I've got this principle I live by: never do anything unnecessary. People often mistake it for laziness, but nope, it's not that.
For me, it's all about avoiding trouble. The more stuff you do, the more chances there are to mess something up, right? So, I just do enough to get by, you know? Enough to not fail, but definitely not enough to end up in the spotlight.
I know, I know. Just hearing that, plenty of folks would probably tell me I'll never achieve anything significant in my life with that attitude. And you know what? They're probably right. But so what? I'm not chasing anything like that. All I want is a peaceful, quiet life – nothing out of the ordinary.
I've lived by this my whole life. Studied just enough to scrape by on exams, socialized just enough so people didn't outright hate me. Never joined any school clubs, definitely no optional extracurriculars.
But, well, that might all be changing, thanks to my 'dear' sister, Tamako. She graduated from high school last year. Instead of college or a regular job, she decided to 'chase her heart,' as they say. She loves adventure, so she's made that her living. She's a YouTube vlogger now. Rarely see her around, usually just for big family stuff.
Turns out, she was a member of something called the "Classic Mistry Club" back at Kiminari High. And since I ended up at the same school (mostly because its entrance exam is the easiest in town, naturally), she asked me – no, more like told me – to join it. Apparently, when she graduated last year, the club was down to zero members. If no one joins this year, poof, it's disbanded. She wasn't having that. So, here I am, admission form in hand.
"Oh, so that's the story. I knew you wouldn't willingly join a club." That was Amaeshi, or Amae for short. Gotta say, he's pretty short for a guy. With his mousy brown hair, the acne sprinkled across his face, and a slightly pudgy build, 'handsome' isn't the first word that springs to mind.
"So, what's this 'Classics Club' of yours actually do?" Amae asked, ever the curious one.
"'Dunno, don't care," I said, and I meant it. Total deadpan. The wind and the golden evening light streamed through the window, hitting my face. I probably looked like an emotionless robot, which wasn't far from the truth.
"That's so you, Kyo-ish, isn't it?" Amae added, then sat up and grabbed his shoulder bag. "Anyway, I should get going. It's getting late." He stood up, ready to bail. "And hey," he added, "try not to be a ghost member, okay? Our school's pretty strict about club activities."
Wait, what? I had no idea I actually had to show up for club stuff. "Hey, you mean I can't just bolt home after school?" I asked, my voice probably sounding like a patient hearing a stage three cancer diagnosis.
"Nope, can't do that. Gotta stick around a bit longer," he replied. "It's all in the school admission form and the rule book. Didn't you, like, read it?"
You can bet your life I'm not the type to wade through pages of fine print. Anyway, this was bad. Really bad. No quick escapes after school, and now I had these so-called 'club activities' to deal with.
"Later then, bye!" he called out, already jogging off with a wave.
"No, wait!" I tried to call him back, but he was gone. Seriously, does that guy have hearing problems? Or just an endless supply of energy?
Right. Better submit this thing before I head home. I scanned the notice board outside the teachers' room, looking for the Classics Club advisor. "Arts club, manga club, chess club, music club… Where is the Classics Club?" I couldn't find it anywhere on the board. It was crammed top to bottom with all sorts of bizarre club names, but no Classics Club.
Fed up with squinting at the list, I figured the most efficient thing – my specialty – was to just ask a teacher. And there was only one in sight: an old guy slurping cup noodles at his desk.
"Excuse me," I started, "I'm looking for the faculty advisor for the Classics Club."
The old man's eyes practically lit up. He let out a couple of coughs—ahem, ahem—and gestured for me to come closer. I stepped into the room, over to his desk.
"Are you here to join the Classics Club?" he asked, his voice full of hopeful expectation. It was like he was beaming 'say yes' vibes at me. Psychology, probably. Too bad for him, I'd already made up my mind about what I had to do.
"Yes," I said, trying to sound as formal as I could muster, "I'm looking for the faculty advisor of the Classics Club to submit this registration form."
"That would be me," he declared, beaming. "And you're accepted!" So, he was the guy. As I left the room, he looked genuinely thrilled. Probably relieved his precious club wouldn't bite the dust just yet.
"Finally," I muttered to myself, stretching my arms out in the empty hallway. "What a day. Straight to bed when I get home."
I shot a look up at the ceiling. "Just you watch, Universe, or whoever's up there pulling the strings. You're not going to ruin my peaceful life that easily."