The anime playing on the clubroom TV was nearing its end, the over-the-top action sequence dissolving into exaggerated slapstick as the overpowered swordsman accidentally blew a hole through a bathhouse wall. Akari burst out laughing, her voice echoing off the cramped walls.
"Peak fiction," she declared, grinning.
Ren shook his head. "This is why no one respects us."
Oliver leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly as the ending theme began to play—a soft J-pop tune that felt at odds with the absurd chaos that had just ended. Hiroshi gave a tiny clap of appreciation, while Yuki, ever diligent, jotted notes into her spiral-bound notebook.
"God, that show's dumb," Akari said, still smiling. "I love it."
"Next episode?" Ren asked, already holding the remote.
"Nah," Oliver said, checking the time. "I've got somewhere to be."
He stood with a stretch, grabbed his bag, and made for the door.
"Alright, I'm heading out first."
He was almost gone when a quiet voice called out behind him.
"Um… Senpai."
Yuki stood up, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her uniform. She hesitated, then looked up at him with a faint, nervous smile.
"You're heading toward Hoshizakura, right? Can we… walk together?"
Oliver glanced at her, then at the others, who were all exchanging knowing looks. Akari's smirk was especially obnoxious.
"Yeah, sure," he said, ignoring the teasing looks from his club members. "But I gotta make a quick stop first. If you don't mind waiting, we can go together."
Yuki nodded, her expression unreadable, and followed him out of the clubroom.
The hallways were quieter now, most students already having left for the day. The occasional straggler lingered near lockers or in front of classrooms, but the usual bustle had quieted down. The soft hum of teachers wrapping up their meetings and the faint squeak of doors closing echoed through the stillness.
Yuki walked beside him, her steps light and measured. She kept a respectful distance, never too close, yet never so far that it felt like she was avoiding him.
Oliver couldn't help but notice the way she moved—graceful, deliberate, and oddly serene. It was a stark contrast to Akari's bold, unapologetic presence, but just as captivating in its own way.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. Yuki wasn't much of a talker, and Oliver was content with that. His mind was already elsewhere, running through the details of his upcoming deal with Kazu.
He still couldn't shake the sense of curiosity—and maybe a bit of excitement—about what that deal might lead to.
Every now and then, Yuki would seem like she wanted to say something but would close her mouth again before the words could form. Oliver caught a few of those moments, noticing the slight furrow in her brow each time. It was clear she had something on her mind, but wasn't ready to share.
They reached the study club room, and Oliver knocked lightly on the door. A voice from inside called out, "Come in!"
Oliver opened the door and stepped inside, followed closely by Yuki. The room was filled with seven students, four males and three females, all gathered around a large table. They looked up at him as he entered, the air in the room shifting slightly at his presence.
"Sorry to interrupt," Oliver said with a casual smile. "I was just here to see if Kazu's still around."
"No problem at all, senpai," a second-year girl chimed in, flashing him a bright smile as she stood from the table. "We were wrapping up anyway."
Oliver nodded in acknowledgment and scanned the room. His eyes landed on Kazu, who was already packing up his bag, clearly prepared to leave. As soon as he noticed Oliver, he dropped the bag on the floor, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Oh, Oliver, I almost forgot we were supposed to meet after this club meeting," Kazu said, standing up and stretching. "Anyway, who's this? Don't tell me you've gone and got yourself a girlfriend without me knowing?"
Oliver waved off Kazu's teasing. "Nah, she's just a friend," he replied, glancing at Yuki, who was standing quietly by his side, looking around the room with mild curiosity.
Kazu raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter. Instead, he looked at Oliver with that signature shiftyness of his, clearly amused. "If you say so, but I'm not buying it. But speaking of buying," Kazu continued, slinging his bag over his shoulder, "let's head out of here and talk. I've got something to show you."
Oliver glanced at Yuki. "You mind if she comes along? I'm walking her home after this."
Yuki nodded slightly, a soft, almost unnoticeable smile playing on her lips. "It's fine with me," she said quietly.
Kazu gave a half-hearted shrug. "Sure, why not? More the merrier."
The three of them stepped out of the study club room and made their way down the hall. Oliver couldn't help but notice how Yuki walked with a certain grace, her movements fluid and light, in stark contrast to Kazu's usual laid-back swagger. Kazu was already talking about something, but Oliver's focus was split between their conversation and the feeling of anticipation growing in his chest.
The trio exited the school building, and Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that this was a pivotal moment—this was the first time he was actually buying weed from Kazu, and it felt a lot more real than just trying it out in a moment of reckless curiosity.
"So," Oliver began, trying to break the silence. "How much are we talking for the stuff?"
Kazu smirked, keeping his pace steady as they walked toward the quieter part of the school grounds. "You're about to get a very good deal, my friend. I'm not gonna sell it to you just yet, though. Thought I'd give you a little sample to get you started."
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "A sample?"
Kazu nodded, reaching into the pocket of his jacket and pulling out a small, bagged bundle. He handed it over casually. "Yeah, this is just a taste. Something to see how it hits you before we talk prices. You know, make sure it's what you want."
Oliver hesitated for a moment before accepting the bag. He didn't recognize the packaging, but the smell was enough to tell him it was potent. His heart raced just a little as he thought back to the first time Kazu had introduced him to weed—the heady rush, the way the world had seemed to slow down as Qi slowly built up within him, how everything had felt more alive in that moment.
"Thanks," Oliver said, slipping the bag into his pocket. "But, what's the full price? How much are we talking about for more?"
Kazu's smirk widened as he gave Oliver a knowing glance. "You're looking at about ten grand for a decent amount."
Oliver blinked. "That's ten thousand. Yen, not dollars, right?"
Kazu grinned. "Yeah, yeah. Yen. I just like saying 'grand' to see people's reactions."
Oliver's mind whirred for a moment, running the numbers. Ten thousand yen wasn't exactly pocket change, but for something that could possibly take him to another level... it seemed worth it. Plus, with his first sample in hand, he was more than a little curious about how this new batch would hit him.
"That's a lot," Oliver said slowly, his tone thoughtful, "but if it's really as good as you say, I'm in."
Kazu laughed lightly, clapping Oliver on the back. "Good man. We'll talk more once you've had a taste of that sample. And trust me, once you're on this stuff, you won't want to go back to the regular stuff."
Oliver nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through him. He wasn't sure where this path would lead, but there was a part of him that didn't mind not knowing. The thrill of the unknown was all part of the deal.
They continued walking, talking casually about the stuff Kazu had been dealing with lately, but Oliver's thoughts kept drifting back to the small bundle in his pocket.
Tonight was going to be interesting.