Club Recruitment

The next few days were fairly uneventful. The students in Class D carried on as usual, slacking off in class. If anything, with the school and teachers turning a blind eye, they were getting worse by the day. They even openly made some kind of teacher ranking.

Although Shintō Katsuya had resolved to make money, he had no idea where to start. Still, thanks to his handsome looks and the smile he always wore, he came across as approachable and had earned himself a certain standing in class.

Just as he was about to head to the cafeteria for lunch as usual, the school announcement suddenly came on:

"Starting at five o'clock this afternoon, there will be a club information session in the First Gymnasium. Anyone interested in joining a club, please gather there. The Student Council will also be holding a recruitment presentation~"

Shintō wasn't particularly interested in the clubs at this school. Of course, if there was a Sweets Club, he'd be willing to check it out.

As for the Student Council... Given how unusual the school itself was, the Student Council was probably no ordinary organization either.

"Hey, Shintō, are you going to the club information session?"

"Yeah, I'm planning to. It'd be great if there were something like a Sweets Club."

"Hahaha, you really do love sweets."

Since Shintō Katsuya often went to pastry shops and cafés, the girls had a strong impression of his fondness for sweets.

Five in the afternoon, First Gymnasium.

It was only a recruitment event, but the place was still packed. Around a hundred first-years had turned up—most of them, in fact.

There were also plenty of second- and third-years, presumably the students in charge of recruiting for their clubs.

"First-year students, sorry to have kept you waiting. The club representatives will now explain their clubs. I'm Tachibana, the Student Council secretary, and I'll be hosting today's session. I look forward to working with you."

The upperclasswoman speaking onstage wore her hair in two buns. She was quite petite, yet somehow had an imposing air about her.

After the opening remarks, the club representatives lined up onstage in the gym.

"Sports clubs... tea ceremony clubs... the Archery Club... the judo club... and so on." All kinds of clubs had gathered there.

But the Sweets Club Shintō had been hoping to find was nowhere to be seen!

Each club introduced its strengths and offered the usual rehearsed welcome, assuring newcomers that no experience was necessary.

Tachibana also shared an important piece of information: it took at least three people to start a new club.

So even if I want to start a club for cashing in on other people's generosity, I'll still need to find two accomplices?

Clubs could receive funding, and the amount varied depending on their activities and achievements.

For example, sports clubs could demonstrate their results most clearly, so they generally received more funding than cultural clubs.

About an hour passed, and the presentations were nearly over. Only one person remained onstage, and everyone's attention turned to him.

He stood about 170 centimeters tall, with a slender build, neat black hair, and tidy glasses. He gave the impression of being both difficult to approach and meticulous.

Everyone waited to see what interesting club he would introduce, only to realize that he wasn't saying anything at all.

He simply stood in front of the microphone, staring down at the audience.

"Come on, you can do it!"

Soon, someone in the crowd called out to him.

"Did you forget your notes?"

"Ahahahahaha!"

"Hey, what's he doing up there? Just standing there without saying anything? Is he some kind of mime club senpai?"

But the boy onstage didn't say a word or make a sound.

Gradually, the gym fell silent.

Maybe it was getting late, but some people even found themselves unconsciously pulling their clothes tighter around them.

After about another half a minute, the person onstage finally spoke:

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

At that, Shintō Katsuya raised an eyebrow. Horikita wasn't an especially common surname, and as luck would have it, he knew someone with that name.

The long-haired girl who often whispered to Ayanokōji in class... Come to think of it, she should be here for the club recruitment event today too, shouldn't she?

"With the upcoming graduation of our upperclassmen, the Student Council will be recruiting candidates from the first-year students. We have no special requirements for applicants, but if you're considering joining the Student Council, please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, we won't accept anyone who wants to do both."

"Our Student Council has no interest in welcoming people with naive ideas. Our school's Student Council has been entrusted by the school with the power and responsibility to change its rules, and is expected to deliver. We only welcome those who understand that."

With that, Horikita Manabu walked straight off the stage and left the gym.

Only when the host, Tachibana, returned to the stage and picked up the microphone did the chilly atmosphere finally lift.

"Thanks for your effort, everyone. The session is now over, and we're accepting club applications. Applications will remain open until the end of April, so you can go back and think it over before deciding."

Once the crowd began to disperse, Shintō Katsuya quickly spotted Horikita Suzune and Ayanokōji standing motionless nearby.

One look at Horikita's younger sister and anyone could guess it had something to do with the senpai named Horikita Manabu.

Sibling rivalry? What a common and melodramatic plot.

Since he wasn't particularly close with the two of them, he didn't go over to talk. He was a little disappointed, though, that he hadn't found the Sweets Club he'd been hoping for.

Then again, maybe it was for the best. He was busy looking for ways to make money, and joining the Sweets Club as well would make it hard to manage both.

So he headed over to Tachibana.

"Hello, senpai."

Seeing that he was a first-year, Tachibana Akane replied politely:

"Hello. Are you looking to join the Student Council?"

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

"Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. To start a club, you need at least three members. You'll also need to get an application form from the Student Council and submit it for review once you've filled it out."

Tachibana Akane answered Shintō's question very professionally.

"By the way, what's your club called?"

"Yoro... um... I guess I'll call it the Yorozuya."

Tachibana was slightly surprised and puzzled. From the name, she understood what a yorozuya was: people you could hire to do various jobs for money.

But starting that kind of club at school... It was simply beyond comprehension.

"The Yorozuya?"

"Well, is there something wrong with that name?"

Tachibana paused for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, there's nothing wrong with it. At least, there isn't another club with the same name right now. When you're ready, come to the Student Council to pick up an application form. By the way, what class are you in, and what's your name?"

"Class 1-D, Shintō Katsuya."