I Don't Want An Ordinary Life

Chapter 29: How Do You Plan to Spend the Weekend?

"So that's how it is—I was invited by a friend to investigate a guy rumored to be a scumbag... and I need to gather evidence."

On the rooftop after school, as usual, Momo and Ronan sat together.

Although the Astronomy Club's after-school activities didn't always involve chatting with this yakuza heiress, Ronan had long since gotten used to it.

"Are you a first-year or something? Need me to take care of it for you?"

"Not for now. I've already assigned a few people to help with the investigation, so we should have results soon," Ronan replied. "If he really did something, I'll give him a warning."

"And if he doesn't listen?"

"Then he can go for a swim in Tokyo Bay."

"Well, let's hope he has a long life ahead of him."

Momo lay on an inflatable cushion, engrossed in a game on her phone.

"By the way, since you joined the Public Moral Committee, have you heard what the students think of you?"

"I already know my reputation isn't great."

"They call you 'Ronan the Infamous.' You've been making some pretty ruthless moves lately," Momo remarked.

She was referring to Ronan's aggressive disciplinary actions—kicking through a window while rappelling down to catch three students reading inappropriate magazines, forcing school couples to break up using gathered intel… No matter how you looked at it, Ronan had nothing in common with a good student, or even a normal one.

"Doesn't matter. Those who refuse to behave deserve my methods. I see no reason to tolerate people who annoy me."

"Still as headstrong as ever… You sure you're not struggling to adjust to a peaceful life after leaving the battlefield?"

Over the past few days, Ronan had told Momo about his experiences in the Middle East. With plenty of free time during club activities, he figured he might as well recount the past few years.

"I guess I haven't fully adjusted." Ronan chuckled.

"If anything, I still miss that life. Coming to Japan wasn't exactly my choice."

"…Do you really think the battlefield is better than a peaceful school life?" Momo frowned.

"Everyone has an environment they're suited for. Sure, war was constant over there, but… the sensation of bullets whizzing past my ears, the blast waves from grenades exploding nearby… That feeling of teetering on the edge of life and death made me feel truly alive. There was no need to worry about anything else—just survival. Too bad I was forced back into school and can't return."

"…Are you sure this isn't just your way of running from your breakup?"

"You're overthinking it."

Ronan smirked, casually pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

Blowing out a smoke ring, he gazed up at the drifting clouds.

"Four years on the battlefield was its own kind of training. Sure, I joke about my breakup all the time, but I moved on from that long ago. When you've lost comrades day after day, something like a failed romance…"

He pressed the cigarette butt against the ground, snuffing it out. Then, with a lighthearted smile, he said:

"Love is just too dull. It takes too much time and effort—hardly worth the trouble."

"…"

...

"President, you're still here?"

After finishing the Astronomy Club's so-called "activities," Ronan made his usual visit to the student council office.

As always, it seemed like Shirogane was the only one there. Every time Ronan came by, he'd find him sitting at his desk like a fixture, making him wonder if the guy's chair had somehow fused with him.

"Oh, Ronan, you're here," Shirogane greeted with a smile.

"The phone you gave me works pretty well—just a bit heavy."

"Well, considering its casing is designed to withstand tank treads, a little extra weight makes sense."

Ronan tossed his backpack onto the couch and sat down.

"I gave you that phone for communication purposes, but you've filled it up with a ton of apps."

The phone he had handed over to Shirogane was now loaded with various study-related apps. Other than the occasional message exchange, Shirogane had barely put the device down since he got it.

"Did you check the information I sent you about Shinomiya?"

"Yeah, it covers her school routes and daily routine… Where did you even get this?"

"Personal sources."

He hadn't put much effort into digging up intel on Kaguya, mainly because he had already promised Sagara not to make a move against her. There was no need to investigate too thoroughly.

Ronan tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"As for her hobbies and interests, that'll take a bit more time. I still have to allocate part of my team to investigate other targets."

Just like how his father restricted his living expenses, the number of people Ronan could mobilize was also limited. He couldn't just call upon a large portion of the organization's personnel to handle his personal matters.

"No, no, this much is more than enough. You don't need to waste too much time on it."

"I'm just providing information. How you handle it is up to you, President," Ronan said. "You know me—I'm just a bottom-feeder when it comes to romance. I can't be bothered to waste brain cells on it."

"Yeah, I get it."

"Speaking of which… tomorrow's the weekend. Do you have any free time, President?"

"Huh? The weekend… I have work."

"Busy as ever, huh?"

"Gotta support my family. Can't be helped," Shirogane said with a resigned sigh. "Aren't you working too? I remember hearing that you make your own money for living expenses."

"Oh, I can't go to my usual job anymore."

Since Sagara wouldn't allow him to return to the Middle East battlefield, he had no choice but to stay in Japan for now.

With nothing else planned for the weekend, the best he could do was visit the research department where he held an honorary position and make an appearance.

"You can't? That's a shame."

Shirogane nodded, assuming Ronan's workplace was either under renovation or he had been outright fired.

"I was actually going to ask what you usually do on weekends. If there's somewhere fun to go, maybe you could take me along."

"Sorry, but with work, I don't really have time to—wait!"

Suddenly, Shirogane's eyes lit up.

"What is it?"

"Come work with me!"

"Huh?"

Ronan looked up, only to see Shirogane grinning at him with a thumbs-up.

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