Chapter 084: Sue! I’m Taking This to the Student Council! part 2

Clearly, the president wasn't short on money. So that means the guess was right: even though exam results are tied to class rankings, there must also be a way to earn personal points.

"I'll be heading back then."

Shirogane said.

It was already 1:10 PM. If he didn't grab a takeout lunch for Shiina soon, that would be pretty rude.

"Hold on."

But Horikita Manabu stopped him. "Now that you know Kushida's secret, how are you planning to deal with her?"

How to deal with her…

Hmm.

Right now, Kushida is just a first-year in Class D. She's been trying to get close to Horikita Suzune, but she also got pulled into the student council because Shirogane wanted to observe her.

In other words—

She was brought in for a reason. Now that the reason's gone, she's no longer needed.

She could even be kicked out of the student council right away.

So what Horikita Manabu was really asking was whether Shirogane thought Kushida should stay or go.

"If we suddenly make her quit, people might start talking badly about her."

"It would show that she hasn't changed at all from middle school, and didn't learn anything. And if people found out about her kicking the railing and yelling, then Class D might fall apart just like her old class did."

"But."

Shirogane said.

"If she didn't change before, she won't change now either. Even if she gets kicked out and transfers somewhere else, she'll just repeat the same pattern."

"I think we should keep her in school for now."

"And if she's staying, we might as well let her keep her student council position too."

"But she can't be kicking railings anymore."

"I'll suggest she saves up her student council stipend and buys a laptop."

"Take out the network card so it can't go online, but leave office software on it. That way she can use Word to write out her feelings, like a journal."

"And when it's time to graduate, she can destroy the laptop's hard drive."

Shirogane said.

"So basically, Shirogane, you're letting Kushida keep acting the way she always has—but giving her a safer outlet for it?"

Tachibana Akane said.

From this, it was clear that Horikita Manabu really trusted Tachibana Akane.

The fact that Shirogane's private phone call with Horikita Manabu was known to her too showed that.

"Yeah, something like that."

Shirogane said.

"With someone like Kushida, the problem clearly starts in her heart. She probably realized early on that she wasn't as good as others in most areas, so she clung to the one thing she was better at—and stuck to it."

"I can kind of understand where she's coming from."

Shirogane said.

Kind of understand, huh.

*Knock knock knock—*

At that moment, Horikita Manabu tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "So your target is Class D, huh?"

Hm?

Tachibana Akane looked over with a puzzled expression.

But Horikita Manabu said, "Keeping Kushida around is partly because of what she's been through, and partly because she's a student from Class D."

"Now that you have dirt on her, it means you can control her."

"So, Shirogane, you're actually aiming to take on Class D, right?"

As he said that, Horikita Manabu gently pushed up his glasses.

It's exactly what you'd expect from President Horikita — the strongest student in the past two years at this school. He instantly saw through Shirogane's real reason for keeping Kushida.

That's true.

Even though I do feel a bit sorry for Kushida, seeing her lash out and struggle in vain, that's only about 30% of it. The other 70% is because she's valuable.

Her people skills. The fact that she's from Class D.

Those two points make up the 70% of the reason for keeping her.

"There's a boy in Class D named Ayanokouji Kiyotaka," said Horikita Manabu.

"During the entrance exams, he scored exactly 50 on all the written tests."

"And also—"

"I've seen him in gym class. He performs just like an average boy. But that's just the level he *shows*."

In other words, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is the real boss of Class D — he just hasn't revealed it yet.

"In the past, it was really hard for Classes C and D to move up. But your year might be different."

"It's a shame I'll only be here for one more year. I won't get to see how the battle between you all plays out."

Horikita Manabu said, sounding a little regretful.

So even with the current advantage, someone like Horikita Manabu, who's obsessed with competition, still thinks it's not enough — there's still a chance Class D might turn the tables.

He's pointing out just how terrifying a true genius can be.

Especially when that genius gets help from their homeroom teacher who's not playing by the rules, their strength will only grow.

So this was Horikita's way of giving Shirogane a warning.

But—

Shirogane already understood just how scary someone like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka really was.

And the only way to beat someone like that... is to put in more time than they do.

...

In the end, Shirogane chose to pack a hotpot full of Chinese-style seafood for Shiina.

The pot was filled with prawns, clams, hard clams, salted fish, and some greens.

And finally, he added a youtiao — a Chinese fried dough stick.

Just the smell alone was mouthwatering.

"You're really too kind, Shirogane," Shiina said.

She quickly came to open the door and noticed what Shirogane was carrying.

"I should be the one apologizing, actually."

Shirogane said, "I borrowed your phone without even asking first."

"There's nothing in my phone I need to hide," Shiina replied.

"Or maybe... that's kind of sad," she added.

It was a strange comment, but Shirogane understood — she meant her phone didn't have anything about friends, a lover, or anyone special in it.

These are all signs of poor communication.

When you care about someone, you start to worry that your chats or messages might get seen by others. That's why you don't want to lend your phone to anyone easily.

"This is all for the sake of the class. We have to make sacrifices, even when it comes to friendships or relationships,"

Shirogane said.

"I can't help but feel like I'm forcing my own ideas onto you all."

"No, it's not like that, Shirogane. Don't think that way. I'm just disappointed in myself. And honestly, if I really wanted friends or even a relationship, I could probably find someone within the class…"

Shiina said. But even as she said it, it didn't feel right.

If it's for the class battle, then it's like what Ryuen said before—just keep things internal and don't interfere.

But if it's someone from another class, and we can get information from them, then that's great. But if our own class info gets leaked, then Ryuen will probably go on a rampage.

In short, dating or being close friends with someone from another class is really risky.

And if the only reason to befriend someone is to get information, then that kind of friendship or relationship isn't worth it anyway.

That leaves only relationships within the class.

But…

There aren't many people in class who seem like they could be potential friends or romantic partners.

Right now, the only person Hiyori feels like she might be able to connect with is…

"Stop overthinking it,"

Shirogane said.

"For now, the most important thing is the class battle. Once we win and move up, then if you want to like someone or make friends, I'll help you however I can."

So Shirogane is actually offering to help, taking on that role himself?

"R-Really?"

Hiyori said, sounding a bit surprised.

"Yes."

Shirogane nodded.

"So… it doesn't matter who the person is?"

Shiina asked, like she was testing him.

"I'll do my best,"

Shirogane said.

"Alright then. Got it. See you tomorrow, Shirogane."

And with that, Shiina quickly shut the door.

Shirogane was still standing outside.

[Shirogane, I think you just said something huge.]

A voice echoed in Shirogane's head.

Really?

Shirogane didn't think it was anything strange.

Even though everyone wants the class to move up, this is really more about his own ambition. The others, like Shiina, were just going along with it for his sake. He wouldn't forget that.

"So today, you owe me one,"

Shirogane said.

[Huh? W-What?]

"Today I spoke up for Kushida. In that situation, it would've been totally possible to get her expelled, or at least kicked out of the student council,"

Shirogane explained.

"But I didn't. I asked them to go easy on her."

"She gets to stay at school, and she's still in the student council."

"Because I thought she might be connected to you."

So the special treatment Kushida got from Shirogane…

Was actually because of the narrator system?

He guessed that the narrator, or maybe the future version of Kushida, had a good relationship with her.

So, out of respect for her, I didn't go after Kushida.

"Uh… well, um, alright. Thanks then."

"So, what kind of job does Kushida do now?"

Shirogane was about to head back to his room.

But he was a little curious.

"A job? She ended up studying medical psychology, and now she works as a counselor."

A counselor, huh.

Not cheap, but helpful for people.

And she's been around all kinds of students—back in elementary, junior high, and now high school. She's seen all sorts of personalities and heard all kinds of secrets.

So I guess it's a good fit for her.

Shirogane thought to himself.

"Then why does she get along with you so well? Is she your relative? Or maybe a close friend of your parents?"

"That's something I can't talk about."

Alright then.

So Shirogane quietly went back to his room and got to work.

Time flew by, and it was already the 31st.

That was the day the results would be announced.