|Introduction to the student clubs

“You sure? You’ve been acting a bit off.”

“Oh, is that so?”

--It’s all his fault. No..It’s mine. I shouldn’t have spoken to him. I’m so stupid..No he’s the stupid one.

“Yup…something’s definitely off. Boy issues, right?”

With every response, she moved closer and closer to her face. Within that close proximity, lying would have been more difficult for her to pull off. That was the plan but Wendy wasn’t falling for it.

“what??”

She raised an eyebrow and pounced on the defenceless girl.

“Time for a more physical approach.”

Her hands went lower and lower from her chest to below the navel with each passing moment. It was time to forcefully bring out the truth.

“Spill already, you know how I get when I’m really curious.”

“But I’m telling you the truth, stop.. that tickles.”

“Don’t believe ya…”

“I’m sorry for ruining your little game, but please would you cut it out???”

Right in the middle of it, they were interrupted.

“Look who’s here..Mr student council president, Wanna join in???”

“Do I look like I’m here to join in??”

--He definitely doesn’t.

“We’re sorry..We’ll keep it down.”

“Hehe..Well, I guess we should stop. I will find out sooner or later.”

--I should be thanking him.She has finally released me.

“Hey Wendy.Do you think Misaka likes the new---”

“Even if she did, how do you expect me to know?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just noticed it now, that’s all.”

--Keep it to yourself. I don’t care about him at all.

Despite being knowledgeable about romance novels, she didn’t have a clue on how romance worked. She had never fallen in love before.This was no problem at all but at times it bothered her. It wasn’t the fact that she had no dating experience but no love interest was certainly bizarre. In her attempt to find answers, she confided in her mother.

[

“Hey Mom.”

“Wendy, you seem down today. What’s the problem?”

“You’re acting more caring than usual. That’s not the point though. I need some advice.”

“Concerning what?”

“It’s about..love.”

“Oohh... What about it?”

“Yeah…no, we’re not doing this.”

“Come on, don’t you trust me? I happen to know a few things about it.”

“I know that. But I don’t…..”

“You don’t have any dating experience? Well it’s normal but at least you must have had a crush, right?”

“No… None.”

“Oh. You haven’t fallen in love before?”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”

“Well, you’re definitely the first person that I’ve heard this from but you don’t need to worry too much about it.”

“Mom,what if I’m into girls?”

“So?”

“You won’t mind?”

“Of course not. Your grandmother might have a few things to say about that but that’s all . Whether it’s a guy or a girl, all that you need to know is that patience will be essential but it’ll come way before you know it. Your first love that is. So don’t rush things, okay?”

“Wow. You can be really reliable at times.”

“Sheesh, you were really polite just a second ago. Now you choose to hurt my feelings.”

“So I look at everyone like souls and---”

“Now you’re ignoring me!!!”

]

“I don’t really see why she is talking to him. Not only her, but Lucas too..Isn’t he suppose to be the weird guy?”

--That’s mean….You don’t need to judge just because you don’t like him..

Rinta looked at Wendy, puzzled by her facial expression. “what could she be thinking??” were the words that popped up in her head. She questioned if she said too much..

“Ha…Just kidding.”

It was now end of class and club activities were about to begin. Shirou prepared himself for a tour of the clubs with his very own tour guide, Lucas.

“Yo, are you ready?”

“Yeah.Thanks again.”

“What are friends for?”

---Acquaintances would be more appropriate.

“So we’re going to the Kendo club first. In Akate high, there are the three dominant clubs. The Student council, the Archery club and the Kendo club. Though the student council is definitely lacking in terms of number, it’s still more powerful than the rest. For obvious reasons. There are many minor clubs too. The soccer club should have been a close third, but the archery club has a higher number of new members. Although, most people say archery is too difficult so that’s kind of a contradiction.”

“They should just say they aren’t good at it.”

” You’re right… So this is the Kendo club.”

They stopped at the entrance of the building. It was cut out from the rest of the buildings dedicated to clubs. There it was,with an automatic door at the entrance. It didn’t fail to capture the modernized feeling mixed with an old school vibe. Almost everything there was made of wood. Shirou wasn’t surprised at all by that. However, the sweet smell of lavender mixed with cedar filled the air and blended with the beautiful surrounding. The size was also nothing to scoff at. No one in their right minds could. It could easily accommodate a hundred people.

“It looks larger than I imagined.”

“Well, it’s not one of the three largest student clubs for nothing.”

---There she is..The goddess..

“You finally made it.”

Misaka ended her spar in style and walked up to him.The spar was over so shortly that even the sparring partner on the ground was shocked. Either by the fact it ended so quickly or him lasting that long. The conclusion was that she was untouchable.

“This is the first club I’m seeing.”

“Lucky me.”

“Huh?”

“We are practising for the Kendo tournament that’s around the corner. It’s going to be fun.”

---This sure brings back memories. The painful type. So cringe worthy. The mere thought makes me want to turn invisible.

“Pardon my intrusion but we have lots of other clubs to see so I’ll appreciate you---”

Upon hearing this, she hugged Shirou from behind. Despite the shock and discomfort, his face turned beet red.

---Why does it have to be me she’s this friendly with?

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Don’t believe a single word he says. He’s from the Student council and we are obviously competing for more members. Didn’t you notice the way he changed his speech pattern? He’s a liar.”

---Liar, huh?

“Members?? You guys have the most in the whole school.”

“We’re still not enough. We need more people. More people like you.”

“Huh??”

“It’s just my intuition but I think you have talent.”

This went on for a few seconds and Shirou focused on the girl behind him instead of the person in front of him. A decision he would come to rue in the near future.. Lucas cut them off with his index finger pushing out.

“Your accusation is justifiable but wrong regardless..Besides, shouldn’t you be practising for your tournament or something?”

“Hmm??? Getting nervous??”

“Of course..Who wouldn’t in a situation like this?”

“Hmmph….I’m the Vice-captain so I get to slack off just a little. I don’t mind.”

---She seems like the best person here.

“If you’re the Vice-Captain, then who is the captain?”

“Lucas didn’t tell you? Well, that’s…”

“Hey Misaka, I think we switched face towels because this….”

---That voice…

After a long, awkward stare. Eric finally said something.His words were lacking any emotion.

“What brings you here?”

Deep in thought, he unknowingly ignored him.

“Hey..I’m talking to you.”

Lucas swiftly replied instead.

“We’re checking out all the clubs to see which suits him best.”

---Oh, I was buried in my thoughts again…

“Giving extra attention to the outsider, huh? How odd.Well, this club doesn’t need extra members.”

---If that’s the case..

“He’s just joking.”

He handed over her face towel and left immediately. The smile he had on faded much faster then he expected.

“I’m sorry about that.I hope that didn’t affect your decision in any way.”

Lucas was already acting as his personal tour guide and now translator. He decided to go along with it for a while longer.

“Of course it would, Misaka…You saw what happened for yourself.”

---They seem close.

“I guess it’s really windy outside.”

“Changing the topic, are we?”

“You guys seem to get along well.”

“Yeah. We are all connected in one way or the other.”

“I don’t quite get that.”

Lucas put his arms on his shoulders.

“To put it in simpler terms, we all have some history that tangles us in it’s web. A bunch of us.”

“Forget that.So my brother is the Captain of the club. Believe it or not, he’s the strongest one here and his technique is unmatched. This is like one of the few things that he is passionate about.”

---Shocking…He looks like a soccer type of guy.

“Misaka, you are supposed to be practising for the tournament coming up. Let’s go.”

“Roger that, captain.I’ll be there in five minutes.”

She turned to Shirou with her hands tucked behind her. A cute display but it still wasn’t effective against him.

“Anyway, give me your phone.”

“Why??”

“I want to put in my number.”

---Her number?? Talking to me in school should be enough.She can’t be that bored. Even if i go along with it being related to her “intuition”, it doesn’t make sense. I just can’t read her.

After she grabbed his phone, she placed it back in his pocket and slowly moved back, maintaining eye contact with him.

“Call me later, okay??”

“No promises.”

“Haha I like you.Call me if you need anything. See you later.”

---She wasn’t loud, but she wasn’t exactly quiet either. Anyway, some people heard her and once again, I’m being dragged into the spotlight. Misaka, what are you up to?

“Get a room, you two.”

“Lucas??”

“Let’s go. We are out of time.”

They seemed to be the center of attention, so he pulled Shirou as they both headed for the next club. The next club was the swimming club.

---I find swimming boring so that option is out.

Then, they headed for the soccer club.

--- The Soccer club. They are great but I honestly hate Soccer.

Then the chess club.

---I’ve never lost a game of chess.At least none that I remember.. Challenging, but not what I’m looking for.

Then they moved to the Archery club. An encounter he would have rather avoided.

He saw her from a distance, her stance was beautiful.It was like she was one with the wind or more precisely, the wind was under her influence as the arrows all hit the target. With such dedication, it truly was an art. but…..

“Hey where are you going? We just got here..”

Lucas attempted stopping him from leaving, but his self-willed approach was impenetrable.

---She saw me.Just for a moment there..her gaze… rested on me….

“Why are you so afraid?Wendy is nice, she’s even the Archery captain so you’re safer here than most clubs.”

---She’s the Archery captain??? Not an option.

“That makes things worse.”

---I know I said I don’t care what people think of me but this case is more complex, I just don’t want to be around her after what happened.

“How does that make things worse??”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

“I do..You can tell me about it..We’re friends after all, right?”

---Stop calling me your friend..I’m nothing close..

Shirou’s expression was more than enough for an answer. Taken aback by his silence,Lucas moved a few steps back with his approach, though he was frozen for a few seconds…

“Sorry about that..Let’s go..We still have a few more clubs to see..”

“Right…”

They saw so many clubs that they both lost count at a point.

“Shirou, we’re at the last club and that’s the Student council. Are you ready?”

“Lucas.”

“Something wrong?”

“Thanks again for helping me understand the clubs and how they all work. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“What are…..Oh…Yeah no problem…”

---Still…..Acquaintances…..That detail is too important to throw away.

“Welcome to the student council. This is where we have our meetings.”

In front of them were Harry, Hirada and a few second years that were engrossed in their work.

“Lucas, where the hell have you been? You are 30 minutes late for club meeting.”

---It’s the student council president, Nagasime Harry…

“Can’t I slack off just a bit? Besides, I’m the Vice-president right?”

---Wrong move.

“Oh…So you think you can slack off just because you’re the vice-president and expect not to get punished?”

“I thought---”

“Are you a member of the student council?”

In fear, he nodded his head. His Misaka-styled response backfired.

“I see. Then I might have to remind you of what this club is all about. Don’t you think?”

---Since he helped me out with blondie, I guess I can return the favour.

“It’s my fault.”

“Hmm?”

“I requested his assistance despite knowing his role in this club. So please don’t punish him.”

“Knowing Lucas, he wouldn’t turn down a request of any kind. That’s just his nature. All right, you’re off the hook. But if you ever mention anything about slacking off again, you’re done for!!!!!”

“.. Got it.”

---He really is a child. That’s what makes him stand out. Something similar to a special skill that only he possesses. It enables him effortlessly switch up the mood at any time he wants. If he was better at manipulating people then he truly would have been a force to be reckoned with.

“So what do you think? Have you found the right one?”

“I’ll still need to think about it.”

“So we are welcoming him???”

Hirada interrupted their discussion, slamming the pile of paper he was holding on the table in rage. From the very first moment their eyes met, he had hated everything about him. His very existence.The difference was clear in the way he glared at him with disgust. Unfortunately, it had less to do with the rumours and more of comparison of status.

“Shut it, pseudo intellectual!!”

“Pseudo intellectual?? President…”

“Lucas, well said. Hirada, let me make some things clear…I can tolerate you running your mouth off in class..Sayaka should be the one controlling you in the classroom and not me..But outside the classroom, that is quite different.I definitely wouldn’t turn a blind eye to your foolish display of superiority, understood?”

“I still don’t think he is even worthy to be considered for the student council..”

His weak display of resistance was shrugged off by Harry and he turned the other way after shaking his head. No one really seemed to care about his opinion since it was always so extreme and flawed.

“Just ignore him, Shirou.Guess I’ll be waiting for your answer.”

“Yeah.”

---He is even worse than Eric.

He ended up walking home all by himself since Yuuki was done earlier.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back, Yuuki told me you were going to stay behind to see the student clubs. How did it go?”

---She doesn’t want to say it, but I can tell that I worried her since I took longer than expected..It’s written all over her face.

“I’m still thinking about it. You can take it easy and relax more often. You don’t need to worry about me all the time.”

“Eh?? what are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

---This isn’t the first time something like this is happening.If I’m not mistaken, she’s about to segue onto another topic.

“Oh, I just remembered. Yuuki told me she needs your help with some homework.”

“On it.I want to eat dinner in my room if you don’t mind.”

“Sure, I’ll drop it on your study table.”

“Thanks.”

“You have both grown up so much.”

“I guess so.”

She cleaned her watery eyes and gave him a pat on the head.

“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore so…”

“I know I know. I just wish you could be a kid again. A selfish wish but still…”

“No matter how old I get. I’ll still be your kid.”

“You’re right about that.”

---You know, you don’t have to tear up all of a sudden. Hang in there, Mum. I would soon take all the burdens away from you . I’ll find a way to repay you for everything, I promise.So please, wait for me…..

( “---” represents the thoughts of the main character. “--” represents the thoughts of any other character. “[]” represents an important event, most likely past events. “{}” represents various sounds made.)