Have You Decided On A Club Yet?

As I was walking through the school gates yawning so tirelessly, I couldn't help but reflect on the previous night. "Maybe I shouldn't stay up so late. I didn't even get enough sleep because I was trying to get the books out of the way. Man yesterday was so weird," I said to myself, feeling a sense of exhaustion as I made my way down the hallway toward my classroom.

"Huh? Looks like I'm the only one here," I mumbled, glancing at the empty desks around me. However, I noticed one person who was already present—Hachimura, the transfer student. Surprisingly, he was sound asleep. Curiosity piqued, and I couldn't help but wonder if he had gotten enough sleep or if he had stayed up late as I did.

"Hmph, he probably stayed up late all night. Being a transfer student, not many excel on their second day of school," I thought, observing his appearance which somewhat resembled that of a delinquent. My gaze lingered on Hachimura until he suddenly woke up, stretching and yawning.

"Oh, Takumi, good morning," he greeted me, seemingly unfazed by his sudden awakening.

"Oh, uh... same to you," I stammered, my face turning bright red from embarrassment.

"Crap! That was so sudden. I didn't expect him to wake up, and now he's going to think I'm a creep who likes looking at people while they're napping!" I panicked internally, berating myself for my awkwardness.

"Man, that rice curry was great yesterday. I can't remember the last time I had something so delicious. It sure has been a while," Hachimura remarked casually, leaving me momentarily speechless.

Nodding in agreement, I managed to compose myself and replied, "Yeah, it sure was."

An uncomfortable silence settled between us, the awkwardness palpable in the air. Just as I began to worry about how to break the tension, Hiroshi's voice boomed from across the hallway.

"TA-KU-MI-KUN!" he yelled as he made his way towards our class.

"Takumi, good morning! Oh, and Hachimura is here as well. Morning, Hachimura!" Hiroshi greeted us cheerfully.

Hachimura and I exchanged glances, seemingly surprised by Hiroshi's enthusiastic entrance. Hiroshi's presence brought a sense of relief, and I hoped he could help diffuse the awkward atmosphere.

"Morning, Hiroshi, and can you not yell my name like that? It's weird," I grumbled, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement.

"You mean the part where I said 'TA-KU-MI-KUN'?" Hiroshi chuckled.

"Yes, that part!" I said.

"Fine, fine. But, man, Takumi-kun, I love seeing you react like that," Hiroshi laughed.

"Hahaha, wow, you two sure are close. I'm actually kind of jealous," Hachimura remarked, breaking the silence.

"Huh? We both said simultaneously, taken aback by his unexpected comment.

"In fact, Hachimura, I, and Takumi-kun are close," Hiroshi chimed in with a grin.

I scowled and snapped, "Get your arm off me," irritated by Hiroshi's attempt at humor.

"So, how long have you two known each other?" Hachimura inquired, his attention shifting towards me.

"Hmm... since middle school," Hiroshi began, but I swiftly intervened, cutting him off with a punch to the head.

"Ow! Takumi-kun, what the hell was that for?" Hiroshi protested, rubbing his head.

"Some things are better left unsaid. Not everyone needs to know my life story," I retorted to Hiroshi, leaving Hachimura bewildered by the exchange.

"Well, yeah, but that hurts, dude. Anyway, Hachimura, have you decided on any clubs you'll be joining?" Hiroshi redirected the conversation, attempting to move past the tension.

"Clubs? No, I haven't decided on any yet," Hachimura replied, turning his attention back to me. "Are you in any clubs, Takumi?"

"Yeah, Calligraphy," I answered, trying to regain my composure.

"What about you, Hiroshi?" Hachimura asked.

"I'm in the basketball club!" Hiroshi exclaimed, leaning towards Hachimura with excitement. "You should join the basketball club. It's really fun, and you might like it!"

"Uh... yeah, I'll think about it," Hachimura replied hesitantly, unsure of his decision.

"Hey! Hiroshi, don't force him to join. Give him time," I interjected, concerned about Hachimura feeling pressured.

"Oh, you're right. My bad, Hachimura," Hiroshi acknowledged, moving back to his own desk.

"Thank you, Takumi," Hachimura responded calmly, accompanied by a smile.

"It's nothing, really. I just didn't like the thought of people forcing others to join their clubs," I said, shifting my gaze down to my textbook.

With the arrival of the teacher and the beginning of the class, the conversation came to an end, and we all turned our attention to the lesson at hand.