Once someone makes a move against Nagumo Miyabi, it's bound to attract attention from some people, especially the potential rebels in the second year.
This news didn't surprise Kaoru Mitoma at all. After all, Nagumo Miyabi control over the year was built on his own personal strength. If he suffered defeat or setbacks, it would inevitably raise doubts, maybe even lead to someone trying to overthrow him.
"Which senpai is interested in me?" Kaoru Mitoma caught a glimpse of Tachibana Akane quietly getting up from the president seat and obediently standing off to the side.
Noticing Kaoru Mitoma gaze, she snorted softly and immediately looked away. Where did this girl hide the snacks?
"You've met him before, Kiriyama from Class 2-B," Horikita Manabu said. "But he's weak and doesn't dare to openly defy Nagumo." Kaoru Mitoma recalled the scene in the second-year classrooms. There really was a leader named Kiriyama Ikuto, and he was also a member of the student council.
Judging by the way Horikita Manabu looked, it seemed like they had a pretty close relationship. Otherwise, Horikita Manabu wouldn't know that the other guy was interested in him.
"So basically, you cultivated a rebel in second year, and now you've picked me out of the first years?" Kaoru Mitoma winked at him.
Horikita Manabu was silent for a moment.
"I've observed the first years. Most of them are just barely getting by, but as for the rest, in every aspect, you really stand out."
"every aspect". It sounded like a compliment, but also kind of not.
"In that case, I'll meet with Kiriyama-senpai," Kaoru Mitoma said.
"Where is he right now?"
"Kiriyama is very wary of Nagumo, so he won't contact you openly. He wants to meet you near the dorms, probably around ten tonight."
There were a lot of cameras around the school, but not so many near the student dorms, and there were a few hidden spots that were hard to see.
Like the conversation between the siblings yesterday—if Horikita Manabu hadn't called him over, almost no one would have noticed the Student Council President lecturing his little sister.
Horikita Manabu thought Kaoru Mitoma would nod and agree, but all he did was give a slight nod.
"I'll talk to Kiriyama-senpai when I have time." Unlike Kiriyama Ikuto, Kaoru Mitoma wasn't very interested in him—he was just some guy who liked to keep things hidden.
Besides, right now he was the one who needed Kaoru Mitoma, not the other way around.
Horikita Manabu hesitated, but he knew Kaoru Mitoma was planning to keep Kiriyama Ikuto on a leash, so he could only keep his mouth shut.
Once he graduated, Kiriyama Ikuto would basically have no one to rely on, and he'd have no choice but to deal with people like Kaoru Mitoma. All he could do was let Kiriyama Ikuto get used to Kaoru Mitoma style ahead of time, and accept his fate of being manipulated.
"By the way, do you know Kiryuin-senpai?" Kaoru Mitoma suddenly asked.
"I've heard her name, but I don't know much about her." Horikita Manabu frowned.
"Why are you asking about her all of a sudden?"
"I'm a little interested in that senpai." Kaoru Mitoma wasn't about to tell him that he was after the reward she had.
Akane Tachibana suddenly cut in, "I've heard about this underclassman. She's supposed to be really capable, but her personality is awful."
"Awful personality?" Kaoru Mitoma looked puzzled.
"I heard she once kicked a vending machine so hard it broke, just because it jammed her drink," Akane said with absolute certainty. "And she always does whatever she wants, messing around everywhere. Even her classmates can't stand her."
"Careful, walls have ears," Kaoru Mitoma reminded her gently. Talking behind someone's back is never a good thing.
Akane puffed up her cheeks and ignored him.
"Kiriyama mentioned her before. She's probably one of the more capable second-years, but she's never really done anything for her class and usually acts alone," Horikita Manabu said about Kiryuin fuuka behavior, neither disapproving nor approving.
Looks like he'd have to approach Kiryuin fuuka himself. But he was just a first-year, and without a good reason, he couldn't just walk into her classroom. Was he supposed to hope for a chance encounter in the hallway?
"It seems that Katsuragi from your class has been in contact with Nagumo lately."
He was the student council president, and he had also arranged for Tachibana Akane to keep an eye on both Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi Kohei, so he was pretty clear about their movements. For some reason, Katsuragi Kohei had been meeting with Nagumo Miyabi a lot recently, and Tachibana Akane had even spotted Katsuragi showing up among the second-year class from time to time.
In other words, Horikita Manabu was subtly warning Kaoru Mitoma that one of his people might be about to defect to Nagumo Miyabi camp.
"Don't worry about it. It's normal for Katsuragi to have his own ideas."
Kaoru Mitoma knew exactly what was going on.
...
Let's rewind to two days ago. Nagumo Miyabi eyed the bald-headed boy in front of him with amusement. The guy was a first-year, in the same class as Kaoru Mitoma.
"Interesting. So you want to join me? Mind telling me why?"
This newcomer was none other than Katsuragi Kohei. Facing Nagumo Miyabi scrutiny, Katsuragi Kohei replied,
"Horikita will be stepping down as president soon, and you'll definitely be the next student council president. Instead of waiting until then to get on your good side, I figured I'd pledge my loyalty to you in advance."
"That reason doesn't seem convincing enough," Nagumo Miyabi said lazily. "I value strength, and you don't have anything that fits my standards. Why should I accept your allegiance?"
"To be honest, there are currently two factions in Class A. I lead one of them. If you help me suppress Sakayanagi and Mitoma, the first-year class A will become your support as well," Katsuragi Kohei said, bowing his head slightly.
Nagumo Miyabi was silent for a moment. Mizowaki, who was standing beside him, leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear.
After a while, he suddenly smiled. "So Mitoma is your enemy, huh?" Katsuragi Kohei nodded and explained,
"If you don't believe me, you can ask the students in Class A. Mitoma usually hangs out with the Sakayanagi faction."
"No need, I'm willing to trust you, Katsuragi." Nagumo Miyabi gaze was sharp as a blade. There was no way he'd believe such a clumsy excuse—this was almost certainly a spy sent by Kaoru Mitoma. It was downright insulting, as if he didn't even exist. Did he really think such a spy could fool him?
Nagumo forced himself to suppress his anger, keeping a smile on his face.
As long as you can satisfy me, of course I'll help you beat Mitoma. Heh, since you sent a spy, I'll just pretend I don't know and accept it all. Let's see who outplays who!
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