Chapter Text
Today, we’ve started with the Literature Club’s first meeting! The classroom is empty and there is not much decor, but I see so much potential in this room and I’ve been docking the shelves with books from home. Dragon’s Glory, Sweet Summer, Golden Bones; I’ve loved these books since grade 2. I see Natsuki shelving some of hers from home in a nearby closet. Yuri is sitting in the middle of the empty classroom, sipping her tea and mind head-first into her home book,“Shadows of Dawn’s Comics.” Sayori as usual arrives late and with cereal crumbs on her uniform. “I’m -pant- so… Sorry! The bus -pant- was late and -pant- I had to run…” “It’s okay Sayori, it’s our first meeting. This won’t happen on a daily basis though, will it?” “No…” “Great then!”
I clap my hands to gather the girls’ attention. “Hello girls and welcome to the first official meeting of the Literature club! I know that things right now seem a little damp and boring, but I assure you that we will get to know each other and help people notice why literature is an important part of the real world. For starters, let’s just start off with 3 things about ourselves, shall we?” I start with Yuri, who seems to be shy, but passionate with her reading. “Hi. I’m Yuri. I like to read…” she hesitates, as she’s about to say her book, but instead says “graphic novels and a little Shakesphere.” She said only one thing, which I knew wasn’t really enough. “And..? Do you have anything else you like? What about food? Or-” “Tea. Cupcakes.” She then goes back to reading. I’m sure she’ll warm up to me eventually! “Natsuki! What about you?” “Hello! I’m Natsuki and I really really really enjoy manga and I like writing stories about them!” “Awesome. What about Sayori? Our last-but-not-least?” “Well, I like to read all genres of books, just not novels without pictures in them. I also enjoy eating cupcakes too!”
“Great! You all seem to be very nice and I can’t wait to get this club rolling! Everything is going to be fantastic!” I start by writing the word “Rose'' on the board. “Roses. There are many, many components to roses that make them great literary devices in all books alike, especially Twilight and Beauty and the Beast.” I see Yuri perk up from her book. “Now how do you all interpret the rose? I hope you’ve got your notebooks to write your answers down.” I give a quiet 15 minutes to all of us so we can think about the rose’s meanings, and I see Sayori’s hand raise when I ask for their answers. “I think of it… like, a ladder you need to climb up because of its thorns. And when you reach the top, there’s a really pretty red rose flower. Does this mean that hard work and hardships can lead us to the top where the pretty rewards are waiting? Am I correct?” “Excellent! And yes, there are no wrong answers. The beauty of literature!”
I see Yuri look up, but not raise her hand. I suspect she just doesn’t want to, so I pick Natsuki instead. “Roses are pretty tall and they are used in lots of stories as symbolism probably because it means that the rose itself has gone through tough times because of its tallness could be like character growth, but since there are thorns it could mean Beauty is Pain or something?” “Impressive! That’s another good one. What about you Yuri? Do you have anything to share?” I see her finally put down her book. “Roses are usually cut off for bouquets, meaning that they are only grown for beauty. All flowers are only used for beauty, but the rose is picked because of the meanings behind its thorns and it needs to constantly protect itself against predators. If we keep cutting them, won’t we be in a world where roses adapt?” “Hmm, not as on track, but still has meaning to it. Great work!”
I was busy writing everyone’s ideas on the whiteboard. “Now, what do all of these ideas all have in common? It’s the pain and hardships!” I look at the time. 5:30 already? I must’ve been having a lot of fun. “Okay, well we’re going to have to wrap up for today, but for today’s little assignment I want all of you to write a small poem about roses to share with each other.” All of them nod their heads, and I wait for everyone to leave the classroom before packing up my things and leaving the classroom. Not bad for a first day! Not bad at all…