The busy days at Varawit School continued. I had somewhat adjusted to life here, whether it was being pampered by the school princess or having the school prince constantly approach me. However, I still wasn't used to being the center of attention whenever they were around.
Every time they came near, it was like the whole school was watching. Naturally, for someone as socially awkward as me, it was unbearable. Not to mention the constant fear of my secret—that I used to be a guy—getting out. In the end, I always tried to avoid both of them, though it was so difficult that I started wondering if they had secretly put a tracker on me.
"By the way, Fah, have you decided which club you're going to join?"
"Club?"
"Yeah, a club... Don't tell me you didn't know."
Seeing my confused expression, Ploy sighed and looked at me worriedly.
"At Varawit, students are required to join a club."
"What... It's mandatory?"
"Yep, it affects your grades too."
"It affects my grades?"
"Uh-huh, it counts towards your behavior score."
I was stunned. In all my years of school, from kindergarten to middle school, nothing like this had ever been mandatory. So what about students like me who avoid activities? Wouldn't they be frustrated?
"I've never heard of anything like this being required in Thailand."
"The principal said it's to give students time to do things other than studying."
"I see."
Giving us time to do things other than study, huh? It sounded nice, but there were always those who didn't want to join or were too shy to fit in...
"So, is there a 'Go Home' club, Ploy?"
"No way, Fah."
Aw, come on! That's the best club ever for socially awkward kids! Sigh, just thinking about it is stressful.
"So... uh, Ploy, what club are you in?"
"The Needlework Club."
Such a proper homemaker!
"Interested in joining with me, Fah? I think it would suit you."
"Uh... I don't think it really fits me."
Yeah, needlework... Forget sewing, just trying to thread a needle would set my head on fire with frustration. Nope, nope, nope.
"Oh, I see. I thought you might be good at it. In that case, how about..."
"You don't have a club yet, Fah?"
"Oh, you haven't picked a club yet, Fah?"
Two voices called out almost simultaneously from behind, followed by the murmurs of our classmates, all turning to look at us.
"The war's started, guys."
"Who's gonna win our little doll this time?"
"I wanted to invite her too, but with the prince and princess aiming for her, we don't stand a chance."
"Another love battle, huh..."
The last comment came from Ploy, who looked exhausted as she glanced at me with sympathetic eyes. Then, she slowly stepped back, distancing herself.
I looked at her, hoping for some help, but her eyes seemed to say, "Don't drag me into this dangerous battle." Left with no choice, I turned to face the two voices behind me.
"Uh... hi, you two."
"Hello, Fah."
"Hey, Fah."
The sweet voice and the cool one overlapped. Aqua, the blonde girl, smiled and waved cutely, while Beam, the short-haired girl, gave a casual greeting.
"I heard something interesting just now. You don't have a club yet, Fah?"
"Y-Yeah, I just found out from Ploy that everyone has to be in a club."
"Do you have anything in mind?"
"Not really, Aqua... I'm not great at group activities."
I replied nervously, the weight of all the eyes on me making my anxiety spike. Sensing my discomfort, both of them stepped closer, shielding me from the stares, allowing me to calm down a little.
"In that case, why not join the Art Club with me? It's quiet and peaceful, just like you like it, Fah. No big crowds."
Ah... Aqua's in the Art Club. It makes sense for someone from such an esteemed family. But art, huh... Whether it's drawing or sculpting, my skills are equally disastrous.
"I'm sure someone like you would create beautiful and charming works of art, Fah."
Aqua took my hand, her soft hands holding mine, her angelic smile full of pleading.
"Well..."
Beautiful art, huh... My stick-figure drawings might be beautiful... to a caveman, maybe.
"I'm not very good at drawing, Aqua. I'd probably just disappoint you."
"Not at all. If you're not good, I'll teach you... I'll guide your hand, Fah."
Her voice lowered at the end, her eyes narrowing like a hawk eyeing its prey. She squeezed my hands just a little tighter, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Hey, hey, Aqua, don't pressure Fah like that."
Beam gently chopped down with her hand, separating our hands. I could feel Aqua glaring at Beam for a split second, but it didn't faze the short-haired girl at all.
"I get it, you don't like group activities. But you've seemed pretty stressed lately, Fah, and sports are a great way to relieve stress. So why not join the Basketball Club with me? It's definitely more fun than just sitting and drawing."
Beam smiled gently, patting my head in an affectionate way.
"Besides, you wouldn't have to do much. Just some light exercise, tossing the ball around. It'll make you stronger."
"Well... I'm not really good at sports..."
Look at me—a shut-in who spends all day gaming and reading novels. Where would I get the stamina for sports? And now that I'm a girl, I'm even weaker. If I got on the court, I'd probably get knocked over and go flying off the court.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you everything."
"Basketball Club, really?"
Aqua smiled faintly, shaking her head as she pulled Beam's hand away from my head.
"Fah's not suited for such physically demanding activities, Beam. Don't you remember the volleyball incident? What if she gets hurt again? Fah is delicate."
"That's exactly why I said I'd take care of her."
Beam replied confidently, giving me a charming smile that made my heart skip a beat. My face suddenly felt warm.
"Besides, exercise keeps you healthy and helps relieve stress. It's better than sitting around drawing and ending up with back pain and office syndrome."
"Oh, please. Basketball's full of physical contact. Fah wouldn't last a minute. Just think—what if she broke an arm, a leg, or hit her head? Who'd be responsible?"
I might be a bit fragile, but come on, Aqua, I'm not made of glass. I won't break that easily.
"In contrast, the Art Club is safe and friendly. There's no way Fah would get hurt."
Aqua smiled kindly at me.
"Plus, drawing helps with concentration and calms the mind. It's perfect for someone like you who's feeling anxious."
"Haven't you heard? Sports are the best medicine. Just running around the court can clear your mind. Besides, look at Fah—you can tell she doesn't want to draw."
I don't want to play basketball either...
"You lack delicacy, Beam. Sports are dangerous... Can't you see how scared Fah looks when you talk about basketball?"
I'm scared of both of them...
Right now, I could feel it—the same energy they had when they tried to sell me a car. The blazing flames, ready to scorch anyone who dared intervene.
I glanced around the room. It was clear that if my classmates weren't avoiding eye contact, they were busy placing bets with ten-baht coins on which club I'd choose. Are they really enjoying my suffering that much?!
And Ploy? She was standing there with her hands clasped in prayer, sending blessings my way... Oh, come on, my dear friend, why are you doing this to me?
"The Art Club, of course. Don't you want to see the adorable artwork Fah will create?"
"That sounds nice, but if Fah's that scared, she could be the team manager instead. Imagine her cheering for us at a national tournament—it'd be amazing."
"Ah, there it is, Beam... your ulterior motive."
"Like you don't have one too, Aqua? Didn't you just say you wanted to hold Fah's hand to help her draw? Seems pretty obvious to me."
"Not at all. It's pure and genuine goodwill—nothing more."
"Really..."
The two of them kept throwing reasons at each other, and gradually it seemed like their arguments were becoming more personal.
This isn't good. If I let this go on, there'll be a full-blown battle right here in Classroom 3. I have to put a stop to it.
"Stoppppppppp...!"
I quickly raised my hands to stop them before their verbal sparring shook the entire school. Both of them turned to me, looking exhausted as if they'd been through multiple battles.
"You've decided, right, Fah?" / "You've made up your mind, haven't you, Fah?"
"No, not yet... Let me go check out a few other clubs first, and then I'll decide."
And with that, I quickly walked out of the room. Luckily, it was an empty period, which I now knew was meant for club activities. It was the perfect opportunity to look around for a club.
Just as I was leaving the room, I saw Ploy shaking her head and chanting prayers under her breath.
"Oh, Fah... now you're going to drag the whole school into chaos."