As a result, instead of fighting over new students, the organizations resolved matters peacefully through mutual discussion—a testament to the deterrence of the Ten Master Clans working even within the school grounds. In the midst of this, Yugen was conducting an interview with a executive candidate brought in by Takuma Shippou.
"...You're built quite impressively. If someone told me you were a middle schooler until last month, I'd have no choice but to tilt my head in doubt. Ah, my apologies. I didn't mean to say anything offensive." "No, my family tells me the exact same thing all the time." "You must have it tough..."
The freshman Takuma had brought along was Takemitsu Usui. Even now, he stood close to 185 centimeters tall with a solid, muscular build weighing around 80 kilograms, looking every bit like a seasoned athlete. At first, Yugen had even wondered if Takuma had brought Usui along purely based on his physical build.
"Shall I call you Usui-kun? I am Yugen Kagurazaka, Head of the Club Federation. I believe you've heard the general picture from Vice President Shippou, but I would like to recruit you as an executive candidate." "An executive candidate... Um, are you not going to ask about my entrance exam scores?" "Well, to give you a peak behind the curtain, the entrance exam results are reviewed by the executives of the Student Council, Disciplinary Committee, and Club Federation. Ranking third overall in this year's exam is an excellent result, and rough situations do tend to pop up, after all."
Given that Usui's appearance brought Katsuto to mind, Yugen considered him more than qualified to be groomed as a future Club Federation Head. While it wouldn't quite reach the level of handling matters like the Disciplinary Committee, having real strength in times of emergency was only proper.
"Does this have anything to do with what you mentioned during the entrance ceremony, Kagurazaka-senpai?" "I won't deny it. The reality is that quite a few students pursue military-related career paths via Magic High School, Magic University, or the National Defense Academy. Well, setting aside such complicated topics, whether you can make the next three years meaningful depends entirely on your own willpower and effort."
It would be fine if he declined the offer, but given that this year's first-years had plenty of strong personalities, Yugen genuinely wanted Usui to accept the role. He didn't want to call the new students eccentrics or weirdos—and saying so out loud felt like it would spark backlash from current students and alumni alike—so he tucked the thought away in a corner of his mind.
Upon hearing Yugen's words, Usui paused briefly to think before bowing his head.
"I look forward to working with you, Club President Kagurazaka." "Hmm, I appreciate your straightforward acceptance, but things are going to get tough from here on." "I have steeled my resolve." "Is that so?"
Setting aside the fact that he sounded like a certain "fool" for a second, having Usui join as an executive candidate was a massive plus for the Club Federation. After all, due to the current Student Council President, the current second and third-year members had practically pledged absolute loyalty to Yugen. Finding talent untainted by that environment was truly precious.
As those accumulated troubles seeped out in the form of a single tear, Usui looked visibly flustered.
"P-President? Why are you crying?" "Ah, forgive me. Tears just came to my eyes at the realization that a proper, normal junior has finally appeared." "...I sympathize with your hardship."
At the time, not even Usui could have guessed that this exact turn of events would seal his fate to succeed Yugen and Takuma as the next Head of the Club Federation.
As for Shiina joining the Student Council, and Jiro joining the Disciplinary Committee under the Student Council's recommendation slot, Yugen couldn't help but root for his relatives to do their best. During the entrance ceremony, perhaps because of her involvement with the Student Council, Shiina—who seemed far more approachable than Miyuki—was having trouble dealing with her classmates.
Intervening on her behalf was Shiina's classmate, a girl named Aki Urabe. The reason Yugen knew her was that while taking Jiro to the Disciplinary Committee during his rounds, he happened to run into them.
"Look, your childhood friend is waiting!" Aki said, pushing Shiina by the back as they exited the classroom. Upon encountering Yugen, Aki's eyes sparkled, and she bowed deeply to him.
"Um, I entered this school because I admire your sister—Mika Mitsuya-senpai!"
Upon asking for details, it turned out she had admired Mika's coolness back when Mika was competing in the Nine Schools Competition as a high schooler. Having a goal slightly more grounded in reality than Yugen himself... well, calling it "realistic" was still a stretch, but holding high ambitions was by no means a bad thing.
If someone possessed the resolve to step beyond the boundaries of an ordinary human, stopping them would be sheer poor taste.
So, when Yugen proposed recommending Aki under the Club Federation's quota, she bowed respectfully without a second's hesitation, saying, "I look forward to working with you!" Though her personality seemed the exact opposite of Shiina's, Yugen hoped they would develop a friendship like Mayumi and Mari's.
However, Aki didn't know yet. Sure, Shiina was undeniably approachable in demeanor, and thanks to that, she had plenty of friends. But the realization of just how far beyond normal parameters Shiina truly was had only just begun... Neither Aki nor the rest of the first-years knew what was to come.
◇◇◇
Although a new home had been prepared for his fiancées, Yugen and Tatsuya had not fully moved in yet. The house they currently lived in (or rather, stayed in, in Yugen's case) belonged to Ryuura Shiba—Tatsuya's father on his personal data. Truth be told, Miyuki had mentioned, "While it holds deep memories, just knowing it belongs to that man I refuse to consider a father makes me want to leave as soon as possible," prompting plans for an early move, but the packed transfer schedules of the other fiancées made it difficult to realize immediately.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"