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Sakamoto's answer of "observing and learning" and "no clear intention yet" was neither a refusal nor a promise; it was more like a declaration of detachment—he stood at the edge of the storm, calmly measuring its scale.
Horikita Manabu's gaze behind his glasses was as sharp as an eagle's, fixed intently on Sakamoto's calm, unruffled face.
Thoughts raced through his mind:
[Observing and learning? Hmph, this Sakamoto, elegant and composed on the surface, but with deep thoughts inside. He wants to use this opportunity to peek into the core operational mechanisms of the Student Council—the boundaries of privileges, decision-making processes, and interaction rules with the school authorities… these are what he truly wants to 'learn,' aren't they?]
[It seems he wants to understand the true power structure and rules of the game in this 'meritocratic' academy. That's a keen mind. However, a keen mind alone isn't enough…]
Horikita Manabu decided to employ a small trick. He wanted to tear open this elegant disguise and see if beneath this calm surface, there were undercurrents capable of stirring up a storm.
He wanted to see if Sakamoto's perfect mask would crack under direct pressure, if his composure was merely a bluff.
His low voice broke the silence, his fingertip tapping lightly on the table, carrying an invisible pressure:
"Sakamoto-kun, 'observational learning'—that's a brilliant phrase."
His pace was calm, yet every word was like a piercing needle,
"But the core operations of the Student Council, this 'machine,' cannot be easily understood by mere 'observation.'"
He leaned slightly forward, his gaze like a cold probe:
"What you want to know, is it its scope of privilege? How decisions bypass the class system? Or its—role in setting rules rather than following them?"
Horikita Manabu used only two sentences to precisely pinpoint the core intention behind Sakamoto-kun's "observational learning"—to uncover the true nature of the Student Council's privileges and its operational mechanisms, in order to more deeply understand the rule system of Koudo Ikusei High School.
He paused deliberately, his sharp gaze like a hunter awaiting its prey's reaction, observing Sakamoto-kun's most subtle facial changes.
The air in the office instantly solidified!
Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san held their breath, Tachibana Akane's hand gripping her pen tightened slightly. Vice President Nan Yun's playful smile deepened.
Sakamoto-kun's expression remained unchanged. His gaze behind the black-rimmed glasses was calm and unruffled, not even his eyelashes trembled.
Horikita Manabu's sharp questioning seemed to him like merely a breeze brushing past his ear.
He nodded slightly, his posture as elegant as ever, his voice clear and calm:
"President Horikita's insight is truly admirable."
He admitted it frankly!
No excuses, no pretense!
This frankness, instead, caused a slight tremor in Horikita Manabu's heart.
Sakamoto-kun's voice was steady and penetrating, and he continued:
"The Student Council, as the highest body of student self-governance, its very existence is the central hub of this school's unique rule system. Understanding its operational mechanisms, its boundaries of authority, and its interaction with school management, is like understanding the structure and operating principles of a precision instrument."
He subtly raised his right hand, his slender fingers tracing a small, natural arc in the air, as if sketching an invisible structural diagram,
"Only by discerning its inner logic can one understand how this 'machine' drives the entire campus's operation, and how it maintains a dynamic order and balance within the framework of 'meritocracy.'"
He met Horikita Manabu's sharp gaze calmly, his tone sincere and open:
"My visit here is indeed for 'observational learning,' but the purpose of this learning is precisely to understand the rules themselves more deeply. Understanding rules is not to break them, but to more effectively fulfill my responsibilities and obligations as a member of Class A within the rules. This has no connection to seeking privileges or exploiting loopholes."
Horikita Manabu's gaze behind his glasses flickered slightly.
[Not only was he not forced into a mistake, but he leveraged the situation. This adaptability, this insight into the nature of rules...]
Horikita Manabu clearly felt that the young man before him was no ordinary individual.
This boy, perhaps, truly had potential.
Nan Yun's eyes gleamed intensely! What a "understanding rules"! What a "fulfilling responsibilities"! Sakamoto-kun not only defused Horikita Manabu's offensive but also displayed an astonishing depth of understanding!
He couldn't help but clap softly, his smile radiant:
"Excellent! Sakamoto-kun's insight truly enlightened me! Only by understanding rules can one make good use of them, maximizing one's strength within the rules! This level of insight I admire!"
He changed the subject, with a hint of subtle provocation:
"However, understanding rules is one thing; applying them in complex 'situations' is another. Can an observer truly always just 'understand' and never 'intervene'?"
Just then, Nan Yun seemed to "accidentally" bump the corner of the table.
The steaming tea cup by Horikita Manabu's hand suddenly wobbled, and the scalding tea water was about to spill out, splashing onto the scattered documents on the table!
"Be careful!" Tachibana Akane exclaimed softly.
Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san also instantly tensed up.
However—
A figure moved like a ghost!
Sakamoto-kun had taken half a step forward at some unknown point, his right hand shooting out like lightning!
He didn't reach for the teacup itself, but rather the seemingly ordinary silver fountain pen in his hand, like a precise surgical knife, its tip gently touched the slightly upturned rim of the teacup from below, at an incredible angle and speed!
"Clink!"
A very subtle, crisp sound, like a jade chime!
The tip of that fountain pen, like the most precise fulcrum, steadily braced the teacup at the moment it lost balance!
The cup seemed to be under a freezing spell, instantly stopping its wobble!
The tea water inside, after merely rippling almost imperceptibly, quickly settled back to calm, not a single drop spilled!
The entire movement was as swift as lightning, as fluid as if practiced a thousand times!
From the slide step to the pen touch, and then to the teacup becoming steady as a mountain, the whole process was completed in a breath!
Sakamoto-kun straightened up, retrieved his pen, his movements elegant and composed, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust. He bowed slightly to the slightly astonished Horikita Manabu:
"My apologies. Balance is easy to break, difficult to maintain; true mastery is seen in the subtle details."
His words were both an explanation for the teacup incident and a silent validation of his earlier theory, as well as a metaphorical response to the Student Council.
The office fell silent.
Nan Yun's playful smile vanished, replaced by a hint of solemnity. That move just now was no coincidence!
Tachibana Akane's fingers holding the notebook turned slightly white, and her gaze towards Sakamoto-kun was filled with shock.
Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san were even more dumbfounded, completely shaken by the unbelievable scene they had just witnessed.
Horikita Manabu looked at the perfectly still teacup on the table, with only a slight ripple in its tea, then raised his eyes to the elegant, calm-eyed black-haired young man before him. He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
His sharp gaze swept over Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san, finally returning to Sakamoto-kun.
"Katsuragi Kohei-kun, Ichinose Honami-san."
Horikita Manabu's voice regained its usual sternness,
"Thank you for your enthusiasm and willingness to work for the Student Council. The Student Council has noted your resumes and ideas."
He paused, his tone unequivocal:
"However, the selection of Student Council members requires comprehensive consideration of many factors. Currently, the Student Council has no definite plans to add new members. Please return for now, and if there are any recruitment arrangements in the future, you will be notified through official channels."
Katsuragi-kun's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, bowing slightly:
"Understood, President."
His voice was steady, betraying little emotion.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Ichinose-san's eyes, but she still maintained her warm smile:
"Alright, President. Thank you for giving us this opportunity."
She bowed slightly.
Horikita Manabu's gaze finally rested on Sakamoto-kun, his eyes deep and complex:
"As for Sakamoto-kun…"
He paused, seemingly weighing his words,
"The Student Council… does not prohibit students with a thirst for knowledge from coming."
He gave Sakamoto-kun a deep look, his gaze containing scrutiny, and also a hint of tacit acknowledgment of his potential.
With that, Horikita Manabu said no more, turning his attention back to the documents on the table, as if everything that had just happened had not occurred.
"The three of you, please leave." Tachibana Akane stepped forward at the opportune moment, politely gesturing.
Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san bowed slightly again, then turned and walked towards the door.
Sakamoto-kun remained standing, not leaving immediately.
He bowed elegantly again to Horikita Manabu and Vice President Nan Yun, his movements fluid and perfect.
"Thank you, President Horikita, Vice President Nan Yun, for your valuable time and insights."
His voice was clear and calm, like a mountain spring.
Then, he raised his right hand, and the silver fountain pen that had just steadied the teacup spun fluidly between his slender fingers, tracing an elegant silver arc, like a silent rest note.
"What I have heard and seen today has been very beneficial."
The pen at his fingertips suddenly stopped spinning, and he precisely inserted it into the pocket of his school uniform on his chest.
"Farewell."
As his words fell, he no longer lingered, turning and stepping away.
His steps were still steady and fluid, his back straight as a pine, the hem of his burgundy school uniform subtly rising with each stride.
The golden glow of the setting sun, passing through the floor-to-ceiling window, happened to cast a dazzling golden edge on his departing figure, his tall posture appearing particularly mysterious and unfathomable in the light and shadow.