"Haha, Ichinose, I'd much prefer it if you called 'senpai' instead of 'vice president.'"
Leaning back into the plush sofa, Nagumo narrowed his eyes slightly, studying the girl before him with admiration.
Even her loose jacket and blouse couldn't hide the graceful curves of her figure.
"Don't just stand there. People might think I'm scolding my junior. Sit down and talk for a bit."
Ichinose shook her head at his invitation and replied bluntly, "I really don't have much ti. If you have sothing to say, please get to the point. Do you need to do sothing?"
Nagumo wasn't angered.
He was always patient and tolerant with those who interested him.
Smiling, he said, "Fine, I won't force you. But I hope you'll at least listen to out of gratitude—after all, I was the one who got you into the student council in the first place."
The more he spoke, the more Ichinose Honami was reminded of that scene.
If Kaoru hadn't intervened midway, her future might not have turned out well.
Not only joining the student council, but Nagumo Miyabi also reminded her of sothing else.
"You've spent a sester here by now, haven't you? How do you feel about it, Ichinose?"
"Though I've encountered quite a few strange things, I think coming here might be the best decision I've made so far." Ichinose Honami took a deep breath.
No matter who stood before her, she would answer this way.
"The students in Class B, those from other classes, even the upperclassn—everyone has been very kind to . I'm truly grateful to them."
Nagumo Miyabi asked with interest, "Does that not include , your upperclassman?"
"In a certain sense, I'm deeply grateful to you as well, Nagumo-senpai." Ichinose Honami's mind flashed with the image of another person, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Heh, I'll gladly accept my kouhai's gratitude." Nagumo Miyabi grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, as if satisfied.
"But gratitude alone isn't enough. As your senpai, I intend to keep looking after my adorable kouhai."
A faint unease crept into Ichinose Honami's heart, but she quickly steadied herself.
She was no longer the timid rabbit she once was—she had learned many things since then.
"How many points separate your Class B from Class A?" Nagumo Miyabi suddenly asked.
Ichinose Honami felt she had guessed his intentions but answered calmly.
"A little over seven hundred."
"Hah, that's quite a worrying gap. Unless you win several exams in a row, catching up to Class A will be nearly impossible." Nagumo lowered his voice, as if revealing a shocking secret.
"The first sester was the school's tutorial phase for you all. If you didn't seize the opportunity then, the exams from now on will only make it harder to close the distance."
Ichinose Honami fell silent for a mont.
"We'll do our best."
"No, no, no. Just doing your best isn't enough. I understand your mindset perfectly—because I was once a Class B student too, chasing after Class A just like you."
At this point, Nagumo Miyabi showed a rare hint of nostalgia, his voice distant.
"We also went through the uninhabited island exam, running and fighting across the island. Under the laws of survival in nature, the only way to live is to do whatever it takes."
"Ichinose, if you don't adopt a life-or-death ntality, do you really think you can lead your class to the top? Can you defeat the current Class A? Can you win against Mitoma?"
"I…"
"Think carefully before answering. You're the leader of your class—everyone is watching you."
"..."
There was no denying that Nagumo Miyabi's words were persuasive.
And in this ritocratic school, most people had only one goal.
Ichinose Honami found it hard to reject his words because surpassing Class A was indeed her classmates' objective—one they would strive for over the next two years.
Precisely because of this, she found herself wavering.
Noticing her hesitation, Nagumo Miyabi curled his lips in a barely perceptible smirk and pressed further.
"Have you submitted your competition roster yet?"
"It's already decided. We'll turn it in tomorrow," Ichinose Honami replied.Nagumo Miyabi leisurely took out his phone, tapped a few tis, and a ding sounded.
"Perfect timing. Take a look, Ichinose. I'll solve your worries, and all you have to do is accept this."
Watching Ichinose Honami lower her head, he felt a surge of satisfaction.
This was his power—undeniable and absolute.
Just as expected, Ichinose Honami's expression stiffened the mont she saw the contents of the email, as if she had witnessed sothing unbelievable.
"This… is the participation list for Class A and Class D?"
"Correct. Soone sent it to . Can't tell you who, though."
"Why… why would you give sothing like this?"
"As I said earlier, as your senior, it's only natural for to look out for my juniors. In return, all you have to do is seize the opportunity, climb to Class A, and that'll be enough to satisfy ."
"..."
Her silence didn't faze him.
Many people beca fearful after witnessing his strength.
However, after waiting for a long mont, Nagumo didn't get the answer he wanted. His brow furrowed.
"What are you hesitating for?"
"I refuse."
Her voice was so soft that Nagumo didn't catch it at first.
"What did you say?"
"I said, I won't take it!" Ichinose raised her voice slightly, her eyes shining with resolve.
"This kind of thing shouldn't exist here. I won't accept your 'kindness.' Thank you!"
Nagumo froze for a mont.
Seeing that she wasn't joking, his face burned.
What he thought would be an easy victory had suddenly turned against him.
Every word he'd just spoken now felt like a ridiculous clown act, with the audience even whistling in mockery.
In an instant, his anger transford into an icy smile.
"Ichinose, let give you so advice. In this school, you can't survive on just integrity. Do you even realize what you're doing?"
"I know. The vice president wants to help you defeat Mitoma-kun, right?" Ichinose said calmly.
"Because you resent him but can't act directly, so you're trying to use us instead."
Nagumo laughed in frustration, dropping all pretense.
"Since you already know, aren't we allies on the sa side? Why refuse? Or is it because you're close to him that you can't bring yourself to do it?"
"You're right. Mitoma-kun and I are close." Ichinose admitted openly before shifting her tone.
"But that's not why I'm holding back. This thod of fighting isn't for . I want to face him fairly."
Nagumo felt a vein throbbing in his forehead.
He deeply regretted ever indulging these first-years.
"Ichinose… do you really think you're being righteous right now?"
His voice at that mont was like a demon's whisper from the abyss.
A faint breeze stirred the curtains outside, but Ichinose only felt a chill seep into her bones.
"You clearly had no qualms about stealing in the past—going so far as to do anything for your sister's birthday. Why can't you do the sa now?" He paused.
"Or do you think you've already been forgiven?"
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