Club Recruitment

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

Katsuya Shinjo had resolved to make money, but he had no idea where to start. Still, with his handsome looks and the smile he wore every day, he came across as approachable and had earned himself a certain standing in the class.

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

"Starting at five this afternoon, there'll 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, so come on by~"

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

As for the Student Council... Given the school's unusual nature, it was probably an organization unlike any other.

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

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

"Hahaha, you really do love sweets."

Since Katsuya Shinjo often visited dessert shops and cafés, the girls had a pretty strong impression of his sweet tooth.

Five in the afternoon, First Gymnasium.

Even though it was only a recruitment event, the place was packed. About a hundred first-years had turned up—probably most of them.

There were also plenty of second- and third-years, likely the club representatives in charge of recruiting.

"First-year students, sorry to keep you waiting. The club representatives will now explain what their clubs have to offer. I'm Tachibana, the Student Council secretary, and I'll be hosting today's session. It's nice to meet you."

The girl speaking onstage had her hair tied up in two buns. She was petite, but somehow carried an air of authority.

After her opening remarks, the club representatives lined up on the gymnasium stage.

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

But the one Shinjo had been searching high and low for—the Dessert Club—was nowhere to be seen!

Each club introduced its strengths and went through the usual scripted welcome, saying that students with no experience were welcome, too.

Tachibana also shared an important piece of information: starting a new club required at least three people.

So even if I want to start a club for cashing in on freebies, I still need to find two accomplices?

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

Sports clubs, for example, could demonstrate their results most clearly, so they usually 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 focused on him.

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

Just as everyone began wondering what interesting club he would introduce, they realized 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, people in the audience started heckling him.

"Did you forget your notes?"

"Ahahahahaha!"

"Hey, what's he doing? Just standing there without saying a word? Is he some kind of mime club senior?"

But the boy onstage didn't say a word or make a sound from start to finish.

Gradually, silence fell over the gymnasium.

Maybe it was getting late. Some people even unconsciously tugged their clothes tighter around themselves.

About half a minute later, the person onstage finally spoke:

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

Katsuya Shinjo raised an eyebrow at that. Horikita wasn't a particularly common surname, and as luck would have it, he knew someone with that name.

The long-haired girl in class who often whispered with Ayanokoji... Come to think of it, she should be here for club recruitment today, too, right?

"With the upcoming graduation of our upperclassmen, the Student Council will be recruiting candidates from the first-year class. We have no particular requirements for candidates, but if you're considering joining the Student Council, please avoid joining other clubs. As a rule, applicants who wish to do both will not be accepted."

"The Student Council does not want members with naïve ideas. Our school has granted the Student Council the authority and responsibility to change its rules, and we are expected to live up to that. We welcome only those who understand this."

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

The chilly atmosphere only lifted when Tachibana returned to the stage and picked up the microphone:

"Thank you for your effort, everyone. That concludes the information session. We're now accepting club applications. Applications will remain open until the end of April, so you can go back, think it over, and decide later."

As the crowd began to stir, Katsuya Shinjo quickly spotted Suzune Horikita and Ayanokoji standing frozen in place.

One look at Horikita's expression, and he could guess it had something to do with that senior, Manabu Horikita.

Siblings at odds? Now there's a familiar, melodramatic plotline.

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

Then again, maybe it was for the best. He had to focus on cashing in on freebies, after all. If he joined the Dessert Club as well, he wouldn't be able to keep up with both.

So he headed over to Tachibana.

"Hello, senpai."

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

"Hello. Are you interested in joining the Student Council?"

"No, not really... I wanted to ask about what I need to do to start a club."

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

Akane Tachibana answered Shinjo's question with practiced professionalism.

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

"Cash... um... I guess I'll call it the Odd Jobs Agency."

Tachibana looked a little surprised and puzzled. She understood what "Odd Jobs Agency" meant from the name: they'd probably take money to do various things for people.

But starting that kind of club at school... It was almost inconceivable.

"An Odd Jobs Agency?"

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

Tachibana hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

"No, there's no problem. At least, no other club has the same name right now. Come to the Student Council for an application once you're ready. By the way, which class are you in, and what's your name?"

"Class 1-D, Katsuya Shinjo."