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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Splendid Drama Club
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As the day's schedule concluded and the sun began to set, I headed toward Sage's mansion to pick up Tweety.
'I wonder if Sage joined a club?'
In the original story, Sage, who had no emotions, naturally didn't join any clubs. Not just clubs, he didn't even have a single friend.
But it's different now. Sage, having received my command, is trying to experience emotions, and as part of that, he's even made friends and is socializing.
Maybe that's why. I suddenly grew curious.
If Sage had indeed joined a club,
And if so, which one.
'Well, I'm sure he'll do fine on his own.'
Sage is no longer a puppet living by someone else's command; he's a person with emotions.
So, it's probably best to leave him be. Of course, if Fran tries to mess with him, or if he's in danger, I'll stop at nothing to protect him, but that's as far as I'll go.
Now, Sage's life is his own, and no one else's.
I have no intention of clumsily offering advice or awkwardly meddling in Sage's life.
'If he joined a club, I hope at least one overlaps with mine.'
Not that I have any ulterior motives, but since he was the first person I saved after coming to the academy, I can't help but worry about him.
By the way, I had submitted application forms for no less than four clubs in just one day.
The Drama Club, the Volunteer Club, the Travel Club, and even the Disciplinary Committee, which I had already agreed to join.
It's a bit... no, quite excessive, I admit.
Joining multiple clubs was an unavoidable choice.
Especially the Drama Club; there are many intertwined episodes there. While it's clear no quests will be triggered, there's still much to gain and many people to save, so I had no choice but to join.
Next was the Volunteer Club, 'Righteous Love.' The reason I joined wasn't because of any strong spirit of volunteerism.
It was simply because Lily, the Saintess, was a member of 'Righteous Love,' which is affiliated with the temple, and there were related episodes.
Of all the clubs I joined, the only one where I had a personal interest was the Travel Club.
That's because, having lived a fierce life since my previous incarnation, I've had almost no experience traveling. Even after transmigrating, I've lived like a chick in a coop.
For someone like me, who gets excited just hearing the word "travel," there was no way I couldn't join.
'Well, there's also an important story tied to the Travel Club.'
Finally, the Disciplinary Committee. This was a place I joined out of necessity.
To receive various benefits,
And to use Jane to prepare for the days ahead a little more smoothly.
Lost in thought, I found myself arriving at Sage's mansion before I knew it.
"Oh..."
Staring into the mansion's interior, my mouth fell open, and I had to take a moment to process what I was seeing.
It made sense. Several wooden boxes were lined up in Sage's mansion yard, filled with what looked like Sage's clothes.
"No way..."
Could it be that the intelligent Sage, having gained emotions, decided to break free from all worldly ties and leave?
"Chirp! Chirp!"
As I was thinking that, a familiar, lively sound chirped in my ear.
My head instinctively turned.
"What in the world..."
I had to rub my eyes. Anyone who saw that sight would surely wonder if it was real.
"Meeooow..."
The first thing that came into view was a plump black cat, running around frantically with an exhausted look on its face.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Next, I saw Tweety, perched on its back, pecking at the cat's scruff with his beak and chirping.
"..."
It was such an absurd sight that my mouth snapped shut.
For the *actual* mount to dare ride another mount. No matter how chaotic the world has become, isn't that a bit much?
"Camel?"
Just then, a gentle voice called out.
I turned my head and saw Sage, holding some clothes.
"Ah, hi. I actually came to pick up Tweety. But what in the world is that...?"
"He's a cheerful friend. Thanks to him, Canel is enjoying himself too."
"..."
I had my doubts. Could that cat *really* be enjoying itself?
To me, it looked like a slave being exploited by a wicked master.
"Um, about that..."
"Yes?"
"Could I... keep him a little longer? Canel isn't quite used to being alone yet..."
Was it because I heard something unexpected?
Or was it because I was surprised Sage could speak at such length?
Stunned into silence, I could only stare at Sage with a puzzled expression.
"Please."
Sage had already set the clothes he was holding aside and clasped his hands together.
His eyes were sparkling, as if urging me to accept his request.
His lips were twitching, as if he were fidgeting, afraid I might refuse.
Seeing that human-like display, I had to take a moment for serious consideration.
'That poor thing...'
I shifted my gaze to the cat, panting and sprawled on the ground, and Tweety, chirping as if to say, "Get up, human!" while pecking at the cat's scruff, then I replied.
"Alright, let's do that."
I felt bad for the cat, but there was no helping it.
Tweety, who seemed even more energetic,
Sage, who was making a request to me,
And myself, who wanted to get some quality sleep.
If only Canel, that cat, sacrificed himself, three people could be happy, so there truly was no choice.
Having made my decision, I asked Sage something I was curious about.
"By the way, why are you packing your bags?"
"I'm going to move into the dorms. I thought it would be better to socialize with others than to live alone."
"Ah, I see."
"I also thought I might be able to see Tweety often if I move into Felix Hall."
Sage said with a faint smile.
Seeing that bright smile, my heart inexplicably swelled.
Even though I commanded him to gain emotions, to show such progress in such a short time...
Indeed, it seems I did well to save him.
"Oh, Sage. I have a question."
"..."
"Did you happen to join a club?"
"Um... I'm considering several places."
"Really? Which ones are you thinking of?"
"Uh, uhm..."
When I tilted my head and asked, Sage, perhaps unaccustomed to long conversations, began to stammer.
"T-the Travel Club... the V-Volunteer Club... and the D-Drama Club."
Quite coincidentally.
All the clubs Sage was considering were ones I had joined.
****
I was on my way back to the dorms.
"Camel-nim!"
Daisy suddenly popped out from somewhere, thrusting her head in front of me.
"Um, you don't really need to add '-nim' at the end."
"I'll remove it if it makes you uncomfortable!"
"Please do. It makes *me* uncomfortable."
"Got it, Camel-nim!"
"..."
Daisy scratched her head, grinning sheepishly.
Watching Daisy, I felt a strange mix of awkwardness and wonder.
It made sense. This very girl, smiling so brightly now, was the same one who, just a week ago, had been so terrified of me that she'd fainted at the sight of my face.
"Here you go!"
While I was lost in thought, Daisy pulled a stack of papers from her pocket and handed them to me.
"What's this?"
"It's what you asked for, Camel-nim. I did some investigating on my own."
"Wow..."
As I looked through the stack of papers, I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. And for good reason.
What was written on the papers was a list of people whose behavior had changed even slightly from the norm, and the number exceeded thirty.
"You investigated all this, in such a short time?"
"Yes. I wanted to be helpful to you, Camel-nim. And I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Thank you. This is a huge help."
"Hehe."
When I spoke, Daisy blushed, rubbed the bridge of her nose with her finger, and lowered her head.
I looked at Daisy fondly and thought, 'I really did well to make a contract with this girl.'
Honestly, I hadn't intended to rely on Daisy for help. I merely hinted at it because I knew she disliked only receiving help without giving anything back.
But to think she'd be *this* helpful.
"But, has such a monstrous person really entered the academy?"
"As far as I know."
"Bad guy. That kind of guy deserves to have his neck severed by Camel-nim's sword."
'The phrasing feels a bit off, somehow.'
In any case, it wasn't wrong, and Daisy had indeed been a great help, so I decided to let it slide.
'I hope it's not on here.'
I cast my gaze over the stack of papers and thought.
I hoped that *thing*, which devours people's souls and steals their bodies, hadn't harmed anyone yet.
Frankly, I felt uneasy. No matter how I thought about it, the reason that *thing*, which was supposed to appear only in the mid-to-late game, had entered the academy so early was undoubtedly because of me.
'Just you wait until I catch you.'
I have no intention of denying this.
Nor do I intend to be swayed by the altered circumstances.
And I certainly have no intention of ignoring the victims or the situation that changed because of me.
Didn't I decide to do as I pleased?
So, I'll stop everything I can, and I'll kill everyone I want to kill.
"Oh, Camel-nim!"
"Yes?"
As I was thinking that, Daisy called out to me, grinning sheepishly.
"I... I decided to join the Drama Club!"
"Really?"
I had to tilt my head and ask again.
Was Daisy interested in plays?
****
Drama Club Room.
Dahlia, the president of the Drama Club, and Damon, the vice president, were looking through the application forms.
After how long had they been looking? Dahlia placed a hand on her forehead and, on the verge of tears, opened her mouth.
"...Is this for real?"
She then buried her face in the table. And for good reason. Every single new student who had submitted an application this time was someone they would have difficulty handling.
"Two daughters of a ducal house, the top student rumored to have dismantled the Disciplinary Committee, and even the terrifying young lady who turned the playboy Grumite into a devoted lover. Alright, let's say we can overlook *that* much..."
Damon, who had been mumbling, threw the stack of documents into the air and yelled.
"No, but why in the world would the Saintess want to join the Drama Club?!"
Dahlia and Damon were certain. Throughout the long history of the Drama Club, there had never been, nor would there ever be, third-year students as miserable as them.