《Katsuragi high occult club》


 The unsettling transfer student.

    I can''t believe I''m late.


    Having been up later than usual last night, I couldn''t force myself to get out of bed on time.


    Which is why I find myself running through the empty halls. Trying to figure out how I can slip into my homeroom without getting noticed.


    Stopping in front of my homeroom to catch my breath, I brace myself for the earful I know I''m about to receive.


    Now prepared for the worst, I slide open the door and look inside. I immediately notice that my homeroom teacher isn''t in her usual spot at the front.


    Not wanting to get caught sneaking in at the last minute, I waste no time in heading over to my desk.


    ¡°Hey, Goro-kun!¡± A familiar voice calls out as I sit down. Turning to face the desk to my right, I see my self proclaimed best friend already looking at me.


    ¡°Good morning, Ryota-kun.¡± I greet him. Not really in the mood to talk after running all the way here.


    ¡°It''s not like you to be late. Did ya run into a cute girl on your way here?¡± He asks. A perverted grin on his face.


    ¡°I''m not you. I was up all night reading a new book that came out.¡± I reply, annoyed. Getting lost in a good book was a bad habit of mine. Though not as bad as Ryota-kun''s tendency to turn up late chatting up girls.


    ¡°The ecchi one with the dragon girls?¡± He asks curiously.


    ¡°Don''t assume I read the same perverted stuff as you do.¡± I say, disgusted at being lumped in with him.


    ¡°It''s not perverted. It''s moe. Every healthy young man needs a dose of moe every now and then. Not like you''d understand. Considering you get to eat lunch with Aoi-chan nearly every day.¡± He says bitterly.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°We''re just childhood friends.¡± I say. ¡°There''s nothing like that going on between us.¡± Honesly. How many times do I have to say this? Even my mom and sister bug me about it.


    ¡°You say that now. Ugh. It''s not fair! Why can''t I have a cute childhood friend!¡± He yells out. Attracting the attention of a few students.


    ¡°Anyway, I didn''t want to talk so you could make me feel bad.¡± He leans in whispering ¡°I bet you''re wondering where our punctual Watanabe-chan is.¡±


    I nod. Confused as to why he''s whispering so suddenly.


    ¡°Thanks to my amazing intel gathering skills, I know for a fact that she''s busy talking to a new transfer student. And she''s a girl!¡± He says excitedly. only interested if it involves a girl. Making it a waste of talent.


    No wonder everyone calls him a pervert.


    Before I can say this, I''m interrupted by the door sliding open. Focusing my attention to the front, I see our homeroom teacher, Miss Watanbe, walk in. Followed closely by a girl that must be the new transfer student.


    ¡°Alright! Settle down.¡± She yells out, silencing the class. ¡°I apologize for being late, but I had important business to take care of.¡± Her eyes shift over towards Ryota-kun. ¡°I''m sure somebody nosy is already aware, but we''re being joined by a transfer student.¡±


    Our attention switches over to the girl she motions to.


    Or it would have, if we weren''t already staring at the unusual looking girl at the front of the class.


    With her long black hair covering most of her face, she looked like the type of ghost girl you''d see in a horror movie.


    ¡°This is Yukari Inoue. She''ll be joining us from this point onwards. Why don''t you introduce yourself.¡± From the way she speaks, it seems like even Miss Watanabe is unsettled by her appearance.


    Inoue-san nods and stares forward. ¡°I''m Yukari Inoue. I look forward to getting to know you all. He he he.¡± Even the way she speaks is creepy.


    Looking around, I notice that the other students are freaked out as well. All except Ryota-kun.


    ¡°Let''s see.¡± Miss Watanabe examines the classroom. Probably in search of an empty seat for Inoue-san. Her eyes finally land on the desk a few rows up from mine. I can''t help but feel some relief as she nods and heads over to her new seat.


    ¡°Now that that''s sorted, let''s begin homeroom. Class representative, if you''d get us started.¡±


    ¡°Stand! Bow!¡±


    Homeroom proceeds like normal. Though I can guess that the normality won''t last long with Inoue-san here.


    I''ll just have to hope for the best.

 Impressions of the transfer student.

    Break finally arrives.


    With no real plans on how to spend it, I dig into my bag and pull out the book I had started reading last night.


    Before I can get focused however, I hear Ryota-kun attempting to get my attention.


    Figuring that he probably won''t leave me alone, I reluctantly put my book down and turn to face him.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± He asks. Glancing back and forth between me and Inoue-san.


    ¡°About Inoue-san? She creeps me out.¡± I reply truthfully.


    ¡°Harsh, dude. She''s just different.¡± He says. ¡°I mean, we have all types of girls at this school, but this is the first one that''s been this unique.¡± A perverted grin crosses his face.


    ¡°You didn''t seem excited this morning.¡± I note.


    ¡°Well duh. I already checked her out in the faculty office before homeroom. I figured I''d keep her appearance a mystery to make things entertaining.¡± He says as if it was something to be proud of.


    ¡°Of course you did.¡± I say as I move my focus back to my book.


    ¡°H- hey, Inoue-san.¡± I overhear someone say a few minutes later. Curiosity gets the better of me and I look towards Inoue-san''s desk.


    Standing around it are a couple of students. Doing their best to act natural around her.


    ¡°Hello.¡± I hear her reply. A few of the students flinching in response.


    ¡°Uh.¡± The girl talking says, finding it hard to start things off. ¡°Where are you from, Inoue-san?¡±


    ¡°Tokyo.¡± Inoue-san replies quickly.


    ¡°Tokyo? That''s cool.¡± The girl says, struggling to hold a conversation. ¡°Why''d you move from Tokyo to a town this far out?¡± She asks.


    If I''m being honest, I''d like to know too. Katsuragi is nice and all, but there''s nothing worth moving all the way out here for.


    ¡°My parents died.¡± Inoue-san says nonchalantly. Killing the conversation quickly. Not that it was exactly alive earlier.


    Not being able to say anything to such a depressing answer, the students around her excuse themselves as the bell rings.


    Nothing noteworthy happens leading up to lunch.


    When we''re finally dismissed, I leave the classroom and head straight up to the roof.


    Upon arriving, I''m greeted by the smiling face of my childhood friend. Sat on the same bench where we usually eat together.


    ¡°Afternoon, Goro!¡± She says cheerfully as I sit down next to her.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Aoi.¡± I reply, taking out and opening my boxed lunch. Noticing that Aoi is glaring at my food, I ask ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Your lunch is what''s wrong! You''ve got to have a more balanced meal than that. It''s not healthy for a boy your age to only eat meat and rice for lunch. Here.¡± She says, taking some vegetables from her lunch.


    ¡°Do you have to complain about my lunch every time we eat together?¡± I ask, taking the vegetables she''s offering. ¡°Do you always have to be such a health nut?¡± She''s always been like this. Ever since she got into sports during middle school.


    ¡°I''m just making sure you take care of yourself. It''s important to keep fit, you know. And hey, stop calling me a health nut already!¡± She yells, pouting slightly.


    ¡°Only when you stop bugging me about keeping healthy. I''m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.¡± I say.


    ¡°Oh yeah? Who was the one who stayed up all night and was late for school again?¡± She asks mockingly.


    ¡°How did you know about that?¡± I ask flustered.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°Your mom called me this morning. Asking me to make sure it never happens again.¡± She replies smugly.


    ¡°That woman. Why does she always call you when I screw up?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Because she knows I''m the only person who can knock some sense into you?¡± She replies.


    ¡°Well, I''d appreciate if she didn''t tell you about my shortcomings.¡± I say.


    ¡°Maybe if you didn''t have so many...¡± She replies under her breath.


    Ignoring her, our conversation changes to her club activities and the upcoming swimming competition. Though as expected, it quickly shifts to my homeroom.


    ¡°So, I heard you got a new transfer student. What''s she like?¡± She asks curiously.


    ¡°News travels fast.¡± I note. ¡°I''d say she''s creepy. Though Ryota-kun used the term unique to describe her.¡± I add.


    ¡°Creepy? In what way?¡± Aoi asks.


    ¡°You must have heard by now. Everything about her. From her appearance, the way she speaks and especially her laugh. It unsettled even Miss Watanabe. And she''s used to dealing with Ryota-kun''s perverted comments.¡± I say.


    ¡°I heard rumours, but I wanted to hear it straight from you and not secondhand. You''re honest about how you feel about something.¡± She says.


    ¡°Is that a bad thing, or are you complementing me?¡± I ask, confused.


    ¡°It''s a nice change from those who only follow the opinions of others.¡± She states, hopping off the bench. ¡°Anyway, I''m going to jog off my lunch before the bell rings. See you later, Goro!¡± With that, she jogs off.


    Putting away my lunch, I head back to my homeroom a little earlier than everyone else.


    On my way there, I come across Miss Watanabe waiting outside. Upon spotting me approaching, she walks up to me.


    ¡°Nakajima-san. Just the person I wanted to see.¡± She says.


    ¡°Is there something you need, Miss Watanabe?¡± I ask. It''s rare that my homeroom teacher asks me something herself.


    ¡°I was wondering if you were available after school? There''s something I wanted to ask you.¡± She asks.


    ¡°Yeah, I''m available.¡± I reply.


    ¡°Good. I need someone to show Inoue-san around the school. Everyone else has said they already have plans.¡± She says.


    Not a surprise.


    ¡°Even Ryota-kun? Weird, he''d usually jump at the chance to get some alone time with a girl.¡± I say. ¡°Well. If you want me to, I''ve got time.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡± She says relieved. ¡°You just need to show her where everything is.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± I say.


    ¡°I owe you, Nakajima-san. Thanks for helping me with this.¡± She says, walking off. Leaving me to wonder if she''s glad that she didn''t have to do it herself.


    At the end of the day, I turn down Ryota-kun''s invitation to the arcade and attempt to come up with a way to approach Inoue-san.


    Thankfully, she seems preoccupied with something. Giving me plenty of time to figure out what I''m going to say.


    I''ve always been anxious when it comes to starting conversations, but with Inoue-san, it seems like it''ll be impossible.


    I''m about to leave my desk when a familiar voice whispers next to me ¡°Do you need something?¡± I instinctively jump in my seat. Turning my head to come face to face with Inoue-san. Who must have snuck up while I was trying to figure out what to say.


    ¡°What?¡± I ask surprised at her sudden appearance.


    ¡°I sensed you staring at me. I thought you might have needed something.¡± She says examining my expression.


    ¡°Yeah. I''m Goro Nakajima. Miss Watanabe asked to me to give you a tour around school.¡± I say uncomfortably.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± She asks.


    I nod my head in response.


    ¡°That would be most helpful. Lead the way, Nakajima-san.¡± She says walking towards her desk and grabbing her things.


    I spend the next ten minutes giving Inoue-san a whistle-stop tour of the two main buildings. When we finally arrive outside, she stops me. Pointing to the decrepit building surrounded by a rusty fence.


    ¡°I noticed that building this morning. What is it?¡± She asks.


    ¡°It''s the old school building. I know you''re probably interested in checking it out, but I''d recommend you stay away. The school is very strict on those who try to get close to it.¡± I say.


    ¡°That''s a shame. Let us continue the tour.¡± She says with a tinge of disappointment in her voice.


    ¡°About that. The only places left are the club building and gym, but those are self explanatory.¡± I say.


    ¡°I see.¡± She pauses. ¡°Is there a club for the occult?¡±


    ¡°I don''t think so.¡± I reply.


    ¡°Then would it be possible to start my own?¡± She asks.


    ¡°You''d need to ask at the faculty office.¡± I reply.


    ¡°Then I will do so. If you do not mind, would you accompany me? It would be reassuring to have someone with me. ¡± She asks.


    ¡°I don''t mind.¡± I say.


    Leading her to the faculty office, I wait outside until Inoue-san finishes inquiring about starting her club. After a few minutes, she comes back out holding a piece of paper in her hand.


    ¡°I have filled out the details. All that I need are three other club members and an adviser.¡± She says.


    I forgot about that part.


    Thinking about it, I don''t think she''ll have much luck recruiting club members. With her not knowing anyone and her appearance as factors. Though I''d feel bad if I left her on her own to figure it out by herself.


    As for the club adviser, it''d need to be a teacher who isn''t already in charge of a club. Which I have no idea about.


    ¡°That might be tough. I''d have no issue with joining as a temporary member. That would bring it up to two.¡± I say.


    ¡°Why would you do that?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I think starting a club would be a good way to help you make friends. And it''ll only be temporary, so it''s no problem for me. Just think of it as a friendly gesture.¡± I say.


    ¡°In that case, I''ll accept.¡± She says.


    Now to find two more people willing to join and a teacher who''s not already busy.


    ¡°I''ll think it over tonight. I''ve already got an idea of who I can ask, but it''ll probably take some convincing.¡± I add.


    ¡°Then, I will leave the fate of the club to you, Nakajima-san.¡± She says.


    With that I walk with Inoue-san to the school gate, before walking our separate ways.


    Guess I''ll have to do some shopping before heading home.

 Recruitment.

    The next day, I enter homeroom and make my way over to Ryota-kun.


    ¡°Morning, Goro-kun. I see you''re on time today.¡± He pauses, noticing the book I''ve got in my hand. ¡°What have you got there?¡±


    ¡°Something for you.¡± I say, placing it down on his desk.


    Ryota-kun''s eyes light up upon seeing the cover. ¡°The new volume of ''I can''t believe my dragon wife is this hot''? How d''you know I was after this? Wait. That''s not important. Why did you give me this?¡±


    ¡°I need you to join Inoue-san''s new occult club as a temporary member. I knew if I got you something like this, you wouldn''t be able to make an excuse to say no.¡± I say.


    ¡°You know me so well. Fine. As your best friend, I''ll grant you this one wish. Just as long as you don''t expect me to show up to meetings. I''m a busy guy.¡± He says.


    ¡°That''s fine. I never expected you to. Just sign your name on the sheet Inoue-san has before the end of the day.¡± I say as the bell rings.


    Once homeroom is over, I approach Miss Watanabe as she''s about to leave.


    ¡°Did you need something, Nakajima -san?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I wanted to ask if you''re in charge a club?¡± I ask.


    ¡°A club? No. I''m far too busy as it is. Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°I was wondering if you could sign on as the adviser of the occult club Inoue-san was interested in establishing. You do owe me one.¡± I say.


    ¡°I know I said that, but I wasn''t thinking you''d actually ask me for something. Like I said, I have too much work to even consider looking after a club.¡± She says apologetically.


    ¡°You''d really be helping me and Inoue-san out. Not to mention, you wouldn''t be setting a good example if you didn''t repay that favour.¡± I say.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She stops for a moment to think it through. ¡°All right! You win. Tell Inoue-san to bring the sheet to my desk and I''ll sign it when I get the chance. Now, I really have to get going.¡± She says, walking towards the door.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I say. Feeling slightly guilty at adding even more work to her pile, I head back to my desk.


    With two people down, I head to my last destination during lunch.


    Katsuragi high''s indoor pool.


    Upon entering, I look for Aoi. It only takes me a moment to spot her familiar in the pool, but before I can call out I''m interrupted by an underclassman.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± She asks, eyeing me suspiciously.


    ¡°I''m here to speak to Aoi Fujiwara. I need to ask her something.¡± I explain, but judging from her reaction, she isn''t buying it.


    ¡°And just what are you to Fujiwara-senpai?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I''m her friend.¡± I say. Do I really look that suspicious?


    ¡°A likely story. I bet you''re here to perv on the girls like the last guy that came in here!¡± She says accusingly.


    Before I''m able to deny that, I hear a familiar voice say ¡°It''s all right. I know him.¡± Peeking over the small girl stood in front, I see Aoi walking up to us. Drying her long red hair with a towel.


    ¡°Aoi!¡± I say happy to see her. ¡°I need to ask you something. Have you got a minute?¡±


    ¡°You got lucky.¡± The underclassman says, leaving us alone.


    ¡°Sure. I was just about to take a break, anyway. What''s up?¡± She asks.


    ¡°I need you to do me a favour. I''m trying to recruit enough members to start a club, but you''re the last person I can ask.¡± I reply.


    ¡°You know I''m busy with swim club.¡± She says.


    ¡°I know. Which is why I''m just asking you to join as a temporary member. You don''t even have to show up.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to start one in the first place? I''m sure you said you weren''t interested when I asked you before.¡± She asks.


    ¡°It''s not for me. Inoue-san wants to start an occult club and since I figured it''d help her make some friends, I offered to help.¡±


    She lets out a sigh. ¡°You''re too kind for your own good, you know that?. All right. I''ll help you out.¡±


    ¡°Really? Thanks, Aoi. I''ll come by after school with the sign-up sheet.¡± I say.


    Now that we had the signatures needed, Inoue-san and I head back to the faculty office to turn it in.


    Like yesterday, I wait outside until she finally comes out. Holding a small key in her hand.


    ¡°What''s that?¡± I ask, pointing to the key.


    building and after following the directions the teacher gave her, we finally arrive at the end of the third-floor hallway.


    ¡°This is the room? Are you sure?¡± I ask.


    Inside the room was a dozen large boxes and other old junk. Almost as if the school used this room as a makeshift storage room and forgot about it.


    ¡°I''m certain. I have a good memory.¡± She replies.


    ¡°Yeah. I guess we better get started cleaning it up. I''m sure they won''t mind us moving this stuff outside.¡± I say.


    ¡°I''ll leave the heavy lifting to you.¡± She says, unlocking the door and stepping inside.


    Preparing myself for more work than I signed up for, I follow her through the doorway and begin to get to work.