Class Representative Election, Kushida Takes Over

[Kushida]: "Now that I'm class representative, honestly, are you the one pulling Hirata's strings behind the scenes?"

[Yuto]: "Mm, I gave him a few suggestions. As for pulling strings, not really. I can't be bothered with that stuff."

[Kushida]: "[Rolls eyes] Can't be bothered? Looks to me like you're having a blast running things!"

[Yuto]: "Who told those two idiots Yamauchi and the Class C guys to target me? I had to give them something to deal with. Anyway, anything else?"

[Kushida]: "Tch, you're a real bastard, you know that!"

[Ichinose]: "I've reached an agreement with Class D."

[Yuto]: "I know, but it's got nothing to do with me. The points never passed through my hands, so why would I care?"

[Ichinose]: "..."

Yuto let out a long breath and put down his phone.

"The hell is wrong with all of them, trying to climb to the top of Kodo Ikusei or something?"

He spat, picked up his brush, and continued sketching the tip of a little devil's tail.

The little devil's outline was mostly done. Just some details and coloring left, and it'd be a perfect poster.

Elsewhere.

In Sudo's dorm, Hirata sat on the bed talking heart-to-heart with Sudo, strictly following the method Yuto had provided, speaking softly and empathizing with him.

"Sudo, I hope you can grow too. At the very least, don't let yourself be used like in this incident. You carry a lot of responsibility, so you have to learn to listen to others' opinions. If there's anything you don't understand, you can always come talk to me."

"Ah, honestly, it's my fault too. As class rep, I should have noticed everyone's difficulties sooner and proactively helped solve them. I hope you can forgive me, Sudo."

Sudo turned his head away: "Alright, alright, enough already. I get it. I'll listen to Matsushita Chiaki more."

Hirata emphasized: "Not listen to her, but listen to her opinions. The decision is still yours."

Sudo scratched his head: "Got it. Talk to her more, talk to others more, listen to more opinions, and don't make decisions on impulse."

Hirata smiled gently: "Sudo, I'm looking forward to your growth."

He stood up and gave a deep bow: "I'm counting on you, Sudo!"

Sudo scrambled to lift him up, flustered: "This... I... I got it! I'll do my best!"

Hirata left Sudo and began thinking about Karuizawa Kei's situation.

He knew about Karuizawa being bullied in middle school, and that her fake relationship with him was to rely on him and avoid being bullied again.

Maybe he could care for her more and guide her?

He set the thought of Karuizawa aside for now.

He pulled out his phone and opened his chat with Yuto.

[Hirata]: I went and talked to everyone. Should we launch an offensive against Class C next? How should we attack?

[Yuto]: Not my business. Do whatever you want. The class isn't full of idiots—there are plenty of smart people. Ask them. As long as we screw over Class C, I'm happy. How you do it is up to you.

[Hirata]: But Yuto, if you joined in, the class's strength would definitely be greater!

[Yuto]: No buts. That's it. Don't contact me about stuff from now on either. Figure it out yourself or consult Horikita as an advisor. She'll probably agree. If she doesn't, Ayanokouji will make her. Oh, and watch out for Ayanokouji. Don't go talk to him, just pay attention to what he says. That bastard likes dropping hints and guiding people. That's all.

Hirata typed out a reply and hit send, but the message spun for a few rounds before a red exclamation mark appeared.

You are not friends with this user...

Hirata froze, staring at the screen for a long time.

Yuto... is he trying to make me stand on my own?

He gave a bitter smile and put down his phone.

After deleting Hirata as a friend, Yuto set his phone aside.

Honestly, he'd only pushed for class integration because the timing was right. If those two apes Yamauchi and Ike hadn't come after him, he wouldn't have blown up at them in class, wouldn't have caught the Class C eavesdropper, and none of the class integration would have happened.

As for giving Hirata advice and ideas, his goal was simple: one, to give those big shots something to do, and two, to give Class C something to worry about.

As for secretly ruling the class? Honestly, he had zero interest in that.

It's just school. Why does it have to be like Suzuran High, with everyone fighting to reach the top?

The night passed without incident.

Yuto came to class as usual. Quite a few people were already there, gathered in small groups chatting.

Yuto listened for a bit. Mostly it was about Hirata's election after school yesterday, the contract with Class B that had significantly improved everyone's living conditions, and how to cause trouble for Class C.

Good. Looked fine for now.

Yuto stopped paying attention.

The bell rang. Sae Chabashira walked in on her high heels, swept her gaze across the room, then stared at Yuto for a moment. She let out a scoff and started the lesson.

Yuto's expression didn't change. He answered questions when called on, took notes as usual.

"Yuto Tsukishima, come with me."

The bell for the end of class had just rung.

Sae Chabashira forcefully cut off the unfinished segment of her lecture, crossed her arms, and cast a cold glare at Tsukishima.

The classroom instantly fell silent.

Tsukishima's expression remained unchanged as he stood up and followed Sae Chabashira out.

The classroom erupted in an instant.

"Hey hey hey, that Tsukishima guy got called out by the teacher."

"Tch, that guy really is a troublemaker."

"What's going on? Tsukishima's arrogant, sure, but he doesn't seem to have broken any School Rules, right?"

"He must have pissed off the teacher by selling info to Class D."

"Oh, I see..."

"Honestly, we were pretty harsh back then too..."

"But man, he was really cool yesterday!"

Tsukishima followed Sae Chabashira to the Rooftop.

Once on the Rooftop, Sae Chabashira pulled a cigarette from her pocket, lit it, and began puffing clouds of smoke, leaving Tsukishima standing aside.

Tsukishima was a bit annoyed and spoke with a sharp edge: "Teacher Chabashira, the wind on the Rooftop is pretty strong. If you just wanted me to admire your smoking prowess, I'll head back now."

Sae Chabashira let out a cold laugh: "Seems like yesterday's events have made you more confident."

Tsukishima kept a smile on his face: "There was nothing about yesterday that violated any School Rules. If you're trying to threaten me into doing something, you'll need to find another angle."

"Hmph! Threaten? I wouldn't stoop to threatening a student. I just wanted to ask the de facto ruler of this class about your plans going forward."

"No particular plans. Study the curriculum, study manga, study making desserts. Maybe I'll focus on the collaboration between the Manga Club and Sweet Talk Dessert Shop. You're welcome to come taste my desserts, Teacher Chabashira."

"Heh, if you don't want to talk, fine. What do you think of Horikita Suzune?"

"If you're hinting that I should keep an eye on Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, Teacher, you could just say it directly."