Chapter 371 Club Department Inspection
"Miyabi is handsome, has good grades, and is an all-around athlete... no matter how you look at it, he's an excellent boyfriend."
Mizuhara Yue's tone shifted as she sized him up with interest: "By the way, Hikigaya-kun, you actually fit my aesthetic quite well, too.
If you were willing to pay the 20 million points for my class transfer, I wouldn't mind being your secret lover~"
Hearing Mizuhara-senpai's words get more and more ridiculous, Hikigaya's mouth twitched: "I'm sorry... I'm a total cheapskate. The kind that won't give up a single cent."
"Are you really not going to consider it? Pulling a 'NTR' on the Student Council President twice... in a web novel, that would definitely get a high rating~" Mizuhara Yue winked at him.
"I don't read power-fantasy novels... Also, what do you mean by 'twice'?" Hikigaya looked bewildered.
"Eh? Is that not the case? You already stole Miyabi's childhood friend." Mizuhara Yue blinked her innocent eyes.
"The so-called 'childhood friend' is just someone I've known since we were kids. Other than that, there's no special relationship between us," Hikigaya said seriously. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood and the girl who lived next door. Later, her parents moved to another city for work.
'Forget it, better not think about it...'
"If that's how you want to interpret it, that's fine too. Well~ it's about time, let's get to work." Mizuhara Yue ended the conversation.
The first stop was the Shogi Club. Shogi was once hailed as the national quintessence of Japan, but nowadays, there aren't many people good at it. In Advanced Nurturing High School, there are very few people who can play, and the department has struggled to recruit members for a long time. Mizuhara Yue issued a notice requiring the Shogi Club to expand its membership within a week, or face dissolution.
The second stop was the Football Club. A popular sport with many members, though their skill level wasn't exactly stellar. Hikigaya saw two acquaintances there: Hirata Yousuke and Shibata Souta.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're here to visit the Football Club?" Shibata greeted him warmly. To be honest, Hikigaya really couldn't handle this guy's enthusiasm. Hirata, who wasn't on good terms with him, merely nodded out of politeness.
"No, this is Student Council business. For specifics, please ask our secretary, Mizuhara-senpai." Hikigaya didn't want to step forward and yielded the floor.
"Everyone in the Football Club is so lively," Mizuhara Yue stated her purpose and then laid out some requirements. Judging by the reactions of the club members, the requirements were quite harsh—such as conducting internal selections to cut less-skilled members and reducing activity funds. It made people angry, and they glared at Mizuhara Yue! However, under the mediation of Hirata and Shibata, the members barely restrained themselves.
"Phew~ I was really scared just now~~ Hikigaya-kun must protect me, okay?~~~" Mizuhara Yue hugged her shoulders, pretending to tremble.
"..." Hikigaya watched her performance in silence. This level of acting couldn't even compare to a single hair on Kikyo's head.
"Tsk tsk~ as expected of the experienced Hikigaya-kun." Having her disguise seen through, Mizuhara Yue wasn't embarrassed. One had to admit her skin was thick enough.
The third stop: the Basketball Club. The Basketball Club is one of the top clubs in the school, second only to the Martial Arts Club. It has many members and a high skill level. Rumor has it they've already been designated by the school to be sent out for external competitions. Therefore, the Student Council had to pay extra attention.
"Student Council? Sorry, our captain isn't here, maybe—"
"No! Perfect timing, we're here for a surprise inspection."
"..."
The captain of the Basketball Club was Torayama Toru, a third-year from Class C, known for being a hothead. To avoid a direct conflict with him, Mizuhara Yue wanted to finish the Student Council's tasks quickly while he was away.
"First, the starting players—report your names one by one."
"..."
Among the players, Hikigaya only recognized Sudo Ken. He had become a regular small forward; he'd really come up in the world.
"And the substitutes?" Mizuhara Yue continued recording. At this point, a problem arose. Komiya Kyogo and Tsunoda Mugi both claimed to be the substitute.
"Tsunoda-senpai, you had an arm injury before and have been out of training for a long time. Why force yourself in?" Komiya, a second-year from Class C, spoke with a sarcastic tone—perhaps influenced by Ryuen's atmosphere—that was very unpleasant to hear.
"Bullshit!" Tsunoda, a third-year from Class D, was a master of trash talk. "I joined this club the day I enrolled. Who can beat me in terms of seniority?"
"Basketball is about skill, not seniority. It's time for you to step aside, Tsunoda-senpai!" Komiya argued.
"The one who should step aside is you! Komiya, you play forward, right? With Sudo there, when would you ever get a chance to play?!" Tsunoda hit the nail on the head, striking right at the other's sore spot.
"You...!" Komiya was furious, yet he couldn't refute it. A thick look of jealousy flashed in his eyes as he looked at Sudo Ken.
"Stop arguing, you two. How about we let the Student Council decide?" Sudo Ken actually tried to mediate; he really had grown. Though his interpersonal skills still needed work.
"..." Mizuhara Yue's face changed. She cursed inwardly: 'This brainless idiot! What does your internal club conflict have to do with me, an outsider?'
At this moment, no matter who she chose, she would inevitably incur the hatred of the other.
"Mizuhara-san... you'll make a fair choice, right?" Tsunoda was a fellow third-year; while they weren't close, they were at least acquaintances.
Seeing this, Komiya got anxious and shouted: "Mizuhara-senpai! My strength has been recognized by the captain. By rights, the substitute spot should definitely be mine!"
Mizuhara Yue looked troubled and turned a pleading gaze toward Hikigaya: "Um, what does Hikigaya-kun think?"
'What does this have to do with me?' Hikigaya was speechless. He wasn't in the club, nor was he the council secretary; he was just an assistant.
Just as the atmosphere turned icy, a gruff voice came from the clubhouse entrance.
"Who's pointing fingers on my turf!"
The newcomer was the captain, Torayama Toru. Standing over 190cm tall, he had a very oppressive presence.
"Um... Torayama-kun, sorry for the intrusion." A hint of fear flashed in Mizuhara Yue's eyes, but she maintained a calm smile on the surface.
"Hmph! Nagumo's maidservant and dog—who gave you the courage to give orders in my Basketball Club?" Torayama opened with a verbal insult.
Mizuhara Yue endured it. But Hikigaya didn't want to: "Watch your language, Torayama-senpai."
"Oh! I was wondering who it was." Torayama narrowed his eyes, seemingly recognizing him. "So you're that second-year Hikigaya!"
"Since you know it's me, why engage in such a pointless provocation?" Hikigaya took a step forward, meeting his gaze without fear.
"Holy crap! This guy has that much guts?" The basketball members had varied expressions. Normally, if they slacked off even a little, Torayama would curse them out or even get physical!
"Discipline Chairman Hikigaya. Others might fear you, but I don't." Torayama snorted. Being in third-year Class C, his hopes of reaching Class A were near zero, so he wasn't afraid of point deductions.
"Whether you're afraid isn't something determined by your mouth." Hikigaya stared at him with his "dead fish" eyes.
"You're looking for a beating then!" Torayama's eyes widened in rage, and he suddenly swung a punch at Hikigaya's face.
Hikigaya didn't react; he stood perfectly still.
Stop.
Torayama's fist halted right at his forehead.
"Reason overcame impulse; that's worthy of praise, Torayama-senpai," Hikigaya calmly gave an affirmative evaluation.
"Tsk! Truly an annoying brat! No wonder you dare to challenge Nagumo; seems you have some ability." Torayama looked extremely displeased but had to withdraw his fist.
In Advanced Nurturing, aside from graduating from Class A to get into a prestigious school, exceptional personal performance can also get you a school recommendation. Torayama knew his academics were poor, so he had been active in clubs since enrollment, planning to take the athletic recruitment route. This year, leading the team in external matches was his best chance. At such a critical juncture, he couldn't actually have a conflict with the Student Council. He thought a minor secretary could be easily scared off, but he ran into a hard case like Hikigaya!
"Apologize," Hikigaya said succinctly.
"I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun... and sorry, Mizuhara-san." Torayama bowed his head in apology. The basketball members were dumbstruck. Their "hothead" captain actually bowed his head to Hikigaya.
"The list of participants and substitutes for the Basketball Club. Also, a detailed report for the external activity budget. Submit them to the Student Council within three days." Hikigaya waved his hand, too lazy to talk further.
After leaving the club, Mizuhara Yue looked at him with stars in her eyes.
"Hikigaya-kun, I suddenly find you super handsome! Want to 'keep' me? For free!"
Hikigaya declined: "No, I prefer being the one who is 'kept.'"
"Haha, Hikigaya, you're such a joker."
"No, I'm serious."
"Well, that's a pity then."
The next stop was the Photography Club.
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