Second-in-Commands

Riyone entered the cafe she and her friends frequented often. It was a simple place with a warm atmosphere despite its popularity. They would spend more time here were it not for one painful, obvious reason.

As she sat down and surveyed the area, the memory of her past run-ins with the Capa crew flashed in her minds. It was as if she could see their fragments walking about as they would engage in verbal combat with their bitter rivals.

“Ugh, they really have nothing better to do with their lives.” She muttered to herself as she scanned and failed to see anyone resembling either Ryuo or Jurie.

“Aww, missing me already?” A smug voice spoke up as her most hated boy sat down besides her. “I figured you’d already be here. You Montas are so predictable.” Tenmaro laid back in his seat and rested his legs onto the table they sat at.

“Shouldn’t you be more worried about your president instead of me?” She asked, glaring at him all the while. “And put your feet down, it’s rude.”

“Hey, you don’t get to boss me around.” He fired back.

“Sir, can you please not put your feet on the tables, thanks.” A server came up to them and reprimanded him for his actions.

“Sorry.” He immediately did as he was asked and sat down properly.

“Now then, what would you two like?” They asked, mistaking them for a pair on a date.”

“Um, do you not see our uniforms?” He pointed to himself and Riyone in response to such a silly question. “We’re definitely not here to hang out.”

“Perhaps you shouldn’t be sitting next to me like that.” Riyone spoke quietly into his ear as the server walked away. “People might get the wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea.” He repeated her final words with a chuckle. “Speaking of wrong ideas. I think we’re all on a wild goose chase. You know, to answer why I don’t seem so worried.”

“You don’t believe anyone’s being blackmailed?” She eyed at him as if he were about to try and pull a trick on her.

“Be for real, you don’t actually think so yourself either.” Riyone wished she could wipe the grin off his face as he talked, but she kept cool in this situation to avoid making things worse than they already were. “I know Jurie would never stoop so low and while I hold only disdain for your president. I don’t think he’s the type of guy to do it either.”

“Then what do you suggest actually is happening?” She countered, eyeing him closely to see if there were any part of his body which might betray his true feelings. However all she got was another smirk, as her response proved to him his suspicions were correct.

“That part, I don’t have a clue.” He admitted. “I thought Jurie was acting strange, but seeing that your president was also acting sus at the same time sure is a strange coincidence.”

“Figures your kind would be the type to go into conspiracy theories.” Though these were her words, Riyone did share some of his thoughts. However, there was no evidence backing this line of thinking. “And regardless of whether you’re correct or not, it doesn’t help us in finding them sooner.”

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing either of them sooner than they’ll allow us.” His answer provided her enough to know he had an idea of collusion by someone. The only problem was he had no idea on who his ire should be placed on. “Oh server, I’d like a chocolate filled croissant please.” If there was any turmoil within Tenmaro, he did a good job in hiding it as he joyfully waved and asked for food.

“So I guess you’ve given up.” Riyone stood up from her seat, tired of this farce. “I’m going now.”

“You really don’t want to just wait for them to show up?” He turned his head over look in her direction. “You know, Jurie is a lot smarter and capable than how you Montas view her. I trust whatever she’s doing, she’ll come back to me. Don’t you trust your president?”

“…” She didn’t immediately answer, sensing there was a hidden challenge in his words. As if he wanted her to prove herself worthy, but to whom? “Of course I do.” She didn’t turn to look at him as she answered his question. “I’ll always trust him, but I’ll also do anything to support and aid him. No matter what.” With that, she walked away and headed for the exit.

Those Capas always pushed her buttons, she thought as she walked down the sidewalk. The nerve of that vice president especially. Acting as if he could ever be her equal just because they happened to share the same role.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but think on his words. There were some parts in it which she couldn’t help but agree with. Not that she’d ever openly admit such a fact. Where was Ryuo? She knew if he didn’t want to be found, it wouldn’t be easy to find him. So what would make someone like him want to disappear for a moment?

“Riyone?” A voice said her name, which caused her to freeze in place. It was a voice she was all too familiar with.

“Ryuo?” She turned her head to face the direction of the voice. Sure enough, it was her student council president. He stood before her in his school uniform as it seemed he had ditched his poor excuse of a disguise. For a moment she was conflicted. A part of her wanted to run up to him and give him a hug. At the same time, she also clenched her fists in frustration, wanting to punch him in the face all the while.

However she took a deep breath and regained her composure. This wasn’t the time to show her feelings. There were more pressing matters at hand.

Meanwhile Tenmaro continued to sit alone at the cafe table. He took a sip of the tea he ordered as he sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. The boy’s relaxation was interrupted when he felt a hand lay itself on his shoulder. Its soft touch, even through his uniform’s blazer was one he knew well.

“Look who decided to finally show up.” He chuckled as his eyes opened to see the beautiful girl before him. “I was wondering when you’d grace me with some alone time.”

“You really never change.” Jurie spoke as she walked around and sat at the table directly in front of him. “I’m guessing you’re all wondering where I’ve been, right?”

“That’s an understatement.” He answered, pulling out his phone. For a moment, Tenmaro contemplated sending a message to the other two girls to let them know he was with their student council president. He decided against it as he closed his phone without even checking his messages. Having them run around like headless chicken for a little while longer couldn’t hurt, right?

“You know I’m not a kid.” She crossed her arms and pouted playfully. “I don’t need you all to babysit me.” Even though her tone came across jokingly, there was a part of her who believed the statement in earnest.

“Isn’t it a good thing to have so many people caring about you?” He countered, waving at the server to get their attention. “Can we get one of those croissant cubes the lady here?” Tenmaro asked, smiling as if there was nothing strange about his time in this cafe today. “Especially when you’ve got a playboy like me hooked on you.” He returned his attention back to her after making his order.

“Anyway, you probably want some answers from me.” She ignored his blatant flirting words. “I’m sure you probably got some crazy theories about what I’ve been up to...”

Back with Ryuo and Riyone, one would’ve figured he’d have already told her the whole story. One that was made up, of course. However the pair were instead sitting together on a bench just down the road from the cafe. A rather awkward time for the two of them.

“You know, I can just tell where I’ve been already.” He spoke up as they continued to wait around. “It’s really not that convoluted.”

“I think the others deserve to hear it too.” She responded in a deadpan manner, her arms and legs crossed as she looked away from him. Riyone had already messaged the other boys and soon enough they arrived. With the two girls from Capa academy in tow.

“I take it that we won.” Said Meguru, giving a smirking look to Sumiwa.

“Pff, whatever.” She crossed her arms and pretended to not care. “Any clue where Tenmaro is?”

“He’s in the cafe.” Riyone answered, pointing in the direction of the business. “Just sitting around and being lazy.”

“Gee thanks, I guess all you Montas aren’t completely useless after all.” With that, she and Niiya continued walking down the sidewalk to the cafe.

“Okay Ryuo.” Finally, Riyone stood up and stared down at him. “Now it’s your turn to speak.” He could feel her gaze beaming down at him like a laser beam. If he said or did anything wrong, it would mean the end of his existence. However he stood up, showing no fear, for he knew how he’d respond.

“All right, I’ll tell you all the truth.”