Chapter 41: New Member

Three Portland Observatory.
[This is not a damn Starbucks coffee shop!]

The handsome old gentleman Philip was baking pastries today. His mechanical arm was remarkably nimble, and the "cat-shaped bread" he crafted was exceptionally, incredibly adorable.

This resulted in the fact that every time Xiu popped one into his mouth, the two girls across from him would look at the bread in his hand with eyes full of unbearable sympathy.

"···This bread is genuinely delicious, you guys should really try some." Xiu said, biting the head off a "calico cat" pastry while suggesting it to Camille and Usas.

"Kitties are so cute, how can you eat kitties···" the three-eyed girl said with a tragic expression, ignoring the drool at the corner of her mouth.

"···If you're craving it this much, just eat it," Xiu said speechlessly.

"But they're all so cute." Camille picked up a "Garfield"-shaped pastry. The old gentleman's craftsmanship was truly superb, making them so lifelike that anyone who looked at them couldn't help but fall in love.

"···Let me help you overcome this unnecessary sentimentality." With those words, Xiu took the "Garfield" from Camille's hand, snapped its head off in one swift motion, and tossed it into his mouth.

"The taste is simply fantastic! Boss, save a batch for me later, I'll take some to go." Xiu called out to old gentleman Philip, who was baking in the distance, and then placed the headless "Garfield" into the dumbfounded Camille's hands.

"There, see? Not so cute now."

"······"

"······"

Usas wanted to speak but stopped, stopped and then wanted to speak again, and finally she blurted out this sentence:

"Slit-eyed guy, you definitely won't be a playboy in the future!"

"Oh," Xiu replied indifferently.

Afterward, the kind-hearted Xiu helped the two girls overcome their unnecessary sentimentality by biting the heads off all the pastries and eating them himself, sending so-called cuteness straight to hell.

The two girls consumed these headless pastries with indescribable feelings. The taste was indeed wonderful, but after Xiu's little stunt, they couldn't help feeling a bit weird inside.

"Alright, time for business. How are your preparations for the club coming along?" Xiu asked the two of them.

The Cryptid Research Society had always been managed by Camille; she was responsible for writing and submitting the application, as well as recruiting new members.

***

"I previously posted on the Deer Academy's campus forum according to your instructions. A few people did reach out to me, but things always fell apart when it came down to the distribution of academic credits···" Camille sighed as she replied.

"However, I did make an appointment with two... gentlemen to come over for an interview today. Since everyone happens to be here, we can discuss it in detail."

"Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon," Camille said, glancing at the clock hanging on the café wall.

Jingle—

The café door was pushed open. A frog dressed in a suit and riding a flying carpet entered, followed closely by a ghost wearing the robes of a Deer Academy student.

The newcomers were none the less than [Dimension Express] member Muji and [Haunt Street] member Rifen.

"Ribbit, Boss, a refreshing mint, please." Muji glanced at the menu board overhead and ordered a refreshing mint from old gentleman Philip.

After placing his order, Muji maneuvered his flying carpet toward Xiu's table. Their seating area consisted of four armchairs arranged together, and Muji came over to sit directly opposite Xiu.

"Boss, give me a soul-infused extraction." Rifen spoke in his usual soft, gentle voice. After ordering his drink, he followed Muji to Xiu's table and sat down right next to him.

"These two are the classmates coming for the interview today," Camille introduced to Xiu.

"Oh ho, hello there," Xiu said, looking at the two of them with interest.

"Hello," Muji and Rifen replied out of politeness.

At this moment, the table was occupied by two humans and three non-humans.

Camille and the three-eyed girl Usas both stared at Muji and Rifen with the curious eyes of babes, while the frog and the ghost appeared somewhat reserved, their gazes involuntarily gravitating toward the young man directly across from them.

The golden-haired, golden-eyed youth was the most relaxed presence in the entire room. He rested his chin on his left hand while his right hand idly twirled the straw in his bubbling soul beverage, his expression looking somewhat lazy.

Hugh Abraham······

Muji and Rifen looked at Xiu simultaneously, profound and unreadable expressions shifting in both of their eyes.

Muji, traveling frog tribe... In my past life, I vaguely remember that the future regional manager of the [Dimension Express] Central Branch was named Muji. He studied abroad at Deer Academy, so this must be that very frog in front of me.

Rifen, a ghost... No particular impression. But a ghost capable of physical manifestation... He must be a spirit from Haunt Street. Oh ho, a ghost from Haunt Street appearing right in front of a being from Heaven, this is turning out to be quite interesting.

Xiu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the pair before him. For reasons unknown, both Muji and Rifen suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable palpitations in their hearts.

***

"You two must be here to learn more about the Cryptid Research Society," Camille said to the two of them at this moment.

"Ribbit, yes. I think this club sounds extremely interesting," Muji replied.

"Mm, with protecting and studying cryptids as its core objective, I also feel this club is very fascinating," Rifen said with a weak demeanor.

"Is that so?"

Camille instantly perked up. She began introducing her drafted plans and concepts for the Cryptid Research Society to the two of them. The pair listened, nodding repeatedly, chiming in with "yes, absolutely, exactly" at every turn.

"······So, our future general direction of action will revolve around the House of Languages."

"I've finished outlining the general situation. Do the two of you have any questions?"

Camille picked up her drink and took a sip to quench the thirst caused by her endless torrent of explanations, then looked at the frog and the ghost before her with expectant eyes.

"Ribbit~ I pretty much understand the general situation. However, I do have one question I'd like to ask," Muji said.

"Go ahead," Camille prompted.

"Ribbit, my question is, isn't he the president of the club?" Muji pointed at the yawning Xiu.

"You mean Hugh? He's a member. Well, I did think about having him be president earlier, but he didn't want to..." Camille explained to Muji.

"Ribbit, so you're the president then." Muji cast a scrutinizing gaze toward Camille.

If Hugh Abraham were to be the president of this Cryptid Research Society, given his usual classroom performance and the strength he displayed during this practical assessment, Muji naturally wouldn't have any objections.

However, if this girl right in front of them was going to be the president, on what grounds?

Because you're pretty?

Because you have lofty ambitions?

What a joke. Stop looking down on frogs, ribbit!!!