The Definition of Beauty
Generally, every student would think school is a place where boredom settles. One can barely keep up her attention during class periods, which is Erika at the moment. But sometimes you just can't fathom how some people can actually stay attentive during class, which is Kairo at the moment.
"Is he some kind of nerd or something? How can he keep a straight face during Math class?" Erika mumbled while twisting the crown pen with her fingers. She took a glance on the wall clock, and sighed, knowing she'll have to count 300 more seconds before this period ends.
"Oh by the way, tomorrow will be the start of the 3-day club recruitment period. There will be clubs who are going to approach you by the school entrance early in the morning, especially you first years. This is your chance to expand your horizon beyond textbooks so be sure to consider all options before joining one."
All of a sudden, Erika became interested. She smiled so widely and there were sparkles surrounding her as if she just heard of the best news of her lifetime. Kairo face palmed because he knew what she would say next.
"Arata-sensei! I will be joining the Japanese History Club!"
"Hatsugawa-san, that is something you should be telling to the club seniors tomorrow. Not today." the teacher sighed. The teacher heard of this particular girl being troublesome, but now she has witnessed her true form.
"I will be president! Oops~ no. I'll aim to be at least vice president since Fubuki-sama will be the president, isn't she?" she said excitedly.
"Again, that is something you would be telling the club seniors TOMORROW. Not today."
"I'll finally have the chance to personally see her. I cannot wait!"
"She's at it again, the obnoxious, delusional empress." Erika heard one of her classmates whisper. She could actually hear people gossip about here. But she have mastered the art of ignoring those words. 'No one can block her sight towards the ultimate goal', shea always says to herself.
The bell rung signalling their dismissal. The students have fixed their own things and went on their separate ways. Meanwhile, Erika and Kairo walked together as usual, but this time, with Himari tagging along.
"Himari-chan, what club will you be joining?" Erika asked her.
"I haven't thought about it yet. Although if there is something that I would wanna join in here in Seito, it'll probably be the Art Club."
"Matsuyama-san likes art? That is unexpected considering your image." Kairo said shockingly.
"I don't know if I should be offended by that remark. What exactly is my image? Also, call me Himari instead. Matsuyama is too long and hard to pronounce."
"Well I actually don't find it that hard to pronounce, but Himari would indeed be shorter." Kairo said smilingly.
"How about you, Kairo? What club do you have in mind?" Himari passed the question to him.
"What club huh... Man, it does really get you thinking when somebody asks about it." He said while rubbing his nape.
"Why don't you join the History Club with me, Moriyama?" Erika said ecstatically with shimmers reflecting in her eyes.
"Uhh... I don't know about joining that club. It's kinda boring."
An instant head punch was received by the poor, unfortunate soul.
"HISTORY IS NOT BORING, YOU IDIOT!" Erika said angrily. "You're just ignorant of the beauty of our country's culture. Why don't you replicate my ways and indulge yourself in our beautiful culture and tradition?"
"First of all, I am pretty sure your ways do not express anything that has to do with the beauty of our country's culture. There is no way your persuasion would convince me."
"Wha---?!"
"And second of all, why would I want to see your face and witness your punches even in club activities? You gotta spare me some safe moments too Hatsugawa-san." Kairo said in between whimpers.
"No way, was I that violent?!" It was surprising how Erika was actually shook with what Kairo said.
"You're really unbelievable. Couldn't you tell?" Himari commented.
"I should change my ways, or else Mairo-sama would not like me, or the Emperor, or the EMPRESS!"
"You can't even make our classmates like you." Himari said straight-forwardly.
"I see no merit in gaining affection from my future underlings."
"Actually you need to gain affection from your future underlings, or else the people will revolt." Kairo commented.
"Ah shit. You're right."
"And princesses don't say vulgar words."
"You kinda sound like an old advisor. It's annoying".
"You don't know how it feels like to actually be in the palace. If you cannot handle my simple side comments, you would not survive it in there."
"Why do you talk like you know so much about what's going on in the palace?"
"There are movies about that, remember?"
"Oh."
"Also we have to pick our pace up or else we wouldn't catch the afternoon bus." said Kairo after taking a glance at his wristwatch.
"You're right! I almost forgot about it. Himari-chan! We'll go ahead okay?" Erika said as she started jogging.
"Take care you two~"
-------------------------
The day of the moment of truth....
"Come join us in the archery club!"
"Do you like books? Read with us in the Book Club!"
"Free drinks for those who will join the Home Economics Club!"
"Basketball Club over here!"
"Soccer! Soccer! Soccer!"
The school yard was crowded with different colors, banners, handouts and students as the first day of club recruitment begun. There were different lanes for club categories; a row for sport clubs, hobby clubs, arts and literature clubs and many more. The entirety of the morning period was dedicated in order to facilitate this event.
"Hnggnn------this is harder than I thought! There are too many people, and can you please try not to be heavy!" Erika said while having her eyes fixed in the Japanese History Club's brochure.
"IN THE END YOU ACTUALLY FORCED ME! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU, HATSUGAWA! LET ME GO!" said the poor Kairo while being dragged by his collar.
"Just a little further...." Erika chants while dragging Kairo.
"HOW FAR EXACTLY?!"
"It said they're stationed next to the huge cherry blossom tree near the south gate."
"Let me walk so that I can help you find it!" Kairo exclaimed.
Erika then looked at Kairo to see if she can trust his words and when she thought of releasing him, she loosened her grip on his collar.
"There! Thank you!" Kairo said as he tries to regain his composure and fix his crumpled top. Then he quickly sprints to the opposite side of their direction.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
"Agk!" Erika's grasp was so fast, it actually choked Kairo back into his initial place.
"I think we're close to our destination though."
"You said the same thing 5 minutes ago."
"Yeah but I mean, this time----- I'm actually seeing the tree."
That specific tree Erika is looking at is a tree that would catch anybody's attention for it's beauty and elegance. Cherry blossom petals are gently swaying as it falls to the ground, and this magnificent creation is right in the heart of Seito Gakuen.
Under the shade of the tree was a group of students on bent knees. It seems like they're in the middle of a tea ceremony. Nobody could ignore the undeniable allurement of the decorum that is perfectly staged in that setting. Erika was astonished, out of words, exhilarated.
"This is it." She said softly. "This is where I belong."
Kairo cannot comprehend how somebody could get into something this bad that they actually want to embody every bit of it up to the bone. He looked at where Erika was looking. It was beautiful indeed, but it did not impress him.
"If you want to join that badly, then go there." He said frankly.
"I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I can't feel my legs." Erika said monotonously. It was then that Kairo realized that she was frozen on her spot.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
"I'm serious! Oohh! Ohh! There she is. That is Sayaka Fubuki."
Kairo tries to find whoever Sayaka Fubuki is, but it is not hard to distinguish her from the rest of the group. Her jet black hair flows elegantly along with the wind. Her movements were flawless upon holding the teacup, that every caress of her finger on the edge of the procelain displays exemplary poise cultivated with years of training. She is a true work of art.
"I cannot do this today." Erika said, turning around to the opposite direction because she felt intimidated. But the next thing she knew, she is being pushed forcefully towards the isolated group.
"Good morning everyone. This girl right here said she wants to join your club." Kairo said casually to the Sayaka person.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Erika said, scolding Kairo for his actions.
"Speeding things up." he said.
"How could you just walk here without any courtesy? Can't you see that the ceremony isn't over yet?" by the looks of it, the one who just spoke seems to be an assistant of hers.
"Oh don't worry, we're not gonna take long. Just give her a club application form and we'll go on our way." He responded, Erika was now facing at the back, trying to save her reputation from being shattered to pieces.
"Patience is a virtue.", the voice of the lady of honor was finally heard. "However they seem to find so much importance in their time. We should take it seriously. Mitsuo-kun, please hand them the forms."
Kairo's eye twitched upon hearing what she said. It sounded like sugar-coated sarcasm.
"Here. If you wish to stay and join us for the rest of the ceremony, please be our guest. But if you still have other things to do, then just submit the form tomorrow after class. Our clubroom is located in the second to the last door by the west wing." said this Mitsuo guy.
"Got it." Kairo said blankly, looking at Erika afterwards. "Hatsugawa-san, you heard them. Let's go." he said and held her wrist to leave the place.
"Wait!" Erika turned around and looked at the group, then at Sayaka. "I--I'm Erika Hatsugawa! Nice to meet you!"
She never heard a response nor saw any gesture of acknowledgement from the woman she looks up to so much. She just got dragged away from the place, devastated by the commotion they just caused.