Chapter 102: Facing Honami Ichinose, First Play the Friend Card (Two-in-one, 5k) (Patreon)

Friday, the Student Council's large conference room.

Everyone in the Student Council had gathered for today's meeting, and a heavy, solemn air hung over the room.

After all, besides the usual weekly session, there was a major announcement today — something almost everyone already knew about: the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department was officially being established.

Manabu Horikita sat in the president's seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room, his expression calm.

His aide, Akane Tachibana, took today just as seriously; she held a stack of documents in her hands, her face equally solemn.

Miyabi Nagumo still wore a smile, perhaps to project an air of ease, but his mood today was far worse than his expression let on.

The vice-directors of the three functional departments sat in order in their chairs. As veteran Student Council officers, the new department being established today was something of a shock to them as well.

Naturally, only officers were allowed to sit at today's meeting. Though Naruse was about to become an officer himself, he still stood off to the side today, attending as an observer, with Honami Ichinose standing beside him and Kohei Katsuragi on the other side.

As for Arisu Sakayanagi, she leaned against the wall on the other side of the room, one hand resting lightly on the cane beside her, her silver hair immaculate, her expression gentle and unreadable.

Naruse's presence today carried a serious edge — after all, once the meeting ended, he would formally begin going head-to-head with Miyabi Nagumo.

It sounded like a hassle, but it was something that had to be done. Once the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department was officially up and running, Naruse would become one of the Student Council's officers, and would actually be the one running the department.

Just as Manabu Horikita had said before, the Student Council currently had six officers in total, and the voting was essentially deadlocked. With Naruse's addition, and with the new department still having an open deputy position, two more officer seats would be added.

As long as Naruse could guarantee the deputy's absolute loyalty, he would gain an advantage when it came to gathering votes — and that was precisely the point Miyabi Nagumo feared most.

At four-thirty, Manabu Horikita declared the meeting open.

Akane Tachibana stood up, cleared her throat lightly, and read out today's agenda in a formal, clear voice.

"There's an important matter to announce at today's meeting."

The girl's voice echoed through the quiet room.

"With the Chairman's review and approval, the Student Council will officially establish the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department, dedicated to coordinating and handling first-year students' day-to-day affairs."

The next moment, Manabu Horikita took over.

"I imagine none of you are unfamiliar with this proposal. When Naruse-kun first put it forward, all of you already made your positions clear."

"Last week, Naruse-kun submitted the detailed plan to the Chairman. After review, it has received the Chairman's authorization and confirmation."

"So..."

Manabu Horikita picked up a document from beside him and pushed it forward so everyone could see it.

"Starting today, the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department is officially established."

Once he finished speaking, a low murmur rippled through the room.

Even though everyone had already known about the proposal, hearing the fact of 'the Chairman's signature' officially announced still came as something of a surprise.

After all, when the proposal had first been raised, plenty of people had voiced their displeasure. Most of the Student Council's members and officers were second- and third-years, and now a freshman who'd only been enrolled for a little over two months was suddenly becoming an officer and taking charge of a share of power — that was bound to rankle the 'old guard.'

Manabu Horikita had discussed this with Naruse long before now, but Naruse hadn't cared in the slightest about any of that.

Let the old fogeys go quietly into retirement — this was the young people's era now.

After making the announcement, Manabu Horikita turned his gaze toward Naruse, standing in the observer's section.

"Naruse-kun will be the one responsible for first-year management affairs from now on."

Manabu Horikita's voice was flat and even; it was a large meeting, after all, and he rarely showed personal emotion.

"This department still needs a deputy. When the next officer meeting is held, two seats will be added."

With that said, Manabu Horikita's gaze swept over everyone in the room once more, finally settling on Miyabi Nagumo.

"Nagumo, do you have any objections?"

Miyabi Nagumo's reaction was somewhat unexpected to Naruse.

He showed no sign of displeasure whatsoever — he didn't raise a single objection, nor did he try to deflect the topic with his usual 'loud and enthusiastic' routine.

He simply smiled and nodded.

"No objections from me. I'm really looking forward to seeing how my junior Naruse performs from here on."

Despite the smile on his face, Naruse still caught the sharp glint in his eyes.

Sure enough, Miyabi Nagumo's mood right now was thoroughly foul.

Barely two months into the school term, and Naruse had already come this far — it was well beyond anything he'd originally anticipated.

He'd assumed that Naruse choosing Manabu Horikita as his backer wasn't a big deal — after all, once the third semester began and Manabu Horikita stepped down, the Student Council would still fall into his hands eventually.

But now Naruse had 'invented' this so-called First-Year Management Countermeasures Department. Setting aside its actual authority and responsibilities for the moment, the mere fact that it added two more officer seats was already a serious blow to Nagumo's original position.

After all, as Vice President of the Student Council, he had always been the natural successor to the President. But now, with Naruse muscling his way in, nothing was certain anymore.

Sure, Student Council members could voice their support all they wanted, but when it actually came time to pick a side, nobody in that room was a fool.

If Nagumo were the only candidate to succeed the President, his base of power would remain rock-solid. But now that Naruse had clearly become President Horikita's golden boy, everyone else's minds would naturally start weighing their options.

That shift, that uncertainty, was the single most uncontrollable factor for Nagumo.

The meeting was adjourned once the rest of the routine agenda had concluded.

The members left the conference room in twos and threes, scattered footsteps and low conversation echoing down the hallway.

Once everyone else had left, Manabu Horikita called Naruse aside alone.

"Naruse-kun."

"Pick your deputy by next Friday. I'll allocate the funding on my end for setting up the new department."

"Understood. Thank you, President."

"No need to thank me — this is simply the normal process."

Manabu Horikita said slowly, "If you want to recruit new Student Council members, you can post an announcement on the forum today using the Student Council account."

"I won't get involved in the interviews that follow — you're free to decide however you like."

"That said... there are only three openings for new members. That's the absolute limit the Student Council's structure allows."

"Understood."

After parting ways with Manabu Horikita, the phone in Naruse's pocket suddenly buzzed.

It was a new message.

The sender turned out to be Honami Ichinose.

"Naruse-san, want to grab a meal together in a bit? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

The girl's wording was quite direct, and it seemed to carry a certain distinctive force behind it.

"Sure, around five. Just send me the restaurant's location."

Naruse arched an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.

Around five o'clock, at an ordinary family restaurant.

By the time Naruse arrived, the pink-haired girl had already picked out a table.

After the two of them sat down, they ordered first. Then, without any beating around the bush, Honami Ichinose got straight to business.

"Naruse-san, I wanted to talk to you today about the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department."

"Go ahead."

Naruse toyed with the glass in his hand, his tone casual.

"After our class's setback last time, I've thought about a lot of things these past few days... I already told you before that I want to move forward together with everyone."

"Mm, I know."

"So... this time, with you setting up the First-Year Management Countermeasures Department, it's an opportunity. Aren't you supposed to be picking an officer for it too?"

"If it's possible, I'd like to try for..."

Honami Ichinose grew visibly flustered as she brought this up.

"Wait!"

Naruse wasn't about to make it easy for her — he cut her off decisively without hesitation.

"Ichinose-san, did you forget what I told you last time? Our positions are different. Even with the contract in place, I can't fully trust you."

"For this officer seat, I need someone with absolute, one hundred percent loyalty to me."

"Do you really think I'd act against my own interests?"

"I know."

Honami Ichinose didn't seem discouraged at all — she said it plainly.

"I know my own position. It's a little strange for me to even say something like that."

Honami Ichinose paused for a moment, then a sly smile spread across her face.

"So I was really just saying it — I wasn't actually expecting you to agree, Naruse-san."

"Hm?"

"Have you heard of the broken window theory, Naruse-san?"

"So it seems that's not actually what you're getting at," Naruse said, arching an eyebrow.

"That's right. That was just an opening to bring up the real topic. The atmosphere of class competition is already pretty intense these days — Naruse-san isn't even a member of Class B, so there's no way you'd agree to what I just asked, however you look at it."

"Aren't you worried I might get angry, talking like that?" Naruse's expression turned serious, as if he might snap at any moment.

"I'm not worried at all. If you were the kind of person who got angry easily, our cooperation wouldn't exist in the first place."

"Go on, then."

Naruse set down the glass in his hand and said with a smile.

"What's your real angle here?"

"It's simple. I want to know the maximum number of new members you're recruiting."

"You want your classmates to take part in the interviews?"

"Yes."

Honami Ichinose smiled gently, looking perfectly sincere.

"Everyone in our class is a good kid — they all want to do their part for the class."

"I see. If it's just the number, there's no harm telling you — I can only recruit three people."

"Three people?"

After getting this piece of information, the smile on Honami Ichinose's face grew even brighter.

This wasn't exactly some important secret to begin with; she'd only asked to confirm Naruse's attitude.

"Right. Does that seem surprising?"

Naruse smiled faintly. Just as he was about to say more, the system's light screen suddenly popped up in front of him, and a new quest appeared.

[After reconnecting with Honami Ichinose, your feelings need no further words — they'll quickly grow very deep.]

[To celebrate mending the rift between you, Honami Ichinose proposes joining you in a group activity.]

[Naturally, you quickly and directly agree to such a request.]

[Emotional Comeback Task issued!]

[Organize a large-scale event together with Honami Ichinose, and leave the girl feeling satisfied once it's over.]

[Quest reward: Insight +3]

A new quest, popping up at a time like this. Naruse's gaze flicked quickly over the reward, and he immediately knew what to do next.

The reward didn't sound like much, but there was no reason to pass it up.

So he spoke right up.

"Tell you what, Ichinose-san — something just occurred to me."

Naruse's tone turned gentle. If he was going to organize a large-scale event, right now was the perfect opportunity.

"I'm planning to hold interviews the day after tomorrow. Would you be willing to help me organize things when the time comes?"

"Me?"

Honami Ichinose looked somewhat taken aback, clearly caught off guard for a moment.

"Yeah. I just gave you an answer — shouldn't you return the favor, Ichinose-san?"

"Besides, organizing an interview session like this — there's no way I can pull it off entirely on my own."

"Naruse-san... are you seriously inviting me?"

"Of course. Having you there to back me up would honor me, really."

Naruse smiled and casually played the friend card.

"Aren't we friends? You wouldn't help me out with something like this?"

"No problem, I'll come help."

With Naruse putting it that way, Honami Ichinose no longer had any reason to refuse.

"Great. See you the day after tomorrow morning, then. Once it's all done, I'll throw a celebration dinner — my treat."

"I'm looking forward to it, then."

Honami Ichinose's eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled, her mood perfectly calm.

What the girl actually wanted, really, was quite simple — she wanted to know Naruse's true intentions.

The two of them had known each other for quite a while now, but Honami Ichinose realized she didn't really understand him at all.

Calling him a friend, he was also a partner within the bounds of a contract; calling them close or familiar didn't quite fit either.

On top of that, ever since she'd overheard Kei Karuizawa in that alley say she was pretending to be Naruse's girlfriend, the matter had never stopped nagging at her.

Why would they be pretending to be a couple?

Honami Ichinose wasn't curious about romance itself — she was curious about the truth behind 'this relationship.'

As she saw it, if Naruse wanted a girlfriend, there were probably plenty of girls at this school who'd line up to throw themselves at him.

So why pretend to date some other girl instead?

It bothered her...

That night.

When Naruse got back to Dorm 905, he found someone standing outside his door.

Ai Morishita stood with her arms crossed in front of her, leaning slightly against the wall, her face carrying no particular expression.

"Morishita, why are you waiting out here?"

At the sound of his voice, Ai Morishita turned her head, and the light in her eyes brightened at once.

"Because I have a feeling your room isn't very clean, Naruse."

"I came today to exorcise it for you."

"...?"

Naruse's mouth twitched slightly at that.

What an excuse.

Ever since the last time she'd stayed over, this girl had been coming up with all sorts of reasons to visit Naruse's room, and once she got settled in for the night, she'd just refuse to leave.

Naruse felt a bit helpless about it, but he couldn't bring himself to turn her away.

After all, she was a girl who had eyes for no one but him — of course he had to treat her well.

"Alright, alright, come on in."

The moment the dorm room door opened, Ai Morishita didn't hesitate for even a second — she pounced straight into Naruse's arms like a cat.

She wrapped both arms around his waist, her dark blue hair spreading out beneath his chin.

Feeling the slender, warm body in his arms, Naruse gave a helpless sigh and reached out to gently pat her back.

The two of them lingered like that in the living room for quite a while.

After a bit, the two of them sat down on the sofa.

Naruse suddenly brought up a topic.

"Morishita, how's it going with Squad Member Yamamura lately?"

"Pretty good. Squad Member Yamamura is still quite obedient."

"Don't talk about a classmate like that."

Naruse pinched her cheek gently, his tone turning a bit more serious.

"I've set up a new department in the Student Council. I need to recruit a deputy soon."

"What do you think of Squad Member Yamamura?"

"Naruse..."

Ai Morishita seemed to think it over for a moment before speaking directly.

"Are you interested in her because of her ability to stay hidden?"

"Heh, so you noticed that too."

Even though Yamamura Miki had joined Naruse and Ai Morishita's little circle, her own presence hadn't grown any stronger. Even when the three of them ate together, she still often got overlooked.

"If she could help me gather some intel, it would be a huge help to the overall situation."

"Alright then, I'll go help persuade her for you, Naruse!"

Ai Morishita's words carried a note of confidence.

"But the deputy is an important position. Before deciding, I want to ask her what she really thinks about it."

"Sure, that works too."

"Then how about tomorrow — I'll go ask her at your club tomorrow."

"Oh, right."

Ai Morishita stared straight into Naruse's eyes as she spoke.

"Naruse, if you make Squad Member Yamamura your deputy, are you going to make a move on her?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I have a feeling... Squad Member Yamamura might end up falling prey to your claws too."

"Sounds like you're asking for it!"

Naruse, provoked, grabbed hold of Ai Morishita at once and pressed his whole body down over her.

"These are new socks I just bought today — don't ruin them, Naruse..."

"Enough talk!"