Practical teaching, all I want is your reward.

"Senior Nagumo...did he tell you?"

"Who would have thought that the gentle and kind Ichinose-san would be a thief? I was really shocked when I found out."

"I..." Honami Ichinose didn't know what to say. Shame struck her forehead once again, making it difficult for her to lift her head. Her face was burning.

“Nagamo-kun wants me to make good use of this. He seems to be very dissatisfied with you. If I can use this to defeat Class B, it will be of great benefit to me.”

Honami Ichinose remained silent on this matter.

"He also said that Suzuki-kun knew about this as well." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled. "I'm a little curious, did Suzuki-kun do anything to you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she keenly noticed that Ichinose Honami stiffened slightly, and the moment their eyes met, she subtly shifted her gaze.

"What do you mean...?"

"Suzuki is far from being as gentle and humble as he appears. He will not hold back at all when he gets the chance. He was indifferent to your dark history, which is completely different from my impression of him."

"I don't need to tell you, do I?"

"Heh, it's probably for the benefit of Class A. I suppose he threatened you to betray Class B?"

Sakayanagi Arisu intentionally voiced her guess, then observed the girl's micro-expressions. She didn't see the expected reaction, but rather a vague sense of relief.

"I will not betray everyone, no matter what the threat is." Honami Ichinose took a deep breath, her eyes firm. "Even if you are trying to use this to blackmail me now, my answer is still no."

"Don't be nervous, I just want to get to know you." Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled. "If you become Suzuki-kun's person, I'll be in a real headache right now."

Honami Ichinose remained silent; she felt it was inconvenient to answer the question because the meaning of Sakayanagi Arisu was too vague.

"I hope you're not one of his people. It would be too tragic if the leader of Class B had secretly become someone else's puppet."

"Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean."

Do you want to lead Class B to Class A?

"This is the goal of all of us."

"Heh, this is rather subtle. You were a criminal before, but now you're talking about everyone." Sakayanagi Arisu narrowed her eyes. "Do you think you're qualified to bear the trust of the entire class? Can you trust each and every one of them?"

Her words were like a sharp knife, nakedly peeling away the deepest worries and fears in Ichinose Honami's heart, and the last person to strike her so decisively was Suzuki Toru.

"If someone were to reveal your past, how many people do you think... no, do you think anyone would still be willing to trust you? Or, if you truly repent, will this sin simply disappear on its own?"

"I know I made unforgivable mistakes in the past, but I will never do it again."

“Every criminal says that.”

“I…won’t run away, but I’m not a criminal, and the law hasn’t sentenced me…”

Do you want to deny your past?

"I just don't want to be bound by the past anymore. Constantly agonizing over and suffering from this won't change the outcome, and I can't possibly take back my past decisions. That would only hold me back. The only thing I can change is the present. I will try my best to make everyone believe that the past Ichinose is gone, and the present Ichinose is here!"

"..."

Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly laughed. She looked at Ichinose Honami, who seemed to have used all her strength, and at his reddened eyes, before saying something inappropriate.

"In that case, why don't we make a bet?"

Having just vented her emotions, Honami Ichinose is now somewhat unable to process what she's going on with.

“Nagumo-kun has entrusted me with the power of punishment, but I do not intend to completely follow his wishes. I will still reveal your past to everyone, but I will not interfere with their decisions.”

Seeing the bewildered Honami Ichinose, Arisu Sakayanagi added with a smile, "If you can persevere and Class B still trusts you, I congratulate you, and we will have a chance to work together."

“If—” Sakayanagi Arisu paused for a moment, “If you fail, please keep your distance from Suzuki-kun.”

"Why?" Honami Ichinose didn't care about anything else. "Why should I listen to you!"

“Because it’s my turn now,” Sakayanagi Arisu said coldly. “Without Suzuki-kun, you wouldn’t have had the determination you had just now. A guy who can’t even overcome his own past will only be eliminated in the next exam. A woman like that has no right to appear in front of him.”

Honami Ichinose bit her lip tightly, her thoughts in complete chaos. Her confidence had been seen through; it was indeed because Toru Suzuki had given her immense resolve.

Chapter 329 Student Council Election

Because of the various handover preparations, the student council held its last meeting, chaired by Horikita Manabu, the day before Horikita announced his official resignation.

Almost all the student council members were present, just like when Suzuki Toru and others were welcomed to the student council, except that the third-year student council members showed a relaxed expression.

After two years of work, this group of student leaders is finally coming to an end in their student council careers, which also means that the battle for the third year has entered its final stage.

They can devote themselves wholeheartedly to the class's struggles without any pressure.

At the farewell party, even though they were still rivals, they couldn't help but smile at each other.

"After I step down, I will nominate Nagumo from Class 2-A to serve as the student council president. Does anyone have any objections?"

As Horikita Manabu's voice faded, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. The handover of the student council president was either a school-wide election or a nomination by the former president, which was the student council president's right.

However, compared to other high schools, the student council at Gaoyu High School has more power.

For example, the student council election should have been held around December this year, but Horikita Manabu moved it to October. Although Nagumo Masayuki was also pushing for this decision, it still shows the power of the student council president.

Horikita Manabu looked around. The third-year students were naturally indifferent, since they had nothing to do with him anymore. The second-year students were almost all Nanumo Masaru's confidants, so they naturally had no objections.

As for the first-year students, their opinions don't affect the student council's decisions. The only person who can influence decisions is the vice president, who is currently exchanging glances with an angry Akane Tachibana.

"It seems there are no objections, so Nagumo will be the next student council president."

Upon hearing Horikita Manabu's announcement, Nagumo Masayuki stood up out of politeness and respect, giving Horikita Manabu a courteous smile.

"President Horikita, thank you for your trust in me. I am very grateful for your guidance over the past year. Joining the student council with you as president has always been my luckiest and best decision. To be honest, I am honored and humbled that you personally appointed me to succeed you."

"You are capable of serving as president," Horikita Manabu said indifferently.

"Among all the student council presidents in the past, President Horikita is undoubtedly one of the best. I dare not be arrogant or complacent in front of you." Nan Yunya smiled, then painstakingly wiped the smile from the corner of her mouth. "However, I deeply regret your and the seniors' retirement. Capable officers should not be allowed to retire too early."

“This is the usual practice,” Horikita Manabu replied.

"Yes, so I plan to abolish the general election system and the limit on the number of people, and at the same time allow students to apply to join the student council at any time." Nan Yunya announced his decision forcefully without any restraint, even before he officially took the stage.

Aside from Akane Tachibana showing obvious disgust, most of the executives were only slightly surprised.

"Is that so?" Horikita Manabu's expression remained completely unchanged.

"Hehe, if we blindly follow tradition, I'm sure it will disappoint President Horikita, who promoted me, right?" Nan Yunya chuckled. "Unfortunately, the new president has many constraints, and it will probably take a long time for President Horikita to see any changes in this school."

Simply pushing for reforms in the student council was clearly not enough for Nan Yunya; if he wanted to go further, he would need the school's permission.

Nan Yunya still has a lot of work to do.

"After we step down, there will be changes in the student council officers. What are your plans for the handover?" Horikita Manabu asked calmly. He had already foreseen this outcome, and now he could only strive for future opportunities.

Nan Yunya glanced at Suzuki Tetsu, who had a deadpan expression, but a smile crept onto his face. The chairman had the authority to decide who would take on what responsibilities.

In other words, Nagumo Masayuki now has the right to remove Suzuki Toru as vice president.

"The work of Secretary Tachibana will be handed over to Tonaka, and the accountant position will be filled by Mizowaki. Next is..." Nangumo Masayuki called out the names one by one, but never mentioned the last position.

The people he named were mostly his confidants from Class 2-A, completely excluding other students, which shows that he has lost trust in other classes.

Kiriyama Ikuba stood silently on the periphery. At the moment the attack was launched, there was almost no possibility of repairing the relationship between the two sides. From now on, they could only be enemies fighting even more fiercely.

There were seven student leaders in the second year. Apart from him and a student from Class C, the rest were students from Class A.

Now, the two looked at each other, each with their own mixed feelings.

Kiriyama Ikuha suddenly had a thought: wouldn't now be the perfect time to try and win him over?

“Finally, the vice president…” Nan Yunya’s gaze fell on the direction of the first-year students, or more precisely, he stared at Suzuki Tetsu. “After I took over as president, Suzuki was left as the vice president. With the abilities of the first-year students, it would be difficult for them to handle the daily work.”

“I recommend that Kiriyama-senpai take over my position,” Suzuki Toru replied tactfully.

Kiriyama Ikuha's lips twitched slightly. He had just clashed with Nagumo Masaru at the sports festival. Now, to make him Nagumo Masaru's vice president would be like throwing a lamb to the slaughter.

“No, Kiriyama has more important work to do.” Nagumo Masaru chuckled. “I’ve decided to let Ichinose share your work, and the two of you will serve as vice presidents together.”

After he finished speaking, the whole room fell silent. Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe what they had just heard.

Even Suzuki Toru was taken aback, not to mention Ichinose Honami, who was directly involved.

"No, no, I'm not qualified to be the vice president!" She quickly waved her hand. "Please take back this nomination. I absolutely cannot!"

"This is a decision I've made after careful consideration, and I won't take it back. In fact, you're qualified to be the vice president," Nan Yunya said calmly, glancing at Horikita Manabu.

Honami Ichinose was speechless with confusion, and subconsciously glanced at Toru Suzuki.

"No matter what, it's a bit much to appoint two first-year students as vice presidents." Tachibana Akane frowned. "Although I usually guide them, without the guidance of a senior, it's difficult for two freshmen to be competent in this position."

After saying that, she added, "There has never been such a precedent before."

Nangumo Masayuki said calmly, "I'm sorry, Tachibana-senpai, I trust Ichinose quite a bit. Even President Horikita was able to promote Suzuki, so it's only natural that I would promote Ichinose as well."

“Suzuki-kun is different from other freshmen. His abilities are obvious to all, and also…”

Before Akane could finish speaking, Masahiro Nagumo interrupted her immediately: "Excuse me, Ichinose was the top student in this year's entrance exam. Her abilities are no less than Suzuki's. Moreover, I am the next student council president, and I have the right to appoint any student to any position. This is also the change I want to make."

Immediately, Tachibana Akane was speechless.

Nangumo Masayuki glanced at Horikita Manabu, then looked at Suzuki Toru and smiled, "Are you satisfied with this companion?"

“I have no objection to Nagumo-senpai’s decision,” Suzuki Tetsu replied.

Nan Yunya felt disdain. Now that things had come to this, she didn't know what this guy was so stubborn about. He probably thought his scheme had succeeded and was feeling smug.

However, he had already instructed Sakayanagi Arisu to target Ichinose Honami. As long as Sakayanagi Arisu launched an attack, he would seize the opportunity to gently pull her back, and Ichinose Honami would surely be filled with gratitude towards him.

Immediately afterwards, Nagumo Masaru was able to control Ichinose Honami and completely suppress Suzuki Toru in the student council and among the first-year students. He really couldn't imagine any possibility of him failing.

That's why he told Sakayanagi Arisu about Ichinose Honami's information.

Thinking of this, Nan Yunya couldn't help but smile, especially when she imagined how she would change this school in the future.

The meeting ended quickly, and Horikita Manabu asked Suzuki Toru to stay behind at the end.

"What are your thoughts?" Horikita asked.

“He probably thought he had Ichinose’s weakness in his hands,” Suzuki Toru said calmly.

Akane Tachibana's eyes widened in disbelief as she asked, "Honan-chan has something on her?!"

Suzuki Toru looked at her with some confusion. So the two of them had a good relationship?

However, given Honami Ichinose's personality, it's not surprising that she managed to win over Akane Tachibana, that arrogant upperclassman.