The club introductions proceeded in an orderly fashion. Though everyone had their own way of presenting things, the message was more or less the same.
They all said things like, "We welcome new members!" and "Our club is so, so wonderful!"
But none of that appealed to Kamio Tatsuya. He thought most clubs weren't suitable for beginners.
Especially the sports clubs. Not only did you have to work your butt off, you also had to put up with upperclassmen ordering you around whenever they felt like it. Kamio Tatsuya wasn't an M, so why would he go looking for that kind of misery?
As for the other, more niche clubs, like the Tea Ceremony Club, the female upperclassmen really did look beautiful in their kimonos, but he thought he'd pass.
Making tea? Who couldn't do that?
If you think the tea tastes bad, it's definitely the tea leaves' fault. It has nothing to do with how I made it. (Absolutely!)
As for starting a new club, at least three people had to apply together.
Gradually, the Club Information Session drew to a close.
The upperclassman Kamio Tatsuya had been watching earlier, who'd been standing at the back of the stage, walked up with an expressionless face. He stood calmly in front of the microphone and said nothing, simply gazing out at the students below.
"Why isn't he saying anything?"
"Haha, he must be really nervous."
"Good luck!"
The First Year students let out laughter, some kind, some mocking. But Kamio Tatsuya noticed that the upperclassmen and upperclasswomen who'd finished their club presentations and returned to the stage had not the slightest hint of a smile.
Forget smiling. Their expressions were downright serious.
As the laughter peaked, the hall suddenly fell silent. A deathly quiet settled over the Gymnasium, and Kamio Tatsuya could even hear the people around him breathing.
The cheerful, relaxed atmosphere in the hall instantly turned tense and serious.
Hey, hey, hey, if you waste a whole minute like this, you're wasting a hundred-plus minutes for the hundred-plus students down here. Ever heard of math?!
"Tch. What a show-off."
Kamio Tatsuya couldn't help snorting, and because the Gymnasium was so quiet, a lot of people heard him. The hall, which had just fallen silent, erupted into laughter.
Kamio Tatsuya even saw Nagumo in the corner wearing a delighted smile. But the upperclassman on stage still didn't change his expression, as if this sort of thing wasn't worth his attention.
What a formidable guy, Kamio Tatsuya thought.
But this round of laughter lasted only a few seconds before the hall fell silent again.
Kamio Tatsuya felt a chill coming from nearby.
He turned his head slightly and saw Horikita Suzune's murderous gaze fixed on him.
Uh, what? I just didn't take part in your little performance.
Why are you glaring at me with such a terrifying look?
Kamio Tatsuya couldn't figure out why Horikita Suzune was angry, but instinct told him this probably wasn't good. He might have gotten himself into trouble.
After the silence in the auditorium had lasted for a while, the upperclassman on stage finally began to speak.
"I'm Horikita Manabu of Class 3-A, and I currently serve as this school's Student Council President."
Horikita...
Could he be related to you or something?
No wonder she was glaring at me.
"With the graduation of the upperclassmen, the Student Council will also be recruiting outstanding talent from among the First Year students. Applicants don't need any special qualifications, but please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, those who wish to take part in both the Student Council and another club will not be accepted."
Horikita Manabu spoke in a very gentle tone, yet most of the students felt tense. Even though Kamio Tatsuya's interruption had just eased the mood, at some point Horikita Manabu had taken control of the atmosphere again.
"Our Student Council does not want people with naive ideas running for office. People like that would not only fail to get elected, but would likely leave a stain on the school.
"Our school's Student Council has been entrusted by the school with the right and the duty to change its rules, and we are held to high expectations. We welcome only those who understand that."
Understand what? What's naive? He's not explaining himself at all. It's just a Student Council, so don't get so full of yourselves, man!
The First Year students below watched Horikita Manabu turn and leave. Kamio Tatsuya had no desire to stick around either, so while everyone was still reluctant to move, he squeezed out of the crowd and left the Gymnasium.
"Stop!"
A somewhat familiar voice came from behind him. Kamio Tatsuya didn't even need to look to know who it was. Horikita Suzune, of course! So he walked even faster.
"I said, stop!"
This time, the voice came from very close behind him, and someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not obliged to do what you say, Horikita," Kamio Tatsuya said as he kept walking. "And getting physical right off the bat is pretty rude, Horikita.
"Also, could you take your hand off me? What you're doing could easily give people the wrong idea."
Having someone's hand on his shoulder made him uncomfortable, so Kamio Tatsuya stopped and looked quietly at Horikita Suzune beside him, ready to get rid of her first.
### In front of the Gymnasium, Kamio Tatsuya and Horikita Suzune stood a meter apart, staring at each other.
To be honest, Horikita Suzune was the classic beautiful girl: long, straight black hair, a cool and delicate face, and a figure that was just right.
Normally, most people would feel some affection toward a girl like her.
But at that moment, Kamio Tatsuya only felt annoyed.
Kamio Tatsuya knew exactly why Horikita Suzune had come looking for him: he'd just made fun of the Horikita Manabu on stage.
But come on, the guy himself hadn't complained. What right did an ugly outsider like you have to butt in?
So what if he's your relative?
The way Horikita Suzune came across to Kamio Tatsuya was just like those brainless girls in fan circles who blindly defended their "oppas."
People like that were the scariest. If Kamio Tatsuya had known Horikita Suzune was like this, and had known she had that kind of relationship with the Horikita Manabu up there,
he would've held his tongue even if it killed him.
Of course, it wasn't that he was afraid. He simply couldn't be bothered with the trouble.
"Why did you say that back in the Gymnasium?"
"I felt like it. What's it to you?"
Faced with Horikita Suzune's aggressive questioning, Kamio Tatsuya replied casually.
"Do you think mocking the Student Council President makes you look cool?" Horikita Suzune's tone was just as forceful.
"Say whatever you want. If there's nothing else, could you get out of my way? You're blocking the path, and I want to leave."
As he spoke, Kamio Tatsuya took a step to the right, preparing to leave.
"You're not leaving until you explain yourself."
Horikita Suzune also stepped to the side, blocking Kamio Tatsuya's way.
"Heh. The Student Council President himself didn't come to call me to account. What makes you, an outsider, think you can lecture me?"
Kamio Tatsuya's expression turned displeased.
Outsider?
You just called me an outsider?
Horikita Suzune's expression shifted several times before she spoke again.
"I'm not an outsider... The President is my brother. My actual brother." Then she fixed Kamio Tatsuya with another sharp look. "Now do I have the right to get involved?"
Looking at Horikita Suzune, Kamio Tatsuya's mind raced, and he immediately came up with an idea.
Then the corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.
"Heh. You two siblings really are worlds apart. Your brother's in Class A, but his little sister wound up in Class D."
Then he immediately shut his mouth, as if he'd let something slip.
"Of course I can't compare to my brother," Horikita Suzune replied without hesitation. But then she seemed to catch on to something. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing. I said your brother's impressive. He didn't even bat an eye when people mocked him like that. Satisfied?" Kamio Tatsuya tried to change the subject.
"You just said my brother's in Class A, and I'm in Class D. What does that mean?"
Good, Horikita Suzune. I knew I hadn't misjudged you.
You really did catch on.
"Heh. Do you think I'd tell you? If you want to know, look into it yourself. I'm going to use this information to earn Points, so why would I just tell you for free?"
As he spoke, Kamio Tatsuya took advantage of Horikita Suzune's momentary daze and walked past her.
As he walked, Kamio Tatsuya began counting down.
Three!
Two!
One!
"Wait. I can pay Points for it."
The corners of Kamio Tatsuya's mouth curled into a smile as he stood with his back to Horikita Suzune. Then he stopped and gave her an amused look.
"It's not impossible, but... buy it? Can you afford it?"
"I want to know what you just said about the classes. Are ninety thousand Points enough?"
"Heh. What are you thinking? It's only ninety thousand Points. Have you lost your mind?"
Kamio Tatsuya gave her a scornful look.
"And I can guarantee I won't tell anyone. It won't affect your ability to sell the information again."
Horikita Suzune spoke with conviction, but Kamio Tatsuya's reply immediately made her lose her cool.
"I don't trust you."
"You..."
Horikita Suzune was furious, but there wasn't much she could do. She was the one asking him for something.
"But if you only want to know how the classes relate to each other, I don't mind selling you that information. It won't matter if that part gets out. Just don't say you got it from me."
Kamio Tatsuya changed his tune and softened his stance a little.
Besides, if you spread this information around, it'll make my next move easier.
Not only am I making you do my dirty work, I'm charging you for it. Sorry about that, Horikita Suzune.
"So what's the story?"
"Transfer the money first."
Kamio Tatsuya took out his phone, looking as if there was no room for negotiation.
Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth, took out her phone, exchanged contact information with Kamio Tatsuya, and then transferred ninety thousand Private Points to him.
Seeing his balance back in six figures, Kamio Tatsuya was clearly in a better mood.
"On admission, this school divided students into ranks. The best students are in Class A, followed by Class B, then Class C. As for Class D, it's full of defective products. That's why I said there's such a huge gap between you and your brother. Understand?"
"Y-you're telling the truth?"
"Honest as the day is long. If it's false, I'll refund all your Points."
By now, Horikita Suzune had forgotten why she'd come over in the first place. Her mind was full of what Kamio Tatsuya had just said.
No wonder your brother's in Class A and you're in Class D. The gap between you really is huge.
Those words rang in her ears like a nightmare.
When she came back to herself, Kamio Tatsuya had already disappeared.
After finishing his deal with Horikita Suzune, Kamio Tatsuya stopped by the cafeteria for a meal, then headed back to his dorm.
On the first floor of the dorm, Kamio Tatsuya ran into Ike, whom he'd seen earlier in the Gymnasium.
"Hey, Kamio, I made a chat group just for the guys yesterday. Want to join?"
Truthfully, Ike didn't have any particular impression of Kamio, but what had happened in the Gymnasium just now had left him and the others deeply impressed.
He'd actually dared to say something like that in a situation like that.
Before you continue