Karate clubs do not exist in the original work, but they will exist in this story.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– My morning, Kiriha Honjo’s morning, starts early.
Regardless of whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, I wake up at 4:00 AM every morning.
After finishing breakfast and watering the flowers, I study relentlessly until 6:00 AM.
Since classes haven’t even started yet and, frankly, there isn’t a single topic in the first-year curriculum I’d stumble over, my studying mainly consists of looking ahead for self-study.
After finishing my studies, I focus purely on physical training until shortly before it’s time to head to school.
After completing a meticulous strength-training session while taking care to avoid injuries, I was out running to build endurance when I ran into a well-built, blond male student who was also out jogging.
Before I knew it, we were running side by side.
…This guy has quite a lot of stamina.
Even though I’m keeping a fairly fast pace, he’s following right along with a cool expression.
Between the Student Council President yesterday and this guy today, enrolling in this school definitely wasn’t a mistake.
“Hmph, you’re not half bad, Knight Boy.
It seems you harbor extremely high potential, though not quite on my level, of course.” “That’s your opening line?
For starters, I get that you’re a guy who’s madly in love with himself.” “Naturally.
I, Rokusuke Koenji, pride myself on being the sole ultimate and absolute strongest human being.” “I see, you’re a big deal in more ways than one, huh?
Well, putting that aside…
What’s with ‘Knight Boy’?
I can’t just let that slide.” The incident where I princess-carried Arisu has probably spread to other classes by now, so that’s likely where he got it…
but I absolutely refuse to accept that nickname.
“Calling you Knight Boy is my decision.
Whether you accept it or not has nothing to do with—” “In chess, a knight can only make tricky moves; it isn’t worth that much.
At least call me Queen Boy.” Koenji gave a stunned look, then elegantly flipped his hair back and burst out laughing.
“Ha ha ha!
You are an even more unique boy than I anticipated.
Normally, I accept orders from no one…
but as a reward for entertaining me, I shall grant your request and call you Queen Boy from now on.” “Glad to see you’re someone who can be reasoned with.
Here then, a token of thanks for accepting my request.
A flower that suits you perfectly, right?” I threw two flowers I pulled from my pocket, and Koenji caught them, letting out a faint smirk.
“A Cambria orchid and a Dahlia, is it?
…You are an endlessly intriguing man, Queen Boy.” “Glad you like them.” “Normally, whether it be men or women, I hold no interest in anyone unless they are older than me…
But after graduating from this school, would you care to work for the Koenji Conglomerate that I will inherit?” “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to pass.
My current ‘general’ is Arisu, and I’m not light-headed enough to jump ship for someone I just met today.” “Hmph, hearing that relieves me.
If you had taken the bait so easily, I would have lost interest in you.” “You’re a pretty selfish guy, inviting me yourself and all.” “That is simply who I am.
Well, high school life has only just begun; there is no need to rush.
Over these three years, you will learn firsthand that I am a man worthy of being followed.
Until then, see you, Queen Boy.” “Is that so?
Well, I’ll keep my expectations up.
Later, Mr.
Six.” Six because of Rokusuke.
A simplistic naming choice, even if I do say so myself.
Since time was cutting it a bit close, I quickly tidied my appearance, met up with Arisu in the dormitory lobby, and headed to school.
Being the very first day of class, most of it consisted of boring explanations about study policies.
The teachers didn’t reprimand students at all even if they chatted during class, and the students who didn’t understand the S System yet were probably disappointed, thinking the school was way too lenient.
That aside, putting the unaffiliated students aside, while Arisu’s entourage maintained an exemplary student attitude, the students on Katsuragi’s side…
specifically a guy named Totsuka, stood out a bit with his talking.
Katsuragi should have noticed the suspicious points in Mashima-sensei explanation, so did he seriously not share the information with his entourage?
…Just when I was thinking that, during lunch break, Katsuragi was lecturing him while Totsuka hung his head.
Turns out that guy was just incompetent on his own.
“…It seems Katsuragi-kun believes the evaluation is reflected purely on an individual basis.” “Yeah.
Otherwise, he would have made Totsuka stop talking by the end of the first period, or more accurately, he would have made sure to thoroughly share information across the whole class.” Having lunch at the cafeteria with Arisu and the lackeys.
Since the cafeteria crowd was packed and noisy, it was the perfect spot for plotting secret schemes.
I, being mindful of my diet, had a bento box, but the others normally ordered things like the fried shrimp set or the hamburger steak set.
“Come on, Honjo, you came all the way to the cafeteria, so order something!” “Quiet, Hashimoto.
I care about my nutritional balance more than the average person.
Building a body starts with your diet.” “For someone who gave such a flashy self-introduction, you’re pretty austere, huh?” “Leave him alone, Kitou.
And why are you still wearing gloves while eating?” “It’s a secret.” “I see…” Since we didn’t know who might be eavesdropping, after finishing the minimum necessary cross-referencing of information, we enjoyed some silly chatter with the lackeys…
until: “Starting today at 5:00 PM, a club orientation will be held in Gymnasium No.
1.
Students interested in joining a club—” The announcement from the Secretary-chan-senpai I met yesterday echoed from the speakers.
Hmm, club introductions after school, huh…?
Yesterday, I confirmed with the President that it doesn’t break any school rules, so I suppose it’s time to appraise the prey.
“Does everyone have a club they want to join?
By the way, I intend to join the tennis club.” “Fits a playboy like Hashimoto perfectly.” “Leave me alone!?” “I shall pass.
The board game club piques my interest somewhat, but not to the extent of wanting to belong to it.” It’s probably more fun playing against me anyway.
“What about you, Honjo?” “I have a few candidates…
but for now, it’s going to be one of the individual sports.” “Huh, why limited to individual sports?” “Because if I ever get bored and quit, it won’t cause much trouble for others.” “So continuing until the end isn’t even an option in your mind…” Both Kitou and Hashimoto looked exasperated, but since my goal is fundraising, it can’t be helped.
If you want to gather an enormous amount of points like 5 million in a single month…
snatching them from upperclassmen who have been hoarding them is the quickest way.
When after-school arrived, while passively listening to the enthusiastic club introductions from upperclassmen eager to recruit new members for their club budgets, I picked out my targets—about five individual-skill clubs with a decent number of members—and listened to the President’s student council recruitment speech until the end.
“We in the Student Council do not desire candidates with naive mindsets.
Such applicants will not only fail and embarrass themselves, but they will also leave a stain on this school.
Our school’s student council is granted and expected to uphold the authority and mission to change the rules.
We welcome only those who possess that resolve.” It sounded like a warning rather than a recruitment speech…
but as expected of the President, he has the caliber of a “general” no less impressive than Arisu.
Not a single person uttered a word, completely captivated.
“Now then…
time for the hunt to begin.” After watching the club members head back—leaving only the receptionists behind—I began my move.
Checking the location of the target clubroom on the pamphlet I received, I made my way to the closest one from here: the Karate Club.
“Excuse me~!
Kiriha Honjo, making a splendid appearance~!” I opened the clubroom door with a carefree greeting, leaving roughly ten-or-so upperclassmen staring back at me like deer in headlights.
“…A freshman?
Did you not hear Tachibana’s announcement?
Recruitment registration is at Gymnasium No.
2.” The man who appeared to be the captain gave me a gentle, exasperated warning.
Well, visiting at a time like this, it’s only natural he’d think that.
“No, no, Senpai.
I’m not a prospective member; I’m more like a dojo crasher.” “A dojo crasher, you say?” “Gambling using points is legal at this school, right?
Please wager your points and challenge me in a karate match.” ” ” ” !?
” ” ” Almost all the upperclassmen opened their eyes wide in shock.
When students receive 100,000 points, they naturally get more or less carried away, so no one would normally think of trying to increase it right away.
However, the captain kept his composure and shook his head.
“It is true that the school permits challenging others to bets using points.
However, responding to it is completely voluntary.
We have to deal with prospective members after this.
We don’t have time to deal with a greedy person like you—” “No, no, you guys don’t have the necessity or the right to do that, do you?” “…What did you say?” The captain raised his eyebrows in displeasure.
Since there’s no guarantee there aren’t others with the same mindset as me, I can’t back down here…
Even if I draw some hate, I’m going to get these upperclassmen to fight me.
“Like I said earlier, I’m basically a dojo crasher, right?
Do spineless cowards who turn their backs on a challenge from someone like that really have the right to guide and teach their juniors?” “!?
You punk, running your mouth just because you’re a first-year!” “Stop, Segawa!” “But Captain!” A short-tempered, shaved-head upperclassman tried to snap at me, but the captain restrained him with his hand.
Now then, if these people remain silent even after being insulted to this extent, I’ll give up on plucking their feathers.
It’d feel a bit pitiable, after all.
“Well, if you’re that scared of me, I guess it can’t be helped.
Bye-bye, chicken upperclassmen!
Good luck with your self-satisfying karate play!” “—!!!
Hold it right there, you little brat!” Just as I turned to leave, Segawa-senpai grabbed me by the collar…
Ow, that hurts, man.
“What’s up?” “Fine then!
I’ll accept your challenge!
I’m gonna beat you to a pulp!” “Segawa!” “Don’t stop me, Captain!
He insulted you, he insulted us, and he insulted our karate to this extent—I can’t let him leave in one piece!” Hook, line, and sinker♪ This type is so easy to handle, it’s a huge help.
If an incompetent ally is more troublesome than a competent enemy, then an incompetent enemy is more reliable than a competent ally.
“Are you sure about that?
Putting up a bluff beyond your means is only going to embarrass you later, you know?” “Shut your mouth, kid!
I’m gonna beat that rotten attitude out of you!” “That’s the spirit♪ …Oh, but I’d prefer starting from the weakest person in order.” “HAH!
Talking big and now you’re chickening out, kid?!
If you cry and apologize right now, I might forgive—” “No, it’s just that I came here intending to pluck as many feathers as possible, but if I defeat the strong one first, the rest of you might wet your pants and refuse to fight, right?” “Th-This guy…!” “Ah, or is Segawa-senpai the weakest one here~?
Oh my~ a loud-mouthed talker who’s all bark and no bite~♪” “I’LL KILL YOU!” “Stop it, Segawa.” The captain stepped in right between Segawa-senpai—who was about to throw a punch regardless of the match rules—and glared at me with eyes full of hostility.
“…Then let’s do this.
After you win against Segawa, anyone who forfeits their match will be treated as a default loss and will pay you 300,000 points.
How about that rule?” “I don’t mind that at all, but is it okay for you to make a decision like that so easily just because you’re the captain?” “No need to worry.
There is no one in our club who would back down after being insulted that much.” Looking around, everyone was glaring at me with eyes full of combativeness.
I see, so nobody here has a rotten fighting spirit.
That’s a relief.
“Well then…
shall we get to it?” “Hmm, hmm, for my first actual fight in a while, that was pretty solid.” Inside the karate dojo, amidst the mountain of fallen upperclassmen, I comfortably muttered to myself while receiving points from the captain I had just defeated.
Are those seniors doing okay?
…I properly held back, so I don’t think they’re injured, but there’s nothing I can do about the mental damage.
“Uh, are you okay, Captain?
I was worried I hit you too hard since you were tougher than expected.” “Yeah, physically I’m fine…
Even though I placed second in the metropolitan tournament, your strength is unbelievable…
It makes sense why Horikita took an interest in you.” “I thought you were looking at me with evaluating eyes unlike the others, but so you heard about me from the President.
…Then you shouldn’t have stepped into such an obvious trap.” “I have my pride as a captain too.
If all my club members were willing to fight, I couldn’t just back down shamefully.
Besides, leaving things as they were would have created friction in the club after you joined.
Demonstrating your strength like this improves that to some extent—” “Ah, I haven’t decided to join yet, though.” ” ” ” …Huh?
” ” ” The eyes of the upperclassmen—who had gotten up at some point—went blank.
Ah, you’ve finally recovered?
That’s a relief.
“Why the hell not, Honjo!
If you’re that strong, there’s no reason to hesitate!” “You’re surprisingly frank, Shaved-Head Senpai.” “It’s Segawa-senpai!
And don’t dodge the question!” “Just because someone is good at karate doesn’t mean there’s a rule saying they have to join the karate club.” “W-Well, that’s true, but…” “Now, now, don’t jump to conclusions; I didn’t say I wouldn’t join.
…Here, Captain, take this.” When I handed him a piece of paper I had prepared beforehand from my bag, the captain looked at me suspiciously.
“A contract…?” “Yep.
I don’t mind joining, but I’ll need to be paid a suitable amount of points.” “HAH!?
What’s that supposed to mean!?” “It means this isn’t a hobby; it’s business.
If you heard about me from the President, you should know that I’ve grasped almost everything about the S System, right?
…In exchange for requesting points as a joining bonus contract fee, I promise to definitely deliver results in tournaments for the club I join and bring glory to it.” “…I see.
If you fail to produce results, the entire contract fee will be refunded, huh?” Having finished reading the contract I handed him, the captain nodded in understanding.
“However, Honjo, why is the most important amount left blank?
I can’t tell how much we should pay you like this.” “You seniors can discuss it and decide on the amount as you like.
I’m going to visit four other clubs, do the same thing, hand them contracts, and then collect them all together to join whichever club offers the best treatment.” “Y-You plan on plucking points from other clubs too!?
What do you intend to do with so many points when you just enrolled?!” “Who knows?” “…Huh?
No, what do you mean, ‘who knows’…” Shaved-Head Senpai was completely bewildered.
Well, from an outsider’s perspective, it’s only natural for it to make zero sense.
“Well, you see, Senpai…
I have a girl in my class whom I’ve known since middle school, and she’s a real hard-driver.
She said to me, ‘Go gather 10 million points by next month like your life depends on it (paraphrased).’ ” “Isn’t that woman completely insane!?
Even black market companies would turn pale!” “Well, her absurd demands didn’t just start today, so I don’t really mind, but because of that, I can’t afford to be picky with my fundraising methods.
Thanks to that, I had to resort to uncharacteristic provocations…
I’m really sorry, senpai, for insulting you as much as I wanted earlier.” “Ah…
don’t worry about it.
You have it tough in your own way, huh?” I successfully gained sympathy from the karate club members and wiped away their resentment.
Sorry, Arisu, you’ve turned into an unbelievable villain in these guys’ eyes.
Please forgive me for casually inflating the quota by 5 million.
And one week later…
After extracting points from the seniors of the Judo Club, Tennis Club, Track and Field Club, and Swimming Club (since it wasn’t the first day, they normally accepted without needing to be provoked), I collected all the contracts together.
As a result of the evaluation, the Karate Club was chosen with an offer of 2,000,000 points.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Ta-da!
* He became friendly with Koenji.
* He obtained a massive amount of points.
* Nagumo-senpai learned about the protagonist’s existence through 2nd-year students in the clubs.
* Arisu-chan’s approval rating among the Karate Club members dropped drastically.
Since Kiriha-kun is in a mercenary position and will mostly be a ghost member from now on, the original OC students in the Karate Club will probably not appear again in the future.