After I Confessed to My Childhood Friend and Got Rejected, I Threw a Game Offline Meetup to Cheer Myself Up, Only to Find Out My Long-Time Gaming Buddy Was Actually the Quiet, Silver-Haired Swedish Beauty Who's the Cutest Girl in School

Chapter 15.1: Entry Exam and Sudden Development

“Waste club!?”

Amamiya and Karina simultaneously raised voices of shock at the stunning fact announced by President Amane.

There were mountains of computers and game consoles placed around, so he had thought they were still active with a large number of members, but the current membership was only two people.

The advisor had quit just recently, and they seemed to be on the verge of serious dissolution.

“It has been under consideration for dissolution for a while now. Two years ago, we had ten members, but last year when Amane and I became second-years, everyone left.”

“Those guys are heartless, right?”

Kenmochi spoke seriously, while Amane sipped her heavily sugared tea beside him.

Normally, this would be the president’s role to explain, but Kenmochi did not seem to mind.

“As you know, to conduct club activities, you need to reach the required number of members. At our school, it is four or more. But only Amane and I remained. And we are the two planning to graduate next year. The advisor quit too, saying ‘the activities are hopeless.’ In that case, dissolution will be confirmed by the end of the year.”

Amamiya nodded along as Kenmochi explained smoothly.

But next to him, Karina’s eyes brimmed with tears, and her body trembled slightly.

It was probably the feeling of finally being able to join the club she had longed for, only for this.

“B-But, if there are people hoping to join, it will be fine, right? If Amamiya and I join, the dissolution talk will be off…”

“That is right. If you two join and we find an advisor, we can avoid dissolution. But―――”

Kenmochi continued with an expression that still did not clear up.

“With second-year joiners, the ‘dissolution consideration’ will not be lifted. It will probably continue until next year when you become third-years.”

“!”

Indeed, Amamiya thought, convinced.

Next year, after Amane and Kenmochi graduated, only the third-year Amamiya and Karina would remain, just the two of them.

“To definitely lift it, we need second-years and first-years exceeding the required number as new members. I think that is a heavy burden for you. If you do not want to, I will not force you to join. After Amane and I graduate, whether to dissolve the game research club or continue it will be up to your judgment.”

“Kenmochi senior…”

Appearances were no guide; he was truly a kind senior.

A manly spirit that could make even a guy fall for him seeped out, and Amamiya already admired Kenmochi.

“But, but, are not you two famous players?”

When Karina said that, Kenmochi opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“You know about us?”

“Yes, I think there is no gamer who does not know you two!”

Amamiya, who was a gamer yet knew nothing, looked down apologetically beside her.

“Kenmochi senior is a world-level player who has won numerous domestic FPS tournaments. Amane senior is ‘Heaven Sound,’ active in RPGs, racing, fighting, cards, regardless of genre, right?”

“Gulp.”

The two seniors flinched, their true identities seen through, and they faltered.

Amamiya, who had known nothing at all, looked at Karina in astonishment.

“Even without me, there should be many students who know your true identities! Normally, people hoping to join would flock in, right!?”

“Come to think of it, that is right. The trophies are piled up like a mountain…”

In the corner of the clubroom, trophies were stacked carelessly.

The sense that they were not treated preciously as championship prizes was strong.

“Ah, actually, there is a deep reason for that… This is where the main topic starts. You two, what are your strong genres?”

Amamiya and Karina exchanged glances, a bit intimidated by Kenmochi’s serious face as he asked.

Their strong genre was obvious.

“Fantasy RPGs!”

“Hmm…”

“I see, heh heh…”

Kenmochi’s eyes gleamed sharply, and Amane wore a fearless smile.

Something was off.

The welcoming mood from earlier had completely changed, and the two’s atmospheres shifted.

As if they had been waiting eagerly for this.

“Wh-What is it?”

“Hee hee… Did Amamii-kun and Karina-chan think you could just join normally?”

Amamiya was given the weird nickname “Amamii-kun” by Amane, but that was not the point now.

They could not join normally?

“The computers, software, and refrigerator in this clubroom were all bought with funds we earned from tournaments. If you become members, you can use them freely. You can even chill drinks in the refrigerator. The air conditioning blasts cool air. It is the best environment for gamers.”

Amane, who was short, looked up at him, but with a tone and eyes like a different person, she pressured him.

It was the gaze of a carnivore that had caught its prey.

“However, we are not so generous as to let those whose skills do not match use them, so you will have to take an exam☆.”

She said it cutely, but it was scary.

An exam… He had thought entry exams were only in soccer or basketball manga, but they existed.

“B-But, if we do not, it will dissolve…!”

“Brace yourselves! Amamiya! We are not joking!”

Kenmochi also transformed from his gentle character to a scary one matching his appearance.

At the volume and intensity of his voice, Amamiya involuntarily stood up from his chair.

They had just met, but the seniors they knew were no longer there.

“Takaaki, this is getting interesting…”

Karina enjoyed the situation as it was.