-1- Back to the Game

[ VR Sports Club ] 

That is what was written on the door before me. It was a huge facility before me.

I’m Uozumi Ryouma and today I’ll apply for this club.

It has been one month since I started attending highschool. I’ve studied all year last year just to be able to pass the entrance exam of this super elite high school.

Shinsoku Kan High School.

One of the top education institutes of Japan. With the graduates guaranteed to attend top college universities inside and outside of Japan.

It's not like I want to attend this prestigious high school. Don’t get me wrong but I’m a chill student.

My motto in life is “Flow with ease, live with joy.”

Education and studying are all important but I’ll burn out at this rate.

That strict mother of mine!

I entered the building as the automatic door opened for me. It led me to a wide lobby area.

Looking around, the walls are lined with interactive LED screens showing game highlights, player achievements, and upcoming tournaments.

There is a grand shelf showcasing different trophies. It seems that this school lives up to its name by the amount of gold trophies they have.

“Good afternoon…” I greeted one of the female students by the reception desk.

They have the same green necktie as mine indicating that they are also first-years like me. They seemed so busy with the amount of papers and the pace their fingers were typing with the keyboards.

“Umm… Mishiro-san, have you finalized the team list for the event?” one of them asked

“I’m nearly finished… please wait.” the other who seemed stressed already also answered.

They all looked so busy… should I get back later?

Or maybe I’ll just wait by the sofas? Surely someone will ask me later. Class has just ended yet they are so busy this early, I wonder if this club will be any fun.

As I decided to just go back later, a female student walked to me. “Good afternoon. What can I help you with?”

She looks too serious but I like how she looks cute with those stylish white framed eyeglasses. She also has a green necktie.

“Ah, yeah.” I was stunned for a moment at how cute she was. “I’m Uozumi Ryouma, I have applied seven times already but I’m always rejected. I came here to see if there are any problems with my application…”

I’ll need to always remind myself how black short hair plus eyeglasses plus shorter girls than me is a deadly combo.

[ Tsukishima Rina ]

[ Junior Manager ]

“Uozumi-san… hmmm…” she put her finger at the side of her lips and made a gesture of thinking. With deepthought eyes she continued, “I might have evaluated a student like that…”

“Right?!” I mean it would be strange if not because I already submitted an application form online seven times and I was always rejected without any informed reasons.

“Yes… I think the  managers have also approved your application.” She continued while still thinking. “I’ll ask the seniors. Can you please wait for a while.”

She gestured to me to go back on the lounge sofa. To be honest, she has good hospitality manners. I’m starting to like the atmosphere of this club.

I saw her off going inside the facility while I waited at the lounge sofa.

I wonder what qualifications I fail with? I applied for the worldwide number one famous VRMMORPG game, “Dungeon and Hunters Online” with good credentials and records but I was rejected?

To be honest, I’m doubting my credentials. It’s because I stopped playing a year ago to prepare studying for the entrance exam.

What if there is a huge patch update of the game that leaves my progress of the game in the dust? But I got in touch with the game and there was no major update for the time I was not playing.

The game is focusing on opening new servers and expansion of old servers. Well, it was becoming more popular as the years went by and it was even acknowledged as an e-sports.

I waited for like ten minutes. In that time, I have also done my assignments in the lounge. This habit of finishing my assignments early was formed by the pressure of cram school this past year…

Haish… I want to have fun…

I want to go back home and play games… but it was mandatory for students to join the club and this is the last week of the first month to do so. If I don’t find and join any clubs, my mother will force me to join the student council…

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

It’s always a hassle that my single mother is a teacher of this super elite high school. I have to always study, study, study. Even though I’m always in the top twenty students of my year in middle school, it is still not enough…

 I get it that she wants me to have a bright future, but at this rate I’ll be burned out of studying.

Sighs…

“Uozumi-kun. Are you perhaps related to Uozumi-sensei?” Tsukishima suddenly appeared as I was doing my homeworks.

She looked serious as earlier. “Yes, that’s my mother… What of it?”

“Actually… the seniors have approved your application but it was rejected by one of our club advisors.” her eyes wandered away from my face for a moment.

It looks like she is in a tough position as well.

“By club advisors… Do you perhaps mean Uozumi-sensei?”, my face tightened in worry.

Tsukishima looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. “Uozumi-kun, why don’t you meet Uozumi-sensei in the club meeting room? Maybe if you talk to her directly, she’ll be more willing to listen.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s worth a shot,” I replied, steeling myself for what was to come. 

“Follow me,” she said, leading the way down the hall. My heart raced as we approached the meeting room, the door slightly ajar. I could hear the muffled sound of voices inside, likely from the club members preparing for their activities.

As we reached the door, Tsukishima turned to me, her expression encouraging. “Good luck, Uozumi-kun. Just be honest with her.”

“Thanks, I will,” I said, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.

Inside, I found my mother sitting at the long table, surrounded by club materials and a few other students who looked like they were reviewing strategy charts for an upcoming tournament. The moment she saw me, her expression shifted from focused to surprised. 

“Ryouma? What are you doing here?” Uozumi-sensei asked, adjusting her glasses and sitting up straighter.

“Mom, I need to talk to you,” I said, closing the door behind me. “It’s important.”

“Is it about your application to the club?” She folded her arms, her expression serious. 

“Yes! I—” I hesitated, glancing at the other students in the room. “Can we talk privately?”

Uozumi-sensei nodded, gesturing for the other students to leave. “Alright, everyone, let’s take a short break,” she instructed. As they filed out, I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.

Once we were alone, my mother’s gaze softened slightly. “What is it, Ryouma? You know how I feel about this.”

“I really want to join the VR Sports Club,” I said, desperation creeping into my voice. “It’s not just about gaming. It’s about having fun and meeting people. High school is supposed to be enjoyable, right? I don’t want to just study all the time.”

Her brow furrowed, and I could see her determination set in. “You’re in a prestigious school, Ryouma. You have to prioritize your studies. Joining a club like that will only distract you. You should be focusing on the student council instead. It’s a much better opportunity for your future.”

“Mom, I get that you want what’s best for me,” I countered, my voice rising slightly. “But I can handle my studies and be part of the club! I don’t want to spend my entire high school life buried in textbooks. I need to have some fun! Please understand.”

“Ryouma, I work hard to give you a good future. I don’t want to see you waste your potential,” she replied firmly. “You’re already under a lot of pressure, and I don’t want you to add more to that. Your education is important.”

“I’ve been studying nonstop! I promise I’ll keep up with my grades!” I pleaded, stepping closer to the table. “Just let me join, and if my grades slip, I’ll quit. But you have to give me this chance!”

Her brow furrowed, and I could see her determination set in. “You’re in a prestigious school, Ryouma. You have to prioritize your studies. Joining a club like this will only distract you. And also I’ve already prepared an application for you to join the student council.”

Just like that, she will decide my fate again. Somehow I had the feeling that if I don’t say my feelings now, I’ll regret this day everyday.

Just imagining that I’ll have to even burn out myself with school related papers after each class is making my heart break.

“Mom, please! I get that you want what’s best for me, but what about the students in the club? What do you think they’re doing? Are they wasting their time also?” I challenged, stepping closer to the table. “You are their club advisor but you are looking at those students like this? In my honest opinion, the skills that I can learn in student council can also be learned here, right? They’re learning teamwork and skills that can help them in the future, just like any student council position.”

“Ryouma, that’s different. The student council is about leadership and responsibility. It prepares you for the real world,” she replied, her voice firm but with a hint of uncertainty. “The VR Sports Club might seem fun, but it’s just a hobby. How will that help you in the long run?”

I could feel my frustration bubbling over. “But Mom, hobbies are important too! They help you grow and make you happy. You always say a well-rounded student is a successful student. How can I be well-rounded if all I do is study?”

Uozumi-sensei took a deep breath, her expression softening slightly. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I want you to focus on your future. This is a competitive environment. You need to excel, and I fear that if you join the VR club, you might lose sight of that.”

I couldn’t let this slip away. “What if I promise to keep my grades up? I’ll manage my time better. If I start to struggle, I’ll quit the club immediately. But at least let me try it for one year. It doesn’t have to be forever!”

Her eyes narrowed, considering my plea. “Ryouma, you can’t just think of today. You need to think about your long-term goals.”

“I am! I’m thinking about having a balance in my life,” I countered, my voice rising slightly. “This is my only year as a first-year student! Just one year, mom. Next year, I’ll join the student council if you want. But this year, I want to experience the VR club. I want to play games, bond with my classmates, and enjoy high school like everyone else.”

“High school is about more than just enjoyment,” she insisted, though her tone was less sharp. “It’s about preparing for your future. I want you to succeed.”

“I know you do, Mom,” I said, softening my tone. “But can’t you see that I’ll burn out if I only study? Everyone else will be enjoying their high school life while I’m stuck in a classroom. What about the skills I can learn in the club? Teamwork, strategy, and even leadership? They’re just as important!”

Uozumi-sensei sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair. “You have a point, Ryouma. The students in the VR club do learn valuable skills. If I keep denying you it will also mean that I’m rejecting the efforts of my students. But I worry about your priorities. I don’t want you to lose focus on what’s important.”

“Then let me find that balance! I promise I’ll manage my studies and my time,” I pleaded, my voice earnest. “Please, just give me this one chance. If I can’t handle it, I’ll step back. But right now, I need to join the club.”

Her gaze shifted to the window, lost in thought. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, weighing the pros and cons of my request. Finally, she turned back to me, her expression softening. “You make a compelling argument, Ryouma. It’s just that… I want to protect you.”

“I appreciate that, Mom,” I said gently, hoping to ease her worries. “But sometimes protecting me means letting me make my own choices, even if they’re risky. This is one of those times.”

After what felt like an eternity, she finally nodded. “Alright, Ryouma. You can join the VR Sports Club this year. But if I see your grades slipping, we will revisit this discussion.”

“Yes! Thank you, Mom!” I exclaimed, a wave of relief washing over me. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

She smiled softly, her expression a mix of pride and concern. “Just remember, Ryouma, you need to find that balance. I’ll be watching. Don’t forget that I’m one of the club advisors”

“I will!” I said, grinning from ear to ear. “And next year, I’ll join the student council. I’ll not fail you, mom.”

As I left the meeting room, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. I was finally going to be a part of the VR Sports Club, and I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of gaming and make new friends.