When Kamio Tatsuya greeted him, Sudou Ken scratched his head, seeming not to know who he was.
We're only one student apart, and you don't know me? There's a limit to how clueless you can be, buddy.
Kamio Tatsuya was a little speechless. Ike and Yamauchi recognized Kamio Tatsuya and casually said hello.
Just then, a female voice came from the speakers.
"Hello, everyone in the first year. Thank you for waiting. Next, representatives from each club will take turns explaining about the school clubs. I am Tachibana, the secretary of the student council, and I will be the host of this presentation. Nice to meet you all."
The girl calling herself Tachibana Akane was a cute girl with purple hair tied in a bun. She seemed very approachable, and the somewhat noisy gym gradually quieted down.
Then, Tachibana Akane stood to the side of the stage, and the club representatives lined up on the stage in the gym.
From a strong senior in a judo uniform to a graceful senior in a beautiful kimono, Kamio Tatsuya even saw Nagumo Miyabi in the corner of the stage.
Soon, a senior girl came forward to introduce her club. The first to step forward was the senior from the school's archery club.
"My name is Hashigaki, and I am the captain of the archery club..."
However, Kamio Tatsuya's attention was not on the senior girls and boys who were introducing or waiting to introduce their clubs. His eyes were on the people behind them.
There was a senior who was over 170 centimeters tall, wearing a uniform and glasses, and always kept a poker face. Although he was standing at the back, Kamio Tatsuya felt that he was a little different from the people in front of him.
He wasn't being isolated by standing at the back, but rather felt like he was the star of the show.
The reason Kamio Tatsuya noticed him wasn't because of his presence, but because Nagumo Miyabi's eyes were always on him.
The club introductions went on in an orderly manner. Although everyone's way of speaking was different, the meaning was mostly the same.
They all said things like "Welcome new members" and "Our club is so, so charming."
But these kinds of lines didn't appeal to Kamio Tatsuya at all, because he felt that most clubs weren't suitable for beginners.
Especially sports clubs. Not only are they hard work, but you're always being ordered around by the senior members. Kamio Tatsuya wasn't a masochist; why would he go looking for trouble?
As for other niche clubs, like the tea ceremony club, even though the senior in the kimono was really pretty, he thought he'd pass.
Anyone can make tea.
If you think the tea doesn't taste good, it's definitely the tea leaves' fault, nothing to do with my technique (I'm sure)!
As for starting a new club, you need at least three people to apply together.
Gradually, the club fair came to an end.
The senior Kamio Tatsuya had been watching, who was standing at the back of the stage, walked forward expressionlessly, stood calmly in front of the microphone without saying a word, and just stared at the students below.
"Why isn't he talking?"
"Haha, he must be too nervous."
"Do your best!"
The first-year students laughed, some kindly and some maliciously, but Kamio Tatsuya noticed that the seniors who had finished their club presentations and gone back didn't have even a hint of a smile on their faces.
Not just a smile, their expressions could be described as seriously grim.
When the laughter reached its peak, the room suddenly went silent. The gym fell into a dead silence, and Kamio Tatsuya could even hear the people around him breathing.
The originally cheerful and relaxed atmosphere in the room instantly became serious and tense.
Hey, you're wasting a minute; we have over a hundred students here, so you're wasting more than a hundred minutes. Do you even know math?!
"Tch, acting mysterious."
Kamio Tatsuya couldn't help but chuckle, and because the gym was so quiet, many people heard it. The now-silent room burst into laughter again.
Kamio Tatsuya could even see Nagumo in the corner with a delighted smile, but the senior on stage still didn't change his expression, as if this small scene wasn't worth his attention.
What a remarkable guy, Kamio Tatsuya thought.
But this burst of laughter only lasted for a few seconds before it quieted down again.
Kamio Tatsuya felt a chill coming from not far away.
He turned his head slightly and saw Horikita Suzune's murderous gaze on him.
Uh oh, I just didn't participate in your play, did I?
Why are you staring at me with such a scary expression?
Kamio Tatsuya couldn't figure out why Horikita Suzune was angry, but he instinctively felt that this might not be a good thing. He might be in trouble.
After a while of silence in the hall, the man on stage finally began to speak.
"I am Horikita Manabu from Class 3-A, and I am currently the student council president of this school."
Horikita...
Could she be your relative or something?
No wonder I got glared at.
"With the graduation of the upperclassmen, the student council will also be recruiting outstanding talents from the first-year students. Applicants don't need any special qualifications, but please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, those who wish to participate in both the student council and other clubs will not be accepted."
Horikita Manabu's tone was very gentle, but most people felt tense. Even though Kamio Tatsuya's interruption had eased the atmosphere, Horikita Manabu had once again taken control of the atmosphere from some point.
"We in the student council do not want anyone running who has naive ideas. People like that won't just fail to get elected, they'll probably leave a stain on the school.
Our school's student council has been given the right and mission to change the rules, so high expectations are placed on us. We only welcome those who understand this."
What "understand," what "naive?" Saying things without explaining clearly. It's just a student council, don't be so arrogant!
The first-year students watched Horikita Manabu turn and leave. Kamio Tatsuya had no desire to stay either. While everyone was still not moving, he squeezed through the crowd and left the gym.
"Stop!"
A slightly familiar voice came from behind him. Kamio Tatsuya didn't need to look to know who it was: Horikita Suzune! So he sped up his pace.
"I said stop!"
This time, the voice came from very close behind him, and someone put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not obligated to listen to you, Horikita," Kamio Tatsuya said as he walked forward. "And, coming up and touching someone like that, Horikita, you're very rude.
Also, can you take your hand off me? Actions like this can easily lead to misunderstandings."
Because it was uncomfortable to have someone's hand on his shoulder, Kamio Tatsuya stopped and looked quietly at Horikita Suzune beside him, preparing to get rid of this girl.