Translator: RaidenTL
"Matsuda-kun, have you decided which club you're joining?"
The question came from Miyuki, who was in the car with me.
"The Kendo Club," I answered while waiting at a red light.
Tetsuya flinched and jumped into the conversation.
"Huh? I was thinking of joining the Kendo Club, too…"
I know, you bastard. Who else would join if not you?
What a persistent pain in the ass…
"Oh, really? Is club registration tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go together after class."
"Alright."
Listening to our conversation, Miyuki suddenly clapped her hands like a seal.
"That's great! You two can just stick together all the time."
Miyuki was clearly thinking about Takashi. She was worried that if I hung around a delinquent like him, I'd fall back into my old ways. The fact that she emphasized it by adding "all the time" made it obvious.
"What are you talking about…"
"But why the Kendo Club, of all things? Tetsuya-kun has been interested in kendo for a while… but you too, Matsuda-kun?"
"I was just going to apply because it looked cool."
"I-Is that so…? Is that the only reason…?"
No, my real goal is to hit on Renka.
"Yeah."
"That's so like you, Matsuda-kun…? You probably shouldn't say that during the Kendo Club interview."
"Why? Will I get rejected?"
"I can't say for sure… but still, shouldn't you try to make a good first impression…?"
You've got it all wrong.
Seeing a bad guy reform has a much bigger impact than someone who's been innocent and good from the start. Your own case is proof enough.
Still, thanks for worrying. I'll think about your advice.
"What about you? Are you joining a club?"
I already knew Miyuki's answer.
"I'm not joining a club. I was thinking of applying for the Student Council."
Right. What's a school-life story without a student council?
It's a classic trope in romantic comedies for the hero to get involved with a heroine from the Student Council or the Disciplinary Committee. In adult games or R-rated manga, she'd fall into the protagonist's clutches and gradually turn into a slut.
"That suits you perfectly."
"Thanks. I really hope I get in."
You'll get in, no question. You've spent the first semester building a great image with the upperclassmen. Even if you didn't apply, they'd probably try to scout you first.
In DokiAka, the Student Council also serves as the Disciplinary Committee. That means, eventually, Miyuki will be standing at the main gate, warning or lecturing late students.
I'll have to be late on purpose then.
As Miyuki scolds me, I'll casually make some skinship. Then, as she gets flustered, I'll give her a smirk and ask her to let it slide. Miyuki, torn between school rules and love, will let me off with a warning to be on time from now on… and as she does, she'll secretly give one of my fingers a tight squeeze…
You know, that's enough to get me instantly hard.
I drove to the academy while chatting with the two of them. Pulling up to the main gate, I said, "Get out here. I have to go register my car."
"Oh, really? You should've done that earlier…"
"Are you nagging me on the first day of school?"
"What can I do when you make me nag you… Should we wait for you here?"
"No. Go on ahead."
My slightly more serious tone seemed to catch Miyuki off guard.
"Oh, okay…"
Since this wasn't an academy attended by a lot of rich kids, the student parking lot was pretty empty.
After registering my car, I found a good spot and parked.
I slung my bag over one shoulder and was about to head toward the main gate when I saw it.
"Miyuki-chan! How have you been?"
Girls from our year were gathering around Miyuki in small groups.
She really is popular. There's probably a truckload of guys with crushes on her, too.
But that "-chan" suffix… I can never get used to hearing it.
I glanced at Miyuki, who was being welcomed by everyone, and the loser Tetsuya next to her. Then I changed my route to the back gate and headed to the classroom alone.
Just as I entered the hallway, I grimaced as I saw Takashi running toward me from the far end.
"Ken! Ken!"
"Way to ruin my morning…"
"Damn, that's harsh. Have you forgotten that I saved you last time?"
"Saved me? You were too scared to say a word until after I'd taken all the hits."
"Ahem… Still, I took you home, didn't I? Shouldn't that be enough?"
"Yeah, for your standards, it was a very satisfactory outcome."
"See? You're coming to the circle meeting today, right?"
Attend? Not even if I were dying.
You guys can play your little mini-yakuza game by yourselves from now on.
I stopped dead in the hallway and called out to him.
"Takashi."
"Yeah?"
"Is Yamaguchi-senpai coming to the meeting today?"
Takashi nodded as if I'd asked the most obvious question in the world.
"Of course. He's the circle's boss."
Yamaguchi.
Just as I thought before, he's the guy who came to his senses a bit after becoming a third-year. I plan on using his newfound respect for others to quit the circle.
"Boss, my ass… Hey, when you go to the meeting today, tell Yamaguchi-senpai that I'm quitting the circle."
If I remember correctly, the circle meeting after the start of school will be held after first period begins. So, I'll probably be called in around lunchtime?
"....?"
Takashi blinked. He didn't seem to understand what I was saying.
"At the meeting, tell Yamaguchi, I'm quitting, the circle. Got it?"
I repeated myself, slowly and clearly.
"W-Whaaaat!?"
Takashi freaked out with a huge reaction.
At least it wasn't that stereotypical Japanese "Eeeeh~?"
The sheer volume of his voice pierced my ears. I dug a finger in my ear and said to him with a serious expression, "Make sure you tell him. I'm counting on you."
Then I left the gaping Takashi, shoved my bag into my locker, grabbed a few books, and walked into Class 1-A.
It's been a while. The smell of a place where you're supposed to study tickled my nose.
About a dozen students were inside, enjoying their reunion.
But the moment I stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere froze.
Some students couldn't even meet my eyes, and I saw a few even trying to sneak away from their seats.
I had shown that I was trying to change right up until the day before break, and I hadn't caused any trouble, but with time, it was all forgotten.
How sad. I worked so hard cleaning the bathrooms.
Well, at least Miyuki understands me. That's all that matters.
Deciding to look on the bright side, I put my books in my desk.
I wonder if our school nurse's treatment pouch is still the same? I'll have to go check after I quit the circle.
I was staring at the ceiling with a look of worldly detachment when—
Screech!
The sliding door opened, and I turned my gaze toward it.
Miyuki was coming in with Tetsuya.
The students offered bright greetings to their class president, the only person who could control me.
After acknowledging all of them, Miyuki's expression hardened slightly as she strode toward me.
"Matsuda-kun, didn't you see us at the main gate just now? Why did you ignore us and just leave?"
Miyuki casually approached my desk, questioning me in a gentle voice.
Everyone in the classroom stared with wide eyes.
Surprised that Miyuki would talk to me so nicely first? Huh, you bastards?
A lot of things happened between us during the break.
Glancing around, I whispered to Miyuki, "Don't act like you know me today."
"Huh?"
"If I say don't, then don't."
With that, I gave Tetsuya a look, signaling him to take Miyuki away.
Surprisingly, he seemed to understand what I was thinking and spoke cautiously to Miyuki.
"Miyuki. Maybe for today, we should do as Matsuda says… Let's just go to our seats."
But Miyuki didn't seem to have any intention of listening to me or Tetsuya.
"It's because of that, isn't it? The circle…"
Well, at least she lowered her voice. Is that a relief?
"Yeah. So just go."
"Isn't it fine as long as we don't tell the professors? If I had my way, I'd tell them right now, but… I'm holding back because you asked me to. Telling me not to acknowledge you is going too far."
Quitting the circle is an event that wasn't in the original story. I'm confident I can wrap it up today. But since I'm not the one completely in charge of this event, I don't know how the aftermath will play out. My wish is to shield Miyuki from even the smallest aftershock.
As I stared at Miyuki with an annoyed expression, she asked, "Is it that hard just to quit?"
"Who said anything about quitting? I never said that."
"You told me with your eyes last time."
"What are you, a mind reader?… I'm doing this because I'm worried about you guys getting involved, so just listen to me. You said you trusted me, right? Then just do as I say today."
Did my sincerity get through to her?
Miyuki thought for a long moment, then took a step back, her attitude softening.
"....Fine. But if something like last time happens again, I can't promise I'll just stand by and watch. Just like you worry about us, we worry about you, Matsuda-kun."
Given Miyuki's position right now, I expected her to say something like that.
I saw it coming, but I'm still touched…!
Come to the bathroom right now. Let's go a round. I can't take it anymore.
I gave a silent nod. As Miyuki returned to her seat with a reluctant look on her face, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did you all have a good break? I'll take attendance, and then we'll start class right away."
At the kind-looking English professor's words, the students booed with a collective "Ugh!"
The professor let out a hearty laugh and said, "I'll teach for just 25 minutes and give you the rest of the time off. But only if everyone concentrates during class."
At his words, every student's gaze landed on me.
"....."
Hmm… Look at those intense gazes, mixed with fear.
I understand your expectations all too well.
"What are you looking at?"
I scowled and glared at the students, and their gazes instantly vanished.
Miyuki, however, was an exception.
She was looking at me with a gentle expression, as if telling me not to be so harsh.
Pretending to be embarrassed, I scratched my head and quietly opened my book.
The professor looked at me with a surprised expression and said, "You must be Matsuda-kun. You're here early."
"Yeah, well…"
"The other professors were quite surprised, probably because you cleaned so consistently before the break. I heard you even cleaned on the weekends. Is that true?"
Who did he hear that from? It couldn't have been Miyuki… Was it the security guard who made me sign the guestbook? Or another professor?
In any case, this professor was one of the people who didn't think highly of me. But hearing how gentle his voice was, my image among the faculty must be slowly improving. As expected of educated people, they're different from the students who forgot all about the favor of me cleaning for them.
To all the young female professors with boyfriends or husbands, the big dick is right here. Feel free to spread your legs.
"I didn't know I didn't have to do it on weekends, but I went because I promised I'd do it every single day until the break was over."
"That's a good attitude. And I see you've brought your book. Are you planning on turning over a new leaf?"
"Aren't we having class?"
The professor laughed off my cocky tone and said, "Alright. Let me know if there's anything you don't understand."
How dare you underestimate me?
I'll show you the skills I've honed by studying with Miyuki.
That's what I thought, but as the professor finished attendance and began the lesson in earnest, my mind went into a state of confusion.
I was proud of how hard I'd studied, but it was still difficult to keep up.
Still, I could understand more than before, so I took comfort in that.
Was he pleased with my attitude in class?
The professor, who kept glancing at me even while teaching, kept his promise and gave the students a break after 25 minutes.
After telling them to be quiet if they were going to chat, he approached me as I was clutching my head.
"I believe I told you to ask if there was anything you didn't understand."
"I have to at least try on my own first. I don't want to take up the other kids' time, either… Can you just explain one thing to me now?"
At my words, the corners of the professor's mouth crept up into a smile.
"Of course. What part don't you understand?"
"This part, finding the ungrammatical sentences. I can't find them because they all look ungrammatical to me."
"Alright. Let's go through it slowly, one by one. First, in this sentence…"
The professor began to teach me in earnest.
After about ten minutes of his guidance, I was able to perfectly identify the ungrammatical sentences, earning his praise.
"You must have worked really hard during the break. Very well done."
"I'm the type to get things done once I set my mind to it."
I puffed out my chest with a proud look. The professor chuckled and walked over to the other students. I watched him go, then my eyes met Miyuki's.
'Good job,' she mouthed, looking just as proud as I felt.
I forced myself to ignore her and turned my eyes back to my book for the remainder of the time.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Just as the professor said, "Good work," and was about to leave—
Screech! BANG!
The sliding door was thrown open with a loud noise.
From the hallway, the second-year seniors I'd seen at the hideout shouted boisterously.
"Matsuda Ken! Where is that bastard?"
I couldn't help but cheer internally.
The more of a scene these guys made, the higher the chances of the circle being disbanded and me being forgiven by the school.
"What do you think you're doing? Even if it's break time, for a second-year to come to a first-year classroom and use such vulgar language…"
Despite the professor's stern tone and creased brow, the seniors just snorted.
Completely ignoring the professor, they spotted me and said, "Get up to the rooftop. Now."
I thought they'd call me during lunch when they had more time… This is surprisingly fast.
Surely they don't plan on finishing my withdrawal process in the ten-minute break… Are they just planning on skipping second period?
Then again, they break every rule in the book. They probably couldn't care less about one class.
I stood up from my seat and walked calmly toward the seniors.
"Let's go."
After this is over, I'll probably be sent to the disciplinary committee, right?
Miyuki isn't on the Student Council yet, so she won't be there…
I wanted to see her defend me. What a shame.