Chapter 344: Can You Understand This Frustration and Bitterness?

"So... Principal, you want to create a Shuchiin brochure?"

"Yes, it's for promotional purposes, to show outsiders the fulfilling lives of Shuchiin students," said the principal, holding his camera with a smile. "So I'd like to ask the student council members to model for it."

"I see."

The principal didn't intend for the brochure to be an internal school publication but something to distribute externally, most likely to attract new students.

It was probably part of a strategy to increase the number of incoming students from outside the school.

"I want students from outside to get a sense of what life in Shuchiin is like—something that makes them think 'I want to experience youth at this school.' So please try to look vibrant and full of energy."

"Vibrant and full of energy..."

Everyone fell silent in thought.

At this moment, Rinji raised his hand and asked, "So the goal is to attract students from other schools to Shuchiin, right?"

"Exactly."

"I have an idea."

"Please go ahead."

"First..."

Rinji walked over to the small rooftop structure near the entrance, pulled a black can of spray paint from his pocket, and shook it—click clack.

"Wait, Rinji, where did you get that spray paint?"

Psssshhh—

Before the principal could finish speaking, Rinji had already started spraying the wall.

On the once clean wall, bold black characters quickly appeared: "Shuchiin's Apex."

"Then, take a photo facing this wall. Add some students lying on the ground, covered in fake blood. The tagline: 'Welcome to a passionate youth.'"

"Stop that!! This isn't Hot-Blooded High School! We're a prestigious institution with a long history, not a haven for delinquents!!" the principal yelled.

"Tch, you're no fun."

Seeing his plan rejected, Rinji reluctantly picked up a cloth and began wiping the spray paint off the wall.

"Ahem... anyway, no need to make things so complicated," the principal coughed, addressing the student council. "We just need to take a few simple photos."

"Um..."

Kaguya hesitated for a moment before raising her hand.

"Yes, Shinomiya?"

"My family has a rule," she said a bit awkwardly. "My face isn't allowed to appear in any magazine."

"Oh, no!!"

The principal held his head and let out a series of regretful sighs.

Kaguya was hugely popular at school. With her cute face and natural aura, she was easily one of the top beauties at Shuchiin. The principal saw her absence from the publication as a huge loss.

"I'm really sorry, Principal."

"It's alright. I'm aware of your family's situation."

The principal didn't press the issue. He glanced over at Rinji, who had just finished cleaning the wall.

"Rinji, could you come over for a second?"

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Rinji tossed aside the cloth and walked over.

At the same time, the principal turned to Fujiwara.

"Fujiwara, would you mind standing next to Rinji?"

"Sure!"

Fujiwara nodded cheerfully and stood beside Rinji.

The principal raised his camera and aimed it at the two of them.

"..."

"Principal, is something wrong?"

"I... something feels off," the principal muttered, brows furrowed. He turned to the blushing Iino standing off to the side. "Iino, could you try standing next to Rinji?"

"Um... o-okay."

Iino seemed a little shy when she heard they'd be acting as models.

But when the principal asked her to stand next to Rinji, she blushed and stepped forward.

"Hmm..."

The principal looked through the camera at Rinji's blank face and Iino's bashful one. Still, he didn't press the shutter.

"Still doesn't feel right."

"What exactly are you thinking about, Principal?"

"Wait a second."

Suddenly, the principal seemed to have an idea. He reached behind him, pulled out a school magazine, flipped to a page showcasing the girls' uniforms, then folded the model's head back, leaving only the body and uniform visible—and held it up next to Rinji.

"Hmm. Now it fits."

Rinji: "?"

"Rinji, I wonder if I could ask a favor of you..."

"What?"

"Could you wear a girls' uniform and let us take a picture?"

"Do you want me to kill you?"

"I don't want this either!!!"

The principal suddenly dropped to his knees and howled.

"I originally wanted to do a couple-themed photo shoot, pairing you with a girl for the school magazine. But no matter which girl stood next to you, there was this unexplainable sense of awkwardness!"

"You..."

"Then I realized something just now—if you wear a girls' uniform, all that awkwardness vanishes. And I plan to use that photo as the magazine cover. It'll definitely be a huge hit!"

Saying this, the kneeling principal lowered his head as if he were sinking into despair.

"It's so frustrating! I finally found the perfect model but can't fulfill the vision. Do you know how helpless that feels!?"

He pounded the ground with both fists while ranting. Rinji was already struggling to hold himself back from hitting this french looking John wick.

Clap.

Just then, a hand rested on the principal's shoulder.

The disheartened principal looked up slightly and saw Ishigami kneeling beside him, eyes filled with deep empathy.

"Principal, I understand you."

"Ah… Ishigami…" The principal's eyes lit up. "You really do?"

"I can feel your helplessness."

"Ishigami…"

"Principal…"

"Hey, you two idiots want me to toss you off the roof?"

Seeing the two so in sync, Rinji's forehead was bulging with veins.

"Forget it."

The principal stood up, dusted off his knees, and handed the camera to Rinji.

"Rinji, you handle the photos. Just capture some student interactions around the school."

"...Fine. Do I need to focus on couples?"

"If it looks like a couple, just shoot it."

"Got it."

Rinji raised the camera and aimed it at Shirogane.

"Shinomiya, could you please stand next to the president?"

"Eh?"

Kaguya's face turned red in an instant.

'What does this mean? Is Rinji-kun saying we look like a couple? So embarrassing… I must have misunderstood him before. He's actually such a sweet guy.'

Flustered, Kaguya stammered, "Um… Rinji-kun, you know… my family's situation…"

"I'm your dad's dad. If that punk says one word, I'll smack him. So just stand there, my little granddaughter."

"..."

Yep. Still a bad boy.