After becoming lovers with Kei as well, I sent a thank-you message to Suzune. The next day, I met with her alone under the pretext of expressing my gratitude and doted on her. She seemed eager to ask about Kei, but when I avoided giving a clear answer, she didn't press further. I only told her that she would understand everything during summer break.

There were no notable incidents until the final day of the exam. All groups achieved Outcome 1, and the exam concluded.

'Through these two exams, I've gained a great deal. A large amount of class points, a guaranteed 40 votes in the election, credibility as a leader, class savings of 21.5 million private points and a monthly 50% collection system, 3 million private points for myself personally, friendship with Rokusuke, the Ankle Break, and welcoming both Suzune and Kei into the harem. I paid Rokusuke 500,000 points, but with Nagumo's 3 million, I still come out ahead.'

And then, I expressed my appreciation to everyone in the class chat.

Kiyotaka: "Thanks to everyone's cooperation, this class is now confirmed as Class B, and we've also acquired a massive amount of points. For the remainder of summer break, I hope you all recover from the exam fatigue and enjoy yourselves thoroughly."

Hirata: "Even so, there's no doubt you're the one most responsible for the success in these two exams. You, of all people, should enjoy your summer break to the point of forgetting about class matters. Of course, it's fine to hang out with classmates, though."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, thanks."

Ken: "Let's play basketball this summer too!"

Yuki: "Kiyotaka! Let's go out together!"

Kei: "No fair! I want to go too~"

For some reason, the class chat turned into people inviting me out. I smiled wryly, closed the class chat, and contacted Manabu. Perhaps he had been waiting, as a reply came immediately.

Kiyotaka: "The exams are over. I'd like to decide on a date to show my face at the student council."

Manabu: "Good work. I'm available anytime."

Kiyotaka: "Then I'll come the day after we return."

Manabu: "Understood. I'll inform Tachibana and Nagumo as well."

Kiyotaka: "Ah... I'd like you to exclude Nagumo. I plan to discuss my actions during the exams, but it would be troublesome if he were there."

Manabu: "I expect Nagumo will complain, but I'll tell him not to come."

Kiyotaka: "I'm counting on you."

After finishing my communication with Manabu, I checked the class chat again and found that the conversation had shifted to holding a celebration party.

Honestly, I wanted to conserve points, but I couldn't sour the mood, so I agreed.

Kiyotaka: "Would it be better to use points from this exam, or collect fees from everyone?"

To this question, those with surplus points said they'd pay for themselves, while those without insisted on using the exam points. However, when some people declared they wouldn't attend, the idea of using the class savings fell through, and it was decided that everyone would pay their own way.

* * *

The day after returning to school, I visited the student council room as promised to Manabu.

Kiyotaka: "It's me. May I come in?"

Manabu: "Yeah, come in."

Tachibana: "Ayanokoji-kun, thank you for your hard work during the exams."

Manabu: "Before we get to the main topic, I'd like to hear what you did during the exams. Will you tell me?"

Kiyotaka: "In the uninhabited island exam, I became the leader myself. I monopolized nearly all the spots around the cave and also occupied the river spot to secure a water source. I saw through Class D's leader and used that as leverage for a deal—but I'll discuss that later. I also saw through Class A's leader, shared that with Honami, and the three classes together brought down Class A. Finally, I retired and changed the leader to avoid losing bonus points. The result was 432 class points."

As I spoke, Tachibana looked surprised, but Manabu did not.

Manabu: "I see. Impressive as always. How did you guide the Zodiac Exam to that outcome?"

Kiyotaka: "It was simple. I argued the benefits of Outcome 1 based on the total points that could be obtained, formed a contract, and gave it binding force. Only Class A was reluctant, but when I threatened that the remaining three classes would cooperate to target them, they complied."

Manabu: "I thought as much. I expected you would notice the extraordinary nature of this exam, but to achieve such results in both exams exceeds my expectations. As promised, I shall give you the vice president's seat."

Kiyotaka: "You only told me to produce results. If I had taken first place but only by a narrow margin and gained few class points, you wouldn't have made me vice president this quickly, would you?"

Manabu: "There's no point in 'what if' discussions. However, I will say that your achievements this time sufficiently demonstrated your ability."

Saying that, Manabu quickly operated his device and transferred one million points to me.

Kiyotaka: "This is..."

Manabu: "A congratulatory gift for your appointment. Accept it."

Kiyotaka: "It helps. I'll be needing funds from now on."

Manabu: "What for?"

Kiyotaka: "Probably something you're hoping for as well."

Manabu: "Could it be... you're really going to do it?"

Tachibana: "What, what? What are you going to do?"

Tachibana, who couldn't imagine it, asked.

Kiyotaka: "I intend... to run for student council president."

Tachibana: "Ehhhhh!"

Manabu: "Tachibana, have you forgotten that I've been president since my first year as well?"

Tachibana: "There's no way I've forgotten! But I never imagined Ayanokoji-kun was such a major figure."

Manabu: "Running now would be equivalent to making an enemy of Nagumo and nearly the entire second year. Are you still willing to do it?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. It's something I've decided. And I have a chance of winning."

Manabu: "Oh? May I hear it?"

Kiyotaka: "In the deal I mentioned I'd discuss later, I made Class D promise to cast all their votes for me."

Manabu: "Did you not consider the possibility of that promise being broken? Furthermore, it's not praiseworthy for a class leader to waste a chance for points for personal gain."

To these expected questions, I began explaining exactly what I had told Chabashira and Ryuuen at that time.

When I finished speaking, Manabu nodded in admiration.

Manabu: "I see. A disclosure request, then. If you win, there's no need to worry. If you lose and request disclosure, you're guaranteed to recoup the points. And aiming for Outcome 1 in the Zodiac Exam..."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, it was for this as well. The greater the damage from betrayal, the less likely they are to betray."

Manabu: "However, even if you secure two classes, including your own, winning is still impossible."

Kiyotaka: "I've asked people in my class who have connections with students in other classes to spread good rumors about me and manipulate impressions. Furthermore, using my close relationships with the leaders of Classes A and B, I intend to seize control of the entire first-year vote. With students in the same year, negotiations can include cooperation in special exams and other non-point factors, so it will surely succeed."

Manabu: "In other words, you're bringing it down to a contest for the third-year votes."

Kiyotaka: "Yes. The first-years still have zero expulsions. Even if Nagumo properly gathers the entire second-year vote, the moment I secure two classes' worth of third-year votes, I win."

Manabu: "I see. It seems you truly do have a chance of winning. In that case, I shall promise you the vote of Class 3-A."

Tachibana: "Is that alright, President?"

Manabu: "Yes. Our class is not struggling for points at the moment. And I would rather have Ayanokoji become student council president than Nagumo. I have no intention of holding back on unconditional cooperation."

'I thought it might work if I asked, but it went through surprisingly easily.'

Kiyotaka: "That helps. I considered asking Kiriyama as well, but I'll refrain since Nagumo might catch on. Nagumo still doesn't know I'm running. If I lose the advantage of time to lay groundwork, I'll be crushed by his points."

Manabu: "That's for the best. I'll transfer a bit more points to help with price negotiations with the third-years."

This time, three million points were sent. With this, the points I received exceeded even what I got from Nagumo.

Kiyotaka: "I'm grateful... but I wouldn't call this 'a bit more.' Are your personal funds and class savings alright?"

Manabu: "The class still has over 20 million left, so it's fine. Even if these points end up leftover, there's no need to repay them. You have a student you're planning to recruit to your class, don't you?"

Kiyotaka: "How do you know that?"

Manabu: "From how you use your points. On the second day of school, four students received points from a teacher. Three of them, including you, are current Class C students. The remaining one is Shiina Hiyori of Class D. She never used the 12 million she received, and furthermore, she's been frequently seen entering and leaving your room. And you, too, have been saving the points you earned from Nagumo's bet and the negotiation on the second day without spending them, haven't you?"

Kiyotaka: "The student council president's information network is frightening. You're correct on all counts."

Manabu: "However, if you spend a large amount of points on the election, it may become impossible to transfer her with just the points the two of you hold. No matter how many people would willingly offer you points if you asked, using that method for anything other than the class's benefit should be avoided. If you manage to conclude negotiations within the total 5 million I've given you, consider it a token of my gratitude and a reward for your skill, and accept it."

Kiyotaka: "I'm indebted to you. I will definitely win the election."

Saying that, I shook hands with my election collaborator.

Manabu: "By the way, the reason you didn't want Nagumo called today..."

Kiyotaka: "Yes. It's to avoid having my candidacy discovered at this stage. It would be fine if he continues to underestimate me, but after losing two bets, he probably wants to beat me in any form possible."

Manabu: "Knowing his personality, that's true. Once he loses even once to someone he considered beneath him, he becomes desperate to win the next time."

Kiyotaka: "Also, I simply didn't want to discuss the exams in front of him. If it were just you and Tachibana, I could speak freely. But I could easily imagine Nagumo interrupting out of spite for losing."

After my conversation with Manabu ended, Tachibana asked with a face full of curiosity.

Tachibana: "Ayanokoji-kun, what kind of girl is this Shiina-san you're trying to bring over? Judging by the name, she's a girl, right? What do you do when you call her to your room?"

'She's coming on as strong as if she were saying, Love Detective, at your service... This is going to be a pain to dodge...'

Kiyotaka: "It's obvious I'm just asking about her class's internal affairs since I'm planning a class transfer. Besides, surely you have things you'd find hard to answer if asked."

With that counter, I left the student council room.