Chapter 12
Naraka Live! Academy Huntress Project P2
Clubs Day
Fields outside of Beacon.
Despite the serious Huntsman education in Beacon, Huntsmen/Huntresses-in-training are still youths and desire fun in their school year. Of course, this is why Academy Clubs were made.
There are many stalls out of various clubs with various activities. The sun was up and the weather is rather bright and warm.
Team BISN found themselves in the midst of these stalls.
"All right, team, unless you're willing to join in another club with another team member, we should split up."
"Wait, Berde," Sameko said to her leader, "Didn't you read the message Glynda posted on the website?"
Berde looked at his scroll immediately and looked at the Clubs Day message from Glynda Goodwitch.
"Only one club at a time, for... reasons."
"Wonder why," Indie asked, "Will there be like a tournament or something?"
They looked around.
"Compared to Signal, the amount of clubs here are... lesser, but more concentrated," Berde noted.
"Perhaps the whole tournament thing might happen?" Sameko said, "Or does Ozpin want clubs to be more populous by making it have less options?"
"Well, let's just get on with finding a club," Naraka said.
With that, they all walked away from each other.
Berde
The green axe-man walked through the stalls. Most of them didn't really interest him, but he considered the Animal Care Club. The only thing he doesn't want to do is protests on animal or Faunus cruelty. He may dislike their mistreatment, but he feels that he's not "revolutionary" enough to join that cause.
He looked at what other clubs there are that could interest him.
"Theatre?" Berde said with interest.
He followed the directions to the stall and met up with a girl who looked very peppy. Her name was Akamizu Shibai. A Huntress wearing a white yukata with a traditional design of a tsunami dyed in rust. Her black hair's bangs are straight and flowing freely. A lotus rested on her head as an accessory.
"Hello," she said in a friendly tone, "Are you interested in Theatre?"
Berde nodded.
"As long as we don't do protests," Berde joked, "but in all seriousness, sure."
She grinned and clasped her hands together.
"Sign this, please," she handed him a waiver on the Theatre Club's auditioning.
"Audition?" Berde said.
"Well, of course. We need people who are passionate for acting," she said, "Once you sign this, you'll be chosen to audition for the club tomorrow."
Berde nodded. He wanted a challenge, and due to his love of stories, he also studied acting. He'd love to be a great supporting character, or even a hero. He wouldn't mind being a villain too.
He scribbled what he needed into the paper and handed it to Akami. She scanned it for a moment and put it in a folder.
"Thank you," she said before chuckling lightly, "... So, do you like any plays, movies, or shows?"
Berde thought of some. He didn't really watch as much since he mostly trained harshly via staying in Grimm-infested wilderness for a days.
"Well, I don't watch much, but when I was a kid, I liked it when people portrayed themselves as heroes, or villains, or just flat out fought," Berde said, "But to answer question, I liked Kill Quill."
Her eyes sparkled with interest.
"Oooh, I love Kill Quill," she said with interest, "Kill Quill made me want to practice swordsmanship."
She brandished her nodachi from her back, revealing a Dust cylinder between the Tsuba and the Habaki.
"Hakuzo Hattori, one of my local Blacksmiths made this for me when I finished my sword training," she said with excitement, "Ever since that movie, I was inspired to practice swordplay."
"That's nice," Berde said with a smile.
"Do you use short swords?" she asks, pointing to his sheathed axes.
He took them out and showed them.
"Nope. I wanted to use swords, but, my masters taught me how to use an axe a lot more," Berde replied, "I COULD use a sword, but, I think they're too overused, heroic, and requiring some finesse."
He sheathed his axes again.
"You could probably still use two swords depending on how you fight with those axes," Akami pointed out, "But, judging by your muscles, you're probably better using those axes."
"I guess. And, I'm guessing you mix power with technique and Dust usage judging by your nodachi... or Odachi."
"Yep."
She sheathed her nodachi.
"I love Umi no Korosu," she says with a grin.
Berde chuckled and scratched his head nervously. He found her kinda cute.
"Well, I gotta get going, Aka," Berde said, "I've gotta meet up with my team.
"Bye~" she waved the berserker goodbye.
Akamizu turned away and slightly blushed. She had to admit that despite his brutish outfit, he had a manly charm to him. He hoped he wasn't younger than her.
Berde blushed a bit harder. He just talked to a cute girl, and she seems to be incredibly friendly. He hoped that she wasn't older than him.
"S/He's kinda cute," they both said.
Indigo
"Hey, baby," he said to the person at the stall.
The person was facing away from Indigo. The stall manager wore a black tailcoat. The manager's hair was a white bobcut.
"Hello," he turned to Indigo, creeping the latter out. It was a man. His face looked more manly than feminine.
"Er um..."
"So, do you want to sign up for the Classical Club, or what?" he said with a skeptical look and a weird accent, "My name is Abbacchio Agnello."
"Well, sure," Indigo said nervously.
He moved his face closer to him, having a VERY skeptical look.
"You thought I was a chick didn't you?" he said, causing Indigo to nervously nod. He then smiled, "That's okay, a lot of people did too."
He laughed loudly and banged his fist on the table. Indigo awkwardly joined in his laughter.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," Abbacchio said.
"Oh, I'm Indigo Sangre," he said.
They shook hands. Despite Indigo's awkward intro with him, he seemed to like this guy.
"So, which classical instrument do you like to play?" he said as he handed him the form.
"Well," he spun his pen and started to write down on it while maintaining eye contact, "I play the piano. I've been raised to play it during my childhood."
Abbachio had a look of interest.
"Well, I hope to hear you play in the audition tomorrow," he said, "I'd love to hear how good you are on the piano."
Indigo handed Abba his paper. The man was impressed by his penmanship and accuracy despite writing without looking at it.
"Hope to see you again, Indigo," Abbacchio said.
"Sure."
Indigo walked away. It was weird to see that Abbacchio was a dude, but he had high hopes of cute women being in the club.
Sameko
The Shark Girl decided to go apply to the Engineering Club. While she was interested in the Art Club, she didn't just want to draw. She was also interested in the Fashion Club, where students make clothing, but, she wasn't too in to fashion. She decided that her scientific and creative mind should go to a club worth going to.
"Can I sign up for the Engineering Club?" she asked the man on the stall. He was taller than her, right around 6'4".
"You seem rather young for a student," he said, causing the smaller girl to growl, "... but, we know that size doesn't define everything."
He outstretched his hand to her.
"I'm Rusty. Rusty Cogsworth."
"I'm Sameko Shintai," she said as she shook his hand.
Rusty gave her a form to sign on.
"So, why do you want to join?" he asked the girl as she was writing.
"I like to bring my drawings to life through building and scientific methods," she said, "I was about to go to the Art Club or the Fashion Club, but, I like making technological marvels better."
He smiled at her response.
"Well, I lead this club due to some people building certain high tech weapons," he said, "Also, I'm a bit of a tinkerer myself."
"That's nice to hear," she said to her soon-to-be club leader, "and I'm sure I'll pass the written Engineering Test tomorrow."
She finished scribbling and handed it to Rusty.
"Thank you."
Naraka
"Welcome to the Academy Huntress Project~!" Honoka said, wearing a a short dress.
"Oh, I'm um... Naraka, but do you guys put up stage names?" Naraka said nervously.
Honoka pouted and put their hands on their hips.
"Do you think you'd have more pride in a moniker on the stage, or your own name?"
Naraka scrunched her mouth nervously.
"... Er... okay... um, can I join if I put up an alias?" Naraka said, "I don't give a crap about my name being famous... besides, wouldn't we be more famous by making my identity a mystery?"
Honoka thought through that for a moment. With a sigh, the leader nodded.
"Whatever," Honoka said, "Just sign the paper."
She did as was told and handed it to the idol leader. Honoka giggled cutely and winked at Naraka.
"Thank you~" Honoka chirped, "Hope you do well in the audition~!"
Entrance to the Clubs Day fair
Berde walked back to his group, holding his Scroll in front of him. He should have asked Akamizu for her phone number. He groaned, but he felt that he shouldn't turn back. He looked at the Team BISN messages.
Circus Bear: I joined the Theatre Club. It will mostly be on Tuesdays to Fridays. 6 pm to 9 pm
Suave Prince: Going to Classical Music Club. Mondays to Thursdays for me. Also, I'm gonna be buying a piano. 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Shark Dork: Engineering Club. Will be at Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Weekdays are 5 pm to 8 pm, while Saturdays are 10 am to 1 pm.
Berde realized that Naraka hadn't messaged yet. He decided to message her.
Circus Bear: Nara, did you attempt to join a club?
Tsundere Tiger: ... Just gonna say It'll be from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Not gonna tell you what club. Weekdays are 7 pm to 10 pm, and Saturdays are 9 am to 12 pm.
With a sigh, he hoped that whatever club she's in, she'll make good friends. If she's so embarrassed about it right now, she'll eventually tell everyone. Still, he knew how both of them have a bit of cold blood with each other, so, something like this isn't new to him.
2 Days later
Berde smiled that he was accepted. He auditioned by memorizing a whole soliloquy involving the famous "Ozymandias". His voice, and his gestures caught the attention of the judges.
Indigo smiled at his acceptance. He played various genres of music with the piano and managed to play their designated song well.
Sameko easily aced the Engineering Written Exam. She smiled in pride from this achievement.
Naraka smiled nervously. She practised and worked hard to find a good song and outfit. Good thing that no one found out.
Berde looked at everyone in his dorm.
"Looks like we got into our clubs," Berde said, "Well, all I can say is good luck to all of you."
"Mmhmm," Indigo said, "I met some cute ladies there."
"Were some of them the judges for your audition?" Naraka said with a sneer.
"Pssh," Indigo said with his own grin, "Like heck they were. Some douche tried to bribe the girl judge with Lien and then played rather shitty. He didn't get in."
Sameko made a "tch" noise.
"Please. I aced my test the fastest," she said with a confident grin, "I have an IQ over 150, you know."
Everyone looked at Naraka, wondering what club she'd join. She looked away nervously; eyes wide and pupils shrunk.
"So, what club did YOU join?" Berde asked.
"A-... Aca..." she stuttered.
"Aca... Academics?" Sameko tried to guess.
"Academy Club?" Indigo guessed too.
"Aca-" Berde's eyes widened then grinned. He then made a zipping motion with his mouth.
Sameko and Indie looked at him in confusion.
"... Berde, do you know EXACTLY what club she's in?" Indigo asked, "I have no idea what sort of club has the words 'aca'."
"Ooooh, wait!" Sameko noticed, "I think I know!"
Naraka covered her face with her tiger pillow.
"YOU'RE IN THE-" Berde shut her mouth with his hand, "MMMPHH...ETT GUFFME"
She couldn't break through Berde's strength.
"I think it's best to respect her secret club," Berde said, "I just hope it isn't some secret drug ring."
"D-drug ring?! Ozpin wouldn't allow that, you know!" Naraka said nervously.
"Well, whatever," Berde said, "Don't IDLE around in your club too long."
Berde guffawed as he left the room, causing Sameko and Indie to be confused. He opened the door and peeked through.
"Gotta go to Theatre Club. See ya in a few hours."
Outside the Dorm
Berde took a deep breath and breathed out. He took out his Scroll and checked his messages.
Circus Bear: Okay, I'm coming.
Rusty Ocean: Meet you outside~3
With a smile, he walked outside of his dorm and to the entrance of the dorms. He met up with a girl in her Beacon uniform. Her distinct black hair and her smiling face greeted the berserker.
"Hey, Mimi," Berde said as he waved at her. She chuckled at her name.
"Come on," Akamizu said, "Everyone's waiting at the club."
Akami ran ahead with Berde trailing. Berde couldn't wait to start acting as well as meeting some new friends... as well as getting to know Mimi better. He kinda hoped this nice girl attitude isn't a ruse. He had some doubts of him being with her, but he felt the need to try new things.
Next week
"Sameko?"
"Yes, B?" she asked as they walked across the front yard.
"Why is there a stage there?" she asked her partner, "Do you have a Theatre Club presentation?"
Berde shook his head.
"Nope. It must be either the Classical Club's debut... or," Berde's eyes widened as he raised his Scroll.
Eight girls wearing short-sleeved dress shirts with red vests and red checker-skirts came up to the stage.
"Ladies and Gentleman," Honoka came up, "We will now sing and dance to our first song: Our Live lives with you!"
Berde gawked at the girls in the club. They took a step forward as they said their names.
"Nora Valkyrie!" the orange haired girl of JNPR called out jubilantly.
"V-Velvet Scarlatina!" the brown-haired Bunny Faunus said with a bit of nervousness.
"Sunset Mary~!" the blonde haired girl with drills said as she hopped in excitement.
"Calico Cheshire!" the white haired Cat Faunus called out. Her hair is styled in a cute bob.
"Schwarz Russ!" a black haired girl with her hair styled covering her left eye. Her eyes are red.
"Ignis Leon!" a slightly mature looking girl said. Her long hair is red, and her eyes are light orange.
"Honoka Antoinette!" the orange haired girl said with a peace sign. Her bangs covered her right eye.
"Agni Asura!" the dark-skinned lady had her hair tied in a large braid. Her eyes are blue, and her hair is dyed bright red.
"Our Lives!" they all said in unison, "Lives with you!"
The music started to play, and they all started to dance and sing. Despite some people being busy going to their dorms, a lot of people were entranced by the dancing and singing of the girls. A lot of males gathered around, but the girls continued to dance despite their whistling and flirty looks. The upbeat tune and their singing made Berde and Sameko clap to the beat of their song. Berde wondered if Naraka actually joined, though, Agni makes it seem obvious it's Naraka in disguise. She probably enjoys dancing and singing, but she's probably not comfortable with her name being famous.
"Damn, I'd like to hit one of those girls," Indigo said as he came behind Berde.
"Who'd you hit?" Berde asked his friend.
He pondered for a moment.
"Agni looks like a total cutie," Indigo said.
Of all people, he'd choose Agni. Berde thought.
"How about you?" Indie asked his leader.
"Honoka looks like a total cutie."
"I like Sunset," Sameko said as she drooled, "Her drills~! Hnnng!"
They chuckled and continued to watch the Academy Huntress Project's dance. Obviously, Naraka wasn't there, though, they were either unaware of it, or aware that she was Agni Asura. Surely, his teammates would respect her secret. He kinda hoped they were either oblivious that she's in the club, or won't say that Agni is probably or IS Naraka Krohda.
