The Handsome Girl Who Stole My Girlfriend Seems to Be After Me Now - Chapter 23: The Cinema Club is Still Broke Today

Chapter 23: The Cinema Club is Still Broke Today

After lunch break ended, and I managed to survive the lethargic afternoon classes, it was finally after school.

I decided to visit the clubroom for the first time in a while and left the classroom, heading to the third floor of the special building where the humanities clubrooms are located.

The club I belong to is the Cinema Research Club, which I’ve been a part of since middle school. Technically, it’s called the “Video Research Club,” but our president insists on focusing mainly on films.

Well, due to the small number of members and limited club funds, we haven’t been able to do much film production lately.

However, to avoid the club being shut down for inactivity, we occasionally take on requests from students and other clubs to make short promotional videos, keeping things going on a modest scale.

“Oh, isn’t that Sakuhara-kun? You came today!”

“Just stopping by for a bit.”

The first to greet me with a warm welcome as I opened the clubroom door was a female student with long black hair like Sadako and round glasses like Harry Potter. She’s Makoto Miyazawa, a second-year student and our club president.

“No, no, it’s great that you’re here! After all, we have more ghost members who never show up than actual seats in here!”

“Well, it’s not like we’re doing much in terms of activities, are we?”

“Maybe it’s because the president isn’t very popular?”

Following President Miyazawa, a gentle girl with a fluffy bob haircut and a downcast boy with messy hair spoke up. They’re also second-year members, Umi Kikuchihara and Fujishiro Arata.

“Really, I don’t think that’s the case!”

“That’s easy for you to say. If people really liked us, Sakuhara wouldn’t be the only new member this year, right?”

“Ugh! That is…”

“All the other middle school members quit when they moved up to high school. I wonder if they’re all doing okay.”

“Hey, we should be more worried about ourselves than the ones who left. And you guys, just get back to work.”

They’re at it again… It’s hard to tell if they get along well or not.

I can’t say it out loud, but maybe the strong personalities of these seniors are partly why the middle schoolers left.

But when I said I wanted to make a film for the cultural festival last year, they helped out and gave advice. They’re not bad people.

“What are we working on in the cinema club now?”

“Hmm? Oh, the drama club asked us to make a PV for their social media account. Sakuhara, you’re a member too, so you should keep up.”

Fujishiro-senpai sighed as he answered my question.

“Seriously. We’re in danger of the club shutting down because we’re not making any new projects, not just because we’re slowly building a track record with these side jobs.”

“But I just can’t seem to come up with a good script! It’s like, I’m not feeling inspired, you know? So, it can’t be helped!” 

“It’s not about ‘can’t come up with anything.’ You’re the president, aren’t you?”

When Fujishiro-senpai hit her with the hard truth, President Miyazawa groaned and slumped over the desk. It’s hard to tell who’s really in charge here.

“Um, can I help with anything?”

Feeling a bit sorry for them, I offered to help.

“No, the PV production isn’t that hard. “

“We’ve finished filming, and all that’s left is editing in the clubroom.”

“Right. But the real issue now is…” 

MONEYYYY!!!”

Just as Fujishiro-senpai was about to speak, the president, who had been face-down on the desk, suddenly jumped up.

“Whoa! What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“It’s not about what’s going on, Sakuhara-kun! Sure, the reason we’re stuck making these mediocre promotional videos is partly because I haven’t come up with a new project. But, more importantly, we’re almost out of funds for our next film production!”

“I see…?”

The president, with her hair flying everywhere, grabbed my shoulders tightly and leaned in close. Honestly, it was pretty scary. Like something out of a nightmare.

“Geez, Mako-chan, you can’t just start yelling out of nowhere. You scared Sakuhara-kun, you know?”

“You always overdo it.”

“Ah… sorry. I’ve been a bit neurotic lately… Ah, being broke is truly terrifying.”

After being scolded by Kikuchihara-senpai and others, the president shrank like a scolded puppy. It’s really hard to tell who’s actually in charge.

“But, it’s true that we’re really tight on budget. Just relying on the small earnings from making PVs and other activities isn’t enough to even maintain our equipment.”

The president lamented, massaging her forehead in frustration.

Even though it’s just a high school club activity, the costs of location scouting, props, and other expenses for making films do add up.

“So, I thought maybe we could all do part-time jobs to cover the shortfall in our budget…”

While saying this, the president glanced at Fujishiro-senpai. Without even looking up from his PC where he was working, Fujishiro-senpai dismissed the idea.

“Sorry, but I prefer to spend the money I earn on myself.”

Then, the president looked towards Kikuchihara-senpai.

“My dad says I’m not allowed to work part-time while I’m in high school.”

Finally, the president turned back to me.

“And I, well, I’ve been rejected from 30 job interviews in a row…”

“I see…”

The president’s mood seemed to darken even further, making the already cramped club room feel all the more oppressive.

Hmm, this is bad. At this rate, I might end up being a part of the going-home club next year…

“Ah, in that case—”

Suddenly, Kikuchihara-senpai seemed to have an idea and clapped her hands together.

“Mako-chan, about that matter, why don’t we ask Sakuhara-kun for help now?”

That matter? What’s she talking about? I tilted my head in confusion, only for the president’s eyes behind her round glasses to widen in realization.

“That’s it! Yes, we still have Sakuhara-kun!”

“Eh? What? What are you saying I should do?”

As I became increasingly anxious and asked, the president didn’t seem to hear me. Ignoring my question, she firmly grabbed my shoulders again.

“Sakuhara-kun! Would you be interested in doing a little part-time job this Saturday?”

…What?