Macho Man Doesn't want a Slice-of-Life

Five minutes earlier.

"…"

"Why is Rinji-kun here in the 2nd-year building?" asked Kaguya, raising an eyebrow.

"I came to talk to the Mass Media Club. And you, Miss Shinomiya?"

"Same. Seems we have similar goals."

Rinji smiled. "Normally, I don't care much for you, but it's election season. Let's set our differences aside for now."

"Agreed."

Kaguya smiled coldly.

"Though from what I've heard, it seems you've gone to some… extreme lengths to help the president."

"Like you haven't done the same," Rinji replied, scornful.

"I merely gave the club presidents a little scare."

"I just threatened the election committee a bit."

"…"

"…"

Half a dozen of one, six of the other.

"Forget it—it's all for the sake of President's reelection," Kaguya said, offering her hand.

"For that goal, let's work together."

Rinji chuckled and shook her hand.

"Temporary alliance during election season."

"Pleasure working with you."

The two walked off toward the Mass Media Club office.

"What's your purpose there?" Kaguya asked.

"To publish a favorable article on the president and increase his visibility."

"I'm there to lobby the club head and get them to vote for him."

"Same end, different route."

Kaguya glanced down the hallway. "The club head owes me a favor—I saved her from falling into a canal in our first year. She won't turn me down."

Her expression turned steely. "But if she refuses for the sake of fairness…"

"Then I'll take over," Rinji said. "Her father runs a news agency. I've got plenty of leverage."

"Kindness first, coercion second. Let's go."

They were about to step out when they spotted a male student talking to the two Newspaper girls.

"That's Karen Kino, Erika Kose… and one of the candidates, Hayato Hongo?"

"Someone beat us here?" Rinji frowned. "Let's see what he's up to first."

So the two of them hid around the corner, quietly listening in.

---

"Hidden corruption in the election would make for a big scoop."

Hongo said with a sly grin.

Karen's expression turned sharply cold.

"What are you plotting, Hongo?"

"Well, I was thinking—"

"Are you trying to die?"

"Eh?"

Startled by her sudden threat, he looked again and saw Karen's empty, lifeless stare.

"You dare smear President Shirogane?"

"N-no…"

"Alright, alright—Karen's just a little emotional," Erika quickly pulled her aside, then turned to Hongo with a perfunctory smile.

"We'll be going. Best of luck with the election."

"…Tch."

Watching the two girls leave, Hongo clicked his tongue and walked away in the opposite direction.

"I was hoping to damage Shirogane's reputation and grab some votes. Now I'll need a new plan."

"Excuse me, are you Hongo-san?"

A gentle female voice called out. Hongo looked up to see Kaguya, standing before him with a graceful smile.

"You're Shinomi—mmph!?"

Just as he tried to speak, someone clamped a cloth over his mouth from behind. His consciousness quickly faded.

Thud!

Hongo collapsed. Rinji stood behind him, expression cold.

"Shinomiya, status report."

"Both side corridors are clear, but the front hallway has scattered students," she replied.

"Then we go out the back."

Rinji pulled out a large rolling suitcase from behind. He stuffed Hongo inside, zipped it closed, and stood up.

"Let's move."

"Right."

---

"Ugh…"

Hongo slowly opened his bleary eyes, only to find himself in a dim classroom. A single desk lamp lit up the space before him.

Two students stood in front of him, as if they had been waiting.

"Who are you—?"

"Hayato Hongo, age 17, Class 2-C. Father owns a textile factory. Mother is an executive. Your household currently has—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Rinji recited every detail of his background.

"You—"

Click.

Rinji turned on the lamp. The sudden bright light stunned Hongo, disorienting him.

"You've got guts, kid. Spreading rumors about the president. Do you even realize the consequences—for you and your family? You don't wanna say goodbye to them, do you?"

"…"

Hongo finally recognized the boy in front of him—Takamine Rinji, first-year, former student council treasurer, suspended for a month due to a violent incident. A known dangerous figure.

And beside him stood Kaguya Shinomiya, the former vice president and one of the school's most popular students.

'These two… they're from Shirogane's camp.'

"Honestly, Rinji-kun, you'll scare him like that."

Kaguya handed Hongo a cup of tea, smiling sweetly—yet with unmistakable menace.

"Have some tea. I added Monk fruit extract instead of sugar, so no need to worry about calories~"

"…I…"

"No need to be afraid. While I could ruin your family overnight, I won't—if you promise to wait until next year to run. I'll even support your campaign next time," Kaguya cooed.

Hongo trembled in fear.

"Shinomiya, now he's even more scared."

Rinji laughed and casually slung an arm over his shoulder.

"No need to be nervous, Hongo. I'm not going to bankrupt your family. Just one question…"

"W-what is it?"

"You wanna go to Africa?"

"…?!"

---

That same day, Hayato Hongo voluntarily withdrew from the student council election.