Chapter 149: Still Prefer Student Council Life

"What the hell, you're a guy?" Lihito looked utterly disappointed. "What a waste of a face."

"If I didn't need to leave four survivors, you'd be dead already."

Lihito looked regretful as he walked beside Rinji after leaving "Annihilation" ship.

Rinji's brow twitched at his comment. He was seriously considering teaching this guy a lesson.

"Honestly, Lihito, you're just a big dumb gorilla. With just a little grooming, he'd be a top-class pretty boy."

The overly made-up mushroom-headed man suddenly leaned close to Takamine, smiling.

"Hey handsome, want to have dinner together later?"

Rinji: "…"

Goddamn it. I'm exhausted.

From earlier conversations, Rinji had gathered that Rihito lost his job after being defeated by Tokita Ohma, was later recruited by the Nogi Group, and after being conned by Nogi Hideki, became president and fighter of the newly formed Super Frozen Cold Storage Company.

What Rinji didn't know was that the entry fee for the preliminaries was 5 billion yen, and qualifying alone cost 100 million yen.

Which meant the smiling Lihito was currently 5.1 billion yen in debt.

But he didn't realize that—he probably thought Nogi just kindly helped him out a little.

As for the feminine guy constantly hitting on Rinji, he was another fighter—Sawada Keizaburo, a representative of Murder Music. Famous for his unbelievable kicking techniques, he was known as the "The Bird Of Darkness."

After disembarking from the Annihilation, the group made their way to the Kengan Ship, where Katahara Metsudo and some executives were already waiting.

"Chairman Katahara's actually here… Wait, hey!"

Sawada Keizaburo suddenly shouted as he saw Rinji walking toward the front.

He wanted to stop him—getting too close to Katahara Metsudo without permission would definitely get you killed by his guards.

Katahara's bodyguards, known as the Fangs, were stronger than most fighters. Anyone posing a threat to him would be instantly executed.

But to everyone's surprise, as Rinji walked up to Katahara, not a single guard moved. They let him approach and stand at Katahara's side.

"H-He… Who is he?"

"Is he one of Chaiman Katahara's people?"

Amid the stunned expressions around him, Katahara chuckled, patted Rinji on the shoulder, and said loudly—so everyone on the deck could hear:

"This is Takamine Rinji of Amano Pharmaceuticals, my—"

"You call me your subordinate and I'll crush your skull," Rinji said quietly.

"Come on now, I need to show off a little."

"Then find your own way. Don't use me for clout."

"Fine, fine~"

Unbothered, Katahara continued:

"This young friend Rinji is my collaborator. He'll be a major force in the main tournament."

Then he turned to the other four survivors, including Tokita Ohma.

"You survived a match against Takamine Rinji. That alone proves you're qualified for the main event."

The moment Katahara said this, murmurs erupted among the crowd.

"He's with Chairman Katahara?!"

"Was he sent to evaluate the prelim fighters?"

"My 5 billion yen! It's gone!!"

Katahara showed no reaction to the uproar. He calmly said:

"Aside from Young Rinji, the other four completed the elimination match. This means the number of companies in the tournament has increased from 28 to 32. Gentlemen… look forward to the bloodbath ahead."

---

With about 27 hours until the ship reached the tournament site, and the sun having already set, a banquet was now underway.

Just like those high-class cruise scenes in movies, wealthy businessmen and executives mingled with wine in hand, discussing the world economy's effects on their businesses, or negotiating future collaborations.

It was peak capitalist decadence.

"Mr. Yama... I haven't seen Mr. Takamine for a while now."

Yamashita Kazuo looked around, drink in hand.

The huge hall on the ship had no sign of Rinji. It seemed he'd gone elsewhere.

"President Yamashita, Mr. Takamine went to the casino with Mr. Tokita Ohma."

"Huh?"

Kazuo turned around and saw a pretty, shoulder-length-haired young woman.

Her name was Kushida Rin, Yamashita's secretary.

It was suspicious that Yamashita, who had just been "loaned" money by President Nogi to become a company president, would suddenly get a beautiful secretary—but he didn't question it.

"So he went to the casino…"

"Yes."

---

Meanwhile, in the casino—

"Three of a kind!"

"Sorry, straight."

"Damn ittttt!!!"

At the poker table, Rinji revealed his cards. A company president on the opposite side clutched his head and collapsed over the table.

Rinji: "…Sir, how about I waive this round's winnings?"

"You take that money! You think I care about tens of billions?! One more round!!"

"…"

Seeing the man with bloodshot eyes, Rinji felt a little helpless.

He had hoped that making him lose money would force him to quit gambling. Instead, it made things worse.

Surrounding Rinji were a group of gorgeous bunny girls. They leaned in close, using their bodies to press up against him.

"Mr. Takamine, you're amazing."

"Strong and lucky~ you've got me blushing~"

Rinji didn't bother brushing them off.

After all, women never really paid attention to him. This was fine for now.

Though he truly didn't like gambling.

"I'm stepping out for some air. You can have the chips."

"Ah~ Mr. Takamine is so generous."

"I'll leave my door open for you tonight~ You can do whatever you want~"

As Rinji handed over his chips, the bunny girls all fawned over him.

He didn't respond, just walked straight out of the casino.

He stepped onto the deck and lit a cigarette.

Compared to this life of lust and money, he preferred arguing with people in Shuchiin's student council. Only there did he feel at ease.

What he didn't notice…

Was that while he smoked on deck, a hooded girl was slowly approaching him from behind.