Chapter 286: The Useless Ones

Hyakkaou Private Academy underwent massive changes in just a few days.

Because of Rinji's public actions, many students were both terrified of him and began to distrust the student council.

At first, that distrust was mild—after all, Kiwatari Jun's death came from losing a gamble, and in a school where gambling reigns supreme, his death was at least justified.

But what happened afterward pushed the student council's credibility to rock bottom.

Within a week of Kiwatari's death, numerous 'livestock' students tried to join Rinji's Anti-Gambling Club.

These 'livestock' were originally students who'd fallen into debt or couldn't pay dues to the student council and were treated as disposable. Their lives were already miserable, so even if they feared Rinji, they chose to join him. He was the only variable left.

Out of the 94 who joined, 70 signed withdrawal and lifetime gambling ban agreements and left the school. The remaining 24 stayed and became club members.

Of those 94, 74 had outstanding debts. Rinji tracked down those who'd won money from them.

After pressuring five of them into gambling with him, the rest voluntarily gave up on the debts. Once they realized how Rinji operated, they had no choice but to swallow their complaints.

And the student council did nothing to stop any of this—which is why their reputation plummeted.

On another front, Manyuda Kaede, now part of the Anti-Gambling Club, began using his former position as student council treasurer to publicly expose how ineffectual the council had become. He openly criticized Kirari, worsening their public image.

Currently, Rinji was dealing with the debts of a few remaining students.

Some of the 'livestock' cases originated directly from student council members.

Most of the council were absurdly wealthy, using enormous bets in gambling, creating inherent unfairness.

One of them was Nishinotouin Yuriko.

Inside a tatami-covered classroom, Yuriko knelt in a kimono before Rinji. Her face was pale with fear, sweat dripping from her brow.

"Nishinotouin-san, the students who came to our Anti-Gambling Club for help—most of their money was won by you," Rinji said with a smile, sitting cross-legged. "Roughly 400 million yen in total. I'll help them get that back. So how about—"

"No, please don't say that."

Yuriko forced a smile.

"That money doesn't need to be returned. After all..."

"After all, it was won through cheating, wasn't it?"

"..."

Yuriko bit her lip. Rinji then took out a black-and-white plastic chip.

"The students you played against were trapped. These plastic pieces were placed in opaque cups, shaken, and dropped into slots. Students bet on the slots. It looked like a game of luck, but..."

Rinji smiled, turning his palm down.

The plastic chip didn't fall—it stuck to his hand.

"Who would've thought your club members had magnets implanted in their palms? And these chips? They're metal. You used this trick to control where the chip fell and drained students of everything."

He tossed the tampered chip at her.

"Sure, being scammed means they were stupid. But Nishinotouin-san, they've signed a contract with me. I need to give them closure."

"I… I already said they don't have to repay the money..."

"Nishinotouin-san."

"..."

When Rinji called her name again, she flinched.

Looking at Rinji, who had been smiling the entire time, this student council member—once admired by others—felt only fear.

"You should know my position."

His message was clear.

This wasn't just about debts being erased.

"How much do you want? As long as I can pay..."

"No, you're missing the point. The Anti-Gambling Club isn't short on money. What we lack is influence." Rinji smiled. "And what I need from you is simple. It won't cost you a single yen."

"Then what is it...?"

Rinji smiled faintly. "I want you to quit the student council."

"What?"

"I need to dismantle the council piece by piece. When students see even rule-makers abandoning it, they'll form their own opinions."

"No, I can't do that!"

Yuriko shouted.

"I joined the student council and founded the Traditional Culture Club to protect my members from becoming 'livestock.' If I leave, the president will—"

"You still haven't seen the situation clearly."

Rinji sighed.

"From the moment I entered this school, its future changed. How long do you think you can protect yourself like this?"

"..."

"You crave stability. A safe place under Momobami Kirari's rule, quietly waiting for graduation. That's why you don't want change. You just want to protect yourself, right?"

"Yes! I want to protect myself—is that wrong in this cruel school?!"

Maybe due to her emotions, Yuriko shouted.

"Is it wrong to want to protect myself and my club members!? Why do I have to do all this!? What's wrong with keeping things the way they are—"

Shff!

Feeling the pain as her scalp and hair were yanked, Yuriko was dragged in front of Rinji.

"Seeking comfort? Then let me make this very clear—you can't have it. Now that this school has become the battleground between me and Kirari, everyone here is just a disposable chess piece. Trying to remain neutral on a battlefield will only make you die faster."

"Ugh…"

"I have no mercy for those who are useless. They're not even worthy of being livestock."

Rinji had a twisted grin on his face. That terrifying expression became deeply engraved in Yuriko's heart.

"So, Nishinotouin… don't become someone useless to me."