Deeply Hidden Merit and Name

"It's the Student Council president's turn to take the stage."

The smile that had been hanging on Makoto Nishikado's face vanished instantly, his gaze focused intently on the center of the stage.

"Please change how you address me as well."

Horikita Suzune reminded him, still bothered by the casual way Makoto Nishikado had just used her given name.

"Fine, I'll call you Horikita from now on."

Seeing Makoto Nishikado being so compliant, Horikita Suzune found it difficult to say anything more.

She suppressed the various emotions in her heart and turned her head to look toward the center of the stage.

After Horikita Manabu took the stage, he did not actively recruit members like the other club presidents.

He simply stood there quietly, maintaining his silence.

The students below began to whisper, and some students from Class D, thinking he was nervous, even started to tease him.

"Do your best, senior~"

"Didn't you prepare a poster for the club?"

"Hahahaha!"

Hearing the laughter that had been stirred up, Horikita Suzune glared fiercely in that direction.

She recognized that person; it was Yamauchi Haruki, who was in her class.

She would remember this grudge.

Anyone who dared to mock her brother was making an enemy of her!

Unlike the reactions of the first-year students, the upperclassmen all remained silent after Horikita Manabu took the stage.

The noisy gymnasium and the club representatives who had been shouting their lungs out suddenly fell silent.

Influenced by them, the entire gymnasium quieted down in less than ten seconds, to the point where you could hear a pin drop.

The first-year students were at a loss when faced with this situation and could only wait nervously for Horikita Manabu to speak.

They did not understand why a single person, just by standing there, could cause such an exaggerated reaction from the seniors.

Once the gymnasium was completely silent, Horikita Manabu finally spoke.

"I am Horikita Manabu, serving as the Student Council president. I will be recruiting candidates from the first-year students."

"If anyone is considering becoming a candidate, please do not join any other clubs."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his gentle tone bringing a sense of tension that blanketed the entire gymnasium.

His height of 1.7 meters could not be considered tall, but standing there, he was like a towering mountain that made people afraid to look him in the eye.

"Your brother is quite extraordinary."

Makoto Nishikado said in a low voice.

"That goes without saying."

Horikita Suzune responded as if it were only natural.

She made no attempt to hide her admiration for Horikita Manabu.

"You didn't understand what I meant."

Makoto Nishikado shook his head, not offering any further explanation.

Judging by today's performance, Horikita Manabu's personal ability might not be that overwhelming.

Where he was strong was in his ability to make the majority of people acknowledge him.

The siblings, Horikita Manabu and Horikita Suzune, were walking down completely different paths.

Makoto Nishikado also found it strange; if Horikita Suzune was truly trying to emulate Horikita Manabu, how could there be such a vast difference between them?

This girl was likely self-righteously learning the wrong lessons.

On stage, Horikita Manabu continued to explain the recruitment requirements for the Student Council.

"Furthermore, our Student Council does not accept those with naive ideas; such people would only become a stain on this school."

"Our school's Student Council is endowed with the right and mission to change regulations, which is why it is highly anticipated. The Student Council only welcomes those who can understand this."

After finishing his statement, Horikita Manabu left the stage without a second glance.

The subsequent host took the microphone, easing the tense atmosphere.

"The Student Council president is in trouble with the Student Council."

Seeing that Horikita Suzune had not yet recovered, Makoto Nishikado spoke up to remind her.

"What did you say? Brother... the Student Council president is in trouble?"

Horikita Suzune snapped back to reality, repeating Makoto Nishikado's words.

In her impression, Horikita Manabu was omnipotent; even if he had trouble, he would resolve it quickly.

But seeing Makoto Nishikado's certain expression, she became somewhat uncertain.

"If he didn't tell you himself, then it wouldn't be appropriate for me to tell you either. If you really want to know, join the Student Council yourself."

Makoto Nishikado turned and walked away the moment he finished speaking, just in time to see Honami Ichinose rushing toward them.

Horikita Suzune took a step forward instinctively, then hurriedly stopped herself.

Why did she feel the need to follow him? Besides, who knew if what Makoto Nishikado said was even true?

In the end, Horikita Suzune simply watched as Makoto Nishikado walked further and further away.

"It won't happen. My brother can handle it."

Horikita Suzune tried to bolster her own spirits.

Compared to Makoto Nishikado, someone she had only met twice, she naturally trusted Horikita Manabu more.

Yet, a trace of unease in her heart coiled around her like vines, impossible to shake off no matter what she did.

"Ximen, what did the Student Council President mean? It sounded like there was a hidden meaning behind his words."

Makoto Nishikado had only taken two steps before Honami Ichinose reached him.

Because she held great admiration for Horikita Manabu's capabilities and actions, she had paid close attention to his words earlier.

That was why she had sensed something was off.

"His meaning was quite clear. The current recruitment requirements for the Student Council are harsh, and they are harsh because the Student Council possesses excessive power."

"If I'm not mistaken, there are two voices within the Student Council right now, and they are diametrically opposed."

Makoto Nishikado once again began to feign the role of a prophet.

However, he wasn't just spouting nonsense.

Based on the intelligence he currently possessed, he could indeed draw this conclusion.

"The Student Council President seemed to say that he doesn't welcome naive students, claiming it would bring shame to the school. Why is that?"

Honami Ichinose still didn't quite understand.

"Naive students are easily deceived, and if that happens, the Student Council will be completely subsumed by the other faction."

"President Horikita likely believes that under the leadership of that other faction, the new Student Council will bring change and disaster to the school."

Having said that, Makoto Nishikado looked at Honami Ichinose with a meaningful gaze.

"You mean the Student Council President is worried that the new members will be led astray by the other faction? And that this will lead to the school's overall rules being altered by the Student Council?"

Honami Ichinose finally understood, her eyes widening in realization.

Horikita Manabu had already stated clearly that the Student Council held immense power.

But guided by Makoto Nishikado's words, she realized that the Student Council's power seemed excessive—perhaps too excessive.

So much so that even a Student Council President like Horikita Manabu had to worry about it.

Could the Student Council President's authority be limitless?

"For now, both you and I should stay put. Don't be in a rush to join the Student Council."

"Ichinose, go and find out if the Student Council has another leader, and who that person is."

"Focus on finding out if that person is the class leader of Class A in the second year."

Once Makoto Nishikado finished his instructions, Honami Ichinose nodded immediately.

With her connections, accomplishing this task would be a breeze.

But Makoto Nishikado's instructions weren't over yet.

"Ichinose, if it really is the leader of Class A in the second year, you'd best stay away from him."

"Why? Are you worried I'll be deceived by him?"

Honami Ichinose, thinking Makoto Nishikado was concerned for her, smiled and puffed out her chest.

She wasn't some airhead; how could she be deceived so easily?

Hearing this, Makoto Nishikado cast a sidelong glance at her.

"The number of dropouts from Class A in the second year is higher than that of Class B in the third year."

"You mean he did it on purpose? I understand..."

The smile on Honami Ichinose's face vanished instantly as she contemplated a grim future.

As the leader of Class A in the second year, that person's ability was undoubtedly beyond question, yet his class had suffered so many dropouts.

This certainly wasn't due to a lack of ability, but rather a deliberate choice on his part.

If such a ruthless person were to become the Student Council President and wield the power to change school rules, what would happen?

"If he is elected, he might change the school's rules."

"The worst-case scenario is that the number of dropouts will increase in the future. Our class needs to be mentally prepared."

"Perhaps that is also the reason why the Student Council President is worried about him."

Makoto Nishikado reminded her ruthlessly.

"Yeah, I understand."

Honami Ichinose bit her lip, her impression of the Class A leader from the second year now at rock bottom.

Seeing her expression, Makoto Nishikado smiled faintly, hiding his achievements and fame deep within.