Requirements

Thirty centimeters apart, two guns that looked like mirror images faced each other.

"This interesting new student has won."

Miyabi Nagumo declared Star Color the winner.

Akane Tachibana stared at Star Color in complete disbelief.

Star Color wiped the sweat from his forehead. That had been a close call.

"That's completely wrong! [Gun] is obviously a weak gesture that Otonashi used to deceive me!"

Only now did Manabu Horikita realize he had been tricked.

Star Color had had [two guns] from the very beginning.

One easily overlooked aspect of rock-paper-scissors was that you could use either hand.

Star Color drank the tea and set the cup on the table.

"From the start, Otonashi Seishiki's [Gun] gesture had different effects depending on whether he used his [left hand] or [right hand], right?"

When Star Color picked up the teacup midway through the game and switched to using his left hand for rock-paper-scissors, it was so he could use the effect of the gun in his left hand.

The effect of Star Color's special [Gun] gesture: it defeated rock, paper, and scissors, but couldn't beat Senior Horikita's special gesture. Special effect: it only worked as a gun when used with the left hand.

The gesture sketches Star Color had drawn depicted the gun gesture from the perspective of his left hand as well.

According to Star Color's special effect, the gun couldn't be used with his right hand, which meant the gun in his right hand was [Empty Hand Style]. Strictly speaking, this special effect didn't make the gesture any stronger. It was simply a logical deception...

Most people used their right hand for rock-paper-scissors unless they were left-handed. Star Color had observed which hand Manabu Horikita favored and begun laying his trap. From the moment he asked Akane Tachibana for a cup of tea, he had already been considering how to deceive Manabu.

If Manabu had been given another round to think about the [left and right hand] trick, he probably would have figured it out. Unfortunately for him, Star Color wasn't about to give him the chance.

"I deliberately sacrificed the first two rounds to confirm that [Clock] was a weak gesture. Although the ability of [Late Move] is impressive, once I confirmed the effect of [Clock], it meant you wouldn't use your special gesture, Senior Horikita. That made [Gun], which could only lose to [Clock], invincible."

"Then I deliberately took advantage of your dynamic vision, making you think you understood my habits. The moment I sacrificed the first round by playing [Clock], I already knew there was a good chance it was Empty Hand Style. If that was the case, you definitely wouldn't play it. So I deliberately let you observe my habits, knowing that when I played [Clock], you'd choose [Gun] to test its effect."

Once Star Color had learned how [Clock] worked, Manabu Horikita, who seemed to have won three rounds, was actually the one being forced to the edge of a cliff.

Star Color explained his thought process.

"That was quite impressive. I did lose this game. In that case, I'll agree to all the conditions you proposed."

"Mm-hmm, Senior Horikita is impressive too. I only won by a hair. So, as I mentioned earlier, you'll let me start a board game club and grant one wish."

Star Color nodded obediently.

"As long as it's not too unreasonable or absurd, I'll agree to it."

"Was there someone named [Kohei Katsuragi] among the applicants to the Student Council?"

"Yes, I remember him. A very well-rounded person, with no shortcomings, though of course, no strengths either."

Star Color's mouth twitched. Was it really okay to casually judge people and slap labels on them? Did they think they were recruiting for some company? It was just a mere Student Council.

"Recruit him into the Student Council. That's my request."

"That's it?"

Manabu Horikita paused, then asked.

"What else?"

Akane Tachibana muttered weakly from the side.

"You get the Student Council President to grant you a wish, and that's all you ask for... You really are an oddball."

Star Color scratched his head in confusion, like a lost kitten.

"Even if you're the Student Council President, what does that matter to me? Even if the Prime Minister of Neon showed up, it wouldn't make any difference. Am I supposed to cheer for a general like they do in North Korea?"

Akane Tachibana was at a loss for words. This little guy in front of her really had a sharp tongue. But he was so cute that she couldn't bring herself to dislike him.

"That's your wish?"

"Mm. At the very least, he can help you handle administrative work so you can get off work earlier. Little Fist Stone does have a talent for being a tool."

At that moment, Kohei Katsuragi, studying in his dorm on the other side of campus, sneezed.

"Then I'm off. I'm so tired..."

Star Color stood up and stretched. His gray sailor uniform revealed the faint outline of his slender waist, and his pale skin made it impossible to tell he was male.

Miyabi Nagumo stared at Star Color with an unusually heated gaze, making Star Color break out in a light sweat.

Yikes, not another gay guy...

Manabu Horikita stood up and handed Star Color a form from the table. It was a Club Establishment Form.

"Write down the club members. You need at least three. Bring it back tomorrow, and I'll arrange a club room and an advisor for you."

"Okay~ Thanks."

Star Color accepted the Club Establishment Form with a beaming smile, picked up his shoulder bag, and immediately left the Student Council Room.

Manabu Horikita recalled the 'crazy' Star Color from earlier and wondered which version—the obedient and adorable one before him, or the one from that moment—was the real Otonashi Seishiki.

If Suzune faced him... she definitely wouldn't be able to win.

He hoped Otonashi Seishiki would put Suzune through some hardships, help her come to her senses, and find the path to something called [self].