Delinquents! Assemble!

The next day, during lunch break at Student Council room.

“Shiba-kun.”

Yuuki, who was sitting behind his desk, laced his fingers and stared intently at me. There were only the two of us inside this room. All of the Student Council members never stepped foot into the Student Council room during lunch break unless necessary—except Yuuki. The ever-diligent Student Council President always occupied this room during lunch break. That was why I approached him at this timing.

“Are you serious about this?” Yuuki’s tone suggested that I reconsidered this matter.

“Yes, I’m completely serious, President.” I nodded, undeterred by his heavy tone.

Yuuki sighed. “Are you seriously going to quit the Student Council after only serving for a week?” He tapped my letter of resignation on the table.

“Yes.” I affirmed. “I really enjoyed becoming part of the Student Council, but right now there’s something I need to do. That’s why, I cannot continue being here.”

Yuuki massaged his temple. “Let me guess—it has something to do with Kagura Sakuya and her delinquents.”

I smiled without saying anything.

“…fine.” Yuuki gave up trying to persuade me. “It pains me to let such talented personnel go, but it’s my policy to never hold anyone back. Just make sure you won’t regret your decision.”

“I won’t, President. Thank you very much for your guidance.” I bowed to him. “And one more thing. Will you help me with this one thing? Please think of it as a parting gift.” I spoke without raising my face.

“You…do you know that you started resembling Kagura more and more lately? Such shamelessness is just like her.” Yuuki sounded exasperated. “Just say it. I’ll decide after hearing you out.”

“Thank you, President.” I lifted my face. “Please allow me to borrow the Student Council’s broadcast system. I have an announcement for all the delinquents in school.”

For a moment, Yuuki was struck speechless. He stared blankly at me, trying to process my absurd request.

“…are you crazy?” Yuuki spat out, having regained his wits.

“No, please hear me out, President.” I put my hands on the table and leaned closer to Yuuki. “It has something to do with Sakuya-san’s request for more classrooms around two weeks ago.”

“…I’m listening.” Yuuki had to admit that he was a bit intrigued.

I began telling him about the bet between Sakuya and Kikuchi. I didn’t tell him that Kikuchi was a part of the Kagura Family, but simply that he despised Sakuya. Yuuki accepted it quite well, perhaps because Sakuya was the kind of person who made enemies as easily as she made allies. When I reached the part where Sakuya collapsed because of overwork, I saw a hint of surprise and regret flash in Yuuki’s eyes.

“I see. I got the gist of it.” Yuuki nodded. “So, what will happen if Kagura lost this bet? She’s not the type of person to quietly accept this kind of disadvantageous bet.”

“She…” I bit her lips, hesitating whether to tell him the truth or not. “…will have to leave school. She has no choice but to accept the bet.”

In the end, I decided against dropping Kagura Family’s name here.

Yuuki pursed his lips and appeared to be thinking hard. I waited for his reaction with bated breath. If Yuuki decided that the school would be better off without Sakuya, everything I told him would backfire on us. Yuuki wouldn’t lend us his support. However, if he decided otherwise…

“That is…” Yuuki broke the silence, having arrived at his decision. “…troubling indeed. If the delinquents’ leader were to disappear, they’ll be reduced to a disorderly mob. The school peace that we’ve worked so hard to maintain will be gone.”

“Y-You mean…!” My face brightened at his words.

“Shiba-kun, you’re still a member of the Student Council until you hand over this letter.” Yuuki pushed my resignation letter back. “And a Student Council officer has the right to use our broadcast system.”

“Thank you very much, President!” I bowed deeply to him.

“Yeah…think of it as my atonement for refusing Kagura’s request.” Yuuki averted his eyes with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

“President…” I looked at him in surprise. “Despite all of his hostilities, he’s quite soft toward Sakuya-san, huh?”

I turned toward the broadcast equipment in the corner of the Student Council room. With heart full of determination, I started operating them.

“[Attention to all students. This is Shiba Ryuuji speaking. After school today, all students who consider themselves to be delinquents should gather in the drama club’s practice hall. I repeat, all students who consider themselves to be delinquents should gather in the drama club’s practice hall after school today.]”

I paused for a moment to take a breath. Then my lips curled into a fierce grin.

“[Anyone who fails to show up will receive a special treatment from Kagura Sakuya-san. Thank you for your attention.]”

I ended the broadcast while pretending not to hear Yuuki’s mutter of “Isn’t that basically a threat?” in the background.

*****

After school, I stood in front of the practice hall’s door. Even though I was the one who called the delinquents here and planned everything, I was overwhelmed by nervousness. Would they all show up? Would they lend an ear to me, who was known to have joined the Student Council? Most importantly, would they be willing to follow me?

“Ryuu.”

A strong hand patted my shoulder.

“O-Ouji-senpai.” I turned at the scowling Senpai, whom I hadn’t seen lately.

“Didn’t Kagura-san believe in you and leave this matter in your hands?” Ouji spoke, having been told about what happened yesterday by Hiiro. “So you should believe in yourself as well.”

“Senpai…” I teared up a bit from his touching words.

“And even if you fail…” Ouji grinned, twisting his scowling face into a demon king-like face. “…we can always beat them up.”

“No, it will be too pitiful for them, so let’s not do that!” I retorted, but my lips were smiling as well. It felt really nostalgic, as if I hadn’t had this kind of conversation for years.

“We’re all counting on you to prevent that.” Ouji nodded before entering the practice room.

All at once, I felt like the burden that just disappeared come crashing down on my shoulders.

“That’s just adding more pressure to me, Senpai!”

After retorting, I exhaled a long sigh and slapped both of my cheeks.

“I just have to do it!” I said to myself.

I stopped thinking too much about it and entered the practice room. Every pair of eyes immediately focused on me. There were hostilities and annoyance in their gaze, but most of them were full of curiosity. I gulped nervously while making my way toward the stage in front of them.

Sakuya’s favorite desk was standing on the stage as usual, but it was empty without its master. Sakuya was still resting at home, after all. However, the familiar sight of that desk gave me encouragement.

“Sakuya-san, I’ll be borrowing your spot for a moment.” I thought as I climbed the stage and faced the delinquents.

Judging from their number, it seemed that every delinquent at school was present. I could see even Delinquent A and B. They were guarded closely by Hiiro, to ensure that they wouldn’t run off again.

I cleared my throat and started speaking.

“Everyone, please listen to meh—”

I bit my tongue.

“Ahhh, just kill me already!” I took deep breaths, trying to regain my composure.

“Everyone, thank you for coming today.” I started again, acting as if the previous accident never happened. “I didn’t call you here to have you study, if that’s what you’re asking.”

My words caused a stir among the delinquents. Now they all wore the look of confusion.

“I want to tell you about Sakuya-san instead.” I continued. “Has any of you ever thought why she was pushing herself so hard to the point of collapsing? Or why she’s whimsically forcing you to study after school every day?”

A lot of delinquents nodded in agreement. To tell the truth, no one knew what’s going on inside Sakuya’s head. That’s why each and every one of her actions seemed like a whim.

“Let me tell you the answer. It’s because of a bet between her and the new teacher, Shijima Ryouta.” I stepped forward and raised my voice. “Shijima-sensei has a grudge against Sakuya-san. I don’t know what she’s done to him in the past, but he forced Sakuya-san into this bet. If even one of you fail to pass the remedial test, Sakuya-san must leave the school.”

Shocked gasps spread among the delinquents. They never thought that the kind-looking, gentle new teacher would make such a cruel bet.

“Isn’t that for the best?”

All of a sudden, someone among the delinquents shouted.

“With Kagura Sakuya gone from this school, we’ll be free to do anything we want!”

I scanned the crowd to find the speaker. It didn’t take long to recognize Delinquent A as the speaker.

“That’s right, that’s right!” Some of the rebels voiced their agreement.

I nodded, acting like I was sympathizing with them. “Yeah, even I can see that Sakuya-san’s rule is strict on the delinquents. It sure is hard for you.”

From the edge of my eye, I saw Ouji marching toward me with terrifying look. I hurriedly continued my words before he dragged me off the stage.

“But on the other hand, you’ll all lose her protection.”

For a moment, the whole room fell silent from the shock.

“…protection? What protection are you talking about?” Delinquent B protested. “The one being protected is the normal students, not us!”

“Oh, it seems you’re not aware of this.” I laughed cynically. “Ouji-senpai, please answer me.” I turned toward him. “How many times have you fought with delinquents from other schools before Sakuya-san came to this school?”

Ouji frowned, but he still answered obediently, “…too many to count. Every time we came across students from other schools, they’d pick a fight without fail. My seniors told me that it was always like that since the beginning.”

“And how many times have you fought since Sakuya-san became a student here?”

A flash of understanding sparked in Ouji’s eyes as he answered, “…only once or twice, at the beginning of her reign.”

The first and second-years delinquents widened their eyes at this obvious gap. They had never experienced fighting delinquents from other schools, but none of them realized the reason.

It was because they feared Kagura Sakuya.

This was something I heard from Kazu, that the moment Sakuya established herself as Sakurasaki Academy’s Banchou, she went to nearby schools and beat their leaders into complete submission. It was something she did all by herself, in order to protect her people from external threats. In the end, no one dared to pick a fight against Sakurasaki Academy. Even hearing Sakuya’s name was enough to send them cowering in fear.

As a side note, Kazu knew about this because he accidentally witnessed one of Sakuya’s rampage. Sakuya swore him to secrecy, and Kazu had kept it a secret up until now.

“Do you understand now?” I slammed the desk, refocusing their attention to me. “If Sakuya-san leaves this school, you’ll all be eaten completely by other schools. Takamine Academy is a good example. The moment Sakuya-san showed weakness, they started picking a fight with our school again.”

Everyone seemed more convinced now, having heard about Sakuya’s heroic deed.

“But, why didn’t she say anything to us about this bet?” This time, Takashi was the one who raised a question. “If we had known, we’d have…” His voice trailed off when he realized the answer.

“Right.” I smiled thinly. “If you knew that Sakuya-san will have to quit school if she fails the bet, what would you do? Would you obediently cooperate with her? Or…”

My gaze turned toward Delinquent A and B, who stiffened under everyone’s hostile glares.

“…will you use this chance to kick her out, not knowing what will happen to yourself?” I continued mercilessly.

“These idiots!” Takashi leapt to his feet, seeming ready to strangle the two delinquents.

Fortunately, Hiiro quickly intervened and stopped his attempt.

“We can’t change what we’ve done, but we can change what we will do.” I spoke again. “Sakuya-san has forsaken her sleep, her meal, even her own body for your sake. I’m not asking anything grand from all of you. Just, will you help her by giving your best in the exam?” I lowered my head to all of them.

I pricked my ears to gauge their reaction, but while the majority of Sakuya’s loyal followers immediately agreed, some of the delinquents were still hesitating.

“Is this not good enough?” I racked my brain desperately, trying to find something else that could move their hearts. Sakuya’s school life depended on me. I couldn’t—I didn’t want to fail her!

“Okay, I can see that some of you are still hesitating.”

Out of the blue, Hiiro popped up beside me. I was confused, but I stepped back and gave him the spotlight.

“Let me give you more motivation to pass the remedial test.” Hiiro grinned. “You guys, do you remember what this test is for? Right, this is a test to determine who will have to attend supplementary classes all summer long.”

Upon hearing that, everyone sat straight and started listening more earnestly.

“Which means, if you happen to fail the test, you’ll be forced to come to school every single day. That means no beach episode, no going on a pool date, and no summer festival event!” Hiiro continued passionately.

“But we don’t even have girlfriends…” One of the delinquents muttered.

“Shut up, Yuuji! Don’t jinx our summer holiday!” The other delinquents instantly booed him.

“That’s right! If you fail the test, your dream of going to the beach and having a fateful encounter with a beautiful girl will stay a dream forever!” Hiiro shouted. “Do you really want to throw away your dream just like that?!”

“No, sir!!!” Everyone shouted in unison.

“Do you really want to stay at school and let go of the opportunity to experience some heart-pounding summer romance?!”

“No, sir!!!”

“Do you really want to miss the chance to see Sakuya-chan all dressed up in kimono during summer festival and watch fireworks together with her?!”

“No, sir!”

This time, it was just Ouji who answered Hiiro, while the rest of them fell silent or averted their eyes. Incidentally, I was among the ones who averted my eyes.

Hiiro coughed once to clear the awkward air. “The point is, you’re going to waste your precious high school summer if you fail this test. So don’t you dare fail it!”

“YES!!!”

I stared in awe at Hiiro, who managed to unite nearly everyone’s hearts in such a short time. To be honest, it was a method that I never thought of…and a method that I didn’t want to use if I could. I felt like my dignity would plummet beyond salvation if I used it.

“Hm?” Then I noticed a small fraction of delinquents who still wore a dissatisfied face. They were the ones who didn’t have loyalty toward Sakuya and no girlfriend to spend the summer holiday together. “For that group…what kind of bait should we use?” I wondered to myself.

“Since Ryuu and Hiiro already said so much, I’ll add another benefit to this bet.” Ouji appeared at my other side and drew everyone’s attention. “Whoever manages to best my score in the remedial test will inherit my ‘second strongest delinquent’ title.”

Another stir swept the delinquents at Ouji’s shocking announcement. Even Hiiro and I stared at him wide-eyed. Ouji was tremendously proud of his title as the second strongest delinquent in school. For him to offer his title…

“Kagura-san has put her pride on the line.” Ouji said in a low voice, low enough that only we heard it. “Isn’t it only fair that I also put my pride on the line?”

“Ouji-senpai…” Once again, I felt awe toward him. I didn’t think I’d have the courage to do so.

“So, whoever wants to claim the title of second strongest delinquent in this school, come at me!” Ouji grinned ferociously. “I’ll bow my head and give up my title to the person who bested my exam score!”

With a loud cheering, our efforts at uniting the delinquents finally bore fruit.