To get from the classroom building to the club building, you had to cross the sports field.
As a prestigious and widely acclaimed private high school, it naturally boasted a top-tier campus environment.
Lawns, fountains, sculptures. Everything was beautifully landscaped. In the distance, you could also see a wide array of sports fields.
A narrow path led toward the club building.
"What are those people doing?"
"Are they… sleeping?"
"Huh? Seriously? What a weird club."
Nohara Sato, Kirigaya Kazuto, and Saiki Kusuo exchanged glances, all catching a hint of curiosity in each other's eyes.
Soon, they spotted a strange-looking flag.
The Far Eastern Magical Nap Society.
Sato stared at the odd flag, slowly reading out the words.
What the hell?
"There are a few more people over there... huh? Wait, don't tell me this club is actually about sleeping?"
Kirigaya, sharp-eyed, pointed toward two figures lying on the lawn next to the flag, the corners of his mouth twitching.
Following his gaze, Sato's eyebrows instantly darkened with two long lines.
Of course that guy is here.
No wonder... No wonder this club has such a bizarre, over-the-top name.
"Yeah, let's keep moving," Sato said suddenly, a tight feeling rising in his chest as he turned to the others.
Better sneak off before that one notices them, or who knows what kind of trouble might follow.
Kirigaya and Saiki, naturally, had no objections.
Without even turning his head, Sato walked past the flag reading The Far Eastern Magical Nap Society, sneaking a glance at the two figures on the lawn.
Wait… wasn't it two?
Suddenly, Sato stopped in his tracks, surprised. There was only one girl lying on the grass, an upperclassman he didn't recognize, hugging a fluffy pillow and sleeping soundly.
Where's Takanashi Rikka?
"You have come in answer to the call from deep within my soul, haven't you, my Servant?"
A dramatically low voice rang out from behind them.
Startled, Sato and Kirigaya spun around in horror. Saiki, however, remained calm, as if he'd been watching everything unfold the whole time.
Well, he was a psychic, so of course he knew what was coming.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sato demanded with a dark expression, staring at Takanashi Rikka.
She giggled, then, as if from nowhere, produced a small parasol and popped it open with a "pop!"
Wearing her signature eyepatch, the chuunibyou girl raised the parasol with exaggerated drama.
"Servant who has answered the call... form a contract with me, and together we shall fight the enemies from the other side..."
She slowly looked up at Sato, voice dead serious: "We need you."
Shff!
Rikka extended a hand and dramatically presented a piece of paper.
Despite her deep-seated chuunibyou, you had to admit that her acting was surprisingly convincing.
"Club application form…" Sato read aloud, then looked at her, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"So… all that was just to get me to join your club?"
"No! It would be even better if you all joined!"
Rikka looked at them with hopeful eyes.
Sato turned to Kirigaya and Saiki, both of whom had expressions that screamed "absolutely not."
They might as well have had "I'd rather die" tattooed on their faces.
Exactly as expected.
Sato sighed inwardly. After all, just look at the club. It was clearly not legit.
His gaze drifted to the wildly flapping flag: The Far Eastern Magical Nap Society.
"Far Eastern Magic…"
"Nap…"
Everything about this club screamed nonsense.
Whether it was "Far Eastern Magic" or just "Nap," it was obvious this club couldn't recruit members to save its life.
Wait a second...
"You didn't start this club as a merger because none of you could recruit anyone on your own, did you?"
Sato eyed Rikka suspiciously.
"W-what?! No way, hahaha… heh."
She tried to laugh it off, but the awkwardness was too much. Finally, she broke down and latched onto Sato's leg.
"O valiant hero from a distant land, you must help us! If we don't have enough members, our magic society will be destroyed!"
She clung to his leg, wailing, "Waaaahhh!"
"Ugh! Let go! People are watching!"
"And stop calling me some 'valiant hero from a distant land'.... quit making up weird nicknames!"
With awkward stares from Kirigaya and Saiki, Sato gritted his teeth and tried to peel Rikka off his leg.
Around them, onlookers were starting to whisper and point.
"That's not a nickname! It's your magical name!"
"Whose magical name would be something like 'valiant hero from a distant land'? You think I don't know how this works?!"
Just then, the grip on his leg loosened.
Relieved, Sato looked up, only to see Rikka staring at him with sparkling eyes.
What now?!
"I knew it! Servant, you still retain fragments of your lost memories… You remember your magical name, don't you?!"
Sato: "..."
There's no saving her. She's fully gone.
He groaned, rubbing his forehead. "You'd better go find some other members. I don't have time to play around with you."
"No! We won't be able to resist the attacks of the 'Caterers' if we don't have enough members!"
Caterers? Is that some kind of exclusive enemy name?
Headache incoming.
Wait, what?
Suddenly, Sato's eyes lit up as he spotted a familiar figure walking by.
He waved.
Nishimiya Shouko, looking a little confused, walked over.
"Nishimiya-san, you haven't joined a club yet, right?"
She paused, then shook her head, glancing warily at Rikka, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.
Feeling that intense stare, Shouko instinctively took a step back.
Since they lived in the same apartment building, they knew each other reasonably well and often crossed paths.
Now, Rikka's expression was like a wolf spotting its prey, gleaming with anticipation.
"Holy warrior maiden, would you like to join my magical society?"
Holy warrior maiden… is that supposed to be me?
Shouko blinked in confusion, unsure what to say. She turned to look for Sato.
But the spot he had been standing in was now empty.
He was… gone?
Rikka's eyes darted mischievously. "Since you're not saying anything, I'll take that as a yes!"
"And also, valiant hero from the—huh? Where'd he go?"
She turned to look behind her, her expression freezing.
He ran away?!