Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Forming a Club
Thanks to his extraordinary ability to absorb and retain knowledge, Ryuu hardly needed to pay attention in class. Simply skimming the textbooks was enough for him to memorize the material instantly.
Naturally, this turned most lectures into nothing more than background noise—especially history class, which might as well have been a professionally crafted sleep aid.
Predictably, Ryuu dozed off mid-lesson, only waking when someone nudged him.
The classroom was already emptying out for the lunch break.
Huh... I slept that long?
He stretched lazily, still groggy despite having had a full night's rest. Maybe I should record the history teacher's lectures and use them as an ASMR track to help me sleep in the future.
"Aren't you awake yet, Ryuu?"
Hearing Yumiko's voice, he finally snapped out of his thoughts.
"I was thinking about something," he replied casually. "So? What's up?"
"What do you mean, 'what's up'?"
Miura Yumiko narrowed her eyes before suddenly huffing in frustration. "I really can't deal with that woman."
Ryuu chuckled, easily guessing the cause of her irritation. Without commenting further, he pulled out his phone and checked the group chat.
The battle between his two girlfriends was still raging.
They had been competing since the moment they met—over their status, their time with him, and even trivial things like their reputations at school.
It had escalated into a full-on debate, covering everything from academic achievements to personality traits.
Meanwhile, Yotsuya Miko occasionally sent a polite message before quietly retreating, not daring to get involved in the warzone.
Ryuu checked the time. The argument had been ongoing since morning, but he saw no need to intervene.
Instead, he turned to Yumiko. "By the way, why did you wake me up?"
"Sensei wants to see you."
"...Hiratsuka-sensei?"
"Yeah. She said to come by during lunch break."
Ryuu sighed, already knowing this wouldn't be a casual conversation.
Still, he figured he might as well get it over with.
As students rushed toward the cafeteria, Ryuu walked in the opposite direction toward the faculty office.
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"A student's lunch break is a sacred thing, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Shizuka Hiratsuka took a deep breath, resisting the urge to strangle him.
She leaned back in her chair, giving him a scrutinizing look. "Do you know why I called you here?"
Ryuu crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Hmm... I haven't been sleeping in class as much lately, so… Did someone complain about me?"
"Stop assuming your classmates are that petty."
Sighing, Hiratsuka pulled out a cigarette and placed it between her lips. "You've been making quite a stir lately. Feels like there's a new rumor about you every day."
"Sensei, you just don't understand. When someone's as exceptional as me, people can't help but talk."
Shizuka gave him a deadpan stare. "Oh great, you're in that mood today."
She exhaled sharply before continuing, "I don't mind students enjoying their youth, but try to keep a lower profile. The disciplinary committee has already come to me asking about you."
"Understood," Ryuu said, his tone completely indifferent. Then, with a smirk, he added, "You really are an easygoing teacher, Hiratsuka-sensei. No wonder you're so popular."
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Hiratsuka nearly choked on her cigarette.
Before she could recover, Ryuu continued, "That said, smoking in front of students doesn't really set the best example."
"You little—!"
Predicting the incoming punch, Ryuu sidestepped just in time.
"Please don't commit workplace violence, Sensei."
Hiratsuka scowled, rubbing her temples before getting back on track.
"I called you here for another reason."
"You need me to study harder? Don't worry, I'll aim for greatness."
"Shut it. That's not what this is about."
Shizuka pulled out a stack of forms and handed one to him.
"You know, thanks to your absurd athletic ability, several club advisors have come to me, saying you're a once-in-a-generation sports prodigy or something like that."
She glanced at him, waiting for a reaction.
Ryuu only sighed. "And let me guess, they all want me to join their teams?"
"Exactly. So, what's your choice?"
"Choice? Sensei, I have no interest in being a sports student."
"I figured," she admitted, unfazed. "That's why I'm giving you another option—if you don't want to join an existing club, you have to pick one on your own."
Ryuu suddenly had a bad feeling.
"...I already have a club."
"Sorry, but the 'Going Home Club' doesn't count!"
His escape route was cut off before he could even try.
"All high school students have to be part of a club," Hiratsuka insisted. "That's why I let you off with an early dismissal every day—you're supposed to be participating in extracurricular activities. Just enjoy your youth already, or you'll regret it later!"
Enjoying youth, huh?
Ryuu tapped his fingers against the desk, deep in thought.
Honestly, he didn't mind joining a club. As long as it wasn't too much of a hassle, it could even be beneficial.
He could use it as an excuse to carve out his own little safe haven in the school, a space where he could do whatever he wanted.
The more he thought about it, the more appealing the idea became.
Flipping through the list of clubs, Ryuu skimmed over them quickly.
"Isn't there a Service Club?"
"What? Why would a club with such a vague name exist?" Hiratsuka frowned.
Ryuu held back a smirk. Oh, it'll exist soon enough.
But considering that plot hadn't started yet, he decided to keep his mouth shut.
Most of the existing clubs didn't interest him.
In that case, why not take control and start his own?
Setting the form down on the desk, Ryuu looked Hiratsuka in the eye and asked,
"Can I just create my own club?"
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