Classes ended.
Shuchiin's dismissal time was early, like other Japanese schools, to allow time for club activities.
In just one day, Rinji Takamine had done quite a bit.
He joined the student council as treasurer, openly threatened a club leader, joined the Public Morals Committee, broke a window and tied up three students, wrote a review report, and insulted the kendo captain.
As a freshman, his debut had already made Shuchiin history.
"Joining the student council and Public Morals Committee… If you hadn't caused so many incidents, I'd say your first day was perfect."
"I think today was very fulfilling."
"If it weren't, I'd be terrified."
In the staff office, Sagara Kaya stared at the calm-faced Rinji, looking exasperated.
"Anyway… what you've done is still within my tolerable range."
"Thanks for the praise. I'll keep working hard tomorrow."
"Don't! Just be a normal student!" Sagara couldn't help shouting.
She was seriously afraid Rinji might one day blow up the entire school.
"Anyway, are you planning to join any clubs?"
"Yep. I just finished the form."
He handed it over. Sagara glanced over it.
"Astronomy Club, huh… not bad. At least it shows you're trying to live a normal school life."
She handed it back and began organizing her lesson plans.
"Try to enjoy school life. Even dating would be fine."
"That's something a teacher should say? Shouldn't you be telling me to study hard and aim high, Aunt Kaya?"
"Nope. I've given up. Expecting you to study seriously is hopeless."
She looked at him expressionlessly.
"At least if you're in a relationship, you'll focus on your girlfriend instead of causing trouble. I'm genuinely afraid you'll blow up Shuchiin someday."
"Isn't that a bit dramatic?"
"Given my past experience? Not at all."
---
Carrying his club application form, Takamine Rinji walked up to the rooftop to meet Ryuju Momo, as they had agreed.
The school's astronomy club was located on the rooftop—understandably, since stars could be seen more clearly from there.
However, most school clubs closed before sunset, so using stargazing as a reason to place the astronomy club on the rooftop didn't really hold up.
"Momo-senpai, I'm here."
Opening the rooftop door, Takamine Rinji walked in with the application form.
On the open rooftop space, an inflatable couch had been laid out, and Ryuzu Momo was lying on it, playing on her phone. Beside her were plush toys, and her shoes had been kicked off to the side.
It was obvious this wasn't any sort of club activity—Ryuzu Momo had simply claimed the rooftop as her personal hangout spot.
"Mm."
She put down her phone and took the application from Rinji, placing it beside her.
Sitting cross-legged on the couch, she rested her chin in her hands and looked up at Rinji.
"I never got to ask in detail—about why you suddenly left Japan four years ago."
"I already told you earlier today. I left temporarily because of some conflicts with the Shinomiya family."
As he spoke, Takamine Rinji swept the ground clean and sat down, then smoothly pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
Although one pack had already been confiscated by Hayasaka, he had fortunately kept a backup.
"Come to think of it, isn't it weird? You were only twelve four years ago, and you already had a smoking habit? Didn't your family do anything?"
"My physical constitution's a bit unusual. Even if I started drinking or smoking earlier, it wouldn't really affect me."
He exhaled a smoke ring as he spoke.
"My mom tried to stop me, but my dad turned a blind eye. And during New Year's when I was little, we used to drink baijiu together."
"What a bizarre family."
"I think it's fine."
"But as a disciplinary committee member, you're blatantly breaking school rules."
"I can't help the nicotine craving. Besides, the reason I joined the disciplinary committee in the first place was because I couldn't stand all the lovey-dovey couples around. I wanted a way to stop them from flaunting it in front of me."
"What did couples ever do to you?"
"I got dumped… Do I really have to share my tragic love story with everyone I meet? That's a real hit to the ego."
"Dumped?"
Ryuju Momo squinted slightly.
"You had a girlfriend?"
"As if. I'm basically garbage-tier as a love interest. I didn't know a thing at twelve, confessed to a girl, got rejected, and then ran off to clear my head."
"What girl?"
"Hayasaka Ai. She's at this school too, Class 2-A."
"Oh, that girl with the makeup and manicured nails, doing all the typical high school girl stuff."
Ryuju Momo snorted dismissively.
"Didn't take you for the type to like girls like her."
"That's a pretty pointed thing to say. Anyway, she wasn't always like that. I don't know what she's pretending to be now—probably trying to fit in better."
"You're the one that's frustrating."
"Huh?"
"It's pathetic. Just because a completely average girl rejected you, you ran away without a word? That really like you?"
Her face was full of irritation.
"I remember back then, you barged into a whole group just to pull me out, holding nothing but a utility knife. Where's that fire now?"
"Back then I was dumb and only knew how to charge in. Besides, love has nothing to do with combat ability."
"You've got that refined half-Japanese face, clearly come from a good family, and you were handling deals with the Peacekeeping Society at a young age. You have the looks and talent. Why let some ordinary girl throw you off balance? You should've had the attitude of 'it's your loss for not choosing me.'"
At this, Ryuju Momo let out a frustrated sigh.
"I was hoping at least someone on the level of Shinomiya Kaguya…"
"Who the hell would be dumb enough to fall for someone from the Shinomiya family? Are they brain-dead?"
"Yeah, unfortunately that brain-dead person is your current student council president."
"…"