Episode 2

“Wow, you really managed to recruit that problem student.” The teacher said, surprised at the two girls’ achievement as she stared at the club submission paper again with Ze’s signature written in one of the members. The two girls are now back at the staff room, hoping their club would be approved now.

“It was surprisingly easy.” Ayumi said with a smile ‘I better give my cats extra snacks for this’ She thought.

“So, do you approve of the club now?” Veena said as she yawned, ‘I got to sleep on time these days instead of watching his livestreams. It's taking a toll on me.’ She thought as she stretched her arms.

“For now, I’ll approve of it.” The teacher said finally as the girls gave each other a high five.

“Wait a sec, ‘for now’? What do you mean by that?” Ayumi asked the teacher as Veena facepalmed, expecting she does not like to hear what’s next.

“I only approve of this club under the condition you two recruit what I recommend, remember? But if there are students willing to join in, they are more than welcome to. Since you lack members at the moment, you need the student council president’s signature of approval for this.” The teacher explained as she pointed out the space in the paper that needed the president’s signature.

“Another bullshit.” Veena said as she groaned while Ayumi pinched Veena’s side,’ Shush!’ she whispered but understands her to the fullest.

“Just get the president’s signature as soon as possible, then, I’ll let you start your club even though it’s still just the three of you as members. Just make sure to recruit the students I recommend, otherwise, I’m forced to disband.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ayumi replied as the teacher gave her the club submission paper, and as they both exited the staffroom, the two girls both deeply sighed.

“I’ve been meaning to ask this…” Veena started as the two girls started walking towards the student council room

“What is it?” Ayumi asked, curious at Veena’s question

“Why are you dead set on this club? I know seniors are now obligated to join clubs. Why don't you want to join any existing clubs?” Veena finally said what’s been on her mind the whole time.

“Hmm…It’s partly because of you.” Veena stopped as she heard this. “What?”

“I mean, I just want to spend my last year of high school with you. Also, there are too many clubs who invited me to join, so it’s just hard to find an excuse to refuse.” Ayumi said with a smile as she shrugged

“Well, that’s just sweet of you, Ms. Popular.” Veena said as she rolled her eyes at Ayumi, who let out a chuckle

“But seriously, you should-Oooff!” Ayumi was about to say something when she suddenly bumped into a girl who was carrying a big pile of papers that were now scattered on the floor.

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going!” Ayumi apologized as she and Veena helped the girl pick up the papers.

“It’s fine. Thank you for helping. I wouldn’t be in this mess if that goofball hadn’t go missing AGAIN.”

“Goofball?” Veena said as she picked up the last paper on the floor

“Missing? Wait, aren’t you the student council vice president, Iori, right?” Ayumi said as she pointed at the girl who's been wearing glasses with a necktie color for third years.

“Yes, I am. You’re Ayumi, right? The teacher told me about your club, saying you need the president's help.” Iori said as she was about to take the papers from Veena and Ayumi, but the two girls refused, saying they would help her carry the big pile of papers to the student council room.

“Wait, you know each other?” Veena said as she pointed at Ayumi and Iori

“Well, duhhh… We’re classmates.” Ayumi said as gave a peace sign

“Along with the president, but that goofball keeps slacking off, dumping the work on me.” Iori said irritably. For all Ayumi and Veena know, a vein is ready to pop on her head. ‘Ohhh… the goofball IS the president.” The two girls had the same thought

“You called?” A voice sneakily said from behind the three girls

“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!” The three girls screamed in shock, letting the papers fall on the floor yet again.

****

“Uhhmm… Prez? Are you okay?” Veena asked the president, worried. All of them are now in the student council room. Ayumi and Veena are now seated across from the president as Iori prepares the tea.

“Hmm? Oh! I’m totally fine!” The president said as he rubbed his reddened cheek because after he surprised the girls, Iori slapped him cold hard across his face.

“You really need to work on your presence, and don’t say you don’t deserve that! Work is piling up! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Iori said as she handed the president an ice bag for his reddened cheek after she poured tea for the girls.

“Oh! That’s good, Iori. Because I’ve been avoiding you everywhere!” The president said with a grin as he put the ice bag on his cheek

“Jin, do you want another slap on your other cheek? Let’s make it even, shall we?” Iori said, giving Jin a death glare

“I’m good! Let’s get to business, okay?” Jin said as he raised his hands in defense from Iori

‘The president sure is begging to get beat up by Iori, huh…’ Ayumi and Veena thought as they took a sip from the tea.

“All it needs is your signature, Jin.” Ayumi said as she handed the club submission paper to Jin

“We just have to recruit the students the teacher recommended along the way.” Veena said with a sigh

“Oh! You mean the problem students?” Iori asked, raising her hand as if she was reciting

“I knew there’s something fishy with the first one, so they are ALL problem students?!” Veena said as she stood up from her seat. Ayumi tugged her skirt, asking her to calm down and take a seat.

“Apparently so; it seems to me the club you’re aiming for fits them.” Jin stated while still reading the descriptions in the club submission paper.

“And I think it’s totally helpful! I heard Ze started attending his classes.” Iori said, clasped her hands, delighted by the news

“We just got lucky that he loves cats.” Veena mumbled as she sweat-dropped at the thought that Ze is only complying because of Ayumi’s cats.

“Alright! I’ll be rooting for your club.” Jin said as he took out his pen and signed the paper.

“Yes! Thank you, Jin.” “Thanks, Prez.” Ayumi and Veena simultaneously said as Jin gave them the paper

“Good luck in recruiting the students.” Iori said as she waved Ayumi and Veena goodbye

“Yeah, good luck! because you're definitely going to need i-Oww!” Jin said as he cried out in pain because Iori elbowed his side.

Ayumi and Veena ended their day in success as their adventures with their club finally started.

****

“Shion, you’ve been staring at the paper for a whole 15 minutes.” Angi said from behind her seat wherein Shion is seated. Homeroom just ended, and it’s time for recess. Angi is just waiting for Shion to fill up the form the homeroom teacher passed on about joining clubs.

“I know freshmen can pass on this chance in joining clubs, but I am really bored out of my mind these days.” Shion said as she gave up and put down her pen

“Arrrghhh!! Will I join or not? If I do, which club?” Shion said, scratching her head in full frustration

“Just hurry up and decide! Recess is almost over, and I really don’t want to go to the canteen only to find out they ran out of melon buns.” Angi said, tapping her finger on Shion’s form.

“What did you write anyway?” Shion asked, thinking she could just join the club that her best friend decided

“What do you mean? Where you go, I’ll go.” Angi said as she raised one eyebrow at Shion

“We really are best friends.” Shion said as she facepalmed

The two girls still couldn’t decide what to join but reached to the conclusion that they would visit each club after classes ended.

-Meanwhile-

“ACHOOOO!” Veena sneezed so loudly it could be heard even from the corridor.

“Bless you, Oh! You missed that spot.” Ayumi said she pointed to the dirty spot that Veena seemed to miss while sweeping the floor.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve sneezed and been blessed by you for a full thirty minutes because of this dust! I mean, why are we cleaning this place in the first place?!” Veena asked as she took a seat and put down her broom, thinking she could catch a break

“It’s because this dusty place right here will be our clubroom. Turns out the only available clubroom is this place. Good thing we can borrow the cleaning materials from Sir Saizen, our school janitor.” Ayumi said while wiping the table.

“That doesn’t explain why it’s so dusty. I mean, why didn’t Sir Saizen clean this place?” Veena said as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms

“Hmm, fair point, but our teacher heard from the principal to keep this room locked, and it’s been forgotten ever since. And now that it can serve as our clubroom, the teacher somehow convinced the principal to let us use this room.” Ayumi said as she started arranging the chairs, and Veena couldn’t help but find that very suspicious, and a thought came in-

“Oh, wait! She probably said some bullshit about the club trying to help problem students.” Veena said as she snapped her finger

“That’s about it.” Ayumi said, and it’s her turn to roll her eyes

“Speaking of our club, where is our third member, our very first recruit? I never saw him this morning since second years are on different floors from first years.” Veena asked as she shrugged

“Oh! I met Ze along the way here and asked him if he could get snacks since it is our recess time, and I don’t think you will recog-Bam!“ Ayumi got interrupted because someone loudly opened the door, making Veena stand up from her seat.

It was a boy with clean-cut hair wearing a loosened necktie (the color for second years) carrying a bag full of snacks with his right hand.

“Hey! What’s your problem? Who are you to barge in here?” Veena said as she stomped forward to the boy

“Huh?! You little! How the f*ck could you forget the face you spit beer on?!” The boy said, his face all scrunched up in annoyance

‘Huh? Beer? Spit? Wait! I know that voice with colorful words.’Veena thought, but she couldn’t believe it

“Welcome again to the club, Ze! Thanks for the snacks.” Ayumi said from behind Veena

“ZE?!” Veena exclaimed as she pointed at Ze