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Time returned to just after classes ended in the afternoon.
When the dismissal bell rang, the atmosphere in Class 1-A instantly livened up. Students packed their books, either chatting in low voices or getting up to leave. The rigorous air left by the math class still lingered.
Katsuragi Kohei sat upright in his seat, his sturdy physique like a rock, his smooth scalp gleaming faintly under the lights.
He efficiently organized his notes, placed them in a folder, and his expression was serious, but a focused anticipation shone deep in his eyes.
Student Council.
This thought revolved in his mind.
From elementary to junior high, he had always been a core member of the Student Council and had consistently served as the Student Council President.
Leading, organizing, and serving the collective—these had long been ingrained in his instincts.
The Student Council of Koudo Ikusei High School, as the highest student self-governing body of this elite academy, was undoubtedly the best stage for him to realize his ambitions and continue his glory.
At the entrance ceremony, the cool-tempered, eloquent Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, had left a deep impression on him. He yearned to join, to contribute his strength.
He stood up, his gaze habitually sweeping across the classroom. His eyes passed over the window seat—Sakamoto-kun was being pestered by Morishita Ai, a girl with shoulder-length purple hair tied into two pigtails, seemingly asking him something.
Sakamoto-kun's expression was calm, his posture elegant, and his composed aura was clearly discernible even during the noisy break time.
Katsuragi-kun looked at Sakamoto-kun, pondering.
Sakamoto-kun. This classmate, who had created several "shocking" incidents in just two days since school started, undoubtedly possessed a powerful charisma and some indescribable leadership quality.
Katsuragi-kun keenly noticed that Sakamoto-kun was quietly establishing an invisible prestige among his Class A classmates in a unique way.
Although his behavior was "exaggerated," his precision, composure, and problem-solving abilities made him impossible to ignore.
The string in Katsuragi-kun's heart concerning "leadership" was gently plucked. He had been a student leader in elementary and junior high, and this experience gave him an instinctive concern and sense of responsibility for "leadership." But at this moment, he chose to observe calmly.
A thought flashed.
Student Council.
Invite Sakamoto-kun to go to the Student Council together?
Perhaps he could observe Sakamoto-kun's true capabilities more clearly in that more formal setting?
At the same time, he could also understand Sakamoto-kun's attitude towards collective affairs.
Katsuragi-kun no longer hesitated, taking steady steps directly towards Sakamoto-kun, who was being held up by Morishita Ai.
"Sakamoto-kun."
Katsuragi-kun's voice was deep and powerful, interrupting Morishita Ai's questioning.
Morishita Ai pouted unhappily, her pale purple eyes glaring at Katsuragi-kun:
"Katsuragi Kohei, didn't you see I was talking to Sakamoto-kun?"
Katsuragi-kun ignored Morishita Ai's complaint, his gaze falling on Sakamoto-kun:
"Sakamoto-kun, I plan to visit the Student Council to inquire about joining. Are you interested in coming along?"
Sakamoto-kun's usually calm gaze brightened slightly when he heard the words "Student Council," like a ripple across a calm lake.
He turned slightly, his posture instantly becoming more upright and proper.
"Student Council?"
Sakamoto-kun's voice was clear, with obvious interest,
"This is indeed worth a closer look. Thank you for the invitation, Katsuragi-kun. I would be happy to accompany you."
"Hey! Sakamoto-kun."
Morishita Ai showed an unhappy expression,
"We haven't finished talking yet."
"My apologies, Morishita Ai."
Sakamoto-kun bowed slightly to Morishita Ai, his movements fluid and elegant,
"Matters of the Student Council concern the collective and cannot be delayed. We shall converse another day."
His tone was gentle and polite, yet carried an undeniable sense of finality.
With that, he didn't linger, naturally falling into step with Katsuragi-kun.
Morishita Ai watched their retreating figures, grumbling indignantly.
Katsuragi-kun and Sakamoto-kun walked out of the classroom side by side, passing through the noisy corridor. Katsuragi-kun's steps were steady and strong, while Sakamoto-kun's stride was light and fluid.
After walking in silence for a while, Katsuragi-kun looked straight ahead, his voice deep, with a hint of inquiry:
"Sakamoto-kun, which school did you attend in junior high?"
Sakamoto-kun's steps didn't falter, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses calm and unmoving:
"Private Danzai Academy."
"Danzai Academy?"
Katsuragi-kun frowned slightly, searching his mind, but drew a blank,
"Never heard of it. What kind of school is it?"
"A place… that focuses on cultivating students' independent judgment and initiative."
Sakamoto-kun's voice was gentle, with a hint of elusive depth.
"Oh?"
Katsuragi-kun turned his head to look at Sakamoto-kun,
"Sounds very special. Were you… as conspicuous there as you are now?"
Sakamoto-kun's lips seemed to curve into an extremely faint arc:
"Being conspicuous is not the goal, Katsuragi-kun. What I do is merely to choose the most appropriate path according to the situation and complete what needs to be done. As for the gazes of others… they are merely scenery passing by on the journey."
Sakamoto-kun's posture when answering was humble yet impeccable.
Katsuragi-kun looked deeply at Sakamoto-kun, not pressing further.
This answer made him even more curious about this mysterious classmate.
The two walked in silence and soon arrived at the corridor leading to the Student Council office.
This corridor was relatively quiet, carpeted in dark colors, with plain white painted walls on both sides. Only on the heavy oak door at the end hung a simple yet striking metal plaque, clearly engraved with three characters—Student Council.
Just as they were about to reach that door, a figure appeared in front of them in the corridor.
It was a girl, standing outside the Student Council office door.
She had soft pink long hair, gentle like cherry blossoms in spring, gleaming with a soft luster under the corridor lights. She turned slightly, revealing a beautiful profile, her demeanor gentle and graceful.
She seemed to have heard footsteps and turned around. Seeing Katsuragi-kun and Sakamoto-kun, a hint of surprise appeared on her face, which then softened into a friendly smile.
"Ah, hello!"
Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a mountain spring,
"I am Ichinose Honami, from Class 1-B."
She introduced herself with grace and poise, her pink long hair gently swaying with her movements.
"Are you two… also here to visit the Student Council?" Ichinose-san's gaze shifted between Katsuragi-kun and Sakamoto-kun, with genuine curiosity,
"Or… do you want to join the Student Council?"
Her smile was as warm as sunshine, instantly dispelling some of the solemnity in the corridor.
Katsuragi-kun and Sakamoto-kun's eyes simultaneously fell on this unexpected Class 1-B girl.
The heavy oak door of the Student Council office was right in front of them.
Outside the door, three distinctive First Year students the steady Katsuragi Kohei, the elegant and mysterious Sakamoto, and the gentle and approachable Ichinose Honami met unexpectedly at this moment.