Capítulo 20: The Student Council President's Attention
The student council's interviews might not have the highest number of applicants, but they are certainly the most rigorous.
All the new students had to wait in long lines just to register.
Even after securing a spot, most students didn't let their guard down, as the registration was just the beginning of the real challenge ahead.
When it was his turn, Hikigaya Hachiman approached the student council registration desk.
There were two desks set up, manned by student council members: the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, and the Student Council Secretary, Tachibana Akane.
Hikigaya was taken aback. He never expected that the President himself would be handling the registration of new students in person, and there he was, right at the registration desk.
Shouldn't this be handled by some underling?
"Excuse me, are you here to register for the student council?"
While Hikigaya was still in shock, Tachibana Akane, with a gentle smile, asked him, "Please state your name and class."
"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, a freshman from Class D," Hikigaya responded hesitantly.
The imposing presence of Horikita Manabu made him involuntarily hunch his back slightly.
"Oh? From Class D?"
Tachibana's surprise was evident upon hearing Hikigaya's class. It was clear she hadn't expected a student from Class D to show up.
In previous years, Class D students rarely, if ever, participated in these affairs.
This wasn't just due to certain unique school rules but also reflected the inherent issues within Class D itself, making it difficult for students to break through.
"Ahem…"
Noticing Tachibana's stunned reaction to Hikigaya being from Class D, Horikita Manabu coughed discreetly, bringing her back to her senses.
Wow, is this some sort of overwhelming presence?
Hikigaya's assessment of Horikita Manabu rose again, and he further confirmed the connection between him and Horikita Suzune.
At least this cold, stern demeanor seemed to run in the family…
"Sorry, I was a bit lost in thought."
Tachibana's bun bobbed slightly as she quickly composed herself, apologizing with a warm smile. She then handed Hikigaya a registration form and said, "Please fill out this form with your personal information, and then head over there to receive your interview number."
"Sure."
As Hikigaya filled out the form, Horikita Manabu subtly signaled Tachibana.
She immediately caught on and asked, "Hikigaya-san, why do you want to join the student council?"
Huh? Has the interview already started?
Confused by Tachibana's sudden question, Hikigaya, who was essentially here to gather information on Horikita Manabu, had no intention of answering truthfully.
He hadn't prepared for the interview questions at all.
In a rush, he replied, "Well… I don't have many friends in my class. Instead of wasting time on socializing, I'd rather do something that improves myself. Besides, being from Class D, no one knows what might happen in the future, so I want to ensure some security for my campus life."
"Eh?"
As soon as Hikigaya finished speaking, both the President and the Secretary looked at him with peculiar expressions, their gazes fixed on him.
What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?
Before Hikigaya could process the situation, a voice from behind him broke the silence.
"Wow, Hikigaya-kun, you're amazing. I didn't expect you to have such deep thoughts right after starting school. I'd like to learn from you."
Ichinose Honami's words, though simple, put Hikigaya in the spotlight. The other prospective student council members nearby couldn't help but focus their attention on him, casting deliberate glances.
Hikigaya could tell that Ichinose's comments were likely unintentional and she probably didn't think much of it. However, it had nonetheless created unnecessary trouble for him…
"It's nothing special."
To alleviate the scrutiny from others, Hikigaya nonchalantly said, "Actually, I was tricked by my classmates. They said they wanted someone from our class to join the student council, and without much choice, they just pushed me into it. I had no way to refuse…"
This was a true account of Hikigaya's experience.
He still vividly remembered the time when he was ostracized and unexpectedly became the class representative, participating in the middle school student council interview.
That same feeling of social humiliation hit him again.
"Is that so?"
Ichinose Honami was momentarily stunned, not immediately grasping the implication of Hikigaya's words. However, the other new applicants quickly shifted their attitude from cautious to indifferent, even dismissive, towards Hikigaya.
Hikigaya managed to escape from being the center of attention.
Throughout this, Horikita Manabu, the student council president, observed silently, offering no comment.
After completing the form, Hikigaya received his interview number, '24,' and moved to a side on his own.
Unlike most of the other applicants, who were grouped with friends or classmates, Hikigaya stood out as he was the only representative from Class D participating.
But for Hikigaya, this was a relief—fewer eyes on him from his own class.
Soon, Ichinose and the other applicants following her finished filling out their forms and received their numbers.
Fewer than thirty students registered for the student council, and almost all of them, excluding Hikigaya, were among the school's elite.
These individuals were likely to shine in a world driven by meritocracy.
Of course, that had little bearing on Hikigaya himself.
"Candidates, the official interview will be tomorrow at 11:30 AM in the empty room next to the student council office. Please make sure to remember this."
After the registration process concluded, Tachibana Akane addressed everyone with a warm demeanor.
With that, Hikigaya and the other applicants left without lingering.
"This year's freshmen are quite impressive," Tachibana said, smiling as she picked up a thick stack of registration forms. "Does the President have any particular candidates in mind?"
Although it was supposed to be just a registration process, the presence of Horikita Manabu meant that the interview process had essentially begun.
Every action of the new students had already become part of the material for the student council's selection process.
"That student from Class D…" Horikita Manabu's gaze, hidden behind his glasses, remained inscrutable as he said, "Make sure to gather as much information as possible about him."
"Eh? Are you referring to Hikigaya Hachiman?"
Tachibana was surprised that, among so many applicants, Horikita Manabu had prioritized the seemingly inconspicuous student from Class D.
However, given that he was the student council president, Tachibana had no reason to doubt his judgment and immediately nodded in agreement.
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