As expected, Honami Ichinose, who was easily embarrassed, refused Ren's invitation to stay overnight and fled the villa like a startled rabbit.
She treated the paper Ren had handed her like a precious treasure, tucking it carefully into her pocket, while still clutching the plastic bag full of fruit that Ren had forced upon her.
Standing by the window in the study, Ren gently swirled the unfinished can of soda in his hand.
Watching Honami's retreating figure, he murmured, "Honami, don't let me down."
Ren didn't want the girl he had feelings for to be just a pretty vase. Everyone should have their own life; he didn't want Honami to rely on him completely.
The phone in his pocket vibrated. Ren took it out, unlocked the screen, and saw a message from Hoshinomiya-sensei.
Chie Hoshinomiya: Ren-chan~ Your pet permits for the cats are ready~ Photo.jpg
Chie Hoshinomiya: But why two? Are you planning to raise two cats, Ren-chan? Be sure to show them to Teacher when you have time~
Ren: Sorry for the trouble, Hoshinomiya-sensei.
After sending a polite reply using the school-issued phone, Ren opened the drawer and pulled out a second phone—one unrestricted by the school's network. He scrolled through his contacts and dialed a number.
Beep... Beep...
The call was answered promptly, and the respectful voice of the old butler came through. "Ren-sama?"
"It's me. Please have someone send Koharu and Mochi to my villa tomorrow."
While talking to the butler, Ren idly spun the school-issued phone in his hand, a playful glint in his eyes.
It was a pity that Hoshinomiya-sensei's text message came a step too late; otherwise, Honami-chan would have seen a much more concrete demonstration of "Financial Power" and "Influence."
"Yes, Ren-sama. But Koharu... please forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, but does the school really allow raising tigers?"
"Yes, my pet permit has already been issued."
The butler had served the Katsuragi family for many years. Ren didn't mind him raising valid questions, so he replied patiently.
He had told Hoshinomiya-sensei that he wanted to raise two cats. Ragdolls are felines, and tigers are naturally felines too. The pet permit didn't explicitly specify that big cats were forbidden.
In the end, if something happened, Hoshinomiya-sensei would naturally bear full responsibility.
After all, she had taken the money.
Having received Ren's confirmation, the butler didn't press further. "Understood, Ren-sama."
Ending the call, Ren pulled out a fresh sheet of white paper and wrote down four names and their details.
Manabu Horikita: Leader of Third Year Class A, current Student Council President. Upright character.
Akane Tachibana: Student of Third Year Class A, current Student Council Secretary. Devoted to Manabu Horikita.
Miyabi Nagumo: Second Year Class A, current Student Council Vice President. Led Second Year Class B to usurp Class A. Rumored to be lecherous?
Ikuto Kiriyama: Second Year Class B, current Student Council Vice President. Originally belonged to Class A but was defeated by Miyabi Nagumo and demoted.
So, who is stretching out their claws to touch my cake? Ren propped his head up with his left hand, spinning his fountain pen with his right, muttering to himself.
After thinking for a moment, Ren drew large X's over the names of Akane Tachibana and Ikuto Kiriyama.
The former was love-struck and strictly a follower; she likely lacked the autonomy for such a scheme.
The latter had been knocked down from Class A to Class B by Nagumo and was still suppressed by him; he wouldn't have the courage or the resources to reach out to the lower grades right now.
Then...
Only Manabu Horikita and Miyabi Nagumo remained.
According to Asahina-senpai, Manabu Horikita was hailed as the most outstanding Student Council President since the school's founding and held considerable power. However, he hadn't completely mastered the third year; he simply suppressed the other three classes with overwhelming strength, leaving them no chance to resist.
As for Miyabi Nagumo, he had led Class B to overtake Class A and had consolidated the talented figures of the second year under his banner. However, he had a dubious reputation regarding his relationships with female students.
Ren noted their respective spheres of influence: Manabu controlled the Third Years, while Nagumo controlled the Second Years.
In this case, the troublemaker is likely Nagumo-senpai.
However...
So what?
Playing chess one-on-one is boring. It's much more fun to drag both the Student Council President and Vice President onto the board.
"Then..." Draining the can of soda in one gulp, Ren's gaze seemed to pierce through the walls of the villa, looking out at the school beyond.
"Hello, School. And hello, Horikita-senpai and Nagumo-senpai."
...
Boys' Dormitory.
Rokusuke Koenji, freshly showered, exceptionally did not spend time admiring his perfect physique in the mirror today.
He lay naked on his bed, contemplating what aspects of First Year Class D were worthy of his use.
Classmates? A bunch of veritable defects with zero utility. Even enslaving them would only tarnish his perfection.
Points? 100,000 points a month? Impossible. It was merely a school trick. Given the current state of Class D, he estimated he wouldn't receive a single point next month.
What annoyed him most was Ren Katsuragi!
That guy had run off to Class B. Why hadn't he come to face him directly?!
But he probably won't have the ambition to lead his class either. In that regard, our philosophies should align, Koenji mused.
For the two of them, a single class was simply too small a stage to deserve a second glance.
At this time, Koenji was unaware that the entire First Year Class B had already been "hijacked" by Ren on day one.
Ren was now like an ancient emperor, simply waiting for his subjects to pay tribute for his enjoyment.
And Class B certainly wouldn't volunteer this information; the forty signed guarantees locked in Hoshinomiya-sensei's cabinet were no joke.
...
Girls' Dormitory.
Honami Ichinose, having showered and changed into her pajamas, carefully copied the contents of the paper Ren had used to teach her. Then, she framed the original manuscript and placed it on her desk like a sacred text.
Taking an apple from the bag beside her feet, she stood up and leaned against the open window, looking up at the moon casting its soft glow. She took a light bite of the fruit.
"Mmm, so sweet."
...
"Ha... what time is it?"
Ren woke up, sitting up in the soft, king-sized bed of the villa's master bedroom.
Yawning leisurely, he glanced at the phone on the nightstand—4:30 AM.
He rubbed his eyes. Accustomed to falling into a deep sleep the moment he lay down, he felt refreshed. He got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and walked to the window to pull back the blackout curtains.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. A hazy morning mist permeated the air, creating a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere. Looking into the distance, a few streetlights still flickered faintly along the roads.
Fully awake now, Ren decided to go for a short jog. Habits formed over years of training couldn't be broken overnight.
Too lazy to style his messy long hair, he changed into sportswear and left the villa.
As soon as he stepped outside, the cool morning sea breeze hit his face, invigorating him instantly. He stretched his muscles, then began to jog along the coastal road that circled the island.
The road was silent in the early morning. Ren could clearly hear the rhythm of his own footsteps and his steady breathing.
...
"Hello, Miss. A large bowl of millet porridge, three boiled eggs, and eight steamed buns, please. Thank you."
Ren, who had returned to the villa to shower after his run, realized class would be starting soon, so he headed directly to the school cafeteria for breakfast.
With his smooth talk and striking looks, Ren immediately captured the heart of the cafeteria lady serving the food.
Not only did her hand remain steady while serving, but she also acted as a "bun hero" for once, slipping Ren two extra buns, fearing the growing boy wouldn't be full.
"Hello, Ma'am, I'll also have..."
The student behind Ren, seeing the mountain of food on Ren's tray, tried to follow suit.
But before he could finish, the lady interrupted him sharply: "Who is your 'Ma'am'? Don't try to act familiar. What do you want to eat?"
Ignoring the strange looks from the surrounding students, Ren expressionlessly picked up his tray, found an empty seat, and began to eat.
"Yo, the Katsuragi Family's Dragon eats this early in the morning?"
A teasing voice rang out. Rokusuke Koenji sat down opposite Ren with practiced familiarity.
Without a shred of politeness, he reached over, snatched a steamed bun from Ren's tray, and started eating.
Ren, who had just taken a bite of his own bun, rolled his eyes at Koenji. He fished his student ID out of his pocket and tossed it across the table, signaling the blonde to order whatever he wanted and stop stealing his food.
Koenji didn't stand on ceremony. He caught the card and strode to the counter to order.
He had originally just come over to say hello, but he didn't expect a pleasant surprise. Only a fool wouldn't take advantage, especially when the advantage came from the Katsuragi Dragon.
Koenji returned with a tray full of breakfast identical to Ren's, tossed the ID card back, and was just about to bring a bun to his mouth.
"Isn't this the Heir of the Koenji Group who was assigned to Class D?"
Ren, who had already finished chewing, spoke up before Koenji could take a bite. He hadn't continued eating; he had been waiting for Koenji to return just to deliver this line.
Koenji paused slightly. "Tsk, who knows why I was assigned to Class D."
"Is it possible that you actually belong in Class D, the class for defects? Lion Boy."
Ren, his mind sharp, picked up a boiled egg and began to peel it slowly, his eyes locked on his rival.