After teasing the ever-calm Megumi, Hayashi Maki still couldn't get any reaction out of her.
Even "bothered" looked exactly the same on that delicate face—serene and natural as ever.
It made you wonder if she was part statue.
Or maybe she was the classic "three-no" heroine—few words, no frills, no expression—as if nothing in the world could ruffle her.
Cute, sure. Which only made Maki more determined to draw out some expressions. Maybe a little bullying would do the trick?
Kato Megumi was special in another way too: people subconsciously overlooked her. With that "talent," she'd make a killer assassin.
"Hayashi Maki-san, are you into soccer? You seem fit—athletic."
Hayama Hayato came over with a friendly smile, having noticed Maki's strong performance in PE and hoping to recruit him for the club.
Maki waved it off, looking uninterested. "Sorry, Hayama-kun. I'm a proud member of the Go-Home Club. Soccer's not my thing."
"Ah, that's a shame. Are you not planning to join any club at all?"
"Depends. Got any clubs full of cute girls? That I could get into."
"Uh… the Cooking Research Club has a lot of girls, but they only take girls."
Maki shot him a look. "Do I look like a girl to you? Skip that one. What else?"
"Then… the Tennis Club? Our classmate Totsuka is in it."
"Totsuka Saika? That cute boy? I'll pass. Anything else?"
"That's about it for standout clubs. If you want more cute girls, you'll have better luck with the second-years." Hayama shrugged. "It's only the start of term—most people are Go-Home Club for now. But next week every club is doing recruitment. If you're interested, you could look around then."
Maki just waved a hand. "We'll see. I've got writing to do—no time."
He had no interest in being a high-profile guy like Hayama. If he had that kind of energy, he'd rather spend it hugging his angel, Mahiru. Who needs ball sports?
"Hey, Kato-san—are you in any clubs?"
Maki poked the girl in front of him lightly at the waist.
Megumi arched a brow and turned, expression faintly odd. The boundary issues with this one… Still, she answered.
"No. Even if I joined, everyone would forget me the next day. I'd turn into a ghost member."
Her voice was even, but Maki still caught the tiniest shade of hurt.
He smiled. "In that case, join my club."
"Eh?" She tilted her head. "But you're not in a club. And, sorry if it's rude, but I heard your whole chat with Hayama-kun."
"Then I'll start my own. Couldn't find one I liked, so I'll make it. How about it—join me?"
"Mm… I don't mind. But… I'm not a 'beautiful girl.' Didn't you want a club with beautiful girls?"
Same flat tone, but laced with a little insecurity.
Maki set his hands on her shoulders, serious. "Wrong. You are a beautiful girl. Why are you under that illusion you're not?"
"So… if I heard right, you're complimenting me?"
"Yup. So join—or else."
"…"
Megumi was speechless. Was that an invitation or a threat?
"…Fine, I'll join. But when are you applying to start the club? And what do we actually do?"
Being called a beauty—she was a little happy, even if Maki's gaze looked suspiciously lecherous. After being overlooked for so long—by classmates and even her parents—being noticed felt… nice. She'd never dare say it, but she did want to be popular. With her special "forgettable" aura, being remembered at all was a miracle.
Seeing her agree, Maki looked satisfied. "Smart choice—uh, I mean, welcome to the Offline Game Club."
"Offline Game Club? So… we just play games together?"
"Partly. Mainly, we're making a game, selling it, profiting, achieving financial freedom, and peaking at life."
"Wow, impressive," Megumi said, clapping in the most unenthusiastic way possible.
Good enough for Maki. He just needed her in the orbit—proximity created opportunities to get closer, naturally.
Starting a club required at least three members; he'd rope in Mahiru too. No way his club would run without his angel.
They'd also need a faculty advisor. He'd already decided: Kirisu Mafuyu.
Nearby, Hayama listened to Maki half-threatening Megumi and felt… speechless. So this guy wasn't impressed with any existing clubs—he'd just make one and pack it with pretty girls?
Bold move.
Kato Megumi, though… Looking closely, she was quite pretty. Why had he never noticed?
It felt uncanny, so Hayama instinctively looked away. If even a social natural like him couldn't keep her in mind, maybe it was safer to keep his distance.
Besides, clubs full of pretty girls were precisely what he wanted to avoid. He had no plans to date in high school—and frankly, he'd always carried a quiet torch for Yukinoshita Haruno. As for Miura Yumiko, she was just a friend—and the perfect shield. With Miura around, no one else would dare confess.