The next morning, Ren Kisaragi woke up to a soft, artificial chime from his AI alarm clock.
> "Good morning, Master Ren," the clock said in a formal British accent.
"Reminder: Today is Day 2 of your 'Do Not Stand Out' campaign. You currently rank #318. Recommended action: Lose on purpose."
Ren stared at the ceiling.
How did I already mess up…?
He opened his door and was immediately ambushed by someone holding a clipboard.
"Ren Kisaragi, right?" said a tall boy with dazzling teeth and golden earrings. "Luca Torres. Social Intelligence Club. We're recruiting."
Ren narrowed his eyes. "No, thanks."
"Too late. You're already shortlisted."
"Excuse me?"
"Our algorithm scanned your win yesterday. 'Unexpected initiative'? That's gold. We need your kind of chaos. And we're the fastest-growing club on campus."
Ren took a slow breath. "I'm allergic to social interaction."
"Good," Luca grinned. "You'll be a case study."
---
The Social Intelligence Club met in a room with couches, cameras, and a suspicious number of pink heart-shaped charts.
On a digital board, someone had drawn a love triangle between three students—complete with arrows and commentary.
> LIVE CHALLENGE: MATCHMAKER GAMBIT
Earn points by predicting romantic outcomes. Bonus for real-life proof.
Ren's soul left his body.
"Why... am I here?" he asked.
"To observe," Luca said. "Don't worry. You don't have to flirt. Just analyze."
He handed Ren a tablet.
> SUBJECT: Mina Sakamoto
STATUS: Competitive, emotionally repressed, may be in denial
TARGET: Unknown
PREDICTED RESPONSE TO GENUINE COMPLIMENT: ???
Ren stared at it.
"I refuse."
"Just give her one compliment. One. It'll earn you 5 points."
"Bribery," Ren said flatly.
"Welcome to Vanguard."
---
Later that day, in the library, Ren tried to lay low. He hid in the philosophy section with a thick book and a blank stare.
Then Mina Sakamoto appeared.
She was holding three books, a cup of black coffee, and a face that screamed I don't have time for nonsense.
She sat across from him.
Silence.
Ren considered the tablet. The potential 5 points. The growing suspicion in her eyes.
He coughed. "I, uh… think your handwriting is… very efficient."
Mina blinked. "What?"
Ren resisted the urge to run. "Your... notes. Neat margins. Excellent spacing. Very… legible."
She stared at him.
Then, slowly, she turned pink.
"...Idiot," she muttered, and walked off quickly.
Ren checked his phone.
> +5 POINTS AWARDED: "Successful Compliment Delivery"
+2 BONUS: "Flustered Response"
He groaned.
---
By evening, Ren had gained another 12 points through a series of unfortunate events, including:
Accidentally solving a complex riddle left for seniors
Helping a lost robot find its charging port
Avoiding a flying drone dodgeball match by ducking—only to knock out three players in a domino accident
By nightfall:
> #214 – Kisaragi, Ren | 127 pts
His checklist glared at him from the wall:
> 1. Blend in ❌
2. Do just enough ❌
3. No romance ❌ (technically)
4. No clubs ❌
5. No attention ❌
Ren sighed and crossed out the whole thing.
He pulled out a new piece of paper.
> NEW PLAN:
Minimize eye contact
Stay at rank 300–400
Only fail slightly
Never compliment anyone again
He paused.
Then added:
> Avoid Mina Sakamoto at all costs