After school.
Horikita Suzune prepared to go to the Student Council as usual.
She had originally thought that Hikigaya had joined Nagumo Miyabi; if that were the case, the second-year exams would certainly involve some trouble.
Although Horikita Suzune was very confident, she was indeed made a bit wary by Hikigaya's move.
But she didn't expect.
The next day, Hikigaya backstabbed Nagumo Miyabi; not only did he pull Nagumo Miyabi down, but he also offended Nagumo Miyabi to death.
Wasted two million personal points for nothing.
Lost one hundred class points.
And was suspended himself.
Big idiot.
Horikita Suzune rolled her beautiful eyes, truly a bit speechless; now she was certain this guy was an idiot.
And he likes to mind other people's business and act like a teacher to preach to her?
And looked down on her?
Brother must have been blind.
There's no helping it.
Even Brother surely has times when he misjudges people, right?
"Fool, big fool."
Horikita Suzune's chest rose and fell, and she suddenly felt her mood become much clearer.
From childhood to adulthood.
No one had ever shouted at her like that.
That "hating that iron cannot become steel" look, as if caring for a mentally disabled child, made Horikita Suzune feel something strange.
It truly made Horikita Suzune feel a bit unpleasant.
On what basis did he look down on her like that?
Horikita Suzune was going to butt heads with Hikigaya.
She had to prove she was right.
With Hikigaya's suicidal behavior, there would sooner or later be a time when he regrets it; is he even worthy to preach to her?
And he targets Class D like this, creating trouble for her.
Idiot.
Seeing Hikigaya suspended, Horikita Suzune's mood was filled with joy.
He deserved it.
Thinking of this.
Horikita Suzune felt her footsteps were much lighter.
Just at this moment.
"Classmate."
Tsübe Hitomi walked up to Horikita Suzune holding the questionnaires.
"Could I trouble you to help fill out a questionnaire."
"Questionnaire?"
Horikita Suzune knitted her beautiful brows.
She was a member of the Student Council; how could she not know there was such a thing.
Horikita Suzune might not have noticed.
After all, most of the time she was alone; fewer and fewer people from other classes were willing to communicate with her.
It wasn't that communication was impossible, just that if they could avoid it, they would.
Nagumo Miyabi and Yagami Takuya likewise only said nice things.
It was just that due to Horikita Suzune's surrounding environment, it was hard for her to notice this point; whether she cared or not was unclear.
Therefore.
This job that nobody wanted fell to Tsübe Hitomi again.
"Let me see."
Taking the questionnaire, Horikita Suzune immediately knitted her beautiful brows.
"Is this a questionnaire your Class B came up with? That... Tsübe-san?"
"That's right, does Horikita-san have a problem?"
"What is the meaning of this questionnaire?"
"This... I'm not very sure either; Hikigaya-kun just asked us to fill it out."
"You don't even ask for a reason?"
"It's fine, right? It's just helping with a small favor; we don't have any objections."
"I see."
Horikita Suzune nodded; she didn't take it to heart.
The questionnaire content had only one thing.
[What is your view on graduating from Class A?]
[1. Absolutely must graduate from Class A.]
[2. It would be best to graduate from Class A.]
[3. Graduating from Class A would be ideal.]
[4. Try to graduate from Class A.]
[5. Doesn't matter if I graduate from Class A.]
Although she didn't understand what Hikigaya wanted to do, it seemed that except for 1 and 5, every option felt almost the same.
But Horikita Suzune understood.
This was investigating their determination to rise to Class A; perhaps it was in preparation for tomorrow's Student Council election.
The answer naturally went without saying: absolutely must graduate from Class A.
Does this even need to be said?
A questionnaire like it was for the mentally challenged.
Although she knew there were indeed people who might not care about Class A.
For example, Koenji.
But she believed the majority of people certainly wanted to rise to Class A.
"Here."
Horikita Suzune returned the questionnaire to Tsübe Hitomi and turned to go to the Student Council room.
Naturally, she also had to prepare for participating in the Student Council President election.
On the other side after school.
Keyaki Mall, Pallet Cafe private room.
"So, I want Class A to cast all their votes for Ichinose."
Hikigaya looked at Katsuragi in front of him and said in a deep voice.
The two classes are in a cooperative relationship.
Logically speaking.
No one from Class A joined the Student Council, so it doesn't constitute a competitive relationship.
Even without saying it.
Katsuragi would have people cast their votes for Ichinose, or at least he wouldn't stop them.
However.
What he was doing would damage the interests of Class A.
Against people like Nagumo Miyabi and Ryuen, he could use despicable means, but with Katsuragi, he should still speak clearly, heart to heart.
Otherwise.
What difference would there be between him, Ryuen, and Nagumo Miyabi.
"Hmm?"
Katsuragi crossed his arms and immediately assumed a formal posture.
"I originally didn't intend to interfere with the Student Council election; even if it was a free vote for us, most would probably vote for Ichinose."
"There shouldn't be a necessity for you to come and persuade me?"
"Is there some special reason?"
Katsuragi also instantly sensed a problem.
To the majority of students, the Student Council election was just an inconsequential matter.
Although everyone had to participate.
But most people just cast their votes for whoever caught their eye; the importance of strength was very low.
Of course, this was just for ordinary students.
In this school, there might be a certain gap, but compared to Yagami Takuya and others, Ichinose was not bad either.
As long as it wasn't a particularly loathsome fellow, in the end, it depended on how one was perceived; Ichinose had a huge advantage in this regard.
"Yes."
Hikigaya nodded and said in a deep voice:
"If Ichinose becomes the Student Council President, I will significantly increase the class point rewards, giving lower-ranked classes more opportunities to rise to Class A."
"Hmm?"
Katsuragi narrowed his eyes.
I see.
Speeches are also held during the Student Council President election.
If such a speech were heard.
It should be able to get the votes of most lower-ranked classes, but since it concerns their own interests, it would be impossible for Class A to cast their votes for Ichinose.
"But correspondingly."
Hikigaya continued to explain: "It might not be possible to cancel completely, but I will try to avoid expulsions during exams as much as possible, and at the same time strictly monitor campus violence."
Becoming the Student Council President.
He would inevitably use his power to limit the methods of Ryuen and others; wanting to play those petty, despicable tricks like before?
Clearly impossible.
It would also limit himself; Hikigaya didn't care.
For Katsuragi, who has ophidiophobia (fear of snakes).
Although it would damage Class A's interests, there was still room for negotiation.
Even if they fell to the lower-tier classes.
They could still rely on their own strength to quickly return to Class A.
Whether they can ultimately graduate from Class A.
Completely depends on the class's true strength.
Of course, Hikigaya certainly did not reveal his entire plan, but those parts had no impact.
This was just a brief cooperative relationship; he certainly wouldn't expose his foundation.
As long as the pros and cons are stated clearly.
Whatever is left to choose is Katsuragi's business.
After all, it's not that Ichinose has no chance of winning; Katsuragi and the others are just the "icing on the cake" as insurance.
"I see."
Katsuragi nodded heavily.
This is the difference between cooperating with Hikigaya and cooperating with Ryuen.
At least Hikigaya would tell him the pros and cons clearly and wouldn't backstab him; the final right to choose was still in his hands.
To deal with despicable people, one must be more despicable than them; to deal with good people, speak heart to heart. Otherwise, there would be no difference between Hikigaya and Ichinose.
This kind of cooperation was very comfortable.
Because of this.
Even though Hikigaya's methods were similarly despicable and low, he did not evoke resentment from those close to him.
Looking at Hikigaya in front of him, with his trendy hair and straight back.
Katsuragi couldn't help but reveal a smile.
He had also doubted in the late hours of the night whether he could continue to maintain cooperation with Hikigaya.
But clearly.
In these nearly two years.
Hikigaya had indeed changed quite a bit.
But that kind, gentle heart was still the same as when school started.
He has his own persistence.
Although he is a flirt, his methods are despicable and low, and his mouth is full of lies, he is not necessarily a bad person.
However.
If a person lies even to themselves.
Then they are undoubtedly a bad person.
"No problem."
After a moment of thought, a smile rose at the corners of Katsuragi's mouth.
Being able to limit Ryuen's methods was indeed a great thing for him.
But most importantly.
As long as it is an upright battle, Katsuragi fears no one.
Even if he loses.
He would lose willingly.
"However, I have one condition."
"What?"
"If Ichinose becomes the Student Council President, I also want to join the Student Council."
Katsuragi assumed a formal posture again.
Friendship is friendship; business is business.
To be honest.
He also couldn't understand what Hikigaya wanted to do.
Class B being docked one hundred class points naturally also had benefits for Class A; the gap had already been widened to over four hundred points.
But what if Hikigaya's strategy really is effective.
Wait until Hikigaya truly controls the Student Council.
And then he does something I can't understand.
Wouldn't that be the end?
Katsuragi also left a back-up for himself; at least he had to figure out what exactly Hikigaya wanted to do, and supervise a bit along the way.
"No problem."
Hikigaya nodded in agreement without hesitation:
"Additionally, Katsuragi, do you know anyone from first-year Class A? Could you help introduce me?"
"No problem."
Katsuragi also nodded indifferently.
Besides Nagumo Miyabi's class in third-year Class A, after persuading him, he naturally had to persuade the people in first-year Class A as much as possible.
"Coincidentally, I know their leader, Ishigami Kyo."