Part 2
"Wow... this is bigger than I imagined," I muttered to myself, my eyes scanning the gym as the lights illuminated the vast space.
Almost all of the first-year students were there, though no more than about 80 people; enough to feel the constant buzz, but not so much that it was impossible to observe movements and reactions. Sayuri and Kaori sat at the back, waiting for the club fair to begin.
As we entered, we were handed informational guides with club details. I took mine and held it carefully, quickly scanning the names and activities while most of the others seemed more interested in chatting with friends.
"I wonder if there are any notable clubs... maybe one for martial arts or sport shooting," I thought to myself.
Kaori stood by my side, observing everything with her usual seriousness. She didn't comment; there was no need to. Her silence spoke louder than any words.
The facilities were impressive: immaculate tatami mats, high-quality training areas, even equipment that looked like something out of a professional gym. Any club that wanted to excel had the perfect ground here.
"Even though it's impressive, beginners will struggle," I thought to myself. "I don't think someone without experience could join and excel right away."
"I can see you're over-evaluating," Kaori whispered. "Remember, many here rely more on luck than skill."
I didn't respond. I didn't need to. The fair was about to begin.
"Now we'll talk about what many of you have been waiting for," Mina Yukishiro announced, with her characteristic firm and controlled tone.
The gym's lights slowly dimmed as the words "Clubs and Extracurricular Activities" appeared on the main screen.
"Clubs are not part of the point system," she clarified bluntly. "They don't add or subtract anything from your class ranking. There are no special benefits or academic advantages to joining." Still, they're an essential part of life at Kurohana Academy.
Some students exhaled, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Others, however, remained attentive: while it didn't affect their progress, everyone knew that personal reputation could indeed be born from here.
"Each student will be able to enroll in only one club per academic year. They will all operate independently, with their own internal rules and regular evening activities," Mina continued, projecting the list of clubs on the screen: Swimming, Music, Calligraphy and Art, Sports, Theater, Cooking, Literature, and Crafts.
The leaders of each club waited their turn in silence, watching from the sidelines. There was no pressure for points... but there was a sense of pride.
"Clubs are designed as a space to strengthen personal skills, create bonds, and develop self-initiative," Mina explained. "Each club will have a representative elected annually, responsible for coordinating its activities and maintaining order."
Then, Shohei Yamamoto, Club President, took the stage. His mere presence was enough to make the murmur disappear.
"Here, you don't compete for points, but for respect," he said in a deep voice. "Clubs are the only place where you don't have to win... but where every action reveals who you are when no one is evaluating you."
Some students looked at each other, others lowered their heads. Not everyone yet understood the true weight of those words.
"As Club President, I oversee the relationship between clubs and management," Shohei added. "You can propose changes, organize events, and work together, but discipline and commitment are still key. If you're not willing to take them seriously, you'd better not sign up."
Silence filled the gym again. No one spoke, but everyone knew that the decision they would make in the next few minutes wasn't as simple as choosing a hobby.
At Kurohana, even free spaces had rules.
As most of the students dispersed, three boys approached me: Sora Miyazaki, Yuto Nakajima, and Ren Takahashi.
"You came too?" Sora asked.
"I was just observing," I thought to myself. "Keeping my distance is more helpful than rushing in."
Yuto showed me his phone, inviting me to a Class F group chat. An opportunity to interact, if only in a calculated way. I decided to accept, considering the potential benefits of maintaining certain contacts.
Kaori remained on the sidelines, silent as ever, assessing everything around her. The club fair continued, but for me, every movement was a calculation: every greeting, every laugh, every glance could translate into points, alliances, or useful information.
"Even an event as trivial as this fair can become a strategic game board," I muttered to myself, mentally adjusting my priorities and goals as I looked around at everyone.