"Well then, I'll be counting on you, Suzune."
Kitagawa Ryo placed the club application form on the desk, his tone laced with a teasing undertone.
"Even if you say that, it still has to pass the Student Council's reviews first."
Sitting behind the desk, Horikita Suzune took the form and sighed after just a glance.
"Ryo, are you still so attached to your drama club? Others have tried to establish one at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School before, but none of them made it through the re-evaluation process. Drama isn't something a few high school students can pull off, let alone win any accolades."
Although she had guessed that Ryo might apply to start a drama club, seeing it confirmed in reality still prompted her to voice her concerns. It wasn't that she doubted Ryo's talent—on the contrary—but rather that the scale of this school's clubs simply couldn't support a full-fledged performance. At best, it would end up as self-indulgent entertainment, and ultimately be shut down by the school.
"Since you've joined the Student Council, Suzune, you should be able to guess what I'm really aiming for."
Ryo shook his head and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as he noticed another secretary nearby in the room.
"This school may claim to be 'fully closed off,' but there's a rather obvious loophole."
Suzune's pupils contracted slightly. It had been about a week since she joined the Student Council. During that time, she had actively gone through most of the council's internal documents. As an organization that assisted the school in managing students, it held considerable insider information that first-years would normally never have access to.
When the new students first entered the school, the homeroom teachers emphasized that no student was allowed to leave campus without permission due to the school's closed management policy. But this rule was virtually impossible to enforce for large clubs—especially athletic ones.
Clubs needed achievements, and achievements required participation in competitions, whether prefectural or national. Naturally, these events were held off-campus. Thus, participation in competitions became the only chance for students to leave school grounds.
Though the school conducted strict checks on students' luggage during these trips, Suzune knew those inspections were carried out by Student Council members. Sometimes, the supervising teachers didn't even attend in person—creating an excellent opportunity to bypass security.
With that train of thought, Suzune immediately connected it to the theater troupe Ryo had once been a part of. Even after leaving, he still maintained close ties with the director. Just a single advance notice would allow him to quietly acquire items or information from the outside world.
And there were also ways to send information out.
During Karuizawa Kei's second simulation, Ryo had noticed that Sakura Airi could post photos to her blog without issue. Even if she couldn't receive replies, the act of publishing alone was enough to convey messages.
Suzune knew about this exploit, too. More than a year ago, when she wanted to attend the school's culture festival, it was Sakayanagi Arisu who notified Horikita Manabu through social media—an action that later led to their reconciliation.
Seeing the expression of realization on Suzune's face, Ryo knew she had understood his intent. If everything went smoothly, the drama club would become his primary channel to communicate with the outside—a privilege almost unheard of among students in this closed environment.
For most students who couldn't contact family or friends, the isolation wasn't yet painful in the first week. But for second- and third-years, the longing for loved ones may have been building for years.
Suzune instantly sensed the commercial potential.
When she looked up again, Ryo was smiling slyly, as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.
Taking a deep breath, she pursed her lips and continued reviewing the bottom of the application form:
[Members: Kitagawa Ryo, Ichinose Honami, Karuizawa Kei, Sakura Airi]
Suzune tugged at the corner of her lips. She didn't know what to say.
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With Horikita Suzune's assistance, passing the Student Council's preliminary review shouldn't be an issue. Though Sakayanagi Arisu was also part of the Student Council, her role was mostly honorary—she rarely involved herself in any actual affairs. Originally, this Student Council seat had been reserved by Kitagawa Ryo for Ichinose Honami, but unexpectedly, she insisted on joining the new club he was establishing. Not wanting to waste an internal advantage, he ended up letting Sakayanagi Arisu take the spot instead.
Naturally, Nagumo Miyabi was pleased to see the new first-year Council member being so idle. Effectively, only one new student had joined, leaving the second-years' control over the Student Council largely unaffected.
As for why Sakayanagi hadn't requested to join the drama club, Ryo could easily guess.
Sakayanagi simply wasn't physically capable of engaging in any activity that required stamina or mobility. Drama performances demanded considerable energy. Even Shiina Hiyori, after undergoing over a week of intense training with Ryo, had only barely managed to finish the relatively short play "The Little Mermaid." For someone like Sakayanagi, who needed a cane just to walk, it was understandably out of reach.
As for why Shiina Hiyori herself didn't join the drama club, the answer was also very straightforward.
Ryo paused at a corner on the fourth floor of the club building, where it was particularly quiet. Hanging on the door of a classroom was a beautifully written calligraphy sign:
[Tea Ceremony Club]
Even before Ryo finalized his plans, Shiina Hiyori had already chosen this club for herself. The senior members were kind to her, and Ryo had no intention of forcing her otherwise. Since he happened to be at the Student Council today, he figured he might as well drop by for a visit.
He gently knocked on the door, as though handling something fragile. The tea ceremony valued harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility; a rough knock might well get him kicked out.
"Hmm?"
About twenty seconds later, the door creaked open slightly. Dressed in traditional kimono, Shiina Hiyori peeked out curiously through the gap—only to lock eyes with Ryo's warm, smiling gaze.
"---"
Noticing that she was about to call his name aloud, Ryo quickly placed a finger over his lips, signaling her to lower her voice. Realizing her lapse, Hiyori blushed and silently opened the door wider.
"Hiyori, who's there?"
Inside, the club room had been remodeled into a spacious tea room. It was simply decorated, mostly with wood and bamboo, and adorned only with a few calligraphy scrolls and landscape paintings. Four upperclassmen girls sat inside, and the one who had spoken seemed to be the group's leader.
"I'm Kitagawa Ryo, a friend of Hiyori. I've always been interested in the tea ceremony, and I heard she joined this club, so I wanted to drop by and thank you all for looking after her."
Bowing as he entered, Ryo handed each of the seniors some handmade sweets, all chosen to complement tea tasting. Compared to store-bought snacks, Ryo's delicate craftsmanship impressed them, immediately brightening their attitudes.
Coupled with his impeccable manners and striking appearance, the seniors exchanged looks and then beamed:
"It's no trouble. Hiyori is so clever and quick to learn."
After closing the door, Hiyori knelt down beside Ryo and whispered softly:
"I've only just started. There's still so much I don't know."
"Then how about I demonstrate once more, and Hiyori can try making a cup for Ryo-kun afterward?"
One of the upperclassmen smiled mischievously and got up to prepare.
She retrieved a new tea caddy and bowl from the cupboard, then washed the chashaku (tea scoop) and chasen (bamboo whisk). The chashaku was used to scoop matcha powder, while the chasen—a delicate bamboo whisk—was used to stir and froth the tea.
Japanese tea ceremonies generally follow either the senchado (steeped tea) or matchado (powdered tea) style. This club clearly followed the matcha tradition, derived from China's Song Dynasty practice of whipping powdered tea, although the Japanese version simplified certain steps.
Seeing Ryo's interest, Hiyori leaned close and began quietly explaining the process, even though Ryo already had a fair understanding—he had even taught Horikita Suzune some of this during one of her simulations. But with Hiyori speaking so gently, Ryo didn't have the heart to interrupt. He simply listened intently.
To his surprise, Hiyori seemed quite knowledgeable about the history of Chinese tea as well.
"I've always wanted to visit China. The Great Wall and places like that really fascinate me."
She smiled with her hands folded.
As the two continued their soft conversation, the upperclassman completed her demonstration:
Water added, paste blended, matcha whisked.
Her precision was impeccable. In just a short moment, a steaming cup of tea was placed before Ryo.
He thanked her quietly. As etiquette dictated, he rotated the tea bowl slightly before drinking, to avoid placing his lips on the front. It was a small gesture of respect.
After sipping twice, he set the bowl down and praised the flavor.
The senior nodded and turned to Hiyori:
"Your turn now, Hiyori."
"Yes," she replied softly, rising to begin.
She retrieved a new tea bowl and, with focused grace, scooped a spoonful of matcha. Using a ladle, she carefully poured water heated to about 80 degrees Celsius into the bowl. As the hot water met the powder, steam and aroma rose instantly, filling the air with tranquility.
Though the ingredients and method were the same, Ryo couldn't help feeling an inexplicable sense of anticipation.
Hiyori's motions were gentle and fluid. She whisked the tea with the bamboo brush, her head slightly bowed. Strands of hair fell to the side of her face, but she ignored them, eyes locked on the tea. Her soft, pursed lips and intense focus made Ryo smile quietly. Somehow, he felt completely at peace.
After adding more water and frothing the tea until a fine foam appeared, she hesitated slightly.
Instead of serving it directly, she took a small sip herself to ensure everything was fine, then brought it to Ryo.
"Ryo."
She handed him the bowl, clearly hoping he would drink it all—after all, this was her very first cup brewed for someone else.
Ryo accepted the tea. While it didn't quite match the previous one in taste, he would never say so aloud. He gently patted Hiyori on the head.
"It's delicious."
To prove it, he slowly drank the entire bowl. Only after finishing did he place it down, meeting Hiyori's satisfied gaze.
This serene atmosphere was exactly what she sought—whether through reading or tea.
"You two are really close."
"Feel free to visit anytime, Kitagawa-kun."
"Those sweets were so good—did you make them yourself?"
Having witnessed their exchange, the upperclassmen couldn't help but chatter. Even the tea club, grounded in harmony and simplicity, wasn't immune to romantic gossip.
"Yes, I made them myself. If you're interested, I'll have Hiyori bring some next time she visits."
Ryo replied with a smile. If a few handmade sweets could earn the tea club's goodwill toward Hiyori, it was a trade he'd make ten times over.
After a few more pleasantries, he made an excuse to leave. As a non-member, it wouldn't be appropriate to linger.
Hiyori walked him to the door. As she stood on tiptoe, seemingly trying to return the head-pat from earlier, Ryo preemptively rose onto his toes as well. Her hand only managed to hover in front of his nose.
A light fragrance of tea lingered in the air.
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