Club Fair

"So...you don't actually want to join a club?" Shibata asked, sounding unconvinced.

"Uh, I'm not sure. I'm just not really thinking about it right now. I'll go take a look at the clubs this afternoon. If I find one I really want to join, then I might." Ying scratched his head as he answered Shibata.

"Let's leave it at that for now. We can figure out what to do this afternoon when the time comes. After school, let's all go check out the gym together," Hamaguchi suggested.

"Sure." "Works for me." "Me too." Everyone agreed with Hamaguchi.

After an easy afternoon of classes, Ying went with Kanzaki, Shibata, and the others to the gym to check out the club fair.

"Wow, it's really lively in here!" Hamaguchi exclaimed as he looked at the bustling gym, packed with people.

"This school sure has a ton of clubs," Shibata said, unable to keep from commenting.

"Hey, first-years! Are you here for the club fair? Here's a guide to all the clubs. If you're interested, be sure to come check out the Light Music Club!" A senior girl with light-brown hair handed us a booklet filled with information about the various clubs.

After thanking her, we wandered around the gym, looking through the booklet.

"Hey, hey... Is this school for real? The equipment listed for these clubs is practically world-class," Hamaguchi said, staring at the booklet in disbelief.

"Yeah, look at the gaming club! All their equipment is top of the line. Are we supposed to be professional gamers or something?" Beppu said, gazing at the gaming club's listing with keen interest.

"This says the school's soccer club is coached by a famous French trainer! Ying, you should join too!" Shibata was clearly tempted by the soccer club and still tried to poach Ying.

"Haha... No, thanks. By the way, Kanzaki, is there any club you want to join?" Ying changed the subject.

"Not really," Kanzaki said simply.

"Kanzaki, if you keep being this cold, you'll never get a girlfriend," Hamaguchi teased him, earning a burst of laughter from everyone.

"First-years, sorry to keep you waiting. The club representatives will now introduce their clubs. I'm Tachibana, the Student Council secretary, and I'll be hosting today's event. Thank you for your attention."

After Tachibana finished her greeting, the club representatives lined up on the gym stage.

Ying immediately spotted the conspicuous Student Council president, Horikita Manabu, standing in the center. Thinking about what was about to happen, he could barely contain his excitement. This was one of his favorite scenes from his previous life, and now he could witness it in person. How could that not get him excited?

"Hey, Ying, look! That's the senpai who handed us the booklets at the gym entrance," Hamaguchi said, pointing to the person on the far right of the stage.

"I heard she's from the Light Music Club. Why don't we go check it out?" Shibata suggested.

"I'm interested in music too. Let's go take a look. Maybe they'll even perform," Ying agreed, pulling out the booklet to check the Light Music Club's information.

"Hmm, the booklet says they have a band that's pretty famous around school, called Kessoku Band. The lead singer is Chihaya Nijika-senpai, and their best-known song is Box of Sky," Ying said, reading the listing aloud to Hamaguchi and the others.

"But the band standing onstage now is apparently called Girls Dead Master?" Kanzaki joined the conversation.

After that, they checked out the archery club, karate club, ballet club, art club, and several others. At last, only Student Council President Horikita remained onstage.

"What's he doing up there? Which club do you think he represents?" Hamaguchi asked, puzzled.

"No idea, but he seems kind of intimidating," Shibata said, then shivered.

"He's the Student Council president. Keep your voices down, or he might glare at you," Ying said.

"How do you know he's the Student Council president?" Kanzaki fixed Ying with a sharp look, as if trying to see through him.

"Uh... j-just a hunch?"

Kanzaki held his forehead and sighed again. He wished the guy would take things seriously for once.

Before long, the first-years finally quieted down, and President Horikita began his speech.

"Thanks for your effort, everyone. The club fair is now over, and we'll begin accepting applications to join. Applications will remain open through the end of April, so if you decide to apply later, take your application form directly to the club you wish to join."

After the host announced the event's conclusion, Shibata left first to submit his application to the soccer club. Beppu said he wanted to learn more about the gaming club, while Kanzaki wanted to head back to the dorm and rest. Ying and Hamaguchi wandered around for a bit before splitting up too.

With no idea what to do next, Ying could only wander around campus.

"Hey, did you hear? A first-year's challenging the Chess Club, and apparently he's already beaten one of their top players."

"Seriously?"

Ying overheard two second-year students talking and suddenly remembered that today was probably the day Sakayanagi challenged the Chess Club to win a large number of private points. Since he was already close by, he decided to go see what was happening.

When Ying entered the Chess Club, the upperclassmen all turned to look at him.

"Why's another first-year here? Are you here to challenge us too?" an unfriendly-looking senior demanded.

"No, no, senpai! I just heard that someone in my year was challenging the club, so I came to watch. I don't know the first thing about chess," Ying said quickly, raising both hands in front of his chest and waving them to deny it.

"Yamada, don't scare the poor kid. He just lost and is in a bad mood, so don't mind him. If you're interested in our Chess Club, be sure to join," another senior said, stepping in to help Ying. He had a kind, gentle look.

"Thanks, senpai. If I'm interested, I'll definitely join," Ying said sincerely.

As soon as Ying entered the clubroom, he recognized the white-haired brat. Sakayanagi was smiling as she played chess against a senior who was sweating profusely. A large crowd of second- and third-years had gathered around them.

"That girl in your year is strong. She's playing against another one of our top players, and anyone with eyes can see he's about to lose. They even bet 100,000 points, so it looks like she'll come out on top again," the kind senior explained. When he mentioned the 100,000 points, he glanced at Yamada, whose face had darkened.

"And that counts as one of the club's top players? Looks like Kouiku's Chess Club isn't much to brag about."

In just that brief moment, the top player had lost. Sakayanagi kept taunting the others.

"I'll be your opponent," said a senior with glasses, stepping forward.

"That's our vice president. His chess skill is second only to the club president and the other vice president," the kind senior explained.

"Oh? How many games are they playing?" Ying asked.

"Hm? Why do you ask? Up until now, it's been a single game each time," the senior replied, puzzled.

"That's no fun. Why not make it best of three or best of five?" Ying suggested.

"Sure, but why?" the senior asked, confused.

"Obviously, so we can start a... Kouiku Chess Club betting pool."

The senior: Fair enough.