After retrieving the textbooks and printing the tract from the homeroom teachers' office, Hoshinomiya led Hikaru and Iose back to Css 1-B, where she annouhe ele for css leader.
As expected, the moment the students heard this, all eyes turo Hikaru—the one who had just formuted a strategy for the css and taken charge of their future dire.
However, instead of stepping forward, Hikaru was whispering something to Iose. Then, he suddenly stood up and spoke loudly to the css.
"Everyone, I nominate Iose Honami as our css representative."
"She possesses many strengths that I ck. I believe she bee the pilr of Css 1-B, leading us forward so that one day, we all graduate from Css 1-A together."
"I will serve as Iose's assistant, supp her and tributing to the css in my own way."
Hikaru had thought through this decision beforehand.
He had no i in being the css representative. If he took on that role, it would be troublesome to i with future high-value stocks.
Being an assistant was much more ve.
---
Among Css 1-B's students, many had already bee Hikaru's supporters after his impressive strategic presentation.
Some had hoped he would step up as css representative, believing that he could lead them to victory.
But since he had openly refused, they had no choice but to respect his decision.
Soon after, the other students started to voice their agreement.
"If Hikaru trusts her, then so do I."
"Yeah, Iose is amazing! She definitely uhe css."
"I support Iose as css representative!"
What should have been an inteion ended swiftly, with Iose being unanimously chosen—all thanks to Hikaru's strategieuvering.
With the entire css bag her, Iose had no choice but to accept.
As she stood up, she smiled somewhat awkwardly befreeing to take on the responsibility.
---
Before Hikaru had stood up, he had whispered something simple to her.
He pointed out that team unity would be the most critical factor in css petition.
However, he personally wasn't suited for leadership—he cked experien managing people.
Meanwhile, Iose had been a css representative before, makihe ideal didate.
Hikaru sealed the deal with a final statement:
"I trust you pletely, Iose. This is the best decision for Css 1-B."
Hearing this, Iose had no way to refuse.
With the css leader ele settled, Css 1-B's students didn't immediately disperse.
Instead, they all remained in the , watg as Hikaru and Iose left for Css 1-A—eager to see the oute of their first iation.
---
At Css 1-A's Door
With the trad notebook taining the hidden rules, Hikaru and Iose arrived at the hallway outside Css 1-A.
Ihey could hear a css representative ele in progress.
Standing at the podium was a tall, imposing male student—not particurly handsome, but undeniably striking because of his shaved head.
His strong posture and fident demeanor radiated authority and stability.
On the bckboard behind him, his name was written in bold strokes:
Katsuragi Kōhei.
He was currently giving a speech, rallying votes for himself.
Beside his name, however, there was another name written i, refined handwriting:
Sakayanagi Arisu.
---
"So we walked into Css 1-A's ele, huh?"
Hikaru and Iose stood by the window, the se inside.
"Strange… why isn't there a teacher here? Did they already leave?"
Iose quickly noticed something unusual—there were only students inside.
The maroon-uniformed boys and girls were listening attentively, but there was no teacher in sight.
However, even without supervision, the remained pletely orderly—there was no idle chatter, no disruptions.
Hikaru narrowed his eyes.
"Even without a teacher, they maintain discipline… Css 1-A truly is different."
Indeed, Css 1-A was the school's top-ranked css—and Css 1-B's biggest rival.
Iose's expression grew serious.
Seeing Css 1-A's strict discipline firsthand, she finally uood why the school divided students into different csses.
Unlike Css 1-B, where some students still acted casually, Css 1-A's students were pletely focused—even in something as trivial as aion.
---
"That cludes my speech," Katsuragi said as he finished his campaign.
A round of appuse followed—his popurity in Css 1-A was clearly strong.
Then, the male student standing beside him spoke:
", Sakayanagi-san."
"Ooohh!"
"Sakayanagi-san, you got this!"
"Good luck, Sakayanagi!"
The enthusiasm in the room skyrocketed the moment her name was called.
The moment, a petite figure slowly rose from her seat and walked toward the podium.
She was a delicate girl with silver short hair, her fair skin radiant uhe lights.
Her features were ethereal, almost otherworldly, her presence captivating.
But what stood out the most—
Was the bck e she held in her right hand.
With every step she took, she leaned slightly on the e, relying on it for support.
"...Does she have a medical dition?"
Hikaru rubbed his thoughtfully.
Then, something else occurred to him.
Acc to school rules, Css 1-A was posed of the most well-rouudents.
Yet Sakayanagi Arisu had a clear physical disadvantage.
If she needed a e just to walk, then physical education would be out of the question.
She would struggle more than Hikaru, whose Physical Ability stat was only 3.
A—she was still in Css 1-A.
That could only meahing.
Her intellect, analytical skills, or strategy must be extraordinary—so overwhelming that it pensated for her physical limitations.
As Hikaru pted this, a soft yet anding voice rang out.
"You two standing outside the window—would you mind expining what you're doing?"
Sakayanagi had noticed them.
Their gazes met.
Hikaru and Iose exged looks.
Sihey had already been caught, they decided to enter Css 1-A.
"Apologies. We didn't mean to eavesdrop on your ele—we simply have something to discuss with you."
Taking on her role as Css 1-B's leader, Iose stepped forward first.
"And what might that be?"
The response came from Katsuragi, his expression unreadable.
Even standing still, he exuded an undeniable presence.
"It's regarding the hidden school rules," Iose stated, revealing their purpose.
"I am Iose Honami from Css 1-B, and this is my cssmate, Hashima Hikaru."
"This matter is important—please take a look at this first."
She extehe tract toward them.
Just as Katsuragi was about to accept it—
A soft, yet sharp voiterrupted.
"Katsuragi-kun, please wait a moment."
"Hm? Is something wrong, Sakayanagi?"
"Before anything else—"
Sakayanagi's lips curved into a gentle, knowing smile.
"Wouldn't it be more appropriate for us to clude our ele first?"
She turoward Iose and Hikaru, her gaze pyful yet firm.
"After all, shouldn't it be the representative of Css 1-A who iates with other csses?"
"..."
Wow.
She looked fragile and delicate, yet her words carried a sharp edge.
Hikaru and Iose exged annce.
Clearly, these two didates werely on friendly terms.
Iose whispered, "Hikaru, what do we do?"
"No rush. Let's wait." Hikaru smirked.
"After all, the best opportunities arise wheers are muddied."
"...That's a saying? I've never heard it before."
"Uh… Let's just say I ied it."
