281 IQ Genius Pretends To Be Ordinary Student So He Can Simp For Crush

The story introduces Hotaro, a high school student with a gray outlook on life, who prefers minimal effort and social interaction. On his first day, he meets his only friend Satoshi and receives a letter from his sister in India, begging him to join the Classic Literature Club to prevent it from shutting down. Despite his reluctance, he agrees to join, only to find out that the club already has a member, Uru, a girl with a curious and mysterious past.

Hotaro, Satoshi, and Uru find themselves entangled in a mystery when Uru gets locked in the Literature Club's classroom. They try to figure out how she got locked in without the keys. The trio eventually discovers that the janitor, believing the room was empty, had locked it from the outside. This incident sparks Uru's interest in unraveling more mysteries, leading to the formation of a new club with a focus on solving them.

A new mystery unfolds when a student hears classical music playing from a dark music room, only to find an empty piano and a frightening figure with messy hair and bloodshot eyes. Hotaro and his friends investigate the incident and deduce that the figure was actually the passionate pianist who sleeps in the room and unintentionally scared the student when she woke up to the end of the music.

As the school festival approaches, Uru insists on creating an anthology for the Literature Club, a tradition that has been upheld for years. Despite Hotaro's initial resistance, he eventually agrees to help, realizing that it might be less work than dealing with Uru's constant pestering. This marks a turning point in Hotaro's high school experience, as he starts to engage more with his club and its activities.

A peculiar pattern is noticed with a specific book being borrowed and returned on the same day every Friday. Hotaro, Uru, and Ibarra delve into the mystery and discover that the book is used as a motif for art pieces in an optional art class. This revelation impresses Uru and Ibarra with Hotaro's deductive skills, and they grow more determined to uncover other mysteries.

Uru shares her personal mystery involving her late uncle, Seiki, who disappeared in India. She recalls a distressing conversation with him that she can't remember, and she wants to uncover what was said before his presumed death. Hotaro, moved by her plea, agrees to help her solve this deeply personal mystery, despite his usual aversion to such endeavors.

In search of the previous year's anthologies for the Literature Club, the group discovers that the items are kept in a locking safe in the biology lab, currently occupied by the newspaper club. After a tense encounter with a senior who is hiding something, Hotaro deduces that the senior has been smoking in the lab and has hidden his cigarettes in the safe. The group eventually finds the anthologies in their club room, but the first issue is missing, adding to the mystery.

The group learns that the second issue of the anthology is named 'Huka,' which is the same name that Uru's uncle mentioned before he left for India, causing her to cry. Hotaro reads the issue and learns about the legendary status of Seiki in the school's history. Uru is desperate to know what her uncle said that fateful day but struggles to recall the details. The mystery deepens as they realize that the first issue of the anthology, which might hold the answer, is missing.

The group visits Uru's home to discuss theories about what happened 45 years ago in the Literature Club. They consider various scenarios, including a conflict between students and teachers, government intervention, and cultural clashes. Each theory is examined and critiqued, but no definitive answer is found. Hotaro, however, starts to feel more invested in the mystery and the group's dynamic, signaling a change in his character.

After a day of brainstorming, Hotaro receives a call from his sister, who mentions a tragedy involving 'Huka.' This word triggers Hotaro's realization that there is more to the story than he initially thought. He suspects that Seiki's departure from the school was not as heroic as believed, and that there is a darker truth hidden beneath the surface. This realization prompts him to seek out the original author of 'Huka' to uncover the full story.

The group meets with the school librarian, who is revealed to be the author of 'Huka' and a former member of the Literature Club. She shares the true story of Seiki, who was forced to take the blame for a student protest and was expelled from school. The celebration of the school festival and the subsequent bonfire that burned down the old buildings led to Seiki being made a scapegoat. The word 'Huka' is a cry for help from Seiki, hidden in plain sight as a playful reference to 'ice cream.'

With the mystery solved, Uru finds closure regarding her uncle's past. The group discusses their experiences and the impact of the events on their lives. Hotaro, in particular, reflects on how his perspective has changed through his involvement in the mystery. The group's bond strengthens, and they continue to support each other in their endeavors, including the creation of a new anthology for the Literature Club.

The group decides to take a break from their mystery-solving and heads to a hot springs retreat. Despite some initial discomfort from Hotaro, they all enjoy the beautiful countryside and the relaxing atmosphere. However, a new mystery arises when Ibarra and Uru claim to have seen a ghostly figure hanging from the ceiling of a supposedly haunted room. This incident sparks Hotaro's interest, and he sets out to unravel the truth behind the supposed supernatural occurrence.

The group is captivated by the tale of a man who took his own life in room number seven of the abandoned building. As they share ghost stories, Ibarra and Uru both claim to have seen the silhouette of a hanging man. Hotaro, however, suspects a more rational explanation and investigates the matter further. His deductive reasoning leads him to the truth, revealing that the 'ghost' was actually a kimono drying in the room, causing a misunderstanding in the darkness.