First meeting with Miyabi Nagumo

Along with the applause came Natsukawa's laughter.

"Haha, just what I'd expect from the Student Council Vice President, using clever words to lead my innocent friend along."

"N-Natsukawa!"

Ichinose first gave a soft cry at Natsukawa's arrival, then his left hand took her right, bringing her a sense of reassurance.

The anxious turmoil Ichinose had felt as she recalled her past and could not help speaking about it was soothed by his warm palm.

Natsukawa gave Ichinose a reassuring look, then held her hand. Turning back, he smiled at Miyabi Nagumo with a provocative look and said:

"Am I right, Vice President Miyabi Nagumo? The Student Council doesn't have a rule like that, does it?"

Miyabi Nagumo understood what he meant. He knew Nagumo had been trying to coax Ichinose into talking about her past.

Miyabi Nagumo had initially been a little surprised by this unfamiliar student's intrusion. He had thought Manabu Horikita was trying to ruin his plans, but it turned out to be an unknown first-year.

That piqued his interest a little.

It was no matter. He had merely lost a pawn or a woman who might have been useful later.

He ruled the second year and had his own people in the Student Council. He had no shortage of pawns! Among the second-years, he associated with plenty of female students who adored him. He had no shortage of girlfriends either!

But this first-year who had suddenly appeared had greatly interested him!

Miyabi Nagumo smiled faintly at Natsukawa and said:

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."

So what if he knew what Nagumo had done? He could not get any evidence to discredit him.

At the same time, he wanted to test Natsukawa, to see how this first-year who had suddenly appeared would handle the situation, whether he was truly capable, and whether he could genuinely capture his interest.

Natsukawa took out his phone with his right hand, and the sound of Miyabi Nagumo's conversation with Ichinose played from it.

He waved it and said:

"Vice President Nagumo, I recorded it. You wouldn't want Manabu Horikita or the school authorities to hear about you using your position to manipulate a first-year, would you?"

Miyabi Nagumo suddenly stood up and said with a laugh:

"Haha, interesting! How would you like to settle this? I did say earlier that it wasn't compulsory and that she could choose whether to confide in me."

"How about 500,000 points? This won't have any real effect on you, but if certain people hear about it, it should still cause you some trouble, right?"

"Fine! I'll transfer the points to you! Could you tell me your name?"

Miyabi Nagumo had not expected anyone to scheme against him, much less pull off a scheme that required anticipating his actions.

Although he had been cautious with his words, and, as the other boy had said, this getting out would not affect him too seriously-after all, he was the man who controlled the second year and held the position of Student Council Vice President-certain people, such as Manabu Horikita, could still use it against him and damage his authority.

Agreeing to give him the points would eliminate this minor nuisance, but more importantly, it would let him get to know this new "prey."

Have you already investigated my conflict with Manabu Horikita?

I never expected to meet such an interesting first-year after Manabu Horikita.

Then, once I defeat Manabu Horikita and he graduates, my school life won't be boring either...

Natsukawa raised his phone, showing that he had deleted the recording. He believed that, given Miyabi Nagumo's pride and conceit, he would not go back on his promise to pay the points.

Natsukawa smiled and said:

"I'm Natsukawa Tatsuya from Class 1-C. I look forward to getting along with you!"

Miyabi Nagumo walked up to Natsukawa and transferred the points to him. Following the custom in Sakurajima, he gave his own name in return.

Then he asked with great interest:

"Class C? I'm Miyabi Nagumo, a second-year. Natsukawa, would you be interested in working in the Student Council?"

Natsukawa replied calmly:

"I'm not considering that at the moment."

Miyabi Nagumo did not mind and said:

"Is that so? The Student Council has a great deal of authority. Once you understand the school's rules, I believe someone with your abilities will come to the Student Council eventually."

Natsukawa neither agreed nor disagreed.

Miyabi Nagumo continued:

"Of course, if you want to be my opponent, you'll have to rise to Class A first. Let me see what you're made of!"

Ichinose stood quietly with Natsukawa holding her hand, looking completely bewildered.

She did not know why, after exchanging a few words, Vice President Nagumo had agreed to transfer points to Natsukawa, then invited him to join the Student Council, and then suddenly...

Still, Ichinose concluded that these were all things Natsukawa had done to protect her, and a trace of sweetness and security welled up in her heart.

I don't have to do anything. I can just stand quietly beside him like this.

Natsukawa then said:

"In that case, Vice President Nagumo, you won't cause any more trouble for this friend of mine in the future, will you?"

Miyabi Nagumo nodded and said with a smile:

"Of course! After all, I've met a more interesting junior, and I'm very intrigued!"

"Natsukawa, enjoy your school life, and witness the moment I defeat Manabu Horikita!"

Miyabi Nagumo glanced at Natsukawa's hand holding Ichinose's, then smiled and said:

"Though this happened to interfere with your plans and offend you, Ichinose must be someone very important to you. If you ever want to even the score, Natsukawa, I'm always ready!"

Natsukawa nodded and said:

"Yes, yes, I'll remember this incident. I hope you haven't already been defeated by then, Senior Nagumo!"

"Then I'll see you around, junior!"

Miyabi Nagumo responded confidently. His main target at the moment was Manabu Horikita. If he defeated him, he could play with this interesting junior later when the opportunity arose.

Such confident words. You actually think I don't hold grudges.

You actually tried to scheme against someone in my top tier. Your childhood friend... I'm taking her.

Then Natsukawa led Ichinose away from the Student Council area.

On the way back, Ichinose had many things she wanted to ask, but finally said shyly:

"N-Natsukawa. Could you let go of my hand first? W-we're almost at Keyaki Mall."

Hearing that, Natsukawa let go of her hand and said with a smile as they chatted:

"Ichinose, how could you be so silly? You almost got talked into revealing your painful past."

Ichinose saw no reproach in Natsukawa's eyes. She stuck out her tongue and said cheerfully:

"Hehe, I don't really understand it all either. I really did get a little foolish at the crucial moment. Only now, looking back, do I realize I nearly talked about a past I find hard to put into words."

"But you'll protect me, won't you, Natsukawa?"

Natsukawa ruffled her hair and said:

"Of course. I knew you were sometimes too kind, Ichinose, and that people might take advantage of you without you realizing it. That's why I came to protect you."

After he patted her head twice, Ichinose ducked away, then protested with a blush:

"That's not true! I'm smart too. But thank you very much for helping me out, Natsukawa!"

Then she said with embarrassed concern:

"Natsukawa, I'm really sorry you offended Vice President Nagumo because of me. Maybe I should leave the Student Council."

Natsukawa smiled and said:

"Silly, what are you saying? You chose to join the Student Council for your class, Ichinose. Of course you should keep doing your best there."

"Besides, from what I know, although Nagumo is a little cunning, he's too proud to go back on his word. He won't give you trouble, Ichinose. Even if he does do something to make things difficult for you, you can tell me anytime!"

"I'm not afraid of Miyabi Nagumo at all, either."

Touched and conflicted, Ichinose said quietly:

"Natsukawa, aren't you curious about what part of my past I was about to talk about?"

She wanted to tell Natsukawa about her past.

But Natsukawa answered with a smile:

"It's all right. I don't want to know. Whatever happened, you're still Ichinose to me!"

Looking into Natsukawa's confident eyes and hearing his warm words, Ichinose replied in a daze:

"Yes, Natsukawa, I'm so glad I met you!"

Then she returned to her usual cheerful self and suggested:

"Natsukawa, let's go browse the stores and supermarket at Keyaki Mall!"

Ding! Affection rating +10

Current affection rating: 85