"Yaaawn…"
Rinji sat up on his bed and stretched, still groggy as he walked out of his bedroom to wash up.
As soon as he opened the door, he found Hayasaka standing there.
"Oh, you're awake already. I was just about to come wake you."
"I don't oversleep on school days."
It was Monday—back to school.
Wu Fusui had gone back to her university the previous evening, while Hayasaka stayed because of her work arrangement.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Rinji changed into his school uniform and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.
Normally, he'd settle for a red bean bun, but with Hayasaka staying over, he had to prepare something more proper.
Both now dressed in Shuchiin uniforms, they sat down to eat the sandwiches he'd quickly made.
"So we're heading to school together today."
"Yup. Going to school as a pair." Hayasaka nodded.
She had once imagined doing this, but back then it felt like an impossible dream. Thanks to some unexpected twists, it had now become reality.
Working at Rinji's place didn't even feel like a job. The house was clean, she could sleep in as long as she wanted, had no chores, and even meals were cooked for her.
Plus, every Monday, she got to walk to school with him.
Compared to the harsh life she had under the Shinomiya family, this was paradise.
"You'll be working at the Shinomiya house through Thursday, right? Let's come back together after school on Friday."
"Mm."
After breakfast, they grabbed their bags and headed out side by side toward school.
---
"Principal, I've brought back the photos you asked for."
In the principal's office, Rinji returned the camera the principal had lent him.
The previous Friday, the principal had given Rinji a task—to photograph students' daily lives at Shuchiin Academy for the school magazine.
"Ah, thank you, Rinji-kun."
The principal took the camera and began reviewing the photos.
"Hmm… nice shots, they really capture Shuchiin's spirit. Though… who's this girl hiding in the bushes with that devastated look?"
"That's Shijo Maki from Class 2-B. Looks like she got dumped," Rinji said. "As they say, 'imperfect is youth,' so this photo of her watching the guy she likes cuddle with her friend is perfect for the cover."
Rinji had captured the perfect angle—Tanuma Tsubasa and Kashiwagi Nagisa embracing, with Shijo Maki peeking sorrowfully through the gap.
It was practically art.
"Uh… maybe not the cover. Publishing someone's heartbreak feels a bit too cruel."
"Fair enough. So I guess my job's done?"
"Actually… there's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"I'll handle the magazine layout and editing, but if you're free, could you help think of a tagline?"
"Tagline?"
"You know, promotional slogan—something to attract students to apply to Shuchiin. It'll go on the first page of the magazine."
"…'This school is filthy rich, has high deviation scores, and lets you meet heirs and heiresses of rich families, where you might get lucky and become a kept man or sugar baby'?"
"Too extreme!! That wouldn't just kill enrollment—it'd destroy our reputation!"
"Didn't your Pokémon-hunting antics already do that?"
"Ahem, anyway, I'm counting on you. Don't make it too explicit. If you're stuck, you can brainstorm with the student council."
---
"So, that's the situation. I need your help thinking up a slogan."
At the student council room, Rinji explained the principal's request.
A blank A4 sheet sat on the table—where the final slogan would be written.
"A slogan, huh? I see," Shirogane said, nodding thoughtfully. "Shuchiin's only real selling point is its high deviation value."
"Anything else?"
"…The school culture, maybe?"
"That's not great either. Our reputation has taken a hit in recent years," Rinji said. "These rich kids have caused all sorts of trouble. Local residents constantly complain about our students' poor behavior. If not for Iino-san's recent efforts, it'd be even worse."
"You flatter me," Iino said shyly, rubbing her hands together.
Finally, someone recognized her hard work. That recognition meant everything to the often-criticized Iino.
"Do you have any other ideas, President?"
"Well..."
Shirogane looked up at the rest of the group.
"Anyone else got something?"
Kaguya: "The school has a long history and plenty of funding."
Rinji: "There are lots of schools like that."
Ishigami: "The school has produced many famous people."
Rinji: "This school actually doesn't have that many truly well-known figures."
Fujiwara: "If it's about attracting new students, we can just put some student photos on the cover~"
"Like who?"
"Like me~" Fujiwara said confidently.
"Just seeing your face pisses me off. Pass."
After going around once, Rinji realized none of the suggestions were usable.
"Seriously?"
Kaguya looked at Rinji a bit disapprovingly.
"Just write a simple slogan introducing the school's features and encouraging enrollment. Rinji-kun, think about why you came to this school in the first place, then turn that reason into a slogan."
"OK, I'll write 'I was forced to come to school.' You think I willingly came to Shuchiin Academy?" Rinji said. "If I hadn't been forced here, I'd still be in Afghanistan."
"Then... what made you stay?"
"You guys."
"Eh?"
"The reason I'm still at this school is because the student council is here. I'm still attending school because of you all."
"..."
Even though those words sounded a bit extreme—clearly stating he didn't come here to study—everyone could still feel a warmth in Rinji's tone.
He genuinely saw the student council as his companions.
"Fine. Since none of you can come up with anything, I'll just ask for help from the outside."
Rinji pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.
"Coming up with slogans and such isn't my thing. Better to go straight to someone who's good at it... Ah, it's ringing."
As he spoke, the call went through.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Uncle Sagara?"
Rinji had called Sousuke Sagara.
"Oh, it's Rinji. Something wrong? Are you in trouble?"
"Not really, nothing big," Rinji said. "Uncle Sagara, are you busy right now?"
"Not too busy. If there's a problem, feel free to say it," Sagara replied on the other end of the line. He was taking the call from IW Headquarters.
"Thing is, the school needs a slogan for a promotional brochure. Uncle, do you know how to write a slogan?"
"A slogan, huh..."
Sagara's expression suddenly turned serious on the far-off island in the western Pacific.
"A slogan is a very delicate matter. If written poorly, it could result in a talent drain. In severe cases, core talents might even defect to rival organizations. It must be handled seriously."
"Understood."
Hearing that, Rinji's expression also turned serious.
"Listen up, Rinji. A slogan is part of information warfare. Never underestimate it—it holds the power to overturn a nation without a single soldier."
"Got it."
"Since it's promotional, you first need to stimulate external enthusiasm, get people to want to join the organization. But don't overemphasize the benefits, and you should hint at the dangers to filter out freeloaders."
"That makes sense."
"You can also use a bit of provocation to ensure the recruits have a certain toughness that regular people lack."
"Good point."
"Alright, I'll dictate the slogan. Just write it down."
"Thanks, Uncle Sagara."
Rinji held the phone in one hand and a pen in the other, ready over a blank sheet of paper. As Sagara spoke, Rinji wrote.
The others leaned in curiously to see what he was writing.
On the paper, it read:
[Let me make a declaration first. This school isn't for just anyone. Only those who pass a brutal entrance exam, the finest, those with the qualities of elite warriors, can step through this narrow gate. You have the right to choose. You can go to other high schools. Of course, you're also free to attend the coward- and gambler-infested Private Hyakkaou Academy. But if you want to become a true warrior, then choose Shuchiin. I guarantee it—each day will be filled with thrilling trials and adventures.
Shuchiin Academy's history dates back to the Edo period. Even after suffering multiple air raids from the US military during World War II, its unparalleled resilience prevented total destruction. This was the result of the faculty and students' lone resistance. We carry on that tradition. Through tireless training and discipline, our school maintains the astonishing record of zero student deaths in three centuries. Shuchiin is the invincible high school chosen by the gods among countless others in Tokyo. Believe in your alma mater. Believe in your Student Council.
Don't ask what the school can do for you. Ask what you can do for the school. Bring it on. Shuchiin Academy seeks ambitious young people.
'Pain and hardship, all adversity will forge you into a strong warrior'.]
"No surprise it's Uncle Sagara. That was one hell of a slogan," Rinji said, nodding in satisfaction.
Everyone else: "...Rewrite it."