Rest Stop before the Final Boss

“Rumi. Hana. How’s it going?” Acting nonchalantly, I strutted inside our clubroom to surprise the two. I even brought a drink for them, thinking that they had yet to leave this room ever since they came here after class.

And of course, the surprise was effective. Unlike Haruko and the others in the Book Club, I didn’t message them about this visit.

The two girls turned their bodies to me as they watched me approach. They’re sitting next to each other. On the table are books and perhaps references for what Hana was writing. There were also scribbles of ideas in Rumi’s handwriting. For sure, she’s helping the girl edit her work and keep it in line with the scenarios written by the other girls.

I dropped the drinks on the table and opened them one by one before handing them to them.

Hana took a sip, drawing out her angelic smile. Rumi narrowed her eyes at me before pulling me down next to her.