"Takamine, I have a task for you."
"I'm listening, President."
After school, Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika had left for their club activities.
Takamine Rinji originally planned to head to his astronomy club—which basically existed for slacking—but was called into the student council office by Shirogane.
"Here's the situation. As part of the student council duties, we're responsible for allocating club activity funds. The money comes from donations by the OB Association (Alumni Association)," Shirogane said while taking out a form.
These donations from the OB Association were generally used as student council funds, club budgets, and for class field trips.
Since most Shuchiin Academy graduates were top elites in various fields, the donation amounts were substantial.
"Let me see."
Rinji took the form and skimmed it. It listed the total funds available this quarter, as well as the spending of each club from the previous one.
"Ten million yen in total, and the baseball club gets three million?"
"Well, it's an athletic club after all."
At Shuchiin, aside from hierarchy by family background, there was also a massive pyramid based on club prestige.
At the top were the athletic clubs, second was the ping-pong club, third were the cultural clubs, fourth were the go-home club (those who leave right after school), and at the bottom was the manga club.
Club prestige directly affected popularity. A benchwarmer from a sports club was more popular than the president of a cultural club.
By the way, sports club members usually had no problem getting girlfriends.
"The manga club is below even the go-home club? Japan really looks down on otaku."
"Well, it's a pretty serious situation."
"So, what's the task, President?" Rinji asked.
"I want you to handle the distribution of club budgets," Shirogane said. "I usually do it myself, but now that we have a treasurer, I'd like you to take it over."
"Got it. Anything I should be aware of?"
"Try to save where possible. The economy isn't doing well, and donations have been decreasing year by year. Trim the budget a bit," Shirogane said.
"Oh… so can we pocket the extra money?"
"…What kind of question is that? Of course not," Shirogane said, facepalming in frustration. "Every time we allocate club funds, it's a huge headache."
"Because of the Club Union?"
"Pretty much. There are some people over there we can't afford to offend…"
"I got it. Leave this to me."
Rinji took the papers.
"But to ensure fairness, I'll need to visit each club for inspection."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
---
On the rooftop, the clubroom for Rinji and Ryuju Momo's astronomy club.
"Budget, huh?"
After hearing Rinji's explanation, Momo barely reacted, continuing to lie on a cushion playing on her phone.
"Just keep it the same as before. We don't really need club funds anyway."
"The economy's not great. Can I just cut it in half?"
"No. I may laze around on the roof most of the time, but we still need the funds—for telescopes and models sometimes."
"Our club actually does normal activities?"
"Of course. Otherwise, the school wouldn't approve us."
"…Fine. Budget stays the same."
Rinji scribbled down the astronomy club's quarterly budget.
---
Inside the kendo dojo.
The kendo club president, dressed in a uniform and holding a bamboo sword, stared at Rinji coldly.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to evaluate the kendo club and distribute budget accordingly," Rinji said flatly.
"Club funds? Wasn't that Shirogane's job?"
"I'm the student council treasurer. It's mine now."
"Tch. Can't believe someone like you got into the council."
"Okay, slandering a council member—your club's budget gets cut in half."
"What!? Are you serious!?"
"Completely," Rinji said to the furious club president.
"Then do your job properly! Cutting funds just because you feel like it!?"
"Okay, new reason: because you're the club president, your funds get cut."
"How is that any better!?"
"You're still not satisfied? You're really such a drama queen."
Completely ignoring the furious face of the Kendo Club captain, Takamine Rinji casually picked at his ear with a finger and continued speaking.
"Then I'll say this—I hate your hedgehog haircut. So, your activity budget needs to be halved."
"Are you kidding me?! You're just finding an excuse to cut our funding!"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Based on what?! Our Kendo Club has won the national high school kendo championship two years in a row! What reason do you have to cut our funds?!"
"Because I'm the student council treasurer, so what I say goes."
"...What?"
"I said the calculation!"
"What the hell are you even saying?"
"Alright, seeing how pissed off you are, I'll give you a more reasonable explanation."
Putting down the forms in his hand, Takamine Rinji stared at the enraged Kendo Club captain in front of him.
"I think your club's overall skill level is mediocre, and there are signs of people slacking off. So I'm cutting your funds."
"And what makes you qualified to say that?"
"Because you, the club captain, can't even beat me, the treasurer."
"...Oh yeah?" The captain sneered. "Then how about we settle it inside?"
"Been waiting for you to say that."
After taking off his shoes, Takamine Rinji followed the captain into the dojo, where other club members were still practicing with bamboo swords.
The captain suited up with the help of other members and cleared a spot in the center of the room.
"Do you need me to get you some armor?"
The captain looked at Takamine Rinji, who was still in his school uniform.
"No need."
Rinji casually grabbed a bamboo sword off the rack and gave it a few swings.
From the way he held the sword, he was clearly an amateur.
"Just so you know, I recently achieved third dan in kendo," the captain frowned. "Are you really not going to wear armor?"
"Doesn't matter. If you hurt me, you won't be getting a single cent from your budget."
"..."
What a despicable man.