Chapter 98: Denai Angry
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Shiranami walked to the side of Ichinose with a clatter, casting a very vigilant look at Rin Matsuoka, clearly on guard.
Ichinose, who was filling out the application documents again, seemed lost in thought, with the corners of her crystal-clear lips curling up slightly.
Perhaps Ichinose noticed the regretful expression on Rin's face after she had left his side?
Rin Matsuoka withdrew his gaze from Ichinose Honami's back, then looked at Denai, shaking the application documents in his hand.
"Senior with a fierce face, would you mind telling me why you asked me to return my application to join the student council just now?"
"The Student Council has conditions for recruiting new members, and you don't meet the requirements," Denai replied without hesitation.
Rin turned his head toward Tachibana Akane, "Is that so, Senior Akane?"
"Denai, what nonsense are you talking about? Since when did the student council have any conditions for recruiting new members? Any student who is willing to join the council can submit an application," Tachibana Akane retorted righteously.
"Then the student council president reviews the students' applications, and those approved will become members of the council."
Denai's face showed an embarrassed expression. He hadn't expected Akane to directly contradict him. As a member of the student council, shouldn't she support him?
Damn!
He forgot that this woman belongs to Horikita Manabu!
Currently, the student council is divided into two factions: President Manabu's faction and Vice President Nagumo faction.
Tachibana Akane is part of Manabu's group.
Rin smiled at Denai, who looked embarrassed. "So, there are no conditions for recruiting new members to the student council. Then, may I ask this fierce senior~"
"Who the hell do you think you are, ordering me to return my application?"
Denai was brimming with anger but, with so many people around, knew it wasn't the right place to break into a full confrontation or beat up Rin.
Still, Denai dared not challenge Rin further.
After all, Denai and his group knew too well how their boss Nagumo's arm had been fractured.
It was this freshman in front of him who had done it—with one hand!
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, Denai and the others would never have believed that anyone could possess such exaggerated grip strength. Rin clearly didn't look especially powerful, so how could he be so strong?
Denai knew if he continued to stay here, he'd only bring humiliation upon himself, so he didn't even bother saying a word to Tachibana and left angrily.
Tachibana watched Denai leave without saying goodbye, not minding in the slightest. In fact, she felt refreshed by his absence.
In Tachibana's eyes, Nagumo and his subordinates were a group of annoying individuals.
Once Denai had gone, Rin looked at Tachibana with enthusiasm and said, "Senior, actually, I know the president of the student council. We're neighbors and have a really good relationship!"
"Oh, really?" Tachibana replied with a wry smile. "Since you're on such good terms with the president, go ahead and fill out the application. The student council could use some extra hands," she said, pointing to the application document in Rin's hand.
"..." Rin Matsuoka, who didn't actually want to join the student council, quickly changed the subject. "I'll need to ask Manabu-san about joining the student council directly, so, Senior, could you give me Manabu-san's contact information?"
"No, I can't give you the president's contact information," Tachibana refused without hesitation.
"Why? I have a really good relationship with Manabu-san. If you don't believe me, you could call him and confirm it."
"No questions!" Tachibana said stubbornly.
"Why is that?" Rin asked, genuinely puzzled.
Rin could understand why Tachibana might doubt he and Horikita Manabu were close.
But if she already had Horikita Manabu's contact information, why not simply call him and ask whether he and Rin actually knew each other?
"No reason. Either way, it's just not possible. Well...if you really want the president's contact information, you'll have to wait a month. I can tell you after that."
Rin raised an eyebrow, Tachibana's vague words making the reason clear to him.
Is it because of the 'unannounced class points' again?
Yes, that was precisely what Tachibana Akane was worried about.
The first month after new Buddhist students enter school is a period of protected status within the school rules. During this month, it's best for seniors not to provoke the new students or have too much contact with them.
Additionally, Horikita Manabu is not only the president of the student council, but also a senior about to graduate next year.
To ensure the president graduates without issue, Tachibana Akane would avoid anything that might impact Horikita Manabu during the first month of freshman enrollment.
This included providing Horikita Manabu's contact information to a freshman like Rin!
Rin realized the main reason behind Tachibana Akane's cautious behavior, so he didn't press further. At this moment, Ichinose Honami had completed her application document and handed it to Tachibana Akane.
"Senior, I've finished writing it. Please have a look."
"Mm."
Tachibana Akane took the application document Ichinose handed over, glanced at it, and nodded. "No problem, Ichinose-chan, right? Then you can go back and wait for the student council to notify you about the interview."
"Understood."
After handing over the application documents, Ichinose turned to look at Rin and found that he was looking back at her.
Ichinose couldn't help but recall the moment her chest had pressed intimately against Rin's arm just now. Her fair cheeks, which had only just regained their normal color, turned rosy again, and even her small earrings seemed to glow red.
The shy little angel certainly looked adorable.
With shy, flustered eyes, Ichinose turned her head toward Shiranami Chihiro beside her. "Chihiro-chan, didn't you plan to go to the literature club? Let's go."
"Okay~"
"Rin-san, hurry up and join us!" Ichinose Honami called out.
The smile on Shiranami Chihiro's face suddenly faded. Why did Honami-chan want this boy to join them?
Rin looked at Shiranami Chihiro with a bit of confusion. Why did he keep sensing an inexplicable hostility from her, as if he'd taken something precious from her?
"Actually, since it's getting late, I plan to go to the cafeteria for dinner," Rin politely declined Ichinose Honami's invitation.
Ichinose Honami's face displayed a trace of disappointment. "Okay, then. See you later."
"Mm."
At that moment, a female voice full of surprise and joy sounded from behind Rin and the others.
"Hey, is that you, junior?"
Rin and the others turned toward the direction of the voice. They saw Asahina Nazuna, her face lighting up with surprise and excitement.