"Good morning, Isshiki-san."
Isshiki Iroha had only just entered the classroom and sat down when she heard her new friend greet her. She smiled and replied, "Good morning."
She had thought it would be nothing more than a simple greeting, but unexpectedly, the other girl suddenly leaned closer and asked with a curious expression, "Isshiki-san, I heard you went on a date with Shirai-senpai yesterday afternoon. Is that true?"
"A-a date?"
Even Isshiki Iroha could not help looking a little strange when she heard that.
After hesitating for a moment, she explained quietly, "Shirai-senpai and I only went out for dessert together. That doesn't count as a date. Besides, we're both girls. No matter how you look at it, we were just hanging out. How did that turn into a date?"
"Normally, sure, but the other person is Shirai-senpai. Haven't you heard the rumors about her?"
At the mention of rumors concerning Shirai Mio, curiosity appeared in Isshiki Iroha's eyes. "What rumors?"
"I heard from an upperclassman that Shirai-senpai is really popular at school, but there's never been any gossip about her with boys. Instead, she's always very close to girls. Some people say she likes girls—and especially girls who already have boyfriends."
"???"
"I heard Miura-senpai used to be a couple with Hayama-senpai, but then, somehow, she gave up on Hayama-senpai and got together with Shirai-senpai instead."
Isshiki Iroha knew who Hayama Hayato was. He had originally been her target, but because of Shirai Mio, she had not made contact with Hayama Hayato yet.
She suddenly remembered the little secret Shirai Mio had jokingly told her the day before—that she liked girls like Isshiki Iroha.
Had that really been a joke?
Isshiki Iroha suddenly grew a little nervous.
While her thoughts were running wild, another classmate beside them joined the discussion. "But I heard Shirai-senpai and Yuigahama-senpai are the couple."
"No, no. I heard Shiina-senpai is the official girlfriend. Apparently they're already living together. I even saw them coming to school together this morning," another classmate said, joining the discussion about Shirai Mio.
Listening to everyone argue, Isshiki Iroha felt as though her brain could barely keep up.
Could Shirai Mio actually be a playgirl?
But Isshiki Iroha was not the sort of person who judged someone based on gossip. The best way was still to use her own eyes and ears to determine what kind of person Shirai Mio really was.
Just then, one of the girls sighed wistfully. "But seriously, Shirai-senpai really is gorgeous. If I could date her, I feel like I wouldn't mind turning gay for her."
"Forget it. I heard plenty of girls already confessed to Shirai-senpai before, but she turned all of them down."
Just as the group's discussion was reaching fever pitch, the class bell rang and everyone returned to their seats.
Although Isshiki Iroha's eyes were pointed toward the blackboard, the slightly vacant look in them made it obvious that her thoughts had already wandered who knew where.
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"Isshiki-san, have you decided which club you want to join?"
Hearing her classmate's question, Isshiki Iroha tilted her head and said, "I haven't decided yet."
Originally, she had been thinking of joining a club with lots of handsome guys. The club Hayama Hayato belonged to had seemed pretty good, for example. But now, for some reason, she no longer felt much desire to join it.
"How about we go take a look together? A lot of clubs are recruiting new members right now."
"Sure."
Since she had nothing else to do anyway, Isshiki Iroha simply left the classroom with her classmate and began looking around at the clubs.
Just then, she suddenly thought of Shirai Mio. If she remembered correctly, Shirai Mio was in the Art Club.
Maybe she should go take a look at the Art Club?
With that thought, Isshiki Iroha turned to the classmate beside her and asked, "I want to check out the Art Club. Want to come with me?"
"Sure."
The two soon arrived at the door of the Art Club room. An easel stood outside holding a sign that said first-years were welcome to come in and observe the club's activities.
Just as Isshiki Iroha was wondering whether she should knock, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her. "Little kouhai, are you here to look around the club?"
Hearing the voice, Isshiki Iroha instinctively turned around and saw Shirai Mio's almost unfairly beautiful face.
A little nervous, she said, "I still haven't decided which club I want to join, so I thought I'd come take a look."
"Perfect. I'll take you two inside and let you try out what we usually do during club activities." After saying that, Shirai Mio also gave the girl beside Isshiki Iroha a faint smile.
Isshiki Iroha noticed that the classmate who had come with her seemed to have pink hearts popping out of her eyes as she looked at Shirai Mio.
Was Shirai Mio really that charming?
Isshiki Iroha secretly glanced at Shirai Mio beside her and found that, yes, she really was quite charming. Even though Isshiki Iroha was a girl herself, just looking at Mio made her heart beat faster.
Come to think of it, Shirai Mio seemed to be the only person who had ever made her heart race like this.
Putting her scattered thoughts away, Isshiki Iroha followed Shirai Mio into the club room.
There were quite a few people inside, gathered around a plaster statue and drawing it. Several seats were empty, with drawing supplies already prepared and laid out in front of them. Those were probably meant for first-years who wanted to try the club activities.
When the club president saw Shirai Mio bringing people in, the corners of her mouth curved into a faint smile. "As expected of you. You only just went out and you already found people."
"I just happened to run into them while they were coming to look around the club, so I brought them in."
Thanks to her looks and personality, Shirai Mio had been assigned by the club president to act as the club's poster girl almost as soon as she arrived today. If any first-years wanted to experience the club's activities, she was supposed to bring them in and guide them while she was at it.
After Shirai Mio led the two girls to empty seats, she began teaching them some drawing basics.
With her pleasant voice and gentle tone, it did not take long before the girl who had come with Isshiki Iroha announced that she wanted to join the Art Club.
Isshiki Iroha, on the other hand, was still hesitating.
Seeing that, Shirai Mio chuckled. "You don't have to agonize over it, little kouhai. This is only a trial visit. It's fine if you don't join. You can go see what the other clubs are like first and decide afterward."
"How about I take you to see some of the other clubs~?"
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