The bell had barely rung when Ren and Akari stepped out of the classroom, the late morning sun filtering through the windows and casting soft golden patches on the linoleum floor.
Ren adjusted his blazer with a small smirk, his confident stride somehow managing to feel casual, like he was strolling through a park instead of the noisy hallways of Yamada High. Akari walked beside him, her bag slung carelessly over one shoulder, eyes darting around as if memorizing every detail of this new world.
"So," Ren said, glancing sideways, "what's the plan now? We survived lunch without catastrophic curry. Surely we deserve a break."
Akari laughed softly. "You mean you survived. I mostly watched you negotiate with the lunch lady like a pro."
He gave her a mock offended look. "Hey, a true gentleman knows the value of charm—and a well-timed compliment."
She rolled her eyes but didn't push back. There was a comfort in their easy banter, a rhythm that made the day feel a little less daunting.
Just as they reached the lockers near the main corridor, a voice called out from behind them.
"Oi! Fujiwara! Tanaka!"
Ren and Akari both turned toward the sound.
Daichi Morita was jogging up, waving like he was about to announce the start of a festival. His usual grin was bright, almost manic, the kind that could light up an entire room—or cause a minor earthquake, depending on your perspective.
"Hey, Daichi," Akari greeted with a small smile. "What's up?"
Daichi skidded to a stop, nearly colliding with Ren. "You guys! Wait up. I've got something you don't want to miss."
Ren raised a skeptical brow. "This doesn't sound promising."
Akari chuckled. "What is it, Daichi?"
Without missing a beat, Daichi pointed behind him, where a group of students was gathered around a bulletin board plastered with colorful flyers.
"Club sign-up! You *have* to check it out," he said with wide eyes. "There's something for everyone."
Akari glanced at Ren, whose expression was halfway between curiosity and mild horror.
"I was thinking of joining something," Ren admitted, "but I don't want to be roped into something boring. No marching bands or anything, please."
Daichi grinned like that was the perfect challenge. "Good. Then you gotta come with me. I'll introduce you."
Akari tilted her head, sensing there was more to this than just "join a club."
"Alright, lead the way," she said, following Daichi as he practically bounced toward the crowd.
---
The cluster of students around the bulletin board was a whirlwind of colors and chatter. Posters for the art club, broadcasting, cooking, music, student council, and several sports clubs were pinned up, some decorated with hand-drawn doodles, others typed neatly in bold fonts.
Kaito Minami was already there, calmly reading the list. His light brown hair was slightly tousled, and the quiet confidence in his posture was like a low hum in the noisy hallway. Rio Hayashi leaned beside him, animated and bright, her honey-blonde waves bouncing as she flipped through the flyers.
Akari spotted them and waved.
Kaito looked up, his warm smile steady. "Hey, Tanaka, Fujiwara."
Ren gave a small nod. "Minami."
Rio grinned. "Hey, new faces! Thinking about joining anything yet?"
Ren glanced at Akari, who shrugged lightly. "We're scouting options."
Daichi elbowed Ren playfully. "I'm all about the baseball support team, obviously."
Ren blinked. "You mean, cheering from the sidelines?"
Daichi puffed up his chest. "Exactly! It's the best job—no running, just enthusiasm."
Rio snorted. "You're really setting the bar high, Daichi."
"Hey, it's a vital role!" he protested with mock seriousness.
---
Akari's eyes quickly scanned the sports club flyers: basketball, track and field, volleyball, tennis...
"I think I might try the track team," Akari said, her voice steady but bright with enthusiasm. "Running's always been my thing."
Rio's eyes sparkled with playful teasing. "Oh, look at you, Miss Athletic! I'll be cheering you on."
Ren gave a rare, genuine smile. "That sounds like a perfect fit."
Daichi gave a thumbs-up. "Track team, huh? Nice! I'm mostly just good at yelling encouragement, but hey, every team needs that."
Kaito approached, glancing at the flyers. "Track's demanding, but it's great for focus and discipline. If you need any tips or someone to pace you, let me know."
Akari nodded, appreciating the offer. "Thanks, Kaito."
---
Ren wandered over to the art club poster. "No speeches. No equipment. Just… drawing. Sounds manageable."
Akari gave him a look. "You can't even hold a pencil right."
Ren feigned offense. "I look fantastic while holding one."
They laughed quietly, the moment light and easy.
---
Suddenly, a shadow fell over them.
Nagi Sakamoto appeared, hood pulled low over his head, earbuds dangling around his neck.
"Joining clubs, huh?" he muttered dryly, voice low but clear.
Akari smirked. "Yeah. Socializing. Wild stuff."
Nagi shrugged. "I'm part of an exclusive club."
"Which one?" Ren asked, amused.
"'Going home immediately,'" Nagi said flatly.
Daichi groaned dramatically. "You're killing the school spirit!"
Nagi's lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. "I'm protecting it."
The group laughed, the tension between them softening like a sigh after a long day.
---
Rio nudged Ren with a grin. "So, Prince Ren, any grand club ambitions?"
Ren smirked. "I'm more of a solitary king, but maybe something tasteful and sophisticated."
Akari rolled her eyes. "Isn't that just a fancy way of saying 'lazy'?"
"Precisely."
Rio laughed. "You're impossible."
Akari glanced at the cluster of students, feeling the subtle shifts—the slow pull of new friendships, new challenges.
Ren caught her eye and whispered, "Looks like we're not the only ones adjusting."
She nodded, feeling the mix of excitement and nervousness knotting in her stomach.
---
Later, as the crowd began to disperse and the hallways hummed back to their usual pace, Daichi plopped down next to Akari.
"So," he said with a grin, "you joining the track team or what?"
Akari laughed. "Yeah. I want to keep moving. Sitting still isn't really my thing."
Daichi laughed, "Good call! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, and maybe trying not to trip over myself."
Ren shook his head with a grin. "Only you, Daichi."
They all laughed again, the easy camaraderie weaving a new thread into the fabric of their day.
Akari looked at Ren, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe this club thing won't be so bad."
Ren nodded slowly. "Maybe."
As they walked toward their next class, the bell ringing faintly behind them, Akari thought about the slow, unpredictable rhythm of high school life—the unexpected friendships, the quiet competitions, the small moments that made everything feel less like a challenge and more like
a story worth telling.
And she wasn't quite ready for the story to end.