Joining the Student Council

After Chabashira Sae finished explaining the average score and expulsion rules, the students of Class D wore shocked expressions as well.

"How could anyone get expelled?" Ike Kanji shouted as he looked at his score of 24.

There were seven students in Class D below the passing line, roughly one-sixth of the class.

"It seems Teacher was right. This class really does have a lot of idiots." Koenji continued polishing his nails, his legs still resting on the desk.

"Koenji, what are you talking about? You're in the failing group too, aren't you?" Ike Kanji shot back.

"Boy, aside from your poor brain, have your eyes gone blind as well? Take a good look at where I am."

Koenji Rokusuke's score stood at the very top of the rankings: 90 points.

"What the heck? I thought Koenji was an idiot like Sudo." Other students muttered quietly. No one had expected this eccentric classmate to be so outstanding academically.

Once the students below had made enough of a fuss over their scores, Chabashira Sae spoke again. "Let me add one more thing. Everyone knows this school prides itself on its high rates of university admission and employment. But unfortunately, only by advancing to Class A will you be able to enjoy those benefits."

"How can that be?" Yukimura Teruhiko rose to his feet in disbelief. He had nothing to feel guilty about when he heard about the deducted Class Points, and the prospect of expulsion over quizzes had not rattled him either. But this was something he truly could not accept.

"What an ugly sight." Perhaps Yukimura's voice grated on him, because Koenji let out a soft sigh.

"Don't you feel this is unfair?" Yukimura Teruhiko asked in return. His grades were also excellent, tying him with Koenji for first place.

"Unfair? I have no need for such feelings. The school's evaluation of me is utterly meaningless. No one recognizes, admires, and respects me more than I do myself. The only reason the school placed me in Class D is because they are incapable of measuring my Potential." Koenji stated something so astounding without the slightest hesitation.

"If they wish to expel me, they may do as they please. They will come crying to me afterward. Besides, I have never given any thought to employment or higher education. I will inherit the Koenji Conglomerate in the future. Whether I am in Class A or Class D, the result will be the same."

Faced with Koenji's flawless answer, Yukimura could not refute him and could only sit back down.

"It seems the cheerful atmosphere has vanished completely. If you understand just how cruel an environment you are in, then think carefully and make sure you avoid expulsion." Chabashira Sae looked over the crowd below as she delivered her closing remarks. "There are still three weeks until the Midterm Exam. I believe there are ways for you to avoid failing and survive the examination."

With that, she walked out of the classroom and slammed the door shut behind her.

The moment she left, the previously stifled Class D erupted into chaos.

What Class D would eventually become was another matter. Along with the first month's exam results, the Student Council election results were also announced.

Three first-year students had taken part in the election: Shiraishi Makoto from Class A, Ichinose Honami, and Katsuragi Kohei from Class B. The two selected were the Class A students, while Katsuragi Kohei from Class B was not chosen.

Perhaps this outcome would have raised doubts before, but after the former Class B overtook Class A in the first month, everyone silently understood the reason.

After school that afternoon, Shiraishi Makoto and Ichinose Honami headed to the Student Council office together. They did not discuss what was about to happen, because they had already made the necessary preparations as soon as Shiraishi Makoto received Horikita Manabu's affirmative reply.

Outside the office, the two exchanged a glance. Ichinose Honami stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Horikita Manabu's voice came from within. Ichinose pushed open the door, with Shiraishi Makoto following right behind her.

Quite a few people were already seated inside the office: upperclassmen from the Student Council, perhaps around ten in total. Everyone in the room turned their attention toward them.

News of the former First-Year Class B overturning Class A in the first month had spread throughout the entire school over the course of the day. As Class A's greatest contributor, Shiraishi Makoto had become a celebrity whose name resounded across the school in just one day. Most of the upperclassmen spent more time observing Shiraishi Makoto, and thus became curious about the positions of Ichinose and Shiraishi Makoto.

Shiraishi Makoto was clearly standing behind Ichinose, which meant that Ichinose was likely the center of their partnership. This differed from what they had previously assumed.

"For now, you are the only first-year students joining us this year. There are not many of you, but we will recruit more later. Once again, welcome to the Student Council." Seated in the president's chair, Horikita Manabu gestured for them to take their seats.

Nagumo Miyabi, the vice president, sat casually on the sofa. He first glanced at Ichinose Honami, then let his gaze linger on Shiraishi Makoto. His mouth, however, did not stop moving. "Welcome."

With the two presidents taking the lead, the officers and staff below applauded in greeting. Shiraishi Makoto and Ichinose Honami politely returned the gesture.

After the brief welcoming ceremony ended, Horikita Manabu began introducing the Student Council members one by one. The people they already knew included President Horikita Manabu, Vice President Nagumo Miyabi, and Secretary Tachibana Akane. There were also several officers from the Third Year and Second Year, whom neither Shiraishi Makoto nor Ichinose Honami knew very well.

For a school with fewer than five hundred students in total, a Student Council of this size was more than sufficient. Shiraishi Makoto memorized the names of the upperclassmen while greeting them one by one alongside Ichinose Honami.

"You are both newly joined Student Council members and the core strength of the first years going forward. First, follow the upperclassmen and familiarize yourselves with Student Council affairs. Start with the basics." Horikita Manabu lightly tapped the tabletop.

"Understood." Shiraishi Makoto and Ichinose Honami nodded together. Horikita Manabu then moved on to this month's formal meeting agenda.

The two listened quietly from the side and found that the Student Council's daily work was not particularly complicated. Its regular responsibilities mainly consisted of three areas:

First, coordinating and managing all school clubs, handling activity approvals, and inspecting and signing for equipment.

Second, handling conflicts and disputes between students, accepting all kinds of appeals, and issuing rulings.

Third, assisting the school in publishing routine announcements and preparing matters related to various examinations.

It seemed that, because the school handled everything so comprehensively, duties such as disciplinary patrols that student councils at ordinary schools needed to perform did not require Student Council involvement here.

According to Horikita Manabu's arrangements, Shiraishi Makoto would follow Tachibana Akane this week and handle club-related work, while Ichinose Honami would work with a Third Year student on clerical duties.

Before long, the meeting ended, and Horikita Manabu kept the two of them behind in the office.

"I forgot to congratulate you on becoming Class A." Horikita Manabu closed the office door and began with something unrelated.

"The rankings are only temporary. We will not know the outcome until three years from now, so we still need to maintain our position." Ichinose Honami replied.

"You met the Second Year students today. What did you think?" Horikita Manabu seemed quite satisfied with Ichinose's response. After nodding lightly, he changed the subject.