Song's Unwanted Note

Chapter XI

Bright smile

—Hey, Lukia, do you think you can walk me to the library after school? I’m looking for a book for class, but I would need help finding it. –I commented while putting on my shoes, but she didn't respond.

After finishing dressing up in the hallway, she left as if she hadn't heard anything. According to the events of the manga, Lukia had just found out that she was going to be kidnapped and that to keep the peace of the ocean she would have to marry a newt.
I wouldn't blame her, she was being forced to marry a guy she didn't even know, but that didn't give her the right to pretend I didn't exist. I'm not the secondary character she can treat badly because she's bad. No, of course not.

—Y/N, don't hold it against her. Lukia is not feeling very well. But don't worry, it has nothing to do with you. –Luchia commented, appearing in the hallway.

—No, I already know that. –I thought ironically, already with my shoes on and grabbing my briefcase from the floor.

—By the way, honey, have you thought about which club you'll join? –What she said surprised me.

—Club? –I questioned, because I didn't know what she was talking about.

—Yes. –She said, approaching me. –At school there are many clubs you can join. You can make lots of friends there! –She said cheerfully and then clasped her hands together and smiled at me.

—Well... I'll look into it. –I answered, not very sure. –But I can't assure you anything. –I clarified and after that, I walked out the door. –Clubs? At my previous school I didn't have that. The closest thing to a club I've been to was swimming lessons, but I don't think it's much like that. –I mumbled as I walked in the direction of the public building.

I used to need to look up the route on my phone to get there, but in the end I've gotten used to walking the same route almost every day. It's fortunate that I don't meet anyone from manga along the way, it always makes me very uncomfortable to interact with them.
Truth be told, even talking to Lukia is weird, though I think that's more related to the fact that she's trying to cover up the fact that she's a mermaid. But it's still weird, even though she's weird too... Well, whatever.

By the time the monologue was over I was already in front of the high school, and with nothing interesting happening until the afternoon, the day passed relatively quietly. Of course, Kairi never stopped commenting on things: if this boy in class was handsome, if that classmate had a boyfriend, and many other things that really didn't interest me much.
It's not that I disliked such people, but I hardly talked to them if it wasn't for studies, so their gossip mattered very little to me. Although I can't deny that it depends on what story, it can be really interesting.

—Well, I have things to do. –I said to the redhead as I left the classroom.

—Are you going to spy on your sister? –She asked, looking me in the eyes, with a smile from ear to ear.

—Of course not! Besides, take off that face, I'm not interested in that boring couple in love. –I explained, moving away from her. –Luchia told me that it would be better if I joined a club. Then maybe I'll make friends. –I continued standing next to a window.

—Ha! Your mother is afraid you're antisocial, how adorable. –That comment annoyed me.

—You shut up! –I exclaimed looking at her a little angry. –I am not antisocial. –I went on my way after finishing that short sentence.

—Already. Spoken by someone who only has one friend. –Her sarcastic tone infuriated me even more.

—Well, just so you know, I'm going to join a club and get a friend. No. Two. –In front of her, I couldn't resist saying that.

—We'll see about that. –The one with emerald eyes followed my lead.

—What are you betting on? –With my anger still present, I can't help but blurt out such nonsense.

—A ramen at the store that is so fashionable. –She gambled.

—I accept. –And like a fool, I accepted the challenge.

—Well, I'll see you tomorrow then. Prepare the money, because I'll order the most expensive dish on the menu. –She commented walking away from the place, leaving me static as I realized what I had just done.

—Oh, my God. What have I gotten myself into. –I reproached myself for the stupid thing I had done.

After that conversation, reluctantly and tiredly, I started walking towards the classrooms where there were clubs. I heard from some of the students that these classes are scattered around the building, so I would have to walk up and down the place. So, slowly, I visited the different clubs. From cooking, swimming, calligraphy to archery, but none of them convinced me (although I liked the swimming one, but being a mermaid was a resounding NO).
I was already thinking that I would lose the bet, when I found myself in front of a club I had not yet visited. There was no sign above the door, so I didn't know what I would find inside. So I decided to enter the classroom without a second thought.

—Huh? –I said, surprised, because when I opened the door I found a small room full of anime posters, a circular table with a couple of chairs around it and a few shelves with a lot of manga on each one of them.

—A new member of the club! –Exclaimed a boy appearing by surprise in front of me.

—Ah! –I cried out in fright, for at first glance I had seen no one in the room.

—No, I'm sorry! Don't go to another club, please. I don't want to lose another club member. –The boy in front of me apologized, while I tried to regulate my heartbeat. –I'm Yuu Sugimoto, nice to meet you. –He introduced himself when he saw how I still hadn't run away from the place.

—I am Y/N, Y/N Domoto. A pleasure, I guess... –I commented trying not to be too rude.

The teenager in front of me, about my age, had tousled, dark blue hair and big, amber eyes. On his face was a big smile that seemed like it would never fade for anything in the world.
I was surprised that someone like him was in this place, as most people had more normal colors. Although considering I'm in a manga, I couldn't complain.

—I hope we get along well, Domoto! –Yuu exclaimed happily, giving me an even bigger and brighter smile than before.