Nagumo's sidestepping maneuver drew everyone's attention to Kamio Tatsuya. Students from all grades looked at him with a variety of expressions.
Some looked gloating, others puzzled, and some with ill will or warning.
But none of those looks could change the answer Kamio Tatsuya had already prepared.
"I kind of get why President Nagumo is acting unreasonable, but isn't this a school where strength is everything? If you want President Nagumo to shut up, why not just beat him with your strength?"
Nagumo glanced at Kamio Tatsuya, as if asking, "Is that your answer?"
"Heh, not a bad answer."
Then, Nagumo turned his grinning face back to the third-years.
"Horikita Manabu, what do you think about what fellow student Kamio said?"
Just as Horikita Manabu was about to answer, Kamio Tatsuya spoke again.
"But since this is a school that values strength, why don't you two seniors just fight? The last one standing wins. President Nagumo is pretty lenient with violence anyway, right?"
Not many people knew that Nagumo was lenient with violence. He'd never publicly admitted it, and most of what circulated were rumors.
Kamio Tatsuya bringing this up openly now was clearly aimed at getting a reaction from Nagumo.
Not just Kamio Tatsuya, but many students turned their eyes to Nagumo, hoping to get an answer from him. Nagumo gave Kamio Tatsuya a meaningful look and then launched into his lengthy statement.
"True, I don't dislike settling things with force. You're all at a passionate age, so fighting is pretty normal."
Nagumo chuckled and continued to explain his view: "Take the conflict between Class C and Class D last year, for example. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have pursued it.
But if the school staff got involved, that's another story. However, even then, as long as no student was seriously injured, I wouldn't have them expelled.
At most, it would be a suspension. I wouldn't deduct class points or private points either."
He then shifted his gaze to Kamio Tatsuya.
"Kamio, are you satisfied with this answer?"
"I have no complaints, because force is also a part of strength." Kamio Tatsuya strongly agreed with Nagumo's statement.
Before, he didn't agree because he couldn't fight. Now that he could fight, he naturally agreed that force was a form of strength.
"However, while I'm lenient about fighting, it's a different story if one side uses force unilaterally. That's not called fighting, it's called bullying. And I have absolutely no tolerance for bullying."
Nagumo's next words left Kamio Tatsuya speechless.
Tsk, this guy probably can't beat Horikita Manabu, so he's deliberately staging this, isn't he?
"As for settling things with Horikita Manabu through force, I think we should forget it. Regardless of anything, I know my own limits.
In terms of strength, I'm no match for Horikita Manabu. That's why I suggested we settle things in an exam."
As expected, Nagumo generously admitted he wasn't Horikita Manabu's match in a fight, showing no sign of humiliation.
He even provided a reason for his constant provocation of Horikita Manabu.
This guy knows when to yield and when to stand firm; there's a reason he's student council president.
"Hmph, only daring to challenge Horikita in areas he's confident in. Nagumo, even if you win, won't you feel like your victory is undeserved?"
Clearly, Fukumaki expressed disdain for Nagumo's behavior.
If you translated this to the first-year level, it would be like Kamio Tatsuya, who can't beat Sakayanagi Arisu at chess, demanding a fight with Sakayanagi based on strength.
Sakayanagi would have to be crazy to even consider it.
While that might be an exaggeration, if Nagumo dares to propose a competition in a certain area, he naturally believes he has a chance to win.
That's why his actions were mocked by Fukumaki.
Nagumo's behavior is akin to avoiding his weaknesses, whereas Horikita Manabu never evades, even in areas where he's not skilled.
Regarding this point, Kamio Tatsuya couldn't agree with Fukumaki's statement.
While Horikita Manabu's approach is admirable, is there anything wrong with playing to your strengths and avoiding your weaknesses?
Nagumo couldn't be bothered to respond to Fukumaki's mockery and simply focused his gaze on Horikita Manabu.
"So, Horikita Manabu, are you going to accept my challenge?"
Faced with Nagumo's provocation, Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and stepped forward from the crowd.
"Nagumo, I've always refused your challenges. Do you know why?"
"Don't tell me you're afraid of losing to me?" Nagumo said, half-jokingly. "Although there are always whispers like that, I don't think that's the case.
Horikita Manabu, you're the most exceptional person I've met. You're not someone who fears losing, so the answer is obvious, you just don't like pointless conflict, right?"
"That's part of it," Horikita Manabu nodded. "The reason I've always refused your challenge is also because the conflicts you favor cause many innocent people to suffer."
"Is that so? I think my approach actually aligns better with this school's methods, and it's how you truly enjoy this school. What do you think, fellow student Kamio?"
Nagumo refuted Horikita Manabu's statement, their viewpoints differing. He then asked Kamio Tatsuya for his opinion again.
"That's right. This school's theme is inherently about struggle. Since no one has chosen to drop out yet, they've implicitly agreed to participate in the struggle.
Everyone here has their own reasons for staying in school.
Some want to graduate with their class, some want to use the school environment to do what they want.
Some simply want to enjoy the school's free meals and board, along with the generous living expenses.
Even if they don't have the desire to fight now, who knows about the future? So, for those who want to advance to Class A, everyone is a potential enemy.
Since they are enemies, it's only natural to get caught up in a battle. I believe everyone in the first year is already prepared for this.
Therefore, there is no one innocent here. Even if someone is expelled for various reasons, it only proves their lack of ability."
Kamio Tatsuya's words were harsh, but they were an undeniable truth.
If this school were a battlefield, then they, the students, would be soldiers.
Whether they want to fight or not, they are still vulnerable to attack.
Kamio Tatsuya saw this very clearly from the beginning.
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