---
The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the Service Club room as Kota slouched into his usual seat.
> "Morning, Kota!" Emika greeted with a cheerful wave.
Kota lazily returned the gesture, resting his head on his arms.
Moments later, Rina strolled in. "Good morning!" she said brightly, settling into the seat beside him.
Kota groaned internally. Too early for this much energy...
Suddenly, Emika gasped, eyes wide as she stared at her phone.
> "Whoa! My points just went up!"
That got Kota's attention. He pulled out his own phone and checked.
> "Huh... mine too."
Airi, still absorbed in her book, spoke calmly without looking up.
> "It's normal. Our points increased because we helped Sakuraine surprise Kael. Completing quests raises your score."
> "That's pretty cool!" Emika beamed.
> "Oh, by the way—I officially joined the Service Club," Rina added with a smile.
Kota sat up straight.
> "Wait, you what?"
> "I signed the form this morning," she said proudly.
Kota stared at her, then let his head fall back to the desk with a dramatic sigh.
---
Later That Morning – Classroom
The teacher stood at the front of the room, arms crossed.
> "A major test is coming in three days. Your grades will directly affect your points."
A wave of panic swept through the classroom.
> "If you fail," the teacher continued, "you'll lose points. And if you lose too many—well, you know what happens."
Gasps echoed. Some students laughed it off.
> "I've got enough points saved," one boy said smugly. "Doesn't matter if they drop."
Kota slouched in his chair, clearly uninterested.
Airi leaned closer to him.
> "We need to form a study group."
Kota blinked.
> "Seriously?"
Airi nodded and gestured around the room.
> "Everyone else is teaming up. But three students are still alone."
She opened a small notebook and pointed discreetly.
> "That's Tetsuro Kainashi," she said, nodding to a red-haired boy tossing a baseball in one hand. "He's lazy, but smart. Got kicked out of his last club."
> "How do you know all this?" Kota asked, raising an eyebrow.
> "I do my research," Airi said, almost smug.
> "Next is Miyako Serizane. Brown hair. Always on her phone. Plays soccer. Some say she's a tomboy."
Kota spotted the girl tapping away at her screen, alone.
> "And finally, Bunta Kagetsu," Airi added, glancing at a chubby boy eating quietly. "No club. Always alone."
> "Okay, so you've got files on everyone," Kota muttered. "What's your plan?"
Airi closed her notebook and stared straight at him.
> "You're going to invite them."
Kota blinked.
> "Excuse me? Why me? Ask Emika or Rina. I'm not good with people."
> "Because I trust you," Airi said simply, then turned and walked off.
Kota watched her go, deadpan.
> "You don't trust me. You just don't want to do the dirty work..."
He sighed and looked at the three students again: Tetsuro spinning his baseball, Miyako lost in her phone, and Bunta quietly eating.
Kota leaned back in his seat, letting out a long, tired breath.
> "All I wanted... was to nap in peace."
---
Next Time: Chapter 7 – Three Rejects and a Reluctant Recruiter
Kota begins his awkward mission to invite the loners into the group. But not everyone wants to be