Club Recruitment

The following few days were rather unremarkable, with the students of Class D continuing to slack off as they pleased. If anything, due to the indulgence of the school and the teachers, they were becoming more outrageous by the day, even going so far as to openly create rankings for their teachers.

Although Shintō Katsuya had made up his mind to make money, he was troubled by a lack of avenues. However, thanks to his handsome features and the smile that always hung on his face, he always gave off a very approachable vibe, which had earned him a certain status within the class.

Just as he was preparing to head to the cafeteria for lunch as usual, the school's broadcast system suddenly crackled to life:

"Starting at 5:00 PM today, a club orientation will be held in the First Gymnasium. Students interested in clubs, please gather at the First Gymnasium. At that time, the Student Council will also be holding a recruitment presentation~"

Regarding the clubs at this school, Shintō didn't have much interest. Of course, if there were a Sweets Club, he would still be willing to go take a look.

As for the Student Council... considering the unique nature of the school itself, the Student Council should also be an extraordinary organization.

"Hey, Shintō-kun, are you going to attend the club orientation?"

"Mm, I do have plans to. If there's something like a Sweets Club, that would be best."

"Hahaha, you really do love sweets, don't you?"

Because Shintō Katsuya frequently frequented dessert shops and cafes, the girls had a very deep impression of this hobby of his.

5:00 PM, First Gymnasium.

Although it was just a recruitment drive, the place was still packed. About a hundred first-year students had arrived, which was to say, most of them were there.

There were also many second and third-year students, likely the representatives in charge of club recruitment.

"To all first-year freshmen, thank you for waiting. We will now begin the club orientation led by the club representatives. I am Tachibana, secretary of the Student Council, and I will be serving as the moderator for this orientation. Please treat me well."

Standing on the stage speaking was a senior with her hair tied into two buns; although she was quite petite, she possessed an inexplicable air of authority.

After the opening remarks concluded, the club representatives stood in a line on the gymnasium stage.

"Sports clubs... Tea Ceremony Club... Archery Club... Judo Club... and so on." All sorts of clubs were gathered here.

But there was simply no sign of the Sweets Club that Shintō had been desperately searching for!

The various clubs introduced their own strengths one by one, along with formulaic welcoming phrases about how they welcomed those with no experience.

Additionally, he learned an important piece of information from Tachibana: it took at least three people to start a new club.

In other words, even if I wanted to start a club to milk the system, I'd still have to find two accomplices?

Clubs could receive corresponding funding, and depending on the nature of their activities and their achievements, the funding varied.

For example, sports clubs, because they could most intuitively demonstrate results, often had more sufficient funding than cultural clubs.

About an hour passed, and the club introductions were almost coming to an end. It wasn't until the very last person remained on stage that everyone's gaze followed and focused on him.

The person was about 1.7 meters tall, with a slender build, clean black hair, and sharp glasses, giving off an impression of being difficult to get along with and meticulous.

Just as everyone was looking forward to what interesting club he would bring, they discovered that he wasn't speaking at all.

He simply stood blankly in front of the microphone, scrutinizing the crowd below.

"Do your best!"

Soon, jeers erupted from the crowd.

"Did he forget his notes?"

"Ahahahahaha!"

"I mean, what is he doing? Just standing there like a fool without saying a word? Could he be a senior from a mime club?"

However, from beginning to end, the boy on stage did not say a word or make a single sound.

Slowly, the gymnasium fell silent.

Perhaps because it was getting late, some people even inadvertently tightened their clothes.

After about another half a minute, the person on stage spoke:

"I am Horikita Manabu, serving as the Student Council President."

Upon hearing this, Shintō Katsuya raised an eyebrow. The surname Horikita wasn't exactly common; coincidentally, he knew someone with that name.

The girl with long black hair who often whispered with Ayanokōji in class... come to think of it, she should have come to participate in the club recruitment today, right?

"With the graduation of the upperclassmen, the Student Council will be recruiting candidates from the first-year students. The Student Council has no special requirements for applicants, but if you are considering joining the Student Council, please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, we do not accept those who wish to do both."

"We, the Student Council, do not wish for those with naive ideas to join. Our school's Student Council is highly anticipated because we are entrusted by the school with the power and mission to change regulations. We only welcome those who can understand this."

Having said that, Horikita Manabu walked straight off the stage and left the gymnasium.

It wasn't until the moderator, Tachibana, returned to the stage and picked up the microphone that the cold, oppressive air was finally dispelled:

"Thank you all for your hard work. The orientation ends here, and we are now accepting club applications. Since applications will be accepted until the end of April, students can go back and think it over carefully before deciding; there is no rush."

As the crowd became chaotic, Shintō Katsuya quickly found the duo of Horikita Suzune and Ayanokōji, who were standing frozen in place.

Seeing the younger Horikita like that, one didn't need to think hard to know it was likely because of that senior named Horikita Manabu.

Sibling conflict? What a common and cliché plot.

Since he wasn't familiar with the duo, he didn't go up to talk to them. Instead, he felt a bit dejected that he hadn't seen the Sweets Club he had been longing for.

It was just as well, though; he was already busy enough with his "wool-shearing" schemes, and joining the Sweets Club would only make it impossible to balance his time.

With that in mind, he took the initiative and walked over toward Tachibana.

"Hello, upperclassman."

Seeing that it was a first-year student, Tachibana Akane responded politely:

"Hello. Are you looking to join the student council?"

"No, no... I actually wanted to ask about the procedures for starting a club."

"Oh, I apologize, I misunderstood. To start a club, you need at least three members, and you must pick up an application form from the student council, fill it out, and submit it for review."

Tachibana Akane answered Shintō's question with great professionalism.

"By the way, what is the name of your club?"

"Wool... er... let's just call it the Yorozuya for now."

Tachibana Akane was slightly surprised and puzzled upon hearing this. Given the name, she understood what the term Yorozuya meant—essentially being hired for money to perform various tasks.

However, establishing such a club within a school... it was simply inconceivable.

"Yorozuya?"

"Well, is there a problem with that name?"

Tachibana Akane was stunned for a moment, then shook her head:

"No, there is no problem. At the very least, there are no other clubs with that name currently. When you are ready, come to the student council to pick up the application form. Also, if you don't mind me asking, which class are you in, and what is your name?"

"Class 1-D, Shintō Katsuya."