"So, Luo-kun, you're going to be the president of the Astronomy Club?" In the faculty office, Mr. Takagi, a middle-aged balding teacher, tapped his receding hairline with his pen as he looked up at Luo Shu. Then his gaze shifted to Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was smiling with the polish of a practiced hostess, and then to Sawamura Spencer Eriri, who stood stiffly with an expressionless face. With a sigh, Mr. Takagi added, "The rest is fine, but isn't Sawamura-san already in the Art Club? Will she really be able to handle both clubs?"
Eriri desperately wanted to say no, but with Luo Shu standing right in front of her, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and say, "It's alright, Mr. Takagi. I've always had a strong interest in stargazing, and the other students in the Art Club are very supportive, so occasionally participating in another club's activities won't be a problem."
Mr. Takagi looked at her, then at Utaha, and finally back at Luo Shu. Upon meeting Luo Shu's faint smile and his unwavering, almost intimidating gaze, the middle-aged teacher sighed again. "Alright then, I'll act as your temporary club advisor and keep an eye on you three."
He clearly wasn't thrilled. A club with one guy and two attractive girls—it practically screamed future drama. But Mr. Takagi knew his place. As an ordinary teacher in a private school like Toyosaki, filled with elite students from powerful families, meddling too much was a surefire way to get into trouble. And Luo Shu? He was rumored to have beaten up three third-years during his freshman year, and none of them even dared report it to the police. A background like that spoke volumes.
"So, there's an unused chemistry room on the third floor. I'll go get the key for you," Mr. Takagi added as he stood and walked to the cabinet by the wall.
While he searched for the key, Eriri stepped forward and flipped through the already filled application documents. Her eyes twitched as she muttered toward Luo Shu, "You got the student council stamp an hour ago? You guys really pulled this off, huh…"
Normally, club approval required a teacher's signature before going to the student council. But somehow, Kasumigaoka Utaha had already secured the council's seal. The process had moved faster than even Luo Shu expected.
"We're all in this together now," Luo Shu replied calmly, catching the nuance in Eriri's wording. "So instead of saying 'you guys,' maybe say 'we.'"
His tone held a subtle reminder. To Luo Shu, Eriri—who had only reluctantly joined—wasn't someone he fully trusted. Unlike Utaha, with whom he'd already weathered some trouble, Eriri still felt like a potential liability. But according to the system, Eriri was also a viable candidate for installing the "Energy Absorption Device," which meant she had value. Whether she liked it or not, she was already part of his plan.
Still, that kind of thing was best left unsaid. Outwardly, Luo Shu played the role of the fair, reasonable club leader, encouraging Eriri to believe she'd joined of her own volition. After all, no point killing the enthusiasm of a new member.
Eriri, for her part, didn't argue. She just mumbled under her breath, "Who's part of your 'we'…"
Luo Shu ignored her rebellious grumble. Exchanging a glance with Utaha, the two waited less than three minutes before Mr. Takagi returned and handed them the key. As he did, he asked cautiously, "Luo-kun, you're in your third year, right? Should I walk you to the classroom?"
Clearly, Mr. Takagi had no desire to be caught up in whatever love triangle this might turn into. In a school like Toyosaki, where students had money, influence, and more, teachers typically steered clear of anything that could come back to bite them.
"No need, but thank you for the help, Mr. Takagi," Luo Shu replied with practiced politeness. Then, with a meaningful glance at Utaha and Eriri, he led the two girls out of the faculty office.
But just as the trio stepped into the hallway, a heated voice caught their attention.
"Mr. Nakamura, I believe banning all anime screenings in the media room is unreasonable. Assuming all anime is inappropriate for students is a ridiculous and authoritarian overreach!"
Hearing this impassioned complaint, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Eriri, who—as expected—had turned toward the source of the voice.
Following her gaze, Luo Shu saw a bespectacled first-year student engaged in a rather one-sided "discussion" with a teacher. "That's… Aki Tomoya, right?" he mused aloud.
Walking a few steps behind, Utaha also noticed the scene and Eriri's complicated expression. Glancing over, she remarked with faint amusement, "Still trying to convince teachers to let him borrow the media room? The rumors say he's the type to do whatever he wants. Looks like they were true."
Eriri's expression turned subtle as she looked at her so-called childhood friend. Still the same idiot. Pestering teachers just so he could screen anime in school? Didn't he feel any shame?
Even the teachers watching from the office were quietly ridiculing him: "Otaku are ticking time bombs," one muttered.
And you're one of the reasons anime gets such a bad rap… Eriri thought, annoyed. Realizing she'd been staring too long and attracted the attention of both Luo Shu and Utaha, she quickly said, "Let's go. No point watching this. We should check out the classroom and see what needs cleaning."
Luo Shu didn't say anything, just glanced at Utaha, who was still watching Eriri with interest. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, let's go."
With that, the three of them headed toward the third floor, Luo Shu in the lead, the girls following behind.
Meanwhile, Aki Tomoya had also noticed the three pass by but, after a moment of hesitation, turned his attention back to poor Mr. Nakamura.
Eventually, the beleaguered teacher caved. "Fine, fine! You win! I'll give you a key to the media room, but you'll need to get permission from the student council yourself."
"Thank you, sensei! You're the best!" Tomoya cheered triumphantly.
Mr. Nakamura, on the verge of losing his cool, muttered through gritted teeth, "Best? I'll be lucky if you don't drive me to an early grave…"
As he turned back to the office, the other teachers burst out laughing, finding entertainment in his exasperation.
—
Time passed in the perspectives of each person.
By 3:30 p.m., after school had officially ended, Luo Shu, now holding the key, opened the door to the unused classroom on the third floor with Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Eriri at his side.