Otomedori-6

With the form in his hands that he got from the teacher earlier, Kazuki was now heading toward the ground floor, where most of the club rooms were located.

He had filled out the form with all the details except for the club he wanted to join, as he wanted to take a look at the club rooms for chess and basketball first.

His first stop was the basketball club room. As he approached, he could hear the sounds of laughter and shouts even before he reached the door. Peering inside, he noticed the room was bustling with activity.

There were students everywhere, either practising on the court, discussing strategies, or just hanging out. The energy was palpable, and it seemed like a fun and lively environment.

However, Kazuki quickly realized that this might be too chaotic for his taste.

Shaking his head, he decided to head to the chess club room, which was located at the end of the corridor. As he walked past multiple club rooms, he observed the same situation as the basketball club: packed rooms full of enthusiastic students.

Reaching the chess club room, he noticed something strange. There was no sound coming from the room, and the door was closed. Curious, he opened the door and stepped inside.

The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the basketball club. Multiple lines of tables were set up, each with a chessboard on top. Students were deeply engrossed in their games, their faces serious and focused.

The only sound was the faint click of chess pieces and the footsteps of the coach, who walked around giving tips and observing the games.

Kazuki noted the smaller number of students in the chess club, which was likely because many found it boring compared to more active clubs. The quiet, focused environment appealed to him, offering a sense of calm and concentration that he found lacking in the busier clubs.

The coach, noticing Kazuki's presence, approached him with a welcoming smile. "Are you interested in joining the chess club?" he asked.

Kazuki nodded affirmatively. The coach gestured for him to sit at an empty chair across from another new member. "Let's see how you do," the coach said, placing a chessboard between them.

Kazuki took his seat and faced his opponent, a slightly nervous-looking student who seemed just as new to the club as he was. The coach explained the basic rules and then left them to start their game.

As the game progressed, Kazuki's strategic thinking and quiet focus became evident. He played with a level of skill that surprised even himself.

His opponent, despite being new, was no match for him. Within a short period, Kazuki achieved an overwhelming victory, leaving his opponent stunned.

The coach, who had been observing, was impressed. "Well done," he said, nodding appreciatively. "Let's see how far you can go."

Kazuki was then paired with another student, this time a more experienced member of the club. The result was the same: an overwhelming victory for Kazuki.

The coach continued to match him against different students, each more skilled than the last. However, Kazuki defeated them all, one after another, showcasing his exceptional talent for chess.

By the time he finished playing against several members, a small crowd had gathered around to watch. Whispers of admiration and surprise circulated among the students. The coach, clearly impressed, patted Kazuki on the back.

"It looks like we have a new star in the club," the coach announced with a smile. "You have an incredible talent for this game."

Kazuki felt a rush of pride but maintained his modesty. "Thank you," he replied. "I'm looking forward to learning and improving even more."

The coach nodded approvingly. "With your skills, I'm sure you'll go far. Welcome to the chess club, Kazuki."

Kazuki filled in the club's name on the form, feeling content with his decision. 

Rinka's POV:

Rinka made her way to the photography club room, her steps light with anticipation. Although she had always admired the art of photography, she didn't have a camera of her own or much experience in taking photos. 

Nonetheless, the idea of capturing moments and the beauty around her had always intrigued her.

As she entered the room, she was greeted by the sight of students examining their latest photographs, discussing techniques, and planning their next photo shoots.

The room was decorated with stunning pictures taken by the club members, showcasing their talent and creativity.

The club president, a tall and charismatic senior named Sora, noticed Rinka and approached her. "Hey there, are you here to join the photography club?"

Rinka nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Yes, I've always loved photography, but I don't have a camera or much experience."

Sora smiled warmly. "That's perfectly fine! We welcome everyone, regardless of experience. We have some spare cameras you can use for today. Why don't you give it a try?"

Rinka gratefully accepted the camera Sora handed her. It was a high-quality DSLR, much more advanced than anything she had ever used.

Sora gave her a quick rundown of the basic functions, showing her how to adjust the settings and focus.

"Why don't you take a photo of something in the room to start with?" Sora suggested, encouragingly.

Rinka looked around, her eyes landing on a vase of flowers by the window. The soft morning light was streaming in, casting delicate shadows on the petals.

She lifted the camera, adjusted the settings as Sora had shown her, and carefully framed the shot before clicking the shutter.

Sora and a few other members gathered around to see the result. When the image appeared on the screen, there was a collective gasp of admiration.

"Wow, Rinka! That's an amazing shot," Sora exclaimed. "You have a natural eye for photography."

The other members nodded in agreement, impressed by the composition and the way she had captured the light.

Rinka blushed, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Thank you. I just followed what felt right."

Encouraged by their reactions, she continued to experiment with the camera, taking photos of various objects and scenes around the room. With each click of the shutter, her confidence grew, and she found herself getting more and more absorbed in the process.

Otome's POV:

Meanwhile, Otome walked towards the cooking club room, her heart fluttering with excitement. Cooking had always been her passion, and joining this club felt like a dream come true.

As she approached the room, the delicious aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, making her smile.

Entering the room, she was greeted by a bustling environment. Students were busy preparing various dishes, their hands moving skillfully as they chopped, stirred, and baked. 

The head of the club, a friendly-looking senior named Haruka, noticed Otome and approached her with a warm smile.

"Hello! You must be new here. Are you interested in joining the cooking club?" Haruka asked.

Otome nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I love cooking and would love to learn more."

Haruka's smile widened. "That's great to hear! We're always happy to have new members. Why don't you start by helping us with today's recipe? We're making different types of pastries."

Otome quickly tied an apron around her waist and washed her hands, ready to dive in. She was paired with a couple of other members, and together they began preparing the ingredients for the pastries.

The kitchen was filled with laughter and friendly chatter as they worked, and Otome felt a warm sense of belonging.

As she mixed the batter and carefully shaped the pastries, she couldn't help but think about Kazuki. She wondered how he was doing with his club selection.

Despite the embarrassment from the night before, she felt a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for him. Her thoughts were interrupted by Haruka, who called her over to check on the pastries in the oven.

"Otome, you're a natural!" Haruka praised as they pulled out the perfectly baked pastries. Otome beamed with pride, feeling more certain than ever that she had made the right choice.

~~~~~~~

The trio then met in the cafeteria at lunchtime, eager to share their morning experiences. The cafeteria was bustling with students, the air filled with the aroma of various foods and the hum of conversations.

Kazuki arrived first, securing a table near the window. Shortly after, Rinka and Otome joined him, both carrying trays filled with their chosen meals.

"Hey, you two!" Kazuki greeted them with a smile. "How did it go?"

Otome and Rinka exchanged excited looks before diving into their stories.

"I went to the photography club," Rinka began, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Even though I don't have a camera or much experience, they were welcoming. The club president gave me a camera to try, and I took a picture of a vase of flowers. Everyone said I have a natural talent for it!"

Kazuki and Otome listened intently as Rinka described her first experience with the camera, the supportive environment of the club, and how thrilled she was to discover her potential in photography.

"I can't wait to show you the pictures I took," Rinka concluded, her excitement infectious. "But I don't know when I will be able to show you."

Otome's face lit up as she began to share her morning. "I went to the cooking club. It was amazing, Kazuki-kun! We made pastries today, and everyone was so friendly. I was a bit nervous at first, but as soon as I started cooking, I felt right at home."

She described the bustling kitchen, the delicious aromas, and how she bonded with other members over their shared love of cooking. "Haruka-san, the head of the club, said I'm a natural. I think I'm going to enjoy it there."

Kazuki smiled as he listened to his friends. "That sounds awesome, both of you. I decided to join the chess club. The atmosphere there is a bit quieter, but I think it suits me. I had to play a few matches to prove myself."

He recounted his overwhelming victories and how the coach tested his skills against different members. "I think it's going to be a great place for me to challenge myself and improve."

The trio continued their conversation as they ate, discussing their plans and hopes for their respective clubs. 

"I'm so glad we all found clubs we like," Rinka said, her smile radiant.

Otome nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's nice to have something to look forward to every day."

Kazuki felt a surge of happiness as he looked at his two closest people being enthusiastic, especially his little sister. "Exactly. We're all moving forward together."

As the lunch bell rang, signalling the end of their break, they gathered their things and prepared to head back to their respective club rooms.

"See you after school?" Kazuki asked, standing up and picking up his tray.

"Definitely," Otome replied with a shy smile. "Let's meet at the gate."

"See you then," Rinka added, her excitement undiminished.

They parted ways, each heading to their club rooms with renewed energy and enthusiasm, ready to dive back into their passions. 

~~~~~~~~

After the school day ended, the trio met at the school gate and began walking home together, excitedly discussing their experiences in their respective clubs.

"Photography is even more amazing than I thought," Rinka said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to show you guys the pictures I took today!"

"That sounds great," Otome replied, her shyness from the morning dissipating as she joined in the conversation. "I really enjoyed cooking today. We made some delicious pastries, and everyone was so friendly."

Kazuki smiled, feeling a sense of pride for his little sister and his close friend. "I'm glad you both had a good time. The chess club was intense, but I loved every moment of it. It's going to be a great challenge."

As they reached their home, Otome hesitated, considering heading back to her own house. However, when Kazuki invited her to stay with them, she quickly agreed.

At home, Kazuki took a bath first, enjoying the warm water as he relaxed. After finishing, he told Rinka and Otome to take their baths as well.

While they were in the bathroom, Kazuki headed to the kitchen to prepare some instant noodles for dinner. He brought the bowls to the living room and then went back to the kitchen to grab a bottle of Coke from the refrigerator.

As he was looking for a good movie to watch, Rinka and Otome returned from their baths. Rinka wore a comfortable t-shirt and shorts, while Otome wore one of Rinka's t-shirts.

Since Otome was taller, the shirt barely covered her stomach, causing her to feel shy and avoid looking directly at Kazuki. Her shorts showed more of her thighs, adding to her embarrassment.

Kazuki noticed Otome's shyness and smiled gently at her. "You look fine, Otome. Here, have some noodles," he said, handing them their bowls and turning off the lights. "I found a good historical romance movie. I think you'll both enjoy it."

They settled down on the couch, with Kazuki in the middle and the girls on either side of him. The movie started, and the living room was filled with the soft glow of the television. The historical romance film transported them to a different time and place, captivating their attention.

As they watched, Rinka leaned her head on Kazuki's shoulder, enjoying the warmth and comfort of being with her brother and friend. Otome, still a bit shy, eventually relaxed and did the same, feeling safe and happy in their company.

The movie unfolded, filled with drama, romance, and beautiful scenery. The trio occasionally whispered comments to each other, sharing their thoughts and reactions to the scenes. They laughed together at the funny moments and felt the tension during the dramatic parts.

By the time the movie ended, the room was filled with a sense of contentment and closeness. 

As the credits rolled, Kazuki stretched and yawned. "That was a great movie. I'm glad we watched it together."

"Me too," Rinka said, her voice sleepy. "It was really nice."

Otome nodded in agreement, her earlier shyness completely gone. "Thank you for inviting me, Kazuki-kun. I had a wonderful time."

"Anytime," Kazuki replied with a smile. "Let's do this more often."

The duo nodded at his words and then got up. Rinka went back to her room to take a nap even though it was evening, while Otome headed back to her house, still feeling a pleasant warmth from the day's events.

After they left the living room, Kazuki began to clean up the remains of their impromptu dinner. Once everything was tidy, he stretched out on the sofa and started scrolling through his phone, thinking about the day and what he could do to make it even better for his sister and Otome.

Since they had joined clubs for the first time and were really enjoying their experiences, Kazuki decided it would be nice to surprise them with some thoughtful gifts.

For his little sister, Rinka, he ordered a newly launched camera. Knowing how much she had taken a liking to photography, he was sure she would love it. The camera had all the features a budding photographer would need.

For Otome, however, it was a bit trickier. Since the cooking club provided most of what she needed, Kazuki wasn't sure what to get her at first. He thought about her shy smile and how she loved cooking.

Then it struck him—a cute, personalized apron would be perfect. He found a charming apron with a whimsical design that he was sure she would love.

With the orders placed, Kazuki felt a sense of satisfaction. He hoped these gifts would not only be useful but also show his appreciation for their pres#ence in his life.

He set his phone aside and closed his eyes, letting the quiet of the evening wash over him. Tomorrow was another day, and he looked forward to the smiles and laughter that awaited.