Nagumo Miyabi didn't ask Kaoru Mitoma to stay, and Kaoru Mitoma didn't try to force himself to remain. Once the deal was done, Kaoru Mitoma simply walked out of the student council office, leaving only Ichinose Honami behind.
"Ichinose, you understood the conversation just now, right?"
Nagumo Miyabi finally turned to look at her, his tone calm.
"The student council has way more power than you think. As long as you join us, I'll help you lead your class to A-Class."
"I'm sorry, Nagumo-senpai, I can't accept this. Please give the student council spot to someone else."
"Because of what I just said?"
"Maybe I didn't explain it well. You not only have the right abilities, but you're also valuable for your looks. That's rare, Ichinose. I'm very satisfied with you."
"So that's why you deliberately lured me into saying those things, Nagumo-senpai?"
Ichinose Honami met his gaze, her eyes sharp. The girl showed no fear—after what just happened, she understood she'd stepped right into the trap Nagumo Miyabi had set for her.
"That was the original plan, yeah. Didn't expect any surprises, but even if I admit it, what can you do?"
Nagumo Miyabi gave a careless smile, leaning back in his comfortable chair.
"Choosing to trust you, Nagumo-senpai, is my own decision, but I won't become your personal property, and I won't stay here."
Ichinose Honami said seriously.
"Ichinose, you haven't been here long, so it's normal that you don't understand."
Nagumo Miyabi shook his head with a laugh.
"But once you join the student council, you'll see just how much power the school gives us. It's enough to give you a huge advantage in the class competition."
Just how much power does the student council really have?
Generally speaking, they can set rules together with the school, and even submit proposals to change them. Other people are just players, but you're not only a player—you're also on the referee side. It's hard to imagine how you could ever lose.
Because of this, the student council president has almost always been a student from Class A, graduating smoothly as a member of Class A. Still, for the sake of fairness, the school doesn't let the student council get too powerful, so everything is done by the book. For example, the current student council president, Horikita Manabu, has followed the rules since he took office. He hasn't abused his power or changed anything.
This way of doing things makes Nagumo Miyabi dissatisfied. If he takes over, the school is probably in for a major shake-up. Of course, before he takes office next semester, he still has to think about the first-year students.
Not just as a successor, but for some other reasons as well. Now that things had come to this, Nagumo Miyabi didn't think Ichinose Honami would turn him down. At most, she was just sulking because of what was said earlier.
As the class leader, once Ichinose Honami calmed down a bit, she'd realize the advantages joining the student council would bring to her class. However, Nagumo Miyabi quickly realized that this girl was not to be underestimated either.
"Nagumo-senpai, the school didn't actually put all the best students in the entire grade into Class A, did they?"
Ichinose Honami spoke up.
"If they did, there'd be no way for the lower classes to ever catch up, and that wouldn't fit the idea of competition between the four classes. In other words, there's definitely a clear gap between D and A, but it's not so big that it's hopeless."
Besides, what standards does the school even use to judge how good a student is?
If it was just about academic ability, Ichinose Honami was the top scorer on the entrance exam, so she should've been placed in Class A. But the school didn't do that. So, there must be some other factors at play. Class A might have the highest level, but that doesn't mean the other classes have nothing going for them.
"You want to make it to Class A with your own strength?"
"It's not just me, everyone else is involved too."
"Heh, you first-years are really something."
On the surface, Nagumo Miyabi was all smiles, but inside he was ice-cold. If it weren't for that guy Kaoru Mitoma, nothing unexpected would've happened today.
"About what I said earlier... I hope you can forget it, Nagumo-senpai. If you need private points, I can give you some." Ichinose Honami clenched her fists. She didn't want things to end here. She'd only just started school, only just gotten along with everyone.
Seeing her , Nagumo Miyabi gave a playful smile.
"You should be more worried about Mitoma rather than me. He never promised to keep your secret."
Ichinose Honami froze, only now realizing how serious the problem was.
Kaoru Mitoma glanced at the surveillance cameras and gave up on the idea of planting a bug in the teachers' office. He put away the few bugs he had left and was about to leave the special classroom building when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Ichinose Honami running over.
"You, you're Kaoru Mitoma from Class A, right?"
After all that running, her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, her lips slightly parted as she caught her breath. The shirt of her school uniform clung to her body, outlining the lively curves of a young girl in her prime. Her chest rose and fell with her quickened breathing, and it was clear she was well-endowed. The hem of her skirt revealed smooth, pale legs, her slender calves especially eye-catching.
"Is there something you want?"
Kaoru Mitoma watched as one wish after another flashed before his eyes.
"Messed up Ichinose Honami,"
"Want to see her face all red with embarrassment,"
"Corrupt Ichinose Honami,"
"Ruthlessly Slap Ichinose ass in front of everyone,"
"Break Ichinose's spirit,"
"Ichinose must be the main wife"
They were getting filthier and filthier. How was he supposed to fulfill all these wishes?
"A-About what just happened, could you please not tell anyone?"
Ichinose Honami tried to steady her breathing. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her pale neck glistening with sweat, delicate collarbones hidden beneath her collar, and her fair skin tinged with a rosy hue.
So she actually thought of that, Kaoru Mitoma was a little surprised.
"Why should I agree to your request?"
Kaoru Mitoma feigned confusion.
"I'm in Class A, you're in Class B. We'll only be rivals from now on. Keeping your secret is not the smart move, isn't it?"
Ichinose Honami bit her lip. She knew she was asking too much, but... there had to be another way, right?
"There may be competition, but that doesn't mean we have to be hostile or enemies with the other classes. Over the next three years, there's bound to be more than just this. If you're willing, we could even be friends, Mitoma-kun." This text is hosted at novel⁂fire.net
She seemed to have mustered up her courage to say those sincere words. Kaoru Mitoma watched her for a moment, then walked toward her.
As he closed in, Ichinose Honami instinctively took a few steps back, only to bump right into the wall. Bang!
Kaoru Mitoma placed his hand on the wall beside her, trapping her in a corner like a predator pinning down its prey, forcing their eyes to meet with no room to escape.
"Ichinose, you're not seriously trying to convince me with such a lousy excuse, are you?"
As he spoke, Kaoru Mitoma leaned in close, breathing in the sweet scent between her neck and collarbone. His warm breath spilled over her sensitive skin, stirring a few strands of her hair that softly fell down.
"You wouldn't want everyone to find out you're a criminal, would you?"
"Ding! Wish completely fulfilled... "