Chapter 265 – New Student Council

"Don't underestimate me, Yukio." Ryuen, having flipped his bangs dramatically, stood up straight and gave a bold thumbs-up, signaling his acceptance of Yukio's invitation.

Yukio felt thoroughly satisfied. If he had to describe his mood, it would be something along the lines of "free labor +1." After the exhausting experience of patrolling the various club budgets alongside Ichika Ichinose, he had no intention of doing it again himself. With Ryuen joining, a significant burden was lifted.

Ryuen's agreement was met with roaring cheers from Yukio's classmates. They clapped their hands raw, reveling in their excitement and pride.

"And finally," Yukio continued, "the now-vacant position of Student Council Secretary, along with the Miscellaneous Affairs position left open by Ichinose's promotion to Vice President."

"The school's internal dynamics are complex. Given the overwhelming workload faced by the Student Council, including occasional student disputes, scheduling conflicts for club spaces, and other minor issues, placing all these responsibilities on one person in the Miscellaneous Affairs role is unreasonable."

"Therefore, we will add a new Miscellaneous Affairs member to share the workload. Any students interested in joining the Student Council can contact Vice President Ichinose."

Yukio understood all too well how taxing the Miscellaneous Affairs position could be, especially given the number of trivial yet necessary tasks it entailed.

Minor fights between students, clubs squabbling over practice schedules—these issues, though seemingly small, often fell to the Student Council to resolve. While the Student Council wielded significant authority in handling school exams and special assessments, this authority came with the responsibility to manage student affairs without burdening the faculty unnecessarily.

During her time as the sole Miscellaneous Affairs officer, Ichinose had been overworked to the point of exhaustion. Although she was no longer in that role, Yukio saw no reason not to improve the structure. Adding another member to the team was a simple matter of placing one more chair in the council room. This small adjustment would ease the workload across the board, making things smoother for everyone involved.

Horikita Manabu finally closed his eyes in satisfaction as he gazed at Yukio. Of course, he wasn't passing away—he was merely letting go of the last shred of unease in his heart, silently affirming that his decision had been the right one.

Yukio, unlike Nagumo, wouldn't disrupt the established system at AN High School. He wouldn't turn this beautiful campus into a ruthless breeding ground of competition, akin to a gladiatorial pit.

Adding a second Miscellaneous Affairs position was a minor adjustment—one that was entirely reasonable and even beneficial. Although the current Student Council's leadership now featured two first-year Vice Presidents alongside Yukio himself, leaving Kiriyama as the only upperclassman in a significant role, it hardly mattered. After all, Vice Presidents were meant to be the President's understudies, and since Yukio was a first-year himself, it made perfect sense to appoint peers from his year.

Inviting Yukio to join the Student Council had been the wisest decision of Horikita Manabu's three years. It had driven away Nagumo's influence and safeguarded the school. With this, Horikita could finally relax.

In the second-year section, however, opinions diverged significantly from Horikita's serene outlook.

"What a shame. Kiriyama couldn't cut it after all."

"What are you even saying? Yukio is a first-year. Of course, he's building his own team from within his year. What does that have to do with Kiriyama?"

"Well, it doesn't sit right with me. Kiriyama has more experience in the Student Council than anyone else. How come he's being outclassed by people with less seniority?"

This sentiment drew murmurs of agreement among many second-years. However, one person, Kiryuin, sat unbothered in the second-year section, her crimson eyes scanning her surroundings with an enigmatic smile tugging at her lips.

"Experience?" Kiryuin found the argument amusing. On Japan, respect for seniority was deeply ingrained, extending to every corner of campus life.

Upperclassmen casually ordering underclassmen to run errands or fetch items was seen as natural, and neither side questioned this norm.

But to Kiryuin, Yukio wasn't someone who adhered to the traditions of seniority. If anything, his approach to staffing the Student Council aligned more closely with the school's core philosophy: meritocracy.

"Hehe." Kiryuin chuckled softly, murmuring to herself, "Kiriyama, in the eyes of this junior, you rank even below Ichinose and Ryuen among the first-years. Truly, this junior has a sharp eye for people."

Unlike the hushed silence among the third-year seats or the murmured discontent in the second-year section, the first-year area was buzzing with lively discussion.

After all, during Horikita Manabu's tenure as Student Council President, most applications from first-years to join the council were rejected. But now, with Yukio at the helm and three open positions being publicly offered, who wouldn't be tempted?

In Yukio's class, chatter filled the air as students whispered excitedly among themselves.

"Hey, Ishizaki," someone nudged. "Do you think Yukio-san is hinting for all of us to join the Student Council?"

Ishizaki scratched his head, his naive demeanor betraying a clear understanding. "Nah, not possible. If Yukio-san wanted all of us to join, he'd open more positions, right? Just three wouldn't be enough."

Nomura, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Those three openings are for first-years and second-years who want in."

Ishizaki snorted and quipped, "What could you guys even do if you joined? The Council already has the President and both Vice Presidents from our class—that's more than enough. You don't expect the whole Council to just be our class, do you?"

The group burst out laughing, realizing the truth in his words.

"Yeah, you're right. If Yukio-san really wanted us all in, he'd have told us beforehand and made the arrangements."

Meanwhile, over in Sakayanagi's class, Kamuro turned to the ever-enigmatic Sakayanagi with curiosity. "So, are you planning to join Yukio's Student Council?"

Sakayanagi, as poised and mysterious as ever, offered a faint, inscrutable smile. "It might be interesting to take a look."

Even Hashimoto, usually unfazed, seemed taken aback. "That's rare. For the Princess to place herself under someone else's leadership? At most, you'd end up as the Council Secretary—not a high-ranking position."

"What does it matter?" Sakayanagi replied nonchalantly, her calm demeanor as unshakable as ever. "True strength isn't determined by rank, is it?"

Kamuro and Hashimoto could only nod in agreement. They understood that with Sakayanagi's capabilities, no matter what position she held, she could very well end up commanding the entire Student Council.

Sakayanagi, however, paid little attention to her two companions' musings. Her gaze lingered on the stage, where Yukio stood brimming with confidence and energy. Her smile grew even more refined and graceful.

With her lingering doubts resolved and a sense of direction regained, it seemed that the long-repressed youthful heart of the "Princess" had found a new target.

Meanwhile, over in Ichika's class, the atmosphere was one of pure celebration. They cheered collectively, thrilled for Ichika's promotion to Vice President, basking in the joy of their classmate's achievement.

Over in Class D, however, the tone was more subdued, filled with murmurs of speculation. Some voiced concerns about whether Yukio's new Student Council might adversely impact their class. His ascension to such a powerful position seemed like an overwhelming force—one that might turn its sights on them.

One student even turned to Matsushita for her opinion, asking, "Do you think Yukio's Student Council will make things harder for us? What if he decides to target Class D again?"

Matsushita offered only a hesitant response, clearly uncertain. After all, she didn't even fully grasp what authority the Student Council wielded, much less how it might influence their situation. Helplessly, she cast a pleading look toward Horikita Suzune.

Suzune, however, turned her head away swiftly—not out of dismissal, but because she seemed occupied. Her attention alternated between Horikita Manabu and Yukio, her conflicted expression gradually hardening into one of resolve.

At that moment, a decision was born within her: she, too, would join the Student Council—even if it was under Yukio's leadership.