Rin saying something like 'I like you' in her flat tone? Rin showing the kind of expression common in shoujo manga? Rin trying to get close to her, please her, and fight for her attention in various ways like those four?
Just thinking about it felt wrong.
It was like mixing two completely incompatible colors; the resulting hue was both strange and awkward.
So, what exactly were those four so nervous about?
Reina rested her chin on her hand and sighed silently in her heart.
But then again...
She suddenly realized a problem.
By agreeing to Rin's invitation, had she... accidentally used her as a shield?
The reason those four had called a ceasefire and focused their aim on Rin was because she had snatched her away from that chaos in full view of everyone, wasn't it?
And the reason she herself had accepted the invitation was partly because she wanted to escape the encirclement of those four and find a temporary shelter.
Rin didn't know anything at all.
She had just... just naturally reached out, naturally said those things, and naturally accepted her nonsensical questions.
And then she was dragged into this vortex that didn't belong to her.
"..."
Reina lowered her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the corner of her textbook.
I should find a chance to properly compensate her.
And... apologize once more.
After all, Yua and the other three are indeed quite troublesome.
Even though Rin seems completely unbothered, being treated as an enemy by those four at the same time must be somewhat of a nuisance, right?
...Yeah, it's decided.
"Reina?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind her without any warning.
Probably because she had already gotten used to Rin's'suddenly appearing from some corner' trait, this time Reina only gave a slight start, with no other reaction.
"Ah... Rin..."
Well, her voice was actually still a bit shaky.
"Is something the matter?"
School had been out for a while. Most people in the classroom had already left, leaving only a few students on duty tidying up. The sky outside began to take on a faint orange hue.
For no reason, Reina recalled the situation on the train yesterday in her heart.
Could she be... inviting me to go home together?
She guessed as much, however, that wasn't it.
"Club activities," Rin said, standing by her desk and looking down at her. "Tonight's... do you want to participate together?"
"...Eh?"
Reina's brain short-circuited for a moment.
Club activities? Tonight?
"But..." she subconsciously asked back, "Haven't I not filled out and submitted the club application yet? And for an activity tonight, why are you only notifying me now... Did the president just get their phone?"
In response, Rin simply tilted her head, her eyes blinking gently.
"No need to fill it out."
"What?"
Rin repeated it, her tone exactly the same as before.
"No need to fill out a club application. There are only two of us in the Astronomy Club. I am the president; as long as I nod my head and agree, it's fine."
"...Is that how it is?"
The corner of Reina's mouth twitched slightly.
No wonder the clubroom was on the third floor of the old building, no wonder 'almost no one goes there normally', and no wonder she could 'bring a bento to eat in the clubroom'.
She had found it a bit strange before, but now everything was clear. So this club only had Rin from the very beginning?
Wait.
Since there were only the two of them in the Astronomy Club, then the club activity mentioned just now was—
"Yes, it was a whim of mine."
Rin seemed to have seen through her confusion and calmly gave the answer.
"A whim?"
"Yes, I suddenly thought of it while packing my bag just now."
Reina suddenly didn't know what to say.
She looked up, trying to find a trace of the evasiveness or guilt that comes with doing something bad on Rin's expressionless face.
However, as she scanned those azure eyes back and forth, she only saw two words:
Innocence.
As if to say: Is there a problem with that?
"...Alright."
Reina finally let out a helpless sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly.
"When? And where are we meeting?"
"Now, at the school gate."
"...It really is a whim."
She muttered as she began to pack her school bag—textbooks, notes, pencil case, bento box... wait, bento box?
"Um, Rin," she looked up. "For the club activity, do I need to bring a bento?"
Rin thought seriously for two seconds.
"No need."
"But if you're hungry, you can eat it."
"..."
That wasn't what she meant at all... She was just trying to subtly ask how long it would take and if she needed to prepare dinner...
Reina buried her face in her bag and let out a silent sigh.
Whatever.
I'll just treat it as a small compensation.
After all, this club president had inexplicably warded off so much trouble for her.
Thinking this, she zipped up her bag and stood up.
"Shall we go?"