I Thought It Was a World Where Chastity Norms Were Reversed, But It Turns Out I Was Just Surrounded by the Overly Intense Girls in My Class - Chapter 31: What Happened When I Tried Returning the Sunglasses to the Yankees

Chapter 31: What Happened When I Tried Returning the Sunglasses to the Yankees

The shogi club gained two new members, bringing the total to three.

We still need one more person to meet the requirements for an official club.

“What the hell does calling us behind the gym even mean?”

“You gotta tell us what this is about first, man.”

That’s why, after classes ended, I called the yankees behind the gym.

My main goal was to return the sunglasses, but since I was at it, I figured I’d recruit them for the club too.

By the way, the reason I chose behind the gym is simple.

It just felt right. Yankees and behind the gym go together.

“I called you here today because there’s a surprise.”

The moment I said “surprise,” the yankees looked at each other.

I could see unease deep in their eyes.

What’s wrong? Did they have a bad dream or something?

“Actually, I went to a dojo the other day.”

“Eek…”

“And on the way, I got hold of these.”

As I spoke, I pulled the sunglasses out of my pocket.

“What do you think? Ring any bells?”

“Bells… wait, these are mine!”

“These are the sunglasses I couldn’t find anywhere, man!”

When they took them from me, the two stared hard at the sunglasses. It looked like these really were the ones they’d lost.

If so, I’m really glad I could get them back.

“Hey, where did you find them?”

“Near the dojo. Some dog was wearing them.”

“A dog?”

“Here, look at this.”

I took out my phone and showed them the photo Kagurazaka-san had sent me.

Then they jumped like they’d been shocked.

“What the hell is this huge dog!?”

“That’s way beyond dog size, man!”

“You think so? Sure, it’s a little big.”

“You didn’t actually catch a wolf and take the sunglasses back, did you?”

“It’s not a wolf, it’s a dog… but yeah. It had escaped, so I caught it.”

“”That’s insane…””

Their voices overlapped.

The sunglasses yankee’s eyes were shaking deep in their sockets, and the Mohican’s cheeks were twitching.

It was obvious they were shaken.

“This guy’s no ordinary dude.”

“Getting called behind the gym by someone like him… we’re screwed, man.”

“What are you two whispering about? I’ve got something else to talk about.”

After returning the sunglasses, it’s time for club recruitment.

If I can get these two to join here, we’ll be a lot closer to officially starting the shogi club. This is the moment to push.

I made up my mind, put on a smile, and stepped closer.

“Eek…”

Every time I did, they backed away, so to show I was friendly, I spread both arms wide and closed the distance.

“It’s okay. No need to be scared. Actually, I’ve got good news today.”

The moment their backs hit the gym wall, the Mohican opened his mouth like he was about to scream.

“So that’s why you gave us the sunglasses back… for that, man?”

“For that?”

“To sell us a favor so we’d agree… this is the real deal.”

The sunglasses yankee muttered like he’d figured it out.

“I’m not sure what you mean, but you really don’t have to worry. Everyone starts as a beginner, and if you keep at it, you’ll eventually win someday.”

“Who are you planning to crush next!”

“Nobody in particular. If anything, someone stronger than you.”

Surpassing yesterday’s self and beating opponents you couldn’t before. That’s one of the joys of shogi.

“So it’s really fine. Let’s get strong together.”

I smiled brightly and held out my hand.

They stared at my arm, trembling.

They still couldn’t make up their minds, it seemed. But since they hadn’t refused right away, they must be hesitating.

If so, I need to give them that final push.

Thinking that, I took a deep breath, put on a bold grin, and spoke.

Like showing my resolve as club president.

Like making them want to follow me.

“Hey, you two.”

“Want to get strong—with me?”

In that instant, silence fell behind the gym.

Even the wind stopped, and nothing ruled the area.

After a while—

“”Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!””

The two screamed at the same time, swatted my hand away, and ran off frantically.

“This is bad, way too bad!”

“There’s definitely some hidden meaning, man!”

“Yeah. If we get any closer, he’ll seriously kill us!”

“No way we can beat a guy who takes down wolves, man!”

Wolves?

“No, I told you, it’s a regular dog. And I didn’t beat it up or anything.”

I chased after them, trying to calmly explain,

“Don’t come neaaaarrrr!”

“Bullying the weak isn’t cool, man!”

But they rejected me completely.

They kept running full speed, kicking up sand,

turned the corner of the gym, charged right through the badminton club’s practice area,

and in no time, the distance grew—

“Those guys are way too fast.”

They vanished from sight in seconds.

Left alone, I caught my breath and wondered.

“…Why did they run away?”

I just gave them the sunglasses back as a friendly gesture.

I just approached in a friendly way.

I just wanted to increase club members.

I just held out my hand behind the gym.

Why did they run like that?

“…Recruiting is hard.”

I thought once again.

No wonder the tennis club uses such aggressive methods. Surrounding someone in a big group and dragging them to the court by force.

Their recruitment style might be efficient in its own way.

“Should I drag those guys to the club room by force next time?”

That could work too.

I’ll try it when I get the chance.