Chapter 11: Is This What You Call Cold Violence?

Lunch break.

Kagura Hikaru left the classroom without even having time to eat his lunch, heading directly to the Student Council.

The Student Council office was located on the top floor of the main academic building, not in the old school building crowded with clubs, which truly highlighted its extraordinary status.

The power of the Student Council at Island Nation High School was substantial.

They were in charge of organizing events, purchasing equipment, reviewing and distributing club funds, crafting promotional slogans, receiving external guests, and exchanging learning experiences with other schools, among other responsibilities.

Whether for the purpose of honing skills, enhancing a social resume, or the superficial desire to be respected and admired, joining the Student Council was the quickest path.

The most challenging position was undoubtedly that of the Student Council President.

The one who stood out among more than seven hundred students was the current Student Council President, Kiryu Hina, who had catapulted to leadership as a first-year student in the elections.

In the elections that concluded two months ago, she had repeatedly defeated all the senior students, including the previous president, capturing the hearts of the entire student body with her beauty and public speaking skills.

Even Kagura Hikaru, who knew her well, had to admit that she was a formidable woman.

Which first-year student at any school would run for Student Council President, and actually succeed?

Her methods had undoubtedly improved significantly since their dating days.

By the way, Ayakoji Chiyoko had also participated in the Student Council election and only managed to place third in the voting results.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the Student Council's door.

Kagura Hikaru was just about to knock when the figure of Kiryu Hina appeared from the other end of the corridor.

Like the rain in spring, her steps were quiet, making no sound whatsoever.

Her black, smooth hair hung over her shoulders, gently swaying as she walked. Her blouse tucked into her skirt, highlighting her slender waist. Her skirt, following the school rules, covered her knees by ten centimeters, and beneath the hem, white tights clung to her delicate legs, amazingly cute.

"Ah, Classmate Kagura, you've arrived a bit too hurriedly, even knocking now wouldn't get you any attention,

Today, Kiryu Hina's words carried a subtle sting.

Is she upset about something with Ai Cheng Hua Lian? Kagura Hikaru wondered.

"Don't stand there like a fool. Come in and sit down."

Kiryu Hina walked past Kagura Hikaru, leaving behind a faint fragrance, took out her keys, and opened the large door of the Student Council office.

The office of the Student Council wasn't too big, with a row of bookshelves against the left wall filled with folders and document holders. On the right side, there was a long table with six chairs, and near the edge, a standing whiteboard was placed.

In the corner, there were some decorations and personal items, such as a cactus, an electric kettle, and teacups.

This was Kagura Hikaru's first visit to the Student Council's office, and he couldn't help but take a few extra glances around.

Kiryu Hina told him to sit wherever he liked. She then took the electric kettle out, and soon came back, plugged it in, and started heating water.

After that, no one spoke again, and the silence was profound.

Kiryu Hina sat at the main seat at the inner end of the long table, holding a copy of Yasunari Kawabata's "The Dancing Girl of Izu," immersed in her reading with a tranquil expression, as if she was the only person in the office.

This, perhaps, could be called passive-aggressive?

Feeling resigned internally, Kagura Hikaru also took out his phone to pass the time, guessing that the room would regain its voice only upon Ai Cheng Hua Lian's arrival.

However, he didn't notice that, after his gaze shifted to his phone screen, a pair of eyes lifted from the pages of the book and stared directly at him.

About half a minute later, the sound of a rotating doorknob clicking could be heard, and the office door was pushed open.

Kagura Hikaru and Kiryu Hina both looked up, only to find that the visitor was not the second-year girl they had anticipated but a delicate-looking male student with glasses.

As the visitor entered and noticed Kagura Hikaru sitting at the far end of the long table, his expression faltered, then turned to Kiryu Hina.

"President, this is..."

"A Classmate Kagura seeking help. We're waiting for someone else," replied Kiryu Hina, her face suddenly adorned with a flawless, courteous smile as she kindly introduced to Kagura Hikaru, "This is the Vice President of the Student Council, Senior Ando Naoto, a third-year student."

"Hello," nodded Kagura Hikaru.

He knew the other party; last year's Student Council President, and also the runner-up in this year's election, who was defeated by Kiryu Hina.

It was unexpected that he would be willing to serve under a first-year president as the Vice President. Truly surprising.

Ando Naoto showed a friendly smile and patted Kagura Hikaru on the shoulder: "Hello, Classmate Kagura. Welcome to the Student Council. Do you need any help?"

"Senior Ando."

"Yes."

Upon being called by Kiryu Hina, Ando Naoto looked up immediately.

"The water's ready over there, can you help me pour a cup of tea for the guest?"

"Of course, no problem."

The vice president efficiently went to prepare the teacups and tea leaves.

When he had washed the cups and poured the tea, and was about to serve it, he suddenly realized that there had been no sound from the table while he was busy.

Upon closer inspection, although Kiryu Hina was still smiling, her brightness seemed a few shades dimmer than usual.

And that handsome junior, although he was looking at his cellphone, was clearly not focusing.

Ando Naoto sharply sensed the unusual atmosphere in the air.

Could there be something between Classmate Kagura and President Kiryu...

His smile stiffened for a moment; then he came over and placed the pen-holder-shaped teacup beside Kagura Hikaru.

"Classmate, here's your tea."

"Thank you."

Kagura Hikaru took the teacup, but frowned as the outer wall scalded him, and pushed the cup slightly away.

Turning his head, he saw Ando Naoto sitting beside Kiryu Hina on the right, dividing the remaining two cups of tea with her, then naturally began talking about work.

The smiles of Ando Naoto and the forced smile on Kiryu Hina's face, at least superficially, seemed quite harmonious.

Knock knock knock.

At this moment, a knock came from outside the door.

"Come in."

"Excuse me...."

A girl timidly pushed the door open—it was Ai Cheng Hua Lian.

The moment she entered, she first looked at Kiryu Hina with a fearful and hesitant gaze, then turned toward Kagura Hikaru, and slightly relaxed.

Seeing this subtle change clearly, the fake smile on Kiryu Hina's face grew a bit wider.

"Ai Cheng student, right? Classmate Kagura has already told me about the matter. Please have a seat."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian cautiously nodded, pulled out the chair next to Kagura Hikaru, and sat down beside him.

Then she squeezed her legs together, bowed her head, and placed her hands on her thighs—a perfect portrayal of social anxiety.

Seeing her so nervous, Vice President Ando Naoto stood up and said, "Let me get you a cup of tea."

"No need, Senior Ando," Kiryu Hina said with a smile, "Could you and Classmate Kagura step out for a moment? I'd like to speak with Ai Cheng student privately."

At these words, all three present were stunned.

Regardless of Kagura Hikaru and Ando Naoto, Ai Cheng Hua Lian simply wanted to flee right then.

Frankly, if not for Kagura Hikaru's endorsement, she wouldn't have wanted to interact with Kiryu Hina, especially after witnessing her violence towards Kagura Hikaru.

In Ai Cheng Hua Lian's eyes, the Student Council President could now be associated with phrases like "smiling tiger" and "twisted psyche."

In such circumstances, her sudden request for a private meeting?

...Would she be bullied just like Mr. Kagura...?

Ai Cheng Hua Lian's fear was evident on her face, even the uninformed Ando Naoto felt something was amiss.

"President, what is this...?"

"There are some things you boys shouldn't hear, senior," Kiryu Hina said gently, with emphasis in her tone.

Could it be a discussion about love? Concerning Classmate Kagura, is she asking me to leave because I'm watching him?

Smart senior student Ando Naoto's brain quickly jumped to conclusions, nodding in understanding as he walked to the door, also patting Kagura Hikaru on the shoulder, signaling him to come along.

Kagura Hikaru narrowed his eyes and also pushed himself up from his seat.

"Mr. Kagura...!"

Seeing the person beside her leaving, Ai Cheng Hua Lian quickly grabbed his sleeve, pleading with a distressed expression.

"It's okay, she won't do anything to you," Kagura Hikaru whispered.

He then gently freed his sleeve from Ai Cheng Hua Lian's grasp and left the office.

"No eavesdropping, okay~?" Kiryu Hina's voice floated through the nearly closed door gap.

Ando Naoto and Kagura Hikaru both thought the remark was directed at the other, exchanged a look, and in tacit agreement moved away from the door to speak elsewhere.