285 - Warakui Sumika Makes Her Grand Entrance
Yumemite Yumemi was sitting in the activity room, face full of excitement as she scrolled through the comments under her new LIVE performance. All of them were praise, and her popularity had grown more than ever.
After weeks of hard training, she had finally mastered the simplest song Hachiman Hikigaya had given her.
With a self-choreographed dance to accompany it, she uploaded it to YouTube, sparking a fair bit of buzz. Laid before her now seemed to be a clearly visible path to stardom.
Yumemi had always been someone who repaid favors.
Though she had lost complete freedom and become nothing more than Hikigaya's mouthpiece, what she received far outweighed what she gave. To avoid owing him too much, she decided to do something in return for Hikigaya.
Something like... votes~
Her fan support group was her vote warehouse.
But that warehouse was finite—some fans wouldn't give up their votes unless she performed something truly impressive.
She needed to put on a show.
But what kind of performance? Yumemi thought back to the peak moment of her popularity—it was during her gamble with Hikigaya.
The gimmick then had been a team debut with Yumeko.
Then why not, this time, perform together with Yumeko again, and all the votes she earned she could hand over to Hikigaya Hachiman.
"This way, he gets the votes and I get the popularity. Win-win!!"
Acting on impulse, Yumemi immediately left her second-year classroom and headed for the Year 1 – A Group's classroom.
She burst through the door and pounced on Yumeko, who was just about to get cozy with Hikigaya.
"Yumeko-chaaaan~"
Yumeko was startled by the woman in front of her.
Only after seeing her clearly did she regain her composure. "Yumemi-san, is something the matter?" "Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favor, Yumeko-chan~"
"Please team up with me for a debut performance!" "Eh?!"
Even Hikigaya, sitting to the side, froze in confusion, not knowing what this girl was plotting. Yumeko looked troubled and said: "Yumemi-san, this is a bit..."
Yumemi clasped her hands together in a praying gesture. "Please, this is a once-in-a-lifetime request! Just this one time! A one-day-only LIVE performance—if we make that previous bet with Hikigaya a reality, it'll cause a popularity explosion!" "All the votes we earn, I'll give them to Hikigaya. He needs votes right now, right?"
"I-Is that so?" Yumeko was taken aback by Yumemi's passion and subconsciously stepped back. She glanced at Hikigaya. If it was about votes, she didn't need his approval—just say yes. What mattered most now was Hikigaya gaining an advantage in the election.
Just as Yumeko was about to agree, a commotion erupted in the classroom.
"Hey! Look at that!" "No way!" "Is it real?" "WRYYYY, I'm her die-hard fan! I have to get her autograph!"
If the school atmosphere before had been like a pot of warm water, it was now a boiling frenzy. More and more students surged out of their classrooms, running toward the front doors of the academic building.
What's going on?
Hikigaya's little group exchanged looks—they had no idea.
The voices were getting closer, the crowd growing denser, all pushing toward Year 1 – Hua Group's classroom.
"Eh, that's—"
Once the noise hit a certain threshold, Hikigaya finally saw the epicenter of the frenzy: a red-haired, violet-eyed woman with a sexy beauty mark under her eye.
That was… Kawaru Natari!!
Even Hikigaya, who didn't follow idols, recognized her.
After all, to rebuild Yumemite Yumemi's image, he had crammed a good amount of entertainment industry knowledge.
Among that was info about the Japan-born actress who studied in the U.S. and became an international film, TV, and music superstar— Kawaru Natari.
No doubt about it. A global superstar had descended upon Hyakkaou Academy.
What kind of absurd development was this?
Hikigaya personally didn't see celebrities with any special awe.
He never had that small-fry-meets-superstar inferiority filter.
No matter the status, souls were equal—that was the mindset that allowed Hikigaya to deal with the school's elite students without losing composure.
He wasn't shaken, but beside him, Yumemite Yumemi was absolutely losing it.
As a minor school idol, coming face to face with someone who stood at the pinnacle of the entertainment world, her heart trembled.
Her excitement far exceeded that of an ordinary fan. Her idol training and emotional discipline were tossed aside. Now, all she wanted was to cozy up to Japan's greatest entertainer.
"Ahhh!"
She immediately rushed over in a small jog: "U-Um! I'm your biggest fan, Miss Natari!"
Yumemi clasped her hands in front of her chest, looking utterly humble: "Your acting in Mistral shook me to the core! Your portrayal of 21 personalities—I still think about it all the time!"
"Oh~ is that so~"
"I recognize you. You're an idol—Yumemite Yumemi, right~"
Yumemi's pupils shrank.
She never imagined her beloved idol would actually know her name. It felt like a ton of happiness had been dropped on her head. She was floating.
"She actually knows me... I'm really... so happy..."
Right now, Yumemi wanted to kneel and clean Natari's feet on the spot. Now she understood why some extreme fans felt twisted love for their idols.
It was impossible to suppress!
But what came next shattered Yumemi's fantasy and sent her crashing from the clouds straight into a frozen hell.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I have no interest in Japanese idols—especially small-time school idols. I don't know anything about you, and I don't want to."
"Eh...?" Yumemi's smile froze on her face.
"It's an election, after all. You have to properly research your opponents. Even a lion uses all its strength to hunt a rabbit." "I came to see you for two reasons: the election, and the person behind you..."
Hanauryu lifted her phone and pointed the screen at the group. "I find this song interesting. It's wasted in your hands. There's no way you wrote it—your skill level as a school idol is something I'm quite familiar with."
"A song like this is wasted on you. Introduce me to the one behind it.
In my hands, it'll shine to its fullest potential.
If you agree, I'll owe you a favor. If not—I'll gamble and take the rights from you by force."
286: Momobami Kirari's 1v6 Gamble
"You said election? You're also a student at this school?" Hikigaya Hachiman raised a question.
In his impression, there wasn't anyone like her at Hyakkaou Private Academy.
"I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm from the Hundred Devouring Clan—real name, Warakubami Sumika. Originally, I came here to gamble, but now I've found something that piques my interest."
Warakubami Sumika raised her hand and pointed at Yumemi Yumemite: "That would be the person behind you."
"From the looks of it, your value as an idol has just gone up. Not only do you have the votes I need, but you also have the talent I want behind you."
Yumemi could barely hear what she was saying anymore.
She simply hung her head, her hollow gaze fixed on the floor, dazed. The sounds and sights around her seemed to be peeling away, leaving her isolated.
"Of course… She's a world-class Hollywood star. And I'm just a tiny high school idol… practically nonexistent. I shouldn't feel hurt by her contempt— I should be thankful just for being noticed at all."
"But even so... Even someone like me has dreamed of walking down the red carpet one day!"
"If that's the case, then just come to me directly." Hikigaya stepped forward, placing himself in front of Yumemi.
It wasn't because he was enamored with Yumemi and wanted to protect her.
It was because Warakubami Sumika had the votes he needed.
And as a member of the Hundred Devouring Clan, she was an enemy he would have to face—now or in the future. Better to confront her now and take her down in one blow.
Warakubami crossed her arms and looked at him with arrogant disdain. "So, you're Hikigaya Hachiman. The one currently ranked number one, right? Sure, you've got the votes, but the person I want to deal with first isn't you. Hold on to that top spot until the end, and then accept my challenge."
"No. I'm the one you're interested in." "I'm the composer behind Yumemi Yumemite's songs."
.
.
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"Momobami Kirari —why are you here?"
The once-empty meeting room of the Hundred Devouring Clan now held only two members of the branch. When they saw Kirari arrive, Totobami Terano became instantly tense, fists clenched tightly on her knees.
"Terano, how do you like the club room I prepared for you all?" Kirari asked with a gentle smile.
"...It's fine," Terano replied coolly. "You didn't come here just for small talk, did you?"
"Of course not. I came for a gamble."
Kirari leaned on the sofa opposite Terano, speaking with the relaxed tone of a close friend.
Terano's gaze wavered. "I see. So even someone like you is getting anxious now that Hikigaya Hachiman has surpassed you in the rankings?"
"Perhaps~" Kirari giggled.
"But if the man of the house is out clearing enemies, then as the lady of the house, I must do something that matches his efforts~"
"Man of the house? Lady of the house?" Terano raised an eyebrow at the bold words.
"Hey, Kirari, I've heard some things… Isn't Hikigaya Hachiman dating Jabami Yumeko? What exactly are you trying to do here?"
"Can't we… all just be together?"
"Are you serious, Momobami Kirari?!"
Terano's expression turned from shock to fury.
If Kirari wasn't joking—if she didn't see Hikigaya Hachiman as just some fling she could toss aside— Then calling herself his "lady" meant something terrifying:
She truly intended to marry him—as the head of the Momobami Clan, and the main house of the Hundred Devouring Clan!
What kind of sick joke is this?! A commoner, trying to seize control of our centuries-old inheritance?!
"I will never agree to this!" Terano shouted. "And neither will the elders of the clan. They will never accept such a thing!"
"Did I say I needed your approval?"
Kirari leaned forward.
The room suddenly grew oppressive with her overwhelming presence. Terano broke into a cold sweat and didn't dare breathe too loudly.
"The branches of the Hundred Devouring Clan have always been subject to the main house. You are to obey unconditionally. Anyone who refuses shall be purged. Surely, you haven't forgotten that rule, have you?"
"The day I became clan head, that already happened once."
"This so-called gambling system is merely a chance I granted to the branches—to fight for their wishes through means I deem fair."
"If you can't win, then shut your mouths. Anyone who dares protest… I'll wipe them out!"
Kirari's tone remained soft and sweet, but the weight behind her words was terrifying. There was no room for doubt. No one could challenge her authority—not under these circumstances.
Terano's pupils shook violently. Once again, she recalled the fear of being ruled by the Momobami Clan.
Back then, a branch family had tried to poison Kirari's parents. That entire line was wiped out—no survivors. If Kirari made a move, there was no question—death would follow.
Terano grabbed her trembling left hand with her right, forcing herself not to fall apart in front of Kirari. That was her last shred of dignity as a branch family member facing the clan head.
"…I understand." She bowed her proud head.
"Good. I'm glad you understand." Kirari straightened up, withdrawing her pressure and smiling gently.
"Relax. I won't really do anything to you—as long as you don't cross the line." "If you can defeat either me or Hikigaya Hachiman through gambling, then what I want won't happen."
"So, for the future we each envision… let's have a truly exhilarating gamble~"
Kirari walked over to the window, looking out.
"There's a secret base I built in this school. It's called the Tower of the Gate."
"Terano, gather the remaining members of the Hundred Devouring Clan. Let's gamble—all of us!"
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Knock knock—
Speak of the devil, and the devil appears.
The rest of the Hundred Devouring Clan had arrived—everyone except Warakubami Sumika, who had already been defeated.
"Well, if it isn't Kirari Momobami! What a rare sight!" spoke Obami Rin, sipping his usual cup of hot tea.
Kirari glanced around the room and read off names like a recipe:
"Totobami Terano, Totobami Yumi, Obami Rin, Obami Ibara, Komabami Nozomi and Batsubami Rei
."
"You six, join me."
"This will be the final gamble."
"Bet everything—your dignity and pride as branches of the Hundred Devouring Clan!"
Pfffft— Obami Rin spat his tea out in shock, staring blankly at Kirari, utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, Ririka, who had been quietly eavesdropping near the door, gently closed it and slipped away.