The space finally resembled a clubroom after all the cleaning and rearranging.

With the lights now on, the room sparkled with polished tables and clean black wood floors. Five long white desks replaced boxes in the middle of the room. Each desk at the front had colored lounge chairs with long backs, visored headrests, and button controls on each shoulder. The far edge kitchenette had clean windows and sinks, while the rest area’s glass table and couch were nice and neat.

Soreness spread through my entire body, most noticeably my back and ankles, like an incessant-persistent itch. I collapsed onto the couch in the room corner with a heavy sigh.

I looked down at Tiger, still sleeping in his same spot. Despite the tumult I caused in this closed space, he rarely even blinked. Did he only come here to sleep the whole evening? What a slacker.

I watched as the redness faded from my hands. As I cleaned, I couldn’t help but wonder why I was working so hard. Was it because I promised Toshi I’d look after the club? Or maybe since Chihiro saw me, I had an obligation to finish what I said I’d do? I’ve never been one to prioritize altruism or concern myself with avoiding disappointment. So what was it?

Tiger rose from the floor, looking outside the window to the pearly white stars twinkling in the backlit night sky. He then yawned as he held up his wrist, activating his Proatrix to check the time.

“It’s that late already...? Guess I’ll go home and finish this up in the morning.”

“Don’t bother. It’s already done.” I said.

Tiger sat up and scratched his head. “What do you mean by it’s already-“

He then stood up from the floor, eyes widened in awe.

“You... you did all of this? But how?”

“What a stupidly obvious question. I cleaned it myself.”

I picked up a transparent clipboard with a room plan scribbled with green ink from the table.

“You like to plan things out, huh? I found this on the cart and moved everything where you wanted. I cleaned everything, though, something you’d forgotten to list on your to-do sheet.”

Tiger scratched the back of his head. “I honestly... didn’t expect this from you.”

“And what did you expect, anyway? You put me in a difficult position once I had to vouch for your second-rate speech. What made you believe pushing for a club like this was a good idea?”

Tiger walked over and sat in front of me. He leaned over, touching his fingertips together with his head bent down.

“I... I really don’t know... I just wanted people to hang out with.”

I raised an eyebrow.

That’s a weird excuse to have had for making the council loathe you and your club. Does he believe he can recruit two more students? I still can’t believe this guy beat me on the entrance exams... there’s just no way.

“Hm, that reminds me, Quinn-san...”

“You’re from an eastern district, aren’t you? No need for titles. Tiger is fine.”

“Whatever. I have a question.”

“Shoot. I owe you for cleaning anyway.”

“Why didn’t you accept the Vice President position for the council? You got the highest percentile in our class. You could’ve had the power to force this club through without backlash.” I asked.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. That was the only reason I wanted the position.” Tiger said, then leaned back in his chair, his smile dampening. “But then my father made me think of it differently. Even if I got the position, people would join to be my underling or whatever. They would’ve never wanted to truly be my friend.”

My eyes widened as I stood from my chair.

What was with this guy? First, he came into the council meeting and expected to get away with that abysmal club, and then he talked about wanting friends when he was the highest-ranking student at Seya. Who cared about friends when you could gain power with all your current assets?

“I don’t... I don’t get you...” I said.

“... What?”

“I said I don’t get you! You talk about wanting things you don’t need and acquiring things you’ve already earned! It’s all so... so pathetic! How can you expect people to treat you seriously when you act like this? You remind me of my broth-“

I caught my breath, then looked to the side. “I’m sorry... I... lost my composure for a moment.”

“No, maybe you’re right. Perhaps I should follow your example and seize opportunities, but... I just don’t care about it.” Tiger said.

“I’ve heard enough. I can’t believe this is the type of person I vouched for. Trust me, I will disband your club after tonight. I can’t possibly associate myself with someone who holds such a weak philosophy.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I walked to the door and placed my hand on the scanner.

“What the...”

I tapped and pressed the door, but nothing happened. I glanced at my Proatrix to check the time. The school had already closed.

“No, no way... We’re locked in...” I said.

“Seriously?” Tiger said with a chuckle, then jumped onto the couch, stretching his arms and legs. “That sucks. Try using the emergency portal to see if any guards or worker droids are still inside the school.”

I shook my head. “There... there aren’t any. I can only request help, but there's no telling when they'll reply.”

I then whipped my finger and pointed at Tiger. “And why are you so relaxed? You’re stuck in here with me, you idiot!”

“There’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s better to chill and not stress.” Tiger said, closing his eyes.

I sighed walked over to one of the desk gaming chairs, and sat down.

Unfortunately, he’s right. The best option is to wait, even in the same room. I refuse to call any council or school board members to report my negligent confinement. How embarrassing would that be?

Oh right, Toshiaki… I still don’t know what I’m going to tell him tomorrow about the club termination. Perhaps I can simply label Tiger as rude, and his presidency would be a mistake. Yes, that’s what I’ll say.

“With the club disbanding tomorrow, I have only one night to set up and play these,” Tiger said.

He then set a large box on the desk and unwrapped it, pulling out a semi-transparent metal cube full of wiring, metal plates, and rigged innards. It came to life after he attached a few holographic monitors to the cube. Its inner workings created a light show of blues and reds.

I’ve never seen one of those devices before. Is that the thing he was so enthusiastic about playing?

Tiger began dragging holo-cables from the cubed device to the gaming chair. Our eyes met, and I looked away.

“Curious? It’s okay to be,” He said.

“No, I’m not curious. Why would I be?” I said with a scoff. “Like I said before, in the council room, games are a waste of time and aren’t useful to anyone.”

“Well, that’s a subjective view of games. Don’t you think? I like games. They’re a great use to me, and that’s coming from the highest-ranked student in your grade.”

“You, a slacker, in the high percentile? No way. It’s inconceivable. You must’ve gotten in on recommendation.”

“Naw. I’m no one important like that. And I doubt I have anyone high-up looking out for me.”

Tiger then hooked up the last holo-cable and lunged into the game-chair. “Alright! Let’s see what this baby can do!”

The opaque-black visor atop the chair began pulling down, shielding Tiger’s face until only his lower chin was visible. The seat leaned back, and several holographic interfaces encircled his arms, legs, and face.

“Welcome, Tiger Quinn, to the Nexern Virtual Real Network.” His seat console hummed. “Setting up sensory integration and network infrastructure, standby.”

“Wait, what’s that voice? What’re you doing?” I asked.

“I’m going onto the Nexern Network. You’ve never seen a Nexern ghost rig before?”

“No? And why would I?”

“Oh, yeah. Forgot you hate video games. Well, Nexern technology originated from Brainware. It creates a neural link between you and the virtual network for a super cool experience.”

“Wow, that sounds soo fascinating,” I said with low enthusiasm.

A few beeps and clinks came from Tiger’s chair. I turned to the side, and my chair swerved on its axis along with me.

“Wha- What the hell was that? Why did my chair just move? I didn’t touch anything!” I said and jumped from the chair.

Tiger burst into laughter. “Haha! It's just the Nexern tech in action. Simply sitting activates a link. I should’ve warned you.”

“This district is so weird! The train is the only techy thing I like here...”

“... Systems Integration Complete. Haptic Nerve and Game Engine Core tune-up checks successful.”

Tiger swiped a set of holo-screens to the side, then waved. “Well, I’m going to head off.”

“What? What do you mean? We can’t leave.”

Tiger sighed. “It’s such a bother to explain it all. Couldn’t you just come with me and stop being such a hard-ass?”

“I- Y-you...” I bit my lip, avoiding his gaze as heat crept up my cheeks. “Did you just call me a ‘hard-ass’? What is the matter with you?”

“You aren’t like the other council members, so just stop the act,” Tiger said.

“Act? I’m confused about what you’re saying.”

Tiger lifted the visor from above his head. “The rest of the council are acolytes of elitism. Onlookers who act as secondary bystanders to the individuals with enough arrogance to call themselves leaders, like that damn president.”

I mean, he isn’t wrong. But, Toshiaki? Did something happen between those two?

“And what makes you so certain I’m not one of these acolytes? I was the one who denounced your club right in front of them. Doesn’t that make me one of your self-proclaimed ‘arrogant leaders’?”

“Because,” Tiger said, then stood up from his seat. “Unlike the others, I saw that twinkle of intrigue in your eye. Despite not understanding my interests, you had enough grit to challenge me. And it wasn’t because you were trying to impress the others. You wanted to learn more.”

My eyes widened as I took a step back. “N-no… You’re wrong! I don’t care about you or what you do!”

“Why did you choose to stick up for me during the council meeting instead of letting the votes be cast? Better yet, use your power to revile me in front of everyone.”

“I… I took pity on you! And I don’t need the consensus of the council for my actions. I do what I want!”

“You’re lying.”

“What? No, I’m not! And you don’t know me either, so stop acting like you do!”

“I know I see someone who isn’t being truthful with themselves! It’s obvious from the way you act to the way you speak! The only person you’re fooling is yourself!”

Who does he think he is? Someone needs to put this peon in his fucking place.

My hand swiped through the air as I aimed for his face. Before it could reach, he latched onto my wrist. I raised my other arm, but he clasped onto it as well.

“Let… let go of me! You know nothing about me, so stop acting like you do!”

Backing away, I tripped over the game chair's side, along with him. I felt his grip tighten around my wrists, almost causing them to go numb. He was close. I saw his temple throbbing, heavy breaths, and felt his rushed heartbeat around my hands. His anger was overwhelming.

I turned, biting my lip, feeling tears welling up.

Tiger looked down at my wrists, now red with hand marks, and backed away.

“I’m… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-”

I turned my back away from him, resting my knees up to my chest with a short whimper.

“Y-you don’t know me…” I said while wiping the tears flowing from my eyes. “You don’t…”

He sat in his chair with his head bent. After a few minutes passed, he leaned back and sighed.

He got up from his chair and set up a Nexern game rig and holo-screens on my desk. After connecting the last few holo-cables, he sat back in his chair.

“Remember when I said I had a secret to how I topped you this year?”

“Do you think I care about that right now?” I asked, then glared in his direction. “I don’t want to be here, especially with someone like you.”

“Yeah, I can understand that,” Tiger said. “I won’t force you to join me. But I’ll be waiting in the network if you want to learn my secret on the Nexern rig. I don't expect you to join, but it's all I can think of doing at the moment.”

His rig then powered on, with holo interfaces shooting across his visored screen as his legs and arms went limp.

“Right now his only thoughts are about games,” I said, glancing at the rig he placed in front of me. “What an idiot.”