"I'm home!"
As night fell, a familiar voice called from the front door.
Sato looked up. From the hallway came the sound of a quiet conversation.
"Welcome home, dear. Sato's already here."
"Oh? Sato's here already?"
With hurried footsteps, a delighted face soon appeared in Sato's view.
"Sato!"
"Second Brother."
Nohara Hiroshi walked up and gave Sato a warm hug, then patted his shoulder with a big laugh. He looked him up and down and said with a grin, "Hasn't been that long, but it feels like you've grown again."
"Well, I'm still in my growth phase."
Sato smiled at the man in front of him.
Nohara Hiroshi, the second son of the Nohara family and Sato's second eldest brother, was a top graduate from Waseda University and now a middle manager at a mid-sized commercial firm. He may have inherited their old man's lecherous streak, but he was undeniably a good man and a loving husband.
"Ever since you last visited, it's been ages. Now that you're studying nearby, it'll be easier to see you more often."
Hiroshi sat cross-legged in front of Sato, clearly thrilled by the visit.
"How's living alone going? If it's uncomfortable, you should just move in here. We're not far from your school, and commuting would be easier."
"Yeah," Misae added as she brought out dishes, "If you're not comfortable over there, just come live with us."
Sato smiled and waved his hand. "No need. The neighbors are all nice to me, and I'm getting along just fine."
"If you guys have time, you can bring Shin-chan over to visit me sometime."
"That'd be great!"
Hiroshi sighed in relief, then laughed. "If we get a chance, I'll definitely drop by."
"Sato, where do you live?" Shin-chan asked curiously, leaning on the table.
"Aoyama Apartments in Usagiyama Town , room 3-2."
"Call him Uncle!" Misae scolded as she pinched Shin-chan's cheek, then turned to Hiroshi. "Honey, go take a bath. Dinner's almost ready."
"Shin-chan! No snacking!"
"Wha...?"
"Haha, Sato, tonight we brothers are having a drink for sure!"
"Dear! Sato's still in high school, he can't drink!"
"Oh? Look at me forgetting things again. Don't worry, Sato's so reliable I completely forgot… Let's have grape juice then."
Hiroshi grabbed juice from the fridge and poured a glass for Sato.
"I can do it myself."
"Sit down, let me."
Watching the scene, Sato smiled helplessly.
...
The next day,
After saying goodbye to his brother's family, Sato returned to Aoyama Apartments.
On the way, he ran into Mr. Saitama upstairs, and at his enthusiastic invitation, Sato and Kobayashi (who also lived on the 4th floor) spent the afternoon gaming in his room.
That evening, he grabbed a quick bite at Yukihira's Diner, handled some website-related work, and time slipped by quickly.
The next morning, Sato walked to school with his Aoyama Apartment companions again, except now there was an extra middle-school-disease case tagging along.
"By the way, Tenma-san, didn't you sleep well last night?" Sato asked, eyeing the yawning blonde angel. This world really was strange, even angels got sleepy?
Gabriel's small frame and amethyst eyes were clearly weary, and her usual gleaming hair was a bit frizzy.
"Ah… that…" she hesitated, then brightened a little. "I studied too late last night, so I'm feeling sleepy."
"Huh? Gabriel-san's so diligent?" Doma Umaru was shocked. Studying on a weekend night? That's way too hardworking!
She looked at Gabriel with admiration. Even without knowing her grades, that dedication was impressive.
Shouko Nishimiya and Rikka Takanashi didn't say anything, but they too looked at Gabriel with respect.
Gabriel forced a laugh, praying silently:
Oh Great Lord, please forgive your faithful servant…
On the school corridor's bulletin board were colorful posters promoting various school clubs.
Sato and his two friends stopped in front of it, taking in the vibrant display.
"There are so many."
"Well, it's a prestigious school, after all."
Sato nodded. He hadn't really paid attention to the number of clubs at Private Mixed High, but just from the posters, there were easily over fifty.
Kendo, Archery, Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement...
Track & Field, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis…
Literature, Art, Coding, Math…
From fancy to totally normal, the variety was endless. Some were pretty unusual, too.
Astronomy and Alien Observation Club, Camping Club, Cooking Club, Hotpot Research Club…
Wait, hotpot research?!
Sato stared at a poster featuring a copper hotpot surrounded by ingredients. There's a club for that?
There was already a cooking club, how'd this even get approved? Still… he had to admit, it was pretty cool.
He nodded in approval.
Though as tempting as it was, he didn't want to walk around smelling like hotpot all day.
"Sato, have you decided?" Kirigaya and Saiki had already made their choices. Now they were waiting on his.
Both looked over at him.
Sato scanned the board one more time. Then his eyes settled on a certain poster.
"I'll check this one out first."
They followed his gaze, and saw a poster with a guitar drawn on it.
It was for the Light Music Club.