(Author: And that’s Volume 2 finished!
Looking back, Kiriha-kun spent the entire time just flirting with girls.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The next day after school, I headed straight for the Student Council room.
The deliberation hadn’t even started yet so there was no real rush, but come to think of it, I realized I didn’t know anything about Sudo-kun, who was at the center of this commotion.
So I figured I’d pop over and meet him once before the deliberation began.
…Plus, I wanted to see Tachibana-senpai too.
“Ngh, Honjo-kun…” “A-Ah, Tachibana-senpai.
…WZZZZZZUP!!” “Stop that!
What kind of full-throttle athletic greeting is that?!” “Well, I’m in a sports club, after all?” “You’re practically a ghost member!” Eh, how do you know about that?
Are you a stalker?
…Wait, come to think of it, isn’t our club captain in Class 3-A?
“Then…
Sup, bestie~☆” “Unnecessarily flirty!
Stop it, it’s irritating!
I feel zero respect for your senior in that!” “That’s no good either, huh.
Then…
Iä!
Iä!
A=kane-senpai!” “I’m not asking for the kind of respect you’d pay to a blasphemous mythic deity?!” “In that case…
Shalom!” “Nnnngh…
What country’s greeting is that?!” “Good grief, Tachibana-senpai, you’re so selfish.” ” …I’ll let it slide for now since I’m busy, but next time I have time, remember this.
As your senior, I’m going to give you a long, thorough lecture!” “Eh, are you asking me out on a date?
Having someone like the President and yet cheating so openly…
That’s a no-go.” “I told you it’s a lecture, didn’t I?!
Besides, the President and I aren’t even dating yet!” “Hee~, not…
yet, huh?” “Eh—Ah?!
U-Um, well, that was just a slip of the tongue…” “And not dating yet, huh…
In other words, Tachibana-senpai is seeking something beyond dating with the President, aren’t you~?” “Wha—Ah?!
N-No, that is, um…” “I’ll give a generous monetary gift, so make sure to invite me to the wedding~” “…….Augh.” Perhaps her thought capacity overheated from embarrassment, but with a bright red face, Tachibana-senpai took a little while to reboot.
I absolutely love that side of Senpai.
I’ll continue teasing her to my heart’s content in the future, so please forgive me.
“Honestly…
Even though I told you I’m busy, I went through a terrible time because of you, Honjo-kun.” “You were the one who blew up on your own, though…” “Did you say something?” “I said, ‘They say a person crosses paths with a serial killer about 16 times in their lifetime, you know?'” “No, you didn’t say that, right?!
Or rather, I didn’t want to hear that kind of trivia!” If she was busy, she shouldn’t bother dealing with me, yet Tachibana-senpai dutifully retorts every single time.
I absolutely love that about her too.
“Well then, good luck with the deliberation.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Tachibana-senpai’s work will decide the fate of a student.” “No, it is an exaggeration.
The Student Council is strictly neutral, after all.
…Judging from yesterday’s exchange, for some reason you seem to be taking Class D’s side, Honjo-kun, but please don’t expect any help from me.” “I know that much.
In the first place, it’s not like I’m on Class D’s side anyway.
Though I did instigate Horirin on a whim…
Even if she fails and whatever happens to Sudo-kun, it’s none of my business.” “Honjo-kun…?” Since I want to avoid lying to this person as much as possible, I confessed my unvarnished true feelings down to the last detail.
Tachibana-senpai looked slightly perplexed, but since it was almost time for the deliberation, she quickly went into the Student Council room.
In a manner of swapping places with her, Horirin and a red-haired male student who looked blatantly like a delinquent arrived.
The one who had trouble with Class C in the library before…
I see, so this kid was Sudo-kun.
“Ngh…
Honjo-kun…!” “Ah?
You’re the guy from back then…” “I’m Kiriha Honjo from Class A.
Sudo-kun from the Basketball Club, was it?
There’s just one thing I’d like to ask you…” “What’s with you out of nowhere, huh?
We’re busy over here; if it’s something stupid—” “You admire Hanamichi Sakuragi, don’t you?” “Wha—?!
How’d you know that?!” Sudo-kun panicked—looks like I hit the bullseye.
No, conversely, why did you think I wouldn’t know?
Delinquent look, red hair, basketball club—you’re literally Hanamichi.
After talking for a bit, before I knew it, the vigilance he initially had vanished without a trace.
Kids of this type immediately open their hearts to people who share the same hobbies.
“As I thought, the scene where Hanamichi and Rukawa high-fived in the Sanno match gave me goosebumps!” “Right~?
It might be called cliché, but for people who have been reading from the beginning, it’s a deeply moving scene.” “Right?!
What do you know, you actually get it, Honjo!
Also, Gori during the match against Kainan High—” “That’s enough, Sudo-kun.
The deliberation is about to start.
Save the basketball manga talk for after you win an acquittal.” “Ugh…
Sorry, Horikita.” As expected of the veteran loner, Horirin.
She severed our friendly atmosphere with a single slice without hesitation.
…Well, it’s true there’s only a little over 10 minutes left until the deliberation, so it can’t be helped.
“What did you come here for, Honjo-kun?” “To witness the conclusion of your story.
You seem quite full of confidence, so can I look forward to it?” “Naturally.
…You remember the promise we made, don’t you?” “I keep my promises, even if they’re just verbal ones.” Snorting in displeasure at my reply, Horirin went into the Student Council room.
Curious about the promise, Sudo-kun glanced back at me while following behind Horirin.
Hmm, looks like Cozy isn’t here…
It seems I can actually look forward to this.
Next came the President.
After giving me a brief glance, he entered the Student Council room without exchanging a word.
“Oh?
You are…” “Honjo from Class A, huh.” “Hmm?
Ah, thanks for your hard work, Sensei.” And the next ones to arrive were Sakagami-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class C, and Chabashira-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class D.
“What business does a student from Class A have at the Student Council room?
We are about to hold an important deliberation, so if you have business, you will have to wait until afterward.” “I was told by Horikita-chan of Class D that she would definitely win complete innocence at this deliberation.
I was a bit curious about what kind of answer she—burning with drive to overthrow us—would come up with.” “…I see, so that’s the reason for yesterday’s wild behavior.
As expected of a Class D student, unable to even distinguish who they are snapping at.” Looking somewhat triumphant, Sakagami-sensei entered the Student Council room, and Chabashira-sensei, like the President, gave me a brief glance before following him in.
Thinking about it again, each class’s homeroom teacher handles their students completely differently.
Our Mashima-sensei treats every student neutrally, but Sakagami-sensei and Hoshinomiya-sensei clearly favor their own classes.
Chabashira-sensei is the exact opposite, looking as if she’s given up on her class—apparently, she even forgot to inform them about a change in the test scope before…
How on earth is the Ministry of Education’s auditing working?
While I was pondering such useless thoughts, Cozy arrived, drenched in sweat to a shocking degree, leading three students who looked like Class C members—who were similarly drenched in sweat.
After watching him throw the three Class C students, who looked like they wanted to say something to me, into the Student Council room, I spoke to Cozy.
“Looks like the setup went well.” “Yeah, Horikita thought up a breakthrough plan.
…From your attitude, you had already realized it when you brought the bet to Horikita, didn’t you?” “Well, yeah.
If you can’t get Sudo-kun acquitted no matter how the deliberation goes, you just have to make them withdraw the complaint itself.” For instance, by installing a fake security camera and dangling expulsion over their heads.
Normally, one should be able to realize it’s a trap, but in that sweltering Special Building where judgment gets dulled, someone like Bankai-chan—who excels at winning people’s hearts—could convince most people.
Just as they planned, the Class C students and Sakagami-sensei immediately came out while arguing about something, and a short while later, Sudo came out as well.
“Seems like it went well.” “Shall I say ‘congratulations’?” “I don’t really get what happened, but Horikita did something for me, right?
…I knew she’d do something for my sake.
Hehehe.” He’s probably misunderstanding a lot of things, but he seems happy, so let’s leave him be.
There are some things in this world you’re better off not knowing.
Right after Sudo-kun left after making a promise for a celebration party with Cozy, Tachibana-senpai and the President also emerged from the Student Council room.
“Class C suddenly offered to withdraw the complaint.
…So this was your method of proving that Sakura was not a liar.
Now that the complaint has been withdrawn, rumors will likely spread that the ones lying were Class C, not Sakura.” “Your sister was just the one who handled it well.
I didn’t do anything.” It’s not like you didn’t do anything at all, though.
No matter how excellent the strategy devised by the leader is, it only has meaning when we, the task force, actually move.
“…There was still one Secretary post vacant.
Ayanokoji, if you wish, I don’t mind handing that post to you.” …Hoh?
Now that’s an unexpected scout.
For the President to invite him, bypassing Katsuragi and Bankai-chan.
And for it to be at this timing means…
Could it be that Cozy pulled all the strings behind the scenes to resolve this whole incident?
Which means he deceived me—no, it means he managed to deceive me.
People whose lies are hard to spot are common enough if you look, but someone who remains this completely unchanged is a first.
Come to think of it, even when he was attacked by the President before, he was completely unchanged…
Maybe Cozy is an even more incredible guy than I thought.
“P-President…
Are you serious?” “Are you dissatisfied?” “N-No.
If the President says so, I have no objections, but…” “Have a bit more of your own opinion there, Tachibana-senpai!
Are you scared just because the opponent is the President?” “This will complicate the conversation, so Honjo-kun, please keep quiet!
I’ll ignore your email replies, you know?!” Whoops, that would be a problem.
I’ll stay quiet as much as possible.
“I’m fundamentally a non-involvement guy.
Joining the Student Council has got to be a joke.” “Ehh?!
You’re refusing an invitation from the President?!” “I’m not interested…
Besides, the Student Council requires high ability, right?
Rather than someone plain like me, why don’t you invite Honjo?” “Ah, that’s impossible for me, Cozy.
You can’t hold a Student Council position while being in a club.
As a Karate Club member, I’m super busy day and night with harsh training.” “No, I told you, you’re a ghost member, didn’t I?!
Achieving results despite that is amazing, though!” Hooray, Tachibana-senpai praised me!
As I was rejoicing internally, the President also turned toward me, seemingly interested.
“Hmm…
Indeed, in principle, holding dual roles isn’t permitted, but if you insist, I could give you permission.” “A Secretary position means the same role as Tachibana-senpai, huh…
Wouldn’t it be better to refrain?
Tachibana-senpai will end up going bald from stress.” “Just what do you plan on doing?!” “No issue.
Tachibana is capable; she’ll handle a junior’s mischief smoothly.” “President?!” At the President’s merciless declaration, Tachibana-senpai’s eyes welled up like an abandoned puppy.
If I were a girl, she’d stir up enough protective instincts to make me hug her on impulse.
“Besides, President, didn’t you reject Katsuragi in his interview?
If he—who is competing with Arisu for the position of class leader—failed, and I, Arisu’s Minion A, passed, his dignity would be completely ruined.
That feels kind of pitiful, so I’ll decline.” “At the point where he’s being pitied this much by Minion A, I think it’s already too late, though…” “Tachibana-senpai, saying that ruins everything.” Setting Katsuragi aside, it would be bad toward Bankai-chan as well.
Plus, I personally think Student Council officers should prioritize enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility over raw ability.
“Then so be it.
…As a precaution, I assume you haven’t forgotten about Nagumo?” “Yeah, yeah, I’ll keep my promise.” On the day of the entrance ceremony: to get war funds for gambling, I borrowed 1 million points from the President in exchange for a certain condition.
That condition was…
to never side with Student Council Vice President Miyabi Nagumo in the future.
For the President to be this wary, he’s probably a senior who combines extremely high ability with a dangerous ideology…
It stimulates my curiosity like crazy, but a promise is a promise; I have no choice but to give up.
And after the President and the others left, I finally met up with Horirin coming out of the Student Council room and disclosed the information just as she wished.
…I was slightly worried she might break down emotionally, but judging by how her hostility toward me hasn’t vanished, there seems to be no need to worry.
…Once the finals are over, it’ll finally be the first special exam, huh.
With Arisu unable to participate and my plan to bring down Katsuragi, it’s a bit disappointing that I won’t have an opportunity to show my true strength.
However, I’m looking forward to seeing how Horirin, Ryunkel, Bankai-chan…
and Cozy will try to pull us down.
…But Arisu isn’t participating, huh.
Ahh~ thinking about that makes my motivation drop all at once…
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: While details are still a secret, Kiriha-kun is extremely good at seeing through lies and secrets.
That’s why Hashimoto-kun’s motives were exposed in a second.
However, ease of seeing through varies per individual; generally, the more capable a person is, the harder it is to tell.
By the way, he says he has never met anyone like Ayanokoji-kun, the official cheat code, where he can’t read anything at all.
If Ayanokoji-kun weren’t a self-proclaimed non-involvement guy who hates standing out, Kiriha would probably have aggressively involved himself with him.