"Strange Hobby Club!?" Episode 1 [Creative Awards 2024 - Manga Original Work Category Entry]

Synopsis
Toji Muramatsu is a young male earth science teacher working at Kaido Academy, a private high school in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Toji Muramatsu. One day, while he is eating lunch in the staff room, three female students with completely different personalities—a delinquent, an honor student, and a popular girl—visit him together. Wondering what this could possibly be about, he braces himself, and the delinquent speaks up. "We're starting a Strange Hobby Club, so become our advisor."

Strange... Hobby Club!?

And that night, on the school grounds, Muramatsu witnesses something astonishing. A new sensation panic action story starts here!

Main Story
Prologue
“Gaoooo!”
“Garuuu!”
　This is sudden, but my name is Toji Muramatsu. I work as a private high school teacher. I am 25 years old. Single, no girlfriend. My subject is Earth Science. Yes, it is a major minor subject because very few people choose it. The scope of study is surprisingly narrow, so there is little to memorize, which I think makes it advantageous for university entrance exams, but...
“Gioooo!”
“Giruuu!”
　Well, that’s fine. If you’re wondering where this is, it’s Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Speaking of Shizuoka Prefecture, it is long from east to west, which should be very familiar to users of the Tokaido Shinkansen. Shizuoka City is the prefectural capital located right in the middle of the prefecture and is a government-designated city. It is a city that is wide from north to south; while the south faces Suruga Bay, the north faces the Southern Alps. It’s a bit confusing that the north faces the south. You can fully enjoy the nature of both the sea and the mountains.
“Guoooo!”
“Guruuu!”
　Although, the school where I work, Kaido Gakuen, is located a bit closer to the sea. If you drive a little, you will reach the sea in no time. Fortunately, I am not so troubled by work that I suddenly want to see the sea, and conversely, unfortunately, I do not have a partner to ride in the passenger seat and enjoy a drive with. ...I guess I’m leaning slightly towards the unfortunate side?
“Geoooo!”
“Geruuu!”
　Anyway. It has been three years since I started this job after graduating from university. I have gotten used to the work. I have grasped the pace of being a working adult. This year, I want to get a girlfriend and make my private life fulfilling. ...Although it is quite difficult to secure time for myself in the teaching profession. Of course, I feel the reward of the job every day. I have absolutely no regrets about choosing this job. ...At least for now. Or should I say, until just a moment ago?
“Goooo!”
“Goruuu!”
　However, I deeply regret coming to this place, the school’s large playground, tonight. Perhaps I am extremely tired, but in my eyes, a giant bipedal dragon-like creature with a burning red body and another giant bipedal lizard-like creature are fighting fiercely. Is this what they call a seesaw battle?
“W-what is going on...?”
　I mutter words that are too ordinary, but likely appropriate for this situation.

1
　The story goes back to the daytime of that day. A rare event occurred. Three female students came to visit me while I was having lunch in the staff room. To repeat, I am in charge of Earth Science, a minor subject. It is almost zero that students come to ask questions about classes. Well, that might be a good thing, as it means I am teaching in a way that doesn't raise questions... Eh? Are you asking if no one is interested in the class content in the first place? No, no, that shouldn't be the case, probably...
“Hey, Muramatsu-chan...”
　Hey, hey, calling me with a '-chan' right away? It doesn't feel like it’s filled with affection. It’s like they are looking down on adults. I feel slightly irritated, but I try to respond as calmly as possible.
“...What is it, Guren?”
“It’s not like there’s nothing, it’s not like there’s nothing.”
　That female student, Ryuko Guren, pouts her lips in dissatisfaction at my reaction.
“I can only say ‘what is it’.”
“Wait, you know my name...”
　I do know it. Ryuko Guren, the school’s number one delinquent student, with a bright red bob cut and a slender yet glamorous physique, and a short skirt, even though the school dress code is loose, she is a student at a level where it would be strange not to remember her. I didn't know she used 'ore' as a first-person pronoun, though.
“As you can see, I’m having lunch, can you come back later?”
“You can eat lunch anytime, right?”
“Anytime... what about you?”
“That’s obvious, it’s eating early, eating early.”
　I haven't heard the word 'eating early' in a long time.
“...Did you eat during class?”
“Yeah.”
“‘Yeah’... at least eat during break time.”
“I get sleepy during break time.”
“That’s because you eat a meal.”
“They say ‘a hungry stomach is not a good advisor’, right?”
“If you were properly attending class with that, I could praise you, but eating a bento secretly...”
“I’m not doing it secretly, I’m eating it openly.”
　Guren puffs out her chest. Don't be proud of that. This is the first time we’ve talked properly, but she’s quite a problem child... For example, I haven't heard any talk about fights or anything, but to be a habitual early-eater and not get scolded... but how did she even get admitted... Come to think of it, she has excellent athletic ability. Is it one of those recommendation slots?
“...Muramatsu-sensei, may I?”
“Yeah... what is it, Hayate?”
　The bespectacled student who was silent to Guren’s left opens her mouth.
“First of all, nice to meet you... since this is the first time we’ve talked like this. My name is Seiran Hayate. Please treat me well from now on.”
“Ah, yeah... n-nice to meet you.”
　I am a little taken aback by Hayate, who bows politely. Seiran Hayate... She has bluish long hair tied back, with long bangs on both sides. Besides her glasses, it is also characteristic that she wears a pants-style uniform. Female students at this school have the freedom to choose between a skirt or pants style, but skirts are still the majority. Therefore, she is particularly easy to remember in her pants style. Of course, I have also heard that she is one of the top honor students in the school.
“I am very sorry to interrupt your lunch, but...”
“Can’t you do it after lunch?”
“I won’t take much of your time.”
“Even if you say that... is your lunch okay too?”
“Do not worry about me. I finished with a jelly drink.”
　Saying that, Hayate shows me the empty jelly drink pouch. No, that makes me worry instead... You should eat something more substantial. Guren is the same, but you are also quite slender, and even more so than Guren... Wait, if I say that out loud, it’s sexual harassment, isn't it... I change the subject.
“If it’s a question about class, I’ll take time for it later...”
“That is unnecessary.”
“Eh?”
“I am in the liberal arts class, and I am not taking Earth Science in the first place.”
“Ah, yeah, that’s right...”
“Besides...”
“Besides?”
“Even if I were taking Earth Science, I would never ask questions after class. I do my own preparation and review thoroughly, and I focus on the class.”
“Ah, yeah, i-is that so...”
　I am overwhelmed. W-what confidence... Is this what they call a model student? I feel like I can see an aura...
“May I?”
“Eh, um, can you wait a moment, I’ll finish eating soon...”
　I shovel the rest of my bento into my mouth.
“...Hey, Muramatsu-cchi...?”
“Hmm?”
　The gyaru student standing to Hayate’s left opens her mouth.
“...You don’t have a girlfriend, right?”
“Buhoah!? Cough, cough!”
　I choke violently. The gyaru laughs at that.
“Ahaha, that reaction, it’s seriously funny.”
“W-what are you saying, Raiden...!”
“Eh? You know who I am?”
“I know, Kongo Raiden...”
　Kongo Raiden... contrary to her strong-sounding name, she is a modern-day gyaru. She wears her blonde hair in a ponytail and black stockings under a short skirt. She is what you call a 'yokya' (extrovert). And a super extrovert at that. She seems to have a very wide circle of friends, and I often see her coming in and out of the class I am in charge of. I don't know much about it, but she seems to have quite a lot of SNS followers, and she is apparently a nationally famous influencer. Some say she could make a living even if she quit high school... I’m so envious.
“Heh, I’m famous too... Could it be that I’m on Muramatsu-cchi’s ‘list’?”
　Saying that, Raiden deliberately twists her body. Compared to Guren and Hayate, she is a bit petite and plump, but you could say her figure is voluptuous. Wait, what am I saying.
“What list?”
“Eh? The list of students you’re targeting.”
“Don’t be stupid, I’m not targeting anyone.”
“Eh~ you’re not targeting? That’s disappointing~”
“...I am paying attention to you.”
　I smile and make a joke. Raiden’s face changes.
“Eh... seriously? That’s a bit creepy...”
“No, no, which one is it!?”
“Ahaha, joke, it’s a joke.”
“Geez... so?”
　I ask the three of them again. The school’s number one delinquent, one of the top honor students, and the school’s charismatic gyaru... It’s surprising that these three are friends, but why come to someone like me?
“...Muramatsu-chan, this.”
“Hmm? A club establishment application?”
“We’re starting a Doko-Kai, so be our advisor.”
　Guren said something I never expected.
“...Huh?”
　I tilt my head as much as I can. Guren adds.
“No, I mean be our advisor.”
“I understand that, but...”
“If you understand, what’s with that reaction?”
“No, sorry...”
“You don’t have to apologize, but...”
“...Why me?”
“...According to what we heard, Muramatsu-sensei is not yet an advisor for any club or circle...”
　Hayate mutters while touching the temple of her glasses.
“...Who did you hear that from?”
“That is a secret.”
“Tch...”
　I click my tongue quietly so the three of them can’t hear. The troublesome part of being a teacher is being an advisor for clubs or circles. Until now, I had been exempted because I was a newcomer and would have a lot of burdens. However, it’s my third year. I felt the atmosphere that I couldn't get away with it anymore, but I had managed to reach the new school year while playing dumb. But, had the other teachers found out after all...? Are they saying they won’t let only me have it easy...?
“We don’t intend to cause you any trouble.”
　Hayate says something that seems to see through my thoughts.
“Hmm...”
“If you could just lend us your name...”
“No, even if you say that...”
“We can’t operate unless someone becomes our advisor...”
“As an advisor, there is a supervisory responsibility... I am busy with teaching material research and such...”
“Of course, we won’t cause you any burden...”
“Even so...”
“It’s fine, Muramatsu-cchi, you’re free after school anyway, right?”
“...Were you listening? Raiden?”
“Because you don’t have a girlfriend.”
“! W-what is the basis for that assertion?”
“That convenience store bento. According to information, it seems like you have that almost every day.”
“W-who did you hear that from?”
“That’s a secret~♪”
“Mmph...”
“So, I think you should have plenty of time.”
“No, that’s...”
　I make an overtly disgusted face. Guren opens her mouth.
“Even if you refuse now, your turn will come eventually, right? With someone even more troublesome.”
“Ugh...”
“If you become our advisor here, you can avoid that, right?”
“Ngh...”
“Well, think of it as the time to pay your taxes, and just sign it quickly.”
“Kuh...”
　While being bothered by Guren’s old-fashioned phrasing, I look over the documents I received.
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
“...”
“Is something wrong?”
　Guren asks me, as I am silent.
“No...”
　I lift my gaze from the documents.
“Was there something that bothered you?”
　Hayate tilts her head curiously.
“Yeah, what is ‘Doko-Kai’?”
“!”
“!!”
“!?”
　The three of them change color slightly at my point.
“To notice that, Muramatsu-cchi, you’re pretty good...”
“No, anyone would notice.”
　I retort to Raiden’s mutter.
“...Well, it’s fine♪ Just consider it a cute typo...”
“It’s not fine.”
“Eh~”
“Besides, with this, I don’t even know what kind of club it is. Dance, light music, there are many, right?”
“...So, Ryuko-cchi?”
　Raiden looks at Guren. Guren says after a short pause.
“...No extra words are needed. Please, Doko-Kai.”
“No, even if you ask me...”
“Please...!”
　Guren bows her head vigorously. I answer, bewildered.
“! N-no, even if you bow your head like that...”
“...Considering the content of our activities, I believe it is a better name, if not the best.”
　Hayate says while touching the bridge of her glasses. I am a little surprised.
“I’m surprised, you agree too, Hayate...”
“I think it’s a good idea for the rash Ryuko-san...”
“Hey, you just made fun of me, didn’t you?”
　Guren lifts her face and glares at Hayate. I appease Guren.
“Ah, wait, wait, don’t forget this is the staff room, okay?”
“Hmph...”
　Guren averts her gaze from Hayate. I ask while scratching the back of my head.
“Hmm, I don’t really get it, but with ‘Kai’ (monster/mystery), is it that? Like, ghost stories?”
“Yes, it is one of those.”
　Guren nods.
“Then it’s rejected even more.”
“W-why!?”
“If it’s that kind of club, there’s the Occult Research Club. We don’t need two of the same kind of club...”
“Ah~ I see, I get it...”
　Raiden nods. Guren warns her.
“Hey, don’t be convinced, Kongo. ...We are different from those kinds of games.”
“Different from games?”
“Yeah, it’s a proper Chi-Ai-Ji-Katsudon.”
“...It is a public safety maintenance activity.”
　Hayate corrects Guren’s words. I tilt my head.
“Public safety maintenance is an exaggeration...”
“We couldn’t find any other appropriate words...”
“...Is it like a disciplinary committee?”
“It is different from that.”
　Hayate answers while touching the frame of her glasses.
“I don’t see the point...”
“...Well, whatever, seeing is believing, come to the schoolyard tonight, you’ll see something interesting.”
　Guren says that and grins. What, am I going to be able to eat the ultimate or supreme cuisine?
“...”
　I come to the schoolyard at night as told. What am I doing, I wonder... Wasting my precious private time. Well, it’s not like I do anything special during that private time, though...
“...You came.”
“Muramatsu-cchi, good evening~♪”
“! O-oh... g-good evening...”
　Hayate and Raiden appear from the darkness. I stumble over my greeting because I was suddenly spoken to.
“Ahaha! ‘Good evening’, she says! Funny~”
　Raiden laughs. I feel slightly annoyed.
“I just made a small mistake... Besides, is this the time to be greeting each other casually?”
“Eh?”
　Raiden tilts her head.
“‘Eh?’ is not the answer. I came because I was told to, but school is long over. Go home quickly.”
“Eh~”
　Raiden pouts.
“Don’t ‘eh~’ me. Go home.”
“We can’t do that~”
“Why?”
“Why, you ask... right, Seiran-cchi?”
　Raiden looks at Hayate. Hayate opens her mouth.
“Since there is someone to supervise us, we don’t have to go home in a hurry...”
“Supervise? Who?”
　I look around.
“...Muramatsu-sensei, of course.”
“M-me?”
　I point at myself.
“Yes.”
　Hayate nods.
“W-wait a second. Why do I have to supervise?”
“Because you are our advisor.”
“I haven’t decided to become an advisor yet.”
“Tch...”
　Hey, you just clicked your tongue, you honor student. I heard it. You tried to force me to be an advisor. You’re surprisingly impulsive...
“...I’m going home, so you guys go home too.”
“...Unfortunately, we can’t do that.”
　Hayate shakes her head.
“Hayate, are you saying that too?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t trouble me so much...”
“If you become our advisor, we will go home quietly.”
“No, no, what kind of exchange condition is that?”
“Will you not accept?”
“That’s why, even if you tell me to become an advisor...”
　I scratch the back of my head.
“Well, I thought you would throw a tantrum like that...”
“What do you mean by throwing a tantrum?”
“It’s a synonym for ‘being selfish’.”
“I know that much. Why am I being treated like a troubled child?”
“...I thought I would have you see what the activities of our Doko-Kai are actually like, so I called you here.”
“Actual activities?”
“Yes.”
　Hayate nods.
“What, are you going to investigate school ghost stories? ‘Hanako-san in the toilet’? ‘The moving Ninomiya Kinjiro statue’? There aren’t any such cliché rumors at this school, right? It’s a relatively new school.”
“Muramatsu-cchi...”
　Raiden opens her mouth.
“W-what...”
“You’re suddenly talking a lot...”
“I-is that so?”
“Could it be... you’re scared?”
“I-I’m not scared!”
“Your voice is shaking, you know?”
“Mmph...”
　Raiden smiles.
“Be honest with yourself...”
“...There are few people who like or are good at being at school at night.”
“Even though you’re a teacher?”
“In this case, it doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher or a student.”
“Is that how it is?”
“That’s how it is.”
　Hayate opens her mouth.
“Do not worry. We are not doing a test of courage...”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes, but... in a sense, you might be stunned...”
“Eh? ...Whoa!?”
　The ground shakes violently. An earthquake? This is quite big... no, that’s not it, I have to evacuate them...
“It’s here...”
“Yeah, it is~”
“You guys, get away from the building...!”
“Garuru!”
“Huh!?”
　I am surprised, because a giant bipedal lizard-like creature suddenly appeared. It’s bigger than the school building. I’ve never seen such a creature. The giant lizard roars again.
“Garururu!”
“W-what is it!?”
“What do you think it is~?”
　Raiden asks in a carefree tone. I think it’s completely ridiculous, but I say the phrase that first crossed my mind.
“A ‘Kaiju’...?”
“That is a good guess...”
　Hayate mutters as if impressed.
“T-there’s no way a Kaiju exists!”
“It is actually right in front of you.”
“I-it must be some kind of video!? Like projection mapping or something!”
“Heh, it would be interesting if it were...”
　Guren appears from the darkness.
“G-Guren! You were here too!?”
“Of course I am... this kind of thing is my responsibility... ‘Transformation’!”
“!”
“Gaaaa!”
“Eeeh!?”
　Guren transformed into a giant bipedal dragon-like creature with a burning red body right in front of me, so I am stunned. Here the story returns to the beginning.
“Gaoooo!”
“Garuuu!”
“Whoa...”
　The dragon-like creature and the giant lizard roar at each other. Are they threatening each other? It’s a very loud scream. I instinctively cover both ears.
“Gioooo!”
“Giruuu!”
“Eeeh...”
　The giant creatures glare at each other. Is it okay for such giant creatures to exist in this world? No, or rather, in the first place... are they living creatures? A while ago, I muttered 'Kaiju' myself... but aren't Kaiju imaginary things? They appear in the world of science fiction. I am a science teacher, after all. I am having a hard time accepting the ridiculous phenomenon unfolding before my eyes.
“Guoooo!”
“Guruuu!”
“Ah!”
　The giant lizard lunged at the dragon-like creature with force. Oh, it’s a giant body, but it’s surprisingly agile...
“Geoooo!”
“Geruuu!”
“Oh!?”
　The dragon-like creature counterattacks. It pushes the giant lizard back. This might be a natural thing, but it’s strong...
“Goooo!”
“Goruuu!”
　The giant lizard and the dragon-like creature repeat pushing and shoving. While watching such an unbelievable scene, I escape from reality for a while—this is just my perceived time, it was actually almost an instant.
　My name is Toji Muramatsu. Private high school teacher. Age 25. Single, no girlfriend. My subject is Earth Science...
　I am currently in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Shizuoka Prefecture is a good place...
　I work at a school called ‘Kaido Gakuen’, which is located a bit closer to the sea. If you drive a little, you will reach the sea in no time...
　The teaching profession is hard, but I feel the reward...
　No, is this really the time to be escaping from reality...
“W-what is going on...?”
　I choose and mutter words that are too ordinary, but likely appropriate for this situation.
“Muramatsu-cchi, that’s a very ordinary impression~”
“N-no, you wouldn’t have any other impression, would you!?”
　I raise my voice at Raiden, who was teasing me.
“Haha, well, usually that’s the case~”
　Raiden laughs, holds the back of her head with both hands, and returns her gaze to the Kaiju.
“No...”
“That lizard is surprisingly good~”
“It is truly a seesaw battle.”
　Hayate reacts to Raiden’s mutter. I raise my voice again.
“Wait, y-you guys!”
“Hmm~?”
“Did you say something?”
　Raiden and Hayate look at me together.
“‘Did you say something’ is not the point! Let’s evacuate quickly!”
　I urge the two of them again.
“Ah~ it’s okay, it’s okay♪”
　Raiden waves one hand.
“I-it’s not okay, is it!?”
“Once a battle starts, it’s better not to move from there carelessly.”
“I-is that so...?”
　I ask Hayate.
“Yes. Besides, Ryuko-san is surprisingly detailed, so she can fight while being careful not to cause damage to the surroundings.”
“Eh...?”
　I tilt my head at Hayate’s calm explanation.
“Conversely, is she being a bit too cautious, Ryuko-cchi?”
“That is also possible, but... I honestly don’t think this opponent is that difficult.”
“That means she’s showing off? What you call ‘playing around’?”
“That is also possible... We will have a reflection meeting later, the three of us.”
“Eeeh!? Me too!?”
“Of course.”
“Eeeh, no way...”
“W-wait a second!?”
“Hmm?”
“What is it?”
　Raiden and Hayate look at me together again. I point to the dragon-like creature and ask.
“T-that dragon? N-no, the Kaiju, is it Guren!?”
“That’s right~”
“‘That’s right~’...”
“You saw her transform a while ago, didn’t you?”
“I-I did see that, but...!”
　The dragon-like creature glows red. Raiden raises her voice.
“Oh!? Is she finally in serious mode?”
“Literally, the downside is that it takes time for her body to warm up...”
“Gaoooo!”
“Garururu!”
　The dragon-like creature—apparently the transformed form of Guren—bites the giant lizard. ...But it immediately lets go.
“Gao...”
“W-what happened?”
“Maybe it didn’t taste good?”
“Eeeh?”
　I tilt my head at Raiden’s words.
“Look, Ryuko-cchi is a picky eater.”
“I-is that the problem?”
“Yeah.”
“This is not the time to be saying that... This is definitely a reflection meeting.”
“...Reflection meeting, hey, why don’t we do it at a family restaurant or something?”
“That’s fine...”
“Oh, yay!”
“If it’s Kongo-san’s treat.”
“Eeeh... ah...”
　The dragon-like creature, I’ll just call her Guren because it’s troublesome. Guren takes some distance from the giant lizard and opens her mouth wide.
“...Gaaaa!”
“!?”
　Guren breathes fire from her mouth. The giant lizard is instantly engulfed in flames and disappears.
“I-is it... over?”
　Guren returns to her human form and walks toward us. And she smiles at me.
“...Well, this is what our main activities are like.”
“Eh, yeah...”
　I could only be completely bewildered.