Chapter 293: Have Fun

"Sayaka, have you heard of someone?"

"Who?"

"Shirogane Miyuki."

"…"

In a classroom, Kirari Momobami toyed with a vote chip in her hand and smiled as she addressed Igarashi Sayaka, who stood behind her.

Sayaka pressed her lips together and finally said, "Of course I know him."

"I thought so."

Kirari smiled. "Beating you in the national mock exams would definitely leave a lasting impression."

"…I won't lose next time."

At Hyakkaou Academy, because of its unique culture, academic or athletic excellence wasn't what made students popular. Only strong gamblers were admired.

Sayaka was an anomaly among them.

She was a genius. Even in middle school, she consistently ranked first in the school.

She hated gambling, seeing it as nothing more than a pipe dream concocted by people chasing overnight riches. She'd even seen people destroyed by it.

Because of her bookish personality, she was often looked down upon here.

Still, when she learned that Kirari had defeated the former president with an unimaginable amount of money and become president herself, she felt deep admiration.

Later, she was invited by Kirari to join the student council.

If anyone in the student council was close to Kirari, aside from the always-masked vice president, it was Sayaka.

But even Sayaka, with her brilliant mind, lost to two people in the national mock exams.

One was Mikado Shijo. The other—Shirogane Miyuki.

[In the National Mock Exam, Mikado Shijo takes 1st place surpassing Shirogane by a large margin who is in the 2nd]

She'd never forget those names.

"That Shirogane Miyuki... I remember he's..."

"The student council president of Shuchiin Academy," Kirari said with a smile. "He's Rinji's superior."

"…To control someone like that, Shirogane must be more than just a good student." Sayaka frowned. "I heard he used to be acting president of Dainippon Bank. For a high schooler to do that—he's not normal. He must've been keeping a low profile for his own reasons."

"Maybe."

"Why are you suddenly asking about him?"

"Because of this."

Kirari pulled out a letter.

Seika glanced at it and nearly broke out in a cold sweat.

"The student council president of Shuchiin… wants to visit our school?"

"Yes. Things are getting interesting," Kirari said with a broad smile.

She didn't seem concerned, but Sayaka was very worried.

Rinji alone had turned the school upside down. If this mysterious president also came, no one could predict what would happen.

"President… what if Shirogane shows interest in running for our student council?"

"Let him try. The academy welcomes anyone who wants to run." Kirari smiled. "What do you think, Sayaka?"

"If that's your decision, I have no objection." Sayaka smiled as well.

"Let the storm hit harder."

---

"Achoo!"

"President, are you okay? Caught a cold?"

"No, just felt a sneeze coming."

Inside the Anti-Gambling Club room, Rinji was on the phone with Shirogane.

Shirogane had learned from Sagara earlier today that Rinji would be allowed to return, and he was thrilled. During a break from student council duties, he called Rinji.

"Rinji, I'll come get you this Friday, and I'll also visit Hyakkaou Academy. It's part of my duty as a student rep."

"Oh? You're visiting their student council president?"

"Yeah."

"Bad timing then. The student council here has been dissolved. They're in the middle of an election," Rinji said. "Might take a month to finish."

"…That's annoying. Without a council president, the visit won't count as official."

Shirogane laughed.

"But no big deal. I'm mostly coming to bring you back. If there's an election, just bad luck."

"Honestly, I wouldn't recommend you visit this school," Rinji said. "Doesn't give me a good feeling."

"Yeah, Shinomiya and Fujiwara told me the same… What kind of feeling?"

"What kind, huh?"

Holding his phone, Rinji turned to glance at the cash piled like a mountain in the club room.

Leftover winnings from past troublemakers.

"…Boring, I guess."

"That's not so bad."

Shirogane laughed.

"I told the student council about it, and Fujiwara wanted to compete to see who gets to come get you. We played concentration—and she lost."

"...Did she get caught cheating again?"

"How did you know?"

"No surprise it's her. She really embodies the phrase 'never learns a lesson'." Rinji chuckled. "Then I'll be here waiting for the president."

"Alright."

Beep—

The call ended. Rinji put down his phone and looked at the line of people standing in front of him.

These were all members of the Anti-Gambling Club. After joining, they followed Rinji's lead without question.

"You all heard that, right? The president's coming this Friday. You know what to do?"

"Understood." ×N

"Good. Let's get started on the plan."

At Rinji's command, Manyuda Kaede stepped forward from the crowd.

Behind him were members of the election committee.

One of them wore a costume identical to Runa's. She cleared her throat and said, "Then let the election gamble begin. What are you betting on?"

"The simplest one. Rock-paper-scissors."

Manyuda spoke and raised his open palm.

At the same time, every club member before him simultaneously showed rock.

Rinji smiled and looked at the election committee member. "Does this count as a gamble?"

"Of course. As long as there's risk involved, it's gambling."

Over twenty chips were handed directly to Manyuda, who bowed to Rinji with them in hand.

"President, I will win this."

"Sure. Just have fun with it."

Rinji stood up with a smile.

Now, he too held a chip in his hand.