"False Genius" and "Lazy Genius"

Chapter 5. Clubs

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He who fights with monsters 

should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. 

And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee. " 

Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil (1886)

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Pov: Kiyotaka

I went back to class. A group of mates were eating lunch at sliding desks, but there were some who ate alone. Probably the only thing they had in common were the bento sets from the grocery store or canteen.

I was about to sit down and start eating when I noticed Horikita had returned as well. She had an appetising sandwich on the table.

Without a word, I sat down in my seat. But as soon as I took a bite of my cinnamon bun, a sweet female voice came from the speakers above the blackboard, making an announcement:

"There will be a presentation tonight at five o'clock in gym number one! If you are considering joining the club, you are invited to come to gym number one! I repeat, tonight..."

"Hmmm...this could be interesting," I thought.

Heh, school clubs, then. Never joined any clubs before.

Although...I was on the student council in high school, and Hotaro was a classic literature club.

I don't know if student council can be considered a club. But if it is, I've been in clubs before.

- Hey, Horikita.

I was going to ask Horikita to join me, but...

- I'm not interested in clubs.

- I haven't even asked yet!

- Okay, so what's up?

- Are you going to join something?

- Oreki-kun. Are you hard of hearing? Or are you just an idiot? Didn't I say I wasn't interested in clubs?

- "Not interested" and "not going to join" are different things.

- That's a weak argument. I've had enough of your stupid talk.

- Okay...Horikita-san, if you change your mind, tell me.

When I said that, Horikita choked on her sandwich.

Horikita isn't interested in clubs or friends. No matter what I talk about, she looks annoyed.

It's probably because of the nickname I gave her.

I wonder if this girl came to school just for the education and high rates of successful employment. I wouldn't be surprised if she did.

But I'm gonna try and talk her down.

- Have you ever been in a club?

- No, never.

- Then maybe you've done something outside the club? Or are you just talking about it for no reason?

- What are you trying to say? I sense an undercurrent of anger in what you're saying.

- Anger? I didn't say anything like that.

And right after that, I got a lightning bolt to the side. Then I heard something break.