An Ex-popular Guy Can’t Get Love Down His Throat - CH 12

“Yuu, how was high school?”

Sayu asked with a curious twinkle in her eye as we ate dinner by the table.

“Normal, I guess. Oh, but there’s a huge plaza inside there which was pretty awesome. Wanna see it?”

“I do, I do!”

It was quite the unicorn to see Sayu so excited like that. Normally, she’s stoic as stone, rarely showing her emotional ups and downs. Pulling up my phone, I showed her a picture I had taken almost automatically after being floored by that sudden marvel.

“Wow, that’s amazing! I love that little garden so much! Oh, and your school has some really cute uniforms, don’t they?”

“Yeah, for sure. Are you gonna shoot for this school?”

“I thought so originally. Entering such a high-level place would be a huge plus for my academic future. Though, my good friends probably can’t get in with their grades. What should I do, hmm…”

Yup, this sister of mine has A-grade smarts. She wasn’t just so-so as I was before I drowned myself in studies, she’s definitely someone whose caliber allows her to have my school on her radar as if it was nothing.

Erm, but if she aims there, I may have taken some of the fun out of it by showing her the pictures. Removes the surprise, you know? But as much as I admire that plaza-cum-garden, the school had its pitfalls.

“Seems like they have mandatory club activities,” I noted.

“Ah, that’s not a big deal.”

“But wouldn’t you hate it if I was around you in your new chapter in life?”

“Huh? You don’t want me to go to school with you?”

“No, no, I do.”

“Hmph.”

Hope I managed to not cause any discomfort. I would rather think she has more resistance than me, the older brother, with these things, but that’s not the case. Some sisters don’t really mind their brothers, do they?

“But what kinda club are you in, Yuu?”

“Unsure. I was gonna see what activities some clubs had after I got home, but my bed called louder. Well, if there’s a literature club, that’s what I’m going for either way.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, speaking of which, dad,” I recalled. “The school cafeteria is pretty cheap. Every item there went for a few yen, so even if I use it every day it won’t be a problem financially.”

I relayed that info to my father, who continued to silently bring his chopsticks to his mouth, savoring the food. Since it’s his money, I have to do it properly.

“Well, if there’s no issue, 500 yen a day is fine by me,” he ultimately said.

“Okay, thanks.”

“That sounds so nice. I’m tired of school lunch!” Sayu quipped.

“One more year to go, lil’ sis.”

Since someone in her family just got into high school, she was inspired to the nails. Just the prospect of enrolling in one was enough thrill.

“So, are you liking your new school?” My dad asked.

“So-so. It will depend on the club I choose, but I definitely feel more at home than I did in middle school.”

“I see. Well, you’ll only go through one high school in your life. Three years go by in a flash,” he warned. “Don’t neglect your studies and enjoy yourself all the while.”

“Right.”

I went back to my room and opened the booklet they gave me. Choosing a club will certainly define my future in this school, so how could I not worry?

No need to panic, I tell myself while almost devouring the little papers with my eyes.

There are all the major sports clubs, even archery. Cultural clubs, on the other hand, are more varied in nature. There’s also English conversation, visual studies, gardening, computing, discussion, and so on and so forth… Hmm? What’s an outing club? Are they going on trips and stuff? Oh, there’s also an executive committee. So, student council? Are they different? This is confusing.

I skimmed around a little more and found there was also a literature club. Though, it would be strange if there wasn’t. Okay, I’ll just visit the place on Monday as I originally planned.

All in all, I still don’t have a good outlook on building new relationships, but I was roundly excited by the variety of activities proposed in the booklet. Perhaps if they weren’t mandatory, I would’ve immediately shrugged the possibility of joining a club off, and wouldn’t be able to enjoy some nice uplifting experiences.

Hearing we were obligated to join one took me aback, but maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t all that bad.