If you dare to attack, I will surely make you return in utter defeat!

"Is it really okay for you to speak to the vice president of the student council like that, Zhenglong-kun?"

Walking toward the building that housed the club rooms, Hiyori asked me with a look of concern.

"If it's me, it's not much of a problem. That Vice President Nagumo might have some tricks up his sleeve, but they are limited to this school.

How does that saying go? The pen of a scholar is sharper than a sword. He might be able to make things unpleasant for me inside the school, but I can ruin his reputation outside of it."

Manipulating the narrative around Nagumo is actually quite simple. I would only need to write a manifesto on my Japanese social media account, write down everything Nagumo has done exactly as it happened, and preferably drag in one or several students as 'anonymous' witnesses. Then, Nagumo wouldn't be far from social death.

Isn't manipulating public opinion supposed to be a scholar's instinct?

"By the way, this is my Japanese social media account. Would you be interested in following me, Hiyori-san?"

Arriving at the door of the Traditional Literature Club assigned to me, I first took out my phone, switched to my social media page, and showed it to Hiyori.

"Eh? Why is your phone able to communicate with the outside world, Zhenglong-kun?"

"Uh, right. I forgot that your phone probably can't add me. You can log out of your account and use my phone. I have a special arrangement; I signed a non-disclosure agreement with the school. I cannot reveal information about the inside of this school to the outside world, or else I will be expelled."

Being a bit too reckless, I had subconsciously overlooked the things I could do that others couldn't.

"Then how would you post a manifesto, Zhenglong-kun?"

"I have a friend. I have many friends. I don't know where they got this information, and then they accidentally leaked it. I don't know anything about it."

The universal excuse: I have a friend.

Having watched a certain British sitcom several times, I have already mastered several methods of leaking information. This is the confidence brought to me by the wisdom of my predecessors!

"My, do you have many friends in this school too, Zhenglong-kun?"

"If you count Ryuen, you're the second."

"I'm that high up? You are so familiar with this school, I thought you had already built a wide network of connections here."

Just as I was pulling out my key to open the door and Hiyori was fiddling with my phone to follow my account, a white-haired girl leaning on a cane walked out of the club room next door.

I poked my head out to look at the nameplate on the door of that club room—Chess Club. I can only say it fits her character.

At this point in time, Sakayanagi Arisu should be sweeping through these board game clubs to acquire points, but that has nothing to do with my Traditional Literature Club.

If Sakayanagi Arisu dares to invade, I shall surely make her return in defeat. In the field of literature, I fear no one.

"Ara, has Sima Zhenglong-kun already found a member willing to join the Traditional Literature Club so quickly? Let me introduce myself, I am—"

"You are Sakayanagi Arisu, Chairman Sakayanagi's daughter, the only direct descendant of the Sakayanagi family in this generation, obsessed with chess. The high probability that you are taking the initiative to start a conversation with me is because you want to find some amusement at my expense.

Before you find your amusement, I will take the first step and hide your cane, turning you into the amusement instead. So, let us keep our distance like the Pacific Ocean and the Turpan Depression. Farewell."

Without leaving Sakayanagi time to react, I quickly turned the key, pushed the door open, pulled Hiyori inside with me, and shut the door.

There is no benefit to interacting with Sakayanagi at this stage, and it looks like it might be a bit troublesome. I'll just ignore her for now, and it would be best if she ignored me too. Let her stay in her 'diminished' state for a while longer.

"This activity room is really, really—"

"A blessed land hiding treasures."

"Although you used a rather humorous way to put it, Zhenglong-kun, it seems like that doesn't solve the situation in front of us."

"Then there is only one way left. Hiyori-san, please help me tidy up these scattered books and clear away the dust, and I will arrange the desks, chairs, and bookshelves inside the club."

The activity room that Chairman Sakayanagi had Horikita Manabu approve for me was large enough, and the equipment inside was complete, but it did look a bit too messy.

It was likely because this oversized room had been vacant for a long time without being used, so other clubs had been using it as a storage room.

"Let's stop cleaning here for now. What would you like to drink? My treat."

After simply sorting through the miscellaneous items in the room, I left the activity room with Hiyori and headed toward the gymnasium, as the entrance ceremony was only a few minutes away.

Ryuen has just started to establish his authority; it's better not to let his filter be shattered too quickly.

"I would like to try what you like to drink, Zhenglong-kun."

"For me, I quite like this Suntory coffee milk tea. I hope you like it too."

This coffee milk tea is my favorite after staying here for so long. I originally had a bit of a shadow over coffee, but I couldn't help it; I had just arrived in Japan at that time, and I wasn't very familiar with Japanese while studying at the language school.

Buying drinks from the vending machine was all based on feeling, and being able to buy this coffee milk tea was purely a matter of luck. After drinking it, I didn't even realize it contained coffee until I found out later.

The sugar in this thing is just right for me—a faint sweetness paired with a hint of bitterness, which makes me very satisfied.

"I prefer coffee or tea with a richer flavor. It seems you and I aren't quite on the same page in this regard, Zhenglong-kun."

Hiyori looked a little disappointed after tasting the coffee milk tea I recommended.

"Class 1-C, gather here!"

When Ishizaki saw me and Hiyori walking into the gymnasium, he raised his voice to call us over to assemble. Judging by his demeanor, he must have already been subdued by Ryuen. Albert isn't by Ryuen's side right now; it will probably take a little more time.

After the assembly was complete, Hiyori and I stood at the back of the Class C line. From this perspective, I observed the state of the other three classes.

The students of Class A and Class B were very disciplined, lined up in two rows by gender and height. Class D was much more free-spirited; even though they were the only class in the entire venue making noise, they didn't know how to "read the air" and were just emitting noise on their own.

It seems that during this time, Class D still hasn't been able to elect a class leader, nor have they reached a consensus to buy information from Ryuen.

This is not good. If they continue like this, Class D's points won't be saved. I have to push Class D to crawl out of the fire pit a little bit.