For example, Nagumo's inducement of Ichinose Honami might, in some sense, have been aimed at Horikita Manabu.
"Very good, you guessed correctly, but there's one thing to add," Horikita Manabu said. "The reason Nagumo targeted me isn't just his boring ideas; it's also because of myself."
Suzuki Toru's eyes gleamed, but he didn't speak immediately.
"Nagumo and I have different stances on certain matters. He hopes to change the existing school rules through the Student Council, implementing a thorough meritocracy. If nothing unexpected happens, his ideas will force many students to drop out, turning it into a complete zero-sum game, where it's either you die or I live."
At this point, Horikita Manabu suddenly paused.
"Do you know about the dropout situation in Class 2?" he asked Suzuki Toru.
Information about the upper classes is hard to come by, especially regarding one's own Class, mostly due to guarding against opponents.
However, just the number of students can be found out with a little effort, not to mention Suzuki Toru doesn't have to do it himself.
Someone had already done the intelligence work for him.
"I heard more than ten people dropped out," Suzuki Toru replied.
Horikita Manabu nodded slightly: "Most of them were innocent people, and a few were Nagumo's opponents."
At this moment, Akane Tachibana also spoke: "The first dropouts in Class 2 happened in the first semester of last year. At that time, three students dropped out, from Class C and Class D respectively."
Suzuki Toru looked at Horikita Manabu. The Student Council President said nothing, clearly acquiescing to Akane Tachibana's statement.
No, it wasn't acquiescence; Akane Tachibana was his secretary to begin with, equivalent to secretarial work, and these detailed explanations were basically handled by the secretary.
"The second dropouts occurred after Nagumo led his Class to surpass the original Class A, during an exam in the second semester... You can think of it as a very special test. He attacked Class C and Class D, causing seven students to drop out all at once."
As she spoke, Akane Tachibana seemed to feel angry, gripping her notebook tightly, her fingers showing faint blue marks from the slight pressure.
"After this wave of dropouts, the two Classes basically obeyed his every command. Coupled with his promise to help students who followed his orders get promoted to Class A, no one dared to resist him at all." Akane Tachibana disliked this approach. "Originally, some people in the former Class A and Class B were very dissatisfied with him, but they were successively expelled by him in subsequent exams. Therefore, now the entire Class 2 is under his rule."
First a stick, then a carrot; this tactic was truly simple and crude.
But it was very effective. Suzuki Toru could imagine the panic in those two Classes at the time.
First taking down the numerous weak, then precisely targeting those dissatisfied with him—no wonder Nagumo had nearly ten million personal points; they must have been taken from other students.
"Doesn't the school find this approach inappropriate?" Suzuki Toru asked.
"Even if Nagumo caused many to drop out, it was still within the rules, so it's useless even if the school knows," Akane Tachibana complained.
This senior student seemed to have a strong animosity towards Nagumo. Was she standing up for the Class 2 students?
"I'm not talking about that. What I mean is, does the school have no objection to him uniting the entire Class to divide the Class points?" Suzuki Toru rephrased his question.
Akane Tachibana was clearly stunned, and even Horikita Manabu couldn't help but be slightly surprised, then he showed a very satisfied smile.
"That's unexpected. To see so much from a small clue, Suzuki, you are more outstanding than Ichinose."
"I just find it strange. If a Class unites, wouldn't the school's purpose of having them compete with each other lose its meaning?"
"President Sakayanagi, who currently manages this school, is a very open-minded person. Although I often feel the school's helplessness and distress about this, President Sakayanagi will not casually interfere in student affairs."
"..."
In other words, the school is turning a blind eye?
As soon as this thought popped into Suzuki Toru's head, he dismissed it.
The school would never allow such a situation to happen. The reason they can tolerate Nagumo now is probably because he has achieved something others cannot, something even Horikita Manabu cannot control the entire Class.
Situations similar to Nagumo's must be extremely rare, perhaps even the first time in history.
Therefore, the school can accept Nagumo.
But it will not accept another person who controls the entire Class. This principle is like the planner of a certain game; he won't let you have an advantage for several versions in a row.
Even if it means gritting their teeth, the school will increase the difficulty and nerf them a few times.
"After I retire, Nagumo will immediately push for reforms. At that time, the number of people who drop out due to inability to adapt to the situation should skyrocket." Horikita Manabu looked at Suzuki Toru very seriously. "Although this school believes in meritocracy, I think the current situation is enough. Besides competition, students will also need other things."
He understood. Nagumo was a radical reformist, and Horikita Manabu was a conservative traditionalist, which was why the latter said their stances were different.
Chapter 23: Mutual Cooperation
"Suzuki, even knowing all this, do you still stick to your previous idea?"
Horikita Manabu observed Suzuki Toru's expression, still seeing no change. It was as if he had expected it, not even batting an eyelid.
Even knowing that Nagumo controlled Class 2, and that even students who had tried to resist Nagumo had been expelled, was there no fear?
Wait, this freshman was not fearless.
Just by looking at Suzuki Toru's words, it wasn't hard to find that he had already guessed all this, and he had guessed it before Horikita Manabu explained it.
Otherwise, Suzuki Toru wouldn't have immediately said, "I'll help you deal with Nagumo."
It was precisely because he had guessed all this that he knocked on the Student Council's door.
So that's it. This year's freshmen are truly not to be underestimated, Horikita Manabu sighed inwardly.
However, even though he thought he understood Suzuki Toru's thoughts, he remained silent afterward.
"The fact that Nagumo can control the entire Class shows that the seniors in Class 2 are too incompetent." Suzuki Toru's words were shocking. "Now he's going to deal with you across Classes, and he'll definitely be able to deal with me with the future Class 3. We need to deal with Nagumo quickly, at least to shake his position."
Horikita Manabu was truly silent this time. Did this freshman know what he was saying?
"Hey, Class 1 student, do you think you're telling a bad joke?" Akane Tachibana glared at Suzuki Toru with ill intent. "As a freshman, your attitude needs improvement. Being too arrogant isn't good, you know?"
"I hope to resolve this matter before the end of Class 1, that is, before you seniors graduate." Suzuki Toru ignored her and continued speaking to Horikita Manabu.
"Do you have absolutely no concept? Although it's frustrating, Nagumo is indeed very powerful right now. Next semester, he will also take over the Student Council. How will you deal with such an opponent?" Akane Tachibana looked as if she were looking at an idiot.
At the same time, Horikita Manabu also spoke: "Perhaps you haven't yet felt the power of the Student Council. It has the right to propose opinions on school rules, change some rewards or punishments, including the exams you will encounter in the future."
At this point, he stopped, this was the maximum amount of information he could reveal.
"So, I'm going to buy a Student Council spot now," Suzuki Toru said just as seriously.
Horikita Manabu was slightly stunned, then shook his head: "I can allow you to join the Student Council, but please don't have too many expectations. Akane Tachibana and I are about to retire, and there will be various battles and competitions ahead."
"Not just us, you freshmen will also encounter them soon," Akane Tachibana reminded him with a cold snort. "This school is no joke. I'm afraid even the Class troubles will be enough to give you a hard time!"
Clearly, both Horikita Manabu and Akane Tachibana believed that Suzuki Toru did not have enough energy and strength to deal with Nagumo at this stage.
After all, the Class 1 competition had not yet fully begun, and getting involved in the upper Class battles too early would be somewhat counterproductive.
"Senior, I still think you should accept these personal points." Suzuki Toru didn't care about their opinions. The two of them didn't have too many desires, so they weren't worth his special attention.
Hmm, compared to Horikita Manabu, his sister is more worthy of attention.
Hearing Suzuki Toru's words, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but frown and asked in confusion, "You should know very well that you've already met my requirements, so why waste personal points?"
In response, Suzuki Toru calmly said, "Because I need a Student Council spot, a spot that anyone can join the Student Council."
Akane Tachibana was stunned, realizing she couldn't understand what he was saying. Who did he want to join the Student Council?
"Alright," Horikita Manabu looked deeply at Suzuki Toru. "The deadline is the end of this month. The Student Council's selection list will be announced next month."
Suzuki Toru finally showed a hint of a smile. The deal was done; next was cooperation.
"If I have some matters that might involve school forbidden zones that I want to ask for your help with, Senior, would you help?"
Horikita Manabu was silent for a moment: "Is this your real purpose in seeking me out?"
"Just mutual cooperation," Suzuki Toru smiled slightly.
"I will decide whether to help you based on the situation."
"Much appreciated, Senior."
After exchanging contact information, Suzuki Toru unhesitatingly transferred one million personal points to Horikita Manabu's account.
Just as the transfer finished, Suzuki Toru suddenly asked out of the blue, "By the way, Senior, do you have a younger sister?"
Upon hearing this, Akane Tachibana's eyes widened.
"Eh eh eh, President, do you have a younger sister?"
Horikita Manabu was slightly stunned, and re-examined Suzuki Toru from head to toe: "You've met Suzune?"
"I have, but I find it a bit strange. She's your sister, Senior, so why isn't she in Class A?" Suzuki Toru didn't think he was lying, after all, he had seen Horikita Suzune from a distance at the club orientation.
After a moment of silence, Horikita Manabu said, "She lacks the necessary qualifications in certain aspects, so it's not surprising that she's not in Class A."
Suzuki Toru's eyes gleamed: "Senior, aren't you going to help your sister?"
Hearing this, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but frown and say, "Suzune isn't worth that much attention from you, is she?"
"Just curious about Senior's thoughts."
"Even if I am the President of the Student Council, it's not a reason to abuse my power for personal gain. I won't do anything unnecessary."
"I see."
Having said this much, Suzuki Toru was content and about to leave, but he didn't expect Horikita Manabu to suddenly call out to him.
"Suzuki, I have one last question." Horikita Manabu's eyes were sharp. "What is your purpose in wanting to join the Student Council?"
He had said a lot earlier, but not a single word was about Suzuki Toru himself.
Even now, Horikita Manabu still couldn't see through what this freshman was thinking, or what his goal might be.
The more this was the case, the more serious Horikita Manabu's expression became. Suzuki Toru was too outstanding, which made him worry greatly.
Suzuki Toru silently met Horikita Manabu's gaze. Was he afraid that he would become the next Nagumo?
In a fleeting thought, he gave his answer.
"I need the Student Council."
After saying this, Suzuki Toru left the Student Council office.
Akane Tachibana felt a bit annoyed. This Class 1 freshman was truly too rude!
And what did he mean, "I need the Student Council"? It was as if he was buying a handy hammer at a convenience store!
"President, I think it's necessary to properly discipline this freshman; his words and actions need to be reasonably corrected!" Akane Tachibana said indignantly.
"Why are you so angry at him?" Horikita Manabu asked.
"B-because he just looks like he's so amazing!"
"Akane, is there a possibility that he needs this preemptive aura to intimidate us?"
"What do you mean?"
Horikita Manabu didn't answer Akane Tachibana's question, but sighed deeply. Class 2 had Nagumo, and now Class 1 had another freshman not to be underestimated. What else would happen in the future?
Just as he was about to continue his Student Council work, he suddenly heard a knock at the door again.
Looking up, a student stood at the doorway. He was not only bald but also lacked eyebrows, which was extremely rare.
"Excuse me, I am Katsuragi Kohei from Class 1-A. I would like to apply to join the Student Council. Here is my application form."
Horikita Manabu was first stunned. It was another Class A student. Could it be that Class A this year was all excellent?
This thought flashed through his mind, and then he suppressed the emotions in his heart.
"Please come in."
Before long, Horikita Manabu felt disappointed with Katsuragi Kohei.
This student himself was excellent, but once compared to Suzuki Toru, he seemed somewhat ordinary, lacking the latter's striking impression.
Let him stay outside for now; I'll observe him again after a while, Horikita Manabu thought to himself.
Chapter 24: Ichinose's Worries
Just after leaving the Student Council office, Suzuki Toru hadn't walked far when he saw a familiar figure.
Katsuragi Kohei.
The other party was clearly also stunned, not expecting to see him here.
"Good afternoon," Suzuki Toru greeted proactively. "Katsuragi-kun, are you also planning to join the Student Council?"
He had originally wanted to ask him why he was here, but he was spoken to first. Katsuragi Kohei was caught off guard and nodded subconsciously.
Sakayanagi Arisu's performance today was too eye-catching, giving Katsuragi Kohei a sense of crisis, not to mention he himself had always had thoughts about the Student Council