For the love of the game

Tracing Yumi Kajiki's passion for Mahjong

Chapter 4

"I appreciate your interest in joining the basketball club, but we're currently not accepting any new members."

"Really, why not?" Though I was disappointed, I tried my hardest to keep my voice even. Normally such setbacks wouldn't let me down, but when you have been declined by at least ten different clubs, the disappointment eventually drags down your morale.

With her thumb, the president of the basketball club pointed at the busy gym behind her. "Please don't take this the wrong way. Even if I want to expand the basketball club and accept new members, Tsuruga Academy doesn't have a lot of space for all of its sports-oriented clubs."

I peered inside and saw that the gym's space was divided into two sections. One half of the court was being used by the basketball club, the other half was volleyball.

"It looks like this place is bursting at its seams." It was so cramped that I can easily imagine that if more people were added into the gym, then the two clubs would soon be rubbing elbows against each other.

"Tell me about it. I'd like to have a day where we don't have to share the gym with any other club." The president sighed. "Have you tried joining the cooking club? Maybe they're looking for new members."

"I went there the day before yesterday. They told me that due to lack of space, they can't accept any more members." Opening my notebook, I scanned the list containing all of the sanctioned clubs in Tsuruga Academy. Most of them were crossed out, including the cooking club. "They said that the home economics classroom is full."

"Why don't they use the other home economics classroom up on the second floor?"

"That room is currently being used by the sewing club." Once again I checked my notebook, and sure enough the sewing club was also crossed out of the list.

"Looks like all the other clubs have their hands full too." The president of the basketball club placed her hand on her chin, contemplating. Her moment of pondering didn't last long as her eyes immediately lit up. "Oh, I got it! Why didn't I think about this before. I know a friend who is in a club that's looking for some new members."

"Oh, really?" I was intrigued. "What club is it?"

"The swimming club."

The moment those three words reached my ears, alarm bells were ringing in my head. I felt a growing profound sense of dread as those words echoed in my mind. My legs felt heavy, and I could've sworn a cold sweat just rolled down my back.

Even without second thoughts, my decision was clear. I know what I must do.

I have to get out of here.

"Thank you very much for your suggestions, but I need to go now. Good day." With my curt reply, I quickly bowed, turned around and ran off. I know that I'm running out of options, but I'm not suicidal. My plan was to join a club, not get myself drowned. Even if I did want to learn to swim, my desire to not embarrass myself in front of my peers would always win without a doubt.

After running what felt like several hours, I stopped by the shoe lockers. Looks like I've just narrowly dodged a disaster there, I thought to myself while catching my breath. Once I've regained my stamina, I pulled out my notebook and crossed out the basketball and volleyball club off the list.

A week and a half has passed since I had that meeting with my homeroom teacher. When I reflected back on that event, I realized that agreed to join a club almost immediately with no fuss whatsoever.

I guess I thought that it was going to be an easy and straightforward task, but it looks like my prediction was far from reality.

Though I was beginning to regret my rash decision, there's no sense in dwelling on what has been said and done. Backing down on my word is the last thing I want to be remembered by.

I walked down the hallway towards the main bulletin board, wishfully thinking that I would find some unknown club that I've overlooked, and are hopefully looking for new members. At this rate, any club will do, with the exception of the swimming club of course.

The bulletin board was a big, jumbled, paper-filled mess. Dozens of coloured posters featuring various clubs were strewn about. Some were torn, while others were barely kept on the board by thumb tacks.

I began pulling out posters one-by-one, hoping to see a club that I haven't asked yet.

"Wahaha, are you here to help me clean up the board?" That laugh is such a dead give-away that I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

"What do you mean by that Kanbara?" I turned around.

"Our homeroom teacher wanted these old posters taken down, so I told her that I'll do it." Kanbara started pulling out the posters and throwing them in a small recycling bin that she brought. "These clubs are not actively recruiting at the moment, so their posters don't need to be here anymore."

"I see." It seems my hopes were dashed once again.

"Since you're already here, why don't you help me clean up this board." With her free hand, Kanbara motioned for me to stand beside her and pitch in.

"Uhhh... sure." I replied unenthusiastically. Even if it's only for a moment, at least the monotonous task will help distract my mind from my unsuccessful efforts.

A few silent minutes passed, as Kanbara and I pulled out posters, revealing layer upon layer of advertisements. It seems that the students believed that if you can see even a speck of the bulletin board, then there's enough room for another poster. Not a single space was wasted.

Just how many months worth of posters are on this bulletin board? I asked myself while maintaining a steady working pace.

"So, I heard that you're currently looking for a club to join in. Any luck so far?" Kanbara broke the silence.

"No, I haven't found one yet." I answered her quickly without slowing down on my work.

"Wahaha... interesting, most interesting." Kanbara

"What's so interesting about it?" Turning towards her, I could feel my eyes making a glare as I asked. Was she enjoying my misery or something?

"Oh, I just find it interesting how you're only beginning to look for a club now instead of during the first month of school." Kanbara commented.

"I'm looking for a club because our homeroom teacher thinks I'm not making the most of my time here at Tsuruga."

There was a momentary pause. Kanbara blinked a couple of times, and then she had an astonished look on her face. "Oh, so that's why our homeroom teacher asked to see you about a week and a half ago. I was still unsure of what that meeting was all about."

Confounded at her response, my eyes widened with surprise for a second. You only found out just now?! Just how carefree can this girl get?

"Ah, the board is finally all clear." Kanbara proudly declared. "Now I can put this up without it being blocked." She flattened out and stapled a large blue poster with huge yellow block letters saying: "Want to have fun? Join the mahjong club. We are located at the old book club room on the third floor. Meetings are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No experience necessary."

"Mahjong club? Are you in it?"

"Yup!" Kanbara smiled and vigorously nodded, her voice and action oozing with pride. "It's really fun and awesome. We're always looking for new players, and since you haven't found a club yet, I think you should join."

She volunteered to clean up the main bulletin board so that she can promote her own club. How convenient. I guess her actions can be deliberate at times.

"Uhhh, sure. I suppose so." I shrugged. I'm in no position to be choosy, but I don't want to outwardly admit that my knowledge on mahjong is next to none.

"Really?! That's great! Let's go meet the others. I'm sure Nagi and Rui-senpai will be thrilled to have new members. You won't believe how long they have waited for the day they could play something other than three player mahjong." Before I could even have time to change my mind, Kanbara quickly grabbed my hand and practically dragged me towards the mahjong club room. "I knew that poster was going to work wonders once it's up. Wahaha, I'm such a genius."

What have I gotten myself into?

Author's Notes: I realized that while writing this chapter I might have made Tsuruga Academy seem ghetto and tiny in comparison to the other schools in the Saki universe. Tsuruga Academy is considered an underdog/dark horse school, so I guess this is a reasonable hypothesis.

To put the three player mahjong comment Kanbara mentioned in context, here is a brief explanation. It is a variation of mahjong for three players instead of the usual four. This adaptation has its own rules and nuances that differentiates it from the standard four player format. The equipment and basic mechanics are the same, except that some tiles are removed, certain plays are prohibited, and the scoring system is simplified. It is accepted by some, but ignored or snubbed by others. Although mahjong can be played with gambling in mind, you would almost never play for stakes with the three player mahjong format.