Volume 1 Chapter 11: The Plan That Can't Fail
In the first sports arena.
After school, Hikigaya trailed behind Ichinose and the others and arrived at the sports arena.
At this moment, the arena was already filled with quite a few people.
Hikigaya’s mouth twitched as he accidentally spotted the eccentric Himenoshita Himeno and the arrogant girl Himenoshita Haruno. Without hesitation, he chose to avoid them.
Before long, a cute girl with a ponytail appeared on the stage.
She introduced herself as the student council secretary, Tachibana Akane.
She started the orientation with a straightforward manner, more likable than the stiff principal.
Afterward, a group of people took the stage, introducing the charms of their respective clubs and the benefits of joining.
It wasn’t particularly interesting.
The members of Class B, including Shibata, were excited, discussing various topics. No one bothered him since he didn’t show interest.
In the audience, student council members were distributing club brochures.
Hikigaya also received one and flipped through it.
The exquisite design, artistic skills, and layout of the brochure made him marvel at the high capabilities of the school.
By the way, are you guys really students? You’re so outstanding; you might as well graduate and become corporate slaves.
As Hikigaya flipped through the brochure, he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
The school’s benefits were indeed outstanding, with facilities that were not only complete but also at a top-notch global level. For example, the sports department had various fitness equipment, top-notch coaching, management, and dining services, which were all of the highest standards. These were things that other schools couldn’t possibly have, and some might not even have heard of.
The crucial point was that each person received a department budget of 5,000 points per month.
After all, there were free snacks.
These funds seemed to be prepared for the sports club members who lost personal points. After all, with the existence of free snacks, and considering the energy consumption of the sports club every day, other clubs also had their own budget.
The more members, the more funds.
These funds were mainly used to replenish various small items for each department. For example, the football team’s energy drinks and daily consumables. Other training equipment, as well as shoes and uniforms, were the school’s responsibility.
Although there were restrictions on the use of funds, they were generally sufficient, considering a very comprehensive approach.
“Wait a minute, doesn’t this mean…” Hikigaya’s mouth twitched in excitement.
Although each club had restrictions on how they could use their funds, for example, the literature club’s budget couldn’t be used to buy energy drinks or football-related items, only for purchasing books, stationery, and so on.
But in other words, as long as the club’s coverage was broad enough!
You could use the club’s budget to replace your own daily expenses.
In short.
Turn the funds into your own money!
Although it might not cover every aspect of life, it could certainly cover a significant portion.
For example, establishing a gaming club could allow him to get computers and handheld consoles for free. However, most people joining clubs did so out of passion.
They genuinely loved the projects they were involved in, making it highly unlikely for them to agree to such a scheme. Moreover, the school’s clubs were singular, with limited coverage. Only with a club covering a broad spectrum could one exploit the school’s resources.
Hikigaya was perplexed; such an obvious loophole couldn’t have gone unnoticed. Over fifty years of the school’s existence, surely someone must have attempted this before. Regardless, that wasn’t crucial.
The most important thing was that he found a way to convince the school to establish a max coffee corner.
“Don’t be nervous, senpai, do your best!”
“Haha, don’t you have a big banner prepared?”
At that moment, laughter and teasing surrounded Hikigaya, capturing his attention.
He looked up to the stage, where a senior in a school uniform stood confidently at the microphone, calmly observing the freshmen.
Soon, the initial mocking laughter reached its peak, followed by silence. The relaxed atmosphere in the gymnasium transformed, much like a chemical reaction, into an unbelievably tense and silent setting.
Anyone could sense that now wasn’t the time for casual chatter.
Hikigaya silently swallowed, wondering if this guy had somehow used “The World” or if he was some kind of esper.
Wait, can I still move?
Thinking about it, Hikigaya turned his head. Oh, I can still move. That’s a relief!
“I am Horikita Manabu, serving as the Student Council President.”
The self-proclaimed pseudo-esper took the microphone, speaking with a gentle tone and a calm demeanor, gradually bringing others under his control.
Could it be that he’s the only one unaffected? Hikigaya wondered.
So, he’s still a psychic?
Hikigaya’s thoughts drifted into the realm of the absurd. However, the name “Horikita” caught his attention. Hikigaya glanced at the arrogant girl not far away, wondering if they had any connection.
“As the seniors graduate, the Student Council will recruit candidates from the first-year students. Candidates do not need any special conditions, but if you want to join the Student Council, please avoid joining other clubs. Those who wish to join both the Student Council and other clubs will not be accepted as a general principle.”
After the smooth speech, the pseudo-esper left the stage, exiting the gymnasium. The first-year students could only watch him leave, as if speaking would twist their bodies into pretzels due to some unknown force.
Hikigaya tightened his fist, took a deep breath, and never expected that the one with the authority to decide the fate of Max Coffee would be a psychic. It was terrifying, but anyone who dared to stop the birth of the Coffee God would become his enemy. Faithful followers of Max Coffee would never forgive such interference!
“Great job, everyone. The briefing ends here. We will now begin accepting club applications. Additionally, since club applications will continue until the end of April, those who wish to apply later, please bring the application form directly to the club you want to join!”
Tachibana casually finished the announcement, and the tense atmosphere in the room gradually dissipated. Hikigaya asked someone for an application form and sat down to fill it out.
“Which club are you applying for, Hikigaya-san?”
At this time, Ichinose came over with a group of friends from Class B.
“Uh? Hikigaya-san is filling out an application? What club is it?”
The group behind them was chattering incessantly, as if he were some popular figure.
“Uh— the Wool Club?”
Hikigaya wasn’t entirely sure. After all, the original intention was to fleece the wool, so wouldn’t the Wool Club be appropriate?
His words instantly caused Ichinose, Shibata and others to fall into silence. It took a while before Ichinose said in confusion:, “I didn’t hear about this club just now. What kind of club is it?”
“It’s sort of like the Go Home Club”
Hikigaya wasn’t sure about the club’s activities.
Ichinose and others fell silent again. This classmate’s personality seemed a bit abnormal.
“Well, I’ll go submit my application.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow, Hikigaya-san!”
Hikigaya, holding the freshly filled-out application, stood up and left. Ichinose and the others waved their arms, smiling. When he arrived at the acceptance counter under the stage, a long line had formed. After waiting for a while, it was finally his turn.
“This is my application—”
“If it’s an application, please submit it directly to the club you wish to join. The club president will be responsible for reviewing it.”
Before he could finish speaking, the girl with the round head interrupted him, if his memories are right, her name is Tachibana Akane
Tachibana-san, this way of responding won’t make you an excellent Student Council member.
“Here’s my application for founding a club and the opinion paper.”
Hikigaya handed over two sheets of A4 paper.
“Hmm?”
Tachibana took it, glanced at it, and her mouth twitched. Then she earnestly nodded and said, “We have received your opinion. The Student Council will respond within three working days. Next!”
Tachibana-san, this standardized response won’t fool me. It’s too perfunctory.
Hikigaya helplessly turned away. The Max Coffee plan must not fail!