"Here, Nohara-kun. This is some black tea I brought from home."
After sitting down in the Light Music Club's room, Tsumugi Kotobuki handed Lin Zhi a delicate teacup filled with fragrant tea.
The aroma was rich and soothing—elegant, just like her.
"Oh, thanks," Lin Zhi said, momentarily taken aback before accepting the cup.
As he took a sip, three girls seated across from him studied him curiously. He could feel their gazes, which made him a little uneasy.
He glanced around the room. The clubroom was surprisingly large—almost too spacious, with scattered desks and chairs stacked against the walls. But what stood out most was the full cabinet of beautiful tea sets.
So… where were the instruments?
Wasn't this supposed to be the Light Music Club?
Or had it secretly turned into the Afternoon Tea Appreciation Society?
Lin Zhi couldn't help but silently complain as he felt the warmth of the teacup in his hands.
"Nohara-kun, here's your club application form," said Ritsu Tainaka, handing him a sheet of paper already filled out with basic information.
So this really is the Light Music Club…
Seeing the words "Light Music Club" printed at the top, Lin Zhi looked around again, feeling a bit awkward.
"Um… isn't this the Light Music Club? Why don't I see any instruments?"
At that, Tsumugi blinked in surprise.
Mio Akiyama's face turned slightly red.
Ritsu scratched her head awkwardly. "Ah, well… that's because we just established the club, so we haven't brought the instruments yet."
"Oh, I see…" Lin Zhi nodded, finally understanding.
Wait a minute.
His eyes drifted toward the tea cabinet by the wall, and his mouth twitched.
"Then that cabinet… is that leftover from the previous club?"
"Oh, that's mine. I brought it from home," Tsumugi said cheerfully, raising her soft, fair hand with a smile.
As if suddenly remembering something, she got up. "Oh right, I also brought some cake."
She knelt by the cabinet, opened it, and under the other three's puzzled stares, pulled out a neatly packed dessert box.
Black tea and cake…
Lin Zhi looked down at the sweet treats on the table, his expression growing even more complicated.
Maybe… he should've invited Shouko here instead.
The fragrant tea and delicious cake made time pass in lazy contentment.
Rather than feeling out of place, Lin Zhi found himself slipping easily into the mood. After all, back at Asahigaoka, he'd often spent his days this way—relaxed and surrounded by girls.
"So, this club is brand new?" he asked.
"Yup! I personally founded it myself," Ritsu said proudly, thumping her chest. "Pretty amazing, right?"
"Then why were you almost disbanded?"
"Uh, well… that's…"
"Pfft—"
Mio and Tsumugi couldn't help laughing at Ritsu's embarrassed expression.
Lin Zhi looked at them, quietly observing.
Tsumugi, with her refined and gentle aura, smiled gracefully as she met his gaze.
Mio, on the other hand, looked away nervously, her shyness written all over her face.
From that moment, Lin Zhi could roughly tell what kind of people they were.
Ritsu was lively, tomboyish, and straightforward to a fault.
Mio was mature yet easily flustered.
And Tsumugi—kind, gentle, and the type to quietly support others.
Oh, and her oddly shaped "pickle-like" eyebrows were actually… kind of cute.
"In any case, now that we've got four members, there's no way the school can disband us! Not in this lifetime!" Ritsu declared, puffing out her cheeks as she downed a large gulp of tea and stuffed her mouth with cake.
Tsumugi giggled softly, refilling Ritsu's teacup before resting her chin in her hands, smiling in satisfaction as she watched Ritsu drink.
"Whew…" Ritsu sighed contentedly before turning back to Lin Zhi. "So, Nohara-kun, what instrument do you play?"
"I can play a bit of guitar… and flute."
"Guitar?!"
The three girls exclaimed at once, startling him.
"What's wrong?"
Before he knew it, Ritsu had grabbed his hand, and the other two leaned forward, their faces suddenly very close.
Their bright eyes sparkled inches from his, and a faint scent of shampoo mixed with the aroma of tea drifted through the air.
"Um…" Lin Zhi coughed lightly.
Girls—too close!
Realizing their proximity, all three quickly straightened up.
Tsumugi's smile remained calm and composed.
Ritsu scratched her head and laughed awkwardly.
Mio's face turned crimson, and she lowered her head onto the table, pretending to be an ostrich.
For a while, silence filled the clubroom, broken only by the sound of teacups gently clinking.
"Whew… well, looks like we've got the beginnings of a real band now," Ritsu said after a moment, sounding pleased.
Then she stood up, placing a hand over her chest. "I'm Ritsu Tainaka, the drummer. Please take care of me!"
Tsumugi followed, her ever-present smile shining warmly. "I'm Tsumugi Kotobuki, the keyboardist. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Finally, their eyes fell on Mio.
Mio bit her lip, gathering courage before standing. Her gaze wavered, and she avoided looking at Lin Zhi.
"I'm Mio Akiyama, the bassist. Please take care of me," she said softly, bowing slightly. Her long black hair flowed like silk as she moved.
Lin Zhi smiled and rose to his feet as well.
"Then I guess that makes me the guitarist," he said. "I'm Lin Zhi Nohara, guitarist. Let's all do our best together."
And with that, the Light Music Club had officially taken shape.
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