Bathed in moonlight, Hikaru stared at Manabu.
Even though he had just witnessed him pressuring his own sister, the student council president remained completely composed.
Rather than showing the slightest sign of distress, Manabu spoke with calm precision.
"Hikaru-kun, you should already know that at the end of the second semester, I will be stepping down as student council president, and Nagumo will take over."
As he adjusted his glasses, a rare flicker of subtle emotion crossed his face at the mention of Nagumo.
"I know. Nagumo-senpai, as the vice president, is naturally the best successor after you. He's already started gathering followers, hasn't he?"
"...So you've noticed that already?"
Manabu's gaze lingered on Hikaru, a glimmer of surprise flashing through his usually stoic expression.
"You truly never fail to impress."
He continued, "Nagumo and I are not the same. His ideology is to transform this school into a true meritocratic battleground. Do you understand what that means?"
"True meritocracy…?"
Hikaru stroked his chin, connecting the dots.
He recalled hearing about second-year students being expelled. If Nagumo was responsible for that, then his intentions were clear.
Hikaru's expression darkened, his sharp gaze locking onto Manabu.
"So… you're saying that Nagumo-senpai's plan is to actively force students to drop out?"
"He has already secured control over the entirety of the second-year students and has conducted his experiments. By enforcing a lowest-rank elimination system, he has systematically expelled those who couldn't keep up."
Manabu's words were firm, but Hikaru didn't miss the way his gaze flickered toward his sister.
Standing to the side, Suzune looked utterly stunned, unable to process what she was hearing.
Student council transitions?
A person she had never even heard of, Nagumo?
And more importantly…
Why did Hikaru, a fellow first-year, seem so familiar with all of this?
He wasn't just speaking to her brother like an upperclassman—he was speaking as an equal.
She even heard her brother implying that he wanted Hikaru to help with something.
Why?
When did this happen?
What happened to my brother that I don't know about?
"So that's his goal," Hikaru muttered, piecing it all together.
"Expel those who don't meet his standards—cut out the weak and leave only the strong."
His expression hardened.
If Nagumo truly meant to enforce a survival-of-the-fittest system, then once Manabu graduated, it was likely that he would push the school's expulsion system even further.
As student council president, he would wield significant influence over the administration.
It wasn't impossible for him to negotiate new methods with the school to intensify the dropout process.
Hikaru had seen firsthand how much power the student council held during the hearing regarding Ryuen.
It was clear that they could manipulate school policies in ways ordinary students couldn't.
"He's already making moves," Manabu continued.
"And he's still gathering more followers."
The president narrowed his gaze at Hikaru.
This first-year had already seen through the school's system on the very first day and was now orchestrating a massive Private Point recovery operation.
If someone could stand against Nagumo, it was likely him.
"...So, what is it that you want me to do?"
Hikaru met Manabu's gaze head-on.
"What exactly are you asking of me?"
"Hmm…"
Manabu turned his head, glancing at his sister, who was still completely lost in the conversation.
Her expression stiffened, and when she met her brother's cold stare, she blurted out—
"Brother, do you want me to do something?"
"..."
Manabu sighed.
He hadn't come here to force her out because he hated her.
There was a deeper reason.
But he wasn't ready to explain it just yet.
That would have to wait until he graduated.
"Hikaru-kun, what I'm asking of you is simple."
"You've been actively moving since the very beginning, haven't you?"
"I want you to take Suzune with you."
"Make her understand her own weaknesses—completely."
"How about it?"
Silence.
Hikaru blinked.
Suzune's expression instantly changed.
The next second, she protested in alarm.
"Brother! I don't need anyone's help! I will make it to Class A on my own! Just wait and see—"
"No."
"This is not up for discussion."
Manabu's chilling gaze swept over his sister.
"You have always misunderstood the difference between pride and isolation."
"That's why you fail to recognize your own flaws."
"If you think you can make it to Class A with your current abilities, you are gravely mistaken."
"Get that through your head."
"..."
Suzune bit down hard on her lip, swallowing the words she wanted to say.
Again.
Again, her brother rejected her.
No matter what she said, he always looked down on her.
"…Hikaru-kun."
Turning his attention away from his sister, Manabu looked back at Hikaru, his tone heavy with meaning.
"I've given you the details about Nagumo."
"You should understand why I told you this."
"…Yeah."
Hikaru processed it quickly.
Once Nagumo took over as student council president, he would undoubtedly target the weak—and Class D would be his first victims.
As her older brother, Manabu must have realized that Suzune wouldn't reach Class A within two semesters.
If she remained in Class D, she would be in serious danger when Nagumo took control.
It made sense—Suzune had been placed in Class D for a reason.
That meant the school had identified significant flaws in her.
"…I see what you're getting at, Horikita-senpai."
"But that's not the only reason, is it?"
Hikaru glanced at Suzune, then looked back at Manabu.
"If you want me to help, just be straight with me."
"Stop beating around the bush."
"...Hah."
For the first time, Manabu smirked.
He liked this kid.
"Of course, that's not all."
He adjusted his glasses, his tone sharpening.
"Nagumo's ideals are completely opposed to the school's original intent."
"This school was built to nurture well-rounded, highly capable individuals."
"Every student admitted here is specially recommended—regardless of their entrance exam scores."
"As long as they meet the selection criteria, they are brought here for a reason."
"This school was designed to hone students of different talents, pushing them to refine their strengths in a closed environment and emerge as even greater assets to society."
"That is what this institution was meant to accomplish."
Manabu's glasses reflected a sharp glint.
He was fully aligned with the school's vision.
This was why he had become student council president in the first place.
"If Nagumo's system takes hold, it will severely derail the school's plan."
"And in doing so, it will rob countless students of their potential."
"…I see."
Hikaru now understood why Manabu opposed Nagumo.
As vice president, Nagumo was already in a position of power.
And without substantial cause, Manabu couldn't simply remove him.
Even Suzune, standing nearby, was starting to grasp the bigger picture.
"…So?"
Manabu locked eyes with Hikaru.
"You refused to join the student council before."
"What about now?"
"Are you still going to turn me down?"
"…No."
Hikaru smirked.
This information was valuable—something that could be used to seize the advantage.
But if he was going to help, there was one more thing.
"I'll accept, Horikita-senpai."
"But in exchange… what do I get?"
~~~
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