"Fushiguro," he said, addressing Toji directly, a different kind of proposition forming on his lips. "I have an Proposal."
"I'm listening, Senpai." Toji's voice was just as before, listless, cool, as he looked around the room. His gaze swept over the determined seniors who had stepped forward to challenge him, their faces a mixture of apprehension and defiant passion.
A flicker of something akin to satisfaction, faint but discernible, crossed his features. He hadn't expected this level of… engagement. If not for this unexpected turn, he likely would have pocketed his initial winnings, despite being so low and left long ago.
There may be other clubs or Seniors, who may challenge but if their spirit had already broken then there's no point, they won't even bother challenging him if not for the shift in the atmosphere, the sudden surge of genuine, albeit likely futile, spirit – he recognized the influence of the Gorilla-senpai, and strangely, even Souma's public breakdown seemed to have served as a catalyst.
'He is different, after all,' Toji mused internally, his eyes briefly resting on Souma, who was now standing alongside the other seniors, watching with a quiet, humbled intensity.
The students before him shared similar traits as the man from his past – a fierce pride, a reliance on honed skill – but Souma, in his raw display of despair and subsequent earnest apology, had shown a resilience, a capacity to accept defeat and learn, that the other man had lacked.
Souma, scarred but not broken, seemed ready, perhaps even a little mature, accepting the fact that things always won't go his way.
"Ahem…" The Gorilla-senpai cleared his throat, drawing Toji's attention back. His expression was simple, straightforward, the earlier awe settling into focused pragmatism.
"We see you're after points, Fushiguro. Frankly, with your skill, you could probably drain us dry in challenge matches." He didn't sugarcoat it.
"So, instead of bleeding us dry one by one, how about this: Would you give us some of your time? A dedicated period?" He paused, emphasizing the trade. He knows the hot blooded comrades in his club, he will also challenge Toji, just to know about this Kohai's strength.
"In exchange, I will be willing to ensure you get enough points to be satisfied. A lump sum, or perhaps structured payments."
Toji's half-lidded eyes gained a sliver of interest.
"For how long?" he asked, his voice sharp and direct. He wasn't about to waste excessive time, even for points. He had other things to do.
"Hmm…" The Gorilla-senpai looked thoughtful, contemplating deeply. He glanced at Souma, who gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod, confirming something between them regarding the proposed structure.
"What about…" He leaned in slightly, speaking in a lower tone, outlining the specific details of the arrangement – the proposed duration, the total points package, perhaps a schedule of sessions.
The details were clearly something the seniors had quickly discussed among themselves, spearheaded by their leader and perhaps with input from the now-humbled Souma.
It was a proposal born out of necessity and desperation, yes, but also out of the fierce passion and sportsmanship that defined the Judo club.
Just as Gorilla-senpai thought, They were hot headed and loved their sport, and facing overwhelming strength had ignited their competitive spirit, not extinguished it. This was a massive, unexpected opportunity.
As the details were being discussed, the other seniors began to voice out their thoughts, their initial apprehension giving way to bubbling excitement and collective purpose.
"Senpai, I can contribute points from my savings!"
"Yeah, count me in too! Don't want Senpai to carry all the burden!"
"Whatever it takes! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train with someone professional!"
"Imagine what we could learn in even a short time!"
"This is way better than just losing matches. This is an actual investment!"
"Forget points! This is about getting stronger!"
Their excitement was palpable, a wave of determined energy filling the room. They were ready to pool their resources, eager to learn, even if it meant being thrown around by the detached freshman.
The time was short, the cost high, but the potential benefit – experiencing Toji's level firsthand – was deemed invaluable.
After listening impassively to the outline of the proposal and the enthusiastic, if slightly chaotic, pledges of the seniors, Toji gave a slow, deliberate nod.
His expression remained cool, but the faint flicker of satisfaction was still present. He wasn't moved by their passion, but the numbers added up, and the terms were agreeable.
"I can agree with that," Toji said, his voice calm and final, sealing the deal. For him, it was a simple transaction: his time and overwhelming skill for a significant influx of points.
For the Judo club seniors, it was the dawn of a challenging, potentially experience, and new technique they might learn something new, gain insight or simply just for improvement.
"Then I will bring the contract," Gorilla-senpai said, his expression now business-like.
He moved with surprising speed for his size, disappearing into a side room for a moment before returning with a crisp, official-looking document in his hand. It wasn't some hastily scribbled note; it was printed on formal paper, filled with dense text, clearly drawn up with care and legalistic phrasing.
"Fushiguro," he said, holding out the document towards Toji. "You can confirm the details yourself. It outlines our agreement."
Toji took the contract, his fingers brushing against the thick paper. He held it loosely, his eyes, though still half-lidded, scanned the contents with a speed and sharpness that belied his lazy demeanor.
××××
The formal language detailed the terms:
Agreement for Training Services
Service Provider: Fushiguro Toji, First-Year Student, Class B.
Service Recipients: Judo Club Senior Members (collectively represented by Club President).
Service Description: Mr. Fushiguro Toji agrees to dedicate a minimum of five (5) hours, up to an unspecified maximum (5-??? Hours, if Provider wants to extend. Note:Not forced), of his time to provide training assistance and instruction to the Service Recipients within the designated Judo Club facilities.
During this time, Mr. Fushiguro agrees not to slack off and to earnestly teach and share such Judo techniques and principles as he deems appropriate and beneficial to the Service Recipients, based on his demonstrable skill level.
Compensation: In full consideration for the services rendered, the Service Provider shall receive a total of Five Million (5,000,000) points. These points shall be transferred from the collective accounts of the Service Recipients to the account of Mr. Fushiguro Toji.
Payment Terms: The total Compensation of Five Million (5,000,000) points shall be transferred to the account of Mr. Fushiguro Toji immediately upon the signing and execution of this Agreement by both parties.
Term: This Agreement commences upon the date of signing and concludes upon the completion of the agreed-upon minimum training duration (5 hours), or any mutually agreed-upon extension thereof within the stated maximum limit.
Additional Clauses: (Following sections likely detailed liability waivers, confidentiality, etc., in standard formal language)
××××
Toji read through the points quickly, his internal calculations already confirming the massive sum. 5,000,000 points. From a collective of seniors willing to chip in.
The 5-??? hours was a curious detail, but the guaranteed five hours and the massive payout upfront were the crucial parts for him.
The clause about not slacking off and teaching earnestly seemed almost quaint given his usual approach, but he could adapt. He wasn't a teacher, but he could certainly demonstrate.
He finished reading, his expression unchanged, but the subtle satisfaction from earlier deepened slightly. This was an substantial amount of points, well worth the minimal effort of showing these kids how outmatched they were. And getting paid upfront? That was the cherry on top.
'5,000,000 points,' Toji confirmed internally, the number settling comfortably in his mind. 'These brats really do have too much money.'
It wasn't entirely surprising, though. While Toji was confirming the content of the contract, Gorilla-senpai had quietly stepped away and seemingly contacted the remaining club members who weren't present, likely scattered around eating lunch or taking a break elsewhere.
Many arrived quickly, not just because of the unexpected appearance of Toji, but because of the urgency in the message sent by their leader.
By the time Toji finished reviewing the contract, all the club members had gathered, creating a larger crowd around the central mat area. Some of the arriving members were still holding convenience store bentos, having been interrupted mid-meal.
A distinct buzz filled the air as newcomers, seeing the unfamiliar face of Toji surrounded by the senior girls, began questioning each other in hushed tones.
***
A few moments ago, before the rest of the club arrived.
"Senpai, before we start, I want to eat lunch." Toji muttered to Gorilla-senpai, his voice the same low, unhurried drawl.
The Gorilla-senpai blinked, then his face softened slightly in understanding. It was still noon, and the freshman before him, whirlwind though he was, likely hadn't eaten.
"Ah, of course," Gorilla-senpai responded, his tone respectful towards Toji, a clear shift from how he addressed his other students. "Do you want to have something brought here? I can let one of the club members fetch it for you."
"There's no need for that." Before Toji could elaborate or Gorilla-senpai could inquire further, they heard a sudden, loud burst of excited voices.
A group of eight or nine senior girls, who had been observing from the sidelines, surged forward, surrounding Toji with bright smiles and an almost overwhelming appreciation for his presence among them.
"What do you mean?" Gorilla-senpai asked, looking utterly confused by the sudden, energetic interruption. One of the girls, seemingly the leader of this small, excited group, stepped forward slightly, wanting to bring some order to the sudden chaos.
"We meant what we said, Senpai!" she announced, her voice clear and enthusiastic.
"We already have homemade bentos, and it won't be difficult at all to feed Fushiguro-kun if we all share a little with him!" As if on cue, several of the girls enthusiastically displayed their colourful bento boxes held in their hands. With a surprising collective strength, they managed to gently but firmly steer Gorilla-senpai aside, seemingly intent on talking more but finding himself outmaneuvered by feminine determination.
The other girls took Toji's hands, not roughly, but with a clear intent, stealing him away from the baffled senior towards a corner where less club members were crowded.
"Here, take this and that," some of the girls chattered excitedly, quickly arranging a vibrant selection of dishes from their various bentos onto one empty container before him.
Their eyes were wide with excitement, looking at with amusement almost the look of worship. He was an idol/Model, an unexpected treat they never imagined they would ever get. He was undeniably eye candy in their eyes – smart, handsome, and possessing an effortless strength they had just witnessed.
"Are you really Fushiguro Toji?" one of them asked, her enthusiasm barely contained, a hint of nervousness betraying itself in the slight tremor of her hand as she offered him a pair of chopsticks.
"Mmm," Toji, taking the chopsticks with his usual casual grace, nodded briefly as he picked up a piece of tamagoyaki, tasting it. He gave a small, noncommittal nod of approval.
The girls look at each other excitedly.
"Does this taste good?" another girl piped up immediately, her eyes wide with hope. "If not, you can try mine too!" she added quickly, already reaching into her own bento to expectantly put more food, different dishes, before him.
Toji sampled another bite, his expression remaining neutral, though internally he registered the quality.
'Not bad. Better than what you'd get from the combini. These kids… they really put effort into things outside of throwing each other around.' He chewed slowly, the various flavours registering without eliciting any strong outward reaction.
The girls watched him with bated breath, hanging onto his every subtle movement, every chew, each bite he took made him alluring.
'They're… nervous? About my opinion of their cooking? Humans are strange,' his internal monologue continued, a faint, detached amusement surfacing. He took another bite from a different dish.
As this scene unfolded, the rest of the club members had arrived, forming a larger audience. The newcomers, bewildered, nudged the seniors who had been there from the start.
"Hey, who's that guy?" a lanky first-year asked, pointing towards Toji surrounded by the fawning girls. "And why are the girls acting like he's some kind of idol?"
"Yeah, I've never seen him around," another newcomer added, glancing enviously at the attention Toji was receiving.
One of the male seniors who had been present – perhaps one of those who had stepped forward to challenge Toji after Souma's defeat – sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"That's Fushiguro Toji. A first-year. Class B." He paused, still struggling to fully articulate what he'd witnessed.
"He just… came in, asked about our betting rules, bet 100,000 points against Souma, and took him down in like, one second. Then bet another 100k for a rematch, and did the same thing."
Disbelief rippled through the newcomers.
"Took Souma down? Twice?! In a second?" one scoffed, looking at Toji's lean build with skepticism.
"No way. Souma's a strong contender for the inter-school competition! And look at that kid!"
"Believe it or not," the senior shrugged, a grim look on his face. "We all saw it. Souma completely broke down. Now… now the club's offering him 5 million points to spend some time training with us. That's why all the seniors chipped in."
There was shock on their faces, but more of jealousy flashed across some of the newcomers' faces, not just at the points involved, but at the effortless way this new kid seemed to be getting attention, especially from the girls who were now practically orbiting him.
Back in their corner, the girls continued their enthusiastic, slightly nervous barrage of questions as Toji sampled their offerings.
"Fushiguro-kun, you said you learned your 'tricks' from your work? What kind of work do you do?" one girl asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Is that how you got so strong so fast? Is your work like… special training?" another chimed in, leaning forward expectantly.
"And Judo? Did you train somewhere else before doing modeling? You don't seem like a regular judoka…" A third, bolder girl pressed further about his background.
Toji took another bite of food, chewing slowly, contemplating his answer with the same detached air he approached everything else.
He looked up at the circle of expectant, idolizing faces, then glanced over at the bewildered Gorilla-senpai and the disbelieving newcomers watching from a distance.
'My work…' he thought, a faint, private humor in his eyes. 'Let's just say it involves putting people down quickly and efficiently.' He took a sip of water offered by one of the girls. "
"My work involves… handling various things," he replied, his tone deliberately vague, offering nothing concrete. "As for Judo," he took another piece of food, "I just… picked up what was necessary during that time. Learned a few things here and there. Useful skills."
"So you meant, you have learnt other things too?" The excitement within them was unbearable. Yet, he offered no further explanation, his answers designed to be evasive, leaving them to project whatever fantastical origins they wished onto his effortless strength.
He wasn't about to reveal the gritty reality of his life to a bunch of starry-eyed school kids.
Gorilla-senpai watched the entire interaction – his strongest student eating alone on the mat while other approaches him, the rest of the seniors pooling their money for a freshman, and now this same freshman being pampered and questioned like a celebrity by the girls, while the other boys grumbled jealously. He scratched his head, utterly baffled by the social dynamics unfolding before him.
He understood Judo, strategy, and strength. But this? This was beyond his comprehension. All he knew was that somehow, this detached, point-motivated first-year had completely upended the usual order of the Judo club, and things were about to get a whole lot more interesting.
***
A/N: This is the end. I won't drag down any longer of this Club thing. I almost forgot, I was writing COTE fanfiction, not the Shounen stuff, lol.
Honestly I enjoyed it a bit. But I truly didn't thought of that this could reach 5 Parts, it's even surprising even for me.
If you think about it, the Judo Club members seem right to me, they would most likely be 25-30. And there's a 3rd year and also a 2nd year student whose points are manipulated by Nagumo.
Even with that, they get Club funds and their own savings. And the experience they will have is worth every point they have spent. These are my thoughts. If you think it's not possible or not worth it, then My logic here is, it's Fanfiction, End of the debate even if it never started.
25 Students(Minimum) × 200,000(Each student) = 5,000,000 Points. Easy.
Also gimme power stones. (╯︵╰,)