June 15 again.

Sometimes I hate this room.

Most of summer's duration I always wake up with the sunlight on my face and when it's midday this room turns to an oven. Again, I hate this room when it's summer.

In the first place, why do outdoor people like summer anyways? You'll endure the sweltering heat and the extreme humidity at the same time, you go out to feel breezy without ever realizing that the back of your shirt is damp. Why would I even bother going to the beach when I can't even swim?!

And why am I even extraneously uttering generic complaints that are most likely said already?! Of course, this is my first time narrating and at the end of my summer vacation at that!

‹Anna›

At least, my breakfast for this Monday morning is amazing so I guess I know what my mood will be for the rest of the day.

"Nii, you made these sausages, didn't you?"

"Oh. How did you know?"

"I've never seen any province in this country that puts your usual amalgam of spices in your meat."

"How did you know the word amalgam anyway?"

"I wonder."

There is actually some kind of a game that I do with Nii especially if I am crashing in his house for whatever reason. Since Nii is a fast one in the kitchen, she always makes me guess how he made the day's breakfast and give me some kind of reward.

This one is rather easy and simple as it's very apparent that he made the fried rice on the pan where he also seared the sausages. Maillard reaction, fond, good stuff! It just takes a bit of deglazing to scrape out all of the brown goodness and thus goes the leftover rice from last night.

Uttering every one of those words did not at least make me hungry because I am of course eating what I am describing. You're the one who is hungry so eat!

…

On the other note, I still don't understand my brother at all. He doesn't usually come to the family house to have breakfast, but lunch and dinner he does. But I kind of know already why nonetheless.

Nii is somewhat doting in his own ways, you see. He knows that today is my first day in my last year of high school so he took out the said breakfast that rarely makes an appearance in our dining table but hits home. So that's basically it. And since I guessed correctly, I got a bento as my prize.

To think that I am telling myself that the once scary, no, rather creepy and emo brother of mine suddenly became somewhat doting.

He is indeed like a storm, figuratively; but we're not talking about chapters 21-25. I meant it in a way that he is unpredictable. Sometimes Nii is direct and indirect. It's totally like the mood swings of some maiden! Really, he's a tsundere!

…

And while I'm saying all that, I'm suddenly reminded how much I love Nii and my family; and that I am also glad that I came back here two years ago.

"I'm going now."

"Take care."

But then I came to a realization just now as I stepped out of the house and began to hear my only footsteps.

It is rather lonely that I may well be going to walk on our quiet street for a whole year.

▪ ▪ ▪

"Achoo~!"

"It's too late for you to get a summer cold, Rin. We're nearly at the gate."

"Nah. It's just a usual sneeze."

▪ ▪ ▪

Back here in Blue Ink again, I guess.

There is really no need for me to look at which room I will be spending my final ten months as a high school student, but I still stood in front of the information board just to be sure anyway. Sometimes we really have those times where facts that came from a month or so is not very trustworthy for your hunch.

But while my low intuition contradicts to the truth, I was reassured. I only climbed one level on the building and immediately found my classroom that has never changed literally. For some reasons, our classrooms—both S2BM and S2Acc—did not change from last year, and so we are still neighbors with S2VA.

Upon sliding the door of the room, I was immediately met with one of my friends in my class on such an uncomfortable distance as we nearly bumped to each other. Her name is Natalie or as I call her, Nat or… Nacchan? Why am I realizing that just now?

A few custom high-fives later and I finally managed to take my seat that ought not to change, which did not indeed. The senior high school department of Blue Ink is still very small so it is just expected that I will see the very same faces in this year.

~ ~ ~

Now I'm wondering if the speech from last year was actually added to the chapter.

"Hello Nii? Was Tenth's speech written on the first day of school last year?"

"Stop breaking the fourth wall more and more.

But no."

And so he said. Although I think it is basically a rule of thumb to be sure that redundancy is avoided. Therefore we'll let the very speech pass.

But something I found amazing in our principal is that his opening speeches for this past three years are always inspirational. Albeit I said that there has to be an evasion to repetition, Tenth's speeches do not sound any redundant at all. It is always about his encouragement of the school's system, but there is always something different and unique.

That is probably because he does not talk like a principal, but as a human, even as ironic as it sounds. No, I now remember that he has revealed himself to be a non-human a few months ago. But even so, he for the most part knows how to get to our hearts. In the end, he has been known for someone who prioritizes values over aptitude.

People may think that his words are superficial even for those who now found out that he is an Exile. But I suppose it is a fact that they won't see the very truth and weight of his words without seeing it for yourself. I have seen what drives him to live—his companions below this world, his wife, and… Yuka… Akira.

~ ~ ~

Lunch break, and the four of us finally got together again with our food on the rooftop.

"Waaaaahhhh…! I totally forgot…!"

And so I commenced to sprint and grab the watering can and gave the flowers a bit of a shower before my stomach roars in its rage.

"Ngghhh… I'll definitely get scolded if he finds out…!"

"You just did something weird just now, Anna," Naru rudely commented.

"Can't help it! This might seriously be the first time that Nii asked me for a favor."

"And it is to water the flowers?"

"Regularly. But that means that I'm free to plant anything I want!"

"But… this is Art Club's ownership, right?" Ai-chan made a point.

"B-But he made the request so I don't think anyone can do anything about it."

Added Naru, "Well, I think Yuka Gin is quite a popular alumnus, at least in the very side of the sidelines."

I have no argument on that.

But then Sora exuded an extremely bright smile and said, "We'll help you, Anna."

"That's right. It seems that Sora-chan and I are going to Art Club this year."

At that point, I really thought that it was weird for a BM student to join the Art Club. But then past circumstances rang a bell.

"So Aomine is also joining then?"

"Uh- Ummm…"

This beauty is like an open book right now.

"Heeeehh. So you're joining the club because of him even though you're in a non-art-related department? Hmmm."

"Umm… Anna…"

"Actually, Anna-chan…"

"It's fine, you two. I'll say it myself.

Actually… I've never really mentioned it in our break but… I actually moved to VA…"

.

.

.

"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!"

And so we're enlightened.

Sora apparently took an examination for a change of courses that scopes the entirety of VA's lessons last year. Without surprise, she passed with flying colors and the rest is history.

Her rationale was that she can always learn management from her parents so further education was apparently unnecessary at this point.

Also, this beauty can actually draw well.

…

"How about you, Naru?"

"As much as I want to be in Go-Home, Lit. Club is a better choice."

No, we don't have a Go-Home Club. She just meant that no clubs for her this year.

"Then that means Ai-chan, Sora and Aomine are going to be in Art Club. I heard from Nii that the club needs five members to function, though?"

"Is that so… I'll keep that in mind.

By the way," Sora raised her head anew, "I'm planning on inviting some of our classmates and friends in a dinner party. Can you guys come?"

"Ehh… I don't think we'll really fit well there."

"It's fine. I asked Dad for this dinner party to give appreciation on our company's employees so I figured I can also invite some of my acquaintances."

"Since when did she start addressing her father less informally?"

"Mmm… I guess that's fine. Hit us up on what date, then!"

"Yes. And can your brother come too, Anna? He seems like an interesting person to meet."

"You already like Aomine and you're also going to go for my brother? Just so you know, he only sees his girlfriend and no one else. He's too dumb to cheat!

But I'll try to ask him anyway. He might bring Nee-chan with her, though."

"Your expression shifts never gets old, Anna."

"Why don't you also invite Yuki Akira, huuuuh?" a smug smile came from Naru.

"What? Eh?!"

So apparently… Naru kept quiet this whole time but she actually saw me shopping with Yuka Akira… when I was originally with Nii! Faster than sound, I cleared the misunderstanding and immediately told that there is nothing going on with me and him. My word…

"No…! I'll keep Nii and Nee-chan's words to heart!"

▪ ▪ ▪

June 19.

As per Blue Ink's norms, the first Friday of the school year is intended for club membership. The last period and homeroom becomes an open schedule intended for that event.

"Ao-mi-ne. Time to meet Sir Martin. Let go of your pencil and let's scram."

"Ehhhh. I want to finish this."

"Then bring that with you. Man, you're a bit of a work today."

"Well… I don't want the club to stop operations. Even if the batch before us were worlds apart, I want it to continue.

I guess this is the only kind of legacy that I actually like."

"Of course, of course… You are still a pain that hates those concepts."

"I don't think I'll ever move on from that."

Aomine Sanshoin and Hoshino Corik want the Art Club to continue existing.

The latter has been a friend of Aomine ever since last year, but it was not yet in his mind to join the Art Club as he was still rather foreign in the medium. In truth, it was Sans Corik, his uncle, who encouraged and eventually motivated him to pursue art after seeing his various creative works in multimedia.

Hoshino in fact is a literary kind of person, and it happened that he enjoys well-written anime and manga. But because of seeing the visualizations created in his uncle's studio, he saw the two media in a different light.

Besides that, he was able to observe the work in a studio. Just like in good literature, there is an undisturbed flow where work maintains its coherence and continuity. Art was a brand new world for him.

Then he enrolled to the Visual Arts department of his current school, he neither has talent nor ineptness. He was average in his evaluation.

And so he met Aomine, an admittedly mediocre student when it comes to kinesthetic art activities, but absolutely a genius in written outputs. Unfortunately, hands-on activities have higher priority than written ones, thus even a 100 in written exams won't necessarily pull him up from his borderline below-average grades.

Whether one has very good grades or slightly worse ones does not matter in Blue Ink, but it was plainly absurd for someone to be elated about getting bad numbers. That was however Hoshino's bridge to befriend him. He may not understand Aomine's past circumstances well, but he can relate on how hard it is to progress and improve in art. For some, or for him, art is something that can only be mastered in many years of practice just like swordsmith, culinary, hand-pulling noodles, or making soba noodles.

No, Hoshino likes noodles but comparing art to them has not yet brought to his mind.

~ ~ ~

One level down to towards the ground floor and the Art Room is easily reached as it is just a floor below to their classroom.

But Aomine noticed something as they make their way to the clubroom. Two women from their class are on their tail although several meters behind them. He can easily understand that Ai Hikari is most likely going to join too, but he is having a weird vibe on the one beside her.

He thought, Sora Kagurazaka somewhat changed. No, it was already a given even before this school year began knowing the incidents from a few months back. But it was indeed weird. Sora suddenly changed courses and it looks like she prompts to also join the club that "blew minds" last year.

But in the end, Aomine was not dense, although he wishes to be a simpleton. But what he finds to be rather idiotic is that it seems Sora did this for the purpose of following him although he has already rejected her unexpected feelings. Or perhaps, his assumptions are a show that he is getting ahead of his judgments.

Nonetheless, they are indeed friends but nothing more, and there may not be anything in store for their association.

"Sir Martin. We're here to register for the club," enter Hoshino and Aomine.

"Wow, this is weird."

Mato from his seat closed the book, or volume, that he is reading while he used his thumb as his bookmark.

"First time in a while that no one's calling me Mato-sen, huh…" he whispered. "You two are the first people here. Put your school credentials then do whatever you want. I mean it."

"Oh. Easy."

"Yeah, sure. Also, Aomine, use that as an opportunity to improve more."

"Yes…"

"Excuse me, we're here to apply," thus came Ai and Sora.

"I guess someone will call me sensei then," he whispered anew. "Go follow after these two here.

Also, if we manage to get five members today, I'll hold the meeting. Things have changed really quickly, huh…"

A few minutes later, Obi Soramoto, another student from S2VA registered his name.

The five of them settled on their seats while Mato stood in front of them, mumbling loudly.

"Seriously, what's up with this club… All members are from the same class…

Anyway, I guess you guys are aware of TAC?"

They all nodded.

"So actually… I am still supervising the members from last year, get this, since they can at least be considered as some kind of unofficial organization or business. Of course, I'm still on to continue what has been left by the alumni. So the question is if you guys are capable of producing works that actually have a price," Mato briefly ended in a harsh tone.

"I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to give you an option. Just so you know, TAC's earnings were split to the school's funds, the club's funds, and personal earning. On that, the lowest share is the school's funds since it was basically some kind of work already where they earn for themselves. To put it simply, this was an independent club.

So for your choice, I will be giving you some time to decide. I would suggest you enlist Sora's insights, as she probably knows more than BM's curriculum by now.

Moving on, I need to ask you all as early as now since you are all in the same class. Are you going to run something in the Open Event this October, and if so, are you going to work for the club or for the class?

Again, I'll also give you some time to think about it.

With that, this room is all yours to use. Just remember to act accordingly. I don't want another harmful incident to happen here again.

So then, toodles."

Anticlimactic as it may be, Mato bid his farewell, but only came back to the desk and continued reading the manga where he left off.

"Oh, nice page spread."

…

"Yuka Ginji told me that we should just ignore him…"

"Sir Martin, what manga are you reading?" Hoshino stood up.

"I just said to ignore him…!" Aomine let out unconsciously in a rather rude way.

"150-Year Tale of Love."

"Ohhh? Is that the new work of Yuki Amagami? Wait, wasn't he a member of this club?! Is that true, Sir Martin?"

"Why didn't you visit us here in the Open Event, then?

But I see you're a man of culture as well! Call me Mato-sen."

"Yes, Mato-sen…!"

Aomine then turned away with a tepid expression, "Alright, ignore those two.

Anyway, I'm solely just basing on the alumni's experience, and they seem to use the first day of club to just draw or paint anything so as to evaluate everyone's status quo. But we can always do something new later on.

Let's start, I guess?"

Ai then added, "There is a bundle of A4 on the drawers. We can use them as much as we want including the materials."

"You sure know this room," Sora wondered.

"Well… I used to eat cake and drink tea with the senpai here, you see."

"Ai-san, this isn't K-*N!" Hoshino returned.

"Ringo-senpai left some raspberry tea on the cabinet, though. Ah, I should heat up the kettle while I draw."

"Ah, right, Ai-san," Mato suddenly started, "Jean said that he forgot an offset spatula here and asks you to bring it to him in Giotto's later."

"**Why did he leave an offset spatula here of all places?!"

"Did you guys pick up on what Ai-san said just now?"

They shook their heads.

~ ~ ~

On the other end, Anna and Naru continued to be a member of the Literature Club for the sole purpose of attending to the library desk especially when it is winter where it becomes a haven for slobs. But immediately after club orientation, the two of them began on the desks as some of the Go-Home members decided to take a read to kill time.

"Anna~ Someone's looking for a specific stats book. Can we switch so you can look for it?"

"Sure."

Let us prevent Titanic from sinking.

"Y-Yuka Akira…?!"

"Oh, hi there."

"Naru said you were looking for a certain book? What is it's cover title?"

※ Naru Kajima does not have any idea on this ship.

"Is this it?"

"Yup. Thanks for that, Anna."

"You're welcome."

"By the way, I just briefly noticed… I think some of the books are placed on the wrong shelves."

"Ahh… That's what happens when the library is not tended properly in a week… Hahh, we'll have to reorganize them anyway."

"Is that so? Let me help then. What is your schedule here in the library? I'll try to come once classes are over."

"Isn't that going to interfere with your work, Yuka?"

"I have a bit of time. I don't really stay here at school later anyways."

"Then you can just help anytime, though?"

"Ehhhh… I think I'd prefer it when you're here."

The blush bomb has been dropped. Even Anna was wondering if Akira actually realizes what he was saying, or he could be the true dense character in this story.

But while Akira was busy looking at thin air, he saw a loose book nearing its obedience to the gravity.

"Watch out, Anna."

Seeing that it is going to squarely land on Anna's head, he leaned forward and caught the book without fail. However, him leaning forward means that he unwittingly closed an uncomfortable distance with the girl in front of her.

"Uwaah… S-Sorry for that, Anna…" upon his realization, he vigorously stepped back and found that his heart palpitated for a moment.

It was then, another blush bomb has been dropped on Anna.

"Uhh… A-"

"…!"

Anna suddenly ran on little steps leaving Akira. She stopped in front of the desk and suddenly crouched whilst in a fidget.

"Umm… are you okay, Anna?"

She flinched, upon hearing Akira approach her as she hides her face. Still, she gestured an "okay" on her hand.

"W-We'll definitely need your help in o-organizing them…"

He then looked at Naru who is just as confused as him and shook her head.

"Ahahaha… I'll be here then."

And so the secretary of the principal left the library.

"What's gotten into you, Anna?"

"…

Help me, Ai-chaaaaaaannnnnnnn…"