Chapter 039: Hikigaya: Sakayanagi Arisu? Just a VIP Here to Experience School!
Sakayanagi's tone suddenly became flat.
The atmosphere grew stagnant for a moment.
"It seems the Student Council President hasn't arrived yet." Katsuragi took the initiative to break the silence again.
"Congratulations to you both on receiving the President's recognition. As far as I know, the President is a rigorous man; he only invites those he acknowledges."
He stood there offering congratulations, but his expression was somewhat gloomy.
Because half a month ago, in this very spot, Hikigaya and Ichinose had reported the violations of the shopping district personnel to the Student Council.
At the time, it seemed like a routine act of justice to rid the school of a few bad apples—at most, a display of the two Class B students' sense of righteousness.
However, the key factor that ultimately allowed Class B to achieve 911 points was precisely the 100-point bonus reward brought by that report.
This was something Katsuragi had not anticipated.
"Your performance wasn't bad either," Hikigaya responded.
"However, I don't think the President would summon us here for no reason. It's very likely he acknowledges us. If he offers both our classes a position in the Student Council later, what would you think of that?"
"What... would I think?" Katsuragi frowned slightly, seemingly not understanding his meaning.
"What Hikigaya-kun means is likely that he wants to sell that position to us in Class A," Sakayanagi Arisu said, gripping her cane steadily and analyzing calmly.
"Since we are rivals, he wants to squeeze a hefty sum out of us."
"Haha... ha—" Ichinose, standing nearby, immediately squeezed out a polite yet awkward smile.
First, Sakayanagi's phrasing was highly aggressive. Second, although the idea of buying and selling positions sounded absurd at first glance, Ichinose felt that Sakayanagi had probably guessed correctly.
Because.
'If Horikita Manabu offers Class B a Student Council position later, I definitely won't want to join. That's basically just finding myself another job. My future dream is to be a househusband, not an office worker. So, am I supposed to make Ichinose go to work instead?
Although Ichinose Honami joined the Student Council in the original story and eventually reached the position of Vice President, that was because Nagumo Miyabi invited her. Nagumo didn't invite her because of her talent; he was just lusting after her body. Disgusting.
As the representative of Class B, and given that Ichinose treats me well, I naturally can't let her fall into that same situation.
Even though Horikita Manabu is currently in charge, he has likely realized that inviting Nagumo Miyabi into the council was like raising a tiger that will eventually cause trouble. That's why he supported Kiriyama from the former Class A as Vice President—to suppress Nagumo.
After all, a class representative who fell from the Class A position being allowed to join the Student Council as Vice President? What a joke. This makes the power structure of the Student Council quite tense.
So, having Ichinose join now isn't a good thing; she'd just be targeted by Nagumo. Even if Nagumo maintains a certain level of gentlemanly conduct, he'll definitely keep staring at Ichinose while they work.
As Ichinose's classmate, I can't even stare at her during class because we sit too far apart.
Given all that, as expected, it's better to just sell off this free position,'
One had to say, Hikigaya-kun's inner voice was as active as ever.
Ahaha... She hadn't expected Hikigaya-kun to be thinking about looking at her when he was bored in class.
However.
Ichinose secretly decided that after they went back, she really should bring up the matter of switching seats with Hikigaya-kun. Yes. To sit right next to him.
This wasn't to say she was willing to be stared at.
Rather, sitting next to him was indeed... more suitable for discussing matters like special exams.
Furthermore, she was genuinely worried about his grades.
In his entrance exam, his Math score was actually only... 9 points.
If he hadn't failed on purpose, the situation was dire. So, even though she had followed Hikigaya-kun out, Ichinose Honami's mind was currently full of the desire to prevent him from being expelled for failing Math.
She had to hold a study session for him.
And sitting close would make teaching easier.
Thus, quite literally, Ichinose only wanted to study right now.
"That's a harsh way to put it," Hikigaya said.
"I'm simply giving Class A an opportunity. Besides, at the moment, you are the only ones in the first year with that many points, right?"
'Since you are the only ones with that many points, it implies you are the only ones I can get a lot of points from.'
The steady Katsuragi finally caught on to the implication.
"And if Class A refuses?" he asked.
"As long as the President acknowledges us, we can enter the Student Council on our own strength."
"Is that so? But your class is currently split into two factions," Hikigaya pointed out.
"Whereas on my side, Ichinose is just here to accompany me."
The current Class A having two representatives was their weakness.
Moreover... the two were likely in an internal power struggle. To unify Class A, one side would have to lose. Both Katsuragi and Sakayanagi remained silent on this, but their silence proved that neither wanted to lose.
Therefore, if Horikita Manabu really only offered Class A one slot, Sakayanagi and Katsuragi would either have to give it up or... find a way to secure a second slot so that both sides could maintain their advantage.
Understanding this, Hikigaya-kun continued to fan the flames.
"Furthermore, the school operates on meritocracy, so being one step ahead of everyone else is the Class A style. But right now, Class B is hot on your heels.
If you aren't careful, you'll become the class that loses the 'Class A' title the fastest in history.
Can you accept that?"
Of course they couldn't.
Their Class A had worked hard to earn the reputation of being the most elite. If they were immediately overtaken by Class B and demoted... their long-term efforts and honor would not only vanish but become a laughingstock.
This would be a disaster for Katsuragi.
"Name your price," Sakayanagi Arisu said suddenly.
"If the President only gives us one slot, we can also buy another one from him."
Well, that was a good way to put it. Since the Student Council positions belonged to Horikita Manabu, he could give them to whomever he pleased—and naturally, he could sell more.
So, Sakayanagi was attempting to bypass Hikigaya's extortionate demands.
"That wouldn't be as cost-effective as buying directly from us. Because this would result in a situation where Class B [forfeits joining the Student Council].
So, even if I set the price a bit high—even with a premium—it is absolutely beneficial for Class A.
I'm sure you aren't so thick-headed that you can't figure that out," Hikigaya said.
"..." Sakayanagi stared at him.
Unblinkingly.
However.
Hikigaya had already been scrutinized by her in the third-floor cafeteria booth half a month ago before being ignored. Therefore, Sakayanagi's current gaze held zero offensive power against him.
"Very interesting," Sakayanagi Arisu finally spoke again.
"Hikigaya-kun, you are indeed more suited to be the representative of Class B than Ichinose-san.
If the President grants Class B an officer position, Class A is willing to pay double the price to buy it," Sakayanagi announced.
But this small announcement implied spending a massive amount of money.
Yet, regarding Sakayanagi's almost dictatorial decision, Katsuragi—for once—did not object.
As a student who knew the truth about the school, he understood the benefits of joining the Student Council early, given the increased authority and freedom the school granted them.
Furthermore, he had submitted an application to join a week ago, only to be rejected by Horikita Manabu.
Horikita Manabu's reason was precisely that Class A having two representatives was a flaw, so the application was denied.
The normal path was blocked.
Unless he and Sakayanagi decided on a single representative, but he didn't want to lose, and Sakayanagi wouldn't easily give up.
So they were at a stalemate.
Thus, they had to seize the position qualification currently being offered by the President.
And so, before Horikita Manabu even arrived, his "reward" had already been pre-sold at a high price.
Read ahead (50 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting