There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 35: Personal Matters

Tachibana Akane had been very puzzled by the president’s decision to invite Yukinoshita Haruno into the student council, but now, she roughly understood the president’s intentions. It seemed that the main purpose was to balance out the current vice president, Nagumo.

For some reason, however, Tachibana felt a twinge of bitterness.

“President, I think the quality of this year’s first-year students is very high. The student from Class A, Katsuragi Kohei, and the student from Class B, Ichinose Honami, are both very excellent students, and their abilities should be no weaker than Yukinoshita’s,” Tachibana suddenly spoke up.

“It is undeniable that this year’s new students are indeed of high quality. Katsuragi from Class A and Ichinose from Class B are both very excellent students in every aspect. In the past, they would have been more than qualified to join the student council,” Horikita Manabu said, lowering his gaze to the documents on the table regarding Katsuragi and Ichinose. “But excellence doesn’t necessarily mean suitability. At least in the current situation, neither of them is suitable, and originally, I wasn’t planning to recruit first-year students.”

“Could it be that the president is worried they’ll be influenced by Vice President Nagumo?” Tachibana, who had been closely following Horikita, immediately caught onto his words.

“But there’s also Vice President Kiriyama, he should be able to counterbalance…”

“I know Kiriyama’s abilities best. He alone is no match for Nagumo,” Horikita Manabu interjected.

Tachibana was momentarily stunned. Usually, Horikita seemed to have a high opinion of Kiriyama, but now he was so resolute in this judgment, which made it clear that Kiriyama’s abilities were truly not on par with Nagumo’s.

And this was something that absolutely couldn’t be known by anyone else. If word got out, Kiriyama, who had originally been on their side, might develop a rift with them. Fortunately, there were only two people in the room now, and the fact that Horikita could say this to Tachibana indicated that he trusted and was close to her. Thinking this, Tachibana couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride inside.

However, Horikita didn’t notice the subtle change in Tachibana’s expression and instead took out the documents regarding Yukinoshita and Hachiman, seemingly deep in thought.

“President, what do you plan to do about that D-class student, Hachiman?” Tachibana asked.

Setting aside some factors, Tachibana actually had a very positive view of Hachiman, even better than she felt about Katsuragi from Class A. Especially the answer he gave to the last question, which gave Tachibana a strong sense of déjà vu.

It was a very subtle feeling, one she couldn’t quite explain herself. It was as though there was something hidden in those special eyes that was impossible to decipher.

Emotionally, Tachibana was hopeful, but rationally, she was reminded that he was from D-class. She worried that allowing him to join might negatively impact the president and even become a stain on the president’s imminent retirement.

Because… this school valued strength above all!

“Interesting,” Horikita Manabu responded vaguely, not directly answering. It seemed that he himself was conflicted. But as someone who had spent so much time with him, Tachibana could tell that the president had already made a decision in his heart.

Afterward, Horikita and Tachibana sorted through the relevant documents. The only sound in the room was the rustling of paper. Although Tachibana had long been accustomed to this quiet working atmosphere between the two of them, today, she found herself unexpectedly irritated, constantly appearing as though she wanted to say something but held herself back.

“It’s getting late. Let’s call it a day,” Horikita Manabu said after glancing at the time on the wall and preparing to leave.

Tachibana bit her lip and hurriedly spoke up. “President, I have a… private question. What exactly is your relationship with Yukinoshita?”

This question had been weighing on Tachibana’s mind for a long time. From Horikita’s attitude toward Yukinoshita, it was clear that the two had known each other before, and Horikita seemed to understand her very well.

Furthermore, Tachibana had noticed something. Despite the two being two years apart in age, their conversations didn’t have any trace of a ‘senior-junior’ formality. On some level, it seemed like they shared a very familiar relationship…

And there was also the fact that Horikita, who was usually serious and meticulous, seemed to indulge Yukinoshita in a way that was unexpected. Just thinking about it made Tachibana’s heart feel restless.

Horikita didn’t want to say much about Yukinoshita, but when he noticed Tachibana’s anxious expression, he instinctively spoke up. “Our elders know each other. Yukinoshita and I met a long time ago, and because of certain matters, I have a deep impression of her. That’s all.”

“R-really?!”

Tachibana’s dull eyes suddenly lit up. She blurted out without thinking, but then quickly realized her slip and hurriedly covered her mouth. “I-I didn’t mean it like that.”

Afterward, Tachibana felt her face burning, and there was an inexplicable heat in her chest. She quickly lowered her head, too embarrassed to look directly at the president.

Once she heard the fading footsteps, Tachibana finally let out a slow sigh of relief. She lifted her head and was about to leave when she froze. The president was standing by the door, with his back to her.

“President?”

“Sorry for taking up your weekend time. You’ve worked hard these days.”

“This small bit of effort is nothing compared to what you’ve done, President.”

“Let me cover the lunch bill today.”

With that, Horikita Manabu took a step and left.

“Eh?”

Tachibana froze for a moment.

“Then… I won’t be polite!”

With that, Tachibana smiled, hugging her notebook and hurriedly chasing after Horikita’s figure.

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.

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On the other side, at a café called Palette, there was another man and woman.

In front of the boy was a cup of coffee, and Hachiman, with his dead-fish eyes, continued to add sugar cubes, one by one.

“I mean, this coffee is so sweet, is it even drinkable?” Yukinoshita said, her face full of curiosity.

“As a human, I feel deeply sorry,” Hachiman responded, continuing to add more sugar. After a small taste, he finally showed a satisfied expression.

“So… Yukinoshita, is there something you wanted to discuss?”

After the student council interview, Hachiman had received a text from Yukinoshita. Otherwise, there was no way he would have come to a place that obviously had a “couple date” vibe!

“There are plenty of better spots by the window, so why choose this secluded corner?” Yukinoshita propped her chin with her hand, smiling. “Could it be… Hachiman, are you thinking about something strange?”