SRC 7

Why does time pass so quickly?

Before I knew it, a whole week had already gone by since I started attending the academy. Every day was still unfamiliar and filled with fascinating new things.

“Q-quiet.”

All the kids in our class were well-behaved, and no one bullied anyone, yet Miss Karen’s timid presence never improved. It seemed to be her natural disposition.

Instead of shouting, Miss Karen wrote on the blackboard for us to read.

After-School Activity Selection

1. Homegoing Club – Must submit a certificate containing permission from a family elder stating that you must return home immediately after school.

2. Advanced Study Club – A department where you can take additional classes in a subject of your choice. You must submit an application to the subject teacher and receive approval.

3. Club Activities – Join a club of your choice and participate in activities. Students from 1st to 3rd year can join together. Submit a club application form and receive approval from the club executives.

4. Student Council – Applications accepted during the recruitment period after April. Aside from executives, other members are selected by the current council officers. New executives are chosen by student vote.

“Y-you can join more than one except for the Homegoing Club, so choose carefully…”

For some reason, just seeing Miss Karen’s handwriting made me excited.

Finally, this season had come.

The true highlight of Saint Louis Academy wasn’t just its high-level classes—it was these after-school activities. Except for the Homegoing Club, students from all grades could meet new people and build connections. It was an important place for forming relationships.

“Th-then, please submit your desired after-school activity by next week.”

After barely finishing her sentence, Miss Karen stepped down from the podium. On the desk were four types of parchment forms.

Without hesitation, I confidently picked up one and began filling it out.

I had been waiting for this moment.

Opening the freshman academy guidebook—map edition—I navigated through the maze-like academy corridors.

“Is this it?”

I stopped in front of a wooden door with a crude sign hanging above it. The letters were so heavily decorated they were almost unreadable.

It read:

<The Wildflower Lovers’ Society>

Of course, I do like flowers—but not to the extent of studying them deeply from a biological perspective. When I see a wildflower on the roadside, I just think, Ah, how pretty. I don’t even know their individual names.

Despite that, there was only one reason I wanted to join this club.

Knock, knock.

“Excuse me.”

I knocked nervously, but there was no response.

Knock, knock, knock.

Thinking maybe they hadn’t heard me, I knocked again.

Still no response.

Knock knock knock…

Bang! Bang!

My knocking gradually became more aggressive.

I had come here so nervous and full of anticipation—how could it be empty?!

Just as I was about to kick the door in frustration—

“Kongkong, what are you doing here?”

Thankfully, someone appeared to stop me before I resorted to violence.

It was someone I had expected, so I wasn’t too surprised.

“Senior Liam? What brings you here?”

“I’m the president of this club. What are you doing here?”

In truth, I already knew Liam belonged to this club. But from his perspective, my sudden appearance must have been surprising.

Instead of giving a long explanation, I handed him the parchment I had been gripping tightly.

“A membership application?”

“Yes. Please accept me.”

I bowed deeply.

“Do you even know what this club does?”

“Isn’t it about caring for and loving wildflowers?”

“You don’t look like someone who loves wildflowers.”

“And you don’t exactly look like someone who cares about wildflowers either, Senior.”

A subtle standoff followed.

Liam alternated between looking at me and the application form before letting out a deep sigh.

“Are you joining because your sister is in this club?”

“I see there are good people like you here too, Senior Liam.”

“I thought it was one-sided affection, but it seems the other side is just as serious.”

“Is family love such a bad thing?”

“…Well, not really.”

I could feel Liam’s attitude softening.

Of course, my sister was only an excuse. My real reason was different.

I just hoped the excuse would work.

“It’s not something I can decide alone. I’ll talk to the others. For now, come in.”

With a single gesture from Liam, the firmly shut door unlocked. It seemed only registered members could open it with magic.

The inside of the club room wasn’t anything special.

A few sofas, a large table, and a single bed.

Perhaps to maintain their identity as the Wildflower Club, the walls were covered with framed flowers whose names I didn’t know.

It wasn’t as spacious or glamorous as I expected. Considering how flashy the club members were, I had assumed the club room would be the same. It wasn’t at all.

“Sit anywhere and wait.”

Liam placed my application on the table and rummaged through a pile of clutter until he unearthed a kettle to make tea. At least he seemed determined to treat me as a guest.

“I don’t know what your sister told you, but this club isn’t very fun.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you trying to join? Is it really just because your sister’s here?”

Instead of answering, I stared straight at Liam.

Because you’re here.

This was Emma’s club—but it was also Liam’s.

I already knew that from the original comic.

What kind of excuse would convince him?

Before I could come up with a detailed explanation, the club room door burst open.

“Olivia?”

“Unni.”

My long-awaited ally had arrived.

I immediately ran into my sister’s arms. Naturally, she hugged me and asked,

“What brings you here?”

“I want to join the same club as you.”

“Here?”

Even my sister, who adored me, seemed surprised by my choice.

“There are lots of other clubs.”

She didn’t seem particularly welcoming.

Even so, I had to join this club no matter what.

“Huh? Who’s this?”

Someone entered behind my sister.

Another familiar face—Noah.

“Noah! You’re in this club too?”

I covered my mouth and began my exaggerated act again.

“Yeah, I’m in this club. Why are you here?”

“I followed my sister.”

“Why?”

“Because I like my sister.”

At my bold sister-complex declaration, Liam reacted with visible discomfort. It seemed he would never get used to it.

Meanwhile, Noah nodded as if he had finally understood something.

“Younger sisters are supposed to follow their older sisters around.”

That wasn’t exactly a universal definition, but there was no need to correct him.

“Well then, since all the club executives are here, should we vote?”

“You and Noah are executives too?”

“Liam’s the president, I’m the vice president, and Noah is the Head of Wildflowers.”

That title sounded questionable, but I pretended not to notice.

After whispering among themselves so I couldn’t hear, the three began voting.

“I’m in favor!”

Noah raised his hand first.

As expected of my friend.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea either.”

Surprisingly, Liam also voted in favor.

“I’m… actually a bit worried.”

Unexpectedly, it was Emma who hesitated.

When I looked at her with a betrayed expression, she avoided my eyes, clearly feeling guilty.

“Wildflower… gathering sometimes means going deep into the mountains. It might be hard for our precious Olivia. What if you get lost in the forest or get hurt?”

Ah. Overprotectiveness.

That, I could understand.

“You’re old enough. Do you really think you can’t handle that? You need to loosen your grip on your sister a little.”

For once, Liam said something right.

“I agree. We can’t keep the club limited to just us forever. Someday we’ll have to welcome new members.”

“…Alright.”

Finally persuaded, Emma reached out her hand toward me.

“Then, welcome to the Wildflower Lovers’ Society.”

“Yay!”

I couldn’t hide my excitement and pumped my fist into the air.

At last, I had achieved my goal.

Whether this club picked grass, gathered flowers in the mountains, or did anything else didn’t matter to me.

What mattered was that every single candidate for my future brother-in-law—centered around Emma—belonged to this club.

Maybe the author had shoved all the characters in here just to create a reason for them to gather. Either way.

If I wanted to keep an eye on all the brother-in-law candidates, this was the perfect place to be.

“We only hesitated and accepted you because it’s you. Be grateful.”

“If I weren’t your sister, I wouldn’t have been able to join, right?”

“That’s part of it.”

“There’s another reason?”

This time Noah cut in before Liam could answer.

“No matter how you look at it, you’re not here because of me or Liam like the other girls are!”