Forced to Join Clubs

"I win!" Aika shouted triumphantly, raising her fist in the air.

"Oh, come on!" Yujiro whined, catching his breath as I caught up to them. "You had a head start!"

"You need to lose weight!" Aika giggled, teasingly nudging Yujiro.

"Just shut up," he playfully retorted, lying down on the schoolyard and gazing up at the sky. As memories of our past adventures flooded my mind, nostalgia tinged my voice.

"Remember when we would go to the park at night and look at the stars?" I asked, my gaze following theirs upward.

Aika's eyes sparkled with recollection. "Ah, yes. Those were the great days," she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of longing and fondness.

Before the tragedy that took my parents, we would always venture out together at night, reveling in the simple joys of life. My parents, despite their strict nature, would reluctantly indulge in those moments, scolding me for my nocturnal escapades.

"We should do that again sometime," Aika suggested, her eyes locked with mine. She understood the unspoken yearning in my heart.

"We should get to class," Yujiro suggested as he sat up from the ground, interrupting our break in the wistful atmosphere. We nodded in agreement, acknowledging the reality of our responsibilities.

"Same hall at ten?" I proposed.

"Of course!" Aika affirmed with a warm smile. With that understanding, we parted ways, each heading to our respective classes.

I managed to arrive at my seat just seconds before the bell rang, breathing a sigh of relief. The teacher entered the room, and the familiar routine of the school day commenced.

"Good morning class," the teacher greeted us. "Welcome to the first day of being a senior."

While a few students cheered, I remained quiet, my mind wandering. Glancing out the window, I closed my eyes, seeking solace in the stillness within.

"You have to widen out." A soft yet persistent voice whispered in my mind. Ignoring the internal call, I opened my eyes, refocusing on the teacher's words.

As the teacher continued the monologue, my attention was piqued when she mentioned the new clubs being introduced this year. Leaning my head against my arms, I listened intently.

"There have been a few changes for clubs. This year, besides the usual clubs, students have established the Digital Art Club, Boxing Club, and Astrology Club. As a minor note, the Baking Club has been changed to be called Cuisine Cooking."

Leaning back in my chair, I reflected on my disinterest in clubs throughout my school years. While Aika had dabbled in various activities and even held the position of the school's news club president, and Yujiro had explored different avenues without facing expulsion, I had always been consumed by responsibilities, leaving little time for extracurricular pursuits. Perhaps, if circumstances were different, I might have ventured into the realm of clubs.

As the teacher instructed us to take out our books, I plugged in my earbuds, seeking solace in the melodies that transported me to a realm beyond the classroom walls.

--❦--

After a couple of classes, I made my way to the bulletin board, waiting for Yujiro and Aika to join me. My eyes scanned the announcements, curious about the new possibilities.

"So," Yujiro draped his arm over my shoulder, breaking my concentration. "Are you actually going to sign up for some clubs this year?"

I playfully waved my hand in front of his face. "You know me, I don't have time for this," I replied, a hint of resignation in my voice. Yujiro's smile faded, replaced by a tinge of sadness.

"But the options this year are actually good," he attempted to persuade me as Aika approached us. With a pencil in hand and a knowing smile on her face, she tapped the board.

"Is there anything you're interested in, Haruki?" She inquired, genuinely curious about my thoughts.

I shook my head, the weight of my responsibilities lingering in my response. "You know I don't have the time, being a waiter and all," I admitted, a sense of longing underlying my words.

Aika let out a sigh, determined to help me find a solution. "Okay, Yujiro, let's help him decide," she declared, taking charge of the situation. Yujiro saluted her in jest, fully embracing his role as my advisor.

Raising my hands in surrender, I protested, "Guys! I can't sign up!"

"Hush, Mr. Complicated," Yujiro retorted, patting my head affectionately. "I'll make sure someone covers your shift."

I regarded him with suspicion, unsure of his ability to persuade my boss to allow a stranger to take over my duties. Yujiro waved away my concerns, confident in his connections. "No need to worry. My brother is involved with a prominent food company. He can speak to your boss on your behalf."

Though still harboring doubts, I had little choice but to trust Yujiro's assurances. Aika, flipping her pencil in thought, suggested, "Okay, now that's taken care of, let's pick some clubs. How about cooking? Since you're a waiter, you could master being a chef and even earn a promotion."

I shrugged, contemplating the idea. "Couldn't hurt."

"What about boxing?" Aika proposed, her gaze fixed on me. "Living with only your siblings, it wouldn't hurt to learn some self-defense, just in case. Come on, I'll join you."

As Aika began jotting down names, I rolled my eyes playfully, silently conceding that if Yujiro couldn't fulfill his promise, he would be responsible for resolving the situation. Aika brought up the idea of digital art, but I shook my head, feeling like she had already roped me into enough clubs in the past.

"Okay, just me then," she mused, continuing to write her name on the signup sheet.

I turned away, allowing Yujiro to make his choices while I contemplated the uncertain future ahead.

Eventually, we finished selecting our clubs and carried on with the rest of the day. During my shift as a waiter, my mind drifted, preoccupied with thoughts of the potential consequences. If Yujiro's plan to cover my shift failed, I would find myself in a difficult predicament.

Arriving home a bit later than usual, I went through the motions of dinner and dishwashing. As I settled onto my bed, contemplation consumed me. Taking care of my younger brother and sister had become my responsibility, and I could only hope that everything would unfold smoothly.