Looking for a Club (3)

"RYU-CHAAAN!"

I don't know how long I had been walking, but it looks like I finally found Shuichi.

Or rather he found me.

"Ryu-chan, I've been looking for you."

"Oh, Shu-san, what happened? Weren't we supposed to meet by that vending machine earlier?"

"That's why I was looking for you.

I was scouted by a club before I was able to meet you."

"Oh? What club?"

"That's why I was looking for you. 

You're always coming up with stories, and stuff like that, right?"

"Yeah, I guess"

"Well I was told that it was something like a creative writing club. In fact, the club president had a particular interest in you, and wanted me to come and find you."

Me? I hardly know anyone outside of Shuichi and a few others. How would this person know about me?

"So, why would a creative writing club scout someone like you?"

"Huh....you're right. Well I did play their game, but I didn't get too far."

What? Maybe Shuichi said something about me? Or was the club after me in the first place and used Shuichi to do it?

Either way, this sounds interesting.

I'm curious now.

"Alright, Shu-san, take me their. I'm mildly interested to see what this club has to offer."

"Hell yeah! I'm sure president will be happy."

"Oh, and you mentioned a game?"

"Oh yeah, he told me to keep it a secret so I don't spoil you."

He? Hmm.

I continued to follow Shuichi half-way across campus to another to one of the school's buildings.

When we arrived at what I presume to be this creative writing club's room, I got a tingly feeling in my chest.

I was excited.

Shuichi knocked on the door.

"Yo, president, I brought Ryu-chan!"

"You can come in"

A voice from the other side of the door.

Shuichi opened the door and entered.

I followed.

"Ryu-kun, I presume?"

A tall figured man, with a bowl cut and glasses.

"Uh...yes, Ryu-kun is fine"

I'm nervous.

"This is Sugata-senpai. He's a third year and president of the club. 

And this is my best friend, Ryu-chan."

Thank-you for the kind introductions, Shuichi.

"Alright, Shuichi-kun, you can leave now, I'd like to talk to Ryu-kun alone."

"Alone? What is this club, anyways?"

"It's fine Ryu-chan, you just have to pass the test first. I'll be outside waiting."

Test?

Shuichi closed the door.

I was now alone with this Sugata person.

"You can sit."

He was sitting at square table with two chairs on opposite sides, pointing at the empty sit in front of him.

I sat down.

It was then that I noticed the poster behind him.

The poster had a list of fiction genres.

Right, this was a creative writing club, wasn't it?

"So why did you want to see me specifically? And what's this club about anyways?"

"Ryu-kun."

His voice was disturbingly deep.

"Yes?"

"Do you know about abnormals?"

"Well, yes, I would imagine that everyone does, these days."

"Right. And what do you think of them?"

"Well, their nothing special. Just people with powers, right?"

"Wrong."

"What?"

"Ryu-kun."

"Yes?"

"What do you actually thing about abnormals?"

"Uh...well. Sure, I think that they often are put up on pedestals without any real reasoning.

I mean, come on, it's not like they had to work for that power their entire life or anything."

"Uh-huh.

You know, Ryu-kun, I heard you had something of an outburst this morning during first period. I heard it was related to abnormals."

"Yeah, I just got a bit riled up at the 1033 broadcast this morning."

"Well I was thinking that me and you might be a little similar, but...."

He stood up and leaned over to me.

"Do you hate abnormals?"

"W-well...."

"So you like abnormals?"

"No."

"Well your certainly not indifferent about them.

After all, what was that outburst for?"

"I-"

He came even closer.

"Hmm"

He sat back down.

"Ok. 

This isn't some novel where I'm going to force you to voice your feelings, when they are already apparent.

I think we can proceed."

He sat in a reserved position with his hands in his lap.

"Alright Ryu-kun, I'd like to play a game with you. 

Call it a test."

Oh yeah.

"Wait, I was told this was a creative writing club, is it not?"

"Well, rather than saying that this is a creative writing club, I would say that creative writing is one of this clubs many interests."

I see.

"So then what is this club, then?"

"Well, officially, we are called the Thinking Club, but....well anyways...

Our goal in this club is to use our mind to it's fullest potential by tossing around ideas with each other, debate about things and bring ideas to fruition.

I hear you're a writer, is that correct?"

"Yeah, I write sometimes."

"Good. That can help in this club.

So, I want you to play a game with me to see if you're qualified to join our club."

"Oh wait, I still haven't even decided if want to join yet."

"Then let this game decide your interest"

Not that I was going to turn down the game anyways.

"Alright...sure."

"Good."

He smiled.

"This will be a gambling game. A "bet" if you will."

"Gambling?"

"Well after all, it is a great way to use your mind."

"Ok..."

"If you will, look over here."

He pointed to the poster board hanging on the wall that I noticed when I sat down.

"Here is a list of genres.

This is what you will be betting."

"Genres?"

"Ideas."

"Betting ideas?"

"Yes, I want you to choose a genre that you've had a story idea for and then tell me about it."

"What exactly do you get out of this?"

"If you lose, then I take your idea for my own."

"And if I win?"

"If you will look, under each genre there's a dollar amount, that's the maximum amount of money that I'm going to bet for each genre."

What? Does he really only what ideas for stories that I've had?

I can't tell what he's really thinking.

"If you can't remember every detail about the story, then that's fine, as long as you genuinely tell me your idea in accordance to what you really think, then I'll accept it."

"Ok then, I'll choose fantasy."

"Good, then I'll be betting 10,000 dollars."

10 grand? Surely he can't be serious.

"Wait, why are the genres valued at different amounts."

"It's in accordance to how much I like the genre. I just so happen to like fantasy a lot.

I've always wanted to tell a grand fantasy story that take place in a giant fictional world, but I've never had the talent to write myself. 

So go ahead, tell me your fantasy story."