Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, hallway of the school building.
After discussing the vice president's duties and authority, Amasawa Reigetsu asked Horikita Manabu for a past midterm exam paper, stretched, and pushed the door open to leave.
The hallway lights were dim. Ichinose Honami was still standing by the door, apparently with plenty of questions she wanted to ask him.
"Good work, Amasawa. Um..."
There was a hint of hesitation in Ichinose's voice.
Amasawa Reigetsu stopped and looked at her calmly.
"What do you want to ask? We can talk on the way. There's hardly anyone around now."
Ichinose lowered her head. She couldn't see her toes, but she wasn't embarrassed to play the ostrich. After a few seconds of silence, she finally worked up the courage to speak.
"Actually... Katsuragi and I both submitted applications to the Student Council at first, but President Horikita rejected both of them. After that, Senior Nagumo approached me and said he could help me join the Student Council..."
"Tell me something nobody else knows."
"Ah! Sorry... I actually wanted to talk about those million personal points..."
As she said this, she abruptly raised her head. Her clear, wide eyes were full of guilt and unease.
"I'm really sorry! Because of me, you lost so many points, and you ended up on such bad terms with a second-year student. A million points must be a lot for you, too, right? I was the one who got caught up in the Student Council's conflict, but you ended up paying for it... I-I'll find a way to pay you back little by little!"
Looking at the apologetic girl in front of him, her cheeks flushed with anxiety, Amasawa Reigetsu felt that the million points had been well spent. A character with this much potential for growth wouldn't be won over for such a small price later on.
Still, there was no point explaining any schemes or calculations to the Ichinose Honami of today.
"You don't need to pay me back."
Amasawa Reigetsu replied evenly, then turned and headed for the stairs, gesturing for Ichinose Honami to follow.
"It was an investment I made for the Student Council, and for myself. You're on my side now, so you don't need to worry about anyone else. At least when it comes to the Student Council, just do as I say."
Ichinose froze, processing the meaning of his words, "You're on my side now." Her cheeks flushed even redder.
"I-Investment? But..."
She hurried to catch up with Amasawa.
"There's no but."
Amasawa Reigetsu didn't look back. His voice sounded a little domineering in the empty hallway.
The hallway lights stretched their shadows long. Seeing the look on Ichinose Honami's face, as if she wanted to write the word "guilt" all over it, Amasawa Reigetsu suddenly stopped and glanced at her.
"If you really feel bad about it and can't stop worrying about how to repay those million points,"
Amasawa Reigetsu's tone was even, but carried a faint, almost imperceptible warmth.
"Why not treat me to a meal first? We can call it... a celebration of becoming colleagues."
Ichinose paused, then her eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, shopping district.
"Our Class B students often have group meals at this restaurant. I really like their crepes."
Ichinose Honami led Amasawa Reigetsu into a family restaurant, then took her seat with practiced ease.
"Oh, it's surprisingly ordinary. I thought Ichinose might like fried rice."
"Huh? Why would you think that?"
"Well... in anime, pink-haired beauties like you usually have that kind of unexpected side, right?"
"Pfft!"
Ichinose puffed out her cheeks in protest. Stereotypes were no good—she was a classic, wholesome beauty.
As the dishes arrived, Ichinose gradually relaxed and started chatting with Amasawa Reigetsu.
"Amasawa, you're really amazing..."
Ichinose talked a lot. She found that talking to Amasawa made her feel so comfortable that she couldn't stop. By the end, she'd talked so much that her brain felt a little starved of oxygen.
"To be recognized by the Student Council president, and to have the courage to argue face-to-face with a vice president from an upperclassman year... I wish we had someone that amazing in our class, too..."
Ichinose Honami rested her head on the table, her two buns forming a natural pillow. She looked completely deflated.
"Amasawa, do you really think I can lead Class B...?"
Amasawa Reigetsu began checking today's menu for any alcohol, and, while doing so, said, "I believe you'll surprise me."
Amasawa Reigetsu looked at Ichinose Honami. None of today's dishes had contained alcohol, so why was she acting drunk?
"That's so cheesy... boss."
"Boss... Hmm, I like that nickname♡... Hehe... boss... You're the leader of Class B yourself. People might say you're defecting..."
It seemed their conversation couldn't continue, so Amasawa Reigetsu had no choice but to take responsibility for escorting Ichinose Honami back to the dormitory.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, student dormitory.
"Ugh... Where am I? Damn it!!! That jerk Ayanokoji knocked me out and dragged me here. But that means she left evidence behind... She knows my secret. I hope she's ready to pay the price!!"
Kushida Kikyo awoke on an unfamiliar floor. The first thing that entered her field of vision was—the bed.
"(╬ಠ益ಠ), that stubborn Ayanokoji didn't even put me on the bed!? Damn it!!!"
Kushida Kikyo had barely woken up and hadn't even had time to feel a headache before rage made her heart pound again. But to be safe, she closed her eyes and checked whether there was any movement nearby before getting up—
"Good. Looks like Ayanokoji just left the room. As long as I can get out of here... as long as I can reach the entrance—"
Kushida Kikyo immediately sprang into action, crawling awkwardly toward the door on her hands and feet.
"Click."
The door opened from the outside.
"How could it be you!?—"