Hearing the name "Service Club," Kasumigaoka Utaha gave Luo Shu a long, meaningful look before reminding him, "While I can't deny that a follower's role is to serve their god, there's no way a club with that name would pass school scrutiny."
"In fact, you probably wouldn't even meet the bare minimum of three members to establish a club."
While silently grumbling to herself—'What the hell kind of name is "Service Club"?'—Utaha held back from saying it aloud. She had a strong feeling that any sarcastic comment she made would be twisted around and mocked by this guy, so she just let it go.
Luo Shu burst into laughter. "Relax, I was just kidding."
Then he added, "The name I really had in mind is the Astronomy Club. In my understanding, astrology and celestial phenomena have always played a major role in mysticism. Plus, it's a very normal-sounding name, one that won't attract too much attention. That's a pretty solid advantage, wouldn't you agree?"
Utaha didn't object to his reasoning, though she did add, "I seem to recall there's already an Astronomy Enthusiasts Club on campus."
"That's not a problem," Luo Shu replied, stretching his neck with a crack. "There's nothing in the school rules that says you can't have duplicate departments."
That may be true, Utaha thought, but most schools wouldn't actually approve a second club with the same theme... She was about to say so, but then remembered that, as the top student in her class, she did carry a bit of influence with the teachers. So, in the end, she just nodded.
"And what about a third member?" she asked. "I hate to admit this, but... I don't exactly have any 'close friends' in school."
Hearing that, Luo Shu gave her a curious look. "Why would you assume that I, a transfer student from China who got into a fight on his first day in this bullying-prone island nation, would have any so-called 'friends'?"
Utaha blinked, surprised by how naturally he said that. Then, for some reason, her expression softened with unexpected empathy. "So, you too, huh?"
"'Me too' what? A social pariah?"
He said it flatly, but Utaha didn't answer. She simply smiled and said, "If that's the case, then it seems our grand plan to build a pantheon might die in the cradle—unable to even form a proper club."
Then, pausing deliberately, she flashed him a teasing smile. "Of course, if our dear Lord God could put that pretty face of his to work, maybe luring in a girl or two wouldn't be too hard?"
Luo Shu gave her a strange look. "Why me luring in girls? Why not you luring in boys?"
"Because I'm too good-looking," Utaha said matter-of-factly, arms crossed and one bare foot tapping confidently. "If I sent out that kind of signal to a guy, there's a real chance he'd get the wrong idea and do something stupid. Girls, though? You know how many of them adore me at school. So, is that explanation good enough for you, Lord God?"
Luo Shu sighed. "You know, I've never heard any rumors at school saying, 'Kasumigaoka Utaha is incredibly full of herself.'"
Deciding to drop the banter, he drained the rest of his coffee and set the cup down. After thinking for a moment, he said, "As for a third member, I do have someone in mind."
"Who?" Utaha asked, intrigued.
"Spencer Sawamura Eriri. First year."
"The Art Club's Flower?" Utaha immediately knew who he was referring to. Even she had heard of the girl who caused a stir among the boys the moment she entered Toyosaki Academy, and whom gossipers were quick to label as her equal—the other "untouchable beauty" on campus.
"I heard her father works at the British Embassy in Japan. So that's it, huh... You want to use her as one of our early targets for contact?"
But then something in Luo Shu's expression made her pause.
A thought struck her. "Wait… does that mean Spencer Eriri also has 'the aptitude'?"
"Most likely," Luo Shu replied flatly, not offering any more detail.
Of course, he couldn't very well tell Utaha: "I saw your novel with Eriri. You're both obviously the heroines of this story." That kind of thing would get him beaten to death. With a steel bat.
"So, when you say 'most likely,'" Utaha muttered, "you mean one hundred percent."
Well, it made sense. Luo Shu was a god, after all. Even a fallen one should still have pretty accurate instincts.
"In that case, it's decided. After school tomorrow, do you want me to be the one who approaches her, or will you?"
Seeing her so proactive, Luo Shu gave it some thought and replied, "You go. Girl-to-girl is easier. I'll handle the persuasion afterward."
"Got it," Utaha nodded in understanding. After all, Luo Shu did have a bit of a reputation as a violent delinquent. If he tried inviting a first-year girl with a pristine image, the chances of being suspected and rejected were quite high.
Thinking about everything she'd have to handle tomorrow—attending class, approaching Eriri, sorting out the club—Utaha let out a soft sigh. "Looks like we've got a lot on our plates."
"Yep," Luo Shu echoed, his tone heavier. "Funding for the club, intel networks, equipment sources, training grounds for hand-to-hand combat and firearms... And of course, investigating the monster that's been chasing you. All things we'll need to look into."
Utaha's expression froze as she listened.
Luo Shu noticed the way she was staring at him and rubbed his chin. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Her lips twitched. "I just realized... If you weren't actually a god, the first time I ever saw you might've been on one of NHK's anti-mafia exposés."
"..."
You might as well just call me a yakuza boss outright, Luo Shu grumbled internally. Then he took out his phone and said, "Alright, enough nonsense. Let's add each other on LINE. We'll need to stay in touch at school."
He clicked his tongue. "Too bad you don't use WeChat. That would've made things easier."
"I can learn," Utaha offered immediately.
"No need," Luo Shu waved her off. "We'll probably be setting up an internal network soon anyway. Might as well get used to whatever system we're going to use long-term."
They exchanged LINE IDs. Luo Shu stood up and stretched. "Alright, everything's settled. I'll head out now."
But just as he turned to go, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
Startled, he looked back. "Something else?"
Utaha hesitated, then asked in a small voice, "Could you... maybe stay the night?"