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

She introduced herself with grace and poise, her long pink hair swaying gently with her movements.

"Are you also... here to visit the student council?" Ichinose's gaze shifted between Katsuragi and Sakamoto, filled with genuine curiosity.

"Or...would you like to join the student council?"

Her smile was as warm as sunshine, instantly dispelling the slight solemnity in the corridor.

Katsuragi and Sakamoto's gazes simultaneously fell on the unexpectedly appearing girl from Class B.

The heavy oak door of the student council office was right in front of me.

Outside the door, three distinctive freshmen—the composed Katsuragi Kohei, the elegant and mysterious Sakamoto, and the gentle and approachable Ichinose Honami—unexpectedly meet at this moment.

First Year Enrollment: Chapter 017: Sakamoto's Interview

Outside the heavy oak door of the student council office, the atmosphere became subtle with the arrival of Honami Ichinose.

The girl with long pink hair had a warm smile, Katsuragi Kohei was as steady as a mountain, and Sakamoto was like a deep, still river.

"Katsura Kohei, Class 1-A." Katsuragi's voice was deep, and he nodded slightly.

"I am Sakamoto, Class 1-A." Sakamoto nodded gracefully in return.

"Hello!"

Honami Ichinose has a warm smile, her long pink hair swaying gently.

"I'm Honami Ichinose, from Class 1-B. It's nice to meet you all."

Her gaze shifted between Katsuragi and Sakamoto, filled with genuine curiosity.

"So you two are both students in Class A? What a coincidence."

She seemed unaware of Class A's special status, speaking in a casual tone.

"Yes."

Katsuragi gave a concise response.

Sakamoto nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

Then, as if remembering something, her gaze fell on Sakamoto, filled with undisguised curiosity:

"Sakamoto-kun? You're the one who did so many 'amazing things' in just two days of school, right? Everyone at school is talking about it! They say your moves are especially stylish and cool!"

Sakamoto's expression was calm and composed, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses gentle.

"Ichinose-san, you flatter me. What I did was nothing more than a trivial matter."

Just as the three were talking,

With a soft click, the heavy oak door of the student council office was pushed open from the inside.

A petite figure appeared in the doorway. She had smooth, short purple hair, which was neatly styled into a cute bun at the back of her head, with a few wisps of hair falling across her cheeks, making her fair face appear even smaller.

She was wearing a burgundy school uniform, exuding a gentle yet capable air.

"Ichinose-san?"

Her voice was clear and melodious, and her gaze fell on the girl with long pink hair.

"The president said you can come in now... Huh?"

She then noticed that there were two other people outside the door, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She quickly adjusted her expression, revealing a gentle, slightly apologetic smile, and bowed slightly:

"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. I am Akane Tachibana, a third-year student in Class A, and the student council secretary."

She introduced herself with poise.

"The president is waiting inside. Since the three of you are all here, why don't you come in together? Please keep quiet and don't be impolite."

Her gaze swept over Katsuragi and Sakamoto, lingering on Sakamoto for a moment longer. She clearly recognized this rising star who had become famous in just two days since the start of the semester. A hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

"Please come in."

Suppressing her curiosity, Akane stepped aside to make way for the three of them to enter.

The three followed Tachibana Akane into the student council office.

The scene inside the office was quite different from the simplicity of the hallway outside.

The space is spacious and bright, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the setting sun to stream in unreservedly. The floor is paved with dark, polished marble, and a large, heavy mahogany desk dominates the central area, creating a very solemn atmosphere, like the office of a CEO of a large corporation.

There was more than one person in the office.

Behind the mahogany desk, student council president Horikita Manabu sat upright.

He stood tall and straight, wearing a neatly pressed third-grade school uniform. His face was stern, with features as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

Several documents were spread out in front of him, and a cup of steaming tea sat beside him. His fingertips were unconsciously tapping the table, making a rhythmic, soft sound.

And next to a set of sofas by the window, there was another person standing.

Nan Yunya leaned back casually on the sofa armrest, her short golden hair shimmering in the sunset. A nonchalant smile graced her face as she scrutinized the three new students who had entered.

Akane Tachibana quickly walked to Manabu Horikita's side and reported in a low voice:

"President, Ichinose-san has arrived. The other two are Katsuragi Kohei-san and Sakamoto-san from Class 1-A."

Horikita Manabu's gaze swept over the three of them like a searchlight, finally lingering on Sakamoto for a moment, his eyes deep and unreadable.

Nan Yunya's gaze also swept over the three of them. When he saw Sakamoto, the playful smile on his lips deepened, and a very subtle surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into even greater interest.

[This guy... I didn't go looking for him, but he came to me on his own? Interesting...]

He thought to himself, his smile growing even brighter.

"welcome."

Horikita Manabu's deep, powerful voice broke the brief silence.

"I'm the student council president, Horikita Manabu."

"Vice President, Nan Yunya."

Nan Yunya straightened up, gave a slight, elegant bow, and smiled with a touch of lazy magnetism.

"Welcome to the Student Council, three outstanding first-year students."

Katsuragi Kohei stood ramrod straight, his imposing figure conveying a steady voice:

"First-year Class A, Katsuragi Kohei."

Honami Ichinose smiled gracefully:

"Class 1-B, Honami Ichinose."

Finally, it was Sakamoto's turn. He stepped forward, his movements fluid and elegant, like a top-tier butler who had undergone rigorous training. He bowed slightly, his posture flawless, his voice clear and calm:

"I am Sakamoto, Class 1-A."

Horikita Manabu's gaze swept over the three of them in turn.

He went through the files of all the outstanding first-year students, and the faces of the students in front of him gradually matched the files.

Kohei Katsuragi has served as student council president in both elementary and junior high school. He is composed but seems to lack flexibility.

Honami Ichinose was the student council president in junior high school, but was unable to be re-elected due to special circumstances. She is approachable, but in this merit-based academy, approachability alone is far from enough.

As for Sakamoto, although his file contained little information, the events that occurred within the first two days of school had already reached his ears through the school's intelligence network.

The young man before him was elegant and composed, with calm and unwavering eyes. His composure, far beyond that of a new student, and his elusive temperament stirred something within him.

Horikita quickly assessed the situation in his mind.

He is about to graduate, and the position of student council president is still undecided.

The vice president in front of him, Nan Yunya, is outstanding in ability, ambitious, and skillful, but her ideas are different from his.

If Nan Yunya were allowed to control the student council without any checks and balances, the consequences would be unpredictable.

He needs to find a suitable successor, someone who can check and balance Nan Yunya within the student council and safeguard the student council's ideals in his heart.

Kohei Katsuragi? Calm, reliable, experienced, and with a strong sense of responsibility. However, he's too principled and might lack flexibility in his methods. Against an opponent like Masaya Nagumo, perhaps…

Honami Ichinose? She's approachable, a good communicator, and has leadership experience. However, her ideology leans towards the moderate side. In a place like the student council, where a strong hand and strategy are needed, she might struggle against Masashi Nagumo…

Sakamoto? His abilities are unfathomable, his style is unique, and he possesses a powerful charisma and adaptability. However, his motives are unclear, his behavior is unpredictable, and he seems to have no obvious desire for power.

Nan Yunya observed Horikita Manabu's expression from the side, his smile deepening. He naturally understood Horikita Manabu's worries.

He was pleased with the outcome and even somewhat looked forward to it.

"Three classmates,"

Horikita Manabu snapped out of his reverie and looked at them sharply.

Why do you want to join the student council? Or rather, why are you here to 'visit and learn'?

"Yes, President."

Katsuragi Kohei spoke first, his voice firm.

“I served as student council president in both elementary and junior high school, so I am familiar with the student council’s operations and have the corresponding organizational and coordination skills. I hope to join the student council of Advanced Education High School and continue to serve the community and contribute my efforts.”

His answer was direct and pragmatic, reflecting a strong sense of responsibility and mission.

"President Horikita, Vice President Nagumo, hello."

Honami Ichinose had a warm smile and a clear, crisp voice.

“I also served as the student council president in junior high school, and I really like the student council as a platform that allows me to serve everyone. I think the student council is a bridge connecting students and the school, and I hope to join it and use my enthusiasm and communication skills to help my classmates solve problems and make campus life better.”

Her answer was full of sincerity and idealism.

Nan Yunya clapped softly from the side, her smile playful:

"Both of you have great ideas! Katsuragi is experienced and Ichinose is enthusiastic; you are both rare talents! Horikita-senpai, it seems our student council has a promising future!"

His words sounded like praise, but there was a subtle hint of teasing in his tone.

Horikita Manabu ignored Nanonuma Masa, his gaze falling on the last person:

"Sakamoto-san, what about you?"

All eyes in the office instantly focused on Sakamoto.

Sakamoto remained calm, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses as still as water.

He bowed slightly, his movements fluid and elegant.

"President Horikita, Vice President Nagumo. I am Sakamoto. I am here today with Katsuragi-kun, mainly because I have a strong interest in learning about the student council's operating mechanism at Advanced Nurturing High School."

His voice was clear and calm, and his words were precise:

"As the highest body of student self-governance, the student union's operating model, decision-making process, and interaction with the school administration all reflect the university's unique governance philosophy. I believe that a deeper understanding of its core principles will help us better understand the school's rules and clarify our individual position and responsibilities within the collective."

He paused, then calmly met Horikita Manabu's sharp gaze:

"As for joining the student council, I am currently in the observation and learning stage and have not yet made a clear decision."

First Year Enrollment: Chapter 018: Student Council President and Sakamoto

Sakamoto's response of "observation and learning" and "no clear intention yet" was neither a rejection nor a promise, but rather a detached declaration—he stood on the edge of the storm, calmly measuring its scale.

Horikita's gaze behind his glasses was as sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on Sakamoto's calm and expressionless face.

His mind raced:

[Observation and learning? Hmph, this Sakamoto, outwardly elegant and composed, is actually quite cunning. He's probably trying to use this opportunity to spy on the core operating mechanisms of the student council—the boundaries of privilege, decision-making processes, and rules for interaction with the school… These are the things he truly wants to 'learn,' aren't they?]

[It seems he wants to figure out the true power structure and rules of the game at this meritocratic academy. That's a keen eye. However, having the desire isn't enough...]

Horikita Manabu decided to employ a little trick. He wanted to tear away this elegant facade and see if any undercurrents, enough to stir up a storm, were hidden beneath the calm surface.