"Then let me tell you about her!" Saito Huijie lowered his voice, "Her family..."
Dubian Che looked at the azure sky outside the window, his pen touching the paper.
Saito Huijie stopped his endless chatter, "What's up?"
Dubian Che added an exuberant haiku to the end of the so-called article,
"The grass in my garden is sprouting anew, soon the vast earth will be green."
After the morning classes had ended, Dubian Che finished his meal and headed to the Literary Society to hand in his first draft directly.
The Literary Department didn't provide much space for activities, but what took up the room instead were bookshelves and display cases, which were neatly filled with various books and certificates.
Unlike the Human Observation Department that only contained irrelevant items, one might even call it rubbish.
Dubian Che made eye contact with his reflection in the display case, it seems the Literary Department paid quite some attention to cleanliness— at least the glass was wiped very clean.
"Please state your name, class, and the type of work."
"I'm participating on behalf of a club, my name is Dubian Che, types of the work..." Dubian Che recalled the article he had seen in the library and where it was published, "An essay, I suppose."
"Alright, give me your manuscript, and what's the name of your club?"
"Human Observation Department." Dubian Che handed over the manuscript.
"Human Observation Department?" The Literary Society member recording the information repeated the words subconsciously, looking at Dubian Che with a less-than-friendly gaze.
"Just like that person!"
"That person is one thing, but this guy dares to submit his manuscript directly!"
"How can the school allow such a club to exist, where's the fairness?!"
The not-so-subtle "whispers" from behind made Dubian Che a bit concerned.
What was wrong with the Human Observation Department? Wasn't the submission to the Literary Society made on their own public call for submissions? Or was it the fact that Kiyono Lin used her privilege to create the club that made these "scholars" from the Literary Society uncomfortable?
If it was the latter reason, he supposed he stood with the "people."
"Name?" The person registering the participants glared at him fiercely.
"I told you, Dubian Che."
"The name of the article!"
Dubian Che then remembered he indeed hadn't given the manuscript a title.
Think... The one in the library was called "Past Us"...
The Literary Society member quickly scribbled the title on Dubian Che's manuscript and noted the relevant information on the registration form.
Dubian Che nodded, "Thanks for your trouble."
"Get out, the Literary Department doesn't welcome you here!"
What on earth had Kiyono Lin done to the Literary Society?
With such questions in mind, Dubian Che returned to the classroom.
As soon as he entered, Kunii Shuichi called out with his loud voice, "Dubian! I heard from Saito, you joined Kiyono Lin's club!"
Dubian Che noticed that other classmates turned to look his way.
"That's right," he nodded.
"What does that Human Observation club actually do?"
"I'm curious myself. Can't really see what submitting to the Literary Society has to do with observing humans." Saito Huijie also asked.
Dubian Che shrugged, "Maybe it's about turning the results of observing humans into a report and publishing it through the Literary Society. It doesn't really matter, as long as I can leave early."
"Can you not go to the club?" Saito Huijie asked.
"You just go once after school on Fridays. According to the Minister Kiyono Lin, it won't take long, and you can leave quickly."
Saito Huijie's face showed a look of sudden realization, "That's quite suitable for you, Dubian. No wonder you joined. I thought you were really enchanted by Kiyono."
If Dubian Che remembered correctly, he had made it quite clear in the morning that he was going for the early leave. Still, Saito seemed skeptical; how come by noon...
At that moment, he noticed the glances around him.
That was why he was worried about rumors spreading that 'Dubian Che joined the Human Observation Department to pursue Kiyono Lin.'
Kiyono Lin was out of his league, and for someone like Dubian Che, a poor kid, to pursue her would likely invite sneers of 'this guy doesn't know his place in society.'
People in Tokyo are just too sensitive to the atmosphere.
While Dubian Che was contemplating this, Kunii Shuichi suddenly lowered his voice, "Hey, Dubian, my good buddy, are there any requirements to join the club?"
"...I don't think so?"
Dubian Che wasn't sure, anyway, he hadn't gone through any trials to join.
"You want to join too? You're a member of the baseball club. Even if the Human Observation Department only takes a bit of time on Fridays, it would still be tough." He asked out of curiosity.
It was true that a student at Goda High School could join up to three clubs, but the baseball club was so intense it already used the early mornings, not to mention the official club activity time after school.
Kunii Shuichi didn't seem bothered at all, grinning sleazily, "Time, well, you can always make some."
"Hey!" Saito Huijie rolled his eyes, "Don't you already have Yamaguchi Naomi? And is Kiyono Lin even someone you can pursue?"
"What's wrong with me? I'm still a member of the baseball club!" Kunii Shuichi evaded the topic of Yamaguchi Naomi.
Men, always thinking about what's in the pot while they've yet to fill their own bowls.
Saito Huijie scoffed disdainfully.
The baseball club at Goda High School was in high demand, and boys who made it in were popular and accomplished—professional baseball players were among the top marital prospects for Japanese women.
But when compared to a daughter of a big capitalist family, not just a high school baseball club member, even star professional baseball players might have a hard time.