"Senpaku, I am Sakamoto. What brings you here?"

"This recording has been uploaded to the cloud in real time. More importantly..."

She paused deliberately, a cold smile curving her lips.

"What do you think is the main point of this recording?"

Long Yuan shrugged nonchalantly:

"The key point? Of course, it's how I, Ryuen Sho, 'devised' a method to deal with Sakamoto, right? And you, Sakayanagi-kun, just 'listened' the whole time, at most you were an 'enthusiastic spectator,' right?"

He accurately saw through Sakayanagi's intentions.

"That's called risk transfer, Longyuan."

Sakayanagi put away her phone, regaining her elegant and composed demeanor.

"I only raised the concept of a 'possibility,' but it was you, Ryuen Sho, who proactively and meticulously devised specific methods for 'testing' the students, even including 'malicious' means that might violate the spirit of school rules. This recording perfectly captures your 'strong interest' and 'unique insights' regarding Sakamoto, an outstanding student in Class A."

"As for the S-point intelligence transaction I promised?"

Sakayanagi's smile carried a hint of pity.

"What I said in the recording was just my response to your 'eagerness for knowledge,' and it's part of the 'positive interaction' between our two classes. Who would doubt that a student from Class A would 'share' some public information with a student from Class C? Besides, we're about to go to the teacher to 'witness' this 'positive interaction.'"

Long Yuan's smile remained unchanged, instead gaining even more arrogance:

"Tsk tsk tsk... Sakayanagi, you're really good at using someone else to do your dirty work! You got me to say what you were thinking, and then you managed to clear yourself of all suspicion?"

Instead of flying into a rage, he clapped his hands, his eyes filled with excitement and a desire to conquer!

"but……"

Ryuen abruptly changed the subject, his gaze carrying a chilling, oppressive quality as he stared directly at Sakayanagi.

"You seem to have made a mistake."

He took a step forward, his tall figure almost completely enveloping Sakayanagi in shadow, his voice deep and powerful:

"This recording is nothing to me, Long Yuanxiang!"

Sakayanagi's gaze sharpened slightly.

Long Yuan's lips curled into an ambitious, almost ferocious smile:

"You think you can outmaneuver me with such a small trick? Sakayanagi, you underestimate me."

"If you want to play, I'll play along to the end! Sakayanagi, you listen to me—"

Long Yuan's voice was resolute and unwavering:

"My goal, Ryuen Sho, has never been just Sakamoto!"

“You, Arisu Sakayanagi, the ‘traitor of Class A’ who extended an olive branch to me, along with your entire Class A…”

He extended his finger, pointing it lightly at Sakayanagi, and said, word by word:

"These are all steps I must step on!"

"This recording? Keep it! It will only remind me that the people in Class A are nothing but scheming fools! Once I've consolidated Class C and crushed Sakamoto, you'll be next!"

After finishing speaking, Ryuen stopped looking at Sakayanagi's reaction, turned around and strode towards the corridor exit. His back was straight, exuding an arrogant and do-or-die aura.

Sakayanagi stood there, watching Ryuen's figure disappear into the light and shadow, the playful smile on his lips slowly deepening.

"interesting……"

She murmured to herself, her fingertip lightly tapping the tip of her cane.

"It seems this guy from Class C is more interesting than I expected. Well, the bigger the stage, the more exciting the show."

She calmly left the corridor, leaning on her cane.

Kamuro Masumi held her breath, pressed herself against the cold wall at the corner, her purple eyes filled with unprecedented shock.

She followed them all the way here. Although she couldn't hear every word clearly, she caught the gist of the key parts.

Sakayanagi Arisu, this classmate, is not only plotting against Sakamoto, but also using insidious means to manipulate students from other classes.

And that Ryuen from Class C, how could he be so arrogant? Not only was he unafraid of threats, but he also boasted that he would trample Sakayanagi and the entire Class A under his feet?!

Kamuro stared at the direction where Sakayanagi and Ryuen had disappeared, his heart pounding wildly.

Should I tell him? Tell him that beneath his elegant and composed demeanor, he's already being targeted by a cunning and ruthless viper lurking in the shadows? Should I also tell him that Dragon Garden in Class C also sees him and the entire Class A as prey?

A fierce struggle flashed in his purple eyes.

Can Sakamoto withstand such scheming?

If I get involved... will I also be swept up in this storm?

Finally, she bit her lower lip, turned around silently, and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor, leaving only a hesitant silhouette.

Sakamoto… Sakayanagi… Ryuen… An invisible net, woven from scheming, ambition, and deadly traps, is quietly tightening. And the elegant figure at the eye of the storm remains completely unaware.

That figure has now arrived outside the student council building.

First Year Enrollment: Chapter 016: Sakamoto, the Invited Student

Let's go back to the time right after class ended in the afternoon.

The bell rang, and the air in Class 1-A instantly became lively. Students hurriedly packed up their books, some whispering among themselves, others getting up to leave. The air still held the serious atmosphere left from the math class.

Katsuragi Kohei sat upright in his seat, his robust body as solid as a rock, his bald head gleaming under the lamplight.

He deftly organized his notes, putting them into folders, his expression serious, yet his eyes revealed a focused anticipation.

Student Union.

This thought lingered in his mind.

From elementary school to junior high school, he was a core member of the student council and served as its president.

Leading, organizing, and serving the group are all ingrained in his instincts.

The student council of Advanced Education High School, as the highest student self-governing body of this elite institution, is undoubtedly the best stage for him to realize his ambitions and continue his glory.

At the opening ceremony, Horikita Manabu, the student council president with a cool demeanor and resolute speech, left a deep impression on him. He longed to join and contribute his own strength.

He stood up, his gaze habitually sweeping across the classroom. His eyes passed over the window seat—Sakamoto was being pestered by Morishita Ai, a girl with shoulder-length purple hair tied in two small braids, who seemed to be asking him something.

Sakamoto remained calm and elegant, his composed aura clearly discernible even during the noisy break time.

Katsuragi looked at Sakamoto, lost in thought.

Sakamoto. This student, who created several "shocking" events in just two days of school, undoubtedly possesses a powerful charisma and a certain indescribable leadership quality.

Katsuragi keenly sensed that Sakamoto was quietly building an invisible authority among the students of Class A in a unique way.

Despite his "exaggerated" behavior, his precision, composure, and problem-solving abilities are undeniable.

The string of "leadership" in Katsuragi's heart was gently plucked. He had been a student leader in elementary and junior high school, an experience that instilled in him an instinctive concern and sense of responsibility for "leadership." But at this moment, he chose to observe calmly.

A thought flashed through me.

Student Union.

Should we invite Sakamoto to go visit the student council?

Perhaps in that more formal setting, we can observe Sakamoto's true strength more clearly?

At the same time, it also allows us to understand Sakamoto's attitude towards collective affairs.

Katsuragi no longer hesitated, and with steady steps, walked straight toward Sakamoto, who was being entangled by Morishita Ai.

"Sakamoto-san."

Katsuragi's deep, powerful voice interrupted Morishita Ai's follow-up question.

Morishita Ai pouted in displeasure, glaring at Katsuragi with her pale purple eyes:

"Katsuragi Kohei, can't you see I'm talking to Sakamoto-kun?"

Katsuragi ignored Morishita Ai's complaints and focused his gaze on Sakamoto:

"Sakamoto-san, I'm planning to visit the student council to find out about joining. Would you be interested in coming with me?"

Sakamoto's originally calm gaze suddenly lit up with a glimmer of light when he heard the words "student council," like a ripple on a calm lake.

He turned slightly to the side, and his posture instantly became more upright and proper.

"Student Union?"

Sakamoto's voice was clear and bright, with obvious interest.

"This is indeed worth exploring further. Thank you for the invitation, Katsuragi-san; I would be happy to accompany you."

"Hey! Sakamoto-kun."

Morishita Ai showed a displeased expression.

"We haven't finished talking yet."

"I'm sorry, Morishita-kun."

Sakamoto gave a slight bow to Morishita Ai, the movement fluid and elegant.

"Student council matters concern the collective and cannot be delayed. We'll discuss this another day."

The tone was gentle and polite, yet carried an undeniable sense of closure.

After saying that, he didn't linger and naturally followed Ge Cheng's steps.

As the two figures walked away, Morishita Ran muttered something indignantly.

Katsuragi and Sakamoto walked out of the classroom side by side, through the noisy corridor. Katsuragi's steps were steady and powerful, while Sakamoto's steps were light and fluid.

After walking in silence for a while, Ge Cheng looked ahead, his voice low and inquisitive:

"Sakamoto-san, which junior high school did you attend?"

Sakamoto didn't stop walking; his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses remained calm and unwavering.

"Private Judgment Academy".

"Judgment Academy?"

Katsuragi frowned slightly, searching his memory, but found nothing.

"Never heard of it. What kind of school is it?"

"A place that...emphasizes the cultivation of students' independent judgment and action."

Sakamoto's voice was gentle, with a hint of unfathomable depth.

"Oh?"

Katsuragi glanced at Sakamoto.

"That sounds special. Were you as conspicuous there... as you are now?"

A very faint smile seemed to appear at the corners of Sakamoto's lips:

“Attracting attention is not the goal, Katsuragi-kun. What I do is simply to choose the most appropriate path based on the situation and do what needs to be done. As for the gazes of others… they are merely scenery passing by on the way.”

Sakamoto's demeanor was humble yet impeccable when he answered.

Katsuragi gave Sakamoto a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions.

This answer made him even more curious about this mysterious classmate.

The two walked in silence and soon arrived at the corridor leading to the student council office.

The corridor was relatively quiet, with a dark carpet and plain white paint on the walls. Only at the end of the corridor, on the heavy oak door, hung a simple yet eye-catching metal plaque with three words clearly engraved on it: Student Council.

Just as they were about to reach the door, a figure appeared in the corridor ahead.

It was a girl standing outside the student council office.

She had long, flowing pink hair, as gentle as cherry blossoms in spring, shimmering softly under the corridor lights. She turned slightly to the side, revealing her beautifully sculpted profile, exuding a graceful and elegant air.

She seemed to hear footsteps and turned around. Seeing Katsuragi and Sakamoto, a hint of surprise flashed across her face, quickly replaced by a gentle, friendly smile.

"Ah, hello!"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain stream.

"I am Honami Ichinose, Class 1-B."