Chapter 324: Stepping Into Character

"Sigh…"

"What's wrong, Secretary Fujiwara? It's midday and you're sighing like that."

As always, Rinji was lounging on the student council's sofa, reading a book. Across from him, Fujiwara Chika wore a miserable expression and kept sighing.

Fujiwara was the kind of girl who was always full of energy—sometimes borderline manic—so seeing her like this was rare.

"Listen to me, Rinji-kun," she said weakly. "But promise me you won't be scared by what I'm about to say."

"Go on. I can take it."

"President… asked me to teach him how to dance today."

"…And?"

"What do you mean 'and'? You know how hard it is to teach the president, don't you!?"

"He's not that bad."

Rinji had trained Shirogane twice before. Once was for volleyball—honestly, Shirogane's coordination was atrocious, but they had mechanical aids that helped, so it wasn't too bad.

The second time was singing. That was when both Fujiwara and Rinji coached him together. After a long and torturous effort, they finally cured his habit of singing the school anthem off-key.

Back then, Fujiwara had suffered the most. After being assaulted by his "demonic voice" countless times, she swore never to coach him again.

And yet here she was, helping him again.

Originally, Shirogane wanted Rinji to help him, but Shirakawa was busy training with the cheer squad and also unfamiliar with the traditional Japanese folk dance involved. Being a foreigner didn't help either.

With no other choice, Shirogane turned to Fujiwara.

"What dance is it this time?"

"The 'Soran Bushi'."

Soran Bushi was a traditional Japanese folk dance based on a song sung by fishermen as they pulled in nets. It was adapted into a modern dance to keep movements synchronized.

"That one, huh… I have no clue how to do it. Why is the president learning that?"

"Because each grade has to perform something at the sports festival. Second-years got this dance."

"So basically, he sucks at it and asked you for extra training?"

"'Sucks' is putting it nicely!!"

Fujiwara clutched her head and shouted.

"It's a disaster! Watching him dance is like seeing a puppet hung by steel wires—it's not even a dance, it's an exorcism ritual!"

"Is it that bad?"

"Look for yourself!!"

She whipped out her phone and played a video for Rinji.

It showed a recording of Shirogane's dancing. And honestly, it really couldn't be called dancing. The movements were stiff, twisted, and outright bizarre.

"So this is the Soran Bushi of Japan? Tough dance."

"That's not how it's supposed to look! This is the real thing!"

She played another video—an instructional clip from a video site.

"..."

"Now do you see how awful the president's version is?"

Normally, Fujiwara wouldn't expose Shirogane's embarrassing sides, but Rinji was an exception. Shirogane never minded him knowing about his weaknesses.

"I get it." Rinji nodded. "By the way, I already learned that dance."

"…Huh?"

Fujiwara looked at him suspiciously.

"Nobody can master it just by watching a video once. This kind of thing requires hands-on coaching…"

"Like this, right?"

Rinji stood up from the sofa, took a deep breath, and began dancing.

His version of the Soran Bushi was executed smoothly and powerfully, every motion sharp and clean without a hint of awkwardness.

Fujiwara stared, eyes wide and filled with disbelief.

When he finished and returned to his seat, Rinj smiled. "So, how'd I do…? Whoa, what's with that face?"

Tears had already gathered at the corners of Fujiwara's eyes.

After seeing Shirogane's horror show earlier, and now witnessing Rinji deliver a near-perfect performance, she couldn't help crying. Whether from joy or sorrow, even she didn't know.

The contrast was just too intense.

"Rinji-kun… that was really your first time?"

"Yep."

"You've never learned it before?"

"Of course not."

"Ugh… Is this what they mean by 'other people's children'? Why is my own kid so hopeless?"

"Something feels off about your wording."

Rinji returned to his book. "I'm the kind of person who can learn most things after seeing them once. This kind of dance isn't hard for me. Don't be fooled by my tough-guy vibe—I know a bit about dancing. Ballroom, street, you name it."

"I think the one thing you're bad at is self-awareness. I've never sensed any tough-guy vibe from you."

As she thought about having to coach Shirogane again, Fujiwara sighed. But suddenly, her eyes lit up.

"Hey, since you already know the Soran Bushi, why not help the president practice?"

"…Huh?"

Swish!

Before Rinji could say anything, Fujiwara suddenly stood up and grabbed his hand.

"You'll do it, right?"

"Well, I don't mind…"

"Then let's go right now!"

---

"So yeah," Rinji said, "Fujiwara dragged me here to coach the president."

"Ah… thanks, really."

Shirogane gave a wry smile.

He'd always relied on Rinji whenever he ran into problems. He thought this time would be different—but here they were again.

Honestly, Shirogane was starting to wonder if there was anything Rinji couldn't do.

He was a genius, no question.

"How long have you been practicing?"

"About three days."

"Try dancing it once. I'll see what needs correcting."

"Got it."

As Rinji watched, Shirogane performed the dance from memory.

Let's just say—it was a train wreck.

Rinji & Fujiwara: "..."

"So? How was it?"

"Well…"

Rinji did a quick mental calculation. The sports festival was just around the corner. At this pace…

"I'll go suggest a different program to the school."

"No way!!"

Fujiwara grabbed Rinji's sleeve tightly.

"Why are you saying things that crush a kid's self-esteem!?"

"…You're getting a bit too into the role, aren't you?"