Student Council Invitation (1)

Once Kitahara Seiichi returned to his dormitory, he prepared to boot up his computer and continue his campaign in Dragon Hidden Cave Heaven.

Ring, ring...

Huh? Kitahara looked at the landline in his room and muttered, "Who could possibly be calling me?"

Kitahara walked over to the phone, picked it up, and said, "Hello, this is Kitahara Seiichi."

"Ara, Kitahara-san is certainly polite, isn't he?"

Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, Kitahara immediately realized it was that little Overlord Dragon.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, how did you get my dormitory number?"

"Oh... could it be that Kitahara-san doesn't know that every dormitory phone can connect to the internal line of any other student?"

"..."

"It seems Kitahara-san has been focusing his energy elsewhere."

Listening to Classmate Sakayanagi's teasing, Kitahara couldn't help but develop a black line on his forehead.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, just get to the point."

"Ara, I was merely concerned about Kitahara-san, who is being isolated in Class D. I didn't expect you to view me this way; I'm so heartbroken."

"If you changed your tone while saying that, I might have actually believed you, but it's obvious you're just gloating right now."

"Also, if you don't say it now, I'm hanging up."

"I didn't expect Kitahara-san to be so unwilling to interact with me. In truth, I really do want to become friends with you, Kitahara-san."

"In that case, let's get down to business."

"What business?" Although Kitahara already had some guesses in his heart, upon hearing Classmate Sakayanagi say it herself, he couldn't help but curse under his breath.

"Let's discuss the matter regarding Classmate Kamuro from my class."

"..." Seeing that Kitahara didn't reply immediately, she continued.

"It seems Kitahara-san knows what the problem is."

[I'm done for. I warned her early on, but I didn't expect Classmate Sakayanagi to find out anyway.]

"Ahem, well... that video has already been deleted, so it won't affect Class A."

"Hehe, although I trust what Kitahara-san says, I cannot simply leave a potential danger unchecked, don't you agree, Kitahara-san?"

[Damn, I didn't expect to actually invite trouble, and to be entangled by Classmate Sakayanagi of all people.]

[I really regret being a busybody back then.]

"Uh, so what do you have in mind?"

"Hehe..."

After hanging up the phone, Kitahara sat on his bed and thought.

[To think she only wants a game of chess on a weekend afternoon, and she even said she'd have that Kamuro person come pick me up personally. But when that time comes, let's see how she faces me.]

[I didn't think I'd be using the system-rewarded Chess Mastery skill so soon. I have no idea what level I'm at; if I can't beat Classmate Sakayanagi, then...]

[It seems Classmate Sakayanagi is currently competing with Katsuragi for leadership of the class. Can I profit from this? After all, I still have that 20 million point quota to meet.]

[Plus, the reward is quite tempting. Hehe, once I get it, will I have anything to fear in this school? By then, I'll just shout: "Who else is there?"]

After snapping out of his daydreams, Kitahara suddenly realized he hadn't logged into the game yet. No, how could I be so lazy? I must speed up my ranking.

As time passed, Kitahara Seiichi, who was in the heat of battle in Extreme Emperor City, suddenly shuddered as an electronic voice echoed in his mind.

[Temporary Mission: Join the Student Council and participate in the scene where the Horikita Siblings meet tonight.]

[Mission Reward: Mysterious Gift Pack]

Hearing the system's reminder, Kitahara realized that today was the day of their meeting. But why did the system want him to join the Student Council? Before Kitahara could think it through, "enchanting sounds" drifted from his computer.

"Damn it." Looking at the defeat screen and his teammates' frantic spamming, Kitahara immediately used his 18-year-old single-man hand speed to shut down the interface.

"Teammates, this really isn't my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame the system."

Kitahara hurried toward the location, only to find Ayanokoji hiding nearby. Kitahara approached him quietly and tapped him on the shoulder.

Ayanokoji turned around, his expression unchanged as he looked at him. He gently brought a finger to his lips to signal silence, and then they both began to eavesdrop.

"Suzune, to think you followed me all the way here."

"I am no longer the failure you once knew, Brother. I came here to catch up to you."

"To catch up to... me?"

"You still haven't realized your own shortcomings. Choosing this school was your failure," Horikita Manabu said as he adjusted his glasses.

"I will be promoted to Class A soon, and if that happens..."

"You cannot do it."

"I will definitely do it."

"What a stubborn little sister."

Horikita Manabu then reached out, gripped Horikita Suzune's wrist, and continued.

"The one assigned to Class D is my sister; the one who ends up losing face is me. Leave this school immediately."

I didn't expect it, Horikita, who is usually so cold to everyone, is actually in this state when facing her own brother, Kitahara thought as he watched the scene quietly.

"Brother... I..."

"You lack the ability and the qualifications to climb higher. Have some self-awareness."

Seeing that Horikita Manabu was about to take action, Kitahara Seiichi immediately pushed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was beside him, forward.

Faced with this sudden situation, Horikita Manabu also halted his movements.

"Ayanokoji, why are you here?" Horikita Suzune asked.

During this time, Horikita Manabu had already walked up to Ayanokoji and quickly launched a probing attack at him.

"Your movements are quite agile. Have you studied anything?"

Before Ayanokoji could answer, Kitahara Seiichi, hiding in the shadows, immediately spoke up.

"He hasn't studied anything special, just things like Sanda and Wing Chun."

When Kitahara appeared in their line of sight, he continued, ignoring Ayanokoji's gaze: "This guy's strength should not be underestimated. If he wanted to, I'm afraid no one in this school could defeat him."

Hearing this, Ayanokoji did not reply, as he did not know how to handle this situation, and simply watched Kitahara silently.

Why is it that every time I face this guy, I feel like I've been seen through? Who exactly is he? Was he sent by that person?

No, that shouldn't be it. If he were, he would have started making contact long ago.

"Kitahara, you guy, why are you here too?"

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu also revealed a meaningful smile.

"Come to think of it, in this year's entrance exam, there was a freshman who scored exactly 50 points in every subject, and the previous quiz was also 50 points. Did you calculate it so that you'd score 50 on a 100-point test?"

"Sometimes, coincidences can be terrifying."

"Heh, but a calculated coincidence is even more terrifying," Kitahara interjected.

"..."

"Forget it, you really are a unique person."

"But what surprises me is that you actually came here too," Horikita Manabu said, looking at Kitahara. "You aren't staying in your dorm, but are wandering outside instead."

Hearing this, Kitahara Seiichi asked in confusion: "Is that the kind of person I am in your eyes?"

Looking at Kitahara's innocent expression, Horikita Suzune had no choice but to answer: "There is a ranking list on the school forum regarding the entire grade. You are at the top because you spend much more time in the dorms than outside."

"..."

Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Horikita Manabu spoke again:

"Suzune, I'm honestly surprised that you have friends."

"They... are not my friends, just my classmates."

"You are still the same, misinterpreting the true meaning of being aloof and being lonely."

"Suzune, if you want to promote to a higher class, pay close attention to these two beside you, especially this student Kitahara," Horikita Manabu said as he left.