Kaito Igarashi had a plan.
A very simple, foolproof plan.
Step one: Attend his next lecture.
Step two: Go back to his dorm.
Step three: Lock himself in and avoid any unnecessary human interaction.
It was perfect.
Flawless.
And yet, somehow, he was currently sitting in a club meeting he never intended to join.
"Alright, everyone. Welcome to the first official meeting of the Campus Culture and Media Society."
The enthusiastic voice belonged to a girl standing at the front of the room. She had striking auburn hair tied up in a ponytail, and her sharp eyes scanned the room with the confidence of someone who actually enjoyed public speaking.
Her name, according to the whiteboard behind her, was Aika Tanabe, the club president.
Kaito, on the other hand, was not a club member.
So why was he here?
Because of Haru.
Twenty minutes ago, Kaito had been minding his business, walking to his dorm, when Haru had ambushed him.
"Dude, you are coming with me."
"What? No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
And then Haru grabbed his wrist and started dragging him across campus like an overenthusiastic kidnapper.
"Trust me, you need this," Haru had said. "A club is the best way to make friends."
"I do not want to make friends."
Haru had gasped like Kaito had just insulted his ancestors. "Blasphemy. You are in college, man. You cannot just hide in your dorm all day."
That was exactly what Kaito had planned to do.
And yet, somehow, here he was.
Sitting stiffly in a chair, trapped in a room full of strangers, surrounded by people who were actually excited to be here.
His worst nightmare.
As Aika continued her speech about the club's purpose, Kaito focused on keeping his breathing steady.
He could feel it, the creeping sensation of anxiety crawling up his spine.
The crowded room.
The unfamiliar faces.
The fear of being noticed.
His chest tightened.
Kaito had read about this before. He knew how it worked. Social anxiety was not just being shy. It was a full-on physical reaction. The pounding heart, the cold sweat, the dizziness.
"Hey."
Kaito nearly jumped out of his seat.
A guy sitting next to him had turned his way. He had short, neatly styled black hair, round glasses, and an expression that looked both amused and concerned.
"You okay?" the guy asked.
Kaito swallowed. "I, yeah."
"You look like you are about to pass out."
Kaito wanted to disappear.
The guy chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Relax, man. It is just a club meeting. No one is going to make you do a speech or anything."
Kaito was not convinced.
"I am Renji," the guy said, offering a small nod. "Third-year student. You new here?"
Kaito hesitated. "Yeah."
"Figured. You have that lost freshman energy."
Kaito was not sure how to respond to that.
Renji did not seem to mind. "Well, welcome to the club."
"I, I am not actually in the club."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
Kaito shot a murderous glare at Haru, who was grinning from across the room.
Renji followed his gaze. "Ah. That guy."
Kaito sighed. "Yeah. That guy."
Renji smirked. "Looks like you got yourself a persistent friend."
Friend.
The word felt strange. Kaito was not sure he deserved it.
But before he could respond, Aika clapped her hands. "Alright, let's do introductions."
Kaito's soul left his body.
Aika turned to the first person in the row. "Let's go around. Just your name and a fun fact about yourself."
Kaito stiffened.
No.
No, no, no.
This was exactly what he feared.
One by one, people introduced themselves.
"I am Minami. I love horror movies."
"I am Daisuke. I collect vinyl records."
"I am Chisato, and I have been to ten different countries."
Kaito's heartbeat accelerated.
His turn was coming.
People were looking.
Waiting.
Expecting.
And then it was his turn.
Aika smiled at him. "And you?"
Kaito's brain shut down.
The room felt too hot.
His pulse pounded in his ears.
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Everyone was staring.
Say something.
Any words. Any sound.
His voice cracked. "I, I am."
Silence.
More staring.
More waiting.
His breath hitched.
The anxiety crushed him.
And then a hand clapped onto his shoulder.
"Ah, sorry, Aika."
Haru cut in, grinning like an idiot.
"Kaito is just shy. But he is a cool dude. Super stylish, great taste in music. He is just not used to talking to big groups yet. We are working on it."
Aika blinked.
Then she smiled. "No worries. Welcome to the club, Kaito."
People nodded, and just like that, the moment passed.
Kaito exhaled deeply.
Haru patted his back, whispering, "You good, man?"
Kaito's hands were shaking.
But he managed a nod.
Maybe, just maybe, this was not the worst thing in the world.
After the meeting, people started mingling.
Kaito considered making a run for it.
But before he could escape, Aika approached.
"So, Kaito," she said, arms crossed. "You are interested in media analysis?"
Kaito opened his mouth, then hesitated.
Truthfully?
He had zero interest in analyzing films or books.
But saying no outright felt rude.
"I, I like movies," he mumbled.
Aika grinned. "Cool. What is your favorite?"
Kaito panicked. He had not prepared for follow-up questions.
He blurted the first movie that came to mind.
"Blade Runner."
Aika lit up.
"No way. You like Blade Runner?"
Kaito nodded weakly.
Aika's enthusiasm tripled. "That is one of my all-time favorites. The cinematography. The themes. The world-building."
She launched into a passionate discussion about cyberpunk aesthetics and philosophical undertones.
Kaito?
Kaito just nodded along, pretending he was not internally screaming.
Haru, standing nearby, nudged Renji. "Damn. He is actually talking to a girl."
Renji smirked. "I give it five minutes before he mentally collapses."
By the time Kaito escaped the club meeting, his social battery was completely drained.
But something strange happened.
As he walked back to his dorm, he did not feel horrible.
Sure, the introductions had been traumatizing.
Sure, he had panicked a dozen times.
But he had survived.
And that was something.
Maybe, just maybe, he could learn to handle this.
Haru clapped a hand on his shoulder. "See? That was not so bad."
Kaito glared. "I hate you."
Haru grinned. "Love you too, buddy."
Kaito sighed.
College was going to be exhausting.
But maybe, just maybe, he would not be alone.