**Chapter 6: The Club**
"Playing games in class, are we?"
The Teacher held Shinichi Izumi's mobile phone in his hand, pointing the game screen at him as he spoke.
Shinichi Izumi originally wanted to try and argue, but ultimately gave up. Saying something like his hand having its own consciousness and thus being out of his control would sound far too chuunibyou.
When the class bell rang, Shinichi Izumi took leave early, citing that his body felt unwell.
"Izumi-kun seems strange today. Should we go visit him after school?" Yuko Tachikawa rested her chin on her hand, looking towards Shinichi Izumi's empty seat.
"Maybe he couldn't think of a suitable apology, so he felt a bit awkward being in class with Satomi."
Xia Shang chatted with Yuko Tachikawa while flipping through the class schedule on a sticky note.
"That's not impossible, but I don't think Izumi-kun is the type to run away."
Yuko Tachikawa was very frustrated. "I just promised to help him apologize to Satomi."
"Found it." Xia Shang said with surprise. He had indeed found Chemistry Class on the class schedule. Although he didn't know much about chemistry, he recognized the chemical name for sulfuric acid. With this stuff, he would have greater confidence in killing the Parasyte.
"Oh right, Yuko, does our School have a Kendo Club, or something similar?"
Facing Xia Shang's question, Yuko Tachikawa thought for a moment, then said, "I remember Yuuji-kun from our class is in that Club/Society. If you have any questions, you could ask him. Are you planning to join the Kendo Club?"
Xia Shang put away the class schedule and smiled, "I'm very interested in Kendo."
He then spent the rest of the time looking out the window, as he had absolutely no interest in what was being taught in class.
He waited like this until school ended.
"Yuuji-kun, please wait a moment." Seeing Yuuji about to get up and leave, Xia Shang called out to him.
Yuuji was a little surprised that Xia Shang suddenly called out to him, but he stopped what he was doing and looked at Xia Shang, asking, "Is there something you need, Xia Shang?"
"I heard you're a Club Member of the Kendo Club, so I specifically wanted to ask if you're still recruiting?"
"Oh, so you want to join the Kendo Club? That's easy to arrange. I'll take you to see the Club President right now. Once you go through the process, you'll be a Club Member of the Kendo Club." Hearing that Xia Shang wanted to join the Club/Society, Yuuji immediately enthusiastically said there was no problem.
Immediately, he led Xia Shang to the tall, imposing man before them: the Club President of the Kendo Club, Tianxiong Zhongyi.
Tianxiong Zhongyi was wearing the Kendo Club's unique attire, which looked somewhat like Japan's distinctive samurai clothing.
"Have you had any prior contact with Kendo?" Tianxiong Zhongyi took out an application form and handed it to Xia Shang.
Xia Shang filled out the form while answering, "I studied it for a period of time before. It's a very good sport."
"Alright." Tianxiong Zhongyi took the form back, confirmed there were no issues, and extended his right hand to shake Xia Shang's. "Welcome to the Kendo Club. Our activity time is usually from 5 PM. You can come then to learn."
"Okay, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll definitely be there."
Leaving the Kendo Club President's Room, Yuuji began introducing the situation of the Kendo Club to Xia Shang. "Our Kendo Club is one of the largest Clubs/Societies in the School. We currently have over 300 members in total, including students from first, second, and third year. When we meet a third-year Club Member, we must greet them as Senior."
"When you come to the Club/Society this afternoon, be sure not to forget this point, as some Seniors have bad tempers."
From Yuuji's expression, it wasn't hard to tell that he had suffered quite a bit in this regard. "Okay, I've noted that. Yuuji-san, how about I treat you to a meal?" Xia Shang said with a smile.
"No need, I usually go home for lunch."
After parting ways with Yuuji, Xia Shang felt around in his pocket and unexpectedly pulled out a few 10,000 Japanese Yen bills. It seemed this was likely his living expenses for the week. If he wasn't too extravagant, it would probably be just enough.
He randomly found a Ramen Shop on the Street and sat down, ordering a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen with extra toppings.
Xia Shang tasted the ramen before him with the attitude of appreciating gourmet food. Although the texture of the noodles was relatively soft, the taste of the soup base was quite good. In the end, Xia Shang didn't even leave any of the soup. The only pity was that eating too much of this stuff felt a bit greasy, likely due to the large amount of oil in the soup.
In the afternoon, Shinichi Izumi still didn't come to class.
Chemistry Class was somewhat special compared to other subjects, having a dedicated Classroom. The Teacher responsible for teaching Chemistry Class was a gentle-looking woman wearing black-rimmed glasses.
She was performing some small experiments on the stage.
At this moment, Xia Shang noticed that some highly corrosive chemical reagents, such as strong acid or strong base, were locked in a Cabinet. The Cabinet required a Key to open and was managed very strictly; ordinary students couldn't possibly get access to them.
"This is troublesome. Do I have to steal the Key from the Teacher?" For a moment, Xia Shang couldn't think of a better method.
At this time, the number of Parasytes in the School was still small. If he delayed for a few days, the situation would become even worse.
"Xia Shang, are you feeling unwell too?"
Yuko Tachikawa, who was beside him, saw Xia Shang frowning and asked.
"My body is fine. I was just thinking, if I were to ask the Teacher for the Key to that Cabinet, what kind of excuse would I need?" Xia Shang said jokingly.
"You don't need an excuse."
Yuko Tachikawa pulled a string of Keys from her pocket.
"?" A large question mark appeared on Xia Shang's face. "Are you kidding? How do you have the Key to the Chemical Cabinet?"
Yuko Tachikawa rolled her eyes at Xia Shang and said irritably, "Because I'm the Vice Class President. I'm usually responsible for cleaning and managing the Chemical Cabinet, so guess why I have the Key."
"That's absolutely perfect." Xia Shang really hadn't expected that Yuko Tachikawa would have the Key to the Chemical Cabinet.
"Then can you lend me the Key? Please."
Xia Shang looked into Yuko's eyes. He knew that if the chemical reagents were found missing, people would definitely suspect Yuko Tachikawa.
"Those chemicals are very dangerous. What do you want them for?" Yuko Tachikawa asked, puzzled.
"There are some special reasons, but you'll know in the future." Xia Shang couldn't possibly tell her that there were man-eating Parasyte monsters lurking in the School. Unless someone saw such a thing with their own eyes, it would be hard to believe.
"Here, take it. Be careful when you use it, and make sure the bottle seal is intact."
Yuko Tachikawa tossed the Key to Xia Shang.
Perhaps seeing the doubt in Xia Shang's eyes, she couldn't help but smile, "I often take some out to do experiments too. As long as you don't take too much at once, no one will find out."
(End of Chapter)