Ichinose lowered her head and continued:
"Huh? Actually, there's another reason. I was planning to join the Student Council. I thought joining would give me access to more information and let me help Class B more. But President Horikita rejected my application. Am I useless?"
Natsukawa offered her some reassurance:
"Why would you think that, Ichinose? If you really were useless, the students in Class B wouldn't trust you, would they? Everyone has their own special talents, so don't dismiss yourself so easily! Perhaps the Student Council President had some particular considerations of his own."
Natsukawa knew that, in the original story, it was because Manabu Horikita would step down as Student Council President in another six months. Student Council Vice President Miyabi Nagumo controlled the second-years and differed from him in his belief about the school's "meritocracy," placing greater emphasis on individual ability.
He also had a certain number of Student Council Members under his control, so barring any surprises, Miyabi Nagumo would be the next president.
To keep new students who had yet to truly grow at this "meritocratic" school and understand its educational philosophy from facing the self-centered Miyabi Nagumo too early, being targeted by him or brainwashed and recruited into a distorted understanding of the school's principles, he had decided not to admit new students into the Student Council.
Ichinose looked up at Natsukawa, her eyes full of life.
"Ah, do you really think so, Natsukawa? I'm so happy to have your approval!"
"Actually, I've never joined a Student Council before. This was a brave new attempt! A decision to make a fresh start regarding things in my past."
"Besides, you saw the information I sent you, didn't you, Natsukawa? The four classes at this school are competing with each other! That made me even more certain that joining the Student Council would help our class more!"
Was this the situation from the original story? Natsukawa also decided to stop Ichinose from being fooled by Miyabi Nagumo's talk of how she needed to honestly explain her past experiences to join the Student Council, so he could judge whether she was capable of serving as a Student Council Member worthy of being a Student Representative.
The result had been that Ichinose foolishly revealed her past to Miyabi Nagumo. To acquire Class A as a first-year pawn, Miyabi Nagumo then revealed it to Sakayanagi Arisu, who spread it around the school to scheme against Class B, leaving Ichinose unable to recover.
In the end, Ayanokoji took an interest in her usefulness as a tool, casually gave Ichinose some encouragement, and Ichinose fell for him because of it.
That damned emotionless Ayanokoji's first time was with Honami, and everyone knew what came next. The robot Ayanokoji had no feelings; he only wanted the experience. Once he was done playing, he tossed her aside and went to confess to Shiina Hiyori. Of course, that was probably just to experience the feeling of his heart fluttering, too. After that, Honami turned dark as well...
Natsukawa had been extremely angry about it in his previous life, so with him here in this life, he would never allow that to happen.
Natsukawa asked tentatively:
"Is that what's troubling you, Ichinose? Has there been some new development?"
Ichinose said with a smile:
"Yes, you're so sharp, Natsukawa. That's exactly what's troubling me. Senior Miyabi Nagumo, the Student Council Vice President, said he disagreed with President Horikita's decision not to recruit new students. He invited me to go back to the Student Council for another interview next week. He'll be interviewing me this time. The vice president also has the right to invite people into the Student Council."
"After failing once with President Horikita, I feel a little less confident. But everyone in our class has joined clubs and contributed to the class, so I can't back down either!"
Natsukawa said with a smile:
"Then how about this? Take me along the next time you go for your Student Council interview, Ichinose."
Ichinose asked delightedly:
"Huh? Are you joining the Student Council too, Natsukawa?"
"Haha, no. I'm going to keep you company, Ichinose. I've heard Senior Nagumo is a womanizer who's always making advances on girls in his year. I'll make sure he doesn't bully you."
Ichinose was clearly shocked to hear this, but since it came from Natsukawa, she believed it somewhat.
Besides, hearing Natsukawa say he wanted to protect her made Ichinose a little happy.
"Ah, really? Is that how Senior Nagumo usually behaves? Still, personal issues shouldn't affect his Student Council duties, should they? And surely he couldn't bully a new student in the Student Council room."
"Putting that aside, I heard Senior Nagumo successfully led Class B up to Class A. He's a role model for me, too. I want to lead everyone to Class A like he did!"
Natsukawa said with a smile:
"Anyway, I found out through special channels. There's nothing wrong with being cautious! Let me be your guardian knight, Ichinose! If you're going to the interview, make sure you take me along!"
Delighted inside, Ichinose blushed and said quietly:
"It's so embarrassing when you put it that way, Natsukawa. A guardian knight... But with you there, I'll do my best to be confident during the interview instead of getting nervous! Mm-hmm, I'll contact you when the time comes!"
Ding! Affection Rating +20 Current Affection Rating: 70
Being alone together always made it easy for people to inadvertently speak their minds. Still blushing, Ichinose chatted with Natsukawa a little longer.
Just as Ichinose suggested singing together to dispel the atmosphere, a message arrived on her phone.
After reading it, Ichinose said a little sheepishly:
"Sorry, Natsukawa, would you mind if I invited a classmate? She's been waiting outside for so long, and I'm a little worried about her."
Natsukawa asked in confusion:
"Sure, that's fine. What's going on?"
Ichinose answered sheepishly:
"She's a close friend from my class. She was worried about me being alone with a boy, so she secretly followed me here. She's been waiting downstairs for ages."
"I'm really sorry, Natsukawa. I didn't know she knew about this or that she'd followed me here. But knowing she did it because she was worried about me, I'm really worried about leaving her waiting outside."
Natsukawa had already figured out who it was.
His Affection Rating with Ichinose had increased about as much as it could today, and raising it any further would be difficult.
Besides, they had spent long enough together. Ichinose was blushing and a little shy, clearly less lively and natural than before.
So Natsukawa smiled, unbothered, and said:
"Then invite your friend up to join us, Ichinose. She is worried about you, after all."
Ichinose said happily:
"That's wonderful! Natsukawa, even though I was the one who invited you today, I'll invite you out again next time to make up for it."
Natsukawa said with a smile:
"Go on, don't keep your friend waiting!"
"Mm-hmm, you actually know her too, Natsukawa. It's Chihiro. Wait here a moment. I'll be right back!"
Natsukawa thought it over. Shiranami Chihiro was another person with a personality similar to Sakura and Zhuteng.
It was just that, because she had been assigned to Class B, where the archangel Ichinose was, she had developed feelings of dependence.
Had Shiranami Chihiro worked up the courage to confess to Ichinose Honami in the original story?
No, Natsukawa won't allow girls getting lovey-dovey with each other.
Shiranami Chihiro had only gradually become dependent on Ichinose because of her everyday care and affection. And because she was timid and had no other male friends, that was probably why she developed those special feelings.
Perhaps Shiranami Chihiro's feelings were affection for someone close to her, after receiving so much care from Ichinose. In her heart, she only saw Ichinose as someone like a mother who cared about her, and had expressed her thoughts incorrectly.
Still, Chihiro was a brave, good girl for working up the courage to confess to Ichinose Honami!
Then let me correct this mistaken desire of yours to get lovey-dovey with another girl. Since Ichinose can be your mother...
I'll try being your father...
Before you continue