Chapter 311: Don’t Judge People Behind Their Backs

"I'm leaving!"

"Don't go!"

As soon as he heard about the uniform plans, Rinji stood up to leave. Ishigami clung tightly to his waist to stop him.

"Let go, Ishigami. I'm not wasting time in this place."

"Please think it over! We have to join group activities if we don't want a lifeless high school life!"

"I'm not wearing a girl's uniform!!"

Their scuffle drew the attention of the others at the blackboard. Everyone turned to look in confusion.

"What's wrong? No fighting, okay?" Koyasu quickly stepped in, seeing the scene.

By then, Rinji had broken free from Ishigami.

He straightened his collar and turned to Koyasu.

"Sorry, Koyasu-senpai. I don't think the support club suits me. Please allow me to withdraw."

"Eh!!?"

Koyasu panicked at his sudden declaration.

"Wait… what happened? Why do you want to quit all of a sudden?"

While Koyasu looked worried, some other students coldly watched from the sidelines.

Honestly, most of them would rather Rinji leave. The club would run fine without him, and his presence only added pressure.

"It's just… I can't accept wearing a girls' uniform."

"I see…"

As soon as he said that, all eyes shifted to Rinji's face.

Despite his reputation, there was no denying his handsome appearance. In fact, among second and third-years, he had some popularity—if it weren't for his frequent controversial behavior, even as an outside transfer student, he could've been wildly popular.

Now, these students were all secretly hoping to see what he'd look like in a girls' uniform.

"Come on, Takamine-kun. Think it over."

"Yeah, the support club wouldn't be the same without you."

"You're part of us now, you know?"

Suddenly, everyone started trying to convince Rinji to stay.

Aside from his past fights and threats during the student council election, one of his most famous traits… was that face.

"See? Everyone wants you here."

Koyasu stepped forward, gently took Rinji's hand, and smiled.

"Please stay in the club."

"Absolutely not."

"Let it go, Koyasu-senpai. If Takamine doesn't want to stay, we should let him go."

At that moment, Onodera Rei, who had been chatting with her friends about after-school plans, walked over and spoke to Koyasu.

"Some things just can't be forced."

"You're right. So..."

"Takamine, a real man can show his masculinity regardless of outward appearance, as long as he doesn't change inside." Onodera suddenly shifted the topic. "Are you unsure about who you really are?"

"Huh?"

Several veins popped up on Rinji's forehead.

---

"Damn it, I got tricked."

Rinji sat on the student council room's couch, clutching his head in frustration.

Provoked by Onodera's words, he had ended up agreeing to stay in the cheer squad.

Tsubame was overjoyed that he stayed and even added him on LINE, dragging him into the cheer group chat.

The cheer group was filled with extroverts who frequently posted photos of outings or parties—people with full social lives. In contrast, people like Ishigami and Rinji, who rarely went out, were the complete opposite.

"Isn't this great? Participating in events like this could finally improve your reputation." Ishigami said bluntly, sitting across from Rinji.

"I've never cared about my reputation!"

"Then why are you afraid of cross-dressing? Don't you not care about your image?"

"..."

Rinji turned his head and stared up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle.

"Because this touches on... my dark childhood memories."

"Tell me the details."

"No. Also, how dare you set me up. Get out."

"Don't get mad. I didn't know the cheer squad would pull this kind of move." Ishigami shrugged. "By the way, who are you planning to borrow the girls' uniform from?"

"Probably Momo-senpai. I'll try asking." Rinji sighed. "What about you?"

"I haven't decided. Honestly, asking a girl for her uniform feels like a death sentence. I just know they'll look at me like I'm trash." Ishigami had no confidence in this mission.

"And yet you still dragged me into the cheer squad? How brave of you."

"Because... there's something I really want to see."

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Ishigami immediately changed the subject. "Still, borrowing a girl's uniform requires some consideration since we're the ones wearing it."

"You have a point. Who do you think I should ask?"

"Shinomiya-senpai's, probably," Ishigami replied. "Her chest is pretty flat, so the uniform won't look obviously off when worn by a guy."

"..."

"Someone like Fujiwara-senpai is definitely out. With her bust size, a guy in her uniform would just look ridiculous, hahaha..."

"...Ishigami."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Turn around."

"Behind me?"

Ishigami turned and saw Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya standing right behind him, glaring at him dangerously.

...

Ishigami felt like he was about to die.

As he trembled, Fujiwara walked silently to the side, pulled out some old newspapers from the student council cabinet, wrapped them with tape into a makeshift paper fan, and approached Ishigami.

"Ishigami..."

"Y-Yes..."

WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP WHAP!

The fan slammed relentlessly into Ishigami's head.

Huff... huff...

After throwing the fan aside, Fujiwara wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I'll let you off this time."

"Much appreciated..."

"That was quite the scene, Ishigami-kun."

Kaguya looked at him with a smile so warm it sent shivers down his spine.

"If it were anyone else, you wouldn't have been forgiven so easily."

Ishigami felt like his life was nearing its end.

"Yeah, Ishigami, you really shouldn't talk about girls behind their backs," Rinji said calmly. "It's rude."

"Rinji-kun is right~"

"Though," Rinji added suddenly, "for the record, Shinomiya's uniform would still feel tight around the chest for most guys."

"TAKAMINE!! RINJI!!!"