What happened in Class C didn't escape the eyes of Symon and Hiyori, but since neither of them had a reason to get involved, they naturally started chatting secretly:
'Hiyori, what did Ryūen mean by 'everything the school promised'?'
Hiyori Shiina rested on her desk, tilting her head in some confusion: 'Haven't I told you about this, Mr. Ghost?'
Symon was utterly confused: 'You have?'
After thinking for a moment, Hiyori Shiina realized she indeed hadn't mentioned it and explained: 'The Advanced Nurturing High School's public promotion is that as long as you graduate from this school, you can choose any prestigious university or top-tier company. The school provides its students with a perfect starting point.'
'That's a pretty big promise, isn't it?'
'Yes, it is. The ANHS is backed by the government, and in the decade-plus since its founding, it has indeed produced many outstanding graduates who are now widely spread across various industries. This promise isn't just empty words.'
'I see. That's a bit of a shame, then...'
Symon offered his evaluation: 'I have to say, the school's founding principle of having students compete and grow in a simulated society is very interesting. But at your age, your worldviews haven't fully formed yet. One wrong step and it could turn into a viper's nest.'
'Mr. Ghost, your perspective on things is truly strange. It gives off the feeling that you're a complete outsider.'
'Just like the nickname you gave me. After all, I'm just a ghost. Maybe one day, you'll wake up and find that I'm gone.'
'...' Hiyori Shiina didn't respond to that.
'Why the silence?' Symon asked tentatively.
'If that day really comes, we should at least have a proper goodbye.'
'Oh, so that's what you were thinking about.'
...
Meanwhile, in the Class C classroom.
Having proven his strength and after issuing a series of warnings, Kakeru Ryūen successfully established his leadership position in Class C.
Even if some were unconvinced, believed they could do the same, or were simply rebellious, no one chose to step forward at this moment.
Logically, this would be the time for Ryūen to establish Class C's rules or lay out a future strategy.
However, he had never been one to play by the book. Compared to such boring matters, he clearly had something more important to attend to.
For instance—securing his hand-picked strategist.
Striding over to Ibuki's desk and forcing the blue-haired girl to give up her seat again, Ryūen looked at the sleepy-eyed Hiyori Shiina and asked, 'Aren't you curious how I did it?'
Hiyori Shiina looked up, her gaze calm as she gave her answer: 'Going by your style, Ryūen, you probably used violence on an upperclassman.'
When you have a clear objective, there are many ways to uncover a secret. Violent interrogation of someone in the know is the simplest of them.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
'Was that a woman's intuition this time?' Ryūen clapped his hands. 'But it seems you're not in a very good mood right now. Is there anything I can help you with?'
'It has nothing to do with you, Ryūen. I'll handle it myself.'
Her silver-blue hair swayed gently as Hiyori Shiina shook her head—she couldn't very well have Ryūen beat up Symon, could she.
Receiving such a reply, Ryūen nodded and didn't press the matter further.
He had wanted to ask Hiyori Shiina for her opinion on the school, but trying to discuss serious business when the girl was being somewhat emotional seemed foolish.
Don't let me find out which bastard ruined my plans!—Ryūen's cold gaze swept across the students in the classroom as he returned to his seat.
Seeing the tyrant and the strategist of Class C conclude their conversation peacefully, Kazuma Sakagami pushed up his glasses, calmly stepped onto the podium, and began to explain the academic policies for the semester.
After speaking for about ten minutes, Kazuma Sakagami had the students come up to the podium one by one to introduce themselves.
Although it was rather pointless, Hiyori also went up and introduced herself in a gentle, soft voice: 'I'm Hiyori Shiina. My hobby is reading, and I hope to live a peaceful school life.'
'Tch~!'
'Whoa~!'—that was from the boys.
'She really is pretty!'
Many classmates started making a commotion.
Unsurprisingly, the belle of Class C was born under everyone's gaze.
However, in Symon's opinion, not a single girl in this class was ugly, yet most of the boys looked rather strange, which was just absurd.
During breaks, the Class C students wanted to strike up a conversation, but because Hiyori Shiina was too sleepy and would rest her head on the desk as soon as the teacher left, no one wanted to disturb her.
And so, time flew by until after school in the afternoon.
An announcement on the school broadcast had informed them that a club information session would be held in the First Gymnasium after school, so after dinner, Hiyori made her way there.
She was a bit late when she arrived. Nearly a hundred students were there, mostly first-years, and on the stage, the Student Council President was giving a speech:
'I am the Student Council President, Manabu Horikita.'
'The Student Council will also be recruiting candidates at this recruitment fair. Those interested in running for a position on the Student Council, please refrain from joining other clubs.'
At this point, the black-haired, bespectacled young man on stage paused, then delivered the next part of his speech in a clear voice:
'Furthermore—we in the Student Council have no desire for candidates who run with naive ideas. Such people would not only fail to be elected but would surely bring disgrace upon the school. Our school's Student Council is highly regarded precisely because it has been entrusted by the school administration with the authority and mission to change the rules. We only welcome those who understand this.'
After speaking, the Student Council President turned and walked straight off the stage, leaving behind a group of freshmen who looked at each other in dismay, feeling insulted.
In the audience, Hiyori Shiina's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she said softly, 'As the Student Council President, giving a speech like that in public seems rather inappropriate. I feel like there was a hidden meaning in his words.'
'Compared to proper official jargon, what he said was indeed a bit too blunt. Let me translate it for you,' Symon said with a playful smile:
'Good kids, run away! There's a moron in the Student Council right now! The Student Council's power and the difficulties it's facing are both immense. Someone capable, please come help me, and I'll let you be the next Student Council President. If you can't even understand this message, then don't bother me.'
'?'
A look of confusion appeared on the girl's face: 'Is... is that really what he meant?'
Symon: 'It's true. That's exactly what he meant. I barely even had to rephrase it.'
...
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