Hearing the name 'Service Club', Utaha gave Luo Shu a deep look before warning:
"While I can't deny that a Familia's duty is to serve their patron god, a club name like that would never pass the school's review."
"Not to mention you wouldn't even meet the minimum requirement of three members to establish a club."
Though internally screaming 'What kind of name is Service Club?!', Utaha suspected that voicing this would only invite mockery from him, so she kept quiet.
Luo Shu couldn't help laughing at Utaha's response: "Don't worry, that was just a joke."
He paused before continuing: "The name I actually want is Astronomy Club. In my understanding of the occult, celestial phenomena have always been an important element. Plus, it's a common name that won't draw too much attention - an excellent quality, don't you think?"
Utaha didn't argue, merely pointing out: "I believe there's already an Astronomy Enthusiasts Club at school?"
"That's irrelevant." Luo Shu stretched his neck, producing a surprising cracking sound. "The school rules never said there can't be two similar clubs."
'But schools generally wouldn't approve duplicate clubs either...'
Utaha Kasumigaoka had intended to say something else, but considering her status as the top student in her year and the 'face' she maintained with the teachers, she tacitly accepted Luo Shu's words.
"Have you considered who the third member of the club should be?" Utaha said, then added, "Though it's a bit embarrassing to admit, I should remind you that I don't have any so-called 'close friends' at school."
Hearing this, Luo Shu gave her a strange look and replied:
"Why would you think that someone like me—a Chinese exchange student who got into a fight right after entering school—would manage to make so-called friends in Japan, where bullying is rampant?"
Utaha wore a deeply understanding expression as Luo Shu said this with such matter-of-factness:
"I see... So you're the same."
"The same what? A social outcast?"
Luo Shu retorted, but Utaha didn't answer directly, merely smiling faintly:
"Given the current situation, it seems our divine pantheon project is doomed to fail at the very first step—not even being able to gather enough people to form a school club."
She deliberately paused here, then said with a playful smile:
"Of course, if our esteemed 'Chief Deity' could make full use of that handsome face of his, luring in a naive girl shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
Luo Shu's expression turned odd. "Why should I be the one tricking girls? Why not you tricking boys?"
"Because I'm too beautiful."
Utaha crossed her arms and lifted one slender leg, stating it as though it were the most obvious thing in the world:
"If I were to send out such an invitation to a boy, it would inevitably lead to... dangerous misunderstandings. As for girls, you're already aware of my reputation among them. Does that answer satisfy you, oh Chief Deity?"
"I've never heard any rumours about 'Utaha Kasumigaoka being incredibly narcissistic' at school."
Luo Shu sighed and dropped the subject. After finishing his coffee in one gulp and setting the cup down, he pondered for a moment before saying:
"As for the third member... I do have a promising candidate in mind."
"Who?" Utaha asked curiously.
"First-year student Eriri Spencer Sawamura." Luo Shu stated the name expressionlessly.
"The 'Flower of the Art Club' from the first-year class?" Utaha immediately recognised who he was referring to.
She had heard of the girl who had caused a stir among the boys upon entering Toyogasaki High School at the start of the term—the one gossipmongers had dubbed a 'high-altitude flower' on par with herself.
"I heard her father works at the British Embassy in Japan... I see, so she's the initial contact for the plan..."
As soon as she said this, Utaha sensed something amiss.
Luo Shu's expression when mentioning Eriri wasn't right.
A sudden realisation struck her: "Is first-year Eriri Sawamura also someone with 'qualifications'?"
"Most likely." Luo Shu offered no further explanation.
After all, he couldn't very well tell Utaha, 'I've seen doujinshi of you and Eriri, so I know you're both heroines,' could he?
Saying that would get you beaten up! And with a hammer at that.
"Highly likely?" When Utaha Kasumigaoka heard Luo Shu say 'highly likely', she assumed it meant 100%.
After all, the person before her was a 'god'!
Even if he'd fallen on hard times, a god's discernment shouldn't have changed, right?
"In that case, the target is set. Tomorrow after school, should I be the one to invite her out, or will you?"
Seeing Utaha Kasumigaoka take such initiative, Luo Shu thought for a moment before replying: "You do it. It's more convenient for a girl to invite another girl. As for persuading her, I'll handle that."
"I understand." Utaha nodded in realisation, not opposing Luo Shu's suggestion.
After all, someone like Luo Shu with a violent record—a dangerous element in school—inviting a well-regarded first-year beauty like Eriri would likely raise suspicions and get rejected.
Thinking about tomorrow's classes, persuading Eriri to join them, and resolving the club issues, Utaha sighed:
"Seems like we'll have our hands full tomorrow."
"That we will." Luo Shu sighed, his expression complicated. "Funding sources after the club's establishment, intelligence channels, weapon procurement, even the most urgent matter of securing a training ground for combat skills and firearms practice, not to mention investigating that monster chasing you—all these need looking into."
Hearing this, Utaha's expression visibly stiffened.
Noticing her staring blankly at him, Luo Shu rubbed his chin suspiciously:
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Utaha's lips twitched before she said:
"I suddenly think that if you weren't a god, the first time I saw you would definitely have been on an anti-crime documentary."
"..."
'Just say I look like a yakuza boss already...' Luo Shu grumbled internally before taking out his phone and saying to Utaha:
"Alright, enough nonsense. Let's exchange Line IDs so we can contact each other at school tomorrow."
He then clicked his tongue. "Shame you don't use WeChat. Would've been much more convenient for me."
Hearing this, Utaha immediately responded: "I can learn."
"Let's not bother. We'll probably need to set up an internal network later anyway, so using my usual messaging app wouldn't make much difference."
As he spoke, Luo Shu exchanged Line IDs with Utaha before standing up:
"OK, that's everything. I'll head off first."
After taking a few steps, Luo Shu felt his sleeve being tugged.
He paused, turning back to look at Utaha in surprise: "Something else?"
Utaha hesitated before tentatively asking:
"Tonight... could you stay?"