Icebreakers

Tanaka: You’re coming to club right ☆〜（ゝ。∂）
Me: Yeah, yeah I'm going

Like I have a choice.

We both headed down to the clubroom together. When we got there Saori-senpai was setting up some snacks, Dachi was rearranging some books, and Prez was doing some reading. Once she noticed us, she placed her manga on the table.

“Good, everyone is here. Please take a seat,” she says with a smile.

We all sat around a circular table.

Prez clears her throat. “Do any of you know why I gathered you all here?”

We shook our heads.

“With the two new recruits added to our ranks. I believe now is the perfect time to do some small, intimate activities where we break the ice.”

“Wait,” I said. "You just said yesterday that icebreakers were pointless.”

“I don’t recall. Regardless, this club runs as a monarchy, not a democracy. We do what I say. Understand, peasant.

“Come on, Kazuma-kun,” Tanaka said. “I think this could be fun! We get to learn more about each other after all.”

“Yeah, come on, Kazuma-kun, " Dachi says in a high-pitched voice.

I can hear Saori-senpai giggle.

“Fine,” I said. “But what’s with the sudden change of heart,” I mumbled.

“Most likely, the manga Midori is reading has icebreakers in it. So she wants to replicate it." Saori said.

"She's pretty easily influenced from what she's reading," Dachi adds.

“Let’s begin,” said Prez. “So Ito, what’s your type?”

My type? Who asks such an embarrassing question out of the blue?

“Pass.”

“Unaccepted. To truly understand each other, we must get to know each other’s vulnerable side. Therefore, passing is denied,” Prez said.

Of course it is. To be honest, I don’t even know what my type is. Still, I have to say something.

“My type is someone who is unique. They are also very kind, cute, curious, loves to have fun, a bit silly, an airhead at times, and they have a bright smile that can soothe all your troubles away.”

“Dude,” Dachi turns towards me. “You know she meant what’s your favorite type of manga or anime, not love interest.”

“Ah yeah of course,” I said as my voice cracked. “Please forget what I just said.”

“No, no, no Yamazaki. I like his response. In fact, I think everyone should answer this question now with their love interest in mind.”

“Great,” he says.

“Allow me to go next,” said Prez. “My type is someone who is passionate, creative, and doesn’t like to lose. They are stunning both inside and out. Your next, Saori.”

“Me? Well I guess my type is someone who can make me laugh, they are honest and are always there for the people they care about.”

“Alright, I'll go,” said Dachi. “For me, I love a girl who has a really big-”

“Next,” said Prez.

“But I was just going to say personality. This is oppressing free speech.”

“Next,” she says again as the girls giggle in the back.

“I guess that’s me, " Tanaka says. “My type, well.” I can see her face turning beet red. “Tsu--” she stutters. “Tsunderes! Sure, they can be really cold and distant on the outside, but I love how they have a sweet side too. And the longer you get to know them, you can see how they are really caring, helpful, and even have the loveliest of smiles.” She turns herself away.

So that’s her type huh? At least I don’t have to worry about her falling for me.

“Well, wasn’t that a fun icebreaker everyone.”

No, not at all.

“Next, how about we play this game, Pretzel Twist,” said Prez.

She holds up a box that shows people putting their feet and arms on different colored squares.

“As there are five of us, we will split into two teams, where one person acts as the judge,” she said.

“I call Kazuma-kun!” Tanaka shouts as she grabs my arm.

“Approve. With that, we have Tanaka and Ito as team one, and Saori and I as team two.”

“Wait a minute,” Dachi said. Why do I have to be the judge?”

“You’re suited for that role.”

“I’m definitely not. I think it’s best if I am paired with Senpai. That way the teams will be even with one girl and one guy.”

“I think not.”

“You know,” Saori interrupts. “Since you two want to play so much, I’ll be the judge. I’m not the biggest fan of this game anyway.”

We opened the box and laid down the sheet. But the sheet was quite small.

“Whoops, I must have bought the kid version by mistake," said Saori.

“No matter, we will just have one team go at a time,” said Prez. “To those who don’t understand how to play, Saori will spin a spinner which tells you what action you need to do on what color.”

"For example, if it is Dachi's turn, and the spinner lands on yellow, left foot. He needs to put his left foot on the yellow square," Saori adds.

“Points are awarded for the number of successful moves the team can complete before falling over. Does everyone understand?" Prez ask.

We all nodded yes.

"Let’s start. Team Rika and Kazuma, you’re up first. Alright Rika, your first move is right foot, red.”

She places her foot on the mat.

“Your next Kazuma. Your move is left foot, green.”

The two of us went back and forth, we carefully placed our bodies on the mat. Things were going well until we somehow ended up in a compromising position. Currently, I am in a crab-like pose, while Tanaka is standing over me. You know, in this position I could probably see up her-. I immediately closed my eyes. There’s no way I'm stooping that low. Saori calls out another color.

“Rika, both hands, yellow.”

I decided to take a quick peek just to see her new position, and unsurprisingly it got worse. This time she’s in a table-top position over me. I lower myself down a bit to create some distance. But this is the worst position we could be in. After all, all it takes is for some random stranger to look in, and instantly misunderstand. Even worse, if that stranger decides to take a photo. One photo is all it takes to ruin someone's life. Tanaka's reputation would be ruined. While I don't care what people say about me, she doesn't deserve the hate.

“Okay, Kazuma left hand, blue.”

Alright, to escape, I just have to lose. But how? If I move in the wrong way, I could cause Tanaka to fall on top of me, which wouldn’t be good. What’s worse, I could feel myself slipping. It also doesn’t help how her soft, coconut-scented hair is tickling me. Also, with her being so close, it’s getting harder to concentrate. Oh no, I don't think I can hold on much longer.

Then suddenly there was a loud THUD!

TANAKA!

Tanaka just threw herself to the side. I ended up falling from my position as well.

“Are you okay, Rika?” Saori asks.

"Yeah, I’m okay. I guess my arms started getting tired and I slipped."

Slipped, huh? Looked more intentional to me. I wonder if she came to the same conclusion as well. She then comes over and gives me her hand.

“Are you okay Kazuma-kun? You seemed a bit uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. You’re okay, right? That was a pretty hard fall.”

“Yes, I am definitely feeling much better now,” she smiles.

“I’m glad you both are okay. In total, team one is in the lead with twelve points. Team two, you’re next,” said Saori.

“So we’re really going through with this,” said Dachi.

“Quiet Yamazaki, I didn’t come here to lose.”

“Alright, Midori, left foot green. Good. Now Dachi, right foot blue.”

“Wow, those two are doing good so far. Do you think they’ll beat us?” Tanaka asked.

“I don't know, I feel like I’m forgetting something about Dachi,” I said.

“Okay, Dachi, right foot, red.

“Owwww!” Shrieks Prez. “Yamazaki, why would you even put your foot here, that's green.”

“Well, they all look the same to me!”

“This is why you should have been the judge.”

“You do realize that would have been worse!”

We all began to laugh, with even Saori-senpai falling to her knees. Soon enough, it was time for us to go home. In the end, Prez decided that icebreakers were no longer necessary. She also decided to ban Pretzel Twist as well. All in all, not a bad afternoon. I’m just glad things didn’t turn out bad for Tanaka. And I hate to say it, but I guess it was nice seeing her up close. Ah what am I saying, it’s not like, I like her like that.