Olivia and Reiji found themselves searching around for a particular clubroom that was advertised, spotting two girls knocking on the door, before giggling.

"A club about anime? Probably about a bunch of dumb losers with body pillows," one snickered.

"Maybe they'll ask us to be their waifus," fake barfing before walking away.

Disdain grew across Olivia's face. "That's so rude of them!"

Reiji shrugged. "Some people are just that closed minded. We just have to open up."

Olivia jumped in front of the door. "Wait, the club leader's gonna think someone pranked him."

The door opened up, revealing the club leader.

"Um, good afternoon," the nervously older teenage boy introduced. "The name is well, Shane. You're here for the Anime Club?"

Olivia eagerly nodded without saying a word.

"Perfect, come on in. You too," addressing Reiji. "Thanks for showing up!"

The two walked into the colorful room. The chairs had bean bags on platforms and chairs they were eager to sit on. Olivia's head marveled around her.

"Games, plushies, tv, rare books and mangas? We can even draw our own manga panels?"

Shane scratched his head. "Well I did find some videos on it in the past, so I thought we could do something fun. My president and I researched what some college classes in Japanese and Asian Studies do, and it's so cool seeing that this was an activity assignment in class!"

"President? That's not you," Reiji asked.

 
"Well I'm the vice president and technically treasurer. We'd definitely have them both, but one's dealing with some personal matters and my president just needs a minute to freshen up. Here," going in the back and offering them bowls of ramen. "Eat up."

Olivia's fingers stumbled to hold the chopsticks, when Reiji slid his hand over to her.

"Imagine if it was a fork split it two, but you hold the food up like a spoon. Try it," grinning.

"Right," wishing he didn't let go as she tried reaching it to her mouth. As she was about to drop it in her mouth, the door behind them kicked open, startling her as the hot broth fell over her shirt. "It burns, it burns!"

"Oh, I am so sorry," Cherry yelled.

Reiji took off his shirt, using it to collect the burning ramen on top of her chest. "Slip it on my shirt."

Shane jumped into action. "Out of the way himbo," rocketing to the fridge in the back and tossing well-refrigerator water onto the stain. She cooled off pretty quickly, not pleased at all towards how her shirt looked. Or his.

"We're so sorry. Oh wait, Jade made these clothes for us," tossing Shane two shirts that said Anime Club. "Nice catch!"

"Sure. At least this way no one could see the stains."

"So you can enjoy the rest of the clubs without some judgey pricks," handing her another club as Chery sat down next to her.

"It's okay, thank you so much," sipping the ramen while romantically gazing at them. A reliable guy with such an intelligent girl, I want that. "Are you two, well-" stopping herself from blurting it out, "close?"

Shane's eyes jilted back and forth. "Well I mean she's amazing and sweet and a great president and without her, school would completely suck," slapping himself from continuing further. "She's awesome."

"Stop, you're so sweet."

As Shane took a second to not melt in happiness from her words, Reiji took Olivia's shirt, offering to sit under it until his body heat could warm it up, so it'd be easier to dry in case.

Shane blinked. A reliable guy with such an intelligent girl, ahh I wish that was Cherry and I. Wait, let's focus and change the subject. "Anyway we had a list of ideas and activities we could do. We'd probably need more people to convince the school to do something like trips, but for a small club, we'd like to make sure we take all our members' thoughts and feelings into consideration."

Olivia played with her hair, meekly raising her hand.

"Two things. Um, I have a friend who likes haikus and such. Can we. well, um, invite her to come?"

Cherry filled her nod with glee. "Sure, the more people the merrier."

"And the second," Shane asked.

"Um, I kinda wanted to start a Book and Literature Club," slowly pushing herself to speak with more vigor, "but I kinda don't know what to do there."

Everyone was silent as Shane whispered something to Cherry, before springing herself back up.

"Why don't we combine the two then?"

The others looked up at him with intrigue.

"Hmm, yeah, that could work. See, books, Graphic Novels, Manga, heck, technically movies and animation are usually derived from writing, typing, and creating into stories that can also become Anime as well. So you know what, we can name the club both."

Reiji and Olivia turned to each other. "Yeah, that works!"

"Perfect. Now we just need a name that reflects both," Cherry thought.

"The Literature Anime Club?"

"That kinda sounds like lack," Shane groaned.

"Stories and Anime Club," Reiji proposed.

"No, that sounds like sack," earning giggles from Olivia, who stopped once she saw his unassumed face. "No it's not you, my classmates would just think something gross."

"I was thinking like sack in the face."

"Well Zabel would love to back that up," annoyed until having an epiphany. "Wait, how about Books & Anime Club? A haven where anyone has your BAC-k."

The others paused to process that pun as a familiar face to Olivia and Reiji walked in.

"Sounds kinda corny, but I like it. Names' Jalecki, mind if we," pulling in and introducing a reluctant Lilly, "join in as well? We could use some new friends."

Lilly shyly gazed away, but Reiji pulled up Olivia's hand so the two could wave at her, prompting her to slightly wave back at time.

Cherry and Shane welcomed them to sit with open arms, praying they'd keep this audience for longer when Basile crashed in, unnerving the upperclassmen and making the freshman step back..

"Oh sorry."

It took the latter a second to recover, trying not to judge. "No, that's me," picking up two bowls of ramen for him and the girl he also brought with him. "And you're-"

Gira and Basile. Olivia let us know. Can we join this club?

His vibes towards the two shot up. "Did you just text a haiku? I like this girl. Cherry, let's adopt her."

"In the club or like a family?"

"Yes!"

While Gira questioned that and Basile couldn't help but laugh, Cherry caught the four people up to speed, including the sign up sheet.

Olivia just grew amazed, surrounded by people who she could see becoming potential friends as Reiji whispered to her.

"It's nice to feel accepted like this right? I thought we were gonna start small, but that gives us more friends to work with," grinning.

She shared the glance back. "Right."

All the while, a mysterious boy found himself staring at the group. Shane veered his head into the crowd, but the person quickly disappeared.