Why Is This Kid So Easy to Fool?

"At five this afternoon, the gym will host recruitment events for the clubs and the Student Council."

"Joining a club or the Student Council will benefit your school life."

The bell rang, and our homeroom teacher, Mashima, told us about the recruitment events before leaving the classroom without explaining anything further.

The new topic immediately filled the classroom with chatter, and quite a few students asked the friends they'd known for just one day what they planned to do.

"You were Student Council President in middle school, Katsuragi. You're probably planning to join the Student Council, right?"

Totsuka Yahiko, the green-haired boy, spoke loudly, as if he took pride in Katsuragi's illustrious past, even though they'd only known each other for a day.

He had the makings of a treacherous courtier.

Glancing up at Totsuka's proud expression, Aoyama thought he had some ability after all. Naturally flattering someone was a skill in its own right.

Though Katsuragi Kōhei hardly deserved Totsuka's praise.

As Aoyama recalled it, not a single first-year managed to join the Student Council. It wasn't because they lacked the qualifications, though. The Student Council itself had a problem.

The Student Council President, who controlled personnel matters, had no intention of recruiting anyone. Anyone who couldn't see through that and address it had no chance of joining.

Let me be the blade in your hand, Horikita President.

Twisting his pencil in his hand, Aoyama had no doubt he could get into the Student Council.

The divide between President Horikita Manabu and Vice President Miyabi Nagumo was one of individual merit versus the strength of the class as a whole.

The reason they weren't recruiting first-years was that they worried naive newcomers might be led astray.

If he showed that he didn't subscribe to the idea that individual ability came first, and that he had considerable ability himself, Horikita Manabu wouldn't be able to turn him down.

After all, the person who least wanted Nagumo to take his place at this school was Horikita Manabu himself.

"What club are you planning to join, Kamuro?"

Thinking of Kamuro as a future useful tool, Aoyama left his seat and struck up a conversation.

"I haven't decided yet."

"Then how about joining the Student Council? I'll be president, and you can be secretary."

Becoming Student Council President so he could line his pockets was one of his plans, and Kamuro was his intended secretary.

You couldn't join the Student Council if you joined another club. It was an unwritten rule of the Student Council.

Crowdfunding Group,

"Ha? Are you serious?" Kamuro asked, looking as though she thought he was joking.

"I think I can do it."

The second-year Vice President Miyabi Nagumo had a lot of influence, but Aoyama didn't think that meant he had no chance.

"You, Student Council President? I don't buy it."

Before Kamuro could reply, an ill-timed voice rang out. A green-haired boy appeared in view, wearing a mocking expression.

Maybe Totsuka was offended by Aoyama's comment yesterday about doing things for money, or by his bold claim that he'd become Student Council President. Either way, he'd started off by saying something that made Aoyama want to punch him.

Did he think Aoyama was an easy target, too?

"Believe what you want. What do I care?" Aoyama replied bluntly.

He wasn't all that angry, but he wasn't about to spare Totsuka's feelings and let him get pushy in the future.

He had no intention of getting along with most of the students in Class A.

"How can you be so crude?"

"Every second I spend talking to you is a waste of my life."

He raised his right hand and waved it in a shooing gesture. Totsuka was already scowling, and now he was even more furious.

Judging by the difference in their builds, Totsuka would probably have been itching for a fight if they'd been more evenly matched.

"Apologize to Aoyama, Totsuka."

As Totsuka found himself at a loss, Katsuragi placed a hand on his shoulder, then turned his gaze to Aoyama.

"We're classmates, so we should get along. Totsuka was in the wrong this time, but Aoyama, you didn't need to be so harsh."

"Sorry, but that's how I talk to people who don't know their own limits."

"Who are you saying doesn't know his own limits? Say that again if you've got the guts."

Totsuka reacted the moment Aoyama finished speaking, and Katsuragi's face took on a troubled expression.

At this point, Katsuragi couldn't very well make Totsuka apologize. And Totsuka wouldn't apologize now, not when his pride was at stake.

The commotion had caught the attention of most of the class. At this point, whoever backed down would lose face.

"Let's bet one hundred thousand private points. If I haven't become Student Council Vice President by May first, I'll give you one hundred thousand points. If I have, you pay me the same amount."

After a moment's thought, Aoyama decided to test something.

Would private points won from a bet count as dirty money that he could use for a gacha pull?

If so, it'd be fantastic news. A guaranteed rare item in a hundred pulls would no longer be a dream.

"Students shouldn't gamble."

"If you're scared, you can leave. I don't need your apology."

Seeing Totsuka hesitate at Katsuragi's words, Aoyama put on a magnanimous, taunting smile.

That settled it for Totsuka, who could no longer bear to lose face.

The bet for one hundred thousand private points was settled amid a sigh from Katsuragi.

"Want to make a bet too, Kamuro?" The commotion died down, and Aoyama looked at Kamuro's weary expression. "If you win, I won't ask why you were staring at the beer. If you lose, you join the Student Council with me."

"I already regret talking to you at the opening ceremony."

"Don't tell me you're afraid of losing."

Aoyama extended his pinky toward Kamuro, who looked exasperated.

It was a simple provocation, and there was no way Kamuro wouldn't see through it. But provocation had one excellent quality: it always worked, even if only a little.

"You're shameless."

As she spoke, Kamuro held out her hand. Their pinkies, different in length, hooked together, and the bet was made.

"I'll work hard for the sake of Secretary Kamuro."

"Sure, sure. Say that again after you become vice president."

Kamuro lay on her desk and waved him away.

Aoyama knew when to quit while he was ahead, so he returned to his seat and immediately took out his phone to message Yamamura.

He knew Yamamura didn't like being in the spotlight, but he still had to ask.

They were both his friends and his tools. He couldn't show favoritism.

[Yamamura, do you want to join the Student Council?]

After sending the message, Aoyama leaned over his desk and watched Yamamura's back. For an ordinary girl, she was rather thin.

He'd have to encourage her to eat more when he got the chance. And she needed to exercise more, too.

While Aoyama wondered how to get Yamamura to eat more, she shuddered as if a rabbit had been startled. Her petite face turned back toward him, a mixture of happiness and fluster.

So cute.

Aoyama raised his hand and waved at her. She immediately turned back around and lowered her head.

Yamamura Miki: [Aoyama, do you want me to join the Student Council too?]

Aoyama Shiki: [My opinion doesn't matter. What matters most is what you want, Yamamura. (smiley face)]

At the end of his reply, he opened his stickers and picked a cheerful smiling face.

He sent the message and waited a while, but no reply came. Yamamura didn't turn around to look at him, either.

### How Is This Kid So Easy to Fool?

Had he done something wrong? What was Yamamura thinking now?

There wasn't much time between classes, and Yamamura still hadn't replied by the time the bell rang.

Worried about her, Aoyama quietly kept an eye on her during class. Before long, he realized she wasn't paying attention to the lesson.

She spent most of the class daydreaming, and even from behind, she seemed uneasy.

She reminded him of a nervous student preparing to confess their feelings, certain they'd be rejected.

Should he follow her?

The moment the teacher left the classroom, Yamamura hurried to her feet and headed outside. She walked much faster than usual.

After only a moment's hesitation, Aoyama decided to follow her. He couldn't let Yamamura stay anxious; the sooner he resolved this, the better.

Yamamura had it rough, too.

Following behind her, Aoyama became even more aware of just how little presence she had.

The halls were naturally crowded after class, but even though Yamamura was right there in plain sight, students kept walking straight into her without making any effort to avoid her.

To avoid being bumped, Yamamura walked in an S-shaped path.

She crossed the hall and went down the stairs, leaving the school building. Then she suddenly disappeared behind a vending machine.

Aoyama paused for a moment, then continued forward until he spotted her again.

The girl stood with her right hand wrapped around her left, holding them against her chest. She had her head bowed and her eyes closed, as if praying about something. Her phone lay on the chair, its screen lit up and displaying her chat with him.

"Ah! A-A-Aoyama... Aoyama...! W-why are you here?!"

While Aoyama was trying to figure out what to say to her, Yamamura suddenly opened her eyes. Her usually lowered eyelids lifted as high as they could, revealing beautiful, deep blue-green eyes like gemstones.

"Your eyes are beautiful. It's a shame you always hide them beneath your eyelids."

"And also, I'm not called A-Aoyama Aoyama. As for why I'm here, I noticed you seemed troubled, so I followed you because I was worried."

Seeing Yamamura startle like a frightened little rabbit, Aoyama couldn't help softening his tone.

"B-beautiful... You're worried about me?"

"That's right. They're as lovely as gemstones. And if a friend seems different, how could I not worry?"

Aoyama sat beside Yamamura and answered her as she sank into self-doubt.

They sat about half a person's width apart—not too close and not too far.

"I'm... not someone Aoyama should worry about. If you're friends with me, it'll damage your reputation."

"Shouldn't I be the one to decide whether you're worth worrying about? Besides—" Aoyama paused. "I'm actually worried that being friends with me will damage your reputation as a good student."

Before long, he'd probably be seen as a traitor by the students in Class A. Kamuro and Yamamura, who were close to him, would face some hostility too.

Compared with Kamuro, who had a strong personality and didn't care much about others' opinions, the timid Yamamura did worry him.

He did intend to become a villain for the sake of the things he wanted from his cheat ability, but he still wanted to weed out unnecessary evil.

"I swear to heaven, what I'm about to say is all from the heart."

"I think Yamamura is a very cute girl, and I think becoming friends with her is a good thing."

"As long as you don't hate me, I'll always consider you a friend. Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning."

Raising his hand, Aoyama looked at the flustered Yamamura with complete seriousness. They'd known each other for less than two days, and this was the only way he could think of to reassure her, though it was hard to say what one should think of it.

"So, can you tell me what you're worried about, Yamamura?"

"It's almost time for class. I promise I won't lie to you."

Wanting to end her unsettled state before class, Aoyama put her under time pressure, and successfully got Yamamura to tell him what was on her mind.

She was really happy about his invitation. She just felt she wasn't up to the job on the Student Council.