Office Pool Party¹

*typing*

…Kaede…

*typing*

I wanted to stay quiet so I didn’t distract you, but I can’t keep doing this.

Tell me what happened.

What are you working on that’s making you stare at your screen with murderous intent like that…?!

Oh, I see. That makes sense.

You have got to come up with some better analogies.

*typing*

Hah.

Haha.

Well, don’t you two look happy? You look like parents watching your kid play with building blocks.

Hey… Ah, T-Ten! You’re here!

Hey, Renga-san.

Um, I was wondering if you wanted to go to that izakaya again later today… Since you treated me to sushi at your place, uh…

Oh, are you gonna pay for me tonight? Sick.

…I heard a banging noise from outside. I assume you are to blame for that, Kaede.

*typing*

President Oguro, what is our vetting process like for choosing our mayor candidates?

Up to you.

I understand.

*typing*

Oh, Asu High…? Brings back memories.

So you’re choosing the new mayors. I see… It’s not easy to work with kids.

I’m done…! I gotta hurry back to the school⁠—

I am afraid the gates have already closed.

Huh?

Since today was the last day before summer vacation, they closed earlier than usual.

N-No way… I wanted to get my revenge…!

I believe it is too early to give up. It just so happens that, in an effort to ring in the holiday…

The student council president, Kuraku Yumenosuke, is inviting all 10,000 students to a house party.

What?!

I suspect that the five students you are looking for will be in attendance. We may find them there.

Yeah, that makes sense! Let’s go!

In that case, please change into these clothes.

What’s this?

The party seems to have a dress code. The theme this time is “young lead of a movie.”

I poured all of my emotions into every thread while creating this piece in case this day would come.

You made that yourself? That’s crazy.

Thank you so much!

Make sure you’re ready in about five minutes. I just called a ride for you. Stay safe, and good luck.

Do your best out there. I’ll make your favorite for dinner.

I don’t really get what’s going on, but… Take care of yourself!

Thanks, everyone! I’ll see you later!

Wow… This is way bigger than your typical student house party.

There’s a pool and a DJ booth…and even a bar. They’re probably not serving alcohol though.

And there are so many security guards everywhere.

The Kurakus are very well-known politicians.

The large parties they hold in their garden are famous nation-wide.

Oh, I see. That makes sense. Those five boys have to be somewhere here.

I’m gonna go ask around.

Understood. I shall see you afterward.

Isotake? Didn’t he get involved in a murder? He’s insane.

Nah, there’s no way he and his buds were invited. Who knows what kinda crazy shit they’d pull?

Kurama? That guy weirds me out. Nobody wants him around.

Kaguya’s the vice prez who walks around wearing that helmet, right? He’s got a fanclub since a lot of people think he’s pretty or whatever, but I think he’s a freak.

Oh, his name is Kinugawa? Didn’t know that. But I do know Nanamegi. He’s pretty popular for his good looks.

Nanamegi-kun’s been hard to talk to since that one thing happened. Sucks for him, since the girls are all over him. You probably shouldn’t get involved with those guys.

(People don’t really seem to like them…)

(I guess that incident they got suspended for gave them a bad rep. I should’ve looked into it…)

Excuse me!

Y-Yes?

Are you looking for the troupe of criminals?

C-Criminals…?

It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kuraku Yumenosuke, the Hama Asunaro High School student council president. Thank you for coming to the party today.

Ah, yes… Thank you for having me.

With a student body of 10,000, I believe that it is essential for our students to form close relationships with each other, and…

This party is held to help foster those bonds! It also serves as a place to cultivate healthy mental development in our students! To ensure peace of mind for all attendees, including the students’ guardians, each area has…

Been equipped with the Kuraku family’s powerful security guards, who have protected and raised us for three generations.

Since you are searching for the troupe of criminals, I would be ever so grateful if you could take them under your wing and facilitate the healthy growth of those young men!

(He keeps talking even though I never asked…)

(And those “powerful security guards” he talked about are staring at me. They probably think I’m trespassing…)

I’m so sorry, I should have introduced myself sooner. Here’s my card.

A business card…! Thank you very much. Hmm… The Community Improvement Club…

So you’re their advisor!

Yes. I’m here today as part of my job.

I see. I understand the situation! Please, excuse my rudeness for so selfishly doubting you. I deeply apologize!

We deeply apologize!

It’s okay, you didn’t know…

Thank you so much for your kindness… Before you return to your search, may I have a bit more of your time?

Yes, that’s…fine…

I used to have a vice president whom I trusted more than anyone else. No matter what life had in store for me, I knew I could always put my faith in him. Or so I thought…

Until he entirely broke my trust in him one fateful night!

It happened a month ago. The old school building, the symbol of our gilded history as an institution, the school where my father—who is now a cabinet minister—studied… He blew it all to pieces!

And working alongside him were four equally-depraved scoundrels!

(H-He blew it up?! Is that what the “incident” was…?)

Among those five were students who used to be adored by their fellow classmates, but now everyone in the group are all rank 1.

Talk about hitting rock bottom.

(There’s that “rank” thing again.)

Do not speak ill will. Rank discrimination will lead to criticism of our school’s education system.

No… In that case, it would be the fault of said rank 1 students. It is a given that they should be criticized for their acts of betrayal.

Um, may I ask what “ranks” are?

Oh, you aren’t aware?

I’m sorry, not really…

Allow me to explain in layman’s terms. The ranking system is a tradition at our institution.

There are five different ranks. Students who excel in their studies or their club activities are the highest rank, rank 5…

And those who neglect their duties are given rank 1 in order to encourage them to be more diligent.

The dedicated students in rank 5 are treated favorably for their efforts. They receive higher-quality food in the cafeteria, privileges for their clubs, the right to speak, and above all else, they are the envy of all other students. Like me, for example.

Rank 1 students are the direct opposite. I am sure you can infer how they are treated.

(I guess rank 1 students are ostracized… I see.)

Do you understand the situation that you find yourself in? Or do you still intend on finding those five?

I’ll still look for them.

*scoff* I see. I suppose you must see them for yourself. Please, take a glass.

Everyone! Let us make a toast to the end of our school semester! With our champagne-adjacent carbonated drinks!

(If I were rank 1 and knew that I wasn’t welcome here…)

(I wouldn’t be attending this party. It’d be too awkward.)

(Maybe I should leave and approach things a little differently…)

Ah! I spilled my champagne-adjacent carbonated drink! Does anyone have a tissue?

There are a bunch of pocket tissue packs over there.

I don’t wanna use those… They’d probably curse me or something.

(What kind of tissues would curse you…?)

(Hm?)

(There’s an ad on the back…)

(Wait, is this from Akuta-kun?! The date⁠—)

It’s today!