Tachibana Akane's Secretary Dessert, Information Exchange

Tsukishima laughed. "Because I know who Horikita-senpai's enemies are. Having the product is useless if you don't know the sales channel."

He didn't know a damn thing. He'd only been at this school for how long?

All he'd heard from the Manga Club seniors was that there was a ruthless figure who dominated the entire second year, and that this person was the Student Council Vice President. As for this guy's relationship with Horikita Manabu, he had no clue.

But people always need ambition, especially seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youths who think they're second only to heaven. He refused to believe this Vice President didn't want to be President.

Even if he wasn't sure, it didn't stop him from using it to mess with Horikita Suzune's head.

The private room fell silent again.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji looked at the coffee in his hand: Already [checkmated], huh.

Horikita Suzune's hand holding the coffee cup was trembling. Her eyes instinctively darted toward Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Manabu sighed. "Suzune's identity does have a sales channel. A reasonable condition in exchange for you not using that channel."

Tsukishima rubbed his forehead. "That wasn't my angle, but fine."

Tachibana Akane immediately pulled a document from the stack she was holding. "An electronic version will be synced as well."

Horikita Manabu signed his name. Tsukishima signed his name too.

"Brother, I..."

Horikita Manabu waved his hand, sat back down, and continued reading the papers in his hand. "This matter is over. Let's continue."

Tsukishima looked at the awkward siblings, then smiled at Horikita Manabu. "One more reasonable condition, and I'll guide her a bit. How about it?"

Horikita Manabu glanced at Tsukishima but said nothing.

But his hand stopped flipping through the papers.

Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth. "I don't need the 'guidance' you're talking about!"

Tsukishima laughed. "Look, Class D is full of defective products. You are, I am, and Kiyotaka Ayanokouji is too. Face yourself before you can improve yourself."

"I will definitely rise to Class A! The school's placement is a mistake!"

"But you can't even handle a defective product like me. How are you going to rise to Class A? Have some snacks first, think carefully about what other cards you have, and we'll continue negotiating."

Horikita Suzune didn't reach out, her face full of stubbornness. "Then tell me, what other cards do I have?"

Tsukishima picked up a snack and shoved it into his mouth, his face instantly scrunching up. "Ugh, so bitter!"

Horikita Suzune kept staring at him.

Tsukishima didn't care at all. He rang the bell, and a waiter quickly entered. "Does your shop have any desserts? This is way too bitter."

The waiter nodded. "Yes, we do. Please wait a moment."

The waiter's entrance and exit seemed to dilute the tense atmosphere in the private room, and the desserts were soon placed on the table.

Tsukishima reached for one, took a bite, and nodded in satisfaction. "Everyone, help yourselves. Don't be shy. Today, it's all on Horikita-sama."

Horikita Suzune still didn't move. She stared hard at Tsukishima. "The school's placement is wrong!"

Tsukishima was extremely dismissive. "Right, right, right. The school got it wrong. So, oh great super-Class-A big shot, how do you plan to make this defective Class D product submit?"

"I came to discuss cooperation with you, not to fight!"

"I didn't want to fight either. We really are discussing cooperation. But the problem now is that you can't convince me. So, at this rate, our negotiations are bound to break down."

Horikita Suzune went quiet again.

Tsukishima leaned back into the sofa, sinking into it. "What other cards do you have? Points, conditions, promises—anything works. Cooperation requires negotiation, right? And you have to give to get."

"You don't have any real benefits to move me, and you can't swallow that young lady's pride to give me emotional value. Just painting pies won't cut it."

Horikita Suzune still didn't move.

Tachibana Akane glanced at Horikita Manabu. He gave a slight nod.

"Ahem!"

She coughed dryly. Horikita Suzune didn't look up.

"Ahem, ahem!"

She coughed again. Horikita Suzune still didn't look up.

Tachibana Akane looked to Horikita Manabu for help.

Horikita Manabu covered his forehead, steeled himself, and coughed twice. "Ahem! Ahem!"

Horikita Suzune finally lifted her head, looking at Horikita Manabu with concern. "Brother, you..."

Tachibana Akane cut her off. "Tsukishima-kun, this café's desserts aren't actually that great. I know a pastry shop with excellent sweets. Want to go try them together?"

Tsukishima glanced at Horikita Manabu, then put on a smile. "Of course. I love sweets."

Horikita Suzune bit her lip, her gaze constantly drifting toward Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Manabu stood up. "I have things to do. I'll head back first."

After speaking, he nodded to everyone and quickly left.

Tachibana Akane gave a slight bow toward Horikita Manabu and said, "The Student Council is actually quite busy. There are all sorts of things to handle. The friction between Class C and Class B in the first year has been pretty serious lately."

The two of them left the coffee shop side by side.

Horikita Suzune clenched her fists, rooted to the spot as if glued to the chair.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji also stood up. "Horikita, would you like to accompany me to buy some sweets?"

"Since you want to eat, I suppose I'll go along..."

The two stepped out of the coffee shop and noticed Tachibana Akane and Tsukishima slowly edging toward the dessert shop, chatting as they moved.

"Class C is full of delinquents. They're said to be masters at playing dirty, but they've been thwarted a few times by Ichinose Honami of Class B."

"That's true. There have been quite a few disputes between Class B and Class C lately, and the Student Council has to deal with them every day." Tachibana paused. "President Horikita is actually quite troubled by it. He says students should be focusing their energy on studying."

Tsukishima asked curiously, "So how does the Student Council usually handle conflicts when they arise?"

Tachibana narrowed her eyes. "Naturally, we handle them according to the School Rules."

She emphasized the words 'School Rules.'

Tsukishima nodded. "Understood."

Tachibana continued walking forward, her tone casual.

"Those Class C people aren't really that scary. They like to gang up and cause a ruckus, but when something actually happens, that guy Ryuuen... isn't too inclined to protect his subordinates."

"Maybe you could drop by the Student Council when you have nothing to do, or take the Main Road. It's a bit roundabout, though."

When she said 'Main Road,' Tachibana glanced up at the surveillance camera on the streetlamp.

The two walked and talked, gradually arriving at the dessert shop, with Horikita and Ayanokouji following openly behind them.

"Thank you, Secretary Tachibana. I really like this flavor."

"You're welcome. Actually, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with, Tsukishima."

"No wonder you treated me to dessert. Go ahead, let's hear it."

The two stopped talking there and simultaneously looked toward Horikita behind them.

Horikita immediately halted and looked away.

Tachibana withdrew her gaze and smiled at Tsukishima. "I should be going now."

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "As for the compensation..."

Tsukishima quickly picked up the thread. "I've already received it. Thank you very much, Secretary Tachibana, for keeping this lonely person company in conversation."

The sincerity in Tachibana's smile deepened. She glanced at Horikita Suzune, standing frozen in the distance.

"I hope she... understands."

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji looked at Horikita. How much will you learn from this, Horikita?