Class Representative Election, Kushida Takes the Lead

[Kushida]: I became the class representative. Honestly, are you controlling Hirata from behind the scenes?

[Tsukishima]: Yeah, I gave him a few suggestions. As for controlling him, I wouldn't go that far. I can't be bothered to deal with all that.

[Kushida]: [Rolls her eyes] Can't be bothered? You seem to be having a great time managing things!

[Tsukishima]: What can I say? Those two idiots, Yamauchi and Ike, and the people in Class C made me their target. I had to give them something else to worry about. Anyway, what else?

[Kushida]: Tsk, you really are a bastard!

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

[Tsukishima]: I know, but that has nothing to do with me. If the points didn't pass through my hands, why should I care about it?

[Ichinose]: ...

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

"Damn, every last one of them acts like there's something wrong with them. They all planning to climb to the top of Kodo Ikusei or what?"

He spat and picked up his pen again, continuing to sketch the tip of the little devil's tail.

The little devil was mostly finished. All that remained were some details and coloring, and then it would be a perfect poster.

Meanwhile.

In Sudo's dorm room, Hirata sat on the bed talking things through with Sudo. He followed the method Tsukishima had suggested, gently empathizing with Sudo.

"Sudo, I hope you can grow as a person too. At the very least, I don't want you to be manipulated like you were in this incident. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, so you need to learn to listen to other people's opinions. If there's anything you don't understand, you can always come talk to me."

"Come to think of it, I'm partly to blame. As class leader, I should've noticed everyone's difficulties sooner and taken the initiative to help. I hope you can forgive me, Sudo."

Sudo turned his head away. "All right, all right, enough already. I get it. I'll listen to Matsushita Chiaki more."

Hirata clarified, "It's not about doing what she says. It's about listening to her opinion. The decision is still yours."

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

Hirata smiled warmly. "I'm looking forward to seeing you grow, Sudo."

He stood up and bowed deeply. "I'm counting on you, Sudo!"

Sudo hurriedly helped him back up. "Th-this... I... I understand. I'll do my best!"

After leaving Sudo, Hirata began thinking about Karuizawa Kei.

He knew she had been bullied in middle school, and he also knew she had pretended to date him so she could rely on him to avoid being bullied.

Maybe he could show her more concern and help her open up?

For now, he put the matter of Karuizawa aside.

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

[Hirata]: I've talked to all of them. Should we launch an attack on Class C next? How should we do it?

[Tsukishima]: Not my problem. Do whatever you want. Not everyone in the class is an idiot; there are plenty of smart people too. Ask them. As long as you give Class C trouble, I'll be happy. I don't care how you do it.

[Hirata]: But, Tsukishima, wouldn't the class be much stronger if you joined us?

[Tsukishima]: No buts. That's it. Don't contact me about this again. Figure it out yourselves or ask Horikita to be your adviser. She'll probably agree. If she doesn't, Ayanokouji will make her. Oh, and keep an eye on Ayanokouji. You don't need to go talk to him; just pay attention to what he says. He likes to offer reminders and guidance. That's all.

Hirata typed out a message and hit send, but after spinning for a while, a red exclamation mark appeared.

You are not friends with this user...

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

Tsukishima... Is he trying to make me stand on my own?

He gave a wry smile and put his phone down.

After deleting Hirata from his contacts, Tsukishima set his phone aside.

Honestly, he'd only pushed for the class to come together because the timing happened to work out. If Yamauchi and Ike, those two ape-men, hadn't messed with him, he wouldn't have blown up at them in class. Then there wouldn't have been the follow-up hunt for Class C's eavesdropper, and the class wouldn't have united.

His reasons for giving Hirata advice and ideas were simple, too: first, to give those big shots something to do; second, to give Class C something to worry about.

As for secretly ruling the class, honestly, he had no interest in that.

They were just going to school. Why make it like Suzuran High School, where everyone had to reach the top?

The night passed without incident.

Tsukishima arrived in class as usual. Quite a few students were already there, gathered in small groups and chatting.

He listened for a bit. Most of them were talking about Hirata's election the previous afternoon, how signing a contract with Class B had significantly improved their classmates' living conditions,

and how to give Class C trouble.

Not bad. So far, things seemed to be going well.

Tsukishima stopped paying attention.

The bell rang, and Sae Chabashira walked in on her high heels. She swept her gaze around the room, then stared at Tsukishima for a moment. She gave a scoff and began the lesson.

Tsukishima's expression remained unchanged. He answered questions when called on and took notes as usual.

"Yuto Tsukishima, come with me."

The moment the bell rang, Sae Chabashira abruptly cut off the last bit of her unfinished lesson and, arms crossed, stared coldly at Tsukishima.

The classroom fell silent.

Tsukishima's expression didn't change. He stood up and followed Sae Chabashira out.

The room erupted at once.

"Hey, hey, that's Tsukishima. The teacher called him out."

"Tsk, that guy really is a troublemaker."

"What's going on? Tsukishima's a little arrogant, but he doesn't seem to have broken any school rules."

"It's gotta be because he sold information to Class D. The teacher's mad about it."

"I see..."

"Still, we were pretty awful to him back then..."

"But he was so cool yesterday!"

Tsukishima followed Sae Chabashira to the Rooftop.

Once they got there, Sae Chabashira pulled a cigarette from her pocket, lit it, and started puffing away, leaving Tsukishima standing to the side.

Tsukishima was a little annoyed. His words were edged with sarcasm. "Chabashira-sensei, it's pretty windy up here. If you just wanted me to admire you smoking, I'll head back now."

Sae Chabashira gave a cold laugh. "Yesterday's events seem to have made you more confident."

Tsukishima smiled. "Nothing that happened yesterday violated the School Rules. If you're trying to threaten me into doing something, you'll have to find something else to hold over me."

"Hmph! Threaten you? I'm not about to threaten a student. I just wanted to ask what you, the class's de facto ruler, plan to do from here."

"I don't have any plans. I'll study my regular classes, learn manga, learn to make desserts. Maybe I'll focus most of my energy on the Manga Club's collaboration with Sweet Talk Dessert Shop. You're welcome to come try the desserts I make, too, Chabashira-sensei."

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

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