“It seems you only heard the word ‘Astronomy Club’ and didn’t pay any attention to my question at all…”
Watching Takamatsu Tomori’s energy visibly wane, Amaya Yuu couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing.
The petite girl before him was like a voice-activated light; whenever the topic touched upon an area she was interested in, she would instantly brighten up, but as soon as she left that safe zone, she would immediately dim again.
“Whether I join or not, I’m actually still…”
Before he could finish the second half of his sentence—”haven’t decided yet”—a clear shout suddenly came from outside the hallway:
“Oi—!
Takamatsu-san—!
Are you there—!”
Takamatsu Tomori jumped at the sound, as if suddenly jolted awake: “Transfer student…
Ah!
Chihaya-san!”
Before the words had even faded, she didn’t even bother to explain to Amaya Yuu.
Clutching the small metal box filled with bandages, she ducked through the gap beside him like a nimble little animal and ran quickly in the direction of the voice.
“…!
She ran off again!” Amaya Yuu watched Takamatsu Tomori disappear in a flash and had no choice but to speed up his pace to follow her.
As he walked, he pressed that penguin bandage onto the scrape on his elbow.
Just as he reached the stairwell, he saw Takamatsu Tomori.
She was crouching in front of the steps, carefully applying a bandage to a wound on the knee of a pink-haired girl.
“Does Takamatsu-san like penguins?”
“I-I guess so…
I think…
they are cute.”
“Why do you sound so unsure?”
“Because I’m just collecting them…
I guess I just like searching for new kinds…”
“Ah~~ But that really happens, whenever I see cute pens, I can’t help but want to buy them!”
When Takamatsu Tomori looked up, she noticed Amaya Yuu standing at the stairwell.
Her eyes lit up, and she blurted out, “Ah!
It’s the ‘Penguin Expert’!”
Chihaya Anon turned her head following the direction of her gaze.
Seeing Amaya Yuu, she also stood up, repeating with a hint of curiosity, “‘Penguin Expert’?”
Amaya Yuu was stunned by this sudden nickname, subconsciously pointing at himself: “Me?”
Takamatsu Tomori finally realized her rudeness, her hands unconsciously clasped in front of her chest, her face full of apology: “I’m sorry!
Just now when I was introducing myself, my attention was completely captured by the words ‘transfer student,’ and I didn’t catch your name…”
“I really don’t know what to do with you…” Amaya Yuu smiled helplessly and reintroduced himself: “My name is Amaya Yuu, a transfer student in Class 1-B.
I just enrolled today, please treat me well.”
“You’re a transfer student too?!” Chihaya Anon’s eyes lit up, as if she had discovered a new continent.
“Then that means—”
She grew more excited as she spoke, even taking a step forward: “You haven’t joined a band yet, right!
Do you want to form a band with me?
I’ll be responsible for guitar and vocals, you can pick any other position!”
After finishing, she turned to hold Takamatsu Tomori’s hand: “Takamatsu-san too, pick any position!”
“I’m not joining.”
Amaya Yuu and Takamatsu Tomori spoke almost simultaneously.
Amaya Yuu knew nothing about music; forming a band was too distant for him.
As for Takamatsu Tomori, she lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: “Because…
if I play in a band…
it will definitely fail again…”
If Amaya Yuu hadn’t had sharp ears, he might not have even heard her whisper.
Noticing that Tomori’s mood had noticeably dropped, Chihaya Anon immediately looked at Amaya Yuu, casting a pleading look for help.
Amaya Yuu understood, gave her a firm look, and then naturally changed the subject: “Speaking of which, I haven’t asked for this classmate’s name yet.”
“Oh, right, right!” Chihaya Anon immediately picked up the conversation, regaining her bright tone.
“I’m Chihaya Anon, also a transfer student, currently in Class 1-A!”
Amaya Yuu asked smoothly, “Then does Chihaya-san participate in any clubs?
Do you have any recommendations?”
“I haven’t decided yet, I’m also looking for a suitable club.” Chihaya Anon shook her head.
“Coincidentally, Takamatsu-san just said she is in the Astronomy Club, and the activity room is right next door.” Amaya Yuu naturally took over the conversation, taking the opportunity to extend an invitation on behalf of the silent Takamatsu Tomori, “Do you want to go take a look together?”
Chihaya Anon looked at Takamatsu Tomori, and seeing her nod gently, she readily agreed: “Sure, let’s go visit!”
Amaya Yuu and Chihaya Anon followed Takamatsu Tomori into the Astronomy Club activity room.
Chihaya Anon looked around, her gaze quickly drawn to the various girl band posters plastered on the wall, and asked with slight confusion: “These are…?”
“They are…
left behind by the previous president.
She seemed to like them very much.” Takamatsu Tomori explained softly and took an activity logbook from the cabinet to hand to Anon.
Amaya Yuu was attracted by the astronomical telescope in the corner and bent down to observe it curiously; in his two lifetimes combined, this was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes.
“By the way, there’s only you in the Astronomy Club.
Won’t the school consider shutting it down?”
“As long as I submit the activity reports properly, it won’t be shut down!” Takamatsu Tomori’s voice suddenly rose a little, carrying a trace of imperceptible persistence.
Chihaya Anon flipped through the activity log and couldn’t help but laugh: “It feels like…
the Astronomy Club is full of incredible people, or rather, it easily attracts people with unique personalities!”
“Sounds like a relaxed and comfortable place—” Amaya Yuu tapped his left palm with his right fist, as if he had made an important decision, and turned to smile at Takamatsu Tomori.
“Takamatsu-san, I accept your previous invitation!”
“I want to join the Astronomy Club.”
“Really?!” Takamatsu Tomori’s hands were unconsciously clasped in front of her, her body leaning slightly forward, her eyes shining with unbelievable brilliance.
Watching Takamatsu Tomori, who had instantly become spirited, Amaya Yuu smiled and turned to Chihaya.
Anon: “Chihaya-san, why don’t you join too?
You haven’t decided which club to join anyway.”
“Eh—?” This sudden invitation caught Anon off guard.
“But…”
She wanted to politely decline, but as soon as she looked up, she met Takamatsu Tomori’s bright eyes filled with anticipation, and the words that had reached her lips were swallowed back.
“Come on, come on,” Amaya Yuu struck while the iron was hot.
“It’s so lonely with only two people in the club.
Besides, the activities are so free, it won’t affect your band activities at all.”
It was like the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
Anon’s gaze wavered between Takamatsu Tomori and Amaya Yuu, and finally, as if she had given up resistance, “Alright, then I’ll join too!”
“The Astronomy Club’s activities are mainly observing stars, so it won’t take up too much of everyone’s time!” Takamatsu Tomori, in a bright mood, clearly spoke more.
“Observing stars, huh…” Amaya Yuu was thoughtful.
“The stars are endless, so for Takamatsu-san, who likes collecting, wouldn’t that mean you’ll be looking at stars for a lifetime?”
“A lifetime…” Takamatsu Tomori repeated the word unconsciously, a faint, hazy longing rising in her eyes.
“A lifetime or whatever…” Chihaya Anon muttered softly, feeling that this statement was too distant and sounded somewhat unrealistic.