"Amane, don't you think this handle came too easily?"
Horikita Manabu's lips curved into a beautiful arc.
This made Amane can't help but... miss Suzune.
When she returned, she would definitely return all the bullying Horikita Manabu had inflicted on her.
"Is it a trap? If it was a trap from the beginning, does that mean deliberately designating Hirata-san as a cheater was just a coincidence? Without Hirata-san, there would have been someone else, or even someone openly made to take the blame in exchange for a chance to retake the exam?"
Ayanokoji understood all the connections in an instant.
But what he couldn't understand was,
If Amane hadn't stepped forward, once no one pleaded for Hirata-san, wouldn't the handle have been solidified?
What other methods did Horikita Manabu have prepared?
"What if I hadn't spoken up for Hirata-san?" Amane asked, voicing her inner confusion. Only this point, she had no idea what kind of backup plan Horikita Manabu would have.
"I would have called Suzune. Then you still would have stepped forward to plead for Hirata-san."
Horikita Manabu's answer made Amane puff out her cheeks in annoyance.
Isn't that just being a rogue?
If Amane didn't fall for it, he would use the sister offensive.
Once Suzune knew that Hirata-san, one of the few talents in her class, was about to be abandoned, Suzune would definitely try every means to contact Amane, who was still in the conference room, and ask Amane to help save Hirata-san.
If Suzune intervened, Amane could only agree to her request.
Everything would return to Horikita Manabu's plan.
Amane felt a little emotional.
In her previous interactions with Horikita Manabu, she had gained a significant advantage.
So, this time, seeing Horikita Manabu preside over the Student Council meeting, she hadn't taken it very seriously. But she hadn't expected that a moment of carelessness would lead to both Amane and Ayanokoji being outmaneuvered here.
Amane, somewhat unable to swallow this, decided to see what Horikita Manabu looked like when flustered.
"Then I insist on reporting President Horikita for abusing his authority to falsely accuse the innocent Hirata-san of cheating?"
"Miyako-san, don't be reckless."
Seeing Amane intending to go all out against Horikita Manabu, Chabashira Sae felt a tingling sensation on her scalp.
She had just witnessed Amane's powerful ability to maneuver in negotiations and debates, but she had also seen that Amane had no respect or reverence for anyone.
Such a person was undoubtedly the type most likely to cause trouble.
Currently, the entire Class D was on the verge of collapse.
If Amane continued to act recklessly, Horikita Manabu might really go ahead and force nearly half of the students to withdraw.
"Amane, have you forgotten my introduction to the Student Council during the club orientation?"
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, just about to continue speaking, when he heard a remark from Amane that made his blood pressure rise.
"I didn't really pay attention; I was busy talking to Suzune at the time."
Horikita Manabu looked at Amane, somewhat speechless.
She called Suzune more intimately than he, her own brother, did.
However, thinking that he might have to ask Amane to look after Suzune in the future, Horikita Manabu decided not to delve into this matter.
"The Student Council is entrusted with important responsibilities by the school, and even more so the Student Council President. As long as I use my presidential authority, I can finalize your class's expulsion issue today. Even if there are complaints and accountability, I have ways to ensure that your class members complete the expulsion process before I leave office. Once the matter becomes a reality, the school will not be able to revoke the expulsion penalty no matter what. And at most, I would just take a bow and be relieved of my position as Student Council President. So... you have no right to bargain with me."
Horikita Manabu finished speaking and stood up, looking down at everyone present.
"Perhaps some of you will become class leaders, pillars of your grade, or even well-known throughout the school in the near future. You might even sit in this Student Council President's chair. In short, you are a group of people full of infinite possibilities... However, right now, in this conference room, I am still in charge. I will now announce the final verdict for Class D."
Horikita Manabu's imposing speech left Amane and Ayanokoji with no choice but to listen quietly.
The reason was simple.
At this moment, Horikita Manabu had the right to speak such words.
"Next, a review team led by Nagumo Miyabi will be formed to re-evaluate the academic performance of Class D students for expulsion. This time, the standard for determining expulsion will be the average score across all subjects. I must have an answer by 5 PM this Saturday. Understood?"
"I will start preparing immediately after the meeting."
Nagumo Miyabi, facing Horikita Manabu at this moment, could only respectfully lower his head and obey the command.
It's not surprising for a genius to manipulate another genius.
But if an ordinary person manipulates a genius, he would be the focus of everyone's attention.
But what if an ordinary person manipulates two monster geniuses at the same time?
Nagumo Miyabi dared not imagine.
Horikita Manabu was often teased as the aloof President because he had never shown his true strength in front of Student Council members.
Thus, he was teased that the reason he didn't show his strength was because, in Horikita Manabu's eyes, no one worthy of his seriousness had yet appeared.
But today, he made an exception for Amane and Ayanokoji.
"Does anyone else have any objections?"
President Horikita's gaze was directed at the wall behind the conference room.
However, the oppressive aura he exuded made everyone uneasy and forced them to lower their heads to avoid his gaze.
"No objections."
"Then, meeting adjourned."
After President Horikita finished speaking, he slowly left the classroom with his hands behind his back.
Secretary Tachibana quickly jogged after him.
The oppressive atmosphere in the conference room vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! You, are you only happy if we get expelled?"
Yamauchi grabbed Amane's collar and questioned him loudly.
His bloodshot eyes made him look like a gambler who had lost everything.
"Yes."
Yamauchi didn't seem to expect Amane to answer his question so directly.
Just as he was about to say something, he felt a pain in the back of his neck.
Then he gradually began to lose consciousness.
"What a waste of my time."
Amane complained, then stepped over Yamauchi and walked out the door after dinner.
Kushida, who had been crying for a long time, now had swollen red eyes from crying; she had just wanted to join Yamauchi in questioning Amane.
But when she saw Yamauchi knocked down by Amane in one blow.
She gave up on that idea.
She only wanted to gain others' trust; she wasn't stupid. What kind of friendship was worth fighting that hard for?
Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane arrived at the Student Council's exclusive terrace.
From this vantage point, they could see the entire view of the sports field.
Tachibana Akane secretly watched Horikita Manabu's profile, several times wanting to speak but hesitating.
Although her movements were very small, Horikita Manabu still noticed her.
"Is Secretary Tachibana trying to say something?"
"Manabu... President, why did you say those words that are easy to be resented in the end?"
Tachibana Akane looked at Horikita Manabu's figure, which was constantly elongated by the setting sun, in confusion.
"Because... occasionally, I also want to show off my cool back to my juniors..."
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!