As I walk down the hallway, my name gets called out once again. I pass by a girl which looked somewhat familiar…

  “Kaito Minase, of class 1-C, please present yourself to the student council office.”

  She stops while I was going ahead. Her eyes widened.

  “Minase…Kaito?”

  I reach the student council room. I knock on the door and enter.

  A tall guy from the second year, with short black hair, green eyes and athletic figure was standing before me.

  “Kaito Minase. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m the president of the student council, Miyamura Kabuto.”

  “Pleasure to meet you. What was I called here for?”

  “I heard you are into voice acting, again.”

  “I guess news spread fast…”

  “With that occasion, I’d like you to consider being a part of the broadcasting club, every now and then.”

  I look at him slightly confused, fixing my eyes on him, as to why should I join that specific club.

  “I already have activities with the soccer club.” (and a handful at home)

  “I see. There was someone wanting to meet you there. She said she knows you, and she’d like you to broadcast with her fellow members.”

  I turn around and look from the profile at him.

  “I’m going to check it out, see who it is, and I will come back to give you my answer.”

  “Thank you, Kaito.”

  As I exit the room, I feel a glance towards me. It was that girl from earlier, on the hallway. She hid herself.

  “Weird…I could’ve sworn someone was looking at me.”

  The girl was full red.

  “No way…it’s him.”

  I head to the broadcasting club, and upon arrival I’m greeted warmly by…Mizuki.

  “Kaito! Welcome!”

  I can't say I was not surprised by meeting her there.

  “Mizuki? What’s all this about?”

  “We want you to join the broadcasting club! At least for the sports festival. Pleaaase!”

  The other 4 girls in the room start begging too.

  “Please, Kaito-san!”

  It's for Mizuki, and the student council president. Okay.

  “Fine…I’ll see what I can do. For now give me the club member application...”

  “Thank you!”

  I go on and meet the team.

  “Let me introduce everybody. In the corner, we have Tsuku-chan! You can tell her apart by her moon hair pins.”

  In front of me, sits a first year, Tsukuya Mayanove, with long light pink hair and blue eyes. As stated by Mizuki, she had moon-shaped hair pins.

  “Hello! Nice to work with you.”

  She was cool and friendly.

  “Next up, Subaru-chan! She’s a bit shy, but you can get along with her.”

  Subaru Kamikara, a second year with gray middle length hair and red eyes. She was shy and nervous around boys.

  “H-hello…”

  “Further, we have Hinari-san! She’s a bit…hostile.”

  Hinari Yamaguchi, a third year from a wealthy family, with green hair and green eyes.

  “I don’t get why we need to have a boy in our club. It makes no sense.”

  She was…yeah, a tsundere. Reminds me of someone (Akane).

  “And lastly, there’s me! Oh, and the club president which is not currently here. You will meet her at some point.”

  “Oh, I understand…”

  But she bangs through the door.

  “Club president!! We were just talking about you.”

  “Interesting.:

  Her books drop from her hands as she saw me. She puts her palms to her mouth and her eyes are heavily widened.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Kaito…kun?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  Wait…she’s the girl from earlier.

  “Mizuki-chan, you recommended him, right?”

  “Yes. He voice acted with me in the latest anime movie.”

  “There’s no mistaking then…”

  She starts crying while smiling.

  The girls in the room sit stunned watching their prez.

  “Club president?”

  Huh? Why is she crying?

  “I finally found you…Kai Star-kun. After 7 years.”

  I freeze in place. The only people who knew that nickname were Mai and…Marise-chan.

  “Marise-chan…?”

  She rushed towards me and hugged me as tight as she could.

  Everyone in the room, including me, stand fazed. No one understood what was going on. A general sound is heard: "Eeeh?!"

  “Yes! I’m Suzuki Marise! We used to play all the time when we were kids. Remember me?”

  I fall down on my knees. And some tears come rolling on my face.

  Mizuki was a bit confused. Everyone was. But she catched on quickly.

  Wait…is she the person that Kaito had a trauma about?! No way! That means…it’s his first crush! We got a problem!

  I pick myself up, and rush again towards Suzuki to hug her as hard as I can.

  Tears were still rolling on my face, while holding her close.

  “I thought I lost you forever after that accident!”

  “I thought you abandoned me…I asked my parents to help me meet up with you, but they said you quickly quit after the incident. It must have been really hard, right?”

  She was now crying too.

  “Yes! You have no idea how much I prayed to see you again one day!”

  “There, there…I’m fine now. Let’s go have a conversation between 4 eyes. I have been waiting for it for 7 years.”

  “Let’s go right away!”

  We bolt out of the clubroom and head to the rooftop. We had club duties at the time so we were excused from the classroom.

  The club members were still confused.

  “What just happened?”

  “They knew each other since they were young. After an accident involving prez, Kaito quit voice acting. He told me about it.”

  “Oh…”

  And just like that, we are now on the rooftop.

  “How have you been, Suzuki?”

  “Good! Even better now that I finally found you! I prayed so long for destiny to reconnect us…”

  “How did you end up as the club president?”

  “Well, I continued working in the voice acting industry just in hope that we will someday work together. I used the broadcasting club to help on my resume after I graduate. Interesting that you never recognized my voice.”

  “Well, we started 3 months ago. It hasn’t been easy, after all.”

  “How about we go and do something fun after class?”

  “Heck yeah! Let’s pick up the last 7 years.”

  I return back to my classroom. I was smiling like a small kid. Kaguya noticed it.

  “What’s up Kaito? You missed the whole class.”

  “I was asked to join the broadcasting club for a while. Nothing much.”

  “Oh, in Mizuki’s club! Cool!”

  Hikaru comes to my desk.

  “Everyone! Let’s go to a cake shop after we finish the class!”

  “Sorry, but I have plans after school. You guys go on ahead without me.”

  I leave the classroom and go to the toilet.

  Meanwhile, the others are interested as to where I am going.

  “What could he possibly have to do after class that he’s refusing a hangout with everyone?”

  “Let’s stalk him. We need to see what he’s up to. It’s not like I particularly care about him or anything!”

  Everyone agrees that Akane’s idea was better than a cake shop.

  The bell rings, and I go meet Suzuki at the front entrance. Everyone quietly follows me.

  “Let’s go on to that new cake shop!”

  “Sure, wherever you’d like to.”

  The group is shocked. Mai is the most affected one.

  “Who is she…is he going on a date?!”

  Hikaru looks happy.

  “And it’s that cake shop! Yaaaay!”

  The group follows them from a small distance until they reach the café.

  “It’s definitely a date!” whispered Akane, all angry.

  “Let’s wait and then enter.” whispered Kaguya, wary of their cover.

  “What cake are you guys getting?”

  “Hikaru, cake is the least of our worries! We need to find out who she is.”

  “Oh, simple, she is the club president of the Broadcasting Club. She’s a friend of mine. She just met him when he went to the student council office.”

  “So she hooked him up!” said Akane, revolted.

  “Unforgivable!” backed her up Mai.

  Kaguya looks a bit weird.

  “She reminds me of a kid I’ve seen on TV about 7 years ago.”

  “Oh, yes, she said something about the incident Kaito mentioned when he passed out.” confirmed Mizuki , slightly tense.

  Mai and Akane are starstruck.

  “SHE IS HER FRIEND THAT LED HIM TO A TRAUMA?!”

  “Yes, though not directly. Her name is Suzuki Marise.”

  “It really is her…she’s so pretty…WAIT! WE NEED TO STOP THEM!” replied Akane, in a ferocious tone.

  “It’s their time. We should just listen up to what they talk about. Unless she makes a move on him, we won’t interfere. At least, I, Mai, swear to not interfere unless that happens!”

  Everyone also agrees.

  “What cake are you getting, Suzuki?”

  “I’m going to get the Love Cheesecake! What about you?”

  “I’m getting the same thing.”

  The 4 girls at the next table (they sit behind them), all react shocked.

  “MATCHING CAKES?! She’s going for him!”

  “Not yet Akane, it may just be a coincidence.”

  They relax, for now.

  The waitress comes with the 2 cakes.

  “Enjoy them!”

  “Thank you!”

  “Let’s dig in, Kaito!”

  We savor our cakes and keep having a small chat.

  “I’m so happy I got to meet you again. Let’s work again in the future, now that you’re back!”

  I can’t ask him out now. It’s too sudden. I need to wait for something to happen.

  “Sure, let’s do it. We should hang out more often.”

  The other table is revolted.

  “Next time he says he’s leaving without a good reason, tie him up in the living room.”

  “Again, Akane?”

  “What do you mean again?” said Kaguya interested, staring at her like some kidnapper.

  “Nevermind, got it Mai?

  “Yes! I’ll make sure of it!”

  I don’t really want to get between them. I can’t stop her, she’s Kaito’s first crush. We’re just his childhood friends, and unless he caught feelings for us after helping him recover, we don’t stand that big of a chance.

  I and Suzuki start talking about broadcasting again.

  “Well, will you participate in the sports festival?”

  “Yes, at least in the football match.”

  “I see. It’s one of the last events, can you hold the broadcast with us until then?”

  “Sure, unless I get called for other events.”

  “It’s set! Looking forward to it!”

  Suzuki was radiating with purity and cheerfulness. It’s like she found herself once again.

  The group decided not to bother them and left early, going home.

  I take Suzuki to her home, wave her goodbye and return to my house.

  “It’s been really fun today, Kaito! Let’s go soon out like this again! Bring your friends next time, if you can!”

  “I’ll see. Goodbye!”

  I return home, where everyone tried to pretend they had no idea where I was, as hard as they could.

  The quietness was kind of awkward. But I guessed they had better things to do.

  I finally get the chance to rest. Meanwhile, the girls are all having a serious debate in Mizuki’s room.

  Akane was visibly angry. Mai was very concerned that someone would steal her place. Mizuki was impartial – she already made some progress.

  “So this…is the situation.”

  “I can’t believe her! She just suddenly appears after 7 years and takes him all for herself! We’ve been here for him since we were kids!” replied Akane, furious.

  “Mai, Akane, I don’t think she did that on purpose. She really looked happy just to see him.”

  “And that’s the problem! He looked like that too! I don’t want to lose him!”

  “Neither of us wants that. But we need to face it, we have a new rival among us.” said Mizuki, slightly uneasy.

  Back to my room. I receive a text message from Suzuki.

  “Thank you for today! It was really fun. Come tomorrow straight to the club room. I want to talk about something.”

  What could that be? I feel a pressure in my chest.

  What now…