Quicksand

After classes, I decided to show up in the club. When I stood up from my chair, I saw Hiroisora standing at the classroom door. As I was about to reach her, she greeted me with a smile and complaint.

"What took you so long? Let's go." I felt like she was nagging me. This relationship stuff is hard, even if it's just an act.

"You're enjoying this too much, aren't you?" I asked her casually.

"Is it that obvious? Hehehe. After all, you're my first boyfriend."

"Wh-what? Is that true?" Again, this is just an act, but even so, I felt honored.

"You're blushing."

"N-no, I'm not! Stop teasing me!" She's really enjoying this. I've seen her playful side, but this is bordering torture.

"Hehe. I'm sorry. Please don't get angry at me."

"I'm not..." I've known for a long time that she is cute. But damn, I'm getting flustered by her.

We reached the clubroom shortly. When I opened the door, I was surprised.

"Welcome back!" Everyone greeted me. There was food inside and a banner.

"Wh-what is this?" I'm confused now.

"Hehe, this is why I waited for you. I had to make sure you would come here. I told Nariyuki you would come back and she thought of this idea."

"Welcome back, Takaiyama-san." Nariyuki came up to us. "I'm really glad you decided to help us."

"Even though I knew you were still using my name while I was not here, I also know I owe you somehow. So here I am."

"Yeah, you should be grateful."

"Just so you know, If Hiroisora didn't tell me your past— Ow!" Hiroisora suddenly elbowed my rib.

"What was that?" Nariyuki was confused.

"Don't mind that, Kosui-san. Anyway, let's get the party started. Everyone is waiting."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." Nariyuki then turned around and faced everybody. "Everyone, let's celebrate Takaiyama-san's return!"

"What was that for?" I whispered to Hiroisora.

"I don't think she would want to know I shared her secret. Hehehe." She whispered back.

"So, it was a secret?"

"Yup. Now it's a secret between the three of us, okay?" She smiled at me. I'm guessing she gets away with this kind of stuff all the time just by that smile alone.

People kept on introducing themselves to me one by one. Well, mostly girls. I was busy answering questions from them. Examples are 'why I joined the club' and 'do I love acting' and even questions about Hiroisora. I tried to avoid answering things regarding Hiroisora, since our relationship is just an act. More importantly, I really don't know much about her.

While I was being questioned by my fellow clubmates, I saw Nariyuki and Hiroisora talking. I was too far to hear what they were talking about.

---

"So, everything is good between you two? Did you confess to him already, Kari-chan?"

"No, it's not like that."

"Huh? But it seems you're closer now, like you're in a relationship."

"It's just an act."

"An act? Why can't it be the real thing? You like him, and I'm sure he's stupid if he doesn't like you."

"I've said things to him so he'd avoid me, and it worked. But... I felt so sad and lonely when he did. I realized that I really like him, but I don't want to tell him that... When I told him that the rumors helped the club get more members, he was willing to go on this act with me. I thought of this as a way of being close to him without being in a relationship... "

"But why don't you want to be with him for real?"

"Because—"

"What are you doing here by yourselves? I've been questioned too much already." I talked to them. They looked surprised that I was standing there.

"H-how long have you been standing there, Takaiyama-kun?" Hiroisora cautiously asked me.

"Don't you know it's bad to eavesdrop? Especially on girls sharing their secrets with each other?" Nariyuki backed her up.

"I didn't hear anything." I swear. "I just got here. Well, how about letting me in the secret so you won't have to hide it from me?" I asked jokingly.

"No!" They answered in unison. Okay, no need to be mad.

---

After the party to celebrate my return, most of the club members went home. Surprisingly, I ended up in the cleaning committee together with Nariyuki and Hiroisora.

"Why are we, the senior members, the ones doing the cleaning?" I complained while cleaning.

"I guess everyone is just happy you're back that they forgot to clean up." Hiroisora offered a consoling answer. I think that she is also happy, seeing her face now.

"Stop complaining, Takaiyama-san. You slacked off for weeks from the club. It's payback time. Actually, you should do all the cleaning alone. Let's go, Kari-chan."

"Hey, that's unfair!"

"Um, I'd like to stay and help Takaiyama-kun. It was partly my fault that he slacked off."

"I didn't slack off, okay? It was inevitable!" But it was partly Hiroisora's fault.

"Hmm. Fine, I'll leave you love birds alone."

"Take care, Kosui-san."

"Stop ignoring me!" Nariyuki left the room. She ignored me until the end.

"Don't be mad at her. She's actually very happy."

"Yeah. I'm not mad. Hehe, I just kind of missed this."

"So, you miss... her?"

"Uh, no!" Why am I being defensive about it?

"Hehe, I got you again."

"Why, are you by any chance jealous?" I tried teasing her back.

"Wha- No! Why do you think that? Of course not..." Ok, I wasn't expecting her to be flustered by my joke.

"Haha. I got you back."

"That wasn't funny! Hmph!" Hmm, is she angry? Why?

"Are you... angry?"

"No!"

"But you're shouting... It means you're angry."

"I said I'm not!"

"Ok, I'm sorry. It was just a joke. I didn't think you would get this—"

"Hahaha!" What the heck? "I got you again! I win."

"Was this a contest?"

"I'm your girlfriend. You should always let me win. Hehehe." I'm amazed by how silly she can be. And it's really cute.

---

After we were done cleaning, Hiroisora and I decided to go home. While walking together for some time, we were silent. It felt a bit awkward so I broke the silence.

"That was fun, huh." I really couldn't think of anything else to talk about.

"Yup." She answered while smiling. Then the silence returned.

I decided to just enjoy the moment. I'm relieved that I was able to talk to her again without it being awkward. Even though I wanted to ask more questions about her, I ultimately chose not to do it. I don't think that what she said back at the aquarium came out of nowhere, but I don't want to intrude in her private life. I am not her real boyfriend, after all.

"Takaiyama-san." Hiroisora suddenly talked while we were still walking.

"Yeah?"

"I'm really happy, that we're able to talk again like this…"

"Huh…?"

"Well, this is where we go our separate ways. Take care!" We reached the corner of the road then she ran on a different direction from me, waving good bye. I wonder why she said something like that…

---

The next day, classes went by fast. Before I knew it, it was already afternoon and was time to go to the clubroom. During the meeting, we discussed our activities during summer in preparation for the cultural festival play we will be doing. Since we have a lot of new club members, Nariyuki had to assign people into different groups that will handle different aspects of the club. Some of the groups were the costume department, the story department, props department and actors department. Our plans weren't all work related. We made plans for recreational activities as well. Summer will surely be busy, but more importantly, I won't have to wake up so early in the morning! I can't wait for summer vacation. But before I can devote myself to being lazy in the morning, there is still one hurdle to overcome: Final exams of the first term.

---

The following weeks went by fast. Almost all club activities slowed down because everyone is studying for the finals. Classes have just finished up, and everyone is preparing to leave.

"Hey, Takaiyama. Let me borrow your notes." Jirai came by to my seat.

"Why should I?" I was teasing him.

"Damn it, what kind of friend are you?" Is he angry with me?

"I was just kidding. I know you're hopeless. Here, take my notes. I've studied that already."

"You've left me all alone while you were busy with your club!" He didn't listen to what I said.

"You sound like a pet that was abandoned by his owner."

"I was abandoned!"

"So you admit you're a pet?"

"That's not the issue!"

"Now you sound like a clingy girlfriend. It's gross. Stop it."

"No!"

"Whatever. Just join our club then, if you feel so lonely." I suggested it so that he would just stop whining.

"I can't." He answered with a straight face.

"I'm not even going to bother asking why."

"Since you asked nicely—"

"I didn't."

"—it's because I'm already in a club."

"Okay. Then, I'll be going—"

"It's the Literature club." I wasn't asking.

"Literature club? I didn't know you were interested in that kind of stuff. Actually, I really don't know what you are into."

"He he he. You are underestimating me."

"More like, I really don't care that much."

"And since you want to know why I joined the club…" I won't bother to comment, he'll say it anyway. "…There are only girls in that club." Wow, that is actually… brilliant.

"Heh. It seems I did underestimate you... My rival." I held out my hand ready for a handshake. He shook my hand. After that, I think our bond of friendship was tightened.

---

At last, the week for our final exams arrived. It was a grueling week, since most of our attention was already focused on vacation. After a hellish exam week, it was finally time for summer.

"It's here! Summer vacation!" Nariyuki yelled in excitement while we were walking to the clubroom together with Hiroisora.

"Yey!" Hiroisora joined Nariyuki in the celebratory mood.

"Well, now I'll be able to wake up late every morning. That's what I'm excited about." I really am.

"Hey, now. You can't waste your summer oversleeping." Hiroisora lectured me. Is she nagging me? She's taking this relationship act too seriously.

"As long as you come to our meetings and activities, I don't care if you don't sleep at all." Nariyuki really is harsh. At least I'm used to it by now.

We arrived at the clubroom. Most members are already there waiting. Nariyuki shouted at everyone. "Summertime is here! Let's have some fun!"