[nosaer]

Originally Posted by Echizen777

Koichi doesn't prefer Katsuto. That praise is the proof that he is stll N2. Katsuto is too cunning so it makes Hirofumi easier to manipulate.

Spoiler for Vol 12 Ch 10:

“As expected, Katsuto-kun has much higher tolerance than Hirofumi-kun.”

Hirofumi referred to the oldest son of the Itsuwa Family, “Itsuwa Hirofumi”. The Itsuwa Family wished for Mayumi to marry Hirofumi. Koichi had intended to compare Hirofumi with Katsuto, but fortunately such words never reached Mayumi’s ears.

He's clearly praising Katsuto here. I don't see how praising an aspect of an individual means that said person is ranked 2nd. It also clearly says that the Itsuwa family wants Mayumi to marry Hirofumi, not the other way around. I think its more reasonable to believe that to koichi, Katsuto and Hirofumi are equal, and Katsuto's latest actions have given him a boost above the competition.