the dessert shop. Horikita and Ayanokouji followed openly behind them.
"Thank you, Secretary Tachibana. I really like this flavor."
"You're welcome. Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you to help me with, Tsukishima."
"No wonder you treated me to dessert. Let's hear it."
At that, the two stopped and looked back at Horikita.
Horikita immediately stopped walking and looked off to the side.
Tachibana Akane turned her gaze away and smiled at Tsukishima. "I should head back."
She tilted her head, considering it. "As for your compensation..."
Tsukishima immediately picked up the thread. "I've already received it. Thank you so much for keeping a lonely person like me company, Secretary Tachibana."
Tachibana Akane's smile grew more sincere. She glanced at Horikita Suzune, who stood motionless in the distance.
"I hope she... understands."
"In that case, I'll be going."
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji looked at Horikita. How much will you learn from this, Horikita?
Before you continue