Due to Kiyoshi’s birthday and all that chaos I neglected to get my blood drawn. So, I ended up having to do that today before school. Getting blood drawn is not a pleasant feeling, but I have grown used to it due to having it done so many times. The best part about getting blood work is that I always get weak afterwards, so the nurse gives me orange juice. The worst part about getting blood work is that I am going to feel super sleepy the rest of the day. After the blood test was processed, Dr. Barwick came in to talk.  

“How have you been Mr. Yoshida?” he asks. 

“I’ve been alright.” I smile. 

“Good to hear. I did some more research and found a better medicine to help control your nose bleeds. It’s a pill that is taken once daily, just make sure to drink plenty of water.” Dr. Barwick explains handing me a pill bottle. 

I accept the pill bottle, “Thank you, I hope this medicine works.” 

“Me too, let me know if you ever have any side effects or questions. Have a nice day at school.” Barwick smiles. 

I bow my head and walk on out of the nurse’s office. On my way out I am greeted by Bohai. 

“Hey Oran, Hajin just told me to let you know about club activities. Pond requires that students attend an afterschool club activity at least once a week for an hour.” Bohai explains. 

“Oh...Yeah. I think I remember reading that in the welcome paperwork...So what kinds of clubs are offered here?” I ask. 

“Oh, there’s a lot!” Bohai exclaims, “You should join my club, it’s about otaku culture.” 

“I do enjoy anime, manga, and games... however I don’t think I am a big enough fan...” I think out loud. 

“No worries, there’s still other clubs...Like classical band and regular band and-” He lists. 

“I don’t play any instruments” I admit. 

“Ah, I see. What about writing and reading club?” He asks. 

“I’m not good enough...” I sigh. 

“Earth and Nature club? It’s a little bit of demanding club but it is a good cause!” Bohai explains. 

“I don’t think I can handle that.” I laugh. 

“Dance?” 

“I can’t dance” 

“Track and field?” 

“I like to run... but it is difficult” 

“Singing and Choir?” 

“I can’t sing...” 

“Fitness club?” 

“No... no...” 

“Technology and Research? I think Tallius is in that one, it’s super relaxed.” 

“Uhm... Doesn’t sound like my kind of thing.” 

“Mixed arts?” 

“I like art...” 

“Baseball?” 

“Nah.” 

“Photography?” 

“I’m not good enough at it...” 

“Library assistant?” 

“Sounds like a job...” 

“Swim team?” 

“Sounds hard.” 

“Karate? Taekwondo? Judo?” 

“I’m not flexible... No sports.” 

“Well, most of the clubs left are sports like tennis and soccer and stuff. I named them all, some you seemed interested in. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re not good enough, it is just a club” Bohai explains. 

“I guess I will choose the mixed arts club. I’m no artist but it seems like it could be fun.” I smile.  

I fill out my club form for the mixed arts club and turn it in to Hajin the class president. At lunch time I sit with Tallius. 

“So, did you choose your club yet? You should choose tech club; we don’t do anything.” Tallius says. 

“Oh... Yeah. I chose the mixed arts club. The rest of the clubs looked to intimidating.” I laugh. 

“Understandable. Art is fun... Maybe I should join.” Tallius sighs. 

Tallius’ Point of View 

He probably thinks I am very weird. But if I leave him alone, I will get in trouble. I just need to ask my teacher to accept my club change.  

“Mr. Choe. Recently I have been enjoying art. I want to join the mixed arts club, please accept my club change form.” I beg. 

“Really now?” Mr. Choe sighs, “That’s kind of unexpected of you. I’ll accept it, you never cause any trouble.” 

Afterschool I rush across campus to the mixed arts club room. On the way I see Oran walking ahead. 

“O-Oran!” I shout, running towards him, “I joined the mixed arts club... I joined last week but today is my first meeting.”  

“Really? Awesome I’m glad I won’t be alone!” Oran smiles at me. 

We enter the room together and introduce ourselves. 

Hajin welcomes us, “Welcome both of you. Our club is relaxed. We help other clubs and help for events sometimes but in the meantime do whatever. I’m working on a painting, so I’ll be in the back.” 

“Thank you... We will be quiet and share sketchbooks then.” Oran smiles. 

Oran and I sit down at an empty table, and both take out our “sketchbooks”. I don’t have a sketchbook, but I do doodle in class when it gets too boring. Oran’s sketchbook seems to be a regular notebook too, but his sketches are better than mine. We sit together and sketch the still life in our sketchbooks then look at each other’s work. While staring at my sketchbook Oran looks stiff and like he is holding his breath.  

“Your sketches look really good... Why are you holding your breath?” I ask. 

“Ha... Uh... It’s just your art... is cute? I think it is interesting.” Oran laughs. 

“Eh? Really? Well thank you.” I answer. I know he is lying, there is no way he thinks something so ugly and weird is cute.