"Why are you all here?" I asked, looking at Yuichi, Ayame, and Emi.
"That's my line, Tamotsu!" Yuichi replied.
Judging by their faces, I wasn't the only one confused.
"I didn't know you'd join our club," Yuichi continued, looking at me in confusion.
"I didn't even know you were in the Drama Club, idiot," I replied coldly. I stood still in front of the door.
"Don't just stand there. Please come sit with us," Emi said softly, pointing at the empty chair beside Yuichi.
"Whatever." I walked over and sat beside Yuichi.
"Our club will be so fun now that you're here, Tamotsu-kun!" Ayame said joyfully, leaning back in her chair.
She sat across from Yuichi, next to Emi. That meant Emi was sitting directly in front of me, with a long table separating us.
I glanced at the three empty chairs around the table.
Emi noticed my glance and said softly, "There are three more members—two freshmen and one third-year."
"I see," I said, looking at Emi.
"So why are you joining this club?" Emi asked curiously.
"Well, I was forced by Sensei," I replied.
"Oh, that's why…" Yuichi said, looking confused.
"Do you know anything about the Drama Club?" Emi asked.
"No idea," I said. I barely knew how acting worked—only from short clips online.
"Then why did Sensei force you to join the Drama Club?" Emi asked, tapping her chin.
"Maybe it's because of his looks or personality!" Ayame said happily.
"Really?" Yuichi asked Ayame. I could see a hint of jealousy on his face.
"Yes. Tamotsu-kun is cold and blunt—sometimes kind. That's what makes him perfect for acting," Ayame said cheerfully.
"Sensei said the same thing, but I don't think that makes me a good actor. And I don't even want to act," I said coldly, closing my eyes and crossing my arms.
"That's true," Emi agreed.
"But I also think Tamotsu-kun has potential."
Potential? I didn't even know I had something like that.
"Yeah, that's true," Yuichi agreed, putting an arm around my shoulder. "I believe that Tamotsu will be a good actor." He gave me a wink and smiled widely.
You're creepy.
Suddenly.
*Knock knock*
Someone knocked the door. Emi looked toward the door and said, "Come in."
"Thank you for having me," a girly, shy voice came from outside.
*Sound of door opening*
When the door opened, I saw a girl with glasses and short black hair. She carried herself like a serious, intelligent student. I looked at Yuichi, who was sitting to my left.
"She's so cute!!" Yuichi stared at her, eyes widened.
He's in a completely different world, I thought.
"Please take a seat, Madoka-senpai" Emi said softly.
So she's a third-year.
"Thank you," Madoka said shyly, sitting in the chair to Emi's right. She then looked at me and froze in surprise.
"He's our newest member, Hamasaki Tamotsu, a second-year—and we're classmates." Emi introduced me to Madoka.
"I-I-It.. G-g-good.. t-to.. se-s-see.. you, T-Tamotsu-kun" Madoka's face turned red as she greeted me and her voice was shaking. She had a cute face and I'm pretty sure she's my type back in middle school but...
That part of me was long gone now.
I didn't respond at all.
"Wah.!" Madoka flinched and looked at Emi.
"D-Did I j-j-just say s-something wrong?" She asked Emi curious and scared.
"Come on, Tamotsu-kun. Don't be rude to Madoka-senpai!" Ayame shouted at me, jumping out from her chair.
"Yeah, greet her back at least." Yuichi agreed.
I looked at Emi. Emi nodded in agreement.
I sighed and look at Madoka. "It's good to see you too, Madoka-senpai." I said softly.
Madoka nodded shyly, her hands trembling in her lap.
"What about the other two?" I asked, glancing at the two empty chairs.
"They should be here by now, right?"
"I don't know either, I'm afraid. Sensei told us that there will be seven members in this group and two of them are freshmen." Emi said.
"Maybe they're lost in the hallway" Ayame interrupted, leaning back in her chair.
"Or maybe they didn't feel well and went home!" Yuichi said happily.
"What's there to be happy about, Yuichi-kun?" Ayame said coldly to Yuichi.
"So cold." Yuichi felt sad and put his head on the table.
You're as dumb as a donkey, I thought.
"While we're waiting, let's get something to eat," Emi said. "Tamotsu-kun, can you please go get something to eat?" Emi asked me.
"Why me? Can't someone else go?" I asked.
"Well..." Emi paused.
I thought back to that evening when she asked me to wait with her for a taxi.
"Fine, I'll go." I changed my mind. I stood up and headed for the door.
"I-I-I'll go w-with you..." Madoka stood up and spoke shyly. "I'm also... going... back to... my class... and... take...my lunch box..."
"What??" Yuichi shouted. "Then I'm coming too" he said.
"No, you're staying here, Yuichi-kun." Emi said coldly while sitting.
"Why?" asked Yuichi.
"Because there's something I want to discuss—what role suits you best." Emi explained.
"Fine..." Yuichi said and put his head back down on the table.
"Okay then, I'm going now." I replied and went outside.
Madoka followed right away.
I thought Madoka would just walk without me and go straight to her classroom, but…
Why is she walking beside me? Her face was red, and she kept her eyes down.
"Umm... Madoka-senpai, I thought you were going to your class." I asked her curiously.
"I.. do.. my class... is this way," she said shyly.
"Is that so."
Thankfully, we parted ways before reaching the school market.
"See... you in.. the.. club." said Madoka before she entered her classroom.
I really hoped no one misunderstood this. If they did, I was doomed.
I bought some snacks and on my way to the club.
Ohh
I ended up meeting Madoka, who was holding a pink lunchbox in front of me. She walked slowly and shyly.
"You're heading back to the club too?" I asked from the back.
"Wah.!!" She jumped and got scared.
"Sorry, my bad." I apologized coldly.
"It's.. o-okay, d-d-d-don't mind it!" said Madoka. Her voice was shaking.
We started walking back to the club together, but we didn't speak a single word. The silence made my stomach churn.
"Tamotsu-kun!" Madoka called out my name.
"Hmm, what is it?" I replied coldly.
"Don't you remember me?" Madoka said shyly.
"No clue" I replied.
"Is that so. Well I already expected to hear that." Her voice didn't shake anymore.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You helped me two years ago, remember?"
She looked at me. When she looked at me, my eyes widened. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes.
Two years ago?
And then—
"Leave her alone," I had said back then.
The memory came rushing back.