Chapter 9: Meticulous Him
"So, Aki-san plans to have me join that so-called Game Club as well?"
"Yeah, that's what he said anyway, but it seems a bit difficult to implement. Senior Kasumigaoka and Eriri-san aren't very interested, so he's probably on his way to persuade them right now."
In the early morning, Aragaki Takiya was chatting with Kato Megumi. Naturally, the topic was about yesterday's Game Club, but Aragaki Takiya's current state wasn't very good.
"Ah~ It seems he's quite a capable person then."
Aragaki Takiya yawned. In his words, he was quite impressed with Aki Tomoya. After all, judging from yesterday's scene, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha both seemed like people not to be trifled with. To be able to pester them like that, he was indeed quite a character.
"He's alright, but Aki-san is indeed very dedicated to this. But Aragaki, did you not sleep well yesterday? You've got dark circles under your eyes..."
Kato Megumi stared at Aragaki Takiya, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. While mentioning the dark circles, she also pointed at her own eyes.
"Uh... my sleep was actually okay, I just dealt with some things yesterday."
Aragaki Takiya replied, while his mind recalled what happened yesterday. Ever since the cake was shared, Aragaki Moeha had been dazed. After they finished the first two pieces, she refused to eat the third piece no matter what, and it lasted until the middle of the night... Thinking of the sleep-talk she mumbled in her daze late at night, Aragaki Takiya felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. After all, a child's longing for their mother is something that cannot be stopped.
"But even if you're handling things, you should pay attention to resting. You look very dangerous right now."
"Dangerous? I think I should look like someone easy to get along with..."
Listening to Kato Megumi's words, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but look at the window next to him. Although it was transparent glass, he could vaguely see his reflection. Despite the obvious dark circles, he didn't look dangerous at all.
"Not that kind of dangerous. It's that your body is sending out a warning. They say on TV that if a person doesn't sleep well, it puts a huge burden on the body..."
As Kato Megumi spoke, she looked into Aragaki Takiya's eyes. This serious attitude made Aragaki Takiya a bit uncomfortable.
"Don't worry, I'm very attentive to my own body."
After responding to Kato Megumi, Aragaki Takiya also felt a sense of relief. Of course he cared about his body, but besides his own body, that Little one at home was also something he cared deeply about... "Eh?! So Aragaki-san plans to join my Game Club?!"
In the afternoon, at the same familiar Café, Aki Tomoya was extremely excited because he could already see the dawn of his dream coming true.
"Joining is fine, but I have a requirement that I must mention..."
Looking at the excited Aki Tomoya, Aragaki Takiya wasn't particularly moved. If it weren't to get closer to Eriri, he wouldn't consider the Game Club at all. After all, his usual work was already so tiring; joining a club on top of that would be exhausting.
"No problem, feel free to state any requirements you have. I'll do my best to satisfy them."
Hearing Aragaki Takiya's words, Aki Tomoya agreed without a second thought. After all, since it concerned his great dream, it was understandable even if the other party set some conditions.
"Hey! Tomoya, don't agree so quickly. At least listen to his conditions first."
"I agree with Sawamura-san on this point as well, Rinri-kun. Although I don't know why you're so persistent about adding Aragaki-san, if you're going to, you should hear his conditions first."
In this regard, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha reached a rare consensus. While saying this, they were also curious about what conditions this classmate in front of them would propose.
"Yeah, that's true. Then, Aragaki-san, please state your conditions first."
Aki Tomoya, caught up in the heat of the moment, paused for a second and decided to listen to the conditions first. However, he had already made up his mind that no matter how difficult the conditions were, he would see them through.
"Okay, actually my condition isn't difficult. It's just that I have to work part-time a few days a week, so I might not be able to attend some club activities on time. That shouldn't be a problem, right...?"
"What? Is that all? It's fine. Since Eriri has to work on her drafts and Senior Kasumigaoka sometimes has to write light novels, it won't be an issue."
Hearing Aragaki Takiya's condition, Aki Tomoya blinked and then said it was no problem. He had wondered what the condition would be, but it turned out to be just this.
Listening to Aragaki Takiya's condition, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were also a bit stunned. They had been guessing what his condition might be, but they didn't expect it to be just this.
"Then there's no problem. Let our Game Club be established today!"
Looking at the people present, Aki Tomoya was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. An unknown fire burned fiercely within him. At the thought of his soon-to-be-realized dream, he felt an urge to look up at the sky and let out a long cry.
"Hey! You, give it a rest already. Even if Aragaki agreed to join, Kasumigaoka and I haven't agreed yet. Your club doesn't even have a proposal for making a game. Making a game is simply a fantasy."
Looking at the excited Aki Tomoya, Eriri finally couldn't help but throw a bucket of cold water on him. She really couldn't stand his somewhat foolish look, and with that Fat Woman Kasumigaoka Utaha nearby, who often bickered with her, her mood was even worse.
"Eh?! No way!!!"
Following Eriri's words was Aki Tomoya's scream... "Are they always like this?"
Watching Aki Tomoya being criticized by Eriri, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but voice his doubt.
"It's alright. It seems Aki-san and Sawamura-san knew each other before, and their relationship seems quite good."
Kato Megumi took a sip from her coffee cup and said. Aki Tomoya knew both of the other two girls besides her. Although it was nothing, it always gave her a strange feeling. However, fortunately, Aragaki Takiya had also joined now, so she wouldn't be alone.
"I see..."
Watching the three of them bickering, Aragaki Takiya became increasingly curious. If Aki Tomoya knew Eriri, how did he get to know her? If it weren't for Aragaki Moeha, he certainly wouldn't have joined the Game Club. So, what did he do in the future? This made Aragaki Takiya even more curious.