sparse flash 3

Subaru: Game research club?

Natsume: Yes. As the name suggests, they gather to play games.

Since the third years have graduated, though, membership has fallen sharply. They’re facing disbandment currently.

The club appears to have a long line of history...

And the room they use is well kept. Unfortunately, the students at this school are rather dispassionate about club activities.

Subaru: Mm... They’re not taking their classes seriously, they’re not joining committees or clubs, and they aren’t looking for any idol work, either...

So what are they putting effort into?

Natsume: Their own pleasures. The children of today can’t handle stress and don’t like to be restricted.

I’ve heard rumors that the newly restructured student council is trying to pass a measure that makes club participation mandatory.

But I can’t see it getting the necessary support of the student body.

Subaru: Huh? Our school has a student council?

Natsume: It does. For a long time, it only existed on paper, but a second year student has revived it with a rather famous senpai as its head.

I haven’t figured out their intentions, but I’m rather unsettled by the events.

Of course, I could just be thinking too much about it. Fortune tellers have the tendency to connect any dots they find to weave together a story. Call it an occupational disease.

Subaru: You really like fortune telling, huh? Are you in a fortune telling club or something like that?

Natsume: There is no such club. Well, there are innumerable clubs of dubious nature, both large and small, such as the UFO club, or the rakugo club, or the marine biology club.

If I were to look hard enough, there may be something that exists along those lines.

But divination is my life. I have no desire to be surrounded by amateurs who don’t know the first thing about it, and I don’t want to watch them fiddle around with things important to me just for the hell of it.

This is not a game to me.

Subaru: Huhh, so you’re not in any clubs, then? Or are you part of the game research club?

That’s where we’re headed right now, isn’t it?

Fufu, ‘cause I said I’d go with you as thanks for helping me with day duty~ ♪

Natsume: Yes, it’s equivalent exchange. ...But to answer your question, I’m not part of any club.

I have an acquaintance in the game research club, and I heard they were having some difficulties due to the threat of disbandment.

If I join, the membership will increase just enough that it will be spared of that fate.

So I thought I might join on a temporary basis, as it’s what my acquaintance asked of me.

I’ve been doing this more recently... People talk to me about their problems, and then I try to solve them.

And if you have some time to spare, I would appreciate your help, too.

Subaru: Oh, you like to help others, huh? ☆ Are you the kinda guy who can’t ignore someone in need?

Natsume: I’m just meddling. I’m a fortune teller, remember? ...You aren’t in a club either, Akehoshi-kun, so will you temporarily join the game club with me?

Subaru: Hmm, I’ll think about it. I’m not really interested in clubs. I’d rather be working after school.

Natsume: Hm? I suppose money would be tight in your household if you’ve only got your mother.

Though I’d assumed that Akehoshi’s earnings would have been enough to see several lifetimes of luxury.

Subaru: Nah, my dad wasn’t the type to ever care about money, so he was always giving everything to charity.

We still have enough to live on, of course.

But I feel like if we spent it all, I’d lose my connection with him...

My mom feels the same way, so she puts all her time into earning her own living.

I feel like she’s gonna get sick doing that, though, so I wanted to help her cut back on all the work she does.

Which is why I’m hoping to get a part-time job somewhere. Bring in a little money, yanno?

If I can buy my mom’s health with that money, it’s no sweat off my back.

Honestly, what I’d really like to do is work as an idol. But I guess more experienced students get first dibs on gigs with higher payouts.

So that ended up being a bust.

Natsume: Hm... Let me apologize. I didn’t mean to bring up your family again.

Subaru: Ahaha, so are you the kinda character who cares about that sort of thing?

Wait, hang on. I see the game research club over there! It’s got a sign saying “Game Club” on the door!

I can even hear game noises, like pew pew and stuff~ ♪

Let’s go, Natsume! I can smell the fun!

Natsume: Wawa—don’t pull on me, Akehoshi-kun!

Subaru: ‘Scuse me! Wow, is this the game club room? It’s bigger and cleaner than I thought it’d be ☆

Natsume: It’s poor manners to enter a room without knocking. You’re such a freewheeling child I can’t help but envy you.

Subaru: Ahaha, who are you calling child? We’re the same age~ ☆

Makoto: Umm... sorry, but who are you?

Subaru: Whoa, a guy with glasses appeared! Is this your game club acquaintance, Natsume?

Natsume: No, I don’t know him... I can guess from his necktie that he’s the same age as us, but I don’t recognize him. Perhaps he’s in Class B.

Mm... Still, I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.