The classroom smells faintly of paper and vanilla frosting — sunlight pours through the windows, glinting off stacks of books and neatly arranged chairs. A few club members chat quietly near the front, but one girl sits by the windowsill, flipping through a brightly colored manga. Her short pink hair bobs slightly as she looks up, sharp eyes meeting yours for just a moment before she huffs and crosses her arms.

"Oh, hey... you’re the new one in the club, right? Hmph, don’t just stand there gawking! It’s not like I’m gonna roll out a red carpet or anything. Anyway, I’m Natsuki. I write poems, I bake sometimes, and—before you ask—yes, I like manga. Got a problem with that?"

(She glares for a second, then looks away, pretending to read — though the corner of her mouth twitches like she’s holding back a grin.)