"Ryuen Kakeru of Css 1- the afternoon of April 4th, was found guilty of using violence against his cssmate Ibuki due to dissatisfa with his own ambitions. His as have seriously vioted schutions and warrant severe punishment."

  Nagumo's face remained impassive as he made his decration. From the moment Hikaru presehe recorded audio evidenagumo had already made up his mind. With Manabu watg from outside, he o dispy a firm stance.

  "Ryuen Kakeru is hereby suspended for one month, effective immediately. You will not be allowed to return to css until May 5th, and during this period, you are strictly prohibited from entering the academic buildings."

  His sharp gaze fell upon Ryuen's darkened expression as he firmly annouhe verdict.

  Under normal circumstances, a case of violehat didn't result in severe injury would typically warrant a suspensiing from a week to half a month. However, Ryuen's offense was far mregious—not only did he engage in physical assault, but he was also caught on record attempting to incite his cssmates into assisting him in attag a female student.

  Su act was beyond uable.

  "Should you be caught vioting this sentence—whether by sneaking into css or refusing to ply—you will face immediate expulsion."

  Nagumo's lips curled into a cold smirk as he issued his final warning.

  "Do you uand?"

  "…Yeah, I got it," Ryuen muttered, his gaze shifting toward Ibuki, standing beside Hikaru. His golden eyes carried a sm iy, not of fear, but of defiance.

  It was clear—this wasn't over.

  "Fine. sider this my loss, Ibuki. But I'll be taking back what's miime. The leadership of Css C belongs to me."

  Then, his gaze slid over to Hikaru, who still wore a rexed smile.

  "Hashima Hikaru, right? I'll remember you."

  "Wow, am I that famous already?" Hikaru chuckled, pletely unfazed by Ryuen's implied threat. Shrugging, he responded nontly, "It's an honor to be remembered by Ryuen-kun."

  "We'll be seeing a lot of each other iure. Let's have some fuime."

  "Tch."

  Ryuen scoffed, his expression grim, but he said nothing more. With that, he turned and strode out of the feren.

  Nagumo's gaze then fell upowo remaining Css C students—Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo.

  "And as for your punishment," he tinued, his tone just as stern.

  "Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo of Css 1-C, you were found to have acted under Ryuen's orders, ambushing Ibuki with the io use physical force to coerce her. This behavior stitutes a serious viotion of school rules."

  "As such, both of you will be suspended for one week, from today until April 12th. During this period, you are not allowed to attend csses. This disciplinary notice will be forwarded to Sakagami-sensei immediately."

  "…Uood."

  Despite their usual rebellious nature, Ishizaki and Komiya didn't dare argue back. They khe stakes—if they pushed any further, expulsion could be .

  Ohe three Css C students had left, Nagumo turned his attention back to Hikaru and Ibuki, gauging their reas.

  "That cludes the hearing for Ibuki's pint. Do the two of you find my judgment fair?"

  "Absolutely! As expected of the student cil vice president—firm, fair, and authoritative! You ha so well that they didn't even dare argue back," Hikaru praised effortlessly, his tone filled with admiration.

  Nagumo's lips curled into a pleased smile, clearly enjoying the fttery.

  Ibuki, however, had no i in lingering any lood. That's settled. we leave now?"

  "Ihank you for your time, Vice President Nagumo. We'll be taking our leave now."

  Just as Hikaru and Ibuki turo exit, Nagumo suddenly spoke up.

  "Hikaru-kun, could you stay behind? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

  "?"

  Ibuki paused mid-step, shooting Hikaru a ghe moment she saw the knowing smirk on his face, realization struck her.

  Tch, so this was his pn all along.

  No wonder he had been sh Nagumo with respect throughout the entire session—he must have anticipated this moment.

  "Unbelievable."

  Muttering under her breath, she didn't bother staying any longer and quickly exited the room. The st thing she wanted was to get caught up in one of Hikaru's schemes again.

  "Oh? What would you like to talk about, Vice President Nagumo?"

  Hikaru turned back with a look of polite curiosity. He had been keenly Nagumhout the hearing, and it was clear—this student cil vice president had a rather plicated dynamic with Manabu.

  Though they held the highest positions iudent cil together, there was an underlying tensioween them. Moreover, the purple-haired secretary, Tachibana, seemed tly dislike Nagumo.

  That was something worth iigating further.

  While Hikaru was lost in thought, Nagumo finally spoke.

  "You're in Css B, right? A rather exceptional talent, I must say."

  "You ftter me, Vice President. In front of someone like you, I'm just an ordinary student," Hikaru replied humbly, wearing an i expression.

  "o be so modest," Nagumo chuckled, his tone warm yet calcuted. "I was in Css B during my first year too, you know. But I worked my and secured my p Css A. I believe you have the potential to do the same."

  "Oh? That's quite impressive, Vice President Nagumo!"

  Hikaru's expression flickered with genuine surprise—he had assumed Nagumo had always been in Css A.

  Iing.

  Nagumo studied Hikaru for a moment before tinuing. "After today's events, I've e to see you as someoh a strong sense of justice—bold enough to stand up against violend protect those in need."

  Hikaru nearly ughed. Oh, this guy is good.

  "You embody exactly the kind of talent the student eeds," Nagumo tinued. "So, what do you say? Would you be ied in joining the student cil?"

  "This is…!"

  Hikaru let his eyes widen slightly as if taken aback by the offer. He even allowed a flicker of excitement to cross his face, as if he had just been granted an opportunity beyond his imagination.

  Nagumo smirked inwardly. Hook, line, and sinker.

  This first-year was far from i—Nagumo could see that clearly.

  The fact that Hikaru had mao orchestrate a trap against Ryuen within just four days of school starting, maniputing both his own and another css, made it impossible for him to be an ordinary student.

  But that was exactly what made him valuable.

  Nagumo had been looking for someone iial within the first-year student body—someoh ambition, intellect, and the willio do what was necessary. With Hikaru on his side, seg total trol over the school after Manabu graduated would be signifitly easier.

  If Hikaru could solidate power over Css B and beyond, then Nagumo would have an iron grip oudent hierarchy.

  So, he didn't mind grooming him.

  However, Hikaru's response caught him off guard.

  "Vice President Nagumo, while I truly appreciate the offer, I've been dedig most of my time to my studies retly," Hikaru responded with a flicted expression. "I don't think I'd be able to take on su important rht now."

  "Ah, that's uandable," Nagumo said smoothly, though inwardly, he narrowed his eyes.

  He's cautious.

  "How about this?" Nagumo proposed. "Think about it until after this month's exams. Ohey're over, we'll talk again."

  Hikaru hesitated for a moment before nodding. "That sounds fair. I'll give you my ahen, Vice President."

  "Good. I look forward to it," Nagumo said with a fident smile.

  As Hikaru turo leave, a sihought crossed his mind:

  This guy is way too obvious.

  How did he even bee Horikita Manabu's rival? Is sed-year really that weak?