"So, Luo-kun will be the Astronomy Club president?"
In the staff room, the balding middle-aged teacher Takagi tapped his pen against his receding hairline.
He looked up, glancing at Luo Shu, then at the professionally smiling Utaha Kasumigaoka and stone-faced Eriri Sawamura standing behind him, before sighing:
"The others are fine, but Sawamura-kun has already joined the Art Club. Won't joining the Astronomy Club simultaneously be problematic?"
Hearing this, Eriri desperately wanted to say it was problematic, but looking at Luo Shu's back, she could only grit her teeth and say:
"It's fine, Teacher Takagi. Actually, I've always been quite interested in astronomical observation. And the Art Club members are very accommodating, so occasionally participating in club activities won't be an issue."
Hearing this, Teacher Takagi looked at Eriri, then at Utaha Kasumigaoka, then back at Luo Shu.
Seeing Luo Shu's seemingly smiling face and that unblinking stare directed at him, the middle-aged teacher sighed again:
"In that case, I'll temporarily act as supervising teacher for your club."
Though privately thinking that one boy and two girls - especially such attractive ones - in the same club would likely lead to romantic complications, considering he was just an ordinary teacher, Takagi could only sign the club application form under their insistence:
"As for the clubroom, there's an unused classroom on the 3rd floor near the chemistry lab. I'll get the keys for you."
As Takagi stood up to retrieve the keys from the wall cabinet, Eriri stepped forward to examine the signed application form. Her lips twitched as she said to Luo Shu:
"The student council approval stamp is from just one hour ago? I can't believe you actually pulled this off."
School club establishment required teacher signatures before applying to the student council; yet, Utaha had somehow obtained the student council stamp first before obtaining the teacher's signature.
Thanks to this, the club approval process had proceeded much faster than Luo Shu anticipated.
"Now that this document is approved, we're accomplices. So you shouldn't say 'you', but 'we'."
Luo Shu turned his head to correct Eriri's improper wording.
As for the 'reluctantly' joined young lady Eriri, Luo Shu's attitude could only be described as lukewarm.
Compared to Utaha Kasumigaoka, with whom he'd shared hardships, Luo Shu actually distrusted Eriri.
However, after confirming with the system earlier when descending from the rooftop that Eriri was also a protagonist capable of having an 'energy absorption device' installed, Luo Shu knew full well that there were benefits to be gained from her.
Thus, in his words, he began emphasising the common ground between the three of them. As for whether Eriri would ultimately join—that wasn't up to her.
Of course, such thoughts were best kept private. On the surface, Luo Shu was willing to let Eriri believe she had joined of her own volition.
After all, it wouldn't do to dampen a new member's enthusiasm.
Heeding Luo Shu's words, Eriri didn't openly object, though she muttered under her breath, "Who's with you?"
Ignoring her rebellious behaviour, Luo Shu turned and exchanged a glance with Utaha Kasumigaoka. The two waited less than three minutes before receiving the keys from Teacher Takagi, who then asked pointedly:
"Luo-kun, you're a third-year, aren't you? Would you like me to show you to the classroom?"
Clearly, Teacher Takagi was well aware that he was merely a club approval tool and had no desire to get entangled in this romantic drama involving one boy and two girls.
At a private school like Toyogasaki, there were far too many students with money and influence, so most teachers preferred to avoid meddling lest they offend someone and face retaliation.
In Teacher Takagi's eyes, Luo Shu—who had beaten up three third-years as a first-year student and made them too afraid to even call the police—was clearly someone with connections. Thus, it was best not to provoke him if possible.
"No need. Thank you for your help this time, Teacher Takagi." With a polite farewell, Luo Shu glanced at Utaha and Eriri, giving them a meaningful look before leading the two out of the classroom.
However, as they stepped into the hallway, the trio unexpectedly overheard an argument.
"Teacher Nakamura, I believe the rule banning anime screenings in the media room is unjust. Arbitrarily declaring all anime unsuitable for students is an extreme act of authoritarianism..."
Hearing this one-sided rant, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Eriri, noticing her gaze had indeed been drawn toward the source of the voice.
Seeing this, he then turned and spotted a bespectacled student engaged in a 'friendly discussion' with a teacher.
"That's... Tomoya Aki, a first-year student, I think..."
Utaha, walking behind them, also noticed the odd look on Eriri's face before following the sound and remarking in surprise:
"Trying to borrow the multimedia room again, is he? Just like the rumours say—quite the free spirit."
Eriri stared at the boy who could barely be called her childhood friend, her expression complicated, still convinced there was something wrong with his head.
Pestering the teacher for permission to use the multimedia classroom during free periods, and all just to watch anime at school?
Don't you find that embarrassing?
Haven't you heard the teachers in the office gossiping: 'Otaku are potential criminals'?
'The fact that anime isn't well-received is partly thanks to you...' Eriri silently complained to herself, then realised she'd been paying too much attention to the other party, drawing the notice of both Luo Shu and Utaha Kasumigaoka. Hurriedly, she said:
"Let's go, enough watching. We should go check out the classroom and see how to organise it."
Hearing this, Luo Shu didn't argue, merely glancing at Utaha Kasumigaoka. Noticing how she kept staring at Eriri, he couldn't help but smile:
"Let's go then."
With that, the three of them—one leading, two following—took the keys and headed to the third floor.
Meanwhile, Tomoya Aki, who was busy badgering the teacher, also noticed the trio. After a brief moment of confusion, he continued pestering the unfortunate Teacher Nakamura.
In the end, Teacher Nakamura relented: "Fine, fine, you win. Here's a copy of the multimedia classroom key, but you'll have to apply for usage rights from the student council yourself."
"Thank you, Teacher! Long live the teacher!!"
Listening to Tomoya Aki's words, the young Teacher Nakamura scowled and muttered:
"Long live the teacher? I'd be lucky if you don't give me a heart attack."
With that, the young teacher flashed a self-deprecating smile at the other teachers watching the show in the office, then went to fetch the key amid their laughter.
Time passed in their respective perspectives.
Soon, it was 3:30 pm—dismissal time.
Luo Shu, holding the keys, led Utaha and Eriri as they pushed open the door to the vacant classroom.