The afternoon sun filtered through the classroom windows, turning the air warm and slow.
Ms. Sato stood in front of the board, tapping her clipboard lightly."Alright, before we end today's homeroom, just a reminder — all students who haven't joined a club yet should visit at least two during orientation week. It's not required but at least, for your own good."
Kaito, on the other hand, was already leaning over his desk, holding one flyer upside down. "So," he said, "what club are you joining?"
Ren looked at him flatly. "None."
Kaito frowned. "Come on, man. You can't just go home every day. That's depressing."
"I'll manage."
Before Kaito could argue, Rika leaned over from the next row, her grin sharp and curious.
"What's this? Don't tell me you two haven't joined anything yet."
Kaito blinked. "Wait—you already did?"
"Of course," she said proudly, flipping her hair. "Photography Club. I signed up yesterday."
Shun laughed from his seat. "Knew it. You just want to take embarrassing pictures of people again."
Rika gasped, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me! It's artistic expression."
Kaito rolled his eyes. "Sure. Next thing we know, she's blackmailing the teachers."
Rika ignored him completely and turned to Shun. "What about you? Don't tell me you're still deciding."
Shun grinned. "Actually, I joined the Basketball Club earlier. Coach said they needed more members."
Kaito froze. "Wait—so both of you already joined something?!"
Rika smirked. "You snooze, you lose."
Kaito groaned dramatically. "Unbelievable. We've been left behind, Ren!"
Ren calmly packed his notebook away. "That's fine."
"It's not fine!" Kaito leaned closer. "You can't just go home every day like some retired old man."
Ren replied, as calm as ever. "That sounds ideal."
Kaito threw his hands up. "You're hopeless. Alright, that's it — we're going club hunting after class."
Ren didn't even look up. "No."
"Yes," Kaito said firmly, already standing. "If I have to find a club, you're coming with me. I'm not doing this alone."
Rika chuckled. "Good luck with that, Fujimoto. Try not to get dragged into something weird."
Shun smirked. "Or do. Makes life more entertaining."
Kaito sighed, dramatic as ever. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Operation: Find a Club That Doesn't Require Effort — starts now."
Ren stood up slowly, adjusting his bag. "Sounds doomed already."
The two stepped out into the hallway, joining the flow of students moving between classrooms.
Laughter, chatter, and the occasional shout of "Join our club!" echoed through the corridors.
Colorful banners hung above open doors — Basketball Club, Art Club, Music Club, Tea Ceremony, Kendo, and more.
Kaito scanned the hallway like he was exploring a new world. "Alright, let's start from this side!"
Ren sighed. "You're enjoying this way too much."
They stopped first by the Basketball Club, where a few second-years were showing off passes and layups.
"Too much sweat," Ren muttered.
The sound of bouncing balls echoed through the hallway.
For a moment, it overlapped with another sound in his mind
He could almost see it again —
his younger self sprinting down the floor, a flash of energy and noise,
the ball leaving his hands, the brief silence before it hit the net.
And then—just as quickly—it faded.
Ren blinked, the memory dissolving like mist.
"Ren?" Kaito called, noticing his silence. "What's the matter?"
"…Nothing," Ren replied softly.
Kaito shrugged, a grin already returning to his face. "Anyway, this one's good! It could build your stamina instead of always sitting quietly like a ghost."
Ren glanced at the court one last time, the laughter and sneakers echoing faintly through the gym.
"Pass," he said, turning away. "Let's move on to the other clubs."
They moved on to the Art Club, where students were quietly sketching. The scent of paint filled the air.
"This one seems chill," Kaito said.
One of the members looked up. "Would you like to try drawing something?"
Ren stared at the blank sheet for two seconds, then turned around. "No."
Kaito followed him out, laughing. "Man, you didn't even give it a chance."
"I already know the result."
By the time they reached the Music Club, Kaito was half-exhausted from enthusiasm.
"Okay, new plan," he said, catching his breath. "We find a club that lets us sit, nap, or eat snacks. That's the dream."
Ren replied dryly, "That's not a club. That's your living room."
Kaito smirked "Isn't that what you want?"
They continued walking through the corridor, the noise slowly fading as the crowd thinned.
Ren slowed his pace, eyes drifting toward the open courtyard outside the window. The afternoon light was softer now, brushing the school grounds with a gentle gold.
He turned slightly — and froze.
Near one of the display tables by the garden, arranging neatly folded pamphlets, stood a familiar figure.
The girl from before.
Her hair caught the light as she leaned over the table, carefully fixing the corners of a poster. She looked calm and focused — the same quiet presence he remembered from that day outside the station.
Kaito noticed his pause. "Huh? What's wrong?"
Ren's gaze didn't move. "…Nothing."
"Don't tell me you found a club you actually like?"
Ren didn't answer. He took one quiet step forward.
The girl looked up — and for a moment, their eyes met.
Recognition flickered in her expression, followed by a small, gentle smile."Ah… Hayashi-kun, right?"
Ren blinked once. "You remembered."
"Of course," she said lightly. "It'd be rude to forget someone I ran into—literally."
Ren hesitated for a second, then spoke quietly. "I never got your name last time."
She blinked in mild surprise before smiling again. "It's Nishimori Hana."
"Nishimori," Ren repeated softly, as if testing how the name sounded. "Got it."
Kaito raised a brow. "Wait, you know her?"
Ren nodded slightly. "We bumped into each other when I was on my way home."
Kaito looked between them, intrigued. "So that's what she meant by 'ran into'…"
Haruka laughed softly. "Pretty much. Are you looking for a club too?"
Ren shook his head slightly. "Not exactly. My friend kept nagging me, so… here I am."
The girl's lips curved into a faint smile. "I see. Then you can look here for a bit," she said, stepping aside slightly. "We're the Literature Club. It's quiet, I promise."
Ren glanced at the sign, then back at her. The corner of his lips moved slightly. "I'll consider it."
Kaito blinked. "Wait—what? You actually—?!"
Ren started walking toward the door, ignoring him completely.
The girl laughed softly. "You don't have to decide now. But if you come back… bring your friend."
Kaito pointed at himself. "Huh? Me?"
"Of course," she said with a small grin. "He looks like he needs a club more than you do."
Kaito groaned. "Even strangers bully me…"
Ren turned away slightly, just enough that his quiet exhale almost sounded like a laugh.
The sunlight outside was fading as they walked back down the hall.
Kaito sighed, still confused. "What just happened? You actually found a club?"
Ren looked ahead. "Not sure yet."
Kaito gave him a sideways glance. "But you're thinking about it, huh?"
Ren didn't answer — but the faintest trace of a smile lingered in his expression.
The sky had already turned a pale orange by the time they left the building.
The air was cooler now, carrying the faint scent of rain and sun-warmed pavement.
Kaito stretched his arms above his head. "Man, club hunting is exhausting. We didn't even join anything, and I feel like I ran a marathon."
Ren adjusted the strap of his bag. "That's because you kept talking."
"Talking is cardio," Kaito said proudly.
Ren gave him a look. "It's not."
They walked side by side down the narrow street leading toward the station. The faint hum of cicadas filled the pauses between their footsteps.
"So," Kaito said after a moment, "you gonna join that Literature Club?"
Ren didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted to the streaks of orange light cutting through the clouds.
"…I don't know," he said finally. "Maybe."
Kaito grinned. "Whoa, that's practically a yes coming from you."
Ren glanced at him, unimpressed. "Don't push it."
Kaito laughed, kicking a pebble off the road. "Still… I'll admit, it's kinda weird seeing you interested in something for once. Must be fate or something."
Ren's eyes softened slightly. "If it is, it's a quiet one."
"Then it suits you," Kaito said, smirking.
They continued down the street as the light faded into evening.
After a pause, he murmured, almost to himself,
"Literature Club, huh…"
For some reason, the thought stayed with him all the way home.