"I request entry!"
Despite the booming voice, I knocked on the door with a gentle tap-tap.
The sign on this room read "Gardening Club." I had been interested in gardening for a long time. It was a club dedicated to the love and cultivation of plants. However, it was populated entirely by girls, as if men were strictly forbidden. There was no actual regulation to that effect, but that was apparently the natural state of things here.
In particular, that person belonged to this club.
Rebecca-senpai.
After conducting various top-secret investigations of my own, I had discovered that Rebecca-senpai was incredibly popular among the female students. As a result, the current Gardening Club had formed as a sort of protective circle around her.
Its alias was The Flower Garden.
No boy ever dared to approach it.
But I wanted to join. I had been interested in plants—flowers, especially—for years. Because I had yet to study the subject properly, my knowledge was still lacking, but I intended to learn everything I could from this point forward.
It wasn't as though a boy was prohibited from joining.
Now that I had come to this academy, I intended to pursue the things I wanted to do with absolute conviction. Having experienced the Far East Campaign and now living as a student following my discharge... there were finally things I could pursue for myself.
"Oh? Ray-san? Do you have business with me?"
"No. I wish to apply for membership."
"Um... so, you're interested in gardening?"
"I am."
"I see... then let's hear what you have to say first."
"Pardon the intrusion."
I followed Rebecca-senpai into the room.
The interior was filled with various plants. There were flowers, of course, but also flora I had never seen before. If I recalled correctly, those were... carnivorous plants? I see. Most intriguing.
"Please, have a seat over there."
"Yes. Thank you."
Naturally, the gazes of the female students inside were piercing.
Their eyes practically screamed: "What is this guy doing here?"
"So, you wish to join the club?"
"I do."
"And you say you have an interest in gardening?"
"That is correct. I am fascinated by plants that live so earnestly. No matter how harsh the environment... even on a battlefield, a single flower can exist. I was moved by that fleeting existence, and I hope to spend my time at this academy as a member of the Gardening Club."
"We don't have any male members... will you be alright?"
"Yes. I have no difficulty communicating with female students."
"I see... what does everyone else think?"
"I'm against it!!"
A single female student stood up, slamming her hands on the desk. She had short brown hair and a very energetic aura.
"I'm sure his only goal is to get close to Rebecca-sama anyway!"
"Mmu... that is a misunderstanding. Er... your name is?"
"Dina Sera. I'm a third-year."
"Sera-senpai. To reiterate, I have absolutely no intention of assassinating Rebecca-senpai to seize the position of club president. Rebelling against the President is out of the question. I intend to serve as a humble new recruit."
"Huh? Assassination? The President's seat?"
"We were discussing my objectives, were we not...?"
Since she looked completely stunned, I offered a quick response.
"There's no way that's what I meant! Speak with some common sense!"
"I see... so assassination is not common sense... I have learned something new."
"Hmph. Anyway, you. Do you even know anything about gardening?"
"No. My knowledge is still shallow, but... I have acquired a certain degree of information."
"Let's hear it, then."
"Yes. First, the equipment. Flower seedlings, potting soil, and planters. Beyond that, I have learned from books that chemicals, fertilizer, and the like... as well as a shovel, gloves, and a watering can are convenient to have. Personally, I am fond of Marguerites, but it isn't quite the season for them yet, is it? My, I certainly wish for autumn to arrive quickly..."
"H-Hmph. Well, it seems you've done your homework... but I think we should keep an eye on him with a provisional membership first!"
When she said that, the other female students murmured their agreement.
"Very well. Then, Dina-san, may I leave Ray-san in your hands?"
"Eh!? Me?"
"Yes. I'll leave the decision to your discretion. If you decide he isn't a fit for us, you're free to refuse his entry."
"Understood. Hmph. I'm sure his true colors will show in a few days anyway."
"I look forward to working with you, Sera-senpai."
"Hmph..."
She huffed and turned away.
I see. So this is The Flower Garden.
A world that is harsh toward men. However, I have a goal. I want to grow the flowers I once saw on the battlefield with my own hands. That is why I will persevere. I swore that to myself once again.
"Good morning, Sera-senpai!"
"Hmph... you've got a good attitude, showing up ten minutes early."
"However, it appears you arrived even earlier, senpai. My apologies."
"Hmph. It's not like... it's not like I'm being considerate of an Ordinary. Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Yes. I shall not harbor such misconceptions."
"...You really throw me off my pace. Whatever. For the next week, I want you to till this area in the morning and after school. Understand? I'll be coming to check on your progress."
"This plot of land?"
"That's right."
"I see. You are planning to create a new garden space."
"We were granted some new space by the academy. But it's overgrown with weeds, the soil isn't prepared yet, and it's got a long way to go. I want you to have it ready within a week."
"I understand. This is my entrance trial, then."
"Yeah. But you have to do it alone, okay? You're allowed to borrow tools, though."
"Understood!"
"Well then, good luck."
As she walked away, I heard her mutter, "There's no way he can do it."
I see. In that case, allow me to overturn those expectations.
Fuhaha!
DAY 1
"I'll start by pulling the weeds."
On the first day, I began with the weeding. This was something sorcery couldn't solve, and I didn't have the fine control to use sorcery for such a task anyway. I had to proceed through honest labor. I spent the entire day pulling weeds. This, in turn, served as a workout for my lower body. The members of the Environmental Research Club were likely hard at work with their muscle training today as well. I would continue my own steady efforts.
DAY 2
"Today, I dig..."
I chuckled to myself, shouldering a shovel. Incidentally, I had borrowed this from the Environmental Research Club President. When I spoke to him of my passion for the Gardening Club, he generously provided a high-quality shovel, saying, "As expected of Ray. Use this."
And so, I spent the early morning and after-school hours today silently and diligently digging.
DAY 3
"Umu. Excellent progress."
I had turned over all the soil and constructed the base foundation... all that remained was the framing. I consulted the Environmental Research Club President about this as well. In response, he provided a set of bricks and cement. "Ray. It seems things are proceeding well. Use these," he said, having already prepared them. The President is truly a great man.
I followed the procedures exactly as I had studied in my books.
First, I lightly soaked the bricks in water, then traced the border with my shovel.
"Umu... this should be about right."
After that, I laid down the roadbed material, layered the cement, and set the bricks. I spread the cement with a masonry trowel before laying each one. Then I stacked the next layer and repeated the process.
I worked with a clear mind. Since I had started this, I was going to see it through to the best of my ability.
DAY 4
"There. Perfect."
I was finished. I had completed the bulk of the work yesterday, leaving only the final touches for today. I felt I had created something truly satisfactory.
Fuhaha! A fine piece of work! Surely this will suffice!
Now, to report to Sera-senpai—
Just as the thought occurred to me, Sera-senpai popped her head out from nearby.
"Looks like you're done."
"Were you watching?"
"Yeah. The whole time."
"I see. You were concealing yourself with sorcery, then?"
"...! You knew?"
"I could sense your presence. Thank you for your concern."
"I-It wasn't concern!! But... well, you did a good job."
"Yes. I borrowed a set of tools and books from the Environmental Research Club President and finished it to the best of my ability. What is the verdict on the trial?"
"...ass."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"I said you pass!"
"Oh! That is wonderful news."
"H-Hmph. It's not like this proves you aren't targeting Rebecca-senpai, okay? But I saw how hard you worked on your own... and I realized it doesn't matter if you're an Ordinary or whatever... I guess I was being a bit too stubborn myself..."
"I see... you may have your reservations, but I look forward to working with you from now on, Sera-senpai."
"Hmph...!"
And so, it seemed I was officially admitted into the Gardening Club. As the huffing Sera-senpai left, she crossed paths with Rebecca-senpai, who arrived just in time.
"Ray-san."
"Rebecca-senpai. Were you watching as well?"
"Yes. It seems you handled things quite well."
"Indeed. I look forward to working with you."
"I knew from the start that your motives were sincere. But the other members needed to be convinced, you see."
"Yes. I believe I understand. I shall do my utmost to ensure the female members do not feel uncomfortable."
When I said that, she gave me her usual gentle smile.
"Fufu. I'm sure you'll be fine, Ray-san. Still... you've built something quite impressive here."
"I am a mere amateur, but I intended to put forth my maximum effort."
"Then let's plant something new here. And when autumn comes, we'll plant those Marguerites together."
"Yes!"
My quest to join the clubs was thus a complete success.
I did it! Fuhaha!