All Eyes on Me!

The upperclassmen on stage were still enthusiastically introducing their clubs, with phrases like "beginners are welcome" being repeated by almost every single one.

But according to Suzune Horikita, the claim that they welcomed beginners was nothing but a lie; the true purpose was to recruit more members to secure a larger club budget from the school.

"Your way of thinking is just too cynical."

Toru Hasegawa couldn't help but retort.

To have such a pragmatic mindset while being a mere high school student—what kind of environment did Suzune Horikita grow up in?

Though, there was also a freak with a big fat zero on his head standing right next to her...

"Recruiting as many members as possible to increase the budget, only to let them become ghost members later—isn't that ideal? That is how this society cleverly operates, after all."

"Why is it that after hearing you speak, I've started to hate society?"

"I share that sentiment."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka chimed in.

Do you really hold such thoughts?

The question flashed through Toru Hasegawa's mind.

Arisu Sakayanagi looked at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka with a faint, enigmatic smile, while the latter simply ignored her undisguised gaze.

"At the end of the day, that's just how society is."

Even Masumi Kamuro joined the conversation, sighing dramatically as if she had already been beaten down by the harsh realities of the world.

Then, Suzune Horikita's body suddenly shuddered violently, as if she had seen something unbelievable.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing her abnormal reaction, Toru Hasegawa asked in confusion and followed her line of sight, but he didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

However, she didn't answer his question; it was as if her attention had been completely seized by something on the stage from that moment on.

She stared at the stage without blinking.

"Who knows? Maybe she saw someone she knows."

Masumi Kamuro said indifferently.

"Is there any club you want to join?" Toru Hasegawa asked, deciding it was better not to keep pestering Suzune Horikita.

"None. I never had any intention of coming here in the first place."

"Then you should join the Art Club," Arisu Sakayanagi suddenly commanded.

"Huh? I'm not interested in painting. I don't want to join a club like that!"

"Then would you prefer to join the Tea Ceremony Club?"

"Please, I insist on joining the Art Club!"

Toru Hasegawa watched speechlessly as Masumi Kamuro performed a lightning-fast change of heart.

Sure enough, compared to a niche club like the Tea Ceremony Club, the Art Club suddenly became quite acceptable.

"Um... did you get caught with some kind of leverage?"

Seemingly concerned, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked Masumi Kamuro.

Feeling a bit irritated, Masumi Kamuro tucked a strand of hair behind her ear: "No!"

She clearly did.

Through her expressions and body language, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was certain she had been blackmailed, especially given that bizarre conversation just now.

Arisu Sakayanagi... was she really that fast?

"What about you? Is there any club you want to join?"

Not wanting to dwell on that topic any longer, Masumi Kamuro looked at Toru Hasegawa.

"Since the plan for the Game Club is a no-go, I don't have any clubs I want to join for the time being."

"...For the time being?"

Having been influenced by Arisu Sakayanagi earlier that morning, Masumi Kamuro had learned to pick up on the key points.

"Well... that 'for the time being' is a secret."

Toru Hasegawa flashed a mysterious smile.

But at that moment, Arisu Sakayanagi said to Masumi Kamuro:

"What Hasegawa-kun means is that if a beautiful girl he fancies joins a certain club, he will follow her and join as well."

"Pah! Scum!"

"Hey! Don't go guessing my intentions on your own! And why am I a 'scum'?"

Toru Hasegawa protested. Although Arisu Sakayanagi had hit the nail on the head, he certainly couldn't admit it.

He had finally mustered the courage to take the first step toward pursuing love; how could he let it die in the cradle?

"What about you, Ayanokoji? Is there any club you want to join?"

Among the people present, he and Masumi Kamuro had already been questioned, and Suzune Horikita was currently in a state of ignoring everyone. Toru Hasegawa couldn't be bothered to ask for Arisu Sakayanagi's thoughts, so the final candidate was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Me? I'm in the Going Home Club~"

"Pfft."

Hearing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's answer, Arisu Sakayanagi burst out laughing, even though Toru Hasegawa didn't get the punchline of that statement at all...

"Because I'm an escapist."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka added, his eyes locked onto Arisu Sakayanagi as he spoke, and she returned his intense gaze without a hint of fear.

"Do you think those two have something going on?"

Toru Hasegawa snuck over to Masumi Kamuro's side, though his words were still heard by everyone else present.

"Don't come near me." Masumi Kamuro walked a few steps away with a look of disgust. "And why are you asking me that kind of question?"

"Isn't that what you said to tease me earlier?" Toru Hasegawa felt very indignant. He pointed at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and then at Arisu Sakayanagi. "Look at the way they were looking at each other just now; there were practically sparks flying!"

"Just shut up!"

Although Masumi Kamuro also felt it was a bit strange, she knew it was better not to ask about things that shouldn't be questioned.

She rolled her eyes at Toru Hasegawa, and he had no choice but to shut his mouth, feeling aggrieved.

Heaven knows, he was completely innocent in this matter.

However, Masumi Kamuro was likely very dissatisfied with his previous behavior, so Toru Hasegawa accepted it with resignation.

Just then, strange noises suddenly echoed from the surroundings.

"Do your best!"

"Taking a peek at your notes is fine too!"

"Ahahahaha--!"

Only a man about 180 centimeters tall remained on the stage. He wore sharp-looking glasses and had clean, black hair.

< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250326/1742993058-100434764-113156672.jpg" alt='Manabu Horikita'>

Standing before the microphone, he gazed out at the first-year students with a composed demeanor.

Facing the voices of many, whether they were encouraging or mocking, he simply stood on the stage without saying a word.

And Toru Hasegawa finally understood that the person Suzune Horikita had been watching all along was this man.

After all, he was the only one left on the stage.

As time passed, the relaxed atmosphere in the First Gymnasium took a sharp turn, suddenly becoming tense and silent in an instant.

Normally, one should just follow the crowd at a time like this.

If it were him from a day ago, that is what he would have done, but now, Toru Hasegawa had other ideas.

He felt that this was an excellent opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

And so, he shouted loudly:

"Everyone, eyes on me! Look at me, look at me! I have an announcement to make!"