"Are all three of you here to apply?"
The senpai with the beret slipped it back on and swept her gaze across the three of them, pausing briefly on Akira Miyamura.
"I'm not—these two are," Atsuya Ayumi said quickly, pointing at Akira and Shoko.
"Mm." The senpai nodded, pulling two application forms from the desk drawer and handing them over.
"Just fill in your name, class, and area of interest—sketching, watercolor, manga, whatever. Take it home, get your parents to sign it, and drop it into the cat-shaped mailbox at the Art Room entrance."
Akira scanned the paper. Name, class, interests, and even a small section for a drawing or handwritten impression of the Art Club. At the bottom, there was a parental signature section and details about fees and activity times.
"Senpai, is there an entrance test?" Shoko Nishimiya asked nervously, clutching the paper.
"Yes…" The senpai yawned, her voice languid. "At most, the advisor and club leader will ask a few questions. As long as you sincerely want to join, even if you're a beginner, the seniors will teach you. Don't worry."
"Mm…" Shouko relaxed, finally focusing on the form.
"Any other questions?"
"No, that's all. Thank you, Senpai."
Akira tucked the form neatly into his bag, thanked her, and the three left the booth.
Outside the gate, Ayumi waved goodbye. "See you tomorrow, Shouko, Miyamura!"
Shouko and Akira continued on together. He reached his hand out slightly, and she slipped hers into it without hesitation.
"Nishikata-kun, see you tomorrow."
Takagi stopped at her doorstep, unlocking the door.
"Mm-hm. Takagi-san, see you tomorrow." Nishikata waved before heading down the street.
Takagi watched him disappear around the corner, then hurried inside.
"What's the rush?" her mother asked.
"Nothing, Mom!" Takagi darted upstairs, shut herself in her room, and ran to the window. Peeking through a narrow crack, she waited.
Minutes passed. Housewives with shopping bags, a few students, and the occasional high schooler on a bike went by. Then, at last, a boy in a Minato Middle School uniform appeared from around the corner.
Sneaky. Looking around, glancing deliberately at her house, then quickening his pace.
Takagi bit back a laugh as passersby gave him curious looks.
"Idiot…" she whispered, leaning out the window with a smile as he walked away.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back. There's tea in the fridge," came Miyamura Shizuka's calm voice from the living room.
"Mom, why didn't you tell me about this morning?" Akira asked as he entered.
Shizuka barely looked up. "Because even if I had, would you have refused Shouko?"
Akira fell silent.
"Regretting it now?" Shouko teased, plopping down beside him.
"Not at all." He quickly peeled an orange, handing her half and giving the rest to his mother.
"Then it's fine," Shizuka replied, rolling her eyes at her son before smiling at Shouko. "Next time, I'll give you a heads-up. Unless Shouko makes me keep a secret."
She paused the TV. "So, how was the club application?"
"Smooth."
"Good. Just get me the form later to sign." She popped an orange segment into her mouth, then added slyly: "Also, isn't your light novel still unfinished? School's already started."
"Only one volume left. I'll finish it soon."
"When you do, let me check. I'll give suggestions."
Akira sighed. He knew what that meant—she just wanted to read it. Last time, she'd sworn she'd wait for the whole thing before diving in.
"Oh right," Shizuka said suddenly. "Shouko, your mom's home early today. Show her the form."
"Mm-hm!" Shouko jumped up. "Akira, I'll come back later!"
"Slow down!"
"Don't worry, Auntie!"
The front door clicked shut behind her. Shizuka turned the TV back on, while Akira grabbed his school bag, heading upstairs.
"Get me some water on your way."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'm home!" Shouko called as she stepped inside her own house.
"Welcome back, Sis!" Nishimiya Yuzuru appeared with their dog Hachiko trotting behind.
"I had something at school, so I'm late," Shouko said, taking off her shoes. "Where's Mom?"
"Resting. Grandma's in the living room. I was about to take Hachiko to the park with Nini-nee. Want to come? I heard she got a boyfriend, but she won't say who~" Yuzuru's words spilled out as she took Shouko's bag for her.
Shouko blinked. "Really? A boyfriend…?"
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