No one knew what Kaoru and Sakayanagi Narumori discussed at that time.
When Tonokawa Sosuke walked back into the office, he found Kaoru gazing out the window, his expression melancholic, as if the sky were falling.
Tonokawa Sosuke couldn't help but ask, "Mitoma-kun, what was that phone call about?"
Kaoru came back to his senses, saw his expression, and immediately knew the outcome.
Clearing his throat, he chuckled lightly, "Just an application for leaving school; it's nothing serious."
This was indeed nothing serious; everyone knew that going out was against school rules, and even members of the student council had no right to leave the school.
The previous phone call was clearly intended for him to overhear; both of them understood.
Tonokawa's mood was heavy, there was nothing more to say now.
Nagumo Miyabi could not deal with such a person; he could only hope that this time he would truly keep his word.
"There will be a special exam during the second-year final exams; we can pay some price."
Tonokawa sighed, his gaze becoming resolute. "However, our class can only bear this price."
The so-called price was naturally losing Nagumo Miyabi.
Kaoru shook his head slightly, "I don't have much ambition for the upper grades, and besides, I have things to attend to in the first year."
Tonokawa thought to himself, what could you possibly have to do in the first year?
Class A was leading the entire grade by an absolute advantage, and the leader of Class B was your wife.
Though he thought this, he still had to put on a show.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "We could join forces with Kiriyama-kun to isolate Nagumo-kun's die-hard supporters; the rest would be easier to handle."
Kaoru did not object, "You can give it a try."
Nagumo Miyabi retained quite a few Personal Points, and Tonokawa Sosuke's mind turned a few times, trying to find a way to deplete these points, but he felt a bit reluctant.
"By the way, can we also look at Nagumo's proposal?"
Kaoru inquired about the previous reform.
He remembered having seen Nagumo Miyabi's draft but was unsure of the school's current stance.
"Sure."
Tonokawa Sosuke replied with understanding, "Not just that proposal; Nagumo-kun has also been discussing changes to the exams with the school recently."
The president of the student council could represent the student council and all students in dialogue with the school.
Generally, the secretary should be present, and Tonokawa knew the details.
"Changing the exams?"
"Yes, but not participating in the specific rule-making. Nagumo-kun can propose to the school, such as adding a special exam or increasing the difficulty, etc."
"It seems he only has the right to suggest, with the specifics decided by the school, right?"
"Exactly. However, Nagumo-kun's draft has already received the school's approval; I sent it to you before."
Although Kaoru had seen it, the school wouldn't fully comply; they had their own ideas, and Tonokawa Sosuke had recently learned the general situation.
"The school plans to optimize the S system, incorporating students' personal data, seemingly called Overall Ability, to comprehensively quantify students' individual capabilities."
Tonokawa Sosuke said, "According to the school's intentions, students who do not meet the standards will face penalties. They plan to raise the students' individual levels."
Kaoru understood; the school had taken Nagumo Miyabi's opinions into account, believing that students should feel some pressure individually.
This approach was likely to prevent underperformers from infiltrating the group.
After all, not every student graduating from Class A had an extremely high level.
The school not only wanted to control the overall quality but also aimed to enhance individual levels, which aligned with Kaoru's previous thoughts.
In situations where a superhuman carried an entire class, the receiving parties would likely be very dissatisfied.
"Besides the S system, the exams for the next academic year will also be more intense and brutal. I've heard they are preparing to attempt changes to certain rules."
Tonokawa Sosuke was also unclear about the specifics; the school wouldn't disclose too detailed information to him or Nagumo Miyabi.
Kaoru shrugged; compared to the S system and special exams, he was now more worried about a future day.
He had thought that his reunion with them would be at the next Christmas, but who knew they could strike at ANHS at any moment? He had foolishly sent a letter.
Speaking of the letter, Kaoru felt quite uncertain.
He had left a farewell letter for them before hanging himself, believing he had made no mistakes and had left behind enough inheritance for them to live on for a lifetime.
He felt a headache; at that time, his "feet" condition was just an excuse; he simply didn't know how to face them, thinking they were NPCs, but he fell deeper and deeper, ultimately having to avoid them, thinking that crossing over to the next world would solve the problem.
If Asakura Toru stormed into ANHS, tugging at his tie with tears in her eyes, gritting her teeth and asking if he was an idiot, how would he respond?
Fuyuko Mayuzumi would probably kill him herself, right?
Kaoru thought for a moment; even if they came to kill him, he could still plead with Madoka Higuchi.
After all, this girl had never considered that he had expressed any special feelings.
Because of this, he felt at ease letting Madoka Higuchi see him one last time.
With her usual calmness, she likely wouldn't do anything outrageous and would handle his affairs according to his farewell letter; she was one of the assistants he had always trusted.
If it were Amana and Tenka, Kaoru estimated they would be unable to eat for a month.
He wondered if Kochizu and Chiyuki were taking care of these children.
He had checked on the 283 Agency's recent situation, which was still operating normally.
However, it only gradually resumed its business status about six months after his death, though some had announced their departure from the agency, such as Ikaruga Luca, and others had declared they would retire after their contracts expired, like Ichikawa Hina.
The most reactive individuals were basically the problematic children from back then, making Kaoru feel both relieved and pained, especially seeing Fuyuko Mayuzumi's alternate account venting negative energy online.
However, he hadn't expected that the ones representing the agency to the outside world now were Suzuki Hana and Asakura Toru, who had also managed to soothe the feelings of the others.
That seems reliable.
Kaoru didn't think too much about it—they must have helped Madoka Higuchi.
As for the problem children in the agency, it was precisely because he was worried about them that he had deliberately handed out his envelopes, hoping to keep them around.
"Mitoma-kun?"
Tonokawa Sosuke's voice snapped Kaoru out of his thoughts.
He blinked slightly before smiling apologetically. "Sorry, I was just thinking about something. Tonokawa-senpai, are you planning to help me deal with Nagumo-kun during the final exams?"
"Yes, we'll fully cooperate with you this time. But, can we…?"
Tonokawa Sosuke hesitated. Could he still negotiate terms now?
"Tonokawa-senpai, I won't personally interfere in second-year matters." Kaoru smiled faintly.
Of course, he wouldn't intervene directly, but Kiriyama Ikuyo could collaborate with the lower-ranked classes.
Tonokawa Sosuke seemed to have swallowed a calming pill, letting out a relieved sigh as a smile spread across his face.
"That's great. Like I said earlier, our Class A can also work with Kiriyama-kun."
"Good. Discuss it among yourselves."
Kaoru nodded, then abruptly changed the subject.
"However, we first-years also have exams. I might not be able to assist you in this special exam."
Tonokawa Sosuke didn't quite understand.
How could he have known about Kaoru's agreement with Sakayanagi Arisu? He assumed Kaoru was worried about expulsion.
Then another thought struck him—was Kaoru testing him?
Was he expecting Tonokawa and Mizowaki to prove their loyalty?
At this realization, Tonokawa's expression turned serious as he said to Kaoru.
"You don't have to worry. Even if Nagumo-kun doesn't want to drop out, we'll cut off his escape route."
Kaoru nodded woodenly, his mind drifting back to them again.
At the same time, he recalled Sakayanagi Narumori's earlier shock and anger, wondering just how much effort he'd have to put in from now on.
...
On the way back, Kaoru finally had time to question a certain someone.
[Why do you even care? It's not like it'll affect your wish fulfillment. Don't you trust me with the data?]
The Wish Machine thought Kaoru was making a big deal out of nothing.
She hadn't interfered with his actions, and besides, she'd long forgotten what she had written in the records back then.
[What? I don't understand humans? Don't be ridiculous. I'm the Wish Machine—do you think I don't know what you humans are thinking?]
Kaoru had always believed this thing was utterly useless.
Aside from repeatedly chanting [My wish] and creating noise, it had no concept of being considerate toward its employees.
He even suspected the Wish Machine's work was outsourced, to the point where it didn't even know the origin of the wishes.
[I am NOT outsourced! I supervise you every day, always watching you—I'm very diligent!]
Kaoru was reminded of bosses who only knew how to micromanage.
After he quit, the company collapsed due to incompetence.
[I-I'm not scared of you quitting at all! Stop talking nonsense!]
Yet, its flustered tone betrayed its true feelings.
Kaoru fell into thought.
No wonder this thing had refused to disclose anything—it was afraid he'd quit and abandon it for a more comfortable life.
[That's not it! I have plenty of outsourced workers—you're not important at all! And I don't watch you every day! I'm usually very busy—I was just joking earlier… W-well… There are others more capable than you, and I talk to them all the time…]
Kaoru was momentarily speechless.
When you're lying to yourself, could you at least not shed those little tears?
[You misheard. That's another Wish Machine crying. It has too many wishes and no one to help it work. I'm always the top performer!]
Kaoru said calmly, "If you had a physical form, I'd be beating you up right now."
In an instant, the previously noisy Wish Machine fell completely silent, emitting no further sounds.
Kaoru paid it no more attention.
No matter what the records said, or whether someone coveted his ability to return from death, he ultimately had the power to flip the table if needed.
In contrast, even Sakayanagi Narumori seemed skeptical now—it seemed even he didn't truly believe miracles could exist in this world.
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