Ichinose was almost fooled

It was Thursday.

"Hey, hey, Natsukawa!"

In front of the Special Central Building, Ichinose greeted Natsukawa cheerfully.

Few students usually visited this building. One floor belonged to the Student Council, while the other floors housed faculty offices.

Natsukawa approached and said with a smile:

"Hi, Ichinose."

He had previously promised to accompany Ichinose to her second Student Council interview, so he had hurried over after receiving her message.

Natsukawa asked with a smile:

"How's your preparation going, Ichinose? Have you decided to join the Student Council?"

Ichinose gave herself a pep talk:

"Yes! I'm so glad you could come with me, Natsukawa. I'm prepared now. Even if I don't pass this time, I can apply again in my second year!"

"That's great. Have you gotten over that imagined pressure from your classmates, Ichinose?"

Although Ichinose's words showed plenty of confidence and resolve, her movements made it clear that facing this special building again still left her a little nervous.

Ichinose took a small mirror out of the little shoulder bag she carried and straightened her collar, saying with a smile:

"After your advice last time, Natsukawa, I've thought it through. Just as I believe in my friends in Class C, they believe in me too. I was putting too much pressure on myself before. But I'll still do my very best!"

Natsukawa said with a smile:

"You look beautiful when you're confident, Ichinose! I believe you'll succeed too."

"Mm-hmm! Let's go, Natsukawa!"

Once Ichinose had finished getting ready, she took the elevator to the Student Council floor with Natsukawa.

Inside the elevator, Natsukawa held out his hand to Ichinose.

"Ichinose, let me borrow your phone."

Although curious, Ichinose asked no questions and took out her phone, handing it to Natsukawa.

Natsukawa made a few adjustments, called Ichinose's number, and set the volume on her end, leaving the call connected. He put her phone back into the little crossbody bag at her waist.

Natsukawa waved his own phone and said with a smile:

"There. That should do it."

After watching what Natsukawa did, Ichinose looked a little surprised and asked him awkwardly:

"Natsukawa, don't tell me you're still sticking to that assessment of yours? I really don't think anything serious will happen in the Student Council Office!"

Ichinose recalled what Natsukawa had told her about Vice President Nagumo's everyday conduct concerning girlfriends and his habit of picking up girls whenever he could.

Natsukawa lightly tapped Ichinose's forehead with a finger and said with a smile:

"It's just a precaution. You're so silly, Ichinose. What if someone tricks you? Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll come straight in!"

Although Ichinose did not believe Vice President Nagumo's everyday behavior would spill over into Student Council business, she was still a little happy at Natsukawa's concern.

A little embarrassed by Natsukawa's intimate gesture, Ichinose protested:

"I'm not silly, okay? I'm one of the smart ones in Class B!"

Ding! Affection rating +5

After the two stepped out of the elevator.

After Ichinose asked a Student Council Member waiting in the hallway about the situation, that student led them to Vice President Miyabi Nagumo's office.

"Hello, senpai. I have an appointment for the Student Council assessment interview. I've been in touch with Vice President Miyabi Nagumo."

"Please follow me, both of you! Vice President Nagumo has already made the arrangements. Anyone here for an interview can just enter this room. Vice President Nagumo is inside."

Natsukawa followed them to an office classroom farther inside the floor. Along the way, he looked around the other office classrooms but found no sign of Manabu Horikita. It seemed Miyabi Nagumo had deliberately avoided him while preparing to recruit new members.

"Go on, Ichinose. I'll wait outside the door. If anything happens, I'll come in! Good luck!"

"Mm-hmm!"

Ichinose then walked inside.

Natsukawa had originally wanted to follow her in, but the Student Council Member reminded him that only those seeking to join the Student Council could enter, and applications were not submitted in this vice president's office either. Moreover, even interviews in the vice president's office had to be conducted one person at a time, so Natsukawa could only give up.

However, Natsukawa had already prepared. He took out his phone and listened while turning on call recording.

At first, what came from inside was an ordinary interview. After Ichinose went through her self-introduction, Miyabi Nagumo agreed to let her join the Student Council.

Then Miyabi Nagumo changed the subject:

"Ichinose, as you know, the Student Council's specific duties involve handling certain special matters for the students of Advanced Nurturing. Our responsibilities cover a broad range."

"I welcome every student who joins the Student Council with conviction! If new members can open up about memorable, unforgettable mistakes from their middle school days, I can better decide what kind of work to assign them."

"Of course, this isn't mandatory. You can choose whether to tell me. The Student Council is a place where students can fully develop their abilities and make a fresh start. Even if you reveal an unforgettable past, as the Student Council Vice President, I'll keep it confidential! This is also so I can better understand new members and decide their work assignments!"

Miyabi Nagumo's smooth talk worked.

Originally, he had merely thought that since Manabu Horikita did not intend to recruit first-year students into the Student Council, he would do the opposite and recruit some, just to spite Manabu Horikita.

However, after seeing Ichinose's rather striking looks, Miyabi Nagumo changed his mind.

Although he already had a girlfriend in his second year and was also very popular with other girls in his year.

It would still be nice to try to get some leverage over a pretty new student as a backup.

When necessary, he could use it to gain benefits, make her his next girlfriend when he grew tired of playing around in his second year, or turn her into his pawn among the first-years, and so on. Of course, that would require the right timing. In any case, obtaining information about her that no one else knew would be very beneficial.

Miyabi Nagumo tried to see whether he could acquire a new pawn for his faction within the Student Council. Judging by her conflicted, nervous appearance, he seemed able to sense that she definitely had some unknown weakness.

It was Miyabi Nagumo's usual approach after taking control of the second year. He rested both hands on the desk and watched her with a calm, gentle gaze, putting faint pressure on Ichinose.

"It's all right. No matter how difficult the unresolved issues from your past may be to accept, you can work on them and correct them through your work in the Student Council."

Just as Ichinose, after a moment of hesitation and faced with Miyabi Nagumo's promise not to reveal anything, resolved to speak of her dark past, Natsukawa pushed open the door and entered, interrupting her resolve.

Clap, clap, clap!

First came a round of applause. Miyabi Nagumo had not expected anyone to interrupt when the prey he had laid a trap for was just about to be lured into it.

So he fixed his gaze on the figure who had pushed open the door and spoiled his plans.