The so-called Club Union eting was just as Ishigami and Takamine had said—a group ford by top-tier heirs from various elite families, representing the interests of each school club. Because they ca from high social standing, they were also called the "Shuchiin VIPs."
The student council president from two terms ago had been a transfer student too. He didn't take his job seriously and angered the VIPs. Rumor has it, his whole family had to leave Japan afterward.
Shirogane Miyuki was also a transfer student and president. Every ti he t the VIPs, he barely dared to breathe, terrified of upsetting them.
Now that Takamine was with him, he felt like...
He might not make it out of here alive today.
Shirogane was dumbfounded as he watched what unfolded in the eting room.
Takamine had only been there five minutes before he got into a standoff with the kendo club captain—the son of the police superintendent. They stood face to face, glaring.
"What's soone from IW doing in Shuchiin? No—how dare you even co back to Japan?"
"I ca here to teach you weaklings a lesson."
"You should've been locked up for good after your arrest back then!"
"Your joke of a dad? I was in Kyoto the whole ti, and it took him a day just to arrest . I had coffee in the detention center for three hours, then walked out. If he still holds his job, he probably sold his ass for it."
"You bastard! Take that back!"
"Save it. Even if that loser dad of yours were standing here, he wouldn't dare talk to like that."
Takamine sneered, poking the kendo captain in the shoulder.
"If you've got the guts, call the police. Have your dad co get . And tell him to bring coffee too—I'll probably be out in two hours this ti."
"You—"
Watching the tension escalate instantly, Shirogane deeply regretted bringing Takamine here.
'Why does this guy keep picking fights with all the big shots!?'
"Um..."
A strange-accented voice spoke up as a foreign-looking guy stood and walked over with a smile.
"Let's not fight. Fighting is bad..."
"Oh? You're the second prince, huh?"
Takamine glanced at him.
"Ah, you rember , Mr. Takamine. That ti back in—"
"Sit down."
"...Okay."
The prince of the Kingdom of Galdam quietly slunk back to his seat.
Takamine returned to Shirogane's side and scanned the six people in front of him. Besides one long-haired girl with her eyes always half-closed and a short-haired girl wearing a beret, he recognized the rest.
"Everyone—whether you know or not—I'm here to observe student council work and help President Shirogane answer your questions. So please, let's not waste ti. Don't make things difficult for him... or for ."
Shirogane: "..."
He already felt like his life was over.
"I've got no objection," said the second prince, breaking the silence first.
" neither."
"Whatever, it's just a club funding issue. Let's get this over with," the short-haired girl with the beret said impatiently.
"Hmph, fine."
The kendo captain clicked his tongue and reluctantly returned to his seat.
---
The eting didn't last long before it ended. By the ti Shirogane Miyuki walked out of the conference room, he was drenched in cold sweat.
"You okay, President?"
"This is your fault! Do you have a grudge against the kendo club captain?"
"No real grudge, but he was the one who started trouble with ."
"Couldn't you have just let it go? You're an external admit — if you offend them, your whole family might end up being deported to Cambodia because of your recklessness!"
"Cambodia sounds like fun."
"That's not the point!!"
Shirogane Miyuki clutched his head and yelled.
"If they decide to use their family's power, there's no way you'll be able to stay in Japan. Even I, the one who brought you here, could…"
"Don't worry. That won't happen. I ca here to back you up, after all. Gotta say so flashy lines to keep up appearances."
"You went way overboard with the act!!"
"Mr. Takamine, long ti no see."
Just as Takamine Rinji was listening to Shirogane's complaints, a certain Second Prince ca over to greet him.
"It has been a while. I think we last t at a banquet, right?"
"I'm honored you rember, Mr. Takamine. When will you co visit us again?"
"I'll definitely go when I have ti. Once you reach that age, I'll personally co and support you."
"Just hearing that from you puts my mind at ease."
Shirogane Miyuki: "???"
After the Second Prince left, a burly student with glasses ca over, smiling as he greeted Rinji.
"Rinji, you ca to Japan and didn't even tell ?"
"There wasn't a chance," Rinji said with a smile, patting the guy on the shoulder. "You've bulked up. Looks solid. Want to spar in the judo club after school?"
"No, no thanks. I'm no match for you."
"…You two know each other?" Shirogane asked, confused.
"Oh, that prince is trying to compete for the throne in his country. Not much of a contender, but if he has my backing, it's different. As for the judo club captain, I've known him for years. We sparred occasionally — though he always got beat up badly."
"…What exactly is your identity?"
"A student. From a farming family. My dad's a farr."
"A farr's son knows all these people?"
"President, don't look down on farrs. They're the ones growing our food. That's a noble cause that affects society. President, are you looking down on farrs?"
"No, but I feel like you're not telling the whole truth."
"I sincerely want to join the student council. Every word I said is true."
"Hey!"
A voice interrupted, and both Rinji and Shirogane turned their heads.
Standing in front of them was the girl they had seen earlier.
She had a sharp gaze, short hair, and wore a soft cotton beret. She gave off a strong and cool aura.
She was also a mber of the Joint Club Union — the heiress of the "Ryujuzu", a powerful yakuza faction — and the head of the Astronomy Club at Shuchiin Academy: Momo Ryuzu.
"Oh, Miss Ryuzu. It's been four years. Hope you've been well."
"Still throwing pleasantries at , huh?"
"…"
Without another word, Momo stepped forward and grabbed Rinji by the collar. She turned to Shirogane.
"I'm borrowing this guy for a while. You don't mind, right?"
"N-No, not at all…"
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