[BL Fanfiction] The Popularity Phase, Strikes Again ③
Toudou: "I see. So, you threw a stone to knock down a feather that was caught on a tree branch, and then walked away without even waiting for a thank you?"
The club members are analyzing Arakita in the clubroom.
Bam!
Kuroda slammed both fists onto the long desk and shouted.
Kuroda: "If someone did that to me! I'd fall for them too!"
Arakita: "Huh?"
Manami: "If it were me, I'd jump on Arakita-san from behind as he walked away."
Shinkai: "I'd pin him down right there."
Arakita: "That's not funny."
Arakita put both feet up on the long desk.
Arakita: "I mean, seriously. Anyone would do that in that situation, right? If I had to deal with becoming a fan favorite over something like that, I'd have a harem in no time. You guys are exaggerating."
Izumida: "You say 'anyone,' but Arakita-san, you're the only one who could pull off a stunt like that."
Arakita: "Ha?"
Toudou: "Izumida is right. A normal person would just bring a broom or a long pole."
Manami: "And climbing the tree clumsily could lead to a serious fall, after all."
Arakita: "..."
Shinkai: "Hitting a pebble with one shot like that is something only a former pitcher like you could do."
Shinkai pointed his finger at Arakita and made a finger-gun gesture.
Toudou: "In any case, it is a fact that an Arakita fan club has been formed. Welcome, Arakita. To our world!"
Toudou reached out to shake Arakita's hand.
Arakita: "I don't need a fan club, it's a pain in the ass!"
Arakita brushed his hand away.
Toudou: "It is the result brought about by your own thoughtless actions. You must accept it."
Arakita: "...Guh."
Toudou: "Having more fan clubs is a good thing. It's a barometer of popularity. If the number of fans increases, the popularity of the cycling club will also rise. Then, the number of members will increase, and the budget will also increase. It is directly linked to our contribution."
Toudou praised him, but Arakita shook his head and sighed.
Arakita: "No way, no way. I'd have to decide on various rules and manage it, right?"
Shinkai: "You don't have to do anything. Jinpachi is about the only one who manages it of his own volition. I've never even waved back. I just accept gifts. Manami, how about you?"
Manami: "I just answer 'Yes!' when someone says 'Manami-kun!' and 'Thank you!' when someone says 'Good luck!'"
Arakita: "I don't need gifts, and I don't want to say 'Yes' or 'Thank you' either..."
Arakita gradually loses his energy.
Toudou: "You don't need to worry. When fans gather, discipline naturally emerges. Like, no jumping the queue. So, it's highly unlikely that a romance will develop with any of the fans."
Kuroda: "That's a bit of a relief."
Arakita: "Mind your own business."
Toudou: "However, to avoid causing trouble, you need to be considerate enough to shower everyone with equal love."
Arakita: "No way~ That's such a pain~"
Arakita holds his head in his hands.
Shinkai: "You don't have to shower them with equal love, Yasutomo. You can just ignore them equally."
Arakita: "Hm?"
Shinkai: "Yasutomo's fans seem to be a different type from ours. I don't think there'd be a problem even if you kept them at arm's length."
Arakita: "...Is that so? If that's the case, then I guess it's fine."
Arakita feels a little relieved by Shinkai's advice.
However, he had ended up with a troublesome situation on his hands.
What should he do starting tomorrow?
Arakita couldn't sleep that night.
The next day.
Izumida: "Alright, line up, line up!"
Outside the clubroom, Izumida is lining the girls up in a single file.
Various goods were displayed on a long table that had been set up.
Fans with "LOVE Arakita" written on them.
Headbands with "Go Arakita" written on them.
Towels with "Shut up, idiot" written on them.
And so on, were piled up.
The female Arakita fans were squealing with delight as they bought them.
Kuroda: "Toichiro... did you make these? In one night?"
Kuroda is beyond angry and is just dumbfounded.
Izumida: "I've set aside your share, Yuki. Here, a complete set."
He hands a bag containing one of every item to Kuroda.
Kuroda: "Ugh... T-thanks."
Kuroda accepts it while blushing, looking bewildered.
Manami: "Izumida-saaaan!"
Manami comes running over with a smile.
Izumida: "Here. Manami's share."
He hands a complete set to Manami as well.
Manami: "Yay!"
They are jumping for joy.
Izumi: "I'll give Shinkai-san his share later."
Kuroda: "...Doesn't it seem like there are more people than yesterday?"
While fanning himself with a LOVE Arakita fan, Kuroda felt uneasy looking at the line of fans.