As introductions from one Interest Club after another wrapped up, Itozawa, Ichinose, and Kanzaki realized that the next few clubs weren't the kind they were looking for. They listened just for the novelty, but couldn't help feeling disappointed that they hadn't found a club they wanted to join.
Meanwhile, everyone else had livened up, excitedly discussing which Interest Club they should join. The gym was full of chatter.
Soon, the last person stepped onto the stage. He had neatly styled black hair, sharp-framed glasses, and an intelligent gaze.
Itozawa recognized him at once: Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
It seemed that, just like in the Original Work, the Student Council was recruiting new members too.
He just didn't know whether it was the department responsible for daily operations or the one that oversaw people's abilities.
No one seemed to notice him. They kept noisily discussing which Ability Interest Club would be best to join.
Itozawa watched Horikita Manabu with eager interest, curious to see what he would do. He remembered that in the Original Work, Horikita Manabu had waited for everyone to quiet down on their own. But with such an interesting topic, everyone would probably have a hard time stopping anytime soon.
Horikita Manabu stood in the middle of the gym and gently raised a hand. An invisible force began gathering around him. Moisture in the air condensed, the temperature plunged, and a piercing chill quickly spread throughout the gym.
At first, a faint trace of frost appeared on his fingertips. But it rapidly spread, almost as if alive, creeping along his arm and outward.
Frost covered his palm, forming a thin layer of ice that glimmered with a cold, clear light.
With a slight wave of Horikita Manabu's hand, the ice began to spread outward, rolling across the gym floor in wave after wave.
It expanded at an astonishing speed, freezing everything in its path. The students' feet, legs, even their entire bodies were enveloped by the sudden ice. Their faces still wore the expressions they'd had moments before—some surprised, some excited, some confused—but now those expressions were frozen in place.
The ice continued to rise, covering the seats and walls, until even the gym's ceiling was coated in frost.
The entire gym became a vast ice cellar. Moisture in the air condensed into countless tiny ice crystals that sparkled brilliantly beneath the lights.
Everyone and everything had been frozen except for the host onstage and the teachers and Interest Club representatives at the booths below.
Itozawa stood where he was, clearly feeling the chill. His heart raced, and his eyes filled with astonishment.
They had arrived early and chosen a good spot. A slight turn of the eyes was enough to give them a clear view of everything around them.
Even those who had noticed Horikita Manabu's actions and tried to resist hadn't escaped. Their movements had been frozen in an instant, their expressions fixed forever in that moment.
The scene was shocking. Itozawa observed the varied reactions across the gym. Some wore unfinished smiles, others looked terrified, and some had their mouths half open, as if about to scream. Time seemed to stop, and the entire gym fell silent.
Horikita Manabu stood onstage, his expression calm, as if everything was under his control. His voice echoed through the frozen space, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Now, can everyone quietly listen to what I have to say?"
His words carried such authority that the once-bustling gym fell utterly silent.
Horikita Manabu looked around to make sure everyone's attention was on him, then introduced himself. "I'm Horikita Manabu, the Student Council President."
His voice wasn't loud, yet everyone could hear him clearly. He continued, "Next, I'll briefly explain the Student Council's requirements and authority."
He paused to ensure everyone was focused on him, then explained the Student Council's responsibilities and rules in detail. "First, as a rule, joining the Student Council means students are forbidden from joining any other Interest Club. The Student Council itself has the authority to oversee the Interest Clubs, so its members should avoid any conflict of interest."
His gaze swept over the students below, making sure they understood. Horikita Manabu continued, "Second, the Student Council is responsible for assisting the Principal with monitoring students' abilities, as well as helping the school conduct evaluations. We also have the right to submit recommendations regarding school rules."
His words conveyed the Student Council's importance and the seriousness of its role. Horikita Manabu looked solemn. "So, the Student Council is very busy. Under normal circumstances, its members won't have time for Interest Club activities."
"In short, the Student Council has major responsibilities, so I don't want anyone joining just to make up the numbers or slack off."
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