"So, you're here to convince me to join the Literature Club?"
"That's right. All the senior members are third-years, and they'll graduate next year. Some of them have already started skipping club activities. By the time they graduate, the Literature Club will face a shortage of members. Since I've been appointed the next club president, I figured I should try to recruit some new members before the student council steps in with a warning."
Ah, so not only was she the class president… she was also a club president.
The Literature Club, huh… basically just the school's literary society.
In Kuroba Akira's mind, the Literature Club was a barely noticeable presence, often just a background in most works. Kind of like the mistaken "Literature Club" in the beginning of some stories, or like the SOS Brigade's hijinks in other series.
"So that's why you came to school during summer break—because of club activities?"
From what he knew, the Literature Club mostly involved reading, writing short essays, and maybe feeding the resident bookworm.
The decline of literature clubs in real life had a lot to do with modern reading and writing habits. Everyone read novels on their phones now, searched for information online, and even in Japan—the heart of the publishing industry—traditional clubs were struggling to recruit members.
Like Kuroba Akira himself—if he hadn't somehow ended up back in high school, it had been nearly ten years since he'd properly put pen to paper. Most of his writing lately was just signing his name.
He even sometimes wrote his own name wrong because of the subtle changes after being transported back.
"Kuroba-kun… are you curious why I'm at school during summer break?"
Answering a question with a question… clearly a diversion. Did she have another reason for being here?
Since she wasn't going to tell him outright, Kuroba Akira didn't press the issue. He just answered honestly.
"A little. It's kind of rare to see classmates in uniform during summer break."
He pointed with his thumb toward the playground on the other side of the building, where the boys were still laughing and playing.
"Like the soccer club guys. They come here every day to practice, but they wouldn't wear uniforms during summer break."
The idea that "you have to wear a uniform to go to school" only made sense to the most rigid, straight-laced students.
Although the class president's grades were top-notch, it became clear after talking to her that she wasn't stuffy at all—actually, she was pretty playful.
"But Kuroba-kun, aren't you wearing a uniform too?"
"I didn't choose it because I like it. I didn't have a choice."
Kuroba Akira looked disgusted. It was scorching hot, and he'd have preferred shorts, but all he had were two sets of school uniforms and his gym clothes.
He usually wore summer gym clothes during the break, but today he had no choice but to wear the uniform—and today happened to be the hottest day of the entire summer.
"Huh… I was wearing my uniform to make a good impression on you. Looks like I overthought it—Kuroba-kun seems pretty interested in my casual clothes, too."
"So, from the start, you came for me, huh."
This wasn't some romantic coincidence or fateful encounter. Hitomi Anri had approached Kuroba Akira with a purpose, even considering her first-impression outfit.
Which raised the question:
"Why me?"
Before their conversation, Kuroba Akira had been the gloomy bottom-rung guy in class, while Hitomi Anri was the top-tier, exemplary class president. Their paths barely crossed.
He couldn't understand why she would take an interest in him—or even invite him to join the Literature Club.
"You're pretty popular in class, right? You could probably ask a bunch of the non-club members to join without trouble."
"I'm not looking for nominal, ghost members. I also don't want people joining just to help me, and I'd rather not drag the class's social politics into the club."
"Hmm…"
This sounded similar to other social dynamics in school—having one circle in class, another in the club, keeping the waters separate. Truly, youth was like a handbook in itself.
"So… someone like me, whom you've never interacted with, is the perfect choice?"
Anri smiled and held up a finger.
"Most importantly, Kuroba-kun, you really like reading, don't you? You even come to the school library during summer break."
"You saw that, huh."
Come to think of it, she had never asked why he came to school over the break. That meant she had known his purpose from the start.
While Kuroba Akira just came to practice his local dialect, anyone else would see a student who comes to school in summer just to read as someone who truly loves books.
"Not just that."
"Hm?"
"Try to guess why the library is even open during summer break."
"…Ha."
Ah. That explained why Hitomi Anri was here during summer break.
Kuroba Akira could read and go home immediately afterward, but the club president had to properly lock the library doors.
He remembered the library was usually managed by a calm, quiet girl from the neighboring class—probably also a Literature Club member—so she had asked the president to help during summer.
Or maybe she noticed Kuroba Akira always came to the library and volunteered to see if his love of books was genuine.
In other words, the whole summer, Kuroba Akira had been spending time with the class president, he just hadn't realized it.
"Also, Ms. Kobayakawa said that as the class president, I should look out for Kuroba-kun, someone who tends to keep to himself. Ideally, I should help you make a hundred friends."
Ms. Kobayakawa… thanks, but I'm not Komi. I don't need that many friends.
"So if I become friends with you first, and then invite you to join our club, it'll help you make more friends and help the Literature Club survive. Two birds with one stone, right?"
"I haven't said I'll join yet."
"Our club may be small, but our members are all top-tier beauties in the whole school, you know?"
"Hmm, compared to the class president?"
"Well… I think we're all fairly matched. But it's worth mentioning that I'm not the largest in the club, Kuroba-kun. You know what I mean—age doesn't count."
"…Bigger than the president? That's overdeveloped."
"And our advisor is our homeroom teacher, Ms. Kobayakawa. You know her well, and she's always cared about you. If she sees you join the Literature Club, she'll be thrilled—maybe even hug you… well, her womanly side is very mature."
"…Does she have face cream?"
"Most importantly, there isn't a single boy in the club right now. Don't you want to experience being surrounded by beautiful girls?"
"…A personal harem?"
Class president… are you some kind of male-hearted succubus?
Is your club really legitimate?
Why does this sound more like a red-light district business than a school club?