Chapter 19: The future looks grim.

“Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Our senior suggested as she sunk into the sofa.
The blonde and I sat on pipe chairs.

“I’ll go first.
I’m Yukina Tachibana, the president of the excursion club.
Also a sophomore.”

That’s it?

“That guy over there calls me Tachibana,” she glanced at me.
“But ‘Boss’ is fine.”

“Boss… Boss…” The newcomer ruminated over the new term.

“Yup, that’s fine.
You can also call me that, Takasaki.”

It seems she loves being called boss.
Well, the natural course of action would be to call us club members, but she didn’t do it.
Is there any difference between a boss and a president in the first place?

“Got it.
Are you done introducing yourself, boss?”

“Done.”

“Then I’ll go next.
I’m Yuu Takasaki from A-1.
I came from Matsunagi junior high and joined this club because I’m interested in outdoor activities.
You can call me whichever name you like.”

“Junior,” the boss said.

“No, Takasaki,” I quipped.

Regardless, I was a bit excited to hear the newbie’s introduction.

“Next.”

“I’m Yuki.
Freshman,” she ended it short and was pretty concise.
Incidentally, her attitude was a clear indication she didn’t want to talk anymore…

I mean, I’m used to boss’ few words, but wouldn’t it be hard if the blonde was the same? I know I didn’t give a thorough intro, but still.

“Since you’re a girl, I’ll call you Sachi-chan,” the boss came out of the left field.

“Like the guy over there, just call me Yuki.
Please.”

“Can’t be helped, then.”

I’ve just introduced myself and you’re calling me “that guy?” The heck?

“That was my introduction.
I look forward to working with you.”

“Mhm, nice to meet you.”

Just as we ended that, the school’s chime echoed through the hallways, followed by a voice through the intercom: “Yukina Tachibana, a sophomore.
If you’re still in school, come to the staff room ASAP.
I repeat…”

“They’re calling,” I looked at her.
“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do nothing.
Well, I’m going for a bit,” she said, tote-totting out of the classroom, leaving me and the new girl in absolute silence.

Awkward didn’t begin to describe it.
Not only was she quiet, but she didn’t even say a word to me since club activities started.

She knows how to speak, as seen by her bare minimum of courtesy when speaking to her, and she even gave up her seat on that train.
I don’t think she’s a bad person by any means.
Then, does she just hate my guts? Maybe I started too much? Or maybe she just dislikes men in general? No clue.

“Uh, well, Yuki, it’s nice to meet you.
We have three years ahead of us—”

“I have no intention of getting used to you, b*****d,” she cut me off.

B, b*****d?! What do you mean by that? I’ve only ever seen people use that word in anime and manga, never in real life.

Ugh, I can only wonder if I can live through this club from now on…

Ever since she cut me off, we didn’t exchange even a single word.
I looked at her for a split second, only to receive a glare that screamed, “don’t talk to me anymore,” to which I looked away.

“I’m back.”

My goddess of salvation had returned.

“What was it?”

“They were angry because I didn’t do something.
I was asked to submit an application for using this club room before the tour started, and I said I’d do it.
Long story short, it slipped my mind.”

She’s really out of it sometimes, huh?

“So, you’re in trouble?” I asked.

“No, I’m fine.
The application they gave me was still with my stuff, so I wrote everything down and submitted it.
Club activities are a go.”

So, we finished setting up the classroom and finished our introductions.
What else can we do?

“What are we going to do?”

“Hmm, there are still many things to be done.
Today we’ll have a welcome barbecue, let’s just decide the time and place.”

“Um, I’m sorry, but there’s still a week left until the admission period ends, so is it okay to do it now? Maybe someone will show up.”

“That’s true, I forgot about that… Then, we can do, um… There’s nothing.”

If there are still applicants to join the club, I’ll have to start introducing myself again.

“Well folks, that’s it for today.
We can’t do much until all club members are here, so until next time,” she said, taking out her phone and tapping away.
“Oh, once this month ends, it’ll be Golden Week,” she showed a location on her screen.
“We’re off until the 5th, and I’d like to have the BBQ here, but it’s not realistic.
So let’s meet on the 6th.”

“Got it,” both I and the rude blonde answered in unison.

Thus, we were disbanded.

T/N: I wonder why that blonde girl hates the protagonist so much.
Maybe it’s related to the incident? No idea.
I hate her so far.