Chapter 6: A Step Behind, Yet Ahead

Freshmen were enrolling again, and clubs were actively recruiting new members, making the gymnasium of Advanced Nurturing High School lively throughout the day.

When Kure Ragna and the others arrived, the gymnasium was already packed. Hundreds of students filled the space, either scouting club booths or assisting with recruitment.

With four classes per grade and 40 students in each, there were 160 first-year students in total. More than half of them had shown up—an impressive turnout.

"Should I say… as expected of Advanced Nurturing High School?"

Stopping near the entrance, Yukinoshita Haruno sighed, her gaze sweeping across the bustling scene.

The club recruitment event resembled a festival. The school provided the venue, while clubs set up their booths along the sides, leaving the center stage free for speeches. The microphone cables still dangled from the stage after the morning ceremony, yet no one had stepped up to speak.

Each club displayed its greatest assets, hoping to attract students. Signed baseball bats, footballs, and basketballs—items that could fetch high prices outside—were casually displayed.

To most, this seemed ordinary. But considering the school's strict no-exit policy, these signed items held significant weight. The only exception to the rule was club competitions.

To obtain autographed sports memorabilia, a club would need to participate in national-level events.

Some clubs went even further. The swimming club had brought an entire hyperbaric oxygen chamber—an unnecessary yet bold statement.

The extravagance was a testament to the school's resources and the competitive nature of its clubs.

"Sorry, everyone, I want to check out the football club first. Call me when we're leaving," Yōsuke Hirata said, his excitement barely contained.

"Of course." Yukinoshita Haruno smiled. "It's better to explore freely. Once you've looked around, meet back here. If anyone isn't back by the time we leave, we'll confirm via phone."

"Understood~!"

"Kushida-san, Karuizawa-san, shall we go check it out?"

"Sure, let's go together."

"Yeah, let's go~!"

With that, the students from Class 1-D dispersed, forming small groups as they explored clubs that piqued their interest.

The only ones who remained in place were Kure Ragna and Yukinoshita Haruno.

"Kure Ragna, are you not interested in checking out any clubs?"

She turned to the tall boy in sunglasses, a curious smile on her face.

"Hmm..." Kure Ragna rubbed his chin. "I'd like to, but nothing really stands out to me."

"How about judo?"

She gestured toward the judo club's recruitment booth. Unlike others, it lacked flashy memorabilia. Instead, senior club members stood at a table, their presence serving as the main attraction.

Among them were muscular upperclassmen and strikingly fit female members, all clad in white judo uniforms with red belts.

Judging by their demeanor, they were likely second-tier national competitors.

However, that wasn't nearly enough.

There was a stark difference between regulated martial arts competitions and underground fighting circuits.

In official tournaments, rules, points, and referees maintained order. Injuries occurred, but death was rare. Conversely, underground fights lacked such safety measures. Victory was determined by surrender, unconsciousness, or worse.

The highest levels of underground fighting included Fist Wish, Purgatory, and Bishamon.

Kure Ragna had been thrown into that world at just 14. If he joined a high school club, he'd likely be expelled after accidentally injuring a fellow member on his first day.

"...Forget it."

A sudden commotion stirred from the front of the venue.

A boy, about 170 cm tall, stepped onto the stage. His sharp eyes hid behind neatly framed glasses, and his black hair was cropped short. His expression was calm—almost too calm.

Without a word, he stood before the microphone.

At first, the crowd muttered in confusion.

"Speak up already!"

"Did he forget his script?"

"Haha!"

Laughter and scattered cheers erupted from the audience.

Yet the boy on stage remained motionless.

Amid this, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka observed the scene from a distance.

(So I was the only one left behind.)

He hadn't made any effort to stick with anyone, yet as he stood alone, an odd sense of disconnect settled over him.

(If I had an outgoing personality, maybe things would've been different.)

Ike and Yamauchi had rushed off, caught up in their usual excitement. Haruno and Kuro had paired up without a second thought. Even Hirata couldn't control himself and went ahead.

Maybe if he had spoken up, if he had reached out first, he would've been pulled along.

But that wasn't who he was.

His gaze wandered across the festival booths, but none of them particularly interested him.

(Well… I suppose I'll just look around.)

Still, his eyes moved subtly, analyzing every reaction.

(If this was meant to command attention, it's effective. A forced silence holds more power than a demanded one.)

Someone beside him clicked their tongue.

"Ah, it's this type again. I hate these people." Kure Ragna sighed lazily.

"I get what he's doing—acting like he doesn't care whether people listen, waiting for them to quiet down on their own. But if you have something to say, just say it. It's tedious watching someone act like they need to be begged to speak."

Yukinoshita Haruno turned to reply—only to find Kure Ragna gone.

A drop of sweat rolled down her temple.

"Eh? Where did he go…?"

On stage, the boy finally moved, adjusting the microphone slightly before speaking.

"I am Horikita Manabu, the student council president."

Yet—no sound emerged from the speakers.

The room remained silent.

The president frowned slightly, tapping the microphone. He cleared his throat.

Still, nothing.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

Minutes passed, and eventually, a sharp-eyed student in the front row pointed at the stage.

"Look! The microphone cable is broken!"

At the same time, Yukinoshita Haruno's phone vibrated.

A message from Kure Ragna.

[Something came up. Go ahead without me.]

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