"Karate Club?"
Toru smiled as he looked at Haruno. He hadn't expected to run into her on his first day at university, much less be invited to join a club by her.
Seeing his interest, Haruno brightened up and continued enthusiastically, her expression elegant and confident.
"Yes, the Karate Club. Even if you don't have any experience, that's perfectly fine. Not everyone who joins already knows Karate. The senpai in the club will provide the basics."
"It would be even better if you came to enjoy Karate. You can work toward belt ranks or even compete during your university years."
"Of course, taking rank exams or entering competitions is totally optional. It's just a hobby club. We aren't focused on professional-level training."
Haruno made sure to emphasize that.
She had seen plenty of energetic first-year guys eager to prove themselves.
Especially someone like Toru, who already stood out. He would definitely be filled with confidence and the belief that he could excel at anything.
Haruno didn't dislike men like that. Confidence was attractive. But once they became overly self-assured or straight-up narcissistic, they just became clowns. Even if she wouldn't say it out loud, she'd definitely be mocking them in her heart.
She herself was one of those highly confident women, the classic Tokyo University strong type.
The reason she went out of her way to invite Toru into the club was because her friend Miyuki was right.
This freshman representative had already become the talk of the new students. Having him join their club would be perfect for recruiting others.
Especially since he was handsome. He'd be the perfect magnet to attract female members.
Haruno was well aware of the power of attraction between men and women and she was extremely good at using her own. Just like right now.
Toru listened attentively as Haruno spoke, his expression serious.
After she introduced the club's background and highlighted its past achievements, he suddenly asked,
"Yukinoshita-senpai, have you been learning Karate since you were little?"
Haruno, who had been speaking for a while, paused for a second, then gave a bright smile.
"I've been learning Karate since I was a kid. I got my black belt in junior high."
"So, Fujiwara-kun, what do you think? Interested in the Karate Club? It's totally fine if you need some time to think it over. I just hope you'll give us a bit of consideration when choosing your club."
She knew well that pushing too hard could turn someone off. So she gave Toru an easy way out. Even if he declined, they could both save face.
She really was the perfect image of a well-mannered and considerate senpai.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, do you also train the first-years?"
Toru asked curiously.
"No, I usually don't teach directly. At most, I give some guidance here and there. Most of my time is spent on my own practice, since I plan to compete in the National Karate Tournament."
"However... if you join, Fujiwara-kun, I don't mind personally guiding you. So, would you be interested in learning from your senpai?"
Haruno blinked and gave him a subtly playful smile.
That smile had the perfect blend of closeness and distance, just enough to stir the heart.
"To be honest, I'm not that interested in joining a club. But since Yukinoshita-senpai is so sincere in inviting me, turning you down would just feel cold. Besides... I've actually practiced Karate before."
Toru hadn't expected to get this kind of pleasant surprise at Tokyo University. Running into Haruno so quickly, joining the club was starting to feel like the obvious choice.
"Oh? What rank are you, Fujiwara-kun?"
Haruno didn't seem all that surprised he had experience.
In the past twenty years, Karate had become wildly popular in Japan. Like an idol group boom, it had captured the attention of the whole country.
Especially last year, when a Karate prodigy made headlines and kicked off a nationwide craze.
What rank? Probably about the same as Makoto Kyogoku right now. But once I train a bit more and max out my physical stats, even someone like him would get wrecked.
Toru chuckled to himself.
Aloud, he simply said, "I'm not sure about ranks. I just practiced randomly by myself. I never went for any belt tests."
It wasn't a lie. He really had trained blindly, just with the help of his cheat.
"If you already have a foundation, that makes things even easier. We could spar a little too."
Haruno's words were casual, but her tone implied she was more than happy to take the lead in coaching him.
She continued with a smile, "...So, Fujiwara-kun, have you made up your mind? No second thoughts?"
"No need to think. Just having a senpai like you is already reason enough. Where's the application form? I'll fill it out right now."
From the moment he saw Haruno, Toru knew, he was definitely joining this Karate Club.
(To be continued.)
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