It was 12:40 in the afternoon.
Kure Ragna ascended the hollow marble steps, each one smooth as a mirror, his fingers lightly trailing along the polished handrail. His steps were unhurried, deliberate.
Above him, a towering palace-style glass dome loomed, its structure supported by a steel frame. Sunlight streamed through the tempered glass, illuminating a grand crystal chandelier suspended in mid-air. The refracted light scattered dazzling patterns across the walls, adding an almost theatrical elegance to the space.
If someone were told this was an opera house rather than a school, they would have little reason to doubt it.
But this was, in fact, a school—Advanced Nurturing High School—and more specifically, its administrative building. A place where only the school staff and high-ranking officials operated. Even a homeroom teacher like Chabashira Sae rarely set foot here.
Yet, curiously enough, the Student Council Office was also located here—on the second floor, occupying an entire level of the building.
And that was exactly where Kure Ragna was headed.
---
Meanwhile, inside a conference room on the second floor, six people were gathered around an "II"-shaped mahogany table that stretched nearly from one end of the room to the other.
At the head of the table sat Horikita Manabu, exuding his usual air of composure. Standing beside him was Tachibana Akane, the Student Council secretary, who had earlier delivered a summons to Kure Ragna in Class D.
On the opposite side, Ryuuen Kakeru had chosen a seat near the middle. Though he lacked the authority to take the head seat, he positioned himself in a way that feigned control over the room. A tactical placement—an illusion of dominance.
Behind him stood Ishizaki, Ibuki, and Albert.
They had already been waiting for nearly thirty minutes.
Ryuuen let out a sharp exhale and clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Hey, it's already 12:45. That sunglasses-wearing bastard isn't coming, is he?" He slumped back in his chair, arms crossed. "If not, we're leaving."
His patience had worn thin long ago. Had it not been for the threat of expulsion looming over him, he would've slammed the table and stormed out.
The room remained silent.
Tachibana's gaze flickered toward Horikita Manabu, awaiting his response.
Horikita finally spoke, his tone measured and unwavering.
"I instructed Tachibana to notify him that the meeting would take place during the lunch break. There are still sixteen minutes remaining."
His implication was clear—there was still time.
"If Kure Ragna doesn't show up by then…"
"We don't have to sign?" Ishizaki blurted out.
Ryuuen shot him a withering glare, his expression promising consequences. At the same time, Ibuki Mio swiftly kicked Ishizaki's calf under the table—subtle, but effective.
Horikita, unfazed, didn't even bother acknowledging the question.
On the table before him lay three documents.
Two were identical—the contract between Kure Ragna and Ryuuen Kakeru.
The third contained the names of every Class C student, a formal agreement stating that they would transfer a portion of their personal points to Ryuuen each month. The validity of this agreement hinged entirely on the first contract being signed.
Just then—
Creak.
The heavy wooden door swung open.
"Yo, looks like everyone's already here."
Kure Ragna strolled in, his lips curved in a slight grin. His eyes casually swept across the room before landing on the empty table in front of Ryuuen, then shifting to Horikita Manabu.
"No tea?" he asked.
Horikita ignored the remark and slid the contracts toward Tachibana, who proceeded to distribute them.
One for Kure Ragna.
The other returned to Ryuuen, now bearing the names of every Class C student.
Kure Ragna, without hesitation, picked up the pen and signed his name immediately—not even bothering to skim through the contents.
In contrast, Ryuuen was far more cautious. Though he feigned nonchalance, his eyes flickered rapidly over the document, ensuring nothing had been altered.
By standard procedure, once both parties signed, the next step was to exchange contracts and sign once more.
Seeing that Kure Ragna had already signed, Tachibana reached out, intending to pass the contract to Ryuuen—but before she could—
With a flick of his wrist, Kure Ragna sent the signed document spinning through the air, much like a thrown shuriken.
The paper twirled in a controlled arc before landing perfectly in front of Ryuuen, sliding forward a few centimeters as if guided by an invisible hand.
Ryuuen's brow twitched. He hadn't expected such a display.
Across the table, Kure Ragna propped his chin against his hand, his posture casual yet exuding silent confidence. He raised an eyebrow at Ryuuen.
"Your turn."
For a split second, Ryuuen Kakeru stared at him—then, a low chuckle escaped his lips.
Rather than waste time reading further, he picked up his pen and signed immediately.
Satisfied, he snatched up the contract bearing Kure Ragna's signature, pushed back his chair, and left without another word.
"Childish."
Kure Ragna thought to himself, watching the retreating figure.
Tachibana, returning to the table, slid the final contract toward Kure Ragna.
"Just one more signature."
Before he could reach for the pen, Horikita Manabu unexpectedly spoke up.
"Tachibana, bring us two cups of tea."
Tachibana hesitated. "Huh?"
Horikita checked the time.
"There's still some time left. There's something I'd like to discuss with Kure Ragna."
"...Understood."
She exited the room. Moments later, she returned with two steaming cups.
Kure Ragna took his, murmuring a quick thanks before blowing on it. He took a small sip.
"Alright, let's hear it."
Horikita set his cup down.
"Join the Student Council."
Kure Ragna nearly choked. He glanced at Horikita, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"You're serious?" He let out a small chuckle. "That's… unexpected. But let me guess your reasoning."
He leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"First of all, we've only met three times—our conversations limited to the hot pot incident and brief exchanges. You don't know me well enough to think I'd be a 'useful subordinate.'"
"Second, you're a third-year. You'll graduate in two semesters. If you were really focused on 'building your team,' you would've done so earlier in your presidency."
"Third, as Class A's leader and the Student Council President, you hold significant influence over the entire school. If you wanted a capable second-year, you wouldn't have trouble finding someone more… conventional."
He paused, lips curving into a knowing smirk.
"Which means…" His voice dipped slightly.
"You're not looking for someone to help you now—you're setting things up for the future."
His gaze bore into Horikita's.
"So tell me—what's going on in the second-year that's making you desperate?"
---
Meanwhile, outside in the corridor—
"...Ryuuen-san, does this mean we all have to transfer points to that guy every month?"
Ryuuen exhaled through his nose, smirking.
"And if I say yes?"
Ishizaki frowned. "Then—"
"It's fine." Ryuuen's smirk widened.
"Let him enjoy it for now. Sooner or later… he'll be coughing it all up."
---
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