Free Rock-Paper-Scissors

Manabu Horikita had never seen someone with such a stark contrast between their surface and their true self. The student before him, named [Seishiki Otonashi], was certainly no ordinary student—his eyes revealed an endless madness.

"So this is your real face, Seishiki Otonashi?"

The student council room door swung open. A male with bleached-blond hair entered—his looks alone were on par with Manabu Horikita's. But their auras were completely different; if one had to describe it, one was [composed], the other [flamboyant].

"Leaving me out of something so interesting, Horikita-senpai? A first-year challenging the student council president—now that's fun."

"Who's this guy?"

Seishiki could smell it on that guy—the same scent as his own. But he was far too green, like a newborn infant.

"Vice President, Nagumo Miyabi."

"Oh."

Seishiki couldn't care less who that guy was. The Horikita in front of him was blocking his way. So he'd just use his own strengths to knock him down.

"So, how about a bet? Settle it with a game."

"A game? You don't think student council work is easy, do you? I don't have the free time to play some boring game with you."

"It's just a variation of rock-paper-scissors. Won't take long."

"A variation of rock-paper-scissors?"

"Red Heart 3 Game [Free Rock-Paper-Scissors]."

Game Rules:

[Before the game starts, both players add one [original gesture] to the [three standard gestures].]

[The created gesture's motion and name—its shape must be formable with one hand, like scissors, rock, or paper. The shape and name must correspond.]

[Original gestures can have special effects attached, limited only by imagination. However, they cannot be too free: no effects like [beats all gestures], [automatic win on use], or [strength varies by conditions]—anything too powerful, complex, or controversial. At least one gesture must be able to defeat the special gesture.]

[If [original gestures] have the same effect, cancel out, or conflict, it counts as a draw.]

[Best of seven rounds.]

[If a player makes the wrong gesture or one that doesn't match their declared gesture, it counts as an empty hand, and the opponent wins.]

[Before the game starts, both players confirm their special gestures. Effects are not revealed.]

"A five-gesture rock-paper-scissors game? Sounds interesting."

The girl with orange hair and a summer sunflower hairpin beside Vice President Nagumo stared at Seishiki with sparkling eyes.

"Nagumo-senpai, could you act as host or referee?"

Seishiki switched back to his usual well-behaved demeanor.

"What do you think, Horikita-senpai? I don't know the full story, but a first-year's thrown down the gauntlet. Will you accept?"

Nagumo was fanning the flames now, enjoying the drama from the sidelines.

"Interesting. If you lose, how about joining the student council, Seishiki Otonashi?"

"I'm flattered, but I can't picture myself losing. If I win, the board game club gets approved smoothly, and Horikita-senpai, you'll grant me one wish—how about that?"

"Quite the bold demand."

"Heh, aren't you the same, Horikita-senpai?"

Seishiki smiled slyly.

"Alright, alright. So what do I need to do as host and referee?"

"Check and confirm both players' special gesture effects, then call out rock-paper-scissors at the start of each round and announce the winner."

"What an interesting game."

Nagumo tore off two slips of paper from somewhere.

"This game is all about information warfare. Deduce the effect of the opponent's [original gesture], see if yours can beat it—whoever hides more information gains more wins. You have to make reasonable guesses based on the flow of the match. Not a bad game."

Horikita adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting an eerie light.

Meanwhile, Seishiki's pupils radiated a terrifying darkness...

This is totally hopeless. Inside, Seishiki was panicking. He hated impromptu battles the most—he excelled at cheating within a situation, using all sorts of underhanded tactics and laying other schemes. He was completely useless at games of luck or sudden challenges.

I shouldn't have put on airs. Seishiki felt a twinge of regret.

"So, are you two ready?"

Nagumo handed out slips of paper and pens to both.

"Game start. Both of you, draw your original gestures."

While drawing, Seishiki looked up at Akane Tachibana.

"Senior Tachibana, could you pour me some tea?"

"Eh... sure."

Akane quickly poured a cup of tea.

"Thanks~."

When Star Color took a small sip, he immediately stuck out his tongue and exhaled.

"So hot, hot, hot—"

That adorable sight struck the hearts of the two women in the student council room, stirring that pure instinct girls feel when they see something cute and can't help but want to get closer.

"You can wait for it to cool down a bit before drinking."

"Okay~."

Star Color fanned his tongue with his hand, exuding a languid air.

Five minutes passed quickly. Manabu Horikita carefully examined his own [Original Gesture] slip.

Meanwhile, Star Color had already handed his over to Nagumo Miyabi and returned to sitting on the sofa.

As the referee, Nagumo Miyabi confirmed the effects of both [Original Gestures].

Star Color counted the seconds in his mind: one, two, three, four, five, six.

[Six seconds]—the word count would be around thirty to forty characters. It would certainly have a special effect, but the length was just right; if he had to guess, there were probably multiple interpretations...

As for Star Color's [Original Gesture], Nagumo Miyabi finished confirming it in just three seconds.

"Both parties, reveal your Original Gestures."

Star Color formed a [pistol] gesture with his hand—thumb pulled back like a hammer, index finger as the muzzle—aiming it at Manabu Horikita's forehead.

Manabu Horikita, meanwhile, pinched his thumb and index finger into a circle, with his remaining three fingers clenched tightly.

"This is a clock."

"Oh, that's quite a creative idea, Horikita-senpai."

"Then, Round One: Free Rock-Paper-Scissors. Begin!"