"Huh! Yuan, didn't you quit the club? Last semester ended with the president transferring schools—you quit right after, and we followed you out. When did you rejoin? Are you lying to us?"

Tamaki Taichi looked utterly shocked hearing Xia Chuan Yuan had joined the club. Matsushima Ryo mirrored his surprise. It was obvious Xia Chuan Yuan carried quite a history.

"Why are you so stunned I'm joining club activities? I quit and rejoined—that's all! Why the shock? Is there some story I'm missing?"

"You forgot about that...!"

Tamaki Taichi seemed ready to speak, but Matsushima Ryo grabbed his arm. A silent glance passed between them—Ryo signaling him to stay quiet. Taichi fell silent.

"Hmm? What was Taichi about to say? Cutting off like that—it's driving me crazy."

"Nothing. I must've mixed something up. No big deal. How about we join your club too?"

"I need to ask the president first. I'll tell you after I check—I don't know if she's taking new members."

"Fine. Message us tonight or tomorrow. We're heading home now. Since we quit clubs, we're on standby in the 'going-home club.' See you!"

After Tamaki Taichi spoke, Matsushima Ryo and he waved goodbye to Xia Chuan Yuan and left the classroom, Ryo tugging Taichi along.

"Those two... feel so off. Weird. Are all the people around me abnormal?"

Watching their retreating figures, Xia Chuan Yuan sensed something wrong but found no clues. He dropped the thought.

After tidying his things, he headed to yesterday's club room, guided by memory.

Yesterday, Narumi Miyu had given him a key—without it, the locked room was inaccessible.

Inside, the other three were already there. Sakurano Sakuya sat by the bookshelf reading. Narumi Miyu browsed online. Mizuki Miyabi played a computer game. They'd clearly arrived long ago.

"Yo yo yo, Yuan-kun's finally here! I thought you'd promise then sneak off. I was planning how to spread your diary around—guess that mission's canceled!"

Spotting Xia Chuan Yuan, Narumi Miyu stopped browsing, stood, and walked toward him while talking.

"...!!!"

"Don't paint me as that bad! I keep promises. I'm labor committee—I had cleaning duties to arrange. Sakuya knew that. Why didn't she tell you?"

Sakurano Sakuya set down her book.

"I forgot."

She resumed reading, leaving Xia Chuan Yuan unable to argue. It wasn't a mandatory task—he couldn't force her.

"Whatever. Sit wherever you like. Do something fun."

"No tasks for us?"

"What tasks?"

"No literary salons? Reading notes? Sharing insights? Aren't we supposed to do those?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Isn't that standard? Did I misunderstand?"

"We're a chill club. No requirements yet. Competitions might come later~"

"Uh... okay."

Xia Chuan Yuan settled in the center, pulled out his phone, and watched this world's anime.

As he watched, he reflected.

Compared to his past life, the biggest change was the absence of that world's anime, novels, and music. This was his greatest advantage.

He held a wealth of popular materials but refused to be a plagiarist.

With his sharp mind and past knowledge, creating original works by borrowing ideas shouldn't be hard.

Now, he wondered: pursue writing, art, or both paths at once?