After my tour around the school with Nicole, I then went to the coffee shop near the dormitories.
It was exactly 3:40 right now so I'm 10 minutes late for my appointment with Joseph.
I went inside the coffee shop and saw him sitting on one of the window side table. I approached him and sat in front of him.
"Sorry I'm late."
"It's quite alright Ocho. Good to know to know that you actually came."
"I still have somewhere to go after this so..."
"Oh goodness, then I'll get straight to the point. You probably know now that joining a club is mandatory for the school. So have you joined one already?"
"No, not yet. I just transferred recently. In fact this is my first day."
"Really? Then that's amazing! Would you like to join the Gardening club?"
'Did I just hear that correctly?' I thought to myself before I replied.
"I'm sorry. Could you repeat that again?"
Joseph gave a stupid smile and nodded.
"I said, would you like to join the Gardening club?"
'What in the actual fuck?'
I didn't know how to react so I just stayed silent while I wait for Joseph to explain.
"I know it sounds ridiculous, but I want you to hear me out first. The school is based on a meritocratic system, so for a club to be established, it has to be either a club that could enter contests or competitions to bring merits to the school, such as the singers of Vocals club and the fighters of Combat sports clubs. Or it has to be an academic based club. Such as the Science and Chemistry club or the Journalism club."
Joseph paused to drink his coffee. I also called one of the waiters and ordered a frappe.
While he drinks his coffee I asked him.
"What's that got to do with me joining the Gardening club?"
"Don't you find it all weird? The fact that the gardening club was approved by the school admins and was established? I mean think about it. Yes, gardening is an academic based club, but it's not part of the academic curriculum of the school. Like how the Chemistry club was easily established because the 1st years have weekly lessons about Chemistry that are taught by the teachers."
"So how did the Gardening club got approved and established?"
"That's the question I wanted to hear from you. Unlike all the other clubs, the Gardening club had a special condition for being approved."
He paused again and drank his coffee, he must be doing this on purpose to tickle my curiosity.
"The condition states that, the Gardening club is to accept a minimum of 5 requests from the other clubs every semester, or the Gardening club will be disbanded.
The requests varies differently, it could be a substitution for one of the players of the basketball club, or to coach the Cheer dancers, to even the cruelest ones such as to Fight in the coliseum and represent a combat sports club."
"I get it now. You want me to join because you think that I could handle the requests from the music clubs. Isn't that right?"
"Precisely. Ah, but don't worry, your efforts won't be in vain. Every month the school pays us according to our performance that month. The more requests we completed the higher the salary. Members of the Gardening club would also be able to pass the whole semester, even with a failing grade or an incomplete one, if we are able to complete 20 requests before the semester ends. But be reminded that the difficulty of the requests are also taken in to consideration, so a request made by the Football club to fetch them a water will not be counted."
"I see. I understand now. But why did you choose me?"
"You see Ocho, even with the strict condition of the Gardening club, it's past members were still able to maintain its survival up until today."
As if to build up a suspense, Joseph paused and used the poor table for a drum roll.
"And the reason for that?!
is because it was not easy to enter the Gardening club!"
At Joseph's sudden shout, everyone looked at both of us.
Joseph, seemingly not able to mind the surroundings, kept on talking on a voice the seems to be getting louder every second.
"All members of the club must be at least above average on a certain field to meet the expectations of the request clients. And this year, we currently only have 4 members. But if there's one thing that won't change in the Gardening club members, then that is the fact that our line of work makes us celebrities of the school."
"You still haven't answered my question."
"Ah I'm getting to that. You see, the answer to that is simple. It is because you sir! are a genius!"
"Why do you say that? And how can you be so certain?"
"Back at the train station this morning, I observed each of your actions. And based on what I've seen, I learned that you don't know a damn thing about playing a piano. I'm guessing you know how to play other instruments such as guitar, but not a piano? Am I wrong, Ocho?"
"....No, you completely got it."
"Splendid. Now back on topic, after you memorized all the notes and the basics of playing the piano, you played confidently in front of many people. At first it was very rough, but you improved slowly while playing your own magnificent version of Fur Elise."
"Are you that confident about your observation skills?"
"I'm not confident of it, I trust it. Now tell me I'm right!"
"No, you got it all correct again. I have one last question though."
I swallowed the last of my frappe and put the empty cup down before asking Joseph.
"Why should I join your club?"
"Hahaha, pardon me I've been running my mouth without any consideration of your feelings."
Joseph laughed loudly after saying that. Like he's not on a peaceful coffee shop but on a late night comedy bar.
I didn't get it. What was so fucking funny in this man's eyes.
"Well to answer your question my friend, it's because no one will accept, an unknown transferee who just appeared out of nowhere half-way in the semester, in their club. Each club has it's own strict screenings so good luck finding a club that's as weird as us."
"You make it sound like I don't have a choice." I said and chuckled at him which made Joseph chuckle too.
Then I continued.
"I've decided then. I'll join the Gardening club. Pleased to make your acquaintance Joseph."
"Likewise. You won't regret this decision. I'll handle your formal procedures as a form of appreciation for you. I'll also introduce the other members of the club to you tomorrow."
"Sure. My name's Amaru Sta. Maria by the way, but you could just call me Ocho."
"And I'm Joseph Gregory Finner. Welcome to the club."
We stood up and shook each others hands. Then the weirdo suddenly hugged me and whimpered.
"Ohh thank god! You actually joined! We didn't know what to do with the Instrumental Club's request! Oh thank you, thank you buddy!"
"Sure. But, could you please get off me now? We're starting to attract attention."
I really have to learn how to handle this kinds of people if I don't want to be a fugitive.
-------
After leaving the coffee shop and separating from the weirdo, It was already 5 pm, and I still have an hour before my first shift at the Oasis bar.
So I decided to head to Lascar city and have dinner outside first before going to work.
After waiting for a little bit, a bus finally arrived. I boarded it and took a seat in the front, near the driver.
Half way towards Lascar city, all the passengers of the bus hopped off on a station. All except for the man in the very back. Now it's just me, the man in the back, and the driver.
My instincts did not fail me when I felt that something was very wrong.
I sensed a very intense killing intent coming from the man in the back. Killing intent, not the typical bloodlust, so for the first time in awhile, I felt an unseen pressure on my shoulders.
It was very heavy.
Then I heard the footsteps of the man who suddenly stood up and walked towards me. He then started talking.
"You feel it right? Agent VIII?"
I was stupefied by what I heard. I immediately went into full alert as I stood up and switched to my fighting stance.
"Who are you two?"
In front of me was an old man.
I couldn't any more analysis as my mind was going haywire from suddenly transitioning to battle mode.
"Well Eduard is my driver and personal assistant, and as for me?"
The man pointed at himself under the dimly lit inside of the bus I could see his eyes.
His mouth moved.
"I'm just the damn School Director of ICARUS Academy."