Chapter 298: What Is a King

"Haah..."

Leaning against the school building wall, Rinji closed his eyes and exhaled a smoke ring.

In the background, Runa Yomozuki's voice narrated the gamble on the outdoor screen. It seemed two-thirds of the students had already exited.

Although Rinji had racked up a decent number of chips, most of his wins came from a few students who held large vote shares. The majority had been defeated by the Momobami clan members.

The Momobami clan wasn't to be underestimated. While Rinji didn't take them seriously, they were undeniably more powerful than ordinary students confined to the school.

[Momobami clan is also known as Hundred Devouring Families]

"Come to think of it, every family in the Momobami clan has the character '喰'(bami) in their name. That means Jabami Yumeko is likely one of them too."

Rinji chuckled, flicked his cigarette to the ground, and stamped it out.

"A whole clan of gambling addicts, huh."

"President Rinji."

"Hm?"

Rinji turned at the voice and saw Manyuda approaching, accompanied by a girl.

Rinji had seen this girl before in the student council office—a trendy, stylish type. If he remembered right...

"Who are you?"

He honestly couldn't recall.

"I'm Itsuki Sumeragi! Your memory is terrible!" the girl snapped.

"Don't get me wrong. I never bothered remembering your name. My memory's fine."

"What did you say!?"

"Calm down." Manyuda patted Itsuki's head.

"Hmph."

It worked. Itsuki merely snorted and shot a hostile glare at Rinji.

"Sorry, President Rinji. Itsuki joined me during the election. She helped me win a lot of chips."

"I see."

"I really don't get why Manyuda-senpai would work with someone like you," Itsuki said bluntly. "You rule this school with violence and fear. You almost disfigured him last time."

She truly couldn't understand why Manyuda would work under someone who once injured him.

"It just means he's smarter than you, dumb woman."

"What did you say!?"

"Enough. Don't argue with the president."

"Why are you siding with him!?"

Itsuki looked at Manyuda with a face full of grievance.

Rinji ignored her and said to Manyuda, "Heard you've been winning a lot. You're ranked fourth now, right?"

"Yes, thanks to Itsuki's help, I've won 95 votes."

"That so. With my 170-plus, you could become student council president."

"Yes... but is that really okay?"

Manyuda looked a little hesitant.

"I believe you're more suited than me for the position of president. Ever since I joined the Anti-Gambling Club, I could tell that your abilities and mindset far surpass mine."

Manyuda hadn't joined the club just to follow someone destined to win. More than that, he wanted to learn from Rinji—gain something useful from him to improve himself.

He believed he still had a lot to learn. Becoming president would indeed give him power, but to consolidate that power, one needed the skills someone like Rinji possessed.

He truly believed Rinji was more suited to be president than himself.

"Aren't you the one who wants to become a 'king'? How can you back out now?"

"I just feel that I'm not ready to be a 'king' yet," said Manyuda. "President, you have the potential to be king. I think it's more fitting for you."

"I told you before—I'm the treasurer of Shuchiin Academy. I won't be participating in anything related to the Hyakkaou student council, including becoming president," Rinji said with a smile. "And even if I had the chance to become king, I wouldn't take it."

"Why not?"

"The crown on one's head lowers your line of sight. Being king, to me, is more of a burden than a privilege. It limits my vision."

"...Is that so?"

In that moment, Manyuda seemed to understand something.

To him, becoming a king had always been necessary. His father had instilled that belief—if he didn't become king, he had no worth.

But that goal had always been forced on him. He hadn't even seen the world clearly yet, and he was already chasing a vague, unreachable ideal.

And once he became king—then what? Would he spend his life guarding his little castle?

His perspective wasn't broad at all.

"President, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Can I transfer to Shuchiin Academy?"

"Huh?"

"Eh!?" Itsuki, stunned at first, cried out right after. "Senpai's transferring? Is this a joke? Have you forgotten your dream of becoming king?"

"Of course I remember."

Manyuda adjusted his glasses.

"But I need to understand—what exactly a 'king' is."

To broaden his vision, he needed to stay near Rinji, not rule a tiny domain alone.

"Up to you. Where you transfer is your choice," Rinji replied with a smile.

"Thank you very much."

With his decision made, Manyuda smiled and turned to leave.

"Wait..."

Itsuki shot a glare at Rinji, then chased after Manyuda.

But as he walked down the hall, Manyuda suddenly stopped.

Two people stood in his path.

A tall and a short girl. One with long black hair, the other with a bun hairstyle. Both wore eyeshadow.

They were Inbami Miyo and Yobami Miri—members of the Momobami Clan.

"You're Manyuda Kaede, right?" Miyo asked with a smile.

"Yes. What do you want?"

"I want to gamble with you—for the votes in your hand."

"..."

To be honest, Manyuda had long lost interest in the student council election. His goal was no longer the presidency.

But since someone came to challenge him, he had no reason to avoid it.

'This will be my final duel at Hyakkaou Private Academy.'

With that thought, he pushed up his glasses, the lenses flashing ominously.

"Very well. If you want my votes, come and take them—Momobami Clan."

"Good."

Miyo smiled and extended her hand for a handshake.

Manyuda didn't think much and extended his hand as well.

But no one noticed the sharp needle emerging from Miyo's index finger.