“Vice President Nagumo is exactly as I imagined—he has a tight grip on the entire second year.” Shiraishi spoke up.
Though he had been gathering information on Nagumo Miyabi, this was his first time encountering him directly.
While the second-year Student Council members appeared to be following Horikita’s work arrangements on the surface, their responses and timing clearly followed Nagumo’s lead.
Horikita pulled a document from his bag.
“This is a general overview of the second year.
You should familiarize yourselves with it.” Horikita handed the file to Shiraishi.
“Next semester, our third-year class will be stepping down from the Student Council.
By then, the entire organization will become Nagumo’s domain.
It’s best if you prepare in advance.” Shiraishi flipped through it briefly.
The document mainly recorded Nagumo’s activities within the school—who his close associates were, which classes the second-year officers belonged to.
“There must be second-years who are dissatisfied with Nagumo’s rule, right?
None of the three lower-ranked classes have dared to stand up against him?” Shiraishi passed the material to Ichinose and voiced his question.
“This year’s second-year class has already lost the ability and courage to resist—they’ve been defeated too thoroughly.” Horikita explained, then elaborated on some of Nagumo’s actions during his first year.
Nagumo’s method of convincing the entire grade was simple: ruthless tactics.
In every exam, he would do everything possible to force expulsions from opposing classes.
Amidst his fierce attacks, he would also employ a softer approach—claiming that once he unified the grade, he would pool all the Private Points and use them to transfer those who contributed the most to Class A before graduation, letting them enjoy the graduation benefits.
Under this combination of threats and incentives, many students lost their fighting spirit out of fear of expulsion.
Once some began thinking, “Even if I can’t make it to Class A, at least I won’t get expelled,” the lower-ranked classes could no longer unite.
The few who still resisted were picked off one by one—either expelled by Nagumo or completely defeated in subsequent exams.
“That’s going too far.” Ichinose furrowed her brow slightly.
She had always believed in not giving up on anyone—even students from other classes, she didn’t want to see expelled because of class competition.
“Don’t worry, though.
I’m still Student Council President for now.
You have enough time to prepare.” Horikita suddenly smiled.
The timing of this remark was subtle—it seemed Horikita had deliberately chosen to say it now.
Shiraishi immediately picked up on it: “You mean that in the first semester, we won’t have contact with the upper grades, but in the second semester, there will be exams where we have to face them?” “Correct.” Seeing his hint had been picked up, Horikita nodded with satisfaction.
To prevent completely inexperienced first-years from being utterly crushed and controlled by the upper grades, the school’s regulations provided a certain degree of protection for first-year students.
But in the outside world—whether on campus or in the workplace—it was hard to avoid seniors targeting juniors.
So in the second semester, the first-years, now familiar with the school, would have to face the upper grades’ challenges head-on.
“That means we need to solidify our position within the first year by the end of the first semester—maybe even unify the entire grade like the second year did.
Only then can we spare the energy to deal with the second years’ interference.” Ichinose also grasped the situation.
“Exactly.
I wish you both the best of luck.” Having successfully conveyed his message, Horikita said, “That’s all the advice I have.
If there’s nothing else, you may go.” “Thank you, President.
We’ll take our leave.” The two exited the Student Council office.
Outside the office, they found not only Tachibana waiting for Horikita but also another girl.
“Shiraishi-kun, do you have a moment?” asked a girl with long purple hair.
“Kamuro-san, what is it?” Shiraishi recognized her and responded.
“Sakayanagi-san from our class would like to meet you.
She’s not very mobile, so she sent me to pass along the message.” Kamuro Masumi stated her purpose.
“Sakayanagi Arisu?” Shiraishi and Ichinose both knew of Class A’s two leaders.
After a brief pause, Shiraishi nodded in acceptance.
“I’ll head back first.
I’ll explain things to the class.” Ichinose said her goodbyes.
With results announced and points distributed, the class had already planned a celebration gathering for tonight—as class leader, she needed to host it.
Watching Ichinose leave, Shiraishi turned to Kamuro: “Then let’s go.” Under Kamuro’s guidance, they arrived at the café.
Sakayanagi Arisu sat at a corner table, two cups of coffee already on it.
“Shiraishi-kun has arrived.
Please, have a seat.” Sakayanagi gestured for Shiraishi to sit across from her.
He looked at the coffee, hesitated, then asked: “Kamuro-san doesn’t have one?” Kamuro, standing behind Sakayanagi, blinked in surprise at being addressed.
Sakayanagi let out a soft laugh.
“Hehe.
I didn’t expect Shiraishi-kun’s first words to be that.” Sakayanagi studied him with interest.
Kamuro shook her head: “I’m not really into this kind of thing…
I’ll pass.” “Very well.
So, Sakayanagi-san, what did you want to see me about?” Shiraishi took a small sip of coffee and asked.
“Naturally, I wanted to meet the person who solved the school’s puzzle on the second day.” Sakayanagi rested her elbows on the table, her fingers elegantly interlaced, a polite and flawless smile on her face—unreadable.
“I’ve wanted to meet Sakayanagi-san for a while too.” Shiraishi said honestly.
“Oh?
Unlike a star like Shiraishi-kun, why would you want to meet me?” A glimmer of interest appeared in Sakayanagi’s eyes.
“After all, our school’s chairman has the surname Sakayanagi.
I couldn’t help being curious.” Shiraishi smiled faintly.
At those words, the most surprised person was Kamuro standing behind Sakayanagi.
“Shiraishi-kun’s observational skills are indeed sharp.
That’s correct—Chairman Sakayanagi is my father.
But don’t underestimate me—I didn’t get into Class A through connections.” Sakayanagi admitted the relationship openly and without hesitation.
She paused, her smile deepening: “As expected, you have to meet someone in person to truly judge their character.
Shiraishi-kun, it seems school life from now on will be very interesting.
I look forward to working with you in the years to come.”