All Quite Special

The afternoon class schedule was very light, reportedly because of the school's traditional annual club recruitment day.

The handbook handed out by Teacher Chabashira also had an explanation, though the specific time wasn't known.

After finishing the first afternoon class, the campus broadcast indeed rang out—

"Attention all first-year freshmen, please arrive promptly at the school gymnasium at 2:30 PM this afternoon. We will hold the club recruitment assembly here. Students interested in clubs are welcome to sign up enthusiastically."

"I repeat, everyone..."

A pleasant female senior's voice came through the broadcast.

Mu Tianchen checked the time on his phone—it was already past two o'clock. Students around him were starting to leave the building one after another, so he decided to follow them down.

If not for the mandatory requirement in the broadcast, he wouldn't bother attending an event like this. Even if he went, he wouldn't join any clubs.

Being alone suited him just fine, unless he could be the club president. Wait a moment?

In ordinary schools, you'd have to wait until the president stepped down to take the position, and starting a club from scratch wasn't realistic either.

But given the special nature of this school, that kind of idea might actually be achievable. Apparently, club recruitment lasted quite a while—he could look into it later.

With that thought, he followed the crowd to the school gymnasium.

By now, the gymnasium was already packed with many first-year freshmen. Mu Tianchen had originally planned to look for Arisu's figure here.

But before long, a bunch of upperclassmen also came over, making the scene very crowded.

Helpless, he could only find a random spot in the back to stand.

Although he didn't see Arisu, he did spot an interesting person.

That was—Ryuen, the one he had set up.

Ryuen had long red hair, a tall and sturdy build, a wheat-yellow face with a clear cold handsomeness, and deep black eyes. He looked like the type you wouldn't want to mess with.

This matched the situation Mu Tianchen had imagined based on their earlier chat.

Not everyone could be like Ayanokouji, thin yet possessing immense strength. People like that were still a minority, of course, aside from himself.

As for why he recognized him, it was thanks to those idiots following behind him.

Ryuen arrived even later than he did. As soon as he entered, a few thuggish-looking boys immediately gathered around him, calling him "Ryuen-senpai" and "Ryuen-senpai," as if afraid the people around wouldn't hear.

But for Ryuen, he probably didn't care much about being recognized by students from other classes.

Before long, a cute senior with purple hair in a bun, wearing a uniform, walked up to the gymnasium's main stage.

"Dear first-year freshmen, sorry to keep you waiting. I am Tachibana Akane from Class 3-A, serving as the student council secretary at this school. I will be hosting this event. Thank you all."

After speaking, she bowed to the first-year freshmen below, and the audience immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause.

"Now, I declare this club recruitment assembly officially open."

With that, she politely stepped down.

Then, a crowd of people began to surge forward one after another, each picking a spot and setting up tables.

One by one, they walked to the front, introducing the benefits of their respective clubs. Some clubs even directly hinted at how many personal points they would promise each month.

For freshmen who had just started with 100,000 points and hadn't yet discovered the catch, this might not be appealing. Though after a while, they might change their minds? Especially for those students who desperately needed points.

There were all kinds of clubs—soccer, basketball, calligraphy—no need to elaborate on those.

What really made Mu Tianchen's jaw drop was the anime club. When it was their turn on stage, they cosplayed a few fairly famous anime characters, like Hatsune Miku and Rem. The program they prepared was a dance.

But why were such pretty clothes worn by a bunch of burly guys???

Did their club not have a single cute girl or what?!

The scene was absolutely cringe-worthy!

It was simply unbearable to watch!

Mu Tianchen couldn't help but wonder if these people came on stage deliberately to disgust them, or to show off their club's "unique style."

But still, some people in the audience clapped, like Ike and Yamauchi from the same Class D, and a few from other classes too. When the dance reached its climax, they even screamed like madmen.

"..."

Ah, forget it. After all, this was an island nation. Mu Tianchen didn't plan to comment too much on other people's sexual preferences.

If he had to praise it, then... Hmm? Quite... quite unique... indeed.

The last senior to take the stage also seemed quite special, but not in the same way as the previous ones.

He wore a uniform and black-rimmed glasses. After stepping on stage, he just stared expressionlessly at the crowd below.

He was silent for a long time.

"What's wrong with that guy? He won't say a word?"

"Probably nervous? Hang in there, senior!"

"Hurry up and perform, dammit!" Sudo, seeming impatient, shouted directly at him.

He didn't care at all.

Hahaha, the audience instantly erupted in laughter from most of the first-year students. Most of them probably thought he was cowardly—getting yelled at and not even talking back.

However, Mu Tianchen didn't think things were that simple.

Because through observation, he noticed that several upperclassmen near him had been wearing stern expressions ever since he stepped onto the stage, as if they were afraid of him.

A few alone didn't prove anything, but when Mu Tianchen squeezed to the front, he found that the upperclassmen in this area were all the same.

Then, there was only one possibility: his status was very high, and perhaps he also held great authority.

The freshmen continued to jeer, but not for long.

After their laughter peaked, it suddenly fell into an awkward silence.

It was as if all sound had vanished, instantly becoming very quiet.

Only then did the freshmen notice the solemn expressions on the upperclassmen present, and they finally realized something was wrong, so no one dared to speak.

After another moment, the upperclassman on stage finally took action. He swept his gaze over all the students present and began his speech:

"I am Horikita Manabu from Class A of the third year, serving as the student council president at this school. I came today to recruit talented individuals from among you first-year freshmen. Of course, the treatment will not disappoint you."

After speaking, he swept his gaze over the students present once more, as if searching for someone who caught his eye. Then, pushing up his glasses, he continued:

"Also, if you wish to join the student council, please avoid joining any other clubs during this period. In principle, we do not allow anyone who has already signed up for or is working in another club to join the student council."