"The school doesn't have one yet, but have you really thought this through?" Horikita Manabu asked.
"Yes. The requirement for joining the Student Council is that you can't participate in any other clubs, so I thought I'd start a club. If I do that, can I join the Student Council?"
"I see. Then, on behalf of the Student Council, I welcome you aboard."
"But... Chairman, that goes against the rules," Tachibana Akane reminded him from the side.
"Oh? Does upperclassman Tachibana not know that this school is based on merit? Since the chairman has already agreed, that means he recognizes Kitahara's ability," Yanagihara interjected.
"Th-this..."
Tachibana Akane was momentarily at a loss for words. She hadn't expected Yanagihara to be so supportive of the person standing before them. And she knew that since the chairman had already made his decision, she wouldn't be able to say anything more.
"Still, now that you've joined the Student Council, you'll need to submit the relevant club documents for review in a timely manner."
"Yes, upperclassman. No problem," Kitahara replied respectfully.
"By the way, upperclassman, what position will I hold after joining the Student Council?" Kitahara asked, looking at her.
"Well..." Tachibana Akane glanced at Horikita Manabu, unsure whether she should answer.
"Before that, let me ask Yanagihara again whether she's willing to join the Student Council," Horikita Manabu replied.
"Since the chairman has invited me again, I'll join. After all, my time on the Student Council won't be boring, and I'm looking forward to it." Yanagihara looked at Kitahara, a barely perceptible smile in her eyes.
"I see. In that case, starting today, the Student Council will have two new members working together."
"Chairman, I'm curious, too. What positions are available for Kitahara and me on the Student Council?" Yanagihara asked, looking at Horikita Manabu.
"There's a secretary position and a Public Morals Committee position. Which one would you like?"
"I'll take the Public Morals Committee position. Yanagihara's health wouldn't allow her to take it on," Kitahara said first.
"Is that so? Then thank you for your consideration, Kitahara. I'll take the secretary position," Yanagihara replied.
"Very well. As long as you've made your decisions. After this exam, the Student Council will announce your appointments on the notice board. You can report to the Student Council then."
"Understood, Chairman," Yanagihara and Kitahara replied together.
Just as Yanagihara and Kitahara were about to leave to carry out their plan, the chairman's voice came from behind them again:
"Don't forget your club application, Kitahara."
"Got it, Chairman." Kitahara walked out of the conference room with his back to Horikita Manabu. Only after they had left did Tachibana Akane speak. "Chairman, are you planning to use them against Nagumo? But can they really beat him?"
"Tachibana, do you think Miyabi Nagumo could have earned ten million points on his own when he was a first-year? And the fact that Kitahara came up with such a brilliant plan for this exam and won the school's approval again is more than enough."
"Yanagihara shouldn't be underestimated, either. Although she has health problems, she was still placed in Class A. That alone shows she was outstanding enough in other areas for the evaluators to put her there."
Tachibana Akane looked at Horikita Manabu and nodded, agreeing with her chairman's judgment.
Horikita Manabu watched them long after they had left, concern showing in his eyes.
I wonder if Suzune has improved yet. If she still can't meet my expectations before I graduate, I'll take you away myself.
This year's first-years may be the strongest in Advanced Nurturing's history. Kitahara, who's already making a name for himself; Yanagihara; Ichinose; Katsuragi; and even Ayanokoji, who's been hiding his abilities—all of them prove just how exceptional this class is.
Let's see just how big a wave they can make.
Meanwhile, in the Chairman's Office, a white-haired man wore a deeply troubled expression as he looked over the information in his hands and rubbed his forehead. "When did Arisu start associating with that Kitahara fellow? And now the two of them are extorting points from me, her own father."
"Still, if this plan succeeds, that child Kitahara may become the first person to collect twenty million points. How impressive."
"But there's an even more troublesome matter. Although Professor Ayanokoji can't interfere with the school for now, given his nature, he won't simply give up."
"But as long as I'm at the school, that child Kiyotaka will be safe."
Before long, exam day arrived. Everyone in the class was in high spirits because they'd already gotten hold of what they believed were the exam papers and memorized the answers in advance.
Speaking of which, Kushida had asked me a few days ago whether I needed a copy. All I could say was, "Heh."
"How many points do you think I'll get on this exam?"
"That's up to you, but we really have to thank Kushida."
"Yeah, exactly. A week ago, I was still worried about whether I'd pass. I had no idea old exam papers like these even existed. If I'd known, I wouldn't have needed to go to those study sessions."
Kitahara looked at how happy they were and wondered whether they'd be able to face the reality that awaited them. More importantly, if they found out the exam papers were different, would they suddenly turn on Kushida? Would she lose her temper ahead of time? If that happened, things would get interesting.
If the papers are bought in secret, the school won't say much, since it's a shortcut the school itself left open. But if it's done openly, the school won't allow it.
Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Chabashira-sensei opened the door and walked in. "Quiet. Wait for further instructions."
"Huh? What instructions, Chabashira-sensei? Isn't it time for the exam already? Why aren't we starting?" Kanji Ike asked.
Chabashira silently looked down at the class without answering, but Kitahara clearly felt her gaze linger on him for a moment.
"Bzz... bzz..." A burst of static crackled from the loudspeaker.