With various handover preparations underway, the Student Council held its final meeting chaired by Horikita Manabu the day before his official resignation.
Nearly all the officers were present, much like when Kaoru and the others had first joined the council.
However, the third-year members now wore relaxed expressions.
After two long years of work, this group of officers was finally concluding their tenure in the Student Council—marking the beginning of the final phase of the third-years' battles.
Free from all burdens, they could now devote themselves entirely to their class struggles.
Even as rivals, they couldn't help but exchange smiles during the farewell gathering.
"After my resignation, I nominate Nagumo Miyabi of Class 2-A as the next Council President. Does anyone object?"
As Horikita's voice faded, the room fell into silence.
The appointment of a new Student Council President could either be decided through a school-wide election or by the outgoing president's nomination—a privilege of the position.
However, compared to other high schools, Advanced Nurturing High School's Student Council wielded greater authority.
For instance, the transition should have taken place around December, but Horikita had moved it up to October.
While Nagumo Miyabi had pushed for this decision, it still underscored the Council President's influence.
Horikita scanned the room.
The third-years were indifferent—it no longer concerned them.
The second-years, mostly Nagumo's allies, naturally had no objections.
As for the first-year students, their opinions couldn't influence the student council's decisions.
The only vice president capable of affecting decisions was currently locked in a silent battle of glares with the fuming Tachibana Akane.
"It seems there are no objections. Then, Nagumo Miyabi will be the next student council president."
Upon hearing Horikita Manabu's announcement, Nagumo Miyabi stood up out of courtesy and respect, offering him a polite smile.
"President Horikita, thank you for your trust in me. Over the past year, I've deeply appreciated your guidance. Being able to join the student council under your leadership has always been the luckiest and most correct decision I've made. To be personally chosen by you as your successor—to be honest, I feel both honored and humbled."
"Your abilities are sufficient for the role of president," Horikita replied impassively.
"Among all the past student council presidents, President Horikita is undoubtedly one of the very best. In your presence, I dare not feel the slightest bit of complacency." Nagumo chuckled before forcibly suppressing the smile on his lips.
"However, I can't help but regret your and the other seniors' resignations. Competent executives shouldn't step down so early."
"That has always been the tradition," Horikita responded.
"Indeed. That's why I plan to abolish the general election system and the fixed membership limit, while also allowing students to apply to join the student council at any time." Nagumo declared his intentions without restraint, boldly announcing his decision even before officially taking office.
In response, apart from Tachibana's visible disgust, most of the executives merely showed mild surprise.
"Is that so?" Horikita's expression remained unchanged.
"Heh, if I were to blindly follow tradition, I'm sure the very president who promoted me would be disappointed, no?" Nagumo let out a light laugh.
"Unfortunately, a new president comes with many constraints. It may take some time before President Horikita can witness real change in this school."
Merely reforming the student council clearly wasn't enough for Nagumo—he wanted to push further, which would inevitably require the school's permission.
To achieve that, he still had much work ahead.
"After our resignations, the student council's executive lineup will also change. What are your plans for the transition?" Horikita remained composed. He had already foreseen this outcome—what he could strive for now were future opportunities.
Nagumo glanced deliberately or otherwise at Kaoru Mitoma, who stared back with dead-fish eyes.
A faint smile crept onto Nagumo's face.
After all, the president had the authority to assign roles.
In other words, Nagumo now had the power to remove Kaoru from his position as vice president.
"Tonokawa will take over Tachibana's duties as secretary. As for the treasurer, let Mizowaki handle it. Next is..." Nagumo went through the appointments one by one, yet deliberately left one position unmentioned.
His selections were almost entirely his trusted allies from Class 2-A, completely excluding students from other classes—a clear sign that he no longer trusted them.
Kiriyama Ikuyo stood silently on the periphery.
The moment they launched their attack, any chance of reconciliation between them had vanished.
From now on, they could only be mortal enemies locked in an even fiercer struggle.
Among the seven second-year executives, apart from him and one student from Class 2-C, the rest were all from Class 2-A.
Now, the two exchanged glances, each harboring different emotions.
A sudden thought struck Kiriyama—wasn't this the perfect opportunity to win the other over?
"Finally, regarding the vice president position..." Nagumo Miyabi's gaze fell upon the first-year section, specifically locking onto Kaoru Mitoma.
"After I assume the presidency, Mitoma will not be the only remaining vice president. I doubt a first-year's capabilities alone can handle the daily workload."
"I recommend Kiriyama-senpai to succeed me," Kaoru promptly responded.
Kiriyama Ikuyo's lips twitched imperceptibly.
Having just clashed with Nagumo during the sports festival, becoming his vice president now would be like a lamb walking into a tiger's den.
"No, Kiriyama has more important duties," Nagumo chuckled.
"I've decided to have Ichinose share your workload. The two of you will serve as co-vice presidents."
A stunned silence fell over the assembly.
Students exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to process what they'd just heard.
Even Kaoru appeared momentarily taken aback, let alone the directly affected Ichinose Honami.
"No, absolutely not! I'm completely unqualified for such a position!" She waved her hands frantically.
"Please reconsider this appointment—I could never—"
"This is a carefully considered decision that won't be rescinded," Nagumo stated calmly, his eyes briefly flickering toward Horikita Manabu.
"If anything, you're overqualified for the role."
Ichinose stood speechless, instinctively stealing a glance at Kaoru.
"Appointing two first-years as vice presidents is unprecedented," Tachibana Akane interjected with a frown.
"While I've been guiding them, freshmen simply lack the experience to manage without senior leadership."
She added pointedly: "There's no historical precedent for this arrangement."
Nagumo responded coolly, "My apologies, Tachibana-senpai, but I have complete faith in Ichinose. If Horikita-senpai could promote Mitoma, my appointing Ichinose is only natural."
"Mitoma-kun is exceptional—his capabilities are undeniable, and—"
"Actually," Nagumo interrupted, "Ichinose ranked first in our entrance exams. Her abilities match Mitoma's perfectly. Moreover..." His voice turned steely.
"As incoming president, I retain full authority over appointments. This represents the changes I intend to implement."
Tachibana found herself at a loss for words.
After exchanging glances with Horikita, Nagumo turned to Kaoru with a smirk.
"Satisfied with your new partner?"
"I have no objections to Nagumo-senpai's decision," Kaoru replied evenly.
Nagumo suppressed a scoff.
The boy's stubborn facade was laughable—no doubt he believed his schemes were succeeding.
Little did he know...
He'd already set Sakayanagi Arisu against Ichinose.
Once Sakayanagi made her move, he'd swoop in and rescue her.
Ichinose's gratitude would be his for the taking.
From there, manipulating Ichinose to suppress Kaoru influence—both within student council and among first-years—would be child's play.
The plan was foolproof.
This very certainty had motivated him to share Ichinose's information with Sakayanagi.
The thought brought an unconscious smile to Nagumo's lips, particularly when envisioning how he'd reshape this school in his image.
....
The meeting quickly came to an end, and Horikita Manabu asked Kaoru Mitoma to stay behind at the end.
"Do you have any thoughts?" Horikita Manabu inquired.
"He probably thinks he has leverage over Ichinose," Kaoru replied calmly.
Tachibana Akane's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Honami-chan actually has leverage?!"
Kaoru looked at her with some confusion.
Were the two of them that close?
Still, given Ichinose Honami's personality, it wasn't surprising that she had won over someone as arrogant as Tachibana Akane.
"Is the issue serious?" Horikita Manabu also hadn't expected Nagumo Miyabi to suddenly name Ichinose Honami.
"I know his type well—I could guess his moves blindfolded," Kaoru paused.
"To what extent will the school consider his suggestions?"
"Theoretically, he could change some rules," Horikita Manabu said. "For example, he once mentioned abolishing the conditions for class transfer points. That would likely pass."
"Isn't the school worried some rules might favor certain students?" Kaoru asked.
"They are. That's why I can't guarantee how far Nagumo will go. Honestly, even he probably doesn't know himself," Horikita Manabu sighed.
"So the school will adopt Nagumo's proposals as long as they seem fair and impartial?" Kaoru mused.
"From now on, it's up to you. I suspect changes will come as early as next semester." Horikita Manabu studied Kaoru closely.
He could tell that while Kaoru had his own goals, his focus wasn't entirely here.
"I understand."
With that, Kaoru gave a slight bow before straightening up.
"Starting today, President, please direct your attention to the third-years and graduation exams."
For a brief moment, Horikita Manabu's expression turned complex—somewhere between relief and concern.
Finally, he stood up.
"I trust in your abilities. I'm leaving Suzune to you as well."
Kaoru's expression turned odd.
He wanted to say, "Rest assured, brother-in-law," but only dared to think it.
"Hey, what about me, your senior?" Tachibana Akane interjected, clearly displeased.
"I've taught you so much. Shouldn't you be bowing and thanking me properly?"
Kaoru was surprised by her audacity.
Had she really taught him anything?
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