After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

"Send these promotional materials for the sports festival to the Culture Committee," President Kiryu instructed as members of the Student Council gathered around the meeting table. "Have them edited and published within a week, both online and in the school journal."

"Yes, President. There's also this request from the soccer club to increase their budget..."

"Deny it. Tell them the reasons are insufficient."

"Understood. Lastly, we have the expansion request from the Sports Committee. President Saijo mentioned they are short-staffed and want to recruit at least four more members, as well as swap for a larger office."

"I will discuss it with her personally."

"Alright, that concludes the topics for today's meeting."

"Does anyone have any questions... If not, the meeting is adjourned."

Members of the Student Council rose from their desks; those with work remaining stayed behind to continue, while those who were finished prepared to leave the school.

Hina Kiryu tapped the stack of papers on the desk to align them before filing them away neatly. She then draped her school blazer over her shoulders and picked up her handbag.

Yui Hosaka, who had been busy calculating the exact expenses for the sports festival with a calculator, noticed that the President was about to leave and quickly stood up. "Are you leaving, President? Let me walk you out!"

"That won't be necessary, you still have work to do, right?" Hina pressed her hand gently onto Yui's shoulder, nudging her to sit back down. "I'm going to talk to President Saijo about the expansion, and then I'll head straight home. Make sure you go home early too after finishing your work."

"Yes.

"Then, I'll be leaving first. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, President!"

Exiting the Student Council office, she closed the door gently behind her.

Hina adjusted her bag's strap and headed downstairs towards the location of the Sports Committee.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Mari Saijo in the hallway, who appeared to have just finished her tasks and was walking swiftly, a bit worn out.

As she neared the stairwell, Mari noticed Hina waiting there.

"Good afternoon, President Kiryu," Mari greeted her.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Saijo," Hina replied. "I've seen your request. The Student Council doesn't object in principle, but the office you've asked for might take a few days to secure. Is it alright if you wait a bit?"

"Ah, of course, we're not in any rush." Explore more at empire

"Thank you for your understanding," Hina said, as if suddenly remembering something. "By the way, I heard about your family's situation. Are things not looking too good?"

"Well, it's manageable," Mari responded.

If Hina had asked Mari about this a few days prior, Mari's expression might have been more strained, but now she managed to smile stoically.

Ever since Hikaru Kagura introduced her to a new job, the pressure on her family had been significantly less than expected.

More so than their heavy debt, what the Saijo family feared most was not being able to see a future ahead.

Mari's mother wasn't particularly skilled and had only done clerical work at Mari Enterprise. With a lack of extensive job experience or powerful friends, finding a high-paying job quickly enough to pay off their debt was nearly impossible.

In the worst-case scenario, they might have faced the desperation of selling their bodies due to family pressures.

Mrs. Saijo wasn't alone—she had three young children to care for at home, on top of confronting external debt pressures.

Their situation at that time was so dire that saying they were completely out of options would not have been an overstatement.

But Hikaru's arrival brought a ray of hope into their hearts.

After Hikaru left that day, Mrs. Saijo called the job he mentioned to confirm. Everything Hikaru had said was true; he had truly referred a well-paying job to her.

This job was like a 'pillar' for the Saijo family.

As long as the pillar stood, the house wouldn't fall.

The future would still be challenging, but they could finally see a glimmer of hope for improvement.

The importance of this to a family cornered into a dead end was self-evident.

Because she understood this, Mari impulsively confessed her feelings to Hikaru in that moment.

It wasn't just out of gratitude, but also because she was assured that her family could survive—dating Hikaru wouldn't cause him any trouble.

Unfortunately, it seemed their feelings hadn't aligned, and the confession was rejected.

As Saijo Mari recalled the events of that day, a trace of genuine bitterness seeped into her professional smile.

That moment of vulnerability didn't escape the notice of Kiryu Hina, who secretly curled the corners of her mouth before instantly plastering a look of sincere concern on her face, "It must be tough for you. If you need help, just say the word."

Saijo Mari hesitated briefly before shaking her head with embarrassment, "Thank you for your concern, President Kiriyu, but there's no need. We can handle it."

Oh? Quite the pride.

Kiryu Hina thought to herself.

She had already investigated and knew the Saijo family's situation was dire.

Due to the fraud issues with Mari Enterprise, they were in debt, and Saijo Mari's mother was now unemployed, with the whole family depending on her for support.

They were completely out of options.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

At this point, they should be grasping for every lifesaver possible, yet Saijo Mari was stubbornly defiant.

Was she not yet in true distress?

Kiryu Hina had deliberately waited a few days before making contact, hoping the anxiety would fester within Saijo Mari. It seemed, however, it was not enough; perhaps she had underestimated the strength of her pride.

No matter, just a bit more pressure, and she would pierce through her defenses.

After all, Saijo Mari was now burdened with the significant weakness known as 'family hardship.'

Kiryu Hina silently smirked and continued, "Don't be so formal. Let me help you. After all, as the Student Council President, how could I stand by and watch a student suffer?"

"Really, there's no need..."

"Here's what we'll do."

Just one more push, yes, just one more push, and she would be in her camp.

Kiryu Hina clapped her hands together, smiling as she said, "My father has been complaining to me that his current secretary is too inefficient and wants to replace her. If you're interested, I could mention it to him and get your mother an interview. I guarantee, the success rate would be very high, and the salary is very generous~"

A job with a high salary.

Or to put it bluntly, money!

That was what the Saijo family desperately needed now, more than any comfort or promise.

With this card, Kiryu Hina was confident she could claim the important pawn that was Saijo Mari.

She knew that the latter had been close to Ayakoji Chiyoko recently, perhaps already wooed by their invitation, no matter. That's exactly how it should be.

However, things did not unfold as she had envisioned—

"Uh, President..."

"Hmm?"

"Sorry, my mother has found a job already. She's become the manager of a family restaurant," Saijo Mari said with her hands on her knees, bowing gratefully, "But thank you for your concern, President. I truly appreciate the thought."

Kiryu Hina's smile twitched, "Ah... I see... she found a job, congratulations."

"Yes, my mother said if we work hard for a few years, we might even be able to pay off the debt!" Saijo Mari beamed with happiness, "Well then, President Kiriyu, I must be going now. I need to pick up my sisters from school, goodbye."

"Yes, goodbye."

Kiryu Hina watched Saijo Mari trot down the stairs with a smile.

The smile on her lips gradually faded.

She was surprised.

According to her research, Mrs. Saijo should not have had the qualifications or connections for a high-paying job to land in her lap.

Could it be that someone had intervened along the way?

Who could it be? Ayakoji Chiyoko?

No, that's not right; she had been under her surveillance these past days, without any chance to contact Saijo Mari...

"After going through the trouble of providing the National Tax Agency with evidence, all for it to go to waste," Kiryu Hina mused to herself as she slowly descended the staircase, gripping the handrail.