Damn, I really didn't like Zika's suggestion.

  It was less of a great, novel idea and more like precise instructions on how and what to tell them to make them go my way, but the way she presented it was pretty convincing, as it was something I really would've avoided bringing up at all.

  Unfortunately, I don't have that much leeway if I want to get things to happen the way I want.

  Originally, I wanted to challenge the popular triumvirate directly to this school-over dare.

  Yet Zika kinda rightfully pointed out that this would not only sound quite like a trap, but coming from me would be wholly unbelievable.

  I mean, seriously, we are talking about me.

  Iori Nomia sneaking out at night to go on a frightventure?

  Nope, not all that likely.

  Therefore, her counterproposal involves me getting some help.

  Fortunately, there are some willing individuals at my beck and call.

  So I find myself at a certain club door.

  "Hey, guys. You're there? I could use some help." (I)

  "Goddess! You're here!? My Lady! What can I offer to your cause?!" (N)

  Right... I should've emphasized the "beg" part.

  I take that microsecond to look around the room, something a number of detached eyes is helping me with.

  There's Sora, Junichiro, yet Yoko doesn't seem to be present.

  "You are aware that I'm not into anyone prostating themselves to me?" (I)

  "I'm sorry, Goddess! I didn't intend to upset you!" (N)

  "God, please drop that 'goddess'. I seriously don't want that." (I)

  "I, I... I will change." (N)

  Right, not the slightest bit extreme.

  "But about something else. Is Yoko alright? I noticed she isn't here." (I)

  They seem slightly uncomfortable.

  Junichiro is the first to speak against the ensuing silence.

  "It, it seems she's right now in the worst phase. You know the pendulum swings and how her personalities are settling. Apparently... she got it rough." (J)

  That sounds worrisome.

  In accordance with expectations, but still.

  "Rough?! That's not even close! We called her and it sounded like a scene from 'The Exorcist'." (N)

  "Yeah, she was switching between her personalities like crazy!" (S)

  Okay, that's concerning, but regarding what I hear, it should ultimately settle down to one single personality.

  At least, I hope the soul manipulation I committed worked out.

  "My Lady, may I ask what led you here? You rallied us to your side, but how in specific we may be of assistance to someone as grand as you?" (N)

  I kinda fear that she's never going to stop with this attitude.

  "Right. You see, I want to start our plan this weekend. So I need to get some of the popular kids to come to school at the right time. For this, I need you to convince them." (I)

  "Convince them? And how exactly? Not that I dare to oppose you, but we don't have much influence with them." (N)

  "Yes, about that. I kinda got a formulated strategy to get them. If you tell them exactly this, it should hopefully work." (I)

  "What are we supposed to tell them, my Dark Lady?" (N)

  "Well, you see..." (I)

  .

  .

  .

  I proceed to instruct them.

  Once I'm done, I look at estranged faces.

  "M-my Lady, I can't possibly say that." (N)

  I kinda expected this answer.

  "Please. Just this one favor. Can't I rely on you?" (I)

  "I... Yes, you can." (N)

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  I knew this would convince her.

  Sadly, it doesn't quite feel like a victory that I had to appeal to her cultist mindset.

  And I'm pretty sure she's gonna expect another boon in the long run, now that I entertained this whole cultist thing a bit more.

  "Great. Then it's up to you now." (I)

  - Shiromi Hirana -

  Grah!

  I can't believe they duped us like this!

  Publicly even!

  And this goddamned Chiaki even had to rub it in with that grin of hers!

  "Shiromi, aren't you working yourself up a little bit too much about this?" (T)

  "I just can't stand that perma-smile of hers, while she keeps her little gloomy goon in tow! It's just so annoying! 'Oh, look at me, I'm all so fancy and don't have to mind any rules. Because I'm me!' Just get a grip!" (Sh)

  Chiaki Sato is a menace.

  Someone who only acknowledges boundaries solely to emphasize how she breaks them.

  "Yeah, but it's not like that is the case just since the sports festival. She was always pretty, well, 'free-spirited'." (K)

  "Yes, and it has pissed me off since forever! But you know what? It got worse! By now, she's prancing around as if there's always a spotlight aimed at her. Seriously, sometimes I even believe that is the case! And nobody around her gives her any contra, ever!" (Sh)

  "Okay, but how exactly does that concern us?" (T)

  "Argh, I just want to teach her a little lesson. Defeat her at least once." (Sh)

  "It's not like we can do all that much about it. Chiaki is basically impervious in terms of maintaining a bright face." (T)

  "Yes, but her goon isn't." (Sh)

  "Do you really want to target the sleeper? That's gonna look pretty low of you." (K)

  I know that Konoe has a point.

  There's little point in bullying someone like her.

  Beating up socially inept weaklings like her isn't quite my style.

  However, the way Chiaki is instrumentalizing her right now can't be tolerated.

  "It's already bad enough that she succeeded in setting her up as the winner of the sports festival, but I just can't accept that she's engineering them both as a dream couple." (Sh)

  It would be better for Nomia as well to realize that being with this maniac isn't doing her any good, and if it first has to get worse for her to realize, then that's at least a lesson learned.

  "Well, that kind of disparity fascinates some people." (T)

  "Groan! Not you too!" (Sh)

  "Maybe we could offer a solution?" (N)

  I follow the sudden intrusion, and see two kids walking straight towards us.

  A boy and a girl.

  Hey, wasn't that boy the one who set all the records during sports day?

  While not exactly popular, he gathered a lot of interest.

  Yet there was something else.

  What was it again?

  "Ahem, hello. Uh. Good day. Ehm, hello? Did I say this alread- Ugh!" (S)

  Before he can speak on, the girl stabs him with her elbow in the stomach.

  "You are repeating yourself." (N)

  "What do you want from us?" (Sh)

  "You see, we are from the occultism club." (S)

  Right, that was it!

  The occultism club, of all things.

  Of all the ridiculous clubs, it had to be the one that's even among them, ostracized.

  "We wanted to ask you if we could interest you in partaking in a survey about our newest project. The seven wonders of Nagana General school!" (N)

  If he wouldn't kinda be pseudo-popular right now, I could just brush him off.

  Yet as things stand, I should at least remain polite, or they'll talk about how brash I am.

  So let's get rid of them in a mindful manner.

  "Seriously? You're coming to us with that crap?" (K)

  Or I leave Konoe for the dirty work.

  "It isn't! They are all real, and one can even talk to them!" (S)

  Urgh.

  If you ever need a prime example of a weirdo, then these individuals will certainly jump in to perfectly fill that spot.

  "What exactly made you believe that you are eligible to talk to us? Spoiler alert: You aren't!" (Sh)

  "Well, it might be an idea to hear us out. The thing is, we couldn't help but overhear your previous conversation." (N)

  Shit.

  Are they going to blackmail us?

  No, I've done nothing wrong.

  Let's brush it off.

  "What about it?!" (Sh)

  "Well, we'd like to provide an, in my opinion, pretty fancy solution. You see, there are pretty elaborate rumors going around our school about the so-called seven wonders. Basically, they can be summarized as 'the school goes wild at night'." (N)

  Argh, fine.

  Let's accommodate those social outcasts.

  Otherwise, they may cause trouble for us.

  "What does any of this have to do with our current situation?" (Sh)

  "It's simple. Just challenge the two to a dare. One nightly stroll through the school, at the witching hour. That will spook at least Iori enough to think twice the next time she contemplates going along with Chiaki's crap." (N)

  "Why would Iori do something like this? It's an open secret that she's averse to, well, everything. She doesn't participate in any events if she can help it, and even in the mandatory ones, she usually only does the bare minimum." (T)

  At this, the girl in the group stops for a moment, then takes a deep breath and speaks with strange emphasis:

  "Because Iori is a spineless tagalong who's going along with everything Chiaki tells her to! She doesn't have the guts to actually go against her, or she might end up losing the only person who can stand her!" (N)

  "Wow, that's harsh." (T)

  "Ahem, but it's still the case. At the same time, she may be totally unwilling, so you'd not only get them to apologize, but get to see Iori completely at her mental limits." (N)

  This plan has its merits.

  It's not like we'd hurt her.

  We'd just propose a challenge, and maybe cause a bit of disarray.

  Though, if she says no, it would likely only amount to a slight tease.

  Still, better than nothing.

  "And what if this would still be too much for her? She might just bail out anyway." (K)

  "Then you got them to fight, because Chika would want her to go. See? Whatever may be the case, you can't lose on this." (N)

  "I guess that makes sense." (T)

  "Yeah, Chiaki being pushy is basically her trademark." (K)

  "But wouldn't that be quite mean?" (T)

  "No. No! That's exactly what they need! We're going to be completely clean on this. Nothing but a little challenge we throw at these two. Everything that comes from this is going to be on them." (Sh)

  If this works out, we may actually teach them a lesson.

  "Oh my, this sounds very interesting. To think such ventures could be conducted." (H)

  Suddenly, I notice someone at the entrance.

  Well, that's not all that difficult, given the gathering of people behind her.

  "Hime, you shouldn't indulge in such frivolities." (R)

  Wait!

  Is that truly Himeko Saotome?

  What would she be doing in our classroom?

  "Hello, is Iori Nomia present, by any chance?" (H)

  Nomia?

  What would someone like her want from Nomia?

  Nevermind her being a third year, but Himeko Saotome is also the daughter to one of the biggest business conglomerates in town.

  All those people sucking up to her do so for a reason.

  Just why?

  "I fear that's a no. Iori usually is gone as soon as she can." (T)

  "What about her friend? Chiaki was it, right?" (H)

  "Chiaki can't stand in one place for the life of her." (K)

  Okay, I really need to know.

  "Could I ask what you want from them?" (Sh)

  "I hoped I could invite them to a little gathering." (H)

  An invitation?

  What lunacy did those two get caught up in?

  "Uh, I fear I saw the both of them already heading home. You might be too late." (N)

  "I don't think so. After all, I came to witness something extraordinarily fascinating. When would this commence?" (H)

  "It, it would have to be dark outside. Also, better so the staff can be avoided. So maybe at the weekend? Saturday evening, maybe?" (N)

  "Ah, this sounds wonderful. I will look forward to it!" (H)

  Abruptly, she turns around and walks off.

  What just happened?