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[You have just received a transfer of 3,250,000 p.p from Ichinose Honami]

 [ACCEPT] / [DECLINE]

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The last exam of this semester finally ended and, after a two-week trip, we have all returned to the school's premises. Now I finally get to enjoy a vacation without any worries...

If I ignore the fact that Ryueen has been nagging me and sending me threats non-stop, that is.

I'm not too worried about his attacks. I was already expecting that and a lot of other changes to occur once I started putting my plan into action. I am incapable of saying if these changes are positive or negative, though. Someone else might have an opinion but to me, they are just consequences.

But that doesn't mean that I am completely disconnected from reality. I have treasured the days I could spend just lazing around and, because they are about to be greatly reduced, I intend to enjoy it while it lasts. Unfortunately, however, there are still a few loose ends that need to be tied, so I must use these last two weeks of August to make some necessary moves. 

Grabbing my phone, I wrote Karuizawa Kei, Hirata's fake girlfriend, a message.

[Set up the meeting for tomorrow night. 7 p.m]

For now, that is all I can do to settle the matter that has been bothering me the most.

On another note, Ichinose Honami already started fulfilling her part of the contract. Albeit a little too much. The original sum of private points that I asked for was 3 million, however, she decided to send 250 thousand more than agreed.

'Is she trying to win over my favor?'  That should be the answer. There is no way she made a mistake, after all. 

But even if that's the case, she's only going to end up disappointed by building too many expectations on me. I don't mind lending a hand or a least pushing her in the right direction, but I won't go out of my way just to help Ichinose.

Ryuuen also started to take action, his response was immediate upon seeing the results of the Zodiac Exam. I was hoping to have a little more time, but It seems that I underestimated his control over Class C.

But that makes no difference in the grand scheme of things. Ryuuen Kakeru is already walking on the path that I envisioned.

My control over the first years will only increase from here. 

But before that happens, I have to tighten my hold over Class D.

From my own class, I have great influence over Hirata, Kei, and Horikita. But there are still two others that I must bring to my side: Kushida and an unexpected person that decided to make an appearance.

Before, I would've considered that development an unfortunate event but, at a moment when Ryuuen is putting pressure over all of my connections, the opportunity to gain a new piece doesn't seem so bad.

Getting up from my bed, I stretched myself and searched for clothes. It wouldn't be appropriate to go to the Keyaki Mall only in my underwear, after all.

After getting dressed, I left my room and entered the elevator. The dormitory of the first-years is a 21-story building that holds 10 rooms per floor. Everything beyond the 16th floor seems to be inaccessible to ordinary students, though. That raises some questions in my mind.

When I pressed the option that would take me to the ground floor, the doors of the elevator closed and it started to move.

It didn't take long before I reached my destination and, just as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a group of Class C girls talking amicably in the lobby. Anyone else would've believed that they are just minding their own business. I, however...

'They really are disciplined, aren't they?' 

Ryuuen must've trained those pretty girls hard. It would certainly be ironic if I managed to turn those girls into my spies, instead... Well, no use thinking about the impossible I guess.

Ignoring the presences that started to follow me as soon as I started to gain some distance, I walked on the path to the Mall. 

To get there, I first have to get to the crossroads connecting the paths to various dorms, the school building, and several other installations. That includes the mall located on school grounds, of course.

As I reached the intersection and was about to take the path to the mall, a couple walking out of the upperclassmen's dorms took notice of me and started coming in my direction.

"Hey. It's been a while"

The male figure that approached me is the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu. He is regarded as the best student in the history of ANHS. Nothing to scoff at.

"I guess so. Even though it was our vacation period, the school made us work hard. The student council also seems rather busy."

"We just decided to reorganize some stuff in the student council room."

The one who explained their situation was his Secretary, Tachibana Akane.

"I see."

"You know, that was a really stupid response. You should be careful what you say, you know? Do you even know who you're talking to? This is the fearsome student council president!"

Tachibana went on a rant because of my response. The lack of respect in my tone seemed to have bothered her, but President Horikita was still unfazed. How intriguing.

"I wasn't talking to the President." 

"Wha-!"

"Ayanokouji, if you have no prior engagements, I'd like you to accompany me." Horikita Manabu decided to interrupt our banter and get to the main point.

"P-President?" Tachibana stuttered, flabbergasted by the invitation.

This talk with the President is something I was aiming for, but the timing and place are not the best.

"Would you mind if we go to another place? Too many vultures around here." I proposed, glancing at some conspicuous figures.

"Vultures?! Where?! I don't see any!" sputtered Tachibana, completely agitated.

I sighed. Does she actually have ornithophobia and I committed a blunder? I just hope that my stalkers haven't heard, that would be troublesome.

"I understand. There is a place we can go not far from here. No one will be able to eavesdrop."

I nodded and started following Horikita. Indeed, the location of his choice was very close to where we were. What he failed to mention, however, is that it was quite a popular place with the student body.

How sly.

"Would you like to order something before we talk?" 

"I would but, unfortunately, I don't have any points."

"That's no surprise since you're from Class D. Don't worry, though. I will pay it for you. We can't have people saying that the President is someone who would let the poor starve after all." offered Tachibana.

"Thanks for your generosity," I mocked monotonously.

Horikita chose to simply ignore our conversation. I, after ordering something expensive, went to sit at the chosen table.

"I didn't expect you to hear my request. Did something happen?" Horikita's brother questioned. He's probably suspicious of how cooperative I am.

"Who knows? Things are always happening all the time. But that's not what you want to hear, is it?"

"The student council has received reports of the results from the island. Were they difficult?"

"To think that you'd be able to get those results... The student council really holds some power, huh?"

"I only have information about the results and actions taken as a class. Individual actions remain unclear." He clarified.

"That's good to know." I nodded.

Even if the Horikita siblings aren't on good terms, it wouldn't be good if the Student Council President were to find out the trap that I set for his sister. The last thing I need is Horikita Manabu as an enemy.

"You just don't want the President to know of your failure, I bet." Tachibana muttered.

"Even if that's the case, information always ends up leaked. I know that you outsmarted the other classes on the island." started Horikita. "The name Horikita Suzune came up after the island test. I heard that she became her class's true leader and outsmarted everyone. However, I think that you were responsible." 

"Isn't that just baseless speculation?" I asked.

I have to know just how much information the man in front of me has.

"Near the end of the test, the name of Class D's leader changed to yours. There are no records about who was the leader before you, but I don't need anything more to understand what happened. Do you?"

He knows too much. Everyone from Class D knows that Horikita was the first appointed leader, it wouldn't be hard for him to get that information. He doesn't seem to care about whatever happened to her, though.

"Even if I was somewhat involved in the Island Test, the results of the Zodiac Exam should be a lot more interesting. Shouldn't you be  talking with Class B's leader instead?" 

"Whoa, I finally find myself agreeing with you. Ichinose-san is a respectful girl, and very smart too. Different from you." 

"Ichinose Honami's latest results were impressive indeed. So impressive that I considered reevaluating my opinion of her." He nodded. "In the midst of my investigation, however, I learned that shortly after the Cruise Ship Test was completed, she transferred a large sum of private points to a dummy account. Would you like to know who that account belongs to?"

"W-what is going on, President? I don't follow." Tachibana confusedly asked.

"You've just got fooled. This man isn't low on points at all. In fact, he just might be the richest first-year."

"Impossible!" she exclaimed, jumping from her seat.

"To think that you even know about that... What exactly is the student council?" I asked.

"Is it true then...?" muttered the secretary.

"The student council itself has no power. The abilities of the person seated at the top are paramount."

"That's an impressive statement. I still don't know why you are using your abilities to spy on me, though."

"How rude! The President doesn't 'spy' on anyone!" Tachibana fumed in anger.

The student council president merely pushed up his glasses and said what I was already expecting.

"I asked you once before. Will you join the student council?"

Secretary Tachibana's eyes widened in shock.

"I refuse. If you need people to fill positions in the student council that much, why not offer it to your sister?"

"My sister is a failure who belongs in Class D. If someone like her joined us, the image of the student council would be tainted."

"And you believe I wouldn't? I am still someone from Class D, you know."

There are a lot of capable people in the upper classes, it doesn't make any sense for the president to lose time with a 'defective'.

"You misunderstand. I don't consider the people in Class D stupid. This school doesn't just shove all the students with superior abilities into Class A." he clarified.

"Um, President? You might have said too much" Tachibana worriedly said. "Aren't you going a little too far?"

"There is no problem. I'm sure this young man understands that already. He is one of those with superior ability, after all." he explained. "Ayanokouji, if a regular position isn't enough, I'll appoint you vice-president."

"W-wait a minute!" Tachibana again rose from her seat. "This is completely unprecedented! He's a first-year, and from Class D to boot! We can't suddenly appoint this rude boy to the vice presidency!"

This is not a bad offer. I have determined that gaining power in this school is a must for me, and this kind of opportunity isn't something that will knock on my door every day.

Still... My reasons are my reasons. I still don't fully understand the mind of the man in front of me.

"You really are desperate, aren't you? I can't imagine you offering me this position in any other situation."

"...If nothing happens, this school will change dramatically by the next year. Not for the better. It might already be too late, but I need the power to combat that change. The need grows stronger every day."

"President, you're talking about what will happen if Nagumo-kun is elected president, right?" Tachibana said.

Nagumo must probably be a second-year student. If he is trying to get elected, then he must be the current vice-president of the student council. If Horikita Manabu is clashing with Nagumo, then I understand his desire to add a new piece to the board.

The words he said earlier also stuck with me. 'This school will change dramatically by the next year.' If that's true, considering that I have my own plans, I might end up having a clash of my own with the current vice-president. By then, I would certainly be in a disadvantageous position.

"And you think that I am that power?" I inquired.

"I can't think of anyone else. There can be two student council vice presidents. There is typically only one in any given year, but if you wanted the position, it wouldn't be impossible." he told me.

"N-no, no no no, President! That's impossible...! There's no way Nagumo-kun would permit something like that." Secretaty Tachibana interjected.

"Do you wish for me to take his place as Student Council President?" I asked. By this point, we were both just ignoring the secretary's presence. I truly feel sorry for her.

"...I'm not expecting that much. Vice-president Nagumo has too much influence over the second-years already. I'll be stepping down from my position in October, so I'm afraid you wouldn't have enough time to overturn the situation."

Horikita just wants me to constantly get in Nagumo's way and stop him from implementing most of his plans. If I went along with his plan, I would have to spend more than a year in a tug-of-war with Nagumo.

"That doesn't work for me. Either I would deal with Nagumo now and become Student Council President, or I'm out." I announced, setting my conditions.

"Y-you can't seriously believe that you are capable of defeating Nagumo-kun! You should know your place!"

Horikita's eyes widened and a smirk crept on his face.

"I didn't think you to agree to join the student council, let alone become President. Something really has changed, huh?"

That's the conclusion that the President reached. Not quite accurate, though.

"That might be the impression of an outsider. But nothing has changed. Not really."

Since the start of my high-school life, I constantly voiced my desire for a peaceful life. 

That was nothing but an illusion, though. A lie that I decided to tell everyone.

I don't blame Horikita Manabu for believing in the words I said. Even I believed in some of them.

The truth, however, is that up to this day, I have lived nothing but peaceful life. Even in the White Room, no task given required a real effort from me. 

No torture was capable of shaking my mind or body.

What I truly need is something else.

I need something that will help me break free from that White Peace. I need a Dark War.

"I see." Horikita's brother blurted, in deep thought.

"I'm going to need a couple of favors from you, though. As you said, it won't be easy for me to get elected with my current position."

"I can do at least that much. Just consider that I can't publicly take sides in this dispute."

"Umu. Don't expect 'THE' President to associate himself with you!" Tachibana barked.

"Don't worry, I'll just need access to your list of contacts and information about some students... Real information." I emphasized the last part.

"...I see. My contact list I can send you immediately. For the... information, I'll need the names of the students. It usually takes some time to get access though."

I nodded.  "Secondly, I think Ichinose Honami would be a good addition to the council. Can you make that happen?"

"If you think it's for the best, then there is no problem. We still have a vacant seat." Horikita said. 

The best way to stop Nagumo from gaining power over the first years is to give them enough power to stand on their own. Ichinose is the most vulnerable class leader out of the three other classes, so I have to give her some special attention.

"One last thing. Can you get me another room?" I asked.

"...Do you wish to change rooms? That's not something you need me for."

"No. Not change rooms. I want another one. Different from the regular rooms that we received."

"H-h-how!?" 

"heh. I guess that's expected of you." He chuckled. "The dorm rooms on the upper floors are quite expensive, though."

"Good thing it's not me who's paying for it." I would've certainly smirked if I could.

"...I see." Horikita hung his head. 

"If all is settled then I should get going. I still have much to do."

"I won't keep you any longer, but how about we share contact information?"

"Sure." 

Horikita Manabu gave me his phone number, while I just gave my contact information to Secretary Tachibana.

"Thank you for hearing my request. I look forward to working with you." The president extended his arm for a handshake.

"Same here." I shook his hand. 

From the corner of my eye, I could see the trio of girls that had followed us all the way here getting up from their seats.

Those stalkers from Class C, and many other students, had been watching my meeting with Horikita the entire time, so rumors will shortly start to spread across the school. That's not something that I personally mind. 

Although I do prefer to work in the shadows, that modus operandi also has its limitations. The fact that I have no direct influence over the student body is one of them.

To actually be elected Student Council President, I can't spare any effort on improving my image and gathering support from the other classes. Reaching out to the leaders of the upper years is also a must.

After a final wave, I turned away and walked towards the exit.

"Hey! Are you really not paying for your order? How rude!!!" Tachibana cried as I left the cafe.

Ugh. That's not good for my reputation, I guess... But there is no other way. Annoying Secretary Tachibana takes priority.

After leaving the cafe, I start thinking about the problems behind me.

Right now, there is not much I can do about this group of girls that I'll refer to as 'H'. Even if I were to raise a complaint to the school and show proof of my allegations, I doubt anything would happen to them or Class C. I'm a boy and 'H' are girls. That's all they would see.

Ryuuen would also grow more suspicious of me if I made that move.

But that doesn't mean that I'll just leave them be... If 'H' really wants to follow me around that much, then I'll just ask them to help me in my current predicament.

/Authors Note:

Heyhey. Sorry for the delay.

This chapter took way longer than I planned to get ready. There were a few pieces that simply weren't fitting. That, together with a few things that required my attention, made me take more than a weak to release a chapter with measly 3k words.

From now on, I'll try very hard to update this fic at a steady pace. I'm a slow worker though, so please be patient with me.

About the story... The pacing should be getting slower for a few chapters since we are currently covering vol 4.5. I wish I could simply skip to the good parts that I have planned, but I can't let Ayanokouji proceed without laying a good foundation. Even so, expect some exciting encounters in this spring break. 

That's it. Seeya soon./