"One last thing, regarding club activities."
Nanase-sensei, who had returned to the classroom, saw that the students were already a bit listless, so she went straight to the point:
"Club recruitment starts tomorrow. Everyone can go take a look after school. If you're interested in signing up, remember to let me know."
As for why not today? It was only the first day of school, and only half a day of classes. The upperclassmen, on the other hand, had a full day, so recruitment couldn't be held yet.
After that, Nanase-sensei explained a few more points, arranged the duty roster, and finally dismissed the class with a reminder: "Be careful on your way home." Then she left the room.
"I'm going to the restroom," Akira said casually to Shouko, who was sitting next to him, before heading out through the back door.
"Mhm."
"Shouko-chan, are you planning to join a club in high school?" Ayumi turned her head and asked curiously.
"Hmm..." Shouko paused while packing her bag. The question really struck her.
She still hadn't completed a single illustration request for the second volume of Anohana that Akira had given her...
Shaking her head slowly, she answered honestly, "Probably not... I'll most likely join the Going-Home Club."
Then she asked, "What about you, Ayumi-chan? Do you want to join a club?"
Ayumi didn't answer right away. Instead, she pulled out her phone, opened a popular high school forum thread, and showed it to Shouko.
"High school life is imperfect if you don't join a club?" Shouko read the big text on the screen, feeling even more conflicted.
"Ayumi-chan, even the Going-Home Club counts as a club. So that still makes high school life perfect," Shouko reasoned.
Just then, Takagi, who had finished packing her bag, walked over and took the phone from Ayumi's hand.
"Takagi-chan, are you also not planning to join a club?" Ayumi asked, puzzled. She didn't seem to mind Takagi taking her phone.
"I'm not sure." Takagi skimmed the topic, returned the phone, and shook her head. "Why don't we all just go check out the recruitment area tomorrow?"
"Okay."
"I don't mind."
"What about Nishikata?" Takagi turned to him, noticing he was zoning out.
"Huh...? Oh... Yeah, sure!" Nishikata replied awkwardly.
After chatting a bit more about clubs, the group went to check the class timetable before heading out.
"Shouya, why don't you even say hello when you see an old classmate?"
As soon as school ended, Ishida Shouya had quickly packed up and slipped out the back door. But before he could get away, a voice called out in the stairwell.
People were coming and going, and with his head lowered, Shouya felt the weight of everyone's stares. Whispers filled his ears, as if the whole world were talking about him.
His grip tightened on his bag straps. He just wanted to run.
"What's wrong? I greet you, and you won't even acknowledge me?"
The teasing tone left no doubt—it was Shimada Ikki.
"..."
After hesitating a moment, Shouya finally decided to look up, say hello, and escape.
Meanwhile, Akira, who had just washed his hands in the restroom, happened to witness the scene. He couldn't help but sigh at the strange twists of fate.
Even in high school, they had ended up together again: Ishida Shouya with his lowered head, Shimada Ikki with his squinting eyes, and Hirose Keisuke, silent at his side.
Between returning to class to find Shouko and stepping in to help, Akira chose to watch first. After all, he had been curious about Shouya's state.
"Shimada—"
Shouya finally looked up, meeting Shimada's gaze. Shimada's eyes were unreadable, while Shouya's carried a mess of emotions.
But before Akira could observe more, Shouya suddenly covered his mouth, shoved past Shimada, and bolted downstairs.
Akira didn't linger either. He walked straight back toward Class 2, his earlier thoughts confirmed: something was still deeply wrong inside Ishida Shouya.
Maybe that was inevitable...
In sixth grade, he had been betrayed by someone he thought was a friend, ostracized by the whole class. In middle school, what he thought was a new beginning was ruined again by half-truths. He eventually transferred classes, escaping outright bullying but never the cold isolation. After that, news of Shouya had all but vanished.
"Akira, you're so slow."
"Sor—"
Shouko raised her hand and covered his mouth gently. "That's not what I meant."
"You two, we don't mind if you're affectionate, but please don't block the hallway while doing it," Ayumi said dryly.
The pair apologized together and followed the group downstairs. By now, everyone was eager to rush home for lunch.
Outside the school gates, the five parted ways as usual.
"Akira, classes start at 8:30, lunch break is 12:40 to 1:25," Shouko explained as they walked.
"Only a little over 30 minutes for lunch...?"
"Yeah, we'll have to eat quickly," she nodded. "School ends at 3:20, unless you take electives. We probably won't."
"Hmm... so it's not much different from middle school, just a shorter lunch."
"Oh, right." She gave his hand a small squeeze. "Want to check out the club recruitment area together tomorrow?"
Akira nodded without hesitation. He was curious enough about clubs.
They waved goodbye between their houses. Shouko promised she'd come over later.
"I want to nap after lunch. How about the afternoon?" Akira hesitated.
"It's fine. You nap, I'll just sit next to you and draw." Shouko nodded, hiding a smile tugging at her lips.
After chatting a bit more, they finally retreated from the hot sun into their homes.
"I'm home."
"Where's Shouko?" Shizuka's puzzled voice called from the dining room.
"She went home to eat," Akira answered, stepping into the kitchen.
Lunch passed with Shizuka's questions. When Akira returned to his room to rest, a message from Shouko lit up his phone:
「Akira, plans changed. Ayumi-chan asked me out this afternoon, I'll come find you tonight」
「Be careful when you're out」
「(frantic nodding.jpg)」
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