Bathed in the moonlight, Hashima Hikaru looked at Horikita Manabu. Although he had seen the other man forcing his sister, he showed no sign of panic, calmly explaining his thoughts.
"Hashima-kun, you should know that after the second semester ends, I'll be handing over the student council president position to Nagumo, right?" Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his expression changing slightly when mentioning Nagumo's name.
"I know. As the student council vice president, Nagumo-senpai is naturally the best successor to Senior Horikita. He's already rallied quite a few people, hasn't he?"
"You've even noticed that? You truly haven't disappointed me."
Horikita Manabu looked at the boy in front of him in surprise and continued, "Nagumo and I are different. His goal is to make this school a true meritocracy. Do you understand what that means?"
"True meritocracy?"
Hashima Hikaru rubbed his chin, recalling the earlier information about second-year students dropping out. If this was Nagumo's doing, his intentions were clear.
The boy's expression changed abruptly as he looked at Horikita Manabu and said, "Senior Horikita means that Nagumo-senpai intends to make people drop out?"
"That man has already controlled all of the second-year students and conducted experiments, eliminating underperforming students through a last-place elimination system."
As he spoke, Horikita Manabu glanced almost imperceptibly at the black-haired girl beside him, who was completely stunned and unable to speak.
Horikita Suzune was completely lost. She couldn't understand what these two were talking about: student council succession, a name she had never heard before—Nagumo.
Most importantly, the first-year student, Hashima, didn't seem like a junior at all. He was engaging in an equal conversation with her brother, and her brother even seemed to want him to do something.
Why was this happening?
What had happened to her brother when she wasn't looking?
"So, he plans to expel all those without ability from this school?"
After hearing Horikita Manabu's explanation, Hashima Hikaru 's expression grew serious. After Horikita Manabu graduated, Nagumo Yasu would likely become student council president for a year.
If he truly intended to implement his policies, given the student council's authority in school management, it wouldn't be impossible to negotiate a new elimination system with the school.
From the previous accusation against Ryūen, it was clear that the student council had significant influence in school management, capable of doing many things ordinary students couldn't.
"He's already shown such intentions and continues to gather followers."
Horikita Manabu looked at the first-year student in front of him. The other party had noticed the school's deep rules on the first day and led his class in recovering individual points, demonstrating his ability.
If he were to face Nagumo, it could lead to unexpected results.
"So, what does Senior Horikita want me to do?"
Hashima Hikaru stared into Horikita Manabu's eyes, wanting to know what he was after.
"Hmm..."
Hearing the boy's question, Horikita Manabu turned to look at his sister. The girl's expression was blank, and upon meeting her brother's gaze, she quickly asked,
"Brother, what do you want me to do?"
"..."
Horikita Manabu sighed. He hadn't come here today to force his sister to drop out because he disliked her, but for a deeper reason.
However, he didn't plan to explain now, deciding to reveal everything to her when he graduated.
"Hashima-kun, what I want you to do isn't complicated. You've been actively taking action since enrollment, right? I want you to include Suzune in your activities from now on, so she can truly understand her own shortcomings."
"How about it?"
Upon hearing this, both Hashima Hikaru and Horikita Suzune's expressions changed.
The next moment, the girl urgently shouted, "Brother, I don't need anyone's help. I'll rely on my own strength to rise to Class A. You just wait..."
"No, this is my decision. You have no choice."
Horikita Manabu's cold gaze swept over Horikita Suzune's face, and he said word by word, "From the beginning, you've misunderstood the meaning of being aloof and lonely, so you can't recognize your own flaws.
"If you want to rise to Class A, with your current abilities, it's absolutely impossible. Quickly recognize this fact!"
"..."
Rejected coldly by her brother once again, Horikita Suzune could only bite her lip, swallowing the words she wanted to say.
"Hashima-kun."
After silencing his sister, Horikita Manabu looked at the boy beside him, his tone serious: "Since I've told you about Nagumo's situation, you should understand why, right?"
"Hmm..."
Hashima Hikaru thought for a moment and immediately understood Horikita Manabu's intentions.
Once Nagumo Yasu truly took power, he would target underperforming students in the school, and Class D students would be the first to be affected.
As a brother, Horikita Manabu likely believed that Horikita Suzune couldn't rise to Class A within two semesters. Her situation would become very difficult, especially since being assigned to Class D at the start indicated she had significant flaws.
"I think I understand Senior Horikita's feelings, but this isn't the whole reason, is it?"
Hashima Hikaru glanced at Horikita Suzune beside him and questioned Horikita Manabu: "Since Senior Horikita wants my help, don't keep me in the dark."
"Hmph, you've indeed grasped my intentions."
Horikita Manabu was satisfied with the boy's sharp judgment and didn't directly answer, but added, "Nagumo's ideas actually contradict the school's original intentions. This school was established to cultivate well-rounded, excellent students.
"Every student admitted here is specially recommended, regardless of their entrance exam scores. As long as they are recommended, they will enter this school.
"With different talents and foundations, in this closed environment, they strive to collide and ultimately transform into more perfect talents. This is what the school wants to see."
Horikita Manabu's glasses flashed with a serious light. He strongly agreed with the school's founding principles, which was why he became the student council president.
"If Nagumo implements his policies, it will seriously deviate from the school's plans and destroy some people's potential."
"..."
So that was it. This was probably why Horikita Manabu had been opposing Nagumo, as the other was the rightful student council vice president. Without special reasons, Horikita Manabu couldn't take action against him.
Meanwhile, Horikita Suzune, listening to her brother's words, seemed to understand something.
She realized that this Nagumo was likely her brother's current enemy and might harm other students in the school.
"Then, what's your answer?"
After explaining, Horikita Manabu looked directly into Hashima Hikaru 's eyes, "You previously refused to join the student council. What about now? Are you still going to refuse me?"
"No."
The boy shook his head. This information was crucial and could help them gain the upper hand.
But since he was going to help, he naturally needed to gain something in return; otherwise, it would be a loss.
"I can agree to Senior Horikita's request, but what will I gain from this?"