This Should've Happened at the Start!!

“Now you see what I see. Why I write… and why—”

“Don’t say it, Makoto-kun.”

“Why I want you to illustrate for me.”

Fujioka let out a deep sigh.

“Are you serious?” She asked.

“The most I’ve ever been,” I replied instantly.

“...Did Kaoru-chan agree to be a model?”

“N-no—but we can figure that out!”

Yet again she sighed.

“I understand how you feel talking to Yoshika-san now. You’re annoying.”

“That’s not a no!”

I know I’m getting my hopes up way too high, I know. But I have to give it all on this last hail-mary attempt. My valiant fight will be remembered in the history books!

“Promise me one thing, Makoto-kun.”

“Hm? Yes? Anything!”

“...Don’t br— don’t back out this time.”

Was she going to say something else? I don’t care right now because she’s about to agree!

“I won’t back-out this time. I swear on my love for writing.”

Fujioka gave me a look like I said the wrong thing—isn’t that exactly what she wanted to hear though?

“Alright. I’ll illustrate for you.”

***

“Makoto— Makoto wake up. You gotta stop fainting. It's probably like, really unhealthy for you.”

“Makoto? D-did you just call him by his f-first name, Kaoru-chan?”

“Hm? Yeah I guess I did, why?”

“Y-you two a-are like that now? How come I wasn’t made aware of this? Did you not think to check how I’d feel? If it made me uncomfortable showing affection like this in public? Yoshika-san isn’t this unacceptable?”

Yoshika shrugged and Akimoto asked, “What’re you talking about Fujioka-senpai?”

I sat up—parting the huddle of clubmates over me.

“Why’d you faint this time?” Akimoto directed her question more towards Fujioka.

“I agreed to illustrate for you two.”

“For real!?”

Our newly onboarded illustrator was about to share what had motivated her to join, but with a quick glance at me, Fujioka realized she shouldn't reveal the truth.

“I… I finally understood Makoto-kun’s vision.” She stood up and turned her back towards us.

“That’s amazing! I have no idea how you did it, Makoto, but this is incredible!”

“There’s an issue still.” I felt bad squashing Akimoto’s excitement. “Fujioka requires a model and I know you won’t do it. So we’re stuck until we find one.”

Indeed, her expression sank.

“So she’s not onboard?”

“Hmpf,” Fujioka snorted. “You seriously are incapable of listening. I am working with you, I just won’t start until I get a model because of you and your selfishness.”

“Selfishness!? Whenever it’s your turn for cleaning duty or last year when you were assigned to work on the festival you ghosted everyone!”

“Well—“

“One time, instead of making an excuse you just slept in the classroom! None of the teachers would dare to wake you up in fear of being yelled at.”

“I don’t expect a blonde of all people to understand. My work is tiring and difficult, I’m already set for life, why bother with culture festivals?”

“…You’re eighteen, right senpai?”

“Yes…?”

“Aren’t you able to drop out? I mean if this is sooo below you right?”

“…I’m surprised you haven’t flunked out yet, Kaoru-chan. You’re blonde head is full of static.”

Akimoto made a quick scramble for Fujioka, but I’ve been around her long enough to expect this. Kind of like a dog trainer with an extra aggressive golden retriever.

It wasn’t a tackle, but because I’m… not inclined to strength related endeavors… it was an awkward struggle to hold her back,

Three knocks came from the club-door. It was an event like a ripple in space—something that shouldn’t happen. All the club members were here having a moment, no one was supposed to interrupt.

Especially with timing like this…

“Hm?” Fujioka turned her head.

“What?” Akimoto released herself.

“Senpai!” Yoshika jumped up.

Oh, right. It’s probably Sato or Takechi.

The door slid open—Yoshika seemed one-hundred percent sure it was one of them as she looked ready to pounce on whoever walked through.

“Is this the writing club?”

Who did though, was a girl.

What? You want more of a description than that? I really couldn’t if I tried… Seriously. Brown hair to her shoulders, our school’s uniform. I mean she’s cute… that’s something.

Girl.

“Yes…” I responded cautiously.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are all of you on the floor?”

The four of us passed glances at each other and stood up.

“Uhm, no reason. How can we help you?”

“I’d like to join if it’s not too much trouble.”

None of us could muster a response. What was this? Some practical joke?

“One moment please,” Fujioka finally broke the silence. “Emergency club-meeting.” She crouched back down and gestured at us with widened eyes.

“You can’t call an emergency meeting and have nothing to say!” I aggressively whispered.

“W-well I mean we can’t let her join. She can’t just join this late in the game. Kaoru-chan must agree with me.”

“The game? What’re you talking about?”

Akimoto’s normie side was showing here, our senpai was completely in the right.