52 - Mibuomi Aoi Takes Action
"Everyone, looks like you're all here."
Igarashi Sayaka stood straight, flanking Momobami Kirari on one side alongside the Vice President.
She spoke with strict formality:
"Well then, let's begin the regular meeting."
"First, the monthly management fee for the Traditional Culture Research Club is to be increased by 20%."
"…"
Momobami Kirari sat upright on her throne, the Barbie-blue eyeshadow concealing any hint of emotion.
As she looked across the long conference table at the members of the student council, she felt only mild boredom.
'Such a perfectly ordinary day.'
'Peaceful, stable, and boring. The scenery never changes.'
Only that obscure girl from the Hundred Devouring Families and the boy by her side could stir even the faintest interest in Kirari.
"Sachiko, how's the life plan draft for Jabami Yumeko coming along?"
The meeting room fell silent. All eyes turned simultaneously toward Juraku Sachiko.
"I'm interested in that woman. She's now my personal livestock. The life plan draft has been temporarily shelved," Sachiko said fearlessly.
After striking a deal with Hikigaya yesterday, she had decided this was the best way to ensure Yumeko's safety for now.
Kirari rested her head on one hand, her fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of her throne.
"But I heard someone handed Yumeko a life plan yesterday."
"Was there a slip-up? In the end, Mibuomi-san had to deal with it personally."
Her words carried implication as her steady gaze swept across the two upperclassmen seated to her left and right—both third-year veterans.
"Of course," Juraku Sachiko's vertical pupils emitted a dangerous red glow.
"Someone reached out toward one of our Disciplinary Committee members."
"I see... Mibuomi-kun, nothing interesting has happened lately, has it?"
"Hahaha, Kirari, that's so like you," Mibuomi Aoi responded with a sunny smile.
"Isn't it nice that everything's proceeding in an orderly fashion? But don't worry…"
"Something interesting will happen soon. So interesting…"
His smile faded as he continued seriously:
"It'll make you appreciate just how precious a 'boring' daily life truly is."
"Is that so? That really does sound exciting."
"…"
Cold sweat formed on Igarashi Sayaka's forehead.
'Something's off… There's definitely something going on behind the scenes that I don't know about.'
"Since the meeting's over, I have other matters to attend to. I'll be leaving first."
"Wait—Mibuomi-kun, you—"
"Goodbye."
Mibuomi Aoi turned around and casually waved as he walked off, completely ignoring Igarashi's attempt to stop him.
But the moment his back was to them, his expression changed into one filled with shadow and viciousness. His eyes were cold, ruthless.
A face like that of a two-faced devil—well hidden by him. After only a few steps, he reverted back to his bright, cheerful self.
As he opened the door, he immediately saw Shimotsukiuri Ouri waiting outside, holding a book.
He smiled and greeted her cheerfully:
"Yo, Ouri. You came all the way here to meet me? Thanks for that."
Shimotsukiuri Ouri blushed slightly and answered bashfully:
"It's no problem. You've been working so hard, Mibuomi-senpai."
She reminded herself firmly in her heart:
'Mibuomi-senpai is engaged. His fiancée is third-year Mikuriya Sakurako-senpai. I must not harbor improper thoughts.'
Just being able to revere Mibuomi-senpai like a god was enough to make her feel fulfilled.
"Compared to the heavy responsibilities Mibuomi-senpai bears, this is nothing."
"Ah… is that so." Mibuomi nodded with a smile.
If Ouri had dared to look into his eyes, she would have seen not even a trace of warmth—only the cold gaze of someone viewing a tool.
In a certain way, he was very similar to Hikigaya Hachiman.
"By the way, I heard you had a match against Hikigaya?"
"Yes…" Ouri's expression darkened immediately.
"Even though the whole class was against him, he still won by a landslide. That's really impressive. It's a shame he may have some misunderstandings about me. I'd really love to turn enemies into friends."
"I truly admire him. If someone like him joined our Full-Bloom Association, he'd be a great help in our mission to abolish the livestock system."
Mibuomi Aoi wore a face full of regret, his expression brimming with admiration and approval toward Hikigaya. At first glance, anyone would believe that he genuinely wanted to reconcile with Hikigaya Hachiman.
But halfway through his words, he suddenly paused, feigning surprise as he looked at the gloomy expression of Shimotsukiuri Ouri.
"What's wrong, Ouri? This is unusual. You actually feel hostile toward another student? Did he do something inappropriate to you? Tell me—I won't let him off."
"It's just that the organizer, Aiura, was too stupid. Otherwise, Hikigaya wouldn't have had any chance of winning."
"She never had the qualifications to join our Full-Bloom Association in the first place."
"Alright, alright, don't be mad, Ouri. I'll have her application rejected."
"Mibuomi-senpai..."
Shimotsukiuri Ouri looked up, a dark flame flickering in her eyes. It was a flame of anger—completely different from Jabami Yumeko's madness.
"Hikigaya Hachiman isn't as remarkable as you say..."
"He's a disruptive person—someone who will bring harm to our Full-Bloom Association! I'll take him down and drag him to hell. Please don't stop me!"
"Please rest assured—my value absolutely exceeds that of Hikigaya Hachiman."
Mibuomi Aoi kept his hands in his pockets, maintaining his usual affable performance on the surface. But internally, he couldn't suppress a cold sneer.
'A war between Ouri and Hikigaya?'
'Heh... that's fine. Let Shimotsukiuri Ouri keep Hikigaya Hachiman occupied for me.'
In the background, Mibuomi Aoi had already instructed someone to begin investigating Hikigaya Hachiman's past. For an academy like Hyakkaou Private Academy, which enforced strict confidentiality, this would take some time. But he was confident that it wouldn't be long before he had complete information on Hikigaya.
The schools he attended before, his hobbies, family members, home address—all of this would be neatly compiled and placed in Mibuomi Aoi's hands.
Just like Hikigaya, Mibuomi Aoi disliked gambling. Rather than gamble, he preferred to overpower others through sheer influence... Just send some lowlifes from a yakuza group to pay Hikigaya's house a visit, and he'd fall in line real quick.
This was Mibuomi's typical method. He had power and status—why should he degrade himself and play gambling games with a country bumpkin like Hikigaya?
Besides, he had made a backup plan. He'd already instructed his family butler to dig up the records of his elementary and junior high classmates. As a Special Scholarship Student, Hikigaya had no right to even encounter him outside the school environment.
Very soon, Hikigaya Hachiman would know what true hell looked like.
'Maggot? I'll show you who the real maggot is.'
"Well, there's nothing I can do about it then. Don't worry, Ouri—I'm on your side. Whatever you want to do to Hikigaya Hachiman, go ahead and do it boldly!"
Mibuomi Aoi once again flashed his bright, sunny smile and offered encouragement to Shimotsukiuri Ouri.
After a few more words of encouragement, Mibuomi left.
Hikigaya was a mud-legged peasant, and so was Shimotsukiuri Ouri. Just a Special Student... If it weren't for his pursuit of power, Mibuomi Aoi would never have associated with such people.
As he walked down the corridor, he pondered.
The Full-Bloom Association, the organization he founded, had already begun making moves against the student council. At such a critical juncture, he needed new allies.
Originally, his chosen target was Jabami Yumeko—but that now seemed impossible.
However, among the first-years, there was someone who had caught his attention.
"Saotome Mary...."
Also a Special Student. Someone who had once fallen into the status of a "housepet" because of gambling. People like that naturally harbored resentment toward the student council.
With just a few enticing words, she would surely join the Full-Bloom Association.
"Guess I'll go meet her personally, then."
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