[However, there is one thing that I find very strange. With Mr. Ayanokoji's authority, he should be able to easily investigate every student in this school.]
[Yet, Mr. Ayanokoji still specifically asked me to investigate these kids. What could be the reason?]
[Is there really someone whose background even Mr. Ayanokoji cannot investigate?]
Tsukishiro Tokinari felt some doubts in his heart but continued speaking:
"Is there a high risk of expulsion? Students being in danger of expulsion has always been the case in the special exams up until now, hasn't it? The rule of this school is that failing even one exam can lead to expulsion, right? Ordinary high schools don't usually have such a strict system."
"I'm pointing out the irrationality. Students who cannot achieve certain results will indeed be expelled. I don't intend to say that this mechanism is simple. In fact, it's a fact that many students have been expelled in previous years..."
"Since there will always be many students expelled, isn't it the same?"
"No, this is clearly different from the policy up until now. Previously, those who were expelled were expelled due to lack of ability, not forced expulsion. I find it difficult to agree with your mechanism of forcibly creating expulsions. Moreover, suddenly deciding to introduce a new system in the final special exam at the end of this academic year is something that has never happened before, and there has been no explanation for it either."
"Have you ever considered that the rules of our school might have been wrong from the very beginning?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari responded with a smile.
Not only the first-year teachers but even the second and third-year teachers raised questions.
However, as the acting chairman of the school, Tsukishiro Tokinari held authority far above theirs. No matter what those teachers said, it held no significance for Tsukishiro Tokinari.
"Then, do any of the teachers have any other questions?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari inquired, but the teachers present had already fallen into silence.
They all knew that any opinion they had would be meaningless.
"Then, the discussion regarding the first-year final special exam and the future development of our school will come to an end here. Next, I have a few questions for the four first-year teachers. Teachers from other grades may leave now."
Soon, only Tsukishiro Tokinari and the four first-year teachers remained in the office. Chabashira Sae's gaze was fixed on Tsukishiro.
"Then, there's one more thing I'd like to specifically ask you teachers. Among the first-year students, are there any students who are particularly noteworthy? I mean... students who have shown exceptional talent."
Tsukishiro Tokinari inquired.
"In our class, it should be Sakayanagi, the daughter of the former chairman."
"Ichinose, her abilities are outstanding!"
"It should be Ryuen. Although that guy seems unreliable, he actually possesses unparalleled talent."
As everyone mentioned names, Tsukishiro Tokinari's gaze shifted to Chabashira Sae.
"Hirata Yosuke or Horikita Suzune, they are the most special students in our class. In terms of talent alone, they fully deserve to be in Class A."
Chabashira Sae spoke slowly.
She was well aware that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka in her class was the truly special one, but naturally, Chabashira Sae couldn't reveal anything about Ayanokoji Kiyotaka at this moment.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was Chabashira Sae's key to climbing to Class A.
"Oh?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari smiled slightly.
[Ayanokoji Kiyotaka is in their class, right? Being able to rise from Class D to Class B is undoubtedly something only the finished product from the White Room could achieve. Does Chabashira Sae really not know, or is she pretending not to? No, she must be well aware, because last time Mr. Ayanokoji personally came to the school.]
[But it doesn't matter, the question I want to ask now has nothing to do with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka—]
[What I want to ask is about the identity of another person.]
"By the way, Chabashira-sensei, I happen to have a question for you."
"Please go ahead."
Chabashira Sae tried to remain calm, but a flicker of unease flashed in her eyes.
"Although the former chairman took most of the data with him, some information was recorded in the school and cannot be changed... I noticed that two students were specially assigned to your class by the chairman?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari said, and Chabashira Sae's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"That's correct."
"Do you know if these two students have anything special about them?"
"There's nothing particularly special about them."
"Then do you know why Chairman Sakayanagi assigned them to your class?"
"I'm not entirely sure of the specific reason, as it was Chairman Sakayanagi's decision."
Chabashira Sae used her most skilled ability—bluffing.
As long as she firmly claimed to know nothing, she could avoid a lot of trouble.
"Oh?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't press further. Instead, he continued,
"How much do you know about this student named Saiki?"
"He's very ordinary in class... he doesn't even have much presence."
Chabashira Sae replied.
"He's somewhat similar to another student named Ayanokoji, right?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing Chabashira Sae's response, Tsukishiro Tokinari fell into deep thought.
[Saiki, his records are the least detailed.]
[He seems like a very ordinary student in every aspect, yet he was specially recruited into the school by Sakayanagi...]
[What on earth is this guy's background?]
...
Meanwhile, in the student council office.
"May I come in?"
A light voice sounded, and a petite figure stood at the office door.
Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Of course, you're welcome."
Inside the office, only Nagumo Miyabi was present, a meaningful smile on his face.
"The student council office has become so extravagant, I almost didn't recognize it."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked around and said with a smile.
Previously, the student council office had nothing but tables and chairs. Now, even the wallpaper had been renovated, and many items that seemed to be Nagumo Miyabi's personal belongings were placed inside, making it vastly different from before.
This also highlighted the difference in personality between Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi.
"You weren't invited to the student council by Horikita-senpai, were you?"
Nagumo Miyabi asked with a smile.
"Unfortunately, it seems I wasn't chosen. I didn't receive an invitation."
"He really has no taste."
"Then, does that mean you're different, new student council president?"
Hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's words, Nagumo Miyabi maintained his smile.
"Of course, I welcome you—but I'll only treat you as my personal belonging."
After saying this, Nagumo Miyabi patted the head of a rabbit doll placed beside him.
"What should I do to earn your guarantee~"
Sakayanagi Arisu slightly narrowed her eyes.
"Show me the corresponding strength—that's all. It's not too late to join the student council first. Why don't you come over here?"
"No need for now. Having two leaders in one organization would be quite troublesome. Most importantly, I can't bear to crush the seniors."
Sakayanagi Arisu also maintained her smile.
[President Nagumo is a capable person~ But for now, there's no need to make an enemy of him. He can still be of use to me.]
"Two leaders?"
Hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's response, Nagumo Miyabi's smile became even more pronounced.
"You, Ryuen, it seems there are many interesting first-year students this year—but let's get to the point. Since you don't wish to join the student council, what is it that you've come to see me about, even going so far as to send others away?"
"Well then, I'll get straight to the point. I've come here with a request related to Ichinose Honami, the student council officer from Class C. I'm planning to launch an attack on her, and some rough things might happen."
Sakayanagi Arisu said.
"I've heard about that before. And then?"
"She is indeed the only first-year student council officer. In other words, she will be a candidate for the next student council president."
"As long as no other first-year students take up the position and no outstanding figures emerge among the freshmen, she will undoubtedly be elected, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"However, I should inform you that Ichinose might be at risk of expulsion."
Sakayanagi Arisu said.
There was no personal grudge between Sakayanagi Arisu and Ichinose Honami. In Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes, Ichinose Honami couldn't even pose a threat to her.
She was doing this simply to prove her strength and demonstrate her power in front of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka—
At the same time, it was also to verify something.
To see if this action could attract the real X.
Previously, Sakayanagi Arisu and Nagumo Miyabi had discussed this matter.
"I don't remember allowing you to go that far, Sakayanagi."
Nagumo Miyabi's smile disappeared in an instant, and a terrifying killing intent filled the air.
"Well, you did say to start by bullying Ichinose. However, I'd like to ask for your permission to be a bit rougher."
"Honami is my personal belonging, and I only gave you the power to weaken her."
"I understand that very well. But there's always the possibility of unexpected events. Even if she gets expelled, it's still possible, right?"
"You're quite bold. Aren't you afraid of me?"
"It's just my nature."
"Let me ask you one thing. If it were you, you could have executed this without my permission. Yet, you came to me in such a proper manner to seek my approval. Is it because you don't want to make an enemy of me?"
"You can interpret it however you like."
"Don't play dumb. I want to hear your true thoughts."
"The student council in this school seems to hold more power than I initially thought. If the student council... no, if you personally step in to protect Ichinose, it would be quite troublesome for me."
Hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's words, Nagumo Miyabi's serious expression finally showed a smile again.
He understood Sakayanagi Arisu's meaning very well—she didn't want to make an enemy of him at this time.
[This is good. If Sakayanagi could become my belonging, that would be great. But for now, it seems quite difficult. I'll use her to drag my Honami into the mud. That way, Honami will need me even more.]
Nagumo Miyabi thought to himself.
"Alright, Sakayanagi. From the student council's standpoint, we will tacitly allow all your actions from now on. As the student council president, I won't go back on my word. But what exactly are you planning to do?"
"Please wait and see... for now, that's all."
As Sakayanagi Arisu spoke, she seemed to remember something and continued,
"However, I have one more question. During the training camp exam, I remember you and Horikita-senpai had a match, but the final result was never announced. Although the scores of each group weren't made public, if you asked the teachers, they would definitely tell you. I'm curious about the outcome of your match."
"There's nothing to say. The match was canceled."
Nagumo Miyabi directly replied.
"Canceled?"
This answer surprised Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Something happened that made Horikita-senpai aware of my plan and understand what kind of person I am—precisely because of that, Horikita-senpai unilaterally canceled the match with me."
"It must be because you tried to involve others."
Sakayanagi Arisu believed that Horikita Manabu wasn't the type to suddenly cancel a match. The only possibility was that Nagumo Miyabi had broken some agreement.
"Hahaha, your guess is quite good. Trust is a very important resource. If used properly, it can yield great value. But it seems Horikita-senpai didn't trust me enough."
"It doesn't seem like the former student council president's style."
"I think so too."
At this moment, Nagumo Miyabi's expression became serious again.
"I admit that Horikita-senpai is strong, but this course of action doesn't seem like him. So, I think someone else helped him—but never mind, it's not important. Sakayanagi, I acknowledge your strength. I allow you to join the student council at any time from now on."
"Thank you. No matter what, coming here today was a good decision. I've gotten to know President Nagumo's character. At least compared to former President Horikita, we seem to get along better. I'm truly relieved."
Sakayanagi Arisu picked up her hat, nodded, and prepared to leave the student council office.
"Sakayanagi, what do you know about Saiki?"
At this moment, Nagumo Miyabi suddenly asked.