Mountain Lovers Association

However, Jade chuckled, "Floyd, don't pout. The employee that has the best sales performance while selling drinks in the audience… Azul said he would give them a very special bonus."

"You already know I have less than zero interest in that kinda stuff." Floyd muttered in dismay when he heard this, "You know, aren't you always going on hikes for you mountain lovers association? Isn't that pretty much a sports club? Don't just pretend to be a culture club when it suits you."

"Even if you say that..." Lotus frowned in confusion, "It's hard to determine which category this club is in. However, what's important is that you have to focus on the environment of the places you are hiking and study the plants. I'd say that it's a culture club..."

"Hmmm, so your association is doing a lot of stuff like a mountaineering club." Trey noted with a look of confusion.

"Not quite." Jade responded, "Our club does not focus the majority of its activities on just hiking. Nor do we go around climbing tall mountains in order to earn climbing certificates… We go take walks at the mountains surrounding campus. While on those walks, we enjoy the scenery, and also seek out wild vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, and plants. Just as Lotus said, the primary goal is to both appreciate and sample the things that live in the mountains."

"I see. So if I had to pick, I'd say your club is closer to a photography or cooking club." Trey nodded his head upon understanding.

Jade hummed to himself and frowned, "I wonder about that. All I'm doing is going up to the mountain and experiencing it with all five of my senses. There are times when I stop to observe the things that interest me for a while, but it's nothing like the hypothesis-based experiments the science club partakes in."

"So you're saying that you just go eat stuff off the ground in the mountains?" Grim said in bewilderment.

Jade laughed, "I do make sure to wash and cook everything appropriately, but you could say that that's the general idea."

"You have quite a few photos of plants and rocks on display here. Did you take all of these?" Riddle said pointing to the photos on the table.

Jade nodded, "Yes, I did. They might just be ordinary things that humans see on land all the time and therefore hold no interest for you. However, since I was raised under the sea, each and every one is a rare sight."

"He puts it like that, but he only chooses to take photos of the most boring things. All his photos are of common weeds or rocks." Floyd muttered in dismay, "I don't get what's so fun about that at all. Even merfolk from way back in the day picked rare things to collect.

Jade chuckled, "That might be the very reason why I'm currently the only member."

Lotus sighed and nodded her head, "Sorry, Jade. If I had known about the club, I may have attempted to try it out. I'm actually interested in these pictures and the terrarium you've made. Can you teach it to me next time as well as the plants you bring back? Since I'm not in the club, I can't leave school grounds so easily."

"Of course!" Jade smiled wide, "Just text me and I'll bring over one of my terrariums!"

"Great!"

It was then that the school bell suddenly rang and the announcement recorded by the headmaster echoed on the school grounds, "To all the students busy getting ready for the culture festival, the doors for general admission will open in five minutes. Please return to your booths and prepare for the event to begin."

Riddle groaned, "Ughh, it's already time for the actual event to start! We still have to finish checking on the eastern building!"

"Alright, it's time for us to get going." Trey responded with a wide smile, "I hope everything goes smoothly with your booth."

Jade smiled, "Very well. Thank you all very much for coming to visit."

"You should take this with you, Floyd." Lotus dropped a bag of candies with him and said, "I'd give you lollipops, but it would be hazardous if you fell or something. Still, this should keep you occupied if you're bored again later."

"Candies? Awesome! Thanks, Angler fish!" Floyd responded and plopped one into his mouth.

"I'll see you guys later then!"

"Buh-bye." Floyd waved as they left the place.

After leaving the room, Trey noted with a wry smile, "You know, when the twins are together like that, they really create a unique space."

"In the end, I still don't really get what kind of club that is." Grim muttered in dismay.

"If I had known about it sooner, it would've been a very difficult choice for me..." Lotus muttered in wonder as she thought of this.

"As long as the club's activities don't break any rules, then I have no problem with it. Let's get moving to the next." Riddle said with a frown.

.....

"Whoa, look at this crowd!"

"And the festival hasn't even opened yet!" Lotus added in pleasant surprise, "I never though that this would be so popular."

As soon as they arrived at the street, the place was already crowded with students and private guests before official opening. Lotus and her dormmates were looking at the ending of their preparations before Trey spoke up with a chuckle, "The National Wizard Boarding School Joint Culture Festival gathers students of the arts from high schools all across the nation, just like the name suggests. Just the staff and performers and the like is a huge number of people."

"It looks like so much fun!" Lotus responded excitedly.

Suddenly, the school announcement went off again, "Thank you for your patience. A warm welcome to the National Wizard Boarding School Joint Culture Festival."

"Where's the Purple Stage that the Vocal & Dance Championship is being held at?!" A girl cried out excitedly.

"Where's the counter for same day tickets?! There's gotta be cancellations!" The boy responded hurriedly.

"I wanna meet Neige in the flesh ASAP!" Another girl cried out.

"This is Vil's school?! It's amazing! I'm putting everything on magicam!" One of the group of weird looking fangirls squealed.

"Hey, humans!" Sebek warned them with a scowl, "No running! And don't walk while staring at your phones!"

"Getting in line early for the same day ticket lottery won't make a difference. Follow the staff's instructions and please line up calmly." Silver instructed across from Sebek by the entrance with a firm voice that actually echoed from afar.

"Wh-What is that giant pack of people doing?!" Grim cried out in horror.

"My guess is that they're most likely fans of Vil or Niege LeBanche." Riddle noted curiously.

"I knew they were superstars, but this is incredible." Trey muttered with a dry smile on his face.

"Riddle, did you come to the status of everything? Just like we planned, we've filed everyone into a queue behind the coliseum." Silver responded to Riddle with a nod.

"What is with this crowd?! No matter how much we organize things they just keep crawling out of the wood work! Filthy humans!" Sebek scolded the crowd with a scowl.

"Sebek. I always tell you this, but could you stop referring to "humans" like that? It reflects poorly on the school." Riddle scolded him with a frown.

"Riddle is correct. For starters, half of you is 'that' after all." Silver warned him as he reminded the man of Malleus, "Anything rude that comes out of your mouth will cause trouble for Lord Malleus and Lilia. Take due care."

"Wha… Don't you talk down to me, Silver!!!!!" Sebek hollered at him with a scowl.

"This guy is so loud that his voice reverberates all the way to my brain, y'know!" Grim cried in pain.

"However, Sebek, if you consider this talking down on you, then what do you consider those back during the halloween festival?" Lotus questioned him curiously, "To me is seems that Silver is just reminding you of what you should say. But if that's considered to be talking down, then... what isn't considered to be insulting and which is a praise?"

"Huh?!" Sebek looked to her in bewilderment and at a loss before she snickered, "You-! Ugh... Enough!"

"The sports clubs sure have exuberant first years." Trey responded with a dry smile on his face.

Riddle sighed in disdain and muttered, "In anticipation of these crowds, I have the equestrian club as the focus since I can communicate with them easily and assigned a lot of the staff over here to help, but…

"You made the right call. But if things are already this bustling right after opening… I'm not sure that the staff will be enough as is." Silver muttered hesitantly.

"The Young Master will also be in attendance of VDC!!! Any inadequacies will bring shame upon you for eternity!!!" Sebek resounded firmly.

"Alright. I'll have anyone who's free from the construction duties comes this way to help out." Riddle responded firmly, "I'm going to make my way to the eastern building. I'll leave everything here to you two."

"Got it./ Understood!"

Walking away, Lotus sighed and responded, "Sorry about this, Riddle."

"About what?" Riddle raised a brow, "Helping us organize everything? Don't worry too much about it. You are also part of the Science Club. I'm looking forward to your presentation. I've heard from Trey that you will be presenting the poison apple and a talking raven tomorrow."

Lotus laughed, "As expected, I can't hide anything from Trey-senpai and Rook-senpai."

"After hearing that you've placed a different effect on the apple, I would like to see the apple for myself." Riddle responded with a wide smile, "And a talking raven!"

"For the dormleader of Heartslabyul to attend the presentation tomorrow..." Lotus smiled, "Then, I'll make it the best you've ever seen till now."

"I'm looking forward to it."