During a break between classes, Rinto headed to the faculty office and found his homeroom teacher to ask about club activities.
"Oh, a Light Music Club? I don't think we have one at the moment."
"If you're planning to start a new club… Hmm, it should be doable."
Kawakami-sensei glanced around the office, checking if anyone was listening.
After confirming no one was paying attention, she secretly waved Rinto closer, signaling him to lean down.
Rinto obediently bent over, exchanging hushed words with Kawakami-sensei hidden behind a stack of textbooks:
"Actually, since Kamoshida confessed, the principal ordered us teachers to find ways to distract the students—supporting club activities was one of them. Right now, applying at the student council to start a new club should be pretty easy. The budget might even be increased."
Rinto widened his eyes dramatically: "Wow, Kawakami-sensei, you're amazing—definitely the best teacher in Shujin!"
"Hehe~ (! u !)♡"
Kawakami placed her hands proudly on her hips, unexpectedly cute.
Since Kamoshida, the school's former star, had fallen and brought obvious negative publicity, the principal desperately wanted to erase that stain with achievements from other clubs, quickly burying this shameful incident.
It wasn't necessarily a bad plan, just felt extremely superficial… exactly what he'd expect from that pumpkin-shaped principal.
Rinto cheerfully replied:
"Thanks so much for your help, Sensei. And sorry, but I'll be counting on you as our club advisor later. By the way, your dark circles are pretty heavy today—make sure you rest well. If you're ever tired, come sleep in our club room, we'll cover for you."
"—Wait, really? Is it that obvious?!" Kawakami immediately panicked.
She covered her eyes shamefully:
"It must be from working overtime these past two days. After the Kamoshida incident, every teacher had to give statements. Plus, my other part-time job's been busy too… Ah, never mind, don't worry about it. Hurry up and go already, go enjoy your youth, playboy."
Why was even his teacher calling him a playboy? Rinto suddenly felt deeply wronged.
After lunch, Rinto and the enthusiastic Takamaki Ann headed to the student council office.
Rinto knocked, and a clear, decisive voice responded: "Come in."
Entering together, they met the great student council president of Shujin Academy.
Rinto had seen her once before at the opening ceremony and remembered her distinctly.
She was different from most of the girls Rinto knew, exuding a sharp and refined aura.
She had precise, dignified features and short brown hair neatly trimmed just past her ears, subtly braided on one side—clearly showing off her honor-student personality.
Rinto also remembered her name clearly:
"You're Niijima Makoto-senpai, correct? I'm here to apply for establishing a new club—the Light Music Club."
"…Alright, please wait a moment."
This third-year senpai gave Rinto and Ann a careful look before standing to fetch the documents.
She handed the club-application form to Rinto, instructing him thoroughly:
"To establish a club, you'll need at least five members. Everyone has to fill in their names, class, and student IDs clearly. You'll also need a teacher's signature as an advisor."
"The student council will periodically check the club's activities and hold a club president's meeting every month to confirm each club's planned direction and schedule. Your club's activity budget depends on this too, so organizing your plans in advance will help greatly. Any other questions?"
"Nope. Your explanation was very clear, thank you."
Rinto's friendly smile widened even further.
This student council president left him a very good impression. She was more capable and professional than most adults he'd encountered during his various part-time jobs, and her instructions were clear and easy to follow.
Ordinary students might find her intimidating or overly serious, but Rinto appreciated exactly that sort of personality.
After graduation, someone like her would probably become a high-ranking corporate executive, he silently thought.
But when he reached to take the form from Niijima-senpai, he noticed she wasn't letting go.
They both held onto the form, prompting Rinto to silently question with his eyes.
"You're Asakura Rinto-kun, right? The transfer student in class 2-D."
The composed and dignified student council president gazed up at him with her clear, crimson eyes:
"You've become quite famous despite only recently transferring. Now that you're creating a club, have you already thought about your members? …Will Takamaki Ann-san here also join?"
Eh? Me? Ann pointed blankly at her own face.
She hadn't expected the student council president would even remember her name, shyly fiddling with her hair.
Rinto thought that remembering someone as strikingly noticeable as this half-foreigner Ann was perfectly normal. She stood out more than almost anyone else in school, after all.
Rinto answered promptly:
"Ann won't join. She has modeling work after school and is just accompanying me today."
"But the Yoshizawa twins from first year will join. I'll do my best to find two more members—would that work?"
"…Yes, that's fine."
The student council president didn't question further and promptly let go of the form.
She curled her lips slightly, smiling:
"Sorry for testing you just now. I'd heard you both had unpleasant experiences with Kamoshida earlier and wanted to make sure you weren't negatively affected."
"I've also heard about the Yoshizawa twins—the principal kept pressing me to recruit them into forming a gymnastics club. Since you've already gotten them to join another club, that's good for me as well. Thanks for your help."
Interesting, Rinto nodded: "Being the council president must be tough, having to run errands for the principal like this."
Niijima Makoto just smiled quietly, maintaining her flawless composure until the very end.
After leaving the student council room, Ann immediately tugged on Rinto's sleeve:
"That council president seemed scary! Her aura is so intimidating—she doesn't feel like a high-schooler at all… You think she's actually repeated several years? Maybe she's secretly a 24-year-old exchange student."
"I doubt it's that extreme," Rinto considered.
He thought about it a little more:
"She just seems serious and responsible. Plus, she was deliberately exerting pressure, like she wanted to test my reaction… actually felt pretty police-like. Who knows, maybe she's an undercover special agent pretending to be a student."
Perhaps due to his Phantom Thief habits, Rinto was quite sensitive to probing behaviors during conversations, making him appreciate the student council president even more.
Still, that was just idle speculation. Rinto didn't think a third-year female student posed any real threat.
It's not like she could coincidentally have an older sister who just happened to be a prosecutor at Tokyo's Special Investigation Unit, which just happened to be investigating increasingly strange online rumors about Phantom Thieves. And this sister just happened to ask her to investigate Kamoshida's sudden repentance at school, wondering if any students were involved?
Come on, get real. Reality wasn't some manga—it didn't need such contrived plot conveniences.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
Ann just seemed intimidated by the council president at first, but quickly forgot about it:
"So, Rinto, who are you thinking for the other two members?"
She counted on her fingers carefully: "We need five people, right? Currently it's just you and the twins, Kasumi and Sumire—still two short… If you really can't find anyone, Shiho and I could still join just to fill the numbers as ghost members."
"No need."
Rinto shook his head decisively: "Starting a club and immediately padding it with ghost members doesn't feel right. I'll manage. I'll also ask Kasumi and Sumire if there's anyone reliable from the first-years who could join."
Since he'd decided to start this club, Rinto wanted to do it properly. His sense of responsibility was always strong.
He was just a beginner, and the Yoshizawa twins were essentially members in name only—none of them could really play instruments yet.
Ideally, he'd find two experienced members with some real skill…
"…Actually, there is someone."
Rinto immediately had someone in mind.
...
After school that afternoon—
Rinto first went to the music classroom reserved for club activities and waited by the door.
Earlier during break, he'd asked around thoroughly to confirm the details.
It turned out that once the Light Music Club was officially formed, they could freely use the music room's instruments.
The school didn't have guitars or basses, but they did have electronic keyboards and a piano, and apparently quite high-end ones at that.
Upon hearing this good news, Rinto's chosen underclassman had been especially enthusiastic.
Not long after he began waiting, a graceful beauty appeared before him.
Togawa Sakiko stood neatly, clutching her schoolbag with both hands held properly in front.
With perfect posture and her slender legs neatly pressed together, she respectfully bowed to Rinto:
"Thank you very much for inviting me today, Rinto-senpai. I, Togawa Sakiko, am truly honored to join your esteemed club. Here is my application—please kindly review it."
"No, no, no, you don't need to be so formal!"
Rinto waved his hands frantically, strongly retorting against Sakiko's exaggerated politeness, as if she were at a corporate interview.
When Sakiko raised her head again, he clearly saw a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
This girl was deliberately teasing him! Seeing this, Rinto also laughed:
"My sweet, obedient kouhai has become a delinquent, huh? Now even daring to tease your senpai—what a naughty girl, you deserve punishment!"
"Hmph." Sakiko tilted her chin proudly. "Senpai, you're just a high-schooler too. We're only one year apart, you know? A little teasing can liven things u—Aiya~! Senpai, don't mess up my hair that much~!"
Rinto and Sakiko played around so intimately that anyone who knew them would've stared dumbfounded.
Wanting experienced members for the club, Rinto had immediately thought of Sakiko and invited her.
Back in her previous band, CRYCHIC, Sakiko had apparently been the keyboard player.
Plus, after their ice-breaking conversation at his part-time job—where she'd broken down crying spectacularly—she'd already dropped most of her polite facade around him.
Although they'd previously agreed to pretend not to know each other at school, that was only because there was no good reason otherwise.
Sakiko simply didn't want others knowing about her part-time job—not that she was afraid of people finding out how close she was with Rinto.
After messing with her hair for a bit, Rinto sincerely thanked her:
"Really, thank you, Sakiko, for agreeing so quickly after getting my message."
"But are you sure it's okay for you to join this club? If you're busy with your own things, you don't need to force yourself. I was just trying to gather enough members, anyway—I could always find another way."
"It's fine," Sakiko smiled warmly, straightening her hair.
"I'm free after school on weekdays and can easily participate in club activities. Being able to legitimately use keyboards and piano alone makes me very happy."
"And honestly, Senpai, you starting to learn an instrument is an unexpected delight for me… Senpai, are you thinking of forming a new band with Momoka-san? The kind aiming for an official debut, a commercial-level band?"
Sakiko's tone suddenly sharpened, her bright eyes staring intently as she asked this peculiar question.
Rinto answered honestly:
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet. I'm learning bass mainly to surprise Momoka and make her happy. She's having a bit of trouble with her music lately, so I want to encourage her quietly."
"And even if we do form a band, I think an all-female band would be better visually, right?"
Sakiko immediately nodded firmly. "Exactly, I completely agree."
That was unexpected. Rinto had meant it half-jokingly, but Sakiko responded with absolute seriousness.
Without a trace of humor, completely earnest, she continued:
"If you're aiming for a commercial debut, branding and marketing become essential. Mixed-gender bands have succeeded before, but that market is extremely competitive, making it very difficult for anyone our age to stand out."
"In contrast, due to the explosive popularity of girls' bands in recent years—this so-called 'Age of Girls' Bands'—the potential audience is far greater. Momoka-san's face—ah, I mean her visual appeal—is outstanding. Wasting that would be a terrible shame."
"…Sakiko, are you secretly a commercial-band enthusiast? You seem surprisingly knowledgeable about industry strategy."
Rinto was genuinely startled by Sakiko's fluent industry-speak, finding it difficult to connect her with the fragile girl who'd broken down in tears just a few days ago.
But she just kept smiling sweetly:
"I'm just studying investment and business strategies early, preparing for my future. These past two days, I've listened through every single song Momoka-san posted. Her talent deeply impressed me—I'm already her fan."
"So, if there's ever a chance, I'd very much like to visit your home, Senpai, and speak with Momoka-san personally. With someone of her professional-level skill as guitarist and vocalist, if I could tailor songs specifically for her, I'm sure—"
"Ah—! Rinto-nii is cheating on us with another cute girl! We're getting NTR'd! …Wait, Sumire, why are you excitedly taking out your phone? And even opening the video recorder? Are you seriously this thirsty?"
Rinto's twin girlfriends were truly gifted at catching him in suspicious moments.
Rinto and Sakiko exchanged knowing looks, sharing a quiet laugh.
He turned to face the twins:
"Don't talk nonsense. This kouhai is Togawa Sakiko-san, a first-year like you two."
"We met in the music room. When I saw how skilled she was at playing the piano, I invited her to join the club… Wait, what's that… creature beside you two?"
Rinto had intended to smoothly introduce Sakiko with their pre-planned story, but he couldn't possibly ignore the strange "creature" the twins were dragging along.
Kasumi and Sumire were each holding one hand of a girl frothing at the mouth, nearly convulsing, their own expressions twisted anxiously.
Seeing Rinto's confusion, Kasumi immediately puffed up her chest proudly:
"Don't freak out, Rinto-nii! This is our classmate, Gotoh Hitori!"
"We spoke to her for the first time today, and since she happened to carry the same kind of instrument case as you, we invited her to join the club! Plus, we checked—Gotoh-san's carrying a real guitar, not some fake knock-off bass like yours, Rinto-nii!"
The bass isn't a knock-off; they're entirely different instruments… Rinto silently defended his beloved bass in his heart.
But at Kasumi's explanation, Rinto finally remembered:
He had seen this trembling pink-haired girl once before—the one who'd accidentally witnessed him two-timing last week.
And now—
This girl, hair so long it covered her eyes, was shaking uncontrollably:
"Ahhh, I've been caught by the super-famous school idols—the gorgeous twin beauties—and dragged straight to the legendary playboy senpai… I'm finished! I'll definitely be toyed with mercilessly, turned into their plaything, bullied and humiliated, filmed secretly, blackmailed and extorted, becoming nothing more than a well-used rag, abused endlessly until I turn into second-hand goods, stained and forced to wash myself clean only to be tossed back for more, gradually becoming dependent and even liking it, willingly becoming their obedient pet until finally discarded like garbage in some back alley dumpster, becoming lunch for wild dogs…"
"Hey, Gotoh-san," Rinto interrupted helplessly. "Slow down your talking! At least pause to breath. Also, I swear I'm not the demon you just described—I'd never toss you into a dumpster."
"…Gotoh-san? Hitori? Like 'Hitori Bocchi'—completely alone… Bocchi?"
"—Ah, yes! I'm Bocchi! ( ´;ω;｀)"
Caught up deep in her own bizarre R18 fantasies, the strange kouhai suddenly snapped awake, inexplicably moved, when Rinto called her by the nickname derived from her name.