By lunchtime, the news had already spread.
The three members of the Human Observation Club were called in by their advisor, Koizumi Aona.
This time, the meeting wasn't in her office but in a private conference room used specifically for discussions between teachers and students. Normally, these talks were one-on-one, covering things like daily life, studies, or academic goals.
Watanabe Tetsu guessed that Koizumi Aona had deliberately chosen this room to prevent him from blurting out something like, "Advisor, you're my favorite!" in front of other teachers.
The three of them sat in a row, facing Koizumi Aona. Watanabe Tetsu kept to himself at the far corner.
He had to admit—it felt reassuring.
"Can you tell me what's going on?" Koizumi Aona asked.
Watanabe Tetsu and Yuki Miki stayed silent, letting President Seino Rin recount the morning's events.
Koizumi Aona listened with a wry smile before turning to Watanabe Tetsu.
"Tetsu, didn't you tell me that the bet was only about the presidency of the Human Observation Club? How did it turn into 'anything goes'?"
"Advisor Koizumi, I think you should ask the journalism and literature clubs about that… and of course the obstinate Seino Rin and Yuki Miki," Watanabe Tetsu shrugged, feigning indifference.
Koizumi Aona looked at Seino Rin and Yuki Miki.
Seino Rin replied, "Don't worry, Advisor. We won't lose."
"A bunch of amateurs. I could handle them with my subordinates, not to mention personally stepping in," Yuki Miki said, crossing her legs, exuding her noble lady aura.
Subordinates? Watanabe Tetsu wondered silently. She couldn't mean me, right?
"This isn't about winning or losing," Koizumi Aona sighed, clearly exhausted. "The school supports students competing academically, but a bet allowing 'anything goes' is unacceptable."
"Agreed," Watanabe Tetsu immediately responded.
Seino Rin turned her face toward him, wearing a gentle, warm smile. "Watanabe-san, you're my club member. I'll protect you. After you get first place, I won't let you do anything uncomfortable."
Watanabe Tetsu admitted Seino Rin was adorable—just as undeniable as his own good looks—but
"Do you think my refusal of 'anything goes' is about being careful around who?" he muttered irritably.
"Oh my," Seino Rin placed her hand under her chin, feigning shock. "You think I pamper you, yet you're on guard against me?"
"I appreciate the pampering, thank you."
"You're welcome," Seino Rin smiled radiantly. "Protecting weaker club members is what someone strong and a president should do."
Watanabe Tetsu had no words. He had had enough of Tokyo noblewomen's arrogance.
"Tetsu," Yuki Miki shot him a sideways glare, her eyes murderous, "if you flirt with this woman again, I'll kill you."
"Flirt? Ha?" Watanabe Tetsu glanced at Seino Rin.
Seino Rin crossed her arms, smiling silently.
"Hey, you're supposed to defend yourself! Aren't you always honest?!"
Seino Rin remained silent.
Damn it! This woman was too sly!
Watanabe Tetsu turned to Koizumi Aona. "Advisor, you're an observer. You must have seen it clearly, right?"
Koizumi Aona, however, looked angry. She scolded him: "Tetsu, what did I tell you? Be faithful in love! How can you have feelings for both of them at the same time? That's unacceptable!"
"Huh?"
"And you dare mention the journalism club? I think your mindset is messed up! Trying to play both sides, huh? Write me a 1,000-character self-reflection!"
"Advisor!" Watanabe Tetsu stood up. "Seino President, Yuki-san, say something!"
Yuki Miki chuckled. Seino Rin, still refusing to "lie," remained silent.
"You still want to argue and deceive a teacher? Watanabe, I'm so disappointed! Five thousand characters!"
These two women! Just you wait! Watanabe Tetsu now truly set his sights on first place.
Although he wasn't into uniforms, he decided to make these two women wear the following in the clubroom: Monday in bunny outfits, Tuesday in pink nurse uniforms, Wednesday as maids, Thursday in police uniforms, Friday in sailor uniforms.
Weekends? No rest. They'd have to wear Lolita dresses and miko outfits for selfies.
'Wait… miko outfit selfies.' Watanabe Tetsu pressed his fingers together above his nose. 'First place—I, Watanabe, will take it!'
After leaving the conference room, even without the five-thousand-character reflection, Watanabe Tetsu's mood would be excellent.
Uniforms aside—this was a rare, legitimate opportunity to take revenge on the two women.
Yuki Miki returned to the clubroom.
For the sake of uniforms… no, for revenge, Watanabe Tetsu decided to study quietly in the clubroom.
Seino Rin naturally went to the clubroom too; it had long been her usual lunchtime spot.
"You, the 'never lies' Seino-san, what you did earlier was no different from lying, right?" Watanabe Tetsu teased as they walked.
"Did I lie?" Seino Rin tilted her head, feigning confusion. Seeing his angry expression, she laughed happily. "I just didn't feel like talking at the time."
"You're terrible."
Seino Rin nodded in satisfaction, as if it were high praise. "A woman who isn't a little bad won't be loved by a man. After 'play hard to get,' this is the fourth way to make you fall for me."
What were the first two… Watanabe Tetsu wisely decided not to ask.
"I like gentle, considerate girls. If you want me to fall for you, aim for that," he said.
"No, Watanabe-san. I'll twist your mind so you'll fall for someone neither gentle nor considerate." Seino Rin stared at him and smiled. "Is that bad enough?"
"I admit you're charming, but I don't care much about looks. If your personality is bad, nothing else matters."
"Don't be too confident, Watanabe-san. Loving someone isn't governed by will. It's like a mental illness: you don't decide—it decides you."
"So, does that mean someday, Seino-san, you might uncontrollably fall for me?"
Seino Rin stopped, hand on her flawless chin, lost in thought.
Watanabe Tetsu stopped too, waiting maliciously for her answer. "You won't lie, right?"
Seino Rin's expression darkened, returning to the cool demeanor from when they first met. Her long black hair swayed like ink as she silently walked toward the club building's elevated corridor.
"Hey, are you agreeing then?" Watanabe Tetsu teased, following her.
"I don't want to talk right now."
"Then that's a yes."
"Do you not understand Japanese? Or is your hearing bad? I said I don't want to talk right now," Seino Rin quickened her pace.
"Falling in love with me isn't shameful. I, Watanabe, am smart, diligent, do morning exercises and swimming daily, recently mastered English, and plan to learn Spanish next. A rising star, destined for greatness."
In the middle of the elevated corridor, Seino Rin stopped again, turning to look at his self-praise.
"Uncontrollably liking you in the future? I admit it's possible. After all, I'm honest and don't deny any future. But right now? Only a primitive-minded female ape would fall for you."
This sounded familiar… Watanabe Tetsu's good memory recalled hearing it before.
The day Yuki Miki joined the Human Observation Club, he had reported to the office. Akiko, snacking at the time, had asked him whether he liked Seino or Yuki. Back then, he had thought the same:
Only a primitive-minded human could recklessly fall for them.
"Seino-san, maybe… we unexpectedly get along," Watanabe Tetsu said earnestly.
Seino Rin disdainfully glanced at him and turned away.
"…I take back what I just said," Watanabe Tetsu muttered, regardless of whether she heard.
The more time he spent with these two women, the more determined he became to claim first place!
'Maid outfit to serve tea, handcuffed in a police uniform, short nurse skirt, slits in miko outfit…'
As he plotted his revenge, Watanabe Tetsu deliberately slowed his pace, strolling toward the clubroom.
Many students headed to the club building at noon—some to study, others to get a head start on club activities before after-school studies.
Passersby whispered as he walked by.
Watanabe Tetsu even heard rumors about him "playing both sides."
He had no choice but to speed up and catch up to Seino Rin.
Walking side by side, the gossip around them grew louder, completely unconcerned about whether the subjects could hear.
Watanabe Tetsu ignored Seino Rin's occasional disdainful glances. At this moment, having her share the spotlight of attention was most important.