“Hahaha, Nina, you really shouldn’t say such things.
Lan Xinyue isn’t accustomed to those kinds of jokes.”
“Oh?~ But I believe if ‘Yueyue’ truly pursued modeling, she would undoubtedly become an absolute eyesore.”
“Ahaha, Nina, that sounds entirely off, doesn’t it? In fact, it’s you! With your striking blonde hair and sapphire-like eyes, you’re far more photogenic, you know.”
“Oh~ really?”
As I observed Lan Xinyue’s exceptionally bright smile, a profound sense of unreality washed over me, as if I were looking upon a different world.
‘If my memory serves, wasn’t that person just dumped yesterday?’
The real issue, however, was the unabashed exchange between the couple seated directly in front, making no attempt to conceal their affection.
“Hey, A-Cheng, how about we go to District Nine after school?”
“District Nine, huh… Could we perhaps go somewhere else?”
“Oh~ why not? Can’t we just go to District Nine? Please?~”
“Sigh, you’re impossible. Alright, alright, alright, District Nine it is.”
“Ehehe, I knew you were the best.”
“Oh dear, we’re in the classroom. Don’t cling so close.”
“I’ll cling, I’ll cling.”
“Oh dear, oh dear.”
‘Hey~ don’t be so ostentatious with your affection in front of us mere extras, and for goodness sake, stop repeating yourselves so much.’
Indeed, Li Pengcheng was seated directly in the row before me.
Otherwise, as a mere background figure, I wouldn’t have recognized someone simply from their profile.
His childhood sweetheart, however, truly embodied the delicate and adorable archetype.
With her soft, voluminous hair, an innocent, palm-sized face, and a lithe, slender figure, she possessed every quality men typically adored.
Putting aside a particular, suddenly piercing gaze, the interaction between the couple before me was, in fact, quite a sight to behold.
Having persevered through several such instances until finally, dismissal arrived, I snatched up my already packed schoolbag and swiftly slipped out through the back door.
Incidentally, Minghua High School harbored no regulations mandating club participation, which made me, unequivocally, a member of the ‘Go-Home Club.’
If I were pressed to name a hobby, it would be the impromptu plotting of my daily route home.
“Zhao Wangqiu, in such a rush, are you hurrying off somewhere?”
“Huh?”
To my chagrin, no sooner had I reached the second floor than Lan Xinyue, panting heavily and smiling with a hint of gritted teeth, cornered me on the staircase.
‘Wasn’t she supposed to continue destroying the established facts? Why is she here.’
‘I can’t say that out loud, though.’
Lan Xinyue, however, drew closer, her smile unwavering, as if she had divined my every thought.
“Everything requires a plan, doesn’t it?”
‘Oh, so you want to make a good plan before you start your destructive actions.’
“So, have you determined how much you’ll be repaying me today?”
“…That’s extortion!”
“This is a society governed by law, Zhao Wangqiu. Where, then, is your evidence?”
“Then where is *your* evidence!”
“Have you forgotten that I made a recording yesterday?”
Lan Xinyue produced her phone and tapped open the pre-prepared video.
On the screen, a boy whose face was all too familiar spoke with an air of utter helplessness, an expression on his face that suggested he wanted to weep but had no tears left.
[Th-thank you so very much, Lan Xinyue, for lending me… one thousand six hundred fifty-two?! to settle the bill today!]
‘You black-hearted young lady!’
“So, Lan Xinyue, you’re not planning to introduce me to some strange line of work, are you?”
“I’m not *quite* so black-hearted, but indeed, there are certain tasks awaiting you before your debt is settled.”
“Could you perhaps explain it clearly in advance?”
“Just quietly close your mouth and follow me.”
‘How utterly domineering.’
Thus, trailing half a step behind, I followed Lan Xinyue out of the main teaching building, and under the scrutinizing gazes of countless students, we proceeded towards the club annex.
Come to think of it, she truly lived up to her image as a young lady of means: with her silken, shoulder-length black hair, exquisitely captivating features, a stride that was both light and elegant, and a smile that, while approachable, still conveyed an undeniable sense of authority.
‘If not for the overwhelming synergy between those two childhood sweethearts, this incredibly powerful ‘fated rival’ would surely have triumphed.’
“Your thoughts are rather irritating, you know.”
“Oh? Did I voice that aloud?”
“Such things are evident simply by observing.”
‘As if that’s true.’
Upon reaching our destination, Lan Xinyue pushed the door open without hesitation, prompting me to instinctively scrutinize the doorplate.
[Attack Club]
‘—Is there even such a club?’
While the school indeed lacked a mandatory club enrollment policy, it did stipulate that any student not affiliated with a club was compelled to attend the annual club recruitment day.
It was a shrewd compromise, striking a balance that appeased both parties.
Consequently, this club held no place in my memory whatsoever.
“There’s no need to strain your mind; this club was founded by me just today.”
‘Oh, I see.’
Stepping into the club room and taking a seat opposite Lan Xinyue, I then registered the towering bookshelf behind her, stretching to the ceiling, surprisingly crammed with light novels and manga.
‘And they’re all unopened, brand new?’
‘The power of money is truly terrifying.’
“So, what do you think? With an environment such as this, your complaints should diminish considerably, shouldn’t they?”
Her subtly triumphant smile almost compelled me to worship her as a goddess in that very instant.
“Then, before the other members arrive, might I browse and select something?”
“What foolishness are you spouting? This club was only established today, so naturally, it’s just the two of us.”
As she spoke, she slid a club application form, seemingly conjured from thin air, across the table towards me.
“Oh? But doesn’t the school regulation stipulate that a minimum of five individuals are required to establish a club?”
As I, in turn, began to fill in my class and name, I watched her raise a slender, pale finger and point it towards the window.
“That long-vacant plot of land will soon be transformed into the newest gymnasium; I donated it.”
‘So that’s how it is.’
‘At least I don’t have to worry about it being disbanded.’
“However, you are correct. For a club to be truly complete, it necessitates a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and a general affairs officer.”
‘What’s with this overly familiar setup?’
“Therefore, ‘General Affairs,’ your first task is to brew a pot of tea.”
‘I’ve never brewed black tea.’
“Green tea, two sugar cubes, with milk.”
“Are you truly willing to compromise the very concept of milk tea so readily?”
“In that case, ‘General Affairs,’ come here and massage my shoulders and legs.”
“Are you certain that won’t simply double my debt?”
“Tsk, I suddenly regret allowing you to join the club, you know.”
‘That’s bad for your image, young lady.’
“Please, instruct me on what tasks are within my capabilities.”
“Hmm… Very well then, ‘General Affairs,’ your inaugural assignment is to locate a suitable Vice-President.”
“But Lan Xinyue…”
“Ahem, ‘General Affairs,’ I must remind you that this is currently work time.”
“…Then, President, might I inquire about any specific requirements you may have?”
Lan Xinyue, however, paused for a full two seconds, then awkwardly averted her gaze.
“Birds of a feather, both fallen from grace?”
‘Ah, if this is how things are to unfold, by the time I resign, this place will surely be renamed the Qingqiu Club (TL Note: A mythical land often associated with fox spirits, implying a gathering place for the ‘fallen’ or ‘cunning’).’
“Allow me to speak candidly, such… ‘members,’ I fear, number at least eight hundred, if not a full thousand.”
While the statement might have been a slight exaggeration, one truly ought not to underestimate the heartbreak rate within a well-established high school. It’s exceptionally high.
“It might sound harsh, but we are not, after all, a refugee shelter. There are still other criteria that must be taken into consideration.”
“Such as?”
“Su Yuanyi from Class 3, First Year.”
‘I really wish she’d get straight to the point like this next time too.’
The mention of Su Yuanyi did indeed trigger a vivid memory; she was an ‘ice beauty’ type, a girl whose striking looks and graceful figure were in no way inferior to the club president before me.
“To my knowledge, Su Yuanyi doesn’t seem to harbor much interest in such matters?”
“No, according to an exceptionally reliable source, she was, in fact, on the verge of success.”
“Oh? Is that truly the case?”
‘Wait, isn’t that the opposite of your current situation?’
Lan Xinyue suddenly interlaced her fingers, her expression turning serious, and pressed them against her lips.
“However, according to equally reliable intelligence from the very same source, she has, in fact, strayed into a misconception.”
‘Stop, stop, that gentle and charming image just doesn’t go with a commander’s signature pose!’
‘Don’t make things difficult for your own persona!’
“Therefore, ‘General Affairs,’ regardless of the means you employ, I absolutely must see her here tomorrow.”
“Don’t make things so impossible for a mere extra like me!”
‘Attempting to pit a Level 1 R-card against a maxed-out, limited UR-card is, by any logical assessment, a guaranteed defeat.’
“Please, don’t so readily dismiss your own potential, you know.”
‘Ugh, that boomerang really hit home.’
“In conclusion, the inaugural club meeting hereby comes to a perfect close. Furthermore, due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting minutes and report will temporarily fall under the responsibility of ‘General Affairs.’ Meeting adjourned.”
‘That’s going too far.’
‘Why am I always subjected to such outrageous treatment?’
Watching Lan Xinyue grab her bag and depart without a backward glance, I reluctantly prepared to leave, only to see her turn back at the door.
“Oh, and feel free to take any light novels or manga home with you. As long as they don’t get stained with strange liquids or odors, you won’t have to pay double compensation, okay?”
“…Oh.”
‘First, I should express my gratitude for that.’
‘But can’t she have a little more faith in others?’
“Remember to lock the door.”
It was like a typhoon had just passed through.
However, perhaps due to the book from yesterday causing some strange misunderstanding, or simply being new to this genre, the bookshelf was largely filled with works from many years ago, completely out of step with current trends.
I unhurriedly selected two novels that piqued my interest, locked the door, and upon reaching the school gate, was surprised to find the young lady, who should have long since departed in her ultra-luxury private car, waiting patiently.
“You’re so slow. You weren’t secretly doing something in the club room, were you?”
“Leaving aside the ‘secretly,’ what are *you* doing here? Shouldn’t you have gone home?”
“Oh, so you *were* doing something, then.”
“Don’t forcibly change the subject.”
‘And don’t look at me like I’m something disgusting.’
“What else would I be doing? Waiting for you, of course.”
“Huh?”
‘What kind of new prank is this?’
“Sigh, I have to explain it from the beginning, don’t I?”
“Please, I insist you do.”
‘Or rather, she should have done so back in the club room.’
“Simply put, starting today, I’ll be walking and taking the subway or bus to and from school, just like you all.”
“Oh…”
‘Huh? My brain’s main processor seems to be struggling a bit.’
“Given that today is the first day, I’m graciously allowing you to serve as my temporary navigator. Aren’t you happy?”
“…That’s certainly unexpected.”
“Alright then, I understand your overwhelming excitement. This momentous first time is all yours, Zhao Wangqiu.”
“Watch your words!”
‘We’re at the school gate, for goodness sake! Does she want me to suffer social death?’
“Wouldn’t it have been simpler to tell me about this in the club room beforehand?”
“Sigh… Zhao Wangqiu, you truly don’t understand a woman’s heart, do you?”
‘And there’s absolutely no hope of ever understanding it, either.’
“Alright, enough idle chatter. Let’s go.”
“No specific destination?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
The girl smiled like a fox.
“District Nine, of course.”
‘As expected, that was her real objective all along.’