Meeting with Ichinose (2)

"Don't tell me this exam wasn't you betraying the class. Why else would you and Sakayanagi be the only ones to join the student council? I'm certain you leaked information to her, which is exactly why we faced this expulsion crisis."

Before Kitahara could respond, Hirata, standing to the side, spoke up first: "That's enough, Ike. We're all classmates; you shouldn't be slandering a companion so recklessly."

"Can someone like Kitahara even be called our companion? He wasn't willing to contribute a single point when we were facing expulsion. He had so many points, yet he chose to stand by and watch. If Horikita hadn't come up with that plan, we'd all have been expelled by now."

Perhaps it was the lingering resentment from having just survived the crisis, but even under Hirata's persuasion, he continued his aggressive verbal assault.

Under his barrage, even Hirata didn't know what to say. Since these were indeed Kitahara's actions, Hirata, who sought to maintain class stability, found himself unable to side with anyone.

But Kitahara, standing nearby, was not like him. Having endured so many conflicts, even a clay figurine would have three parts of anger, let alone him.

[The swimming pool incident is coming soon. Let's see if you can escape the crisis of expulsion this time.]

Kitahara thought to himself. Now was not the time to truly tear off the mask; when he saved up 20 million points, that would be the day of their doom.

By then, he would see whether Ayanokoji would continue to hide or finally show his true strength.

Seeing that Kitahara remained silent, Ike wore a smug smile, looking at the rest of the class as if to show off his dominance.

But he didn't know that in the eyes of others, this looked more like Kitahara ignoring the behavior of a clown.

What he knew even less was that his own death sentence had just been passed.

Unlike the escalating conflict in Class D, the atmosphere in Class B was simply harmonious.

"Ichinose, are you saying that Kitahara Seiichi from Class D wants to invite people from our Class B to join his club?" Shibata asked, finding it hard to believe as he confirmed with Ichinose again.

"Yes. Although it is a bit strange, it's true. Kitahara will be coming by later to collect the application forms," Ichinose replied gently.

"I never imagined that the most peculiar weirdo in Class D would actually take the initiative to ask for your help, Ichinose."

"Shiranami, please don't give people nicknames so casually. Actually, Kitahara isn't like the rumors say; he's quite easy to get along with."

Watching Ichinose defend Kitahara, Shiranami could only say reluctantly, "Alright, I understand, Honami-chan."

However, no one noticed the flash of jealousy in Shiranami's eyes.

After hearing Shiranami's response, Ichinose continued, "So, everyone, what have you decided?"

"Although I'd really like to go, I've already joined the soccer club, so I have to pass. Sorry, Ichinose," Shibata replied first.

"It's fine, Shibata. This is based on your own will; there's no need to force yourself on my account," Ichinose said softly.

"Ichinose, I am willing to join this club."

"Hm? Kanzaki, you're actually choosing to join? Don't tell me you usually don't talk because you're afraid we'll find out you actually like playing games?" Before Ichinose could answer, Shibata looked at his good friend in surprise and asked.

The boy named Kanzaki Ryuji simply looked at the speaking Shibata, and he instantly fell silent.

Standing at the podium, Ichinose nodded slightly, as if she had expected this all along.

Looking at Ichinose, Kanzaki couldn't help but recall their previous conversation. It was then he learned that the ability to pull away from Class C and close the gap with Class A at the start of the school year had all come from information provided by that Kitahara Seiichi.

To be honest, he hadn't believed it when he first heard it from Ichinose, but after Kitahara obtained 10 million points, it was enough to convince anyone completely.

However, since Kitahara had appeared in the grade's line of sight, aside from Ichinose in their class and Sakayanagi in Class A, he hadn't seen him have any special contact with anyone else.

This filled Kanzaki Ryuji with curiosity, and he hoped to use this opportunity to understand him better. This was also the result of his discussion with Ichinose.

But Kanzaki didn't know that once he joined the club, he would regret making this decision.

"Well, if there's no one else, let's confirm Kanzaki for now," Ichinose said after looking around. Although she was still smiling, there was a hint of loneliness in her eyes.

After all, she hadn't expected that no one else would be willing to join besides Kanzaki.

In truth, such a result was understandable. While the members of Class B were full of trust in Ichinose, they were indeed a bit afraid of the man known as the weirdo, Kitahara.

After all, Kitahara's reputation had been spread by those in Class D; to say that Class B, which played well with Class D, hadn't been influenced would clearly be impossible.

All of this was the fault of those rumor-mongers in Class D, not Ichinose's fault.

But given Ichinose's personality, she would certainly blame herself.

Clearly, that was the case. Until the end of class, Ichinose's mood remained somewhat dejected. Soon, the voice of Kitahara Seiichi came from the door of the Class B classroom.

"Hello, may I ask if Ichinose is in the classroom?" Kitahara asked politely; after all, they were different from that group in Class D.

"Uh, are you Kitahara?" the girl who was asked replied with a question.

"Yes," Kitahara nodded.

"Uh... Ichinose is inside."

Seeing her flustered state, Kitahara was momentarily confused. Was he really that scary?

Before he could think it through, a faint, pleasant fragrance drifted over. Kitahara turned his head and saw Ichinose walking over with a gentle smile.

"Kitahara, you're here. The only one willing to join the club this time is Kanzaki," Ichinose said with a hint of apology.

Hearing this news, Kitahara felt both surprised and unsurprised. From the girl's reaction earlier, it was obvious she was avoiding him.

It seemed they were wary of him. Looking at the slight loneliness in Ichinose's eyes, Kitahara understood that she must have done her best.

"It's fine. One person is already good enough; with me, it's only one person short anyway."

"Is that so..." Ichinose murmured. I didn't expect that I couldn't even find two people. Am I really still the same as before?

"Um, Kitahara, if you're still short on people, then let me join as well."

"Hmm?" Kitahara Seiichi looked at her with a puzzled expression, realizing she was likely shouldering the burden all by herself again.

"Actually, Ichinose, you don't need to worry. I have another candidate who will complete our roster."

"Really?" Ichinose asked, sounding somewhat skeptical.

"Yes, the other person is Kamuro Masumi from Class A."

Back in the Class A classroom, Kamuro, who was serving Sakayanagi, suddenly sneezed. Sakayanagi, sitting nearby, remarked, "Kamuro, you really should take better care of yourself."

Kamuro initially thought Sakayanagi was showing concern, but she didn't expect the follow-up: "Otherwise, how will you be able to serve me better?"

"You really are..." Kamuro gave her a helpless look.

Hmm?

Feeling her phone vibrate, Kamuro picked it up and saw a message from Kitahara Seiichi.

"Come to Class B immediately and sign the club application form."

Just as Kamuro was planning to ignore the message, another one followed immediately.

"If you don't come, heh, the consequences won't be something you can handle."

Although Kitahara Seiichi hadn't explicitly said anything, it felt as if he had said everything.

Gritting her teeth at the message, Kamuro had no choice but to stand up.

She said to Sakayanagi, "Sakayanagi, I have something to take care of, so I'll be stepping out for a moment."

Sakayanagi lifted her eyes slightly and said with a chuckle, "Go ahead. I have a rough idea of who called you out. Give my regards to Kitahara Seiichi."

Kamuro walked quickly toward the Class B classroom, her heart filled with resentment, yet her body was honest enough to comply.

Arriving at the door of the Class B classroom, Kamuro saw Kitahara Seiichi standing there talking with Ichinose.

With a dark expression, she walked over and said, "Kitahara Seiichi, what kind of club are you asking me to join?"

Hearing Kamuro's words, Ichinose and Kanzaki Ryuji looked at her with strange expressions, as if to say, You came all the way here without even knowing what the club is?

"Ahem, Kamuro, fill this out first, and then I'll tell you," Kitahara Seiichi said, looking at the awkward atmosphere.

"What! You want me to sign it when I don't even know what it is?" Kamuro glared at him, furious.

"If you don't want that video to appear on the school forum tomorrow, then be a good girl and..." Kitahara Seiichi leaned in close to Kamuro and whispered.

"You really are a pervert. Didn't you say you already deleted it?" Kamuro said, feeling both angry and helpless.

Still, she had no choice but to obediently take the application form Kitahara Seiichi handed her and fill in her name.

However, as she handed it back, she whispered, "I've agreed to sign it, so you must delete that video. And, you have to delete it right in front of me."

After taking the application form, Kitahara Seiichi smiled and said, "How can I delete something that never existed? Do you want me to film another one?"

Realizing she had been tricked, Kamuro turned bright red with rage and raised her leg, intending to kick Kitahara Seiichi.

Always alert to her reactions, Kitahara Seiichi quickly grabbed her ankle and said, "Calm down. Actually, joining isn't a bad thing; on the contrary, there are many benefits."

"Pah! I don't care about the benefits. I don't want to be around you."

"How can you say that? Do you prefer being stuck with that person, Sakayanagi?"

"Hmph, as if that's possible. You're both the same kind of person."

"Heh, Kamuro, once you join the club, won't you have a reason to stay away from Sakayanagi? Besides, I'm the club president, so I'm the one who decides when we hold club activities."

"Hmm? You have a point. But you can't threaten me with that matter ever again." After thinking it over, Kamuro compromised.

"Rest assured, I will never do that again," Kitahara Seiichi promised solemnly.

"Um, Kitahara Seiichi, have you two finished discussing?" Ichinose asked, watching them maintain that pose.

"Ahem..." Realizing the situation, Kitahara Seiichi quickly let go of her ankle, and Kamuro also pulled back the long leg she had been aiming at him.

Her face flushed with color again; she hadn't expected them to hold that awkward pose for so long.

"Alright, everything is settled. I'll go submit this to the student council shortly, and by tomorrow or so, our club will be officially established."

"Let's get familiar with the club members first," Kitahara Seiichi said, looking at them.

"Ahem, I don't need an introduction; I assume everyone already knows me."

"Hmph, who doesn't know your infamous name?" Kamuro said sarcastically.

"..."

"Hello, I am Kanzaki Ryuji from Class B. Please take care of me from now on," Kanzaki Ryuji introduced himself first.

"Ah... um, I am Kamuro Masumi from Class A. Please take care of me from now on."

Seeing the relatively peaceful atmosphere, Kitahara Seiichi couldn't help but think.

[Finally, the three-person lineup is complete. This is my current team.]

"Hey, Kitahara Seiichi. You can tell me what kind of club this is now."