Emerging from his memories, Kitahara Seiichi frowned as he read the next few messages. Horikita had sent him:
[When you come tomorrow, I'll introduce you to all the Student Council members. Oh, and a heads-up: he already knows you were the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes.]
[Also, bring your club application form.]
"Damn, are we going to clash this soon? And the president didn't even put in a word for me. He's just sending me in to face them."
"Is he still mad because I called him tsundere?"
"Whatever. Worst case, I'll sell out Yanagihara and let them fight among themselves."
"The most important thing right now is getting club members!"
For now, he had to ask Class B. That was the only way to make sure everything went smoothly.
Kitahara was about to message Ichinose when she sent him a message first.
"Congratulations on joining the Student Council, Kitahara. I look forward to working with you."
"Thanks for the congratulations, Ichinose," Kitahara replied quickly.
What a coincidence. He'd been wondering how to start talking to her, and then she'd messaged him first. It seemed fate wanted him to join Class B.
"Ichinose..." Kitahara typed.
"Hmm? What is it, Kitahara?"
"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."
"What is it? If there's anything I can do, I'll do my best."
"After all, you've helped me before, too." Ichinose replied cheerfully, though she said that last part very quietly.
Hearing the happiness in Ichinose's voice, Kitahara felt a little puzzled, but he still answered gratefully, "I just need your class to lend me a few people."
"Ah..." Perhaps Kitahara had phrased it ambiguously, or perhaps it had been too shocking. Ichinose didn't know how to react and answered without thinking.
Realizing that his words had sounded wrong, Kitahara quickly explained, "Actually, I want to start a club. I'm still short a few people to meet the requirements, so that's why I said I needed a few people."
"Oh, I see. But haven't you already joined the Student Council, Kitahara? Can you still start a club?"
"How should I put it? I guess the president went easy on me." Kitahara couldn't think of a better answer, so he went with the simplest one.
"I see... But you actually managed to get the president to make an exception for you. I guess you really are much better than me," Ichinose replied, sounding a little disheartened.
Hearing the sadness in Ichinose's voice, Kitahara realized he had inadvertently reopened an old wound, so he quickly replied.
"Actually, you're very capable, Ichinose. You're even more capable than I am. It's just that things are a little complicated in the Student Council right now, so you weren't able to join."
"Mm, thanks for comforting me, Kitahara. But I'm not as capable as you think. I should be a..."
Although Ichinose didn't finish her sentence, Kitahara knew what burden she carried, and he really wanted to help her.
They were about to become comrades who would share both hardship and success. More than that, she was one of the few friends he had at this school.
"Ahem. I don't know why you're so determined to protect your class, Ichinose, but I can tell you have something weighing on your mind."
"So if you really can't handle all that pressure, maybe you could talk to me."
Hearing Kitahara's sincere words, Ichinose couldn't help laughing. It was almost as if she'd laughed through her tears.
Looks like she's feeling better now. Kitahara couldn't help smiling, too.
Even though I'm a shut-in, I guess I'm pretty good at talking to girls.
If Kushida Kikyo had known what Kitahara was thinking, she would probably have shouted, "You treat me like that and you think you're good at talking to girls?"
"Pah..."
"Mm, but what kind of club is it, Kitahara? I'll need to know before I can ask the class what they think," Ichinose asked.
Kitahara, completely unaware that Ichinose had changed the way she addressed him, happily replied, "I'm starting an Esports Club. What do you think? Pretty good, right?"
At the same time, Kitahara hadn't noticed that he was speaking more casually with Ichinose, too.
"Isn't that just playing video games?" Ichinose answered without thinking.
"..." (She wasn't wrong. I have no way to argue.)
"You don't have to put it quite so bluntly," Kitahara replied helplessly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Ichinose seemed to realize how much her words had stung him and apologized.
"Forget it. You didn't mean to, so... what do you think?"
"Mm, I'll tell them and see how many people want to join."
"Great, thanks. I'll come by later and have them fill out the application forms," Kitahara replied happily.
"See you this afternoon, Kitahara," Ichinose replied.
"Yeah, see you this afternoon."
After taking care of everything, Kitahara Seiichi returned to the classroom and found the entire class staring at him strangely.
Noticing this, Kitahara turned to Ayanokoji and asked, "What's going on with them? I don't think I did anything."
Ayanokoji thought for a moment, then decided to answer. "They're surprised you got into the Student Council, since you and Yanagihara were the only ones who joined."
There was something Ayanokoji didn't say: Ike's words had already made the class suspicious of Kitahara, and now only the two of them had joined, so...
"Kitahara boy, you really are special. It seems you're the only one in this class who can be called beautiful. You're still a little behind me, of course, but you're not bad." Koenji, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke up.
Hearing that, Kitahara felt a little awkward. He couldn't believe Koenji could keep talking in that tone without feeling embarrassed. What confidence.
But judging by the situation, he must have already figured it out.
That made sense. His abilities were terrifyingly impressive, after all.
"Thanks for the compliment, Koenji," Kitahara said, looking at him.
But when he looked over, he felt a gaze fixed intently on him.
Turning toward it, he saw Horikita glaring at him through gritted teeth.
Knowing Horikita's personality, he of course understood why. It was simply because her older brother hadn't recognized her. For a devoted brother-con like her, that sort of reaction was perfectly normal.
"Congratulations on joining the Student Council, Kitahara," Yosuke Hirata said with a smile.
Kitahara was just about to thank him when he suddenly heard a voice coming from the classroom...