Chapter 043 ↦ Going to the Student Council Office

The Student Council represents the highest authority among students at the school.

Upon enrolling, Houtarou discovered this school was unique — it gave students complete control over their affairs.

Manabu had emphasized the benefits of joining his Student Council. As president, he held the highest position among students, wielding both authority and special privileges.

This prospect intrigued Houtarou.

Yet Manabu's offer of a position and his grand promises might have been merely a strategy to counter Miyabi, who commanded the support of an entire grade.

As someone dedicated to conserving energy, Houtarou wanted no part in this.

The school's rules meant such conflicts couldn't be resolved quickly, requiring multiple interventions. That made it all the more troublesome.

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Houtarou stood at the Student Council office door and pushed it open.

"I'm a first-year student. I have some questions I'd like to ask the student council president." He said.

At this hour, the office was sparsely populated. Among several empty desks, only two members were present — one male and one female.

The male member appeared to be the accountant or held a similar position.

The female member caught his attention — petite and delicate, standing about 150 centimeters tall with purple double buns. She was the Student Council secretary; he recognized her from the entrance ceremony, where she had handed the microphone to Manabu.

Her role seemed fairly straightforward.

"Regarding your questions... There's a suggestion box to the right of the entrance. Please write down your inquiries and submit them there first. The student council will respond accordingly." The female senpai said with formal politeness.

Houtarou glanced right, noting the suggestion box by the entrance.

He sensed this wasn't merely about protocol — the female senpai was studying his reaction, likely ready to usher him out if he showed any signs of frustration.

It made sense. As the highest student authority in the school, they couldn't let everyone walk in with questions whenever they pleased — they'd never get anything done.

This was clearly a screening process. Those with genuine business would be willing to persist. Viewed this way, the senpai's approach was quite shrewd.

It also suggested the president was overwhelmed with work, to the point where even his secretary acted as a gatekeeper. Clearly, accessing the Student Council President's authority came with significant responsibilities.

For someone dedicated to conserving energy like himself, this wasn't appealing. Though perhaps the real energy-efficient approach would be to control the president while letting them handle the actual work.

"..." Houtarou fell silent.

He realized he'd ventured into dangerous territory with that thought.

Noticing Manabu's absence, he prepared to excuse himself.

"By the way, you're Houtarou Oreki, right?" The female senpai called out as he turned to leave, "I'm the student council secretary, Akane Tachibana. I'm a third-year in Class A, your direct senpai. The president has reviewed your information and thinks highly of you — he's offering you a secretary position. I'd be happy to mentor you."

Houtarou pondered this. Was the secretary senpai attempting to recruit him?

This suggested Manabu had informed her about how he had offered Houtarou a Student Council position, which Houtarou then sold for money — a fact the President apparently knew and tacitly approved.

Was the female senpai referring to past events?

Houtarou glanced at the other silent Student Council member.

The person's left hand was hidden under the desk — either adjusting the "posture" or, more likely, using a phone to contact someone.

"..."

Observing the female senpai's expression, Houtarou noticed her biting her lip slightly, appearing both frustrated and powerless.

It was clear that Manabu's faction within the Student Council was struggling.

The female senpai's earlier remarks had been a test — she'd deliberately stirred things up, and the other member had immediately started reporting it.

The Student Council was clearly compromised.

"..." Houtarou considered making a quick exit.

The Council was split between two factions: Manabu's and Miyabi's, whom Manabu had wanted Houtarou to help oppose.

Yet the President himself wasn't trustworthy, having tried to entice Houtarou with grand promises. Perhaps the entire Council was already corrupt.

This wasn't just about facing Miyabi — it meant opposing an entire second-year class and most of the Student Council, except for Manabu and Tachibana.

Miyabi would likely arrive soon.

As this thought crossed his mind—

"If it isn't Oreki?" A new voice called from the doorway.

The newcomer had golden hair, wore a cheerful smile, and carried a condescending gaze. Though slightly out of breath from running, they tried to maintain a casual demeanor.

"It's pointless to ask the president about opening a store. I've bought all the rights — that's final. My price is 4 million, non-negotiable. No amount of pleading will change that. But where are Suzune and Kikyō today?" Miyabi scanned the room, finding only Houtarou present.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face. Clearly, he had rushed over expecting to find the girls.

"..."

Miyabi seemed genuine — he had remembered both girls' names after just one meeting.

Noting how quickly he had brought up the girls, Houtarou decided to linger a bit longer.

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