Chapter 376: Return to the Disciplinary Committee & Festival Committee Meeting

"Rinji-kun, we called you here for a reason."

"I figured."

That day, Rinji didn't go to the student council office but instead showed up at the Disciplinary Committee room with Iino Miko and Osaragi Kobachi. Iino had asked him to come—apparently the committee chair had something important.

All the members of the Disciplinary Committee were present.

"What is it? As a former committee member, I'll help however I can."

"It's about preparations for the Hoshin Festival."

A member handed him an armband marked "Disciplinary Committee."

"During the festival, we'll have many visitors from outside schools. Students tend to get rowdy during events, and our current team isn't enough to handle them. So, we need someone ruthless, unyielding, fear-inducing… and attractive."

Rinji: "That last one's completely false."

Osaragi: "But you didn't deny the first few."

"Previously, you were suspended from the committee due to a violent incident, but that's behind us now. I believe we need someone capable of taking harsh action. I'd like you to return to the committee."

Seeing the head of the disciplinary committee's sincere expression, Rinji glanced at the armband, then picked it up and attached it to his arm.

"Alright. Welcome back, Takamine-kun."

Applause filled the room.

"That's great," Iino clapped happily. "We can work together again."

"Yay," Osaragi clapped flatly. "The school is doomed again."

As the head said, there was a real concern about outsiders sneaking in during the festival. Last semester, some thugs caused trouble and harassed students—security had to step in.

Having Rinji return was probably a precaution.

Most students only remembered him for his first-year brawls and his threatening student council speech, and recently his crossdressing incident had mellowed their impression of him.

But Osaragi thought differently.

She was sure that if Rinji saw rule violations during the festival, he'd use extreme measures. If troublemakers showed up again, the next place they'd see would probably be the ICU.

"Let's hope nothing serious happens…"

———————————————————————————————

That morning, Rinji rejoined the Disciplinary Committee. That afternoon, he attended a meeting of the Hoshin Festival executive committee.

The current committee head was Koyasu Tsubame—the former cheer team vice-captain. Thanks to her, the entire meeting room buzzed with energy and cheer.

Rinji and Iino Miko stood out like sore thumbs in the noisy environment. Ishigami, however, blended in easily.

"Is everyone really discussing seriously?" Iino murmured, baffled by the chaotic meeting.

"I think so. Look at their stupid grins—they must be really enjoying this discussion," Rinji muttered, unimpressed.

He glanced over at Ishigami.

"Ishigami, why are you suddenly so enthusiastic?"

"Blending in is part of the process."

"That so…"

Rinji then looked at Tsubame, who was on the platform surrounded by eager students.

"You're not doing this to get someone's attention, are you?"

At that, Ishigami flinched… then tried to act calm.

"W-what are you talking about? As if I'd do something like that."

"Sure, if you say so." Rinji grinned and pointed toward a group of boys fawning over Tsubame. "Look—those nerds are already trying to flatter her."

"Those damn four-eyed toads…"

"Hm?"

"N-nothing. I just think this is a great time for the student council to show its brilliance." Ishigami's tone suddenly turned serious.

"This is the only time you're ever motivated… but whatever."

Rinji stood up and walked toward the blackboard.

Facing the chatting Tsubame, he said, "Koyasu-senpai, the meeting should probably get started now. Want me to lead off? That way we can organize things faster."

"Oh? You're right."

"Wait, Takamine-kun—"

Just as Tsubame agreed, the student with glasses suddenly spoke.

"This time, the executive committee chair is Swallow-senpai. The meeting should be hosted by her."

"Swallow-senpai" was the nickname students at Shuchiin gave to Koyasu Tsubame, a popular upperclassman. It wasn't unusual for someone well-liked like her to have a nickname.

"I saw you all discussing forever without getting anywhere, so I came to take charge myself."

"But that's not proper..."

"Shut up. If you don't like it, let's step outside and fight."

"..."

With that said, the meeting room fell silent.

Though Rinji had gained some popularity at school thanks to his performance during the sports festival, when he spoke, everyone remembered—this was the delinquent who had been suspended twice.

"Um… please don't fight," Tsubame said, trying to calm Rinji down.

"I guess Takamine-kun is just anxious because things are progressing slowly. Let's have him host the meeting this time."

"I'm just here to kick things off. The rest is up to you, Koyasu-senpai."

Rinji picked up the documents from the table and said, "First issue: the slogan for the Hoshin Festival. We're supposed to discuss and give suggestions. Anyone got a good idea?"

"..."

Silence. No one said a word.

Rinji wasn't the type to hype up the mood like Tsubame. He was the kind who'd cause a cold silence just by standing there.

"If no one has ideas, I'll decide it myself."

He nodded, turned to the blackboard, and wrote the word "Security" with chalk.

"This year's Hoshin Festival theme is security. To ensure student safety, I plan to install watchtowers at the school gates during the festival..."

"Wait! I just thought of a better idea."

"I have a suggestion too!"

To stop Rinji from doing anything crazy, the students had no choice but to start speaking up.