"You said this exam wasn't you betraying the class. Then why were you and Yanagihara the only ones who joined the Student Council? I bet you told Yanagihara our information, and that's what landed us in this expulsion crisis."
Before Kitahara could respond, Hirata, who was standing nearby, spoke up first. "That's enough, Ike. We're all classmates. You shouldn't make baseless accusations against your peers."
"Can someone like Kitahara really be called our peer? When we were facing expulsion, he refused to contribute any of his points. He had so many, but still chose to stand by and do nothing. If Horikita hadn't come up with that plan, the few of us would've been expelled by now."
Perhaps it was because they had only just gotten through this crisis that he was still full of resentment. Even after Hirata tried to talk him down, he kept on attacking Kitahara to his face.
Under Ike's barrage, even Hirata didn't know what to say. Kitahara had indeed done all that, and Hirata, who wanted to keep the class stable, didn't know whose side to take.
Kitahara, standing nearby, wasn't like Hirata. After going through so many conflicts, even a clay figurine would have a temper. Kitahara was no exception.
Before long, we'll have to deal with the swimming pool incident. Let's see if you can escape expulsion this time.
Kitahara thought to himself. It wasn't time to openly break with them yet. Once he had saved up twenty million points, their doom would come.
Then he'd see whether Ayanokoji would keep hiding his abilities or finally put in some effort.
Seeing that Kitahara wasn't responding, Ike wore a smug grin as he looked around the class, wanting everyone to know how formidable he was.
But he didn't realize that, in everyone else's eyes, it looked more like Kitahara was ignoring the antics of a buffoon.
He also didn't know that he'd just been sentenced to death once again.
Unlike the tension brewing in Class D, the atmosphere in Class B was downright harmonious.
"You're saying that Kitahara Seiichi from Class D wants to invite people from Class B to join his club?" Shibata asked Ichinose incredulously, seeking confirmation.
"Mm. It is a little strange, but it's true. Kitahara will come by later to collect the application forms," Ichinose answered gently.
"I never thought the strangest oddball in Class D would actually ask you for help, Ichinose."
"Shiranami, please don't give people nicknames like that. Actually, Kitahara isn't the way people make him out to be. He's quite easy to get along with."
Seeing how Ichinose was sticking up for Kitahara, Shiranami could only reply reluctantly, "Fine, I understand, Honami-chan."
But no one noticed the glimmer of jealousy in Shiranami's eyes.
After hearing Shiranami's response, Ichinose continued, "So, everyone, have you decided?"
"I'd like to join, but I'm already in the soccer club, so I'll have to pass. Sorry, Ichinose," Shibata replied first.
"That's all right, Shibata. It's up to you, and you don't have to join just for my sake," Ichinose said softly.
"Ichinose, I'm willing to join this club."
"Huh? Ryuji, you're actually going to join? Is that why you're usually so quiet—because you're afraid we'll find out you like playing games?" Before Ichinose could answer, Shibata turned to his friend in surprise and asked.
The boy called Kanzaki Ryuji simply looked at Shibata, and Shibata fell silent at once.
Ichinose, standing at the front of the classroom, merely nodded slightly, as if she had expected this.
Looking at Ichinose, Kanzaki couldn't help recalling their conversation from before. That was when he learned that the information from Kitahara Seiichi had helped Class B pull ahead of Class C at the start of the year and close the gap with Class A.
To be honest, when he first heard it from Ichinose, he hadn't quite believed her. But after Kitahara had obtained ten million points, it had become impossible not to believe.
Still, ever since Kitahara had come to the attention of the entire year, apart from Ichinose in their class and Yanagihara in Class A, he didn't seem to have gotten particularly close to anyone else.
That was why Kanzaki Ryuji was so curious about him. He hoped this opportunity would help him get to know Kitahara better. It was also the result of his discussion with Ichinose.
What Kanzaki didn't know was that once he joined the club, he would regret making this decision.
"Well, if no one else is interested, let's put down Kanzaki as the only member for now," Ichinose said after looking around. She was still smiling, but there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
After all, she hadn't expected that no one but Kanzaki would be willing to join.
The outcome wasn't particularly surprising. Although the students in Class B trusted Ichinose, they were a little wary of Kitahara, who was known as an oddball.
After all, Kitahara's reputation had spread through the students in Class D. It was impossible for Class B, who got along well with Class D, not to be affected by it.
It was all the fault of those rumor-spreaders in Class D, not Ichinose's.
But given Ichinose's personality, she would surely blame herself.
And sure enough, her mood remained low until class ended. Before long, Kitahara Seiichi's voice came from the doorway of the Class B classroom.
"Hello, is Ichinose in the classroom?" Kitahara asked politely. After all, Class B's students were different from the people in Class D.
"Um, are you Kitahara?" the girl he'd asked replied with a question of her own.
"Yes." Kitahara nodded.
"Um... Ichinose is inside."
Seeing how flustered she was, Kitahara was at a loss. Was he really that scary?
Before he could figure it out, a faint fragrance drifted over. Kitahara turned and saw Ichinose approaching with a gentle smile.
"Kitahara, you're here. Only Kanzaki was willing to join the club," Ichinose said apologetically.
Kitahara was both surprised and unsurprised by the news. The way the girl from a moment ago had acted made it obvious she was avoiding him.
So they were wary of him. Seeing the faint disappointment in Ichinose's eyes, Kitahara understood that she must have done her best.
"It's fine. One person is already pretty good. With me, that makes two. We only need one more."
"Is that so..." Ichinose murmured. She hadn't expected that she couldn't even find two people. Was she really still the same as before?
"Um, Kitahara, if you still need people, then let me join too," Ichinose said again.
"Hm?" Kitahara looked at her in confusion, then realized she might be blaming herself again.
"You don't need to worry, Ichinose. I have another candidate in mind, so we can make up the numbers."
"Really?" Ichinose asked doubtfully.
"Mm. The other person is Kamuro from Class A."
Meanwhile, Kamuro, who was attending to Yanagihara in the Class A classroom, suddenly sneezed. Yanagihara, sitting beside her, said, "Kamuro, you should take better care of yourself."
Kamuro thought Yanagihara was showing concern for her, but then Yanagihara added, "Otherwise, how will you be able to serve me properly?"
"You really are..." Kamuro looked at her helplessly.
Hm?
Feeling her phone vibrate, Kamuro picked it up and saw a message from Kitahara.
"Come to Class B right now and sign the club application form."
Kamuro was about to ignore the message when another one arrived immediately afterward.
"If you don't come, heh, you won't be able to handle the consequences."
Kitahara hadn't said anything specific, but somehow it felt like he'd said everything.
Gritting her teeth as she stared at the message, Kamuro could only get to her feet.
She said to Yanagihara, "Yanagihara, I need to step out for a bit."
Yanagihara raised her eyes slightly and chuckled. "Go ahead. I can guess who called you out. Give Kitahara my regards."
Kamuro hurried toward the Class B classroom, filled with resentment, though her body was being perfectly obedient.
When she reached the doorway of Class B, she saw Kitahara talking with Ichinose.
She walked over with a dark expression and said, "Kitahara Seiichi, what club are you asking me to join?"
Hearing Kamuro's question, Ichinose and Kanzaki gave her odd looks, as if to say, You came all this way without even knowing what club it is?
"Ahem. Kamuro, fill this out first, and I'll tell you," Kitahara said, sensing the strange atmosphere.
"What! You want me to sign before I even know anything about it?" Kamuro glared at him furiously.
"If you don't want that video showing up on the school forum tomorrow, then just do as I say..." Kitahara leaned toward Kamuro and whispered.
"You really are a pervert. Didn't you say you'd deleted it?" Kamuro said, furious and helpless.
But she could only obediently take the application form Kitahara handed her and write down her name.
As she handed it back, she said quietly, "I've agreed to sign. You have to delete that video. And you have to do it in front of me."
Taking the application form, Kitahara smiled. "How can I delete something that never existed? Do you want me to make another one?"
Realizing what had happened, Kamuro immediately understood she'd been tricked. Her face flushed with anger, and she raised her leg, ready to kick Kitahara.
Kitahara had been watching her closely. He quickly grabbed her ankle and said, "Calm down. Joining isn't a bad thing. There are plenty of benefits, actually."
"Pah! I don't care what the benefits are. I don't want to be around you."
"How can you say that? Would you rather be around that Yanagihara woman?"
"Hmph. As if. You're both the same."
"Heh, Kamuro, once you join the club, you'll have an excuse to stay away from Yanagihara. Besides, I'm the club president, so I get to decide when we hold club activities."
"Hm? You do have a point. But you can't threaten me with that again," Kamuro said after thinking it over, finally giving in.
"Don't worry. I swear I won't do that again," Kitahara said solemnly.
"Um, Kitahara, are you two done discussing things?" Ichinose asked, looking at them as they remained in that position.
"Ahem..." Kitahara came to his senses and quickly let go of her ankle. At the same time, Kamuro realized what was happening and lowered the long leg she'd raised to kick him.
Her face flushed again. She hadn't realized they'd been stuck in that awkward position the whole time.
"All right, everything's settled. I'll officially submit the paperwork to the Student Council later. Our club should be established by around tomorrow."
"Let's introduce ourselves as club members first," Kitahara said, looking at them.
"Ahem, I don't need to introduce myself. I'm sure everyone knows me."
"Hmph. Who doesn't know your name?" Kamuro said sarcastically.
"..."
"Hello, I'm Kanzaki Ryuji from Class 1-B. I look forward to working with you," Kanzaki introduced himself first.
"Ah... um, I'm Kamuro Masumi from Class 1-A. I look forward to working with you."
Seeing that the atmosphere was fairly peaceful, Kitahara couldn't help thinking:
Finally, I've got the three-person lineup together. This is my team for now.
"Hey, Kitahara. Can you tell me what club this is now?"