Chapter 33: Chapter 32: The Truth Is the Sharpest Blade
Hiratsuka Shizuka wasn't surprised by Ryuu's decision. She had expected it. Without hesitation, she pulled out a pre-prepared club application form and placed it in front of him.
"What kind of club are you planning to create?"
Before Ryuu could respond, she added sternly, "And let me be clear—no 'Study Club.' It's been banned. Too many students tried to exploit it as an excuse to do homework together and leave early."
Ryuu listened with a neutral expression as she continued, "The whole point of clubs is to develop social skills and personal interests. Students need actual activities, not just a glorified study hall."
"Oh, and another thing," Hiratsuka pointed at him. "You're not naming it the 'Service Club' either. I won't approve something that vague."
Ryuu smirked. "Double standards, huh, Sensei?"
Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes. "What the hell are you implying?"
"Nothing. Just thinking out loud."
With that, he leaned forward and started filling out the form.
Hiratsuka folded her arms and waited, curious about what he had in mind.
When Ryuu finished and stepped aside, she glanced at the paper.
Her eyebrows twitched at the name written at the top:
Spiritual Exorcism Club.
"...Are you serious?"
Ryuu gave a relaxed shrug. "It's a legitimate activity, isn't it? If you reject it, I really don't know what else to do."
Hiratsuka let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples. "What kind of hobby is exorcising spirits?"
But after a moment of hesitation, she relented. There were already occult research clubs in other schools, and paranormal studies weren't exactly unheard of.
"Fine, I'll approve it," she finally said, stamping the form. "But you need at least three members besides yourself. If you can't recruit enough people within the deadline, the club will be dissolved."
"Don't worry, I already have candidates in mind."
Seeing Ryuu's confidence, Hiratsuka figured it wouldn't be difficult for him.
---
After leaving the office, Ryuu snapped a picture of the approved form and sent it to the family group chat.
Almost immediately, surprised reactions came from Miko and Yumiko.
Oddly, Kasumigaoka Utaha hadn't responded yet.
Thinking about it, he decided to check the rooftop.
However, the moment he arrived, he heard an argument.
"Utaha-sensei, wake up! That guy is a frivolous womanizer!"
"My personal life has nothing to do with you, classmate."
Ryuu sighed. Of course it's him.
There was probably only one person who'd bother Utaha like this—Aki Tomoya.
Pushing open the rooftop door, Ryuu leaned against the entrance and listened.
Tomoya's voice was filled with desperation.
"It does matter! I'm your biggest fan!"
Utaha's tone was cold and sharp. "That doesn't give you the right to interfere in my life."
"He's been getting close to so many girls in class!" Tomoya continued frantically. "He clearly has no interest in your work—he didn't even mention your books before! He only approached you because of your autograph session!"
Utaha sneered. "And? What exactly are you trying to achieve by saying all this?"
"I—I just don't want to see you deceived!"
A cruel smirk formed on Utaha's lips.
"Tomoya, do you ever think before you speak?" Her words were like ice. "What, exactly, makes you think you're entitled to tell me who I should or shouldn't associate with?"
"I—I just—"
"You're delusional."
Her voice was utterly ruthless now.
"You talk like some righteous protector, but the truth is you're just a self-absorbed fool who can't stand the fact that your 'goddess' won't acknowledge you."
Tomoya froze, looking as if he had been physically struck.
Utaha didn't stop.
"You're like a slimy, pathetic toad imagining that one day the princess will notice you. It's honestly disgusting."
"I'd appreciate it if you stopped calling yourself my fan. It's embarrassing."
Tomoya trembled, his face pale with humiliation.
"You'll regret this, Kasumigaoka-senpai!" he spat before turning to storm off—
—only to freeze when he saw Ryuu watching from the doorway.
"What do you mean by regret?" Ryuu asked, his tone light.
Tomoya visibly stiffened.
Despite his usual arrogance online, he was well aware of the social hierarchy in school. And right now, standing in front of him was Ryuu Natsukawa—the person whose mere presence seemed to overshadow everyone else.
Tomoya swallowed hard, looking for an escape.
Ryuu stepped forward, blocking his path.
"I usually don't care about people running their mouths behind my back," he said. "But actively causing trouble for someone close to me? That's a different story."
Tomoya panicked. "Y-You can't do anything to me! I-I'll report you to the teachers!"
"...Are you a grade schooler?" Ryuu scoffed.
He casually patted Tomoya's shoulder—
Then slammed a fist into his stomach.
The impact sent Tomoya flying backward, crashing against the rooftop fence before crumpling to the ground in a heap.
Utaha blinked, then smirked. "You're so direct."
Ryuu cracked his knuckles. "Just making sure he understands the situation."
She glanced down at Tomoya, who was groaning in pain. "Are we really just leaving him like this?"
"Of course not," Ryuu replied. "I left a little… curse on him."
Utaha raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Ryuu smiled, his expression eerily calm. "If he tries anything stupid again, he's going to wish he hadn't."
Utaha stared at him for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
He shrugged. "I take care of my people. If someone messes with them, I make sure they regret it."
She hummed in amusement. "I like that."
Then, as if the previous confrontation had never happened, she turned her attention back to Ryuu.
"By the way," she said, crossing her arms, "I've been meaning to ask—who's this 'Yotsuya Miko' girl in our group chat?"
"She's… a special case," Ryuu replied. "I'll explain later."
"Mm-hmm." Utaha narrowed her eyes slightly. "I will be expecting an explanation."
"Before that," Ryuu pulled out the club application form from his pocket, "mind signing this first?"
Utaha glanced at the paper, then smirked.
"Spiritual Exorcism Club, huh?"
She took the form from him, tapping a finger against her chin in thought.
"Well," she mused, "as long as I don't have to do anything troublesome, I suppose I can be convinced."
Ryuu chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll make it worth your while."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Now that sounds interesting."
As Utaha signed the form, Ryuu smirked to himself.
That makes two members.
One more to go.
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