Chapter 24
“Matsuda-kun, have you decided what club you're going to join?”
It was Miyuki's question from inside the car.
I answered while waiting for the traffic light.
“The kendo club.”
Tetsuya flinched, then joined the conversation.
“Huh? I was thinking of joining the kendo club too...”
I know, dumbass. If you don't join the kendo club, who will?
What a tiresome bastard...
“Really? Is the club application tomorrow?”
“That's right.”
“Let's go together after class.”
“Okay.”
Miyuki, who had been listening to our conversation, suddenly started clapping like a seal.
“Good for you? Guess you two can stick together.”
Miyuki was clearly thinking about Takashi.
She was worried that having that delinquent by my side would cause me to revert to my old ways.
The fact that she'd gone so far as to emphasize it with the adverb ‘all the way’ made that obvious.
“What's that supposed to mean...”
“But why the kendo club of all things? Tetsuya-kun has been interested in kendo for a long time... Were you interested in it too, Matsuda-kun?”
“I was going to apply because it looked cool.”
“Th-that...? Is that your only reason...?”
No, my objective is to seduce Renka.
“Yeah.”
“That sounds like you, Matsuda-kun...? You probably shouldn't say things like that during your kendo club interview.”
“Why? Will I be rejected?”
“I can't say for sure... But shouldn't you try to make a good first impression on people...?”
No, that's not it.
The sight of a bad guy reforming makes a bigger impression than someone who's been innocent and kind all along.
Your case proves it.
Still, thanks for worrying about me. I'll think about your advice.
“What about you? Are you going to join a club?”
I already knew Miyuki's answer.
“I'm not going to join a club, but I'm thinking about applying to the student council.”
Of course. What kind of academy story would it be without a student council?
The heroine of the student council or disciplinary committee getting involved with the protagonist and sharing sweet romantic moments with him is a staple of romantic comedies.
In eroge or adult manga, she gradually turns into a slut after falling into the protagonist's clutches.
“It suits you perfectly.”
“Thanks. I really want to get in.”
You'll definitely pass.
You built up a good reputation among the upperclassmen during the first semester.
Even if you don't apply, they'll probably try to recruit you first.
In Dokiaka, the student council also serves as the disciplinary committee.
That means there'll be a day when Miyuki stands at the front gate, warning or lecturing students who are late.
I should deliberately be late that day.
I'll casually touch Miyuki while she scolds me, then grin at her flustered expression and ask her to let me off.
Miyuki will agonize over the school rules and her feelings, then let me go with a warning to arrive on time from then on...
And then she'll secretly squeeze one of my fingers while no one else is looking...
I could get rock-hard right now, you know?
After chatting with the two of them while driving, I arrived at the Academy.
After pulling up at the front gate, I said,
“Get out here. I have to register the car.”
“Oh, really? You should've done that ahead of time...”
“Are you already nagging me on the first day of school?”
“You're making me nag you, so what can I do...? Should I wait here?”
“No. Go ahead.”
At my slightly more serious attitude than before, Miyuki seemed flustered before answering.
“O-okay...”
**
Since this wasn't an academy attended by many rich kids, the student parking lot was quiet.
After registering my car, I parked it in a good spot.
I was about to enter through the front gate with my bag hanging from one shoulder when,
“Miyuki-chan! Have you been well?”
I saw girls from the same year gathering around Miyuki in little groups.
She's really popular. There must be more than a truckload of guys in love with Miyuki, right?
But I still can't get used to that ‘-chan’ form of address, no matter how many times I hear it.
After glancing at Miyuki, who was being welcomed by everyone, and deadweight Tetsuya, I changed course toward the back gate and headed to the classroom alone.
By the time I entered the corridor, I grimaced at the sight of Takashi running toward me from the distance.
“Ken! Ken!”
“What a shitty way to start the morning...”
“That's a pretty damn harsh thing to say. Have you forgotten the favor I did you last time?”
“What favor? You just cowered there without saying a word until I got the shit beaten out of me.”
“Ahem... I still took you home, didn't I? Isn't that enough?”
“Yeah, considering your expectations, it was quite satisfactory.”
“See? You're coming to the circle meeting today, right?”
Attend? No fucking way.
Handle your little yakuza game among yourselves from now on.
I stopped dead in the corridor and called out to Takashi.
“Takashi.”
“Huh?”
“Is Yamaguchi-senpai coming to the meeting too?”
Takashi nodded as if I'd asked the most obvious question in the world.
“Of course. He's the boss of the circle.”
Yamaguchi.
He was the guy who, as I'd thought last time, had come to his senses a little after moving up to his third year.
I planned to use him, now that he'd learned to respect others, to quit the circle.
“Boss, my ass... Hey, if you go to the meeting today, tell Yamaguchi-senpai that I'm quitting the circle.”
If I remembered correctly, the circle meeting after the start of school would be held after first period began.
Then I supposed they'd call me around lunchtime.
“....?”
Takashi blinked repeatedly.
He didn't seem to understand what I was saying.
“The meeting, if you go, tell Yamaguchi I'm quitting the circle, got it?”
When I repeated myself slowly and clearly,
“Whaaaaat!?”
Takashi reacted with an incredible display of shock.
At least it wasn't the uniquely Japanese reaction of ‘Eeeee~?’
After rubbing my ears because of his tremendous volume, I seriously emphasized the matter to Takashi.
“Make sure you tell him. Please.”
Then I left Takashi standing there with his mouth hanging open, shoved my bag into a locker, took out a few books, and entered Class 1-A.
It's been a while since I've been here too. The smell of a place where I ought to be studying tickles my nose.
About fifteen students inside were enjoying their reunions.
But the moment I entered the classroom, the atmosphere froze over.
Some students couldn't even meet my eyes, while others were even trying to quietly move away from me.
Even though I'd shown signs of trying to change up until the day before vacation and hadn't caused any trouble, everyone had forgotten it all as time passed.
How sad. I'd worked so hard cleaning the bathrooms.
As long as Miyuki recognized me, that was enough.
Deciding to look on the bright side, I put my books into my desk drawer.
Would our school nurse's healing pouch still be there?
I'd have to go check after quitting the circle.
As I stared at the ceiling with a detached look,
Rattle!
The sliding door opened, and I turned my gaze toward it.
Miyuki was coming in with Tetsuya.
I gave a bright greeting to Miyuki, the only person who could control me and our class president.
After accepting everyone's greetings, Miyuki's expression stiffened slightly as she strode toward me.
“Matsuda-kun, didn't you see us at the front gate earlier? Why did you ignore us and just leave?”
Miyuki approached me as casually as ever and questioned me in a gentle voice.
Everyone in the classroom opened their eyes wide.
Were you surprised because Miyuki was the one to speak to me so sweetly first, you bastards?
We did all sorts of things during vacation.
After gauging the reactions around me, I whispered to Miyuki.
“Don't act like you know me today.”
“Huh?”
“If I tell you not to, then don't.”
After saying that, I gave Tetsuya a look telling him to take Miyuki away.
Surprisingly, he realized what I was thinking and spoke cautiously to Miyuki.
“Miyuki. Let's do what Matsuda says today... Let's take our seats for now.”
But Miyuki didn't seem willing to listen to either Tetsuya or me.
“It's because of that, isn't it? The circle...”
At least she lowered her voice, I guess.
“Right. So go away.”
“Wouldn't it be enough to tell only the professors? I want to tell them right now, but... I'm holding back because Matsuda-kun asked me to. Telling me not to act like I know you is going too far.”
Quitting the circle was an event that hadn't existed before.
I was confident I could wrap it up today.
But since I wasn't in control of the entire event, I didn't know how things would unfold afterward, and I didn't want even the slightest backlash to reach Miyuki.
As I glared at Miyuki with irritation all over my face, she asked,
“Is quitting really that difficult?”
“Who said I was quitting? I never said that.”
“You told me with your eyes last time.”
“I'm not a mind reader... I'm doing this because I'm worried about you two getting involved. Listen to me. You said you trusted me last time, right? Then do as I say today.”
Was it because my sincerity got through to her?
After pondering for a long while, Miyuki backed off with a considerably gentler attitude.
“.... Fine. But if the same thing happens again, I can't promise I'll just stand by and watch. Just as Matsuda-kun worries about us, we worry about you too.”
Given Miyuki's position right now, I knew she'd say something like that.
I expected it, but I'm touched...!
Come to the bathroom right now.
Let's go a round. I can't hold back.
I nodded silently and felt relieved when Miyuki returned to her seat with an uncomfortable expression.
**
“I hope you all enjoyed your vacation. I'll take attendance and start class right away.”
At the kindly looking English professor's words, the students let out a chorus of boos.
The professor let out a hearty laugh and said,
“All right. I'll teach for only 25 minutes, and let you rest for the remaining time. But only if everyone pays attention.”
At that, every student's gaze turned toward me.
“.....”
Hmm... Look at those intense gazes mixed with fear.
I know what you're expecting, okay?
“What are you looking at?”
I glared at the students with a deep frown, and their gazes disappeared in an instant.
Miyuki alone was the exception.
She was looking at me with gentle eyes.
She looked as if she was telling me not to be so cold.
Pretending to feel awkward, I scratched my head and obediently opened my book.
The professor then spoke to me with a surprised expression.
“You're Matsuda-kun, aren't you? You came early.”
“Yes, well...”
“The professors say it's amazing that you've been cleaning so consistently since before vacation. I heard you even cleaned on weekends. Is that true?”
Who did he hear that from? It couldn't have been Miyuki...
The security guard who told me to write my name in the visitor log?
Or a professor?
Either way, this professor hadn't thought highly of me.
Yet, given how gentle his voice was, perhaps my image among the faculty was gradually improving.
They really are educated people. Unlike the students who've forgotten all gratitude for the cleaning I did.
Young female professors with boyfriends or husbands, your big-dicked man is here.
Spread your legs as wide as you like.
“I didn't know I didn't have to do it on weekends, but I'd promised to go every day without missing one until vacation ended, so I went.”
“That's a good attitude. Come to think of it, you brought your books too. Are you finally coming to your senses?”
“Aren't you going to teach?”
The professor laughed off my flippant tone and said,
“All right. Ask me if there's anything you don't understand.”
How dare he ignore me?
I'll show him the skills I'd built up through studying with Miyuki.
That was what I thought, but when the professor finished taking attendance and began the actual lesson, my mind grew confused.
I prided myself on working hard, but it was difficult to keep up.
Still, there were many more things I could understand than before, so I decided to take comfort in that.
Maybe he liked my attitude in class.
Even while teaching, the professor kept glancing at me, and after filling the promised 25 minutes, he gave the students a break.
He told everyone to keep quiet if they were going to chat, then approached me as I sat clutching my head.
“Didn't I tell you to ask if there was anything you didn't understand?”
“I should at least try as far as I can. I don't want to take up the other students' time either... Could you explain just one thing to me now?”
At that, the corners of the professor's mouth curled upward.
“I will. What don't you understand?”
“This question about finding the ungrammatical sentence. Every single one looks ungrammatical to me, so I can't find it.”
“All right. Let's go through them one by one, slowly. In this sentence...”
The professor began teaching me in earnest.
After receiving about ten minutes of instruction, I correctly identified the ungrammatical sentence and earned the professor's praise.
“You must have worked really hard during vacation. Very good.”
“When I set my mind to something, I get it done.”
I swaggered around proudly, then watched the professor walk over to another student before making eye contact with Miyuki.
‘Good job.’ Miyuki mouthed the words.
She looked just as proud as I did.
I deliberately ignored her, turned my eyes back to my book, and spent the rest of the time studying.
The bell rang and class ended, and just as the professor was about to leave after telling us we'd worked hard,
Rattle! Bang!
The sliding door opened with a loud bang.
From the corridor, the second-year upperclassmen I'd seen at the hideout shouted loudly.
“Where the hell is Matsuda Ken?”
I couldn't help silently cheering.
The more ruckus these guys caused, the more dramatically the chances of the circle falling apart and the school forgiving me would increase.
“What are you doing? Even if it's break time, second-year students have no business coming into a first-year classroom and using vulgar language...”
Despite the professor's stern tone, the upperclassmen snorted.
After completely ignoring the professor, they spotted me and said,
“Come to the roof right now.”
I thought they'd call me when there was plenty of time at lunch... They're surprisingly quick.
Surely they weren't going to finish the withdrawal process within the ten-minute break...
Were they simply planning to ignore second period?
Then again, they went around breaking every school rule there was, so they probably didn't care about missing one class.
I stood up and walked calmly over to the upperclassmen.
“Let's go.”
Once this was over, I'd probably be referred to the disciplinary committee, right?
Miyuki wasn't on the student council yet, so she wouldn't be there...
I wanted to see her defending me, but unfortunately, that wouldn't happen.