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

He was not unaware of the plot unfolding.

On the contrary,

Starting a few days ago, those seemingly scattered fragments of information,

They had already quietly gathered here through different channels.

Asahina Nagisa's warning tinged with personal emotion, Yamamura Miki's anxious handover, and Shiina Hiyori's calm and objective explanation...

This information is like a jigsaw puzzle.

A frame-up plan, originating from some corner of second grade, gradually came to light—

A "previous year's midterm exam paper" that has been widely copied and distributed.

It is flowing into all first-year classes except Class A in his name.

If an ordinary person were to discover that they had been unwittingly drawn into a conspiracy of such scale,

Those who become the target of public criticism are probably already panicked or indignant.

But Sakamoto's reaction was simply to push up his glasses.

"I see."

He muttered to himself, his tone completely devoid of emotion.

It's as if they're confirming a possibility they've already anticipated.

He wasn't completely ignorant about second grade.

As early as the first day of school, while other freshmen were still immersed in their curiosity about the new environment,

He had already begun his intelligence groundwork.

On the piece of paper he folded into a paper airplane on the first day of school, besides his speculations about the school rules, he also recorded many details that were difficult for others to notice—

This includes roughly deducing the seating arrangement and number of students in each of the upper-grade classes by observing the classrooms.

He had already noticed it at that time.

In some classes of second and third grade, there are subtle differences between the number of students and the size of the organization.

This seems to imply the fact that some students drop out in their later years.

This is for an elite high school that claims to have an extremely high college acceptance rate.

This is undoubtedly a point of contention that deserves further investigation.

After achieving a perfect score in the class in the first month

He then used the free time he had after quitting his job at the coffee shop

More in-depth, less conspicuous observations were made of the older students.

The overall atmosphere in the third grade was relatively stable.

Despite the competition, the order was well maintained.

The traces of the student dropping out are not obvious.

The second grade is different.

There seems to be a peculiar sense of "order" inside it.

The differences between classes were deliberately kept within a delicate balance.

It lacks the dynamic fluctuations that natural competition should have.

Behind this unusual harmony lies a subtle sense of manipulation from above.

Of course, he also noted that not all second-grade students integrated into this "regulation".

There are always a few individuals who drift away from the mainstream, but that's another story.

now,

Combining the clues provided by Asahina, Yamamura, and Shiina, all the fragments were finally pieced together.

The identity of the person behind the scenes, their scope of influence, and the methods used against him this time.

All of these have become clear.

The intelligence gathering phase has ended.

It's time to take formal action.

Sakamoto stopped in front of a solemn gate—

Student Union Room.

He slightly raised his head, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses calm yet sharp.

The next moment, he extended his right hand and elegantly adjusted his glasses with his middle finger.

The movements were fluid and full of a unique sense of ritual.

Then, he raised his hand and knocked on the door of the student council room with a rhythmic, measured knock.

"Knock, knock knock."

A crisp knock echoed in the quiet corridor.

This heralds the official start of a counterattack.

P.S.: I'm back! I'll be updating twice a day again from now on.

As mentioned in my previous post-launch message, the author is starting school! The first week of school is a bit busy because the author has to make up exams ( ).

Therefore, the updates are unstable, but they will be restored later.

Some readers have also commented that Sakamoto is not portrayed enough. In the future, we will give Sakamoto more positive portrayals and reduce the portrayal of other characters.

Thank you again for your support!

First Year Midterm Exam: Chapter 065: Sakamoto Wants to Join the Student Council

The door to the student council room was gently pushed open.

Sakamoto walked in with a leisurely gait, his demeanor as elegant as ever.

His gaze swept quickly across the room, but he didn't see the figure he expected.

Student council president Horikita Manabu or secretary Tachibana Akane.

Instead, a second-year boy with dazzling blond hair sat behind the president's desk.

Nanyun Ya.

The person Asahina Nazuna mentioned who needs to be "beware"

He was also the mastermind behind the conspiracy that swept through the first grade and spread test papers in his name.

Sakamoto's expression remained unchanged, as if he had just met an ordinary upperclassman.

He bowed gracefully and paid his respects.

"Good afternoon, Vice President Nan Yun."

Nagumo Masashi saw that the person who came was Sakamoto.

A hint of surprise flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

He initially thought it was just a student coming to handle routine business.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be this "real person".

He used a little plan to target this "legendary freshman" in the first year.

He actually came.

And it looks...so calm.

According to the plan,

By now, rumors of him "secretly distributing test questions" should have already spread among the first-graders.

Is he feigning composure, or is he truly unaware of the situation?

"What a rare guest, Sakamoto-kun."

Nan Yun leaned back in his chair, interlaced his fingers on the table, and gave a flippant smile.

"So, what brings you to the Student Council?"

Sakamoto spoke frankly:

"I have come to see Chairman Horikita and hope to consult him on some matters."

Nan Yun frowned.

Should I learn from Horikita?

Is there anything that can't be discussed with me, the vice president?

Ha, interesting.

Could it be... that he sensed something?

Having no way out

He wanted to ask his senior, Horikita, who admired him, for help.

That's a reasonable explanation.

Nangumo felt that this was very likely.

After all, besides,

He couldn't figure out what special reason Sakamoto had for needing to meet Horikita Manabu.

"I see."

Nan Yun smiled and did not press for details.

"Unfortunately, the president is not here today. Sakamoto-san, you've made a wasted trip."

"It's alright, I'll visit again another day. Farewell, Vice President Nagumo."

Sakamoto nodded slightly again, then turned and made as if to leave.

"and many more."

Nanyun suddenly called out to him,

"Sakamoto-san, if it's anything important, you can talk to me, the vice president, first. After all, I'll be the new student council president soon, you know?"

This is true. Horikita Manabu is already a third-year student, and soon he will have to step down as student council president, and his successor will naturally be Minami Miyabi.

Sakamoto stopped in his tracks.

He slowly turned around to face Nan Yun.

He raised his hand and elegantly adjusted his glasses with his middle finger.

After a brief silence,

Sakamoto spoke again:

"To be honest, I've come here today hoping to apply to join the student council and contribute my modest efforts to the order and development of the school. I've heard that President Horikita has a keen eye for talent, so I've come to seek his advice."

"Join the student council?"

Nan Yun's smile faltered slightly.

Sakamoto wants to join the student council.

This was completely unexpected by Nagumo.

Was it a made-up excuse, or was it his real purpose?

It's hard to tell if it's real or fake... But, that's just right.

Nagumo immediately decided to play along.

Whatever Sakamoto's purpose was.