Chapter 76

I finally got to meet Aoi after a long time. Since we last met during the spring break, I was really happy.

Unfortunately, Aoi and I ended up going to different cram schools after entering high school. As a result, we couldn't meet regularly like before. She was my oasis in my heart.

But we keep in touch through emails and phone calls, so I believe this friendship will continue forever. I won't let you go, Aoi!

The place Aoi and I came to is a café famous for its cakes. Indeed, there are many varieties.

The banana tart looks delicious. But the red bean tea chiffon cake is also tempting. Maybe I should buy a roll cake to take home.

After much deliberation, I finally chose the milk chocolate cake. Ah, cakes really make people happy.

"Aoi, your complexion looks much better than when we met during the spring break. I'm glad."

"Thanks."

Aoi, who had been looking pale from studying for the exams, is now back to her usual self. Her cheeks, which were gaunt before the exams, are now plump.

"Are you getting used to high school?"

"There was a sudden test right after enrollment. I thought I was finally free from exam studies."

"Wow."

No wonder it's a prestigious high school.

"But I think I'll take a break from studying for a while. I'm thinking of joining a club and am currently checking out various ones."

A club, huh. I was in the homeroom club in junior high. Maybe I should join something too. Then I might meet new people!

"I think I want to join a sports club. Volleyball or badminton. I was in the basketball club in junior high."

A sports club. It would be good to move my body. Besides, it helps with weight loss.

"Maybe I'll join a sports club too."

"Really, Rika? I think that's a good idea! You'd look great in the tennis club!"

"Please, anything but the tennis club."

I absolutely don't want to join the tennis club. I'm a complete beginner, and I feel like I'll be misunderstood as being good from the start.

This is like a boy named Tsubasa being expected to be good at soccer.

I'm afraid I'll be given a nickname like "Mrs." with a high probability...

"I'll go check it out next time. I don't know much about what clubs are available, though. I did get a list of clubs, but..."

Aoi laughed happily and took a bite of the red bean tea chiffon cake.

The red bean tea chiffon cake looks delicious too. Maybe I should order another one...

"Aoi, you seem to be enjoying yourself now that the exam studies are over. I'm glad."

"Um... I do have some worries. Not school-related, but family-related."

"Family?"

"Yeah. My brother suddenly got into the guitar and plays it loudly every day without considering the family. It's so noisy."

"Oh dear."

"Recently, he even started singing. It's terrible. The bad guitar playing and strange singing are echoing throughout the neighborhood. The other day, my mom was told, 'Your brother is good at the guitar, isn't he?' That was definitely a backhanded compliment!"

The usually gentle Aoi rarely raises her voice like this.

"By the way, which of your two brothers is it?"

"...Muscle."

Playing guitar with muscles. Is he the type who sings at the foot of a volcano?

"I really wish he would stop. I'm so embarrassed I can't even go outside."

"That's tough."

Aoi nodded and sighed deeply.

But I feel bad for Aoi, so I want to meet her brother with muscles.

"I want to meet your brother once..."

"No."

I see.

"Sorry for bringing up such a weird topic. Let's talk about your school, Rika."

"Hmm. It seems I'm perceived as someone who's hard to approach, especially by boys."

"Didn't you say something like that before? Was it during the remedial classes?"

"Yeah, that's right. It's better than before, though."

Those remedial classes ended up being a deserted island experience.

"Maybe I have a mean face. Some kids even look away from me in fear."

"Really? But you do have good friends, right? And there are boys from the same cram school."

"Yes, I guess."

Kasazawa-kun, maybe.

"Maybe you could ask that boy to spread the word about your good qualities to everyone? And ask your girl friends too. Then you might make a lot of friends."

"That sounds like a setup. I'd be so embarrassed if it was found out. Besides, I'm too embarrassed to ask someone to spread my good qualities."

"True..."

I don't want to think I'm in such a desperate situation.

"Then, how about a club! You'll definitely make new friends!"

"That's a good idea. I'll go check one out next time!"

Right. If I join a club, I might make new friends and maybe even have a romantic encounter with a senior!

What club should I join?

I heard a rumor that the tennis club was trying to recruit me, so I can't join the tennis club.

What's a "tennis pong" club? It's still tennis, but it's too obscure. I didn't know we had such a club at Suiran.

Table tennis? Just say table tennis. Have some confidence in your club.

If you really want me to hold a racket, how about a compromise with badminton? Aoi said she might join too. I used to play it a lot with friends when I was a kid and it was fun. Yeah, that might be good.

I went to check out the badminton club with a light heart, but the speed of the shuttlecock was overwhelming. This is no good. It would hurt a lot if it hit me. Plus, there seems to be a lot of intense running. Hmm, running is a bit... I sometimes taste blood in my mouth when I run. I don't think I'm suited for running.

I went to check out various sports clubs with my friends, but the more I saw, the more I lost interest.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do it," I apologized to my friends, and they all had the "I expected as much" look. I'm sorry.

Feeling a bit depressed about my own weakness, I was walking when I was invited to join the literature club by the student council president. The president, are you still writing poems?

Poems aside, a cultural club might be more suitable for me. I might make gentle friends. Maybe I'll check out cultural clubs tomorrow. Yes, that's what I'll do.

In the end, I was drawn to the cooking club and the handicraft club because they seemed relaxed and fun, but when I went to check them out, everyone got so nervous that I decided to back off.

I really wanted to try making a stuffed animal...

The bar for joining a club is so high.