Ibuki had seen Nagumo before but didn't know him personally.
Besides, it was Saturday, and aside from first-years, there shouldn't be any upperclassmen in the school building.
Just as she grew wary of Nagumo's sudden appearance, Ryuen laughed heartily without a care.
"Hahaha, Nagumo, only idiots would join the student council now!"
His laughter was filled with mockery.
The person beside Nagumo moved, glaring at him indignantly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Because only fools would fall for it. Even your master is in trouble now—why should I wade into muddy waters?"
"You!"
"Iijima-kun, that's enough."
Nagumo reached out to stop the person beside him, smiling faintly.
"Ryuen-kun is right. The most important position in the student council is the president, and the most crucial authority belongs to the president. Everything else is trivial. It's understandable that Ryuen-kun isn't interested."
Iijima Ryota had no choice but to swallow his anger and put on a loyal facade in front of outsiders.
"However, Ryuen-kun, after I leave, the presidency will fall to Mitoma. How confident are you against him?"
Nagumo spoke calmly. "Among the first-years, you are the most likely to oppose Mitoma. Ichinose can't, Sakayanagi can't, and Class D is even less capable."
Ryuen teased, "Are you suggesting I become president?"
In an instant, Ibuki and Ishizaki held their breath.
If Ryuen became student council president, what benefits would their Class C gain?
The previous student council president was Horikita Manabu, and now it was Nagumo—both seemed incredibly formidable.
"Mitomas Class A has over two thousand points, three to four times yours. Do you have any other options?"
Nagumo countered.
Without a doubt, the current first-year Class A was a veritable monster, with Class Points equal to the sum of the second, third, and fourth places combined
.However, Ryuen lazily remarked, "You always say joining the student council has benefits, but I haven't seen how the student council helps with special exams."
Iijima Ryota frowned. "What kind of treatment are you expecting? The student council can change the rules—isn't that what you want?"
His words drew a derisive laugh from Ryuen, as if he had seen something ridiculous, which irritated Iijima Ryota.
'Don't these juniors know how to respect their seniors?'
"Ryuen-san, why don't we join the student council?"
Ishizaki couldn't help but interject, feeling tempted by Iijima Ryota and Nagumo's words.
Ryuen stopped laughing and punched him lightly, saying irritably, "Idiot, he's the president. Only he has the authority to change the rules. Am I supposed to work for him for free for a year?"
Ishizaki closed his mouth, feeling wronged.
"So that's how you see me, Ryuen-kun. It seems there's a bit of a misunderstanding between us."
Nagumo smiled. "Although the student council is troublesome right now, the school has already approved my proposal. Moving forward, it will be easier for you to advance to Class A, and I won't make you work for nothing."
Ryuen sneered, completely unconvinced by what he saw as empty promises.
As Nagumo's current collaborator, he could withdraw at any time.
But joining the student council would mean binding himself to Nagumo.
They would either take down Kaoru together or sink with Nagumo.
"Mitoma bought Ichinose's Praise Votes. Your plan might be exposed."
Ryuen changed the subject, watching Nagumo with glee. "But unfortunately, according to our previous agreement, even if the plan fails, I won't be refunding you."
Ibuki glanced at him, then at Nagumo, finally understanding where his point had come from.
"Hah, I don't need that little money."
Nagumo's lips twitched.
He had been keeping an eye on the first-years and had learned the news almost simultaneously with Ryuen.
"I told you, as long as you're willing to deal with Mitoma, I'll cover all the expenses."
Ryuen deliberately whistled and said to Ibuki, "Hear that, Ibuki? From now on, don't ask me why. Everything is for our dear Mitoma."
Not only Ibuki's face darkened, but Iijima Ryota and Nagumo's expressions also turned grim.
"Whoa, got it! For Mitomaaaa!"
Ishizaki wholeheartedly echoed his leader.
"Nagumo-kun, why don't we collaborate with Horikita-san instead?"
Iijima Ryota voiced his dissatisfaction. "After all, Horikita-san is Horikita-senpai sister. I think she's more suitable to be the next president."
Nagumo gave him an expressionless glance, and Iijima Ryota laughed awkwardly.
"Now isn't the best time to talk to Horikita. Let's wait until the exam results are out."
Iijima Ryota agreed but felt puzzled.
Didn't he say he wanted Horikita Suzune to have the final say?
But upon second thought, Nagumo already knew that Kaoru had bought the Praise Votes from Class 1-B, which meant his plan had failed.
It wasn't surprising that he was giving up now.
To be honest, Iijima Ryota was secretly gloating.
He had never been optimistic about Nagumo's plan from the start, and not just because he was a spy.
The gap between the two sides was too vast.
The moment Kaoru detected even the slightest anomaly, Nagumo would fail.
This was because the plan hinged on two critical points: the Praise Votes from Class B of the first year and the Criticism Votes from Class D of the first year.
While Nagumo might manage the latter, securing the former—the Praise Votes from Class B—was an impossibility.
Without Class B's support, Nagumo could fail at any moment, and Ichinose Honami remained firmly on Kaoru's side, securely under his control all along.
"Right now, there's something I'm more concerned about than the exam," Nagumo said calmly.
"Ryuen-kun, would you like to place another order?"
Ryuen, assuming he was referring to the next exam, replied casually, "As long as you can afford the price, there's nothing I won't do."
"Good. I guarantee you'll be satisfied, provided you can deliver results that satisfy me as well."
Nagumo glanced at Ibuki and Ishizaki standing behind Ryuen, then further down the first-year hallway where occasional figures passed by.
His gaze then shifted back, settling briefly on Iijima Ryota beside him before locking onto Ryuen.
"There's a traitor among us."
The moment these words were spoken, Ryuen's smile vanished, and a flicker of panic crossed Iijima Ryota's eyes.
Before they could react, Nagumo laughed, a calm that seemed to precede madness.
"Every move we make is under Mitoma's surveillance. He knew our plan from the very beginning. There might be his people not only around me but possibly even in your class."
Ibuki's expression shifted sharply as she stared intently at Nagumo, searching for any trace of deception on his face.
Yet, she found nothing.
Because Nagumo stated his most certain truth in the calmest tone.
"The first years, second years, and third years—this school will soon become his playground. After I fail, all of you will become his slaves."
Before Ryuen could speak, Ibuki burst out, "Impossible! There's no way there's a traitor in our class!"
Nagumo shot her a cold glance. "What confidence do you have in Mitoma to shout that so boldly?"
Ibuki retorted immediately, "And what evidence do you have to suspect us?"
"Heh, because the truth speaks for itself," Nagumo said coldly. "Fools like you, who only know how to argue, will end up as Mitoma's slaves sooner or later."
Ibuki couldn't tolerate his mockery and rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight.
"Stop, Ibuki," Ryuen reached out to block her. "This isn't your place to speak. Go back to the classroom quietly. Ishizaki, you get out of here too."
Ibuki wanted to explode, but Ishizaki loyally restrained her and forcibly escorted her away, as the upcoming discussion was not something either of them should overhear.
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