A Meeting with Ichinose (1)

Emerging from his memories, Kitahara Seiichi frowned as he read the incoming messages. Horikita had sent:

[We will introduce all the Student Council members to you when you arrive tomorrow. By the way, a heads-up: he already knows you were the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.]

[Also, bring your club application form.]

Tsk, a confrontation already? But the President didn't even put in a good word for me, just threw me straight into the fire.

Is he still mad that I called him a tsundere?

Whatever, forget it. If push comes to shove, I'll just sell out Sakayanagi and let them tear each other apart.

The most important thing right now is to secure the club members!

For now, I need to find Class B to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

Just as Kitahara was holding his phone, preparing to message Ichinose, she sent a message of her own.

"Congratulations on joining the Student Council, Kitahara-kun. I look forward to working with you."

"Thanks for the congratulations, Ichinose," Kitahara replied quickly.

I didn't expect that. I was just wondering how to start a conversation with her, and then her message arrived. It seems like heaven wants me to join Class B.

"Ichinose-san..." Kitahara typed.

"Hm? What is it, Kitahara-kun?"

"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"What is it? If it's something I can help with, I'll certainly do my best."

"After all, you've helped me before, Kitahara-kun," Ichinose replied lightly, though the last part was whispered under her breath.

Hearing Ichinose's cheerful tone, Kitahara felt a bit puzzled, but he replied gratefully, "This matter actually requires your class to lend me a few people."

"Ah..." Perhaps because Kitahara's phrasing was ambiguous, or perhaps it was just too explosive, Ichinose didn't react for a moment and answered instinctively.

Realizing his words were problematic, Kitahara quickly explained, "Actually, I want to start a club, and I'm still a few members short of meeting the requirements. That's why I said I needed a few people."

"Oh, I see. But Kitahara-kun, haven't you already joined the Student Council? Are you still allowed to start a club?"

"How should I put it? I suppose the President went easy on me." Not knowing how else to answer, Kitahara chose the simplest explanation.

"I see... But to think you could get the President to make an exception for you, it seems you really are much more capable than I am," Ichinose replied, sounding a bit discouraged.

Hearing the sadness in Ichinose's tone, Kitahara realized he had accidentally reopened her wounds and quickly replied.

"Actually, Ichinose, you are very capable—even more so than I am. It's just that the situation in the Student Council is a bit complicated right now, which is why you weren't able to join."

"Hm, thank you for the comfort, Kitahara. Actually, I'm not as capable as you imagine. I should be a..."

Although Ichinose didn't finish her sentence, Kitahara knew full well the burden she carried, and he desperately wanted to help her.

Not to mention that they would soon be comrades-in-arms through thick and thin, she was also one of the few friends he had in this school.

"Ahem, although I don't know why you're so insistent on protecting the class, Ichinose, I can sense that you're carrying a heavy burden."

"So, if you ever feel like the pressure is too much to bear, perhaps I can be someone you can confide in."

Hearing Kitahara's sincere words, Ichinose couldn't help but laugh, a sound that felt like tears turning into smiles.

Looks like she's recovered, Kitahara thought with a smile.

Even though I'm a shut-in, this shows I'm actually pretty good at interacting with girls, right?

If Kushida Kikyo knew what Kitahara was thinking, she would probably just roar, "You treat me like that and call it being good with girls? Pfft..."

"Hm, but Kitahara-kun, what kind of club is it? I need to know so I can ask for the class's opinion," Ichinose asked.

Kitahara, completely oblivious to the fact that Ichinose had changed how she addressed him, replied happily, "I'm starting an Esports Club. How about it? Not bad, right?"

At this moment, Kitahara also failed to notice that his own tone had become much more relaxed when speaking to Ichinose.

"Isn't that just playing video games?" Ichinose replied instinctively.

"..." (She's got a point. I have no rebuttal.)

"You don't have to be so direct, you know," Kitahara replied helplessly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Ichinose replied apologetically, as if realizing how much damage her words had done.

"Forget it, you didn't mean it. So... what do you think?"

"Hm, I'll tell them and see how many people want to join."

"Great, thanks a lot. I'll come over later to have them fill out the application forms," Kitahara replied happily.

"See you this afternoon, Kitahara-kun," Ichinose replied.

"Yeah, see you this afternoon."

After finishing his business, Kitahara Seiichi returned to the classroom, only to find the entire class staring at him with strange expressions.

Noticing the situation, Kitahara looked at Ayanokoji and asked, "What's wrong with them? I don't think I did anything."

Ayanokoji thought for a moment before deciding to answer: "They were all surprised that you were able to enter the Student Council, since only you and Sakayanagi joined."

In truth, there was one thing Ayanokoji left unsaid; Ike's words from before had already made the class suspicious of him, and now that only the two of you had joined, well...

"Kitahara boy, you really are special. As expected, in this class, only you can be considered beautiful. Although you're still a bit behind me, you're not bad." Koenji, who hadn't spoken for a long time, finally opened his mouth.

Hearing this, Kitahara couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. He hadn't expected him to be able to maintain that tone so effortlessly; what powerful self-confidence.

But looking at it now, he must have already figured it out.

That made sense, after all, his strength was terrifyingly high.

"Thank you for the compliment, Koenji-kun," Kitahara said, looking toward him.

However, as he looked over, he felt a gaze fixed firmly upon him.

Turning toward the source of that gaze, he discovered Horikita gritting her teeth and staring daggers at him.

Knowing Horikita's personality, I naturally understood the reason. It was simply because she hadn't been chosen by her own brother. As a veteran brother-complex, such behavior was quite normal.

"Kitahara-kun, congratulations on joining the Student Council," Yosuke Hirata said with a smile.

Just as Kitahara was about to thank him, he suddenly heard a sound coming from the classroom...