Chapter 125 – Student council’s authority

It's no wonder Kiriyama was astonished and confused. Traditionally, the student council has only ever had one vice president, so upon hearing Horikita Manabu's announcement, his initial reaction was that Nagumo had been replaced by Yukio.

How could this not shock Kiriyama? Nagumo had served as vice president for so long, and all he needed to do was to wait patiently for Horikita Manabu to graduate, and becoming the president would have been a certainty.

Yet now, to be suddenly replaced by Yukio?

Isn't that shocking enough to warrant his exclamation and confusion?

Even in Kiriyama's heart, there was an excitement almost prompting him to pop a champagne bottle in celebration!

Being a student from second-year class B, seeing Nagumo from class A face such a setback was incredibly satisfying for him. Additionally, within the student council, he is aligned with Horikita Manabu's faction, making Nagumo's downfall even more delightful to witness.

As for the others, there was no excess reaction. Tachibana was present at the time and heard Horikita Manabu inviting Yukio to the student council as a vice president, and Ichinose also heard about it at the pool.

Nagumo, having gathered some information, couldn't be sure, so after being tested and stepped on at the pool, he speculated and was somewhat prepared mentally.

Horikita Manabu glanced at Kiriyama, roughly gauging his thoughts. Normally, Horikita wouldn't specifically explain himself due to his efficient working style.

However, Kiriyama has a significant connection to Horikita Manabu. Recalling the year before Yukio and the others enrolled, Kiriyama joined the student council partly because of Horikita Manabu. At that time, Horikita Manabu needed someone from Nagumo's grade to guard against him, leading to Kiriyama's recruitment into the student council, effectively making him one of Horikita Manabu's people.

To avoid any misunderstanding from Kiriyama, he explained, "The student council has always had two vice president positions, so Yukio is simply taking on the role of the other vice president."

"Like Nagumo, he will mainly be responsible for discussing various arrangements with the school, as well as evaluating club budgets and activity performances."

Upon hearing this, Nagumo's expression distorter further. No one wants their authority to be shared with others, and Horikita Manabu's actions were essentially dividing his authority.

However, Horikita Manabu's approach was transparent and faultless. The student council president has the authority to assign vice president positions, and indeed, there were two positions for vice presidents in the council.

If one were to analyze Horikita's words closely, they would notice he referred to it as "an announcement."

The announcement signifies something already arranged, reported to the school, and ultimately fixed. It's called an announcement because it's decided and doesn't require a discussion like the sports festival does.

Things that need to be discussed are called proposals, while those that don't are termed announcements.

So, what could Nagumo do except bitterly accept his fate? Yet, it's this very frustration that made him grind his teeth in silence, almost enough to shatter them, yet still not satisfying his anger.

Once again, it's Yukio! First, he embarrasses him publicly at the pool, and now he's sharing his authority within the student council!

For Nagumo, who's always had things go his way, this is a particularly bitter pill to swallow, feeling as though an annoying mouse is scurrying all over his insides.

Consumed by resentment, Nagumo has no interest in listening to Horikita Manabu solemnly explain things to Kiriyama, the "useless" one. Instead, he promptly urges, "President Horikita, given our tight schedule, perhaps we should get straight to the point?"

"The sports festival has long been a mere red versus white team competition, failing to fully showcase each class's strengths, unfairly disadvantaging some classes."

"Therefore, I believe it's necessary to make some changes to this year's sports festival."

Sports Festival!

Nagumo sees this as an opportunity to strike back at Yukio severely, regaining his lost dignity at the pool and venting his frustration through retaliation.

Horikita Manabu nods, elegantly pushing up his glasses before turning to the first-years Yukio and Ichinose, "You first-year students might not be aware."

"In previous years, our school's sports festival typically divides each grade's Class A and D into the red team, with Classes B and C assigned to the white team, competing against each other. The side with the higher score wins rewards."

"However, Nagumo feels that dividing into red and white teams doesn't sufficiently display each class's individual strengths, as inevitably, class conflicts might lead to outcomes where one plus one is less than two. Therefore, he believes modifications are needed in this aspect."

"Usually, for sports festivals or special exams that involve class points, private points, or other rewards, the school often notifies the student council first."

"The student council needs to address the school's arrangements, suggesting modifications for any excessive aspects or correcting any oversights."

"Of course, since we are also students of the classes and will participate in these arrangements, the school won't disclose all the details to us. They only share a part, leaving us to propose for the benefit of all students."

Ichinose might have already been aware, so she didn't bother to take notes. Yukio, while listening, nodded internally, confirming his suspicions about the significant power held by the student council.

Not to mention the privilege of getting early access to special exams or sports festival information ahead of most students, which alone could create a vast gap between ordinary students and those in the council.

The importance of information is self-evident; whoever has the earliest access controls the initiative.

Even more astonishing is the school's allowance for the student council to intervene in special exams. The council can modify arrangements within these exams that are unfavorable to students!

This level of authority is dangerous. Explaining it dryly might not convey the gravity to ordinary students.

For example, if Yukio had joined the student council at the beginning of the school year, he'd have the authority to adjust the summer uninhabited island special exam for first-year students.

To save time and avoid survival struggles on a deserted island, Yukio could reduce the special exam to two days, then enjoy a quick two-day game before returning to the cruise ship.

Or, another student, aiming to earn more class points through card swipes, could extend the seven-day island survival to a full two weeks! While the extended survival would be more challenging, the rewards would be greater!

This is just a hypothetical scenario, but if the student council possesses such authority, the possibilities for manipulation are extensive.

Even if the school doesn't allow the council to modify all items, having partial modification rights is still significant, certainly better than none.

Yukio noted the student council's authority and met Horikita Manabu's gaze, asking, "So, what aspects of this sports festival can we modify?"

It's essential to define the scope, or Yukio might inadvertently disrupt the entire festival.

Horikita Manabu, seemingly anticipating Yukio's question, immediately responded, "Group division methods, the inclusion of fun sports, and absence penalties."

***

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