The Wise Recognize Opportunity

Once the figure of Miyabi Nagumo vanished, Horikita Manabu finally set down the documents in his hands.

"Ximen, have you prepared for the worst-case scenario? Now is not the time to bring this into the open."

"Miyabi Nagumo has spent a year deeply cultivating his influence in this school; it is not something you can compare to."

"If he truly has obtained permission, you cannot afford to confront him head-on."

Horikita Manabu had already guessed the purpose behind everything Makoto Nishikado was doing.

Miyabi Nagumo might not understand these things, but Horikita Manabu was well-versed in such worldly wisdom.

"This matter must be clarified, otherwise, I will have other thoughts on the matter."

"You have to blame yourself for that, President. You didn't make it clear before I joined."

"Even if this matter were made public now, the impact on the school would be limited."

"After all, aren't you still here, President?"

Makoto Nishikado's tone was gentle, yet his attitude was quite resolute.

If he didn't clarify the school's stance, he would be hamstrung in everything he did moving forward.

"Don't overestimate me. As we reach the third year, the competition will become increasingly fierce, and I may not be able to protect all of my classmates."

"Over the next year, I also need to focus more of my energy on dealing with the exams themselves."

"If something happens by then, it will have to be you who steps forward to stop it."

Horikita Manabu shook his head, unwilling to shoulder that responsibility.

It wasn't that he lacked a sense of responsibility, but that he was truly spread too thin.

Moreover, his term only had one year left.

Even if his authority was immense, those beneath him would inevitably become restless.

Everyone understood the principle that once a person leaves, their influence fades.

Those who would stand firmly by his side when the time came would likely only be the other third-year students.

"President, what exactly is going on?"

Akane Tachibana felt as though these two were speaking in riddles, and she listened in a daze.

At the same time, a deep sense of resentment stirred in the young girl's heart.

Compared to her, who had been by his side the whole time, this newcomer had more common ground with Horikita Manabu.

"What Ximen is trying to investigate is a very important matter that will affect all of you."

After Horikita Manabu finished speaking, he picked up the documents and continued with his official duties.

"President, what you just said is no different from saying nothing at all."

Makoto Nishikado quipped.

Riddle-mongers should get out of Advanced Nurturing!

"How can you have the nerve to say that?"

Akane Tachibana retorted.

Just a moment ago, when Makoto Nishikado was facing Miyabi Nagumo, he had been just as evasive.

As for who had corrupted the atmosphere, the answer was obvious!

"Senior Tachibana, if a girl's feelings are too heavy, it will make the boy feel pressured."

Makoto Nishikado kindly reminded her.

Akane Tachibana's affection for Horikita Manabu was far too obvious.

If Horikita Manabu had similar intentions, it would naturally be the best of both worlds.

But if Horikita Manabu's intentions weren't deep, it would be a bit awkward.

[Provoked Horikita Manabu's emotions, obtained 3618 emotion points.]

"President, look at him!"

Akane Tachibana couldn't take it anymore and turned to complain to Horikita Manabu.

"Ximen, don't disturb others while they are working."

Horikita Manabu didn't even look up, but he still offered a word of caution.

"Alright, alright."

Makoto Nishikado made a gesture across his mouth, indicating that he had zipped it shut.

A short while after Makoto Nishikado saw the system notification, Miyabi Nagumo returned with the school's response.

Looking at the uncontrollable joy on his face, Makoto Nishikado already knew the answer he had been looking for.

"Junior, I've brought back what you wanted."

Miyabi Nagumo smiled triumphantly, like a general returning from a great victory.

He handed the documents in his hand to Makoto Nishikado, casting a smug glance at Horikita Manabu as he did so.

Afterward, he turned back to Makoto Nishikado and took the paper containing the correct answers off the table.

On the way back, Miyabi Nagumo had once again speculated on the relevant answers.

This time, he was certain his guess was correct.

[Probe the school's level of support for Miyabi Nagumo's reforms.]

Seeing the content on the paper, Miyabi Nagumo nodded to himself, placing even greater importance on Makoto Nishikado.

"Junior, the school's stance is that if you do that, they won't stop you. Students who deserve to be expelled will be expelled; the school will not change the exam papers."

"Even if it means expelling every student who fails."

After Miyabi Nagumo finished speaking, his smile became even more unbridled.

This was only the second test after the start of the school year, yet they were willing to bear the consequences of expelling ten students.

The school's audacity truly exceeded Miyabi Nagumo's expectations.

If they were willing to bear such consequences, then once he became Student Council president, the school would not interfere with his actions in the slightest.

This was an open declaration of support, or at the very least, total non-interference.

The moment Makoto Nishikado entered the Student Council, he had used that method to probe the school's true attitude.

What he really wanted to understand was how much authority and freedom the school would grant Miyabi Nagumo once he became Student Council president.

"The school actually allowed it!"

"A single exam could result in ten expulsions? There are only 160 students in an entire grade!"

"It's simply unbelievable."

The Student Council members, who had originally served as mere background, could no longer control their emotions.

The implications of this news were simply too massive for the school and for them.

If the school wouldn't even stop something of this magnitude, there was no chance they would stop Miyabi Nagumo's reforms.

"However, the document also states that such matters will take the Student Council's opinions into account."

Makoto Nishikado read the contents of the document and offered a nonchalant rebuttal.

But inwardly, he was sighing.

In the original story, it wasn't until the second year that Miyabi Nagumo officially seized full control of the Student Council.

At that time, Ayanokoji Atsuomi, in order to test Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's capabilities, had sent people to seize the power of life and death over Advanced Nurturing High School.

He had originally assumed that if it were the original school administration of Advanced Nurturing, they would never have agreed to let Miyabi Nagumo act so recklessly.

Now it seemed that Advanced Nurturing itself wanted to see just how far Miyabi Nagumo could go.

It was only because he had the school's support that he was able to rise through the ranks so smoothly.

This result was within Makoto Nishikado's expectations.

It just wasn't good news.

If the school hadn't been so supportive of Miyabi Nagumo, Makoto Nishikado would have dared to use some underhanded tactics.

"The document says that, but it's really just giving me free rein. It's just that since President Horikita is still here, they're giving us a bit of a buffer period."

"You're so smart, Junior; there's no way you don't realize this."

"Just work for me with peace of mind from now on. I will treat you just as President Horikita treated me."

Miyabi Nagumo patted Makoto Nishikado on the shoulder.

Although Makoto Nishikado's principles were diametrically opposed to his own, Miyabi Nagumo needed Makoto Nishikado's talent.

This underclassman really had something special, and Miyabi Nagumo needed him to cooperate and help expand the results of his reforms.

Compared to realizing his ambitions, what did a few differences in political views matter?

As for a future confrontation, that wouldn't get in the way either.

Miyabi Nagumo didn't believe for a second that an audacious underclassman like Makoto Nishikado would just sit back and watch him act forever.

And as it happened, he, Miyabi Nagumo, wasn't exactly a law-abiding person himself.

Under Miyabi Nagumo's gaze, Makoto Nishikado set down the document and flashed a bright, cheerful smile.

"There's an old saying at Todai: those who understand the times are the true heroes."

"If Vice President Nagumo has any requests in the future, as a member of the Student Council, I will naturally provide my full support."

"But regarding the reforms themselves, I still reserve my own opinion."