The next day during lunch break, what was placed on Murakami Yuu's desk was Totsuka Reita's phone, displaying a photo of a news article on the school bulletin board.
[The Aloof and Unrestrained Drifter in the Wind - Face to Face with New Student Council Vice President Murakami Yuu]
This was the title displayed in bold and enlarged font at the top of the news article.
"Pfft... ha... hahaha..."
Watching Murakami Yuu's expression gradually become strange, his troublemaker friend tried to hold it in again and again, but ultimately couldn't control himself and burst out laughing.
"Hey Yuu... oh wait, I should call you 'Drifter in the Wind' from now on, pfft pfft..."
Rolling his eyes at the amused Totsuka Reita, he ignored him and silently used his fingers to enlarge the photo on the screen to read the news article content.
[Upon first meeting Murakami Yuu, he was full of smiles. His every gesture had a quality that made one involuntarily want to approach him. I questioned him about student council matters, but unexpectedly received sharp-edged answers. Below is the specific conversation process.]
Sharp-edged answers...
Murakami Yuu raised an eyebrow. He had a bad feeling and continued reading.
[First question: What do you think of the other student council members?]
[Murakami Yuu spoke very casually, paying no attention to President Kinomiya beside him. Right in front of her, he answered: To be honest, there aren't many members here, but they're all great. I really like it.]
[This writer was somewhat surprised because President Kinomiya, who was present, had no reaction to such an almost offensive statement. That feeling was as if she had tacitly accepted it, making one inevitably speculate about their relationship.
After calming down a bit, this writer asked: Murakami Yuu successfully obtained the vice president position by standing out among many candidates. What are your thoughts on those classmates whose support ratings were below yours?]
[After hearing this question, Murakami Yuu chuckled. That smile contained three parts contempt, three parts mockery, three parts ridicule, and one part seeming disdain shown toward this writer for asking this question. His tone was extremely light, like a high and mighty king, lazily answering: No particular thoughts.]
[This brief answer made this writer realize Murakami Yuu's implied meaning. Ants cannot make an elephant stop. In his view, the competitors he defeated don't need to be mentioned again. He is sufficiently arrogant and proud, but indeed has this ability.
This writer asked the third question: Regarding President Kinomiya, how do you view her?]
[...Answer: The president herself is very excellent. I need her for many things. Working together with her is a good opportunity. She is my goal.]
[...Question: What's the secret to Murakami maintaining his academic performance?]
[...Answer: Just the most basic reading and problem-solving. It depends on intelligence.]
[Final question: Is there anything you'd like to say to all the teachers and students?]
[Still a concise answer: Nothing in particular.]
[The entire interview process has ended. But just as this writer was preparing to leave, I witnessed an absolutely unexpected scene.
Kiso-san, who shone brightly at the school festival, came before Murakami. In her hands was a love-filled bento. Their relationship was clearly extraordinary.
But just moments ago, Murakami had clearly stated that President Kinomiya was his goal. The meaning represented here is self-evident...
For more exclusive content, please follow the news club. We will continue to bring you more...]
"Yuu, why did your photo turn into this eerie style? The colors look so strange."
Iizuka Takeya somehow appeared behind Murakami Yuu, his chin resting on his shoulder, leaning his head forward to stare at the phone screen together.
"Probably because with this color tone, I would match the content of their news article better - equally annoying."
Murakami Yuu gently pushed away Iizuka Takeya's head and stood up.
"Although it's nonsense from start to finish, I have to say the title 'Aloof and Unrestrained Drifter in the Wind' does sound pretty cool."
"I only find it inexplicably shameful. If you like it, I'll give it to you."
Murakami Yuu returned the phone to Totsuka Reita's hands.
"Thanks. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known the news article would be written like this."
"What do you plan to do now?"
"Make the news club apologize and clarify."
Murakami Yuu looked toward Anna Kinomiya's seat in the classroom.
"I vaguely felt yesterday that the news club president was somewhat off, but I didn't expect her to have such lack of professional ethics - cutting off the beginning and end of my answers, a complete unscrupulous media outlet."
"Got it. We'll go with you. If they don't cooperate, we'll let them taste this."
Iizuka Takeya waved his fist.
"The news club president is a girl though."
Totsuka Reita reminded him.
"So what? One punch and she'll be crouching on the ground whimpering."
"Hit the chest?"
"Nonsense, the stomach!"
Murakami Yuu laughed.
"I appreciate the thought, but there's no need for such methods. I'll handle it myself. If they don't do as I say, the news club won't be able to maintain normal operations - not only will they not get a single yen in funding, but the club room will also be taken from them.
I'm in the vice president position and you think I'd be bullied by a news club?"
"That's true. You have way too many ways to deal with them now."
"Exactly. I'll go by myself."
Murakami Yuu walked out of the classroom door. As he walked quickly down the hallway toward the news club, he saw Anna Kinomiya and Ono Miyuki walking toward him.
"Murakami-kun, I was just about to look for you in your classroom. What a coincidence."
Anna Kinomiya came forward to greet him, standing very close.
"There happens to be something. Let's go to the student council room to talk about it."
Murakami Yuu looked at the composed Ono Miyuki behind her and nodded.
...
"So, what's the matter with suddenly calling me out, President?"
Ono Miyuki's expression was calm, as if she truly didn't know what had happened.
"Regarding the news article published on the bulletin board today - the content is all false information meant to catch attention. Don't you think that's a bit excessive?
Murakami-kun was written by you as having that kind of personality. This can completely be called slander."
Anna Kinomiya was smiling with narrowed eyes, but Murakami Yuu could clearly feel an unpleasant aura from her.
"That's a news article I seriously wrote through face-to-face communication and observation. I don't see any problems. I don't agree with the 'slander' you mention, President."
"You think you did nothing wrong?"
"Of course. Those were all words spoken by Vice President Murakami. And I also think there are no problems with the descriptions of others - it's all true."
Ono Miyuki crossed her arms, her tone sanctimonious, looking like she was greatly defending press freedom.
Who gave you the courage to directly confront the student council? Do you really think you'll have a good time after offending the student council?
Murakami Yuu noticed her reaction was somewhat off. That fearless feeling was too strong. But before he could think more deeply, Anna Kinomiya beside him slowly turned cold-faced.
"Is this your personal attitude as news club president, or is it the entire news club's attitude?"
"Our news club is united. Being fair and objective is basic literacy."
"You've been spouting pretty words since you entered."
Murakami Yuu spoke unhurriedly.
This comment made Ono Miyuki's eyelid twitch. She changed her sitting position.
"They're not pretty words. I'm just stating the correct facts."
As if not wanting to waste time here, she spoke again, her tone somewhat heavier, her attitude firm.
"If you only called me here today about the news article, then I'm sorry. The news club is just a transmitter of facts. We can't change things because of one or two people's thoughts. That's professional ethics."
If you really had professional ethics, you should be blushing right now - that would represent having basic shame.
Looking at the unmoved Ono Miyuki, Murakami Yuu scoffed.
"No need to say more. I roughly understand the news club's thinking. If that's the case, this club has no need to continue existing."
Ono Miyuki's inner goal was achieved. The corner of her mouth hooked up. But the next moment, when Anna Kinomiya took out her phone, slapped it on the table, and pressed the play button, her face rapidly turned to horror.
The phone played a recording of yesterday's face-to-face interview process.
"An irresponsible news club lacking authenticity has no need to exist."
Anna Kinomiya's face was grim as water.
"At the next school assembly, I will have it dissolved."
...