Chapter 296: Do You Believe in Him?

Nanami brought Rinji behind the classroom building. Turning around, she looked at the golden-haired boy, clearly conflicted.

"What is it, Nanami?" Rinji asked, confused. "You said you wanted to talk..."

From the past two weeks of interaction, Nanami wasn't someone who took initiative. She usually stood quietly behind Rinji. For her to ask him out alone like this was unprecedented.

"Rinji-kun..."

After a moment of hesitation, she finally asked:

"You're going to leave this school, aren't you?"

"I am."

"...Will we never see each other again?"

"Maybe."

Rinji had only come to Hyakkaou Academy because of Kirari's schemes. If not for her, he would've had no contact with this place at all.

According to the call from Shirogane Miyuki, Rinji had less than four days left here.

"...Could you not leave?"

"I have to. I've done a lot here, but this was never where I truly belonged," Rinji said. "After I leave, you'll become the Anti-Gambling Club's president. Do your best. Try to help everyone quit gambling..."

"I can't..."

"Hmm?"

"I can't do it!!" Nanami shouted.

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Rinji.

"I just can't..." she bowed her head, sorrow thick in her voice. "Without you... I can't do anything. Being president? Impossible."

"...Nanami."

"I used to be bullied constantly because I was labeled livestock. This school was hell for me. Until you came and saved me. No matter what others think of you, I always saw you as a hero... As long as you were here, I felt like that hell was far away."

She raised her head.

"But if you're gone, I don't know if I'll have the courage to stay."

"..."

Rinji looked down, silent.

After a while, he raised his head and met her gaze.

"It's my fault."

"Huh?"

"I took it upon myself to solve your problems without letting you grow. If I'd let you take revenge on those who hurt you back then, maybe you'd be strong enough to stand on your own now."

"No, it's not like that!"

Nanami quickly shouted.

She didn't want to blame Rinji. Her fear wasn't about being bullied again after he left.

She was afraid...

"I'm afraid... that I won't get to be by your side like this anymore."

Rinji was reckless and merciless, but he had undeniably saved her from a hopeless future.

Nanami knew many members of the club had similar feelings. Girls like Nureba Ayame, whom Rinji had also helped, admired him.

Because of her past, Nanami was insecure. She didn't dare confess her feelings, but as long as she could stand beside him as vice president, it was enough.

But Rinji would eventually leave. Back to Shuchiin Academy.

That dreamlike daily life would shatter.

"Sorry, Nanami. Shuchiin is where I belong. Even if I'm not here, I hope you'll keep going."

Rinji never understood what Nanami was truly trying to say.

He patted her saddened shoulder and smiled.

"Before I leave, I'll tell you everything you need to know. Don't worry—even if I'm not around, you'll be fine."

"...Rinji-kun."

"Hmm?"

"If... I mean, if I manage to keep going here, could we still meet again someday?"

"Of course."

Rinji smiled.

"I'll be at Shuchiin. I'm not going anywhere else. If you want to find me, you're welcome anytime."

At the time, Rinji had no idea that those words would shape the decision Nanami would later make.

---

Meanwhile…

"Bro, I heard Rinji-nii went to another school?"

"Yeah... right, I forgot to tell you. He had to transfer temporarily, but he'll be back this Friday."

"I see... But bro, how could you let him go like that?"

"What do you mean!? I was trying to protect him! It's just that the situation got complicated, so the principal had to transfer him to keep his enrollment at Shuchiin safe."

At the Shirogane household, Shirogane was chatting with his sister Kei.

When Kei heard that Rinji had been forced to transfer to Hyakkaou, she was deeply concerned. She had learned a bit about that school from her friend Moeha.

It was pretty bad.

"You know how it is. The students at Shuchiin are all rich kids. If they face even a little trouble, their parents come running to the school. Your brother Rinji got into trouble with some students, and their parents made a big fuss."

Shirogane said with a helpless tone.

"But lately, those parents have quieted down. That's why Rinji was able to come back early."

"Wasn't Rinji-nii your treasurer? Why did you let something happen to him?"

"I was just re-elected. Back then, he wasn't under me yet."

Shirogane explained, though his eyes showed a trace of melancholy.

"To be honest… sometimes I really don't understand what Rinji is thinking. I thought we were friends, so we should be able to understand each other. But even now, he's still so hard to read."

"Is that so..."

At that moment, Kei recalled something Rinji had once told her when he was staying in their run-down house.

Back then, Rinji always gave off an aura that didn't match the people around him.

She realized she never truly tried to understand him.

"Big bro."

"Hmm?"

"Do you trust Rinji-nii?" Kei asked.

"Of course I do."

"That's enough." Kei smiled.