Chapter 4: Don't be hasty, it happens to everyone
In the quiet space, a static sound resembling a malfunctioning radio filled the air, followed by a synthesized melody.
Yukinoshita snapped her book shut with a "snap," signaling the end of school.
In the next moment, she quickly began to pack her things, carefully placing the book into her bag.
Looks like the club activities are over.
Thinking this, Dan Siji hurriedly packed his "Han Shu" into his bag, preparing to head home with Hachiman.
"By the way, did you tell your sister about joining the club today?" On the way, Hachiman asked Dan Siji, who hadn't touched his phone during the club activities.
"..." Dan Siji went silent for a moment before his face turned horrified. "Crap, I completely forgot!"
"..." Although he couldn't see the expression, Hachiman felt certain that Dan Siji's face must look bad.
"Speaking of which, I'm curious. How come someone like you has a genius younger sister?" Hachiman asked with a probing look.
"Well, if a gloomy introverted guy like you can have a lively, innocent sister, why can't I have a genius one?" Dan Siji responded while opening LINE to message his sister.
In Dan Siji's mind, his sister was the best in the world—lively, cute, sensible, ambitious, and top in her grades. She was the most important person in his life, currently with no competition.
As they spoke, they had already left the school gate.
As a person with social anxiety, Dan Siji should have been the type to avoid talking to others. However, things were a bit different. His social skills were surprisingly strong, but only if the other person initiated the conversation.
To this, Dan Siji said: just because you're afraid of socializing doesn't mean you can't socialize.
Soon, Dan Siji arrived at a row of townhouses by bicycle and found his "Dan home" according to the house number.
In the past, renting this townhouse cost nearly 3,000 Chinese Yuan a month. Recently, due to the construction of a new high school nearby, the rent increased to 4,500 Chinese Yuan. Fortunately, the townhouse was quite spacious, so the price was still reasonable.
"Why are you back so late today? Wait, I'll heat up dinner." In the living room, Dan Sijue, his younger sister, rushed into the kitchen when she saw him return.
In reality, the siblings took turns making the three daily meals.
Since his younger sister was still small (only two years younger), Dan Siji had taken it upon himself to handle most of the part-time jobs.
His sister only worked weekends, handling the housework except for breakfast and lunch.
In the mornings, since Dan Siji had to wake up early to deliver newspapers, he also took care of breakfast and lunch.
As for dinner, his sister, Dan Sijue, was responsible.
"Ah, today I had a club activity." Dan Siji casually mentioned while taking off his school uniform.
"Huh? A club activity? Did you join a club, brother?" Dan Sijue poked her head out of the kitchen, her face full of curiosity.
"Uh... not really..." Dan Siji said as he casually removed his mask, then explained, "It's a club I just joined today."
"Huh? I think I've discovered something interesting. You, of all people, are joining a club?" Dan Sijue immediately became like a little detective.
"Always scheming and poking around, my brother, you're basically forced to join," she joked.
"Not my fault! Can't you use a nicer word for it?" Dan Siji immediately objected.
"Well, well, big things don't bother with small details. Didn't someone once say, 'A great man doesn't care for the small things'?" Dan Sijue shrugged it off.
[Note: This quote is from the Records of the Grand Historian in the "Chronicles of Xiang Yu," referring to a moment when Xiang Yu was preparing to attack Liu Bang but spared his life due to the need to maintain dignity.]
"See, even the ancient people said so, so don't worry about the details," Dan Sijue laughed while bringing out the reheated dinner.
"So, what happened exactly?" Dan Sijue asked, looking even more curious.
"Well, here's the deal..." Dan Siji explained how Teacher Hiratsuka had used academic credit to blackmail him into joining the club.
"Yeah, I figured. Brother, you're really forced to join," Dan Sijue nodded knowingly, her face saying, "I knew it." "But, this might actually be good for you."
"Forget it. Going to the club every day after school is a huge time sink. At this rate, I won't even get to rest at home before I have to head to the bar." Dan Siji complained as he sat down at the table.
"Well, if you keep being like this, you won't make any proper friends." Dan Sijue shook her head.
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"What can we do? You can't disobey the teacher. Might as well think of it in a positive light."
"I... forget it. 'Take things slow, for everyone has their own pace.' Right now, I don't have any choice but to listen obediently." Dan Siji said, swallowing his words, feeling a bit helpless.
[Note: This phrase comes from Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of the Gallant, where Sima Qian uses this to discuss the necessity of gallants and their value.]
"So, what club did you join?" Dan Sijue asked, resting her chin in her hands.
"The Service Club." Dan Siji responded, munching on his food.
Dan Sijue: ???
"Wait... so this high school's rules are this relaxed? So progressive for a public school!" Dan Sijue sighed.
"Huh?" Dan Siji, mid-bite, didn't quite understand.
"Hmm..." Dan Sijue stroked her chin thoughtfully, her tone suddenly becoming serious. "You have to be careful, though."
At this point, Dan Siji finally understood: "What is going on in that head of yours? Just 'study materials,' right?"
"Slander! This is blatant slander," Dan Sijue pouted, protesting strongly.
"You're the one slandering me! If the president hears about this, she'll probably scold you until you become a hermit..." Dan Siji felt conflicted.
Although he had the same reaction when he first heard about the club's name, why was his little sister acting the same way? Was it because my sister is a...?
"So, what exactly does the Service Club do?" Dan Sijue asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
"Hmm... how should I explain this?" Dan Siji thought for a moment. "Just think of it as a 'mental institution'?"
When he said this, Dan Siji's face was very complicated, and his tone uncertain.
"???" Dan Sijue's head was filled with question marks, her tone turning serious. "So my brother is mentally ill, huh?"
Dan Siji: "..."