This Girl Joined the Club

Q. What is your favorite genre to write/read in? Along with some works from that genre?

I really love romance and mystery, especially when they’re together. I think it makes for some of the most intriguing stories. My favorites would have to be… Rascal Does Imagine Bunny Girl Senpai, The Appearance of Shizukamihara, The Flower We Witnessed That Night, and probably Hyouka.

She didn’t even try with the last series’ name… But that’s not the point. This girl reads light novels?

I glanced up at her and she looked back at me with anticipation in her eyes. Leaning forward over the table—head resting on both of her hands.

She’s part of a very high-standing clique and has probably had dozens of boyfriends… So why does she read these types of books?

I took a look back down at her list.

I’m making it sound like reading light novels is a bad thing… What I should’ve said was, has she maybe been awakened to how great they really are?

There is a problem though… This is garbage. Her tastes are garbage!

I sigh internally.

What should I have expected from a normie? It's all sappy “I’m so deep” esque content. I don’t even want to get started on Rascal Does Imagine Bunny Girl Senpai. While I do have to admit, the romance genre is the best, she enjoys it wrong! Unlike me.

I’m unsure if I should let her in…

I met her gaze again. Her big hazelnut eyes were brimming with anticipation. This was probably the first time a girl was hinging on my next words. Is this how popular guys feel all the time?

But how am I supposed to give an honest answer when she’s looking at me like that? No… I know how. It’s the job of the judge, the head of the committee, the president—to give an honest, unbiased answer no matter the scenario.

“Ahem— Akimoto—”

“Yes?”

“...After further review… I’m afraid you are going to be denied.”

“What!?” The perfect white skin on her face turned a faint red.

“I’m afraid your views don’t exactly line up with the club’s.”

“When did I mention politics!?”

“It’s not a political issue. It’s about your “tastes”...”

“You’re kidding.”

“You can’t just come in here and make a mockery of my culture.”

“Make a mockery…” Akimoto raised her eyebrows and leaned back in her seat. “What is so disrespectful about my “tastes”?”

I look down to my side and begin my sentence quietly. “Any normie like you would of course think that. You probably found these series because of an article you read online.”

Her eyebrows now twitched. “So what if I did? How does it make those series bad?”

“It’s because of who you are more so than the series themselves.”

“So you’re judging a book based on its cover?”

“In this case, yes, it’s necessary in protecting the club's values.”

“Hmph, alright. So then what makes your tastes so great?”

A counter-attack I wasn’t expecting. “Uhm… well. For starters—”

I can’t find the words… It should be simple to explain, because it’s the truth.

A smirk grew on her face in my silence. Akimoto again leaned back in her chair, this time crossing her legs.

“I’m waiting,” She said.

I got it. “For starters, you’re a fan of the knock-off, little brother series to the Monogatari Series—Rascal Does Imagine Bunny Girl Senpai. It’s honestly funny how much it tried to mimic Monogatari, yet failed in all aspects that made its predecessor great.”

Her gaze grew into one of suspicion. “You like that series?”

Huh? What? Is there something wrong with it?

“I’ve heard that show was weird and perverse… especially towards kids.”

“T-that’s not the reason I enjoy it! Of course it isn’t! I love it because of the deeper meanings and witty dialogue.”

She still looked on cautiously. “Even if that’s so, the Rascal Series surpasses it by far. It creates a down-to-earth world and characters that people can immerse themselves in—unlike that series. With it’s over-the-top dialogue and no sense of pacing.”

How am I supposed to respond!? There’s no block button! I’ve never had to hold an argument for this long!

“Besides, isn’t that what you strived to write in your light novel contest piece? I can see now why you didn’t make it past the first round.”

I feel my throat blocking up, it’s as if I can’t breathe. I’m practically being assaulted!

“That’s not why. I didn’t make it because the judges are biased to garbage.”

“Your work was so bad the judges didn’t bother giving a human response email?”

“We got off topic. I’m sorry but your application is being denied.”

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry for insulting your masterful work… How about you show me your piece, and we can go over it together. I’ll show you I know what I’m talking about.”

I’m confused still, has she not been listening or seeing how I’ve been acting? She still wants to join?

We sat in silence for a moment.

Akimoto looked off through the window while I fiddled with something on my laptop.

I’m breaking the silence…

“Akimoto-san.”

“Hm?”

“Why are you so adamant on joining the writing club?”

“...”

We locked eyes, but I quickly broke mine away. A touchy subject?

“L-like I said, it’s because I’m looking to explore my interest in writing.”

“Akimoto-san… does this have anything to do with your breakup?”

“Hahaha! W-what? What’d you mean!? Why would it? That’s such a random connection to make.”

Bullseye.

“It is a weird connection… So why?”

Akimoto fidgeted with her fingers in her lap for a moment. She snapped her neck up and made eye-contact with me—her eyes were filled with tears.

“That stupid bimbo and Katsuki were my only close friends. I have nothing now!”

“W-well… weren’t you talking about how you still like him in the alley? Y-you could try and get him back.”

“Really?” She sounded so hopefully desperate.

“I mean yeah, he cheated once, so it shouldn’t be hard to get him to do it again.”

Her tears stopped, her ragged breathing became steady again. Did I fix her? Did she see my sound logic?

A few silent seconds passed before she began emanating a loud high-pitched noise. She  down sinking down in her seat until she was fully under the table. It’s safe to say I broke her more with that comment.

“A-a-ah I mean, why not just get close with some other people in our grade?”

“I don’t wanna!” She shouted from under the table.

“...Then what’s your plan?”

“Be single and read light novels till I die...”

No matter how nice that sounds, that’s not something anyone should do.

With a sigh, I peeked under the table. She was sitting with her legs drawn up to her chest and her face buried in her knees.

“Akimoto-san.”

“What…”

I scooched off my seat and sat under the table as well. 

"It 's probably really easy for you, so you shouldn't give up on making friends..."

"..."

"But you're also interested in writing?"

She gave a meek nod.

“So do you still want to join?”

“Yes…”

She’s really cute.

I extend my hand for a handshake.

She met my hand with hers, it was small and soft compared to mine.

“Welcome Aboard.”