[Thursday 12 April 2018]

[06:42 - Nekomiya Residence - Bathroom]

Rimu glanced at the number displayed in the bathroom on the weight scale. Her face was solemn.

'This can't go on, if I leave this as is, the same future will happen. I must maintain my body shape.'

But how? Last night she did push-ups and sit-ups but she felt this method was futile and brought little to no results. Moreover, she was looked strangely by Riku.

"Looks like I have to join a sports club." Rimu clenched her hands.

♠♠♠

 

[After School - Kusanagi Elementary School - Club Building]

After all the classes were over, Rimu walked quickly to a certain building in the school. This building was specially made for club rooms so they wouldn't interfere with regular classes at the school.

She stopped in front of the Karate Club room.

"Yes, this is it. The method to maintain my body is behind this door!" Rimu stared at the sign mounted on the wall next to the door.

From various sports clubs at school, Rimu chose this club. She had to consider various things before deciding which club she would join.

• Track Club -> Rimu would have to run outside while exposed to the ultraviolet light; she still wants to be Japanese, not Afrikaners. So NO!
• Swimming Club -> Rimu is bad with water; high risk of drowning. So NO!
• Basketball Club -> Rimu’s loli height is a disadvantage; high chance she will be selected to be a manager instead. So NO!
• Volley Club -> Same as Basketball Club.
• Soccer Club -> No female team. Even if there is, the soccer field is outdoors. Shining with the doom of ultraviolet light.

And so, she trimmed her choices and was left with only two, either the Kendo Club or the Karate Club.

Then, she had another thought of efficiency and practical usefulness.

Although Rimu was quite interested in the sword and was thinking if she could become a master swordsman like Kirito or Konno Yuuki¹Character from Sword Art Online. Kendo relies on wooden swords. Without it, Kendo practitioners might as well be the same as ordinary people!

Has anyone seen a person carrying a wooden sword in a supermarket? Or maybe in a bank? They could end up visiting the police station at any moment.

However, this wouldn't happen if she chose Karate. Her limbs would become her weapons.

With Karate, she could maintain her body shape while gaining reliable a self-defense method. Killing two birds with one stone!

But she had another reason why she chose Karate.

"Excuse me." Rimu opened the door and she entered the club room while looking around.

In the room, there were some boys and girls from grades 2 to 6 wearing Karate uniforms. They were coming out of the locker room and were about to go to the Sports Building.

Instantly their attention was focused on Rimu. Her cute little figure that could be misinterpreted as a grade 4 student or below gave a striking contrast to the atmosphere in the room.

'What the hell is a little girl doing in a bloody and sweaty Karate Club room?'

'Did this lamb get lost here and mistakenly enter this den of wolves?'

A female club member approached Rimu. Her stature was tall like a junior high schooler, her hair was tied into a ponytail and her figure was good. Though not to a level of a model, her future growth was promising. She was wearing a brown belt.

She spoke in a gentle voice,

"Little miss, are you lost? This is the room for the Karate Club."

Rimu returned her gaze and since she was shorter, she had to look up.

"Fumino, I want to apply to the Karate Club."

The other club members were shocked. This was the first time they had met such an insolent and cheeky girl.

'This girl’s got guts! Calling a senior with only her first name. She needs some spanking on the butt!'

The girl, a 5th grader, Ritsuki Fumino was slightly surprised. She didn't think that this little girl knew her name but didn't think much of it. It's not like her name was a secret. Anyone could find out the names of the club members from the roster in the faculty office. The only doubt she had was why this girl was able to pinpoint her with so many girls in the Karate Club.

"Oh, are you a junior who wants to join a club? Unfortunately, club recruitment is not open yet. You should wait until late April when we do a club exhibition. At that time, we will welcome you." Says Fumino.

This was not the scenario in her mind. She thought club activities were ones that could be joined at will.

"Well, it's the school rules, you know? Every club may accept recruitment during Club Exhibition. Other than that, you would need the club advisor's signature." Fumino answered.

"I see... Then, could you make an exception for me, Fumino? I can't wait for that long. I want to meet your club advisor." Rimu insisted.

Waiting for Club Exhibition? That was 2 weeks from now.

At that time, she might as well join the Sumo Club instead.

She needs her workout as soon as possible!

Fumino smiled helplessly as she explained. "Miss, the world doesn't work like that. If each club wanted to recruit students at any time in the school year, it would severely affect the students’ academic studies. The school wouldn't want that."

"Also, calling a stranger, especially a senior with their first name is rude, you know?"

Fumino preached patiently to Rimu as if she was advising her junior.

But of course, she wouldn't have the slightest imagination that Rimu knew her name because she became famous after winning a Junior Karate Competition a few months later in her past life.

However, in 6th grade, an accident happened and she was injured in the knee, making her unable to enter the competition for two years. In second grade junior high her name resurfaced again as runner up. Since then she only took the runner-up position, without ever occupying the top position.

Fumino's rival, deeply regretted her injury, as he said in an interview. "If it wasn't for the accident, the person who holds this gold medal might be her."

"Well, well, isn't it fine. The More members the merrier." A male member approached the two and interrupted.

He was a 6th grader senior and was also wearing a brown belt. He had a huge stature and his muscles clearly showed. Rimu recognized him as Sakaki Ryouji, Fumino's rival in the Junior Karate Competition.

"But senpai, is this appropriate?" Fumino asked him doubtfully.

"Hahaha, it's alright. We as seniors are obliged to give an opportunity to our juniors, don't you think so? However, all I will do is just let our teachers decide. Whether she joins or not is not my business." Ryouji laughed.

Rimu's impression towards Ryouji increased, 'He seems like a pretty reliable senior.'

"Well, you have a point there, senpai." Fumino said understandingly.

"No need for senpai, Fumino-kun. In karate, you and me have the same 2nd kyu grade so in that sense we are classmates. Wait a minute junior. I'll take you to the teacher." Ryouji waved his hand and signaled for Rimu to follow him.

"Thank you very much."

Rimu bowed her head, thanking Ryouji.

'So, in karate they have separate senpai-kouhai relationships? I'll make a note of this.'

The three of them, along with the rest of club members left the room and walked to the Sports Building.

This building was the place where most sports club in Kusanagi Elementary School practiced, except for a few ones.

The building itself was quite spacious with a basketball court on the first floor. In the centerline, there were two poles so it could also be used as a volleyball court. The two clubs were taking turns to practice on this floor.

The basement of this building was used as a pool for Swimming Club. The entire floor was used for them. Truly outrageous.

The second floor, was divided into lots of rooms. Karate Club, Kendo Club, Gymnastic Club, and many others used this floor as their practice area.

And lastly, the third floor was reserved area, unless there was important reason, the access to this floor was restricted.

In a room belonging to the Karate Club there was a man in his 30's and a woman in her 20’s. Both wore Karate uniforms and they had a black belt around their waist. The two of them were the instructors for the Karate Club. The top of the command chain.

At school, every club member respected them greatly as if they were their parents. Of course, except for one person.

Rimu who was being escorted by Ryouji and Fumino waved her hand and shouted to one of the instructors.

"Kyoko!"

Ryouji and Fumino : "Eh?"

Seeing the girl call out to one of the instructors, the other children became shocked.

Everyone: 'What the heck is this girl's identity?!'

Kyoko? : "...That brat!!"