"Hello there, kouhai. I'm Nagumo Miyabi from Class 2-A, the current vice president of the student council."
Horikita Suzune had been whispering with Shimizu Akira about how to get her brother's attention when she suddenly found a blond upperclassman standing right in front of her, an unreadable smile on his face.
She frowned—what was he smiling about?
Was he laughing at her for staring at her brother earlier?
When she'd entered, she'd seen him chatting with that girl wearing the sunflower hairpin—wasn't that his girlfriend?
But… this guy was the student council vice president?
None of the scripts Shimizu Akira had prepared for her mentioned him.
"?" Her gaze instinctively flicked to Shimizu Akira.
"Why are you looking at me?" He blinked back, feigning ignorance.
"What am I supposed to say to this guy to make my brother think I'm polite?"
"...Uh, the way you're acting right now is already plenty impolite!"
Horikita Suzune stiffened, her cheeks warming slightly—she had been so caught off guard that she'd forgotten basic manners.
Nagumo Miyabi, observing their exchange, smirked. Rather than taking offense, he found her flustered reaction oddly endearing. "Seems this kouhai isn't used to talking to strangers? No worries—I'm pretty easygoing."
He deliberately took half a step closer, his tone dripping with faux familiarity. "Your brother isn't this cold during council meetings, you know. Want me to tell you what he's like at work?"
The offer struck a chord. Her lips pressed together, and though she didn't retreat, her eyes remained wary.
Shimizu Akira, seeing right through Nagumo's ploy, nudged her arm and muttered, "Just greet him normally."
She shot him a look that screamed "you could've said that sooner," but turned back to Nagumo and forced a stiff nod. "Vice President… hello. No need to trouble yourself."
Nagumo theatrically raised a brow. "Your boyfriend and your brother are both right here in the council room. What's the harm in chatting? I'd be happy to help."
Her frown deepened—why was this guy so annoying?
And since when was Shimizu Akira her boyfriend? Was his eyesight that bad?
"He's not my boyfriend. Just a classmate." She paused, then added pointedly, "Obviously."
"Oh? So you're single?"Nagumo's grin widened, his gaze growing bolder.
He was liking the president's sister more by the second—outwardly the picture of a cold honors student, yet her reactions were hilariously blunt, almost clueless.
"...Shimizu." She finally snapped, shooting him a glare.
She'd had enough. If not for the council setting, she'd have already torn into this guy.
After a beat, she reluctantly looked to Shimizu Akira for help.
"...He's probably harmless." To her shock, he nodded.
Horikita Suzune immediately relaxed.
If even Shimizu Akira said so, this guy must not be close to her brother.
"You've been staring at me since I walked in. If you have something to say, say it."
Her voice was ice, her expression frigid.
Nagumo blinked—where did this sudden hostility come from?
Still, he kept smiling. "Because you're pretty? The president's sister is stunning—can't blame me for looking, can you?"
"Are you an animal? Do you just drool over anything attractive?" She scoffed, firing back without hesitation. "You're really the vice president? How did my brother let someone like you into the council?"
Nagumo's smile faltered for the first time.
He hadn't expected the previously awkward girl to transform into this the moment the boy spoke—her words were razor-sharp.
Deep down, he knew his behavior wasn't exactly upstanding, hardly fitting the council's upright image.
Most second-years were aware of this, but aside from his childhood friend Asahina Sae, no one dared call him out.
Yet today, a first-year girl had just laid it bare.
"Well, your brother did appoint him. By saying that, aren't you implying your brother has poor judgment?"Shimizu Akira interjected mildly.
"That's not what I meant." She turned away, as if Nagumo wasn't worth her time.
Though her tone still carried an edge, her bite had visibly softened.
(She listens to him that well?)
(How the hell did he get her so obedient?)
(Even the president's little sister—just what has he done to her?!)
Nagumo was mildly irritated, but more than anything, stunned.
Since enrolling, he'd interacted with plenty of girls, but none of them had ever genuinely respected him.
They either wanted his looks, his status, or his points—he'd never had this kind of influence over anyone.
Were these two already together? Had his entire approach just been part of their little game?!
"Thanks for the… assistance, Shimizu-kun."Nagumo's smile turned wry, his usual arrogance dimming slightly as he studied Shimizu Akira.
Though the comment hadn't sounded supportive, it had stopped Horikita Suzune's verbal onslaught.
Clearly, this guy also knew how much the "little sister" valued her brother's opinion—hence the diplomatic redirect.
"No trouble at all, Vice President Nagumo. Just doing my part."Shimizu Akira replied smoothly.
"Shimizu-kun, you look familiar."Nagumo eyed him—while not as handsome as himself, the guy was undeniably good-looking. Yet for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling they'd met before.
He never forgot a pretty face, but with another guy, it took him a moment to place it.
"Last Saturday, at a parfait shop. That's probably where you saw me."Shimizu Akira's tone remained neutral.
"Ah! Now that you mention it!"Nagumo tapped his forehead, finally recalling. "Wait, weren't you with a very eye-catching girl then? Seems Shimizu-kun is quite popular."
He remembered clearly—the guy had been with a girl. His emphasis on "very" was deliberate, aiming to drive a wedge between him and Horikita Suzune.
But when he glanced at the president's sister, her expression didn't so much as flicker—as if she'd already known.
(Huh? What's this? She's aware?)