Nagumo Miyabi's assertion made Horikita Manabu close his eyes.
He disagreed with Nagumo Miyabi's stance.
But in some ways, Nagumo Miyabi was indeed right. These newcomers simply didn't know what competition was.
Perhaps after experiencing the special exam, they would have some enlightenment, but... it was too slow, far too slow.
Perhaps Nagumo Miyabi was correct?
Horikita Manabu's stance wavered for the first time.
Because he couldn't imagine the terrifying chain reaction that would occur if Amane were framed for violent assault and forced to withdraw from school for acting heroically.
Amane would only be able to escape by resisting, and in the end, Amane would also become one of the damaging dragons.
He knew what Amane had been doing behind the scenes.
Bribery, co-option, coercion, exchange of benefits... Were these victories, woven from terrifying words, truly correct?
Horikita Manabu had no answer; he could only leave such questions for Nagumo to resolve.
"Then Sakayanagi and Miyako joining the Student Council... seems to not follow procedure."
Horikita Manabu did not wish for people with powerful backing like Amane and Sakayanagi to join the Student Council and then interfere with its rulings.
"Some things, I believe Horikita-senpai should understand. I still don't have my own team. If Horikita-senpai and Tachibana Akane-senpai graduate, how will I take over the Student Council?"
Such a thing might not sound good to say, but it was indeed an objective problem. Very few second-year students were willing to join the Student Council.
First-year students were very interested in joining the Student Council, but Horikita Manabu's strict review requirements resulted in only Ichinose as fresh blood.
If things continued like this, once Horikita Manabu graduated, the Student Council would immediately cease to function due to the loss of its core strength. By then, it would be too late to cultivate suitable candidates.
"I understand. Then let's leave it at that for now. However, if their performance doesn't satisfy me, I will still dismiss them. No privileges are allowed to exist in this place."
Horikita Manabu opened his eyes and said to Nagumo with a serious expression...
"Airi, don't you have something you want to tell me?"
Amane stood with her hands in her pockets, looking at Airi in front of her without joy or sorrow.
"I have a lot to say to Amane-san, but the words are on the tip of my tongue, yet I can't say anything... I'm sorry, I let Amane-san down. If only I had been the one to withdraw from school back then, then none of these subsequent events would have happened."
Airi lowered her head.
Even without seeing her expression, one could probably guess she was crying.
Was Airi responsible for this incident? Of course she was. As someone in Amane's camp, she chose to obey when faced with some threats. Airi probably never considered what consequences such a speechless handling method would bring, right?
"You might be ostracized next."
Amane wasn't exaggerating. No one would want to be friends with someone who would betray a classmate, except for a very few with ulterior motives.
As a result, Sakura Airi would undoubtedly be ostracized by everyone in Class D, and even if Hirata tried to dissuade them, the rumors would not dissipate quickly.
Hopefully, she could endure it.
"Mm..."
"If you can accept it, that's fine. I'm going back first."
Amane didn't have anything particularly special she wanted to say to Airi.
A weak person chose betrayal for self-preservation.
Was it worth getting angry about? Of course it was.
But at the same time, Amane also felt pity.
In this school, ordinary people without any special skills would probably be tormented endlessly in the vortex of various struggles, just like Airi.
The final outcome would either be to barely survive by following the strong, or to withdraw from school because they couldn't bear the pressure.
This was the fate of a small fry.
Facing such a pitiful creature, Amane chose to ignore her.
"Amane-san."
As Amane was about to leave, Airi's call came from behind her.
Amane slowly turned around.
Airi suddenly knelt down, then supported herself with her hands on the ground, pressing her head to the ground, performing a dogeza.
"I am very sorry."
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