The Ambiguous Archive Room

Kudo Mitsunobu leaned forward, doing his best to avoid brushing against Saegusa Mayumi and causing any misunderstandings.

Besides, he felt that if they stayed this close, Saegusa Mayumi was going to blush herself into oblivion!

Kudo Mitsunobu's movement gradually dispelled the flush on Saegusa Mayumi's face, and she returned to her usual poised demeanor.

"That was how things were supposed to go."

Saegusa Mayumi twirled a lock of hair at her temple around her fingertip.

"Supposed to?"

"Mm. But it seems the principal brought you up at today's faculty meeting, Koushu."

"Now you're calling me something different again!"

Kudo Mitsunobu sighed inwardly. But he wasn't someone who minded that sort of thing. What mattered more was hearing Saegusa Mayumi out.

"And then, with all the teachers in agreement, they gave you a spot on the Student Council!"

"Don't try to fool me, senpai."

"The Ten Master Clans had a hand in this, didn't they?"

This time, Kudo Mitsunobu voiced his complaint outright.

"Oh! You figured it out!"

Saegusa Mayumi stuck out her little tongue and spoke in an intentionally cute voice.

"Jumonji went to speak with the principal about it! Of course, the Master Clans also gave their approval afterward."

"The principal was quite troubled at first, but after seeing your entrance exam results, he agreed right away!"

Though it was an unwritten rule, if a member of the Ten Master Clans attended Magic High School, they had to become the top student among the new students in their year.

This was also meant to uphold the Ten Master Clans' standing in Japan's magical community. For instance, the top student in the third year was Saegusa Mayumi, while the current top student among the first years at Third High School was Ichijo Masaki.

Kudo Mitsunobu wasn't particularly interested in becoming the top student among the new arrivals, but everyone had already assumed he would be First High's top first-year student this year.

However, an unexpected incident had prevented him from finishing his exam, and Shiba Miyuki, who wasn't from one of the Ten Master Clans, had taken the title of new student representative. That had probably become a talking point among the Ten Master Clans by now!

"What were Principal Momoyama's conditions, then? Even with the Master Clans putting pressure on him, I doubt Principal Momoyama is someone who would give in so easily!"

Kudo Mitsunobu didn't believe the Master Clans' pressure alone would be enough to force Principal Momoyama to back down.

"You really are perceptive, Koushu!"

Saegusa Mayumi praised him admiringly, then continued.

"The principal hopes you'll show your full abilities at the Nine Schools Competition and win honors for First High."

"Of course, that's what the Master Clans want, too."

"So they can shut everyone else up!"

Kudo Mitsunobu showed no surprise. Only by demonstrating his strength when the time came could he silence those who questioned whether he'd gotten in through connections.

After all, Japan's magical community was already deeply dissatisfied with the Ten Master Clans, who held authority over them. They might not dare discuss it to their faces, but they certainly did so behind their backs.

The principal and the Master Clans' council, who had changed the rules for his sake, would also face another wave of public criticism.

"That's only natural. I'll give it everything I've got and win," Kudo Mitsunobu said without hesitation.

"That's good to hear!"

"So what position will I be taking on the Student Council? As far as I know, there aren't any open positions right now."

"How about being my secretary?"

If there's work to do, the secretary does it; if there's nothing to do, you do the secretary.

For some reason, that line—one that shouldn't exist in this era—came to Kudo Mitsunobu's mind. He quickly shook his head, then looked at Saegusa Mayumi.

Saegusa Mayumi was trying to stifle a laugh.

"Senpai, you really should cut back on the jokes!"

"There's no such position as secretary. And even if there were, I wouldn't take it."

Kudo Mitsunobu pretended to glare at Saegusa Mayumi in annoyance.

"I'm just kidding, just kidding." Saegusa Mayumi hurriedly waved her hands in apology.

"Actually, we want you to serve as vice president."

"Vice president?" Kudo Mitsunobu thought back.

"But I thought the Student Council already had a vice president. I think it was the one who hosted the new student ceremony, right?"

Saegusa Mayumi raised a slender finger to her lips and shifted slightly on her seat, bracing herself with her other hand behind her.

Her snow-white uniform skirt outlined her graceful figure. She seemed to have forgotten how bashful she'd been a moment ago, and was freely showing Kudo Mitsunobu her lovely curves.

"On that point, Jumonji came to discuss it with me before I got here."

"You know we're all about to graduate, right? Jumonji also needs to choose a successor to lead his club."

Chapter 5: The Ambiguous Archive Room

"So you want to transfer the current vice president over to Jumonji-senpai?"

Kudo Mitsunobu finished Saegusa Mayumi's thought for her.

"Has the current vice president agreed to it?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I think he will. After all, Hanzo's chances of becoming Student Council president are already nil."

"Because the next president's position has already been promised to Azusa," Saegusa Mayumi said with a smile.

That petite senpai? Kudo Mitsunobu pictured the animal-like senpai he'd just met that morning.

"Can she really handle the Student Council's work? That senpai seemed a little too gentle to me."