Another Head-On Showdown

The more you know, the more questions you have.

While Tsubaki Sakurako herself was lost in thought as Kitagawa Ryo and Yuki chatted, Amasawa Ichika was also observing her discreetly.

Compared to the timeline they experienced before, the real Tsubaki Sakurako is undoubtedly more interesting. After all, she is different from Yuki, who was basically mentally normal when she left the White Room in the simulation, at least on the surface, and only stayed in the sanatorium for a short period of time. In fact, this period of recuperation seemed to be intentionally done by Yuki herself, just to let her father try to establish Marriage Contract with Kitagawa Ryo.

In the real timeline, Yuki underwent several years of continuous treatment in a sanatorium after being eliminated. Many psychology experts and professors believed that she had suffered irreversible trauma and that the possibility of recovery was extremely low. She was then directly awakened by Ryo.

It is precisely because of this that Tsubaki Sakurako, who has taken care of her older sister for several years, has an even closer relationship with Tsubaki Sakurako, which makes this event all the more shocking to her.

However, it must be said that for Amasawa Ichika, whose nature tends towards chaotic good, this was undoubtedly another piece of fun delivered right to his doorstep.

This is a deeply rooted and terminally ill condition.

Amasawa Ichika really wanted to try a rather unorthodox, unconventional remedy.

After all, what's that saying again? When you become curious and inquisitive about a man, it's already quite dangerous.

Although she herself skipped countless steps, including this one, sometimes watching a play from the beginning is a great experience.

Within his fluorescent pupils, the inner iris shifted slyly, and Amasawa Ichika had already devised a preliminary opportunity.

It can only be said that, judging solely from this kind of morbid interest, she does indeed share a similar hobby with a certain kitten whose eyes are the same color as hers.

Unlike Kitagawa Faction next door, where the atmosphere was practically all about romance, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka immediately sent messages to the four members of his own camp. However, he didn't show up himself, but simply informed them who their respective teammates were.

Thus, at the suggestion of Takahashi Osamu, who was assigned to Class 1-B, the four students of Ayanokoji Group took the opportunity to get together during lunch break.

At the suggestion of Ishigami Kyo, who was assigned to Class 1-A, the meeting place was chosen to be a private room in the karaoke room of the Keyaki Mall.

Hosen Kazuomi from Class 1-D arrived the latest because they had to go to the infirmary to get their injuries bandaged and treated. Xue didn't hold back at all, since she wasn't at a high level to easily defeat Hosen Kazuomi, so she naturally didn't hold back and gave Hosen a few hard blows.

However, Hosen himself had a bit of the toughness of a street thug. When Takahashi Osamu asked him with concern, he just gritted his teeth and insisted that he had fallen. Seeing his fierce look, Takahashi didn't press him for details.

"Then we'll be teammates on the same side from now on."

After everyone had arrived, Takahashi Osamu took the initiative to speak with a smile.

"That's only true when it comes to competing against Kitagawa Ryo. In class competitions, we're still rivals, there's no need to call us teammates."

Ishigami Kyo spoke calmly, then turned to Utsunomiya Riku, who had been sitting in the corner intently looking at his phone since entering and had been assigned to Class 1-C, and asked:

Is there anything that attracts you so much?

"I'm just investigating my rival. There are far more posts on the school forum using Kitagawa Ryo as a keyword than I expected."

Utsunomiya Riku looked up. At first glance, he looked a bit like a copy of Kanzaki Ryuji, but if you stared into his eyes for a while, you would find that this First Year boy had a more gloomy and melancholic temperament, as if he had a face that would experience the night of the massacre of his clan and then Sharingan.

"But based on the information I've gathered so far, he's practically the strongest student in the entire second year. He's been promoted from Class D and Class B to Class A, and his stats on the OAA are impeccable."

Seemingly feeling that his persuasion wasn't specific enough, he looked up at the other three and added:

"Judging solely from the OAA data, your physical fitness is superior to Hosen's, your social skills are superior to Takahashi's, and your academic qualifications are also superior to Ishigami's, even though you were the top scorer in the entrance Written Exam."

"... That's what makes it challenging. After all, if they can just expel any Tom, Dick, or Harry, they can get Twenty Million Personal Points. In that case, I'd look down on this pretentious school."

Hosen Kazuomi sneered. That was just his personality. Even Xue, who had just given him a good beating that morning, hadn't truly convinced him. Sooner or later, he would find an opportunity to get revenge.

"Yeah, and our Ayanokoji- senpai isn't bad either. Didn't someone on the forum say that the only second-year student who can rival Kitagawa-senpai is Ayanokoji- senpai?"

At this point, Takahashi Osamu also spoke up to smooth things over:

"What's more, we have the help of others. You see, just the fact that the four of us come from four different classes shows that Ayanokoji- senpai's selection of us was very well-planned."

Then, he spoke with renewed confidence:

"Give me a few more days, and I'll be the class monitor of Class 1-B."

"It's no use."

Ishigami Kyo shook his head:

"The First Year will have their first Special Exam this month, and that's when the class Leader will be truly decided."

At this point, he stood up again. Although he wasn't particularly tall, he exuded an aura of absolute authority.

"Ayanokoji isn't here, so I'll take charge of the four of us for now."

"Huh? And who are you again?"

Already in a bad mood, Hosen Kazuomi wanted to lash out, but his fist was caught in Utsunomiya Riku's hand the moment he threw it. He struggled for a moment but couldn't break free completely.

"Don't start trouble from within your own ranks."

After stopping Hosen Kazuomi, Utsunomiya Riku looked at Ishigami Kyo:

"No one will truly submit to anyone else until they can prove their abilities. Just like you said, let's see how things develop based on the results of this Special Exam."

"Very well, if you are truly convinced."

Ishigami Kyo Kyō nodded in agreement, and then continued:

"Of course, we also have other things to do before that."

"Tomorrow's club recruitment event only has two worthwhile options for us: the Drama Club and the Student Council. We'll all have to rely on our own abilities, but the latter seems to have a better chance. The former, apart from the president Kitagawa Ryo, is all girls, so it's unlikely they'll accept us."

"Then, there are the opponents. Besides Kitagawa, aren't there students in the First Year who are opposed to us? We just need to find them and figure out a way to get them expelled."

"Kitagawa is an Akito, so he'll most likely choose to do what Ayanokoji did and plant one of his own people in each class. We each just need to find the one in our own class."

Although they had previously argued that no one would yield to the other, after Ishigami Kyo so clearly and logically assigned the task, the other three silently agreed and relinquished control of the situation.

Meanwhile, Nanase, the girl he was looking for who was lurking in Kitagawa's camp in Class A, was diligently searching for a strategy guide on the school forum:

How do I join the Drama Club?

[No topic or post you were looking for was found. We have selected relevant topics and discussion threads for you.]

"Hey guys, I've suddenly realized that all the girls in the Drama Club seem to be dating Kitagawa Ryo, right?"

"How come they're only discovering this now, when everyone already knows it?"

"I can only say that I originally wanted to go to the Drama Club a few more times to get some fresh air, but after looking at the list and realizing this fact, I gave up."

"You're not allowed to talk about Shizuku-sama having affairs with other men."

"Damn, guys, another idol fanatic is here. He's been out of school for almost a year, can't you wake up? Forget about dating, even if they sleep together, it's none of your business."

"Indeed, can you tone it down? They're a perfect match, a match made in heaven, who gives you, a monster, the right to object?"

"Although I think Kitagawa and Karuizawa look most like a couple standing together, Kitagawa is also the vice president of the Drama Club."

"Like your mother, my Ichinose is also the vice-captain of the Drama Club, isn't she?"

"Speechless, how come every discussion thread related to Kitagawa Ryo always veers off-topic into this kind of style?"

"Actually, even though I'm a guy, I kind of like Kitagawa. I was practically drooling when I was showering in the Mixed Training Camp's public bathhouse earlier this year."

"Holy crap, Nantong is included too?"

"Got it. The condition for joining the Drama Club is to date Kitagawa Ryo."



Chapter 7: Another Mid-Door Sniper Showdown

"Wow, sister, you look even worse today than yesterday."

On April 2nd, the second day of school for the new students, most of the First Year students arrived at the First Gymnasium for the Club Orientation as instructed by the loudspeaker. However, upon meeting, Tsubaki Sakurako was startled by her older sister's gloomy expression. She even forgot to spin the lollipop she was holding, pausing for a while until the part of the candy that met her tongue tasted a much stronger sweetness than usual. Then, she instinctively crunched it down, casually tossing the remaining stick into the nearby trash can.

"Who upset you again? That Sakayanagi?"

"No, I haven't even seen her since I enrolled."

Xue pursed her lips and shook her head. Actually, just like yesterday, her emotions weren't nearly as bad as they appeared. It was mainly because it was easier to establish a certain persona in the class, and she naturally calmed down quickly in front of her close younger sister. She still gritted her teeth with a hint of resentment and said:

"It's Ichinose."

On the first night of school, just as she was about to launch a surprise attack with the key she had just gotten from Kitagawa Ryo, she discovered that room 408 in the second-year dormitory had a security chain installed. As if Ichinose Honami had anticipated her arrival, she stood by the door and told her through the crack that passage was currently prohibited.

If she hadn't been worried that making a scene would cause Liang trouble, she definitely wouldn't have given up so easily and gone home, feeling depressed for an entire night and day.

"Ichinose? Does she have some kind of feud with her older sister?"

"I didn't even know her before."

Because of last year's Cultural Festival, Ichinose Honami, who was the class's general coordinator, stayed behind for most of the time, and also had to keep a close watch on Chabashira Sae, the two of them didn't have much interaction. Yuki herself couldn't understand why, among the girls who were particularly close to Ryo, the first one to express her dissatisfaction was not Amasawa Ichika, nor Sakayanagi Arisu, but Ichinose Honami.

"Why don't we just go and ask? Look, that's the Drama Club's booth. I remember Ichinose- senpai is the vice-captain of the Drama Club, so she should be here today too."

"Yes, she told me yesterday to come here to see her today."

At this point, Xue clicked her tongue again and said to her younger sister:

"I can only say that I'm increasingly convinced that Sakurako, you absolutely have to join the Drama Club. There seems to be something wrong with everyone there, from the vice-president to the members."

As far as she knew, apart from Kitagawa Ryo, the Drama Club had two vice-presidents, Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami, and two members, Sakura Airi and Amasawa Ichika. In Yuki's opinion, all four of them were highly qualified.

Not to Ichinose Honami, last night I directly stopped her in a head-on confrontation, her attitude and eyes so resolute that she seemed like some kind of monster.

Karuizawa Kei is the name most easily associated with Kitagawa Ryo's search results when searching for information about him online after regaining her memories. She also tops the interaction charts on Kitagawa Ryo's various personal social media accounts, and it is said that there is a considerable number of fans who ship the two.

Sakura Airi, a former well-known idol whose entire career, from graduation to her recent suspected comeback, is closely linked to Ryo, has been the subject of extensive online research, which has revealed clues that the two had connections many years ago.

Amasawa Ichika, well, this one is even more of a heavyweight.

If it weren't for the fact that he got so close to her on the day of the Cultural Festival, she probably would have continued to be fooled by him, completely unaware of how many times he had taken advantage of her behind her back. It's really quite unfair that after competing with Sakayanagi Arisu for so many years, Amasawa Ichika finally got her.

So--

How can a Drama Club like this?

"Oh, I'll go sign up and give it a try later."

Facing her sister's eager gaze, Tsubaki Sakurako nodded again, then turned her attention to the stage, where a student had already come up with a microphone, his shiny bald head standing out conspicuously.

"Dear First Year students, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Next, the club representatives will begin the introductory meeting. I am Katsuragi, the Student Council secretary, and I will be hosting this meeting. Please feel free to guide me."

As Katsuragi Kohei began his opening remarks, the previously noisy First Year students quieted down, and a dozen or so club representatives went up on stage and lined up in a row on the Gymnasium stage.

Since it was a club recruitment event, most club representatives chose to incorporate relevant elements into their outfits. For example, sports clubs such as the Archery Club and basketball club basically wore their corresponding competition uniforms and practice clothes, making them easily identifiable.

After all, the number of members in a club is closely related to the amount of funding it can receive. In order to attract as many new members as possible, each club basically selects its own representatives, with handsome men or beautiful women standing in a row, which is quite pleasing to the eye in every way.

"My name is Sudo, and I'm currently the captain of the Basketball Club. Just like you, I was standing in the stands this time last year. The Basketball Club is a great stage to showcase yourself. As long as you have the ability, you can definitely become a key player immediately after joining the team. Of course, we also welcome beginners who are interested in basketball to sign up and fully experience this fascinating team sport. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

This year's Basketball Club representative is Ken Sudō. After a year of life at ANHS, he now stands on the stage recruiting new members and shows almost no trace of the arrogance and irritability he had when he first entered the university a year ago. Even his originally unruly red hair, combined with his status as the captain of the Basketball Club and the basketball uniform he is wearing, makes people think of Hanamichi Sakuragi from "Slam Dunk".

"I'm Hirata from the Soccer Club..."

"I'm from the Archery Club..."

Several handsome senior students from the Physical Education Department came up one after another, which made many First Year female students a little excited, but the boys felt a bit bored and just hoped to see a beautiful senior student appear soon.

"Um... I'm Shiina from the Tea Ceremony Club."

Soon, Shiina Hiyori, representing the Tea Ceremony Club, walked onto the stage in a traditional kimono and began her speech with a relaxed demeanor:

"Although the Tea Ceremony often gives people a very old-fashioned and rigid impression, it is true that the longer you are involved, the more you can appreciate its profoundness. I hope everyone can come and visit the Tea Ceremony Club."

It has to be said that when the silver-haired, gentle-looking Shiina Hiyori opened her mouth, many First Year boys felt the same flutter of excitement as the girls had just spoken. After all, even if they weren't interested in the club itself, it was still worth checking out for the beautiful and charming upperclassman.

"Don't even think about it. Didn't you see the ring on his left middle finger? That Akito's already taken."

But soon, a sharp-eyed student noticed the ring on Shiina Hiyori's hand and pulled over a friend who was enthusiastically preparing to register to persuade her to stop.

"That's really true... Oh well, I'm not interested in Tea Ceremony anyway."

After muttering this to themselves to comfort themselves, the boys quickly turned their attention back to the stage. Near the end, Karuizawa Kei, representing the Drama Club, finally made her graceful entrance.

Even though she wasn't wearing any special clothes, and was only dressed in the same style as the First Year ANHS's uniforms, with the only difference being the color of the tie, the red uniform and white pleated skirt she wore seemed to have an extra touch of charm on her. It was as if she had created a magnetic field around her, strongly attracting the attention of every student.

Having undergone years of professional Actor training Karuizawa Kei has developed muscle memory in her physique and posture. The bowlegs common among Japan women are completely invisible on her. Her posture, whether it is her back, leg shape, or any other aspect, is close to perfect and there is nothing to criticize.

"Well then, I'm Karuizawa, the representative of the Drama Club."

"The Drama Club received the most honors at ANHS last year, so the recruitment criteria are quite strict. We hope everyone is mentally prepared. Of course, if you are confident in your abilities, you are welcome to apply to us at any time."

Even after Karuizawa Kei finished speaking and left, many First Year students were still in shock. Before they could even speak, the observers around them seamlessly poured cold water on their enthusiasm:

"Don't even think about it, she's wearing a ring too."

"Dude, you don't actually think that such a beautiful senior has been here for a year and hasn't dated anyone just to wait for her Fate encounter with you, do you?"

"Remember this, bro: good-looking girls never lack suitors, so if you want to date, you've already had one by high school at the latest. Don't get carried away and break your guard."