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To the Sea of Knowledge |  |
Rui
I appreciate the offer, but again, I must refuse.
Schoolgirl A
O-okay, but if you ever feel like it, you're welcome to check us out.
Schoolgirl B
Our club could really use you, too. The upperclassmen said they'd really like you to join.
Schoolgril C
Good day then, Yashio-san.
Rui
... How troublesome.
Nanami
Good day, Rui-rui~.
Mashiro
G-good day, Rui-san.
Rui
Ah. Hiromachi-san. Kurata-san. Good day.
Nanami
You seem pretty popular. What was that all about?
Mashiro
It looked like they were asking you to do something. Was it a request for the student council?
Rui
No, it was not. They were attempting to recruit me into their clubs.
Mashiro
R-recruit? I didn't know Tsukinomori's clubs recruited new members that actively.
Rui
That is not the case.
Nanami
Oh~. Shiro-chan, it's probably because it's Rui-rui.
Mashiro
...? What do you mean?
Nanami
Rui-rui has good grades and is good at sports, right? The sports teams probably just really want Rui-rui to join.
Rui
That is likely the case. I experienced something similar when I was in middle school.
Rui
I made my refusal clear back then, so I had thought I would no longer have to deal with such things anymore.
Mashiro
Maybe they thought you changed your mind since we're in high school now.
Rui
Yes, that was my impression based on what they said.
Nanami
Why don't you at least go take a look?
Nanami
You might find something that suits you. Plus you might end up enjoying it.
Rui
Impossible.
Mashiro
Y-you don't have to be so blunt...
Rui
I have already done as you suggested once in middle school.
Rui
I believe it was the lacrosse team. They claimed I could give up if I did not find the club interesting, so I agreed to their request.
Nanami
How'd it go?
Rui
I took part in practice, but I apparently did far better than they had anticipated.
Rui
Which resulted in a further escalation of recruitment attempts by the club.
Mashiro
I-I see...
Nanami
I guess people found out just how capable you are~.
Rui
That is why I have refused to even take a look ever since.
Mashiro
But if you were that good, couldn't you have joined?
Rui
...?
Mashiro
I'm sure you would've been welcomed and even done well at tournaments.
Rui
... Even if that had been the case, I did not see myself ever being at the top.
Rui
I felt no such potential based on what little I experienced during practice.
Rui
If you are unlikely to achieve anything significant, it is a waste to spend time on such an endeavor.
Mashiro
I-I see...
Nanami
Hmm, that's so like you, Rui-rui...
Rui
However, that is no longer my only reason to refuse.
Mashiro
Oh...?
Rui
Now that I am a member of the band, I do not have the time to waste on other club activities.
Rui
If I am to spend my time on anything, it would be best spent on the band.
Nanami & Mashiro
...
Rui
...? What is the matter? Do you see a flaw in my reasoning?
Nanami
No, not at all!
Mashiro
Yeah, we should focus on the band!
Rui
Yes, that is my current priority.
Transcript
Marina
Now that we have the supplies that we need, let's head back to CiRCLE.
Marina
We need to get the equipment set up before the custo- Hm?
Marina
That person walking over there... Is it...? Hey, Rui-chan!
Rui
...?
Rui
Ah, Tsukishima-san and BanG Dreamer-san. Hello.
Marina
Hello. Going somewhere?
Rui
Yes, I am on my way to the library.
Marina
The library? To study?
Rui
No, to read. I frequent the library because I am better able to focus there.
Marina
I see. Mashiro-chan said she was having trouble with her assignments, so I just assumed...
Marina
The assignments must be really challenging at a prestigious school like Tsukinomori.
Rui
I have never felt that to be the case, but Kurata-san and Kirigaya-san seem to hold that opinion.
Rui
However, having been a student at Tsukinomori since kindergarten, I am not qualified to make any comparison.
Marina
I see... It must be because you're the top of your grade.
Marina
I'm a bit envious. You must really enjoy your studies.
Rui
Not particularly.
Marina
Oh...?
Rui
I am merely expending effort because I believe myself to be capable of being the best in this area.
Rui
I recognize that I possess a good memory, but I believe my disposition lends itself to academics as well.
Marina
Your disposition?
Rui
Yes. When it comes to assignments, I always attempt to find the most efficient means to arrive at an answer.
Rui
Ever since I was a child, studies have never given me any difficulty.
Marina
That's... amazing. I wish I could claim I was doing something because I believed I could be the best.
Marina
Oh, does this mean you joined the band because you think it can be the best?
Rui
...
Rui
No, there is something which I wish to find out.
Rui
I am seeking answers. I wish to know if the path I chose in the past was indeed the right one...
Marina
Answers, huh...?
Marina
I'm not sure what answers you're looking for, but I hope you find them.
Rui
Yes. I do as well.