Vol.3 Ch.3: The Student Council ①

-Chapter 3-

Turning back the clock to Saturday, June 10th, two days before Yuko and Tanabe encountered the cloaked girl going by the name Eli, a different ordeal was unfolding. Kanna Kawagoe stood at the window of the student council office, watching the students walking about outside. It was an ordinary Saturday afternoon and the weather was sunny, leaving Kanna to somewhat lament the fact that she was stuck indoors, for an urgent meeting between the student council had been scheduled. As president of the student council, Kanna was already present and accounted for, waiting patiently in the office for the others to arrive.

Although this day appears ordinary, I cannot help but feel that an ill omen is upon our fair academy…

Kanna slowly shook her head and paced back towards the center of the room, taking a seat at her desk at the head of the room.

She’d only had the formal role of student council president for a couple of months now, but she’d served on the student council itself since the year prior. In all her time as part of the council, there had been a few student-related complications that the council would assist in dealing with, but nothing particularly major. However, ever since the start of her term, it was as though the scale of the trouble had taken on another level. Rather, there was a particular incident back in April that Kanna was deeply involved with which changed her perspective.

Just what is happening in this academy…?

Kanna could only ask herself this question as she pondered the newly organized details of Starlight Academy eastern district’s latest ongoing incident.

“E-excuse me… I’m here.” a timid, boyish voice echoed from a crack in the door.

“Come in, Azuma.” spoke Kanna, trying to give the boy a reassuring smile.

“R-right…!” the small boy skittered into the room and quietly took his usual seat.

“You are the first to arrive. That is good.” Kanna nodded encouragingly. “After all, the two of us must set the example.”

“Of course… I’ll do my best!” the response was quiet, but still carried the weight of determination.

This introverted boy was named Tsutomu Azuma. He was the vice-president of the student council. Basically, in an official capacity, he was Kanna’s right-hand man. His role in the council was a lot like that of training. He’d shadow Kanna while she partook in her duties as a kind of practice for the potential of becoming the president himself next year. It was very similar to the kind of role Kanna herself had fulfilled in the year prior when she was the council’s secretary. This naturally made Tsutomu, a second-year, the youngest of the group, as everyone else on the student council was a third-year student. Although a rather unorthodox vice-president, Kanna always found herself watching over him warmly.

A moment following Tsutomu’s arrival, a small knock could be heard at the door.

“Come in.” Kanna spoke, knowing who to expect just from the sound of the knock.

“I see you two are already here, as usual.” spoke Makoto Ishigami somewhat sarcastically as he entered the room.

“Of course, we are model members of the student council, after all.” Kanna gave Makoto a somewhat mocking grin.

“Hmph…” after glancing at Tsutomu, he simply scoffed and made his way to his own seat at the table.

Makoto was the student council’s secretary, meaning he was in charge of the activities of the student council and what the group had to take care of from day to day. His rather uptight personality had him stand out amongst the group, but Kanna had gotten a good handle on him by now. She didn’t know for sure, but considering Makoto was the one who lost to her in the prior year’s student council election, she suspected he still felt a bit bitter over failing to become the president himself. It probably stung twice as hard when Kanna had chosen Tsutomu to be the vice-president over him. Clearly, the boy must’ve felt annoyed spending his last year at the academy as a mere secretary.

“So I take it today’s meeting is about the recent health issue from those two students?” Makoto asked as he opened his bag and got some papers in order.

“Correct. I did not think much of the first case, but hearing that another case had occurred so soon afterwards has left me feeling rather anxious.” Kanna responded. “Thus, I felt the need to have a proper discussion to decide on a plan of action.”

“It’s simply two cases of anemia.” Makoto sighed. “Why must we even be hassled with this, when it should be the clinic’s duty?”

“Save your opinions until the discussion begins in earnest.” Kanna scolded with a small glare. “It is a topic that should be evaluated. Rumors have even begun to spread among the student body.”

“Whatever you say, President.” Makoto shrugged his shoulders dismissively.

“Oh my, oh my, is little Ishigami acting up again~?” a sweet voice emanated from the once-more opening doorway.

“No more than usual, Ono.” Kanna turned her attention to the doorway, recognizing the voice.

“Is little Ishigami feeling frustrated again? Would a nice sugary snack help?” teased the carefree girl who waltzed into the room, carrying a box of thin cookies coated with chocolate on one side.

“You know I don’t care for sweets, Ono.” huffed an annoyed Makoto, pushing up his glasses with a sigh.

“But they’re so yummy! You really gotta learn to lighten up and live a little.” the girl leisurely took her seat while taking a bite of another cookie.

“Ono, as the meeting shall soon commence, I suggest putting away your snack for the time being.” Kanna suggested, already preparing herself for the discussion ahead.

“Okaaay~.” the girl whined playfully as she put the box away in her bag.

This girl was Megumi Ono, the student council’s rather laidback treasurer. Her easygoing and friendly personality adds some color to the often dull proceedings of the student council’s work, with many considering her a kind of ‘big sister’ of the group. Despite her appearance, she’s quite skilled at mathematics, which is why many clubs and student businesses in the eastern district often depend on her for money-related issues. Between all of the members of the student council, she’s probably the second most popular among the student body. As for the most popular…

“’Sup guys, hope I’m not late!” spoke the final member of the council who’d just entered the room.

“You are perfectly on time, Yamamura, please take you seat.” Kanna instructed with a nod.

“Yes ma’am!” the boy responded as he gave a goofy salute before taking his seat.

Shizuo Yamamura: the student council coordinator who doubles as a regular on the school’s baseball team. Naturally with both of those roles, he finds himself to be quite the popular student. It’s not too uncommon to spot him crowded by fangirls when he’s out and about. He even has the respect of various other clubs and businesses, considering he coordinates many of their needs with the student council. He and Megumi often make a great tag team for resolving their issues, which is why the two are viewed so fondly.

“Well then, now that everyone has gathered, let us begin the discussion.” Kanna declares, glancing at her fellow student council members.

Tsutomu, Makoto, Megumi, and Shizuo were all seated and ready.

“As I am sure many of you are aware, within the past couple of days, two of our students have succumbed to a sudden case of anemia.” Kanna explained as she glanced between the four other members. “While this could be a mere coincidence, I would like to monitor this situation with the utmost caution, and devise a solution, if possible.”

“Like I was saying before…” Makoto replied, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. “I don’t understand why we have to get involved in this at all. Aren’t the actions of the clinic staff and health club enough?”

“That’s what I was wondering too...” Megumi spoke up, feeling confused. “I understand why students fainting like that is a pretty scary issue, but I don’t see what we can really do about it…”

“You both make fair points.” Kanna conceded. “That was initially my stance as well. However…”

Kanna clenched her fist as she glanced down at the surface of her desk. After all, her fear regarding this situation was only stemming from a suspicion that was more than likely unfounded. Yet, she still found herself in this position where she had to justify her own involvement in remedying the issue.

“Perhaps I am overthinking things, but I am beginning to be reminded of the incident from April.” Kanna admitted, glancing at the others to gauge their reactions.

“Hmm? That incident? But why?” Megumi tilted her head, now even more confused.

“Yeah, like, we had to get involved there. People were literally missing, y’know?” Shizuo spoke up. “This time it’s just some anemia, and only from two students. It’s not like anyone’s disappeared, right? And nobody’s done anything to those two. They just got sick, right?”

“Truly ridiculous.” Makoto sighed.

“Of course, I understand the difference in circumstance…” Kanna faltered before her fellow council member’s reasonable observations. “However, is it not strange that this has occurred twice? And so suddenly, at that? I cannot help but feel something regarding this situation is amiss.”

“Well, yeah that is kinda weird, but…” Shizuo crossed his arms, deep in thought.

“Then we should at least investigate the situation more thoroughly, no?” Kanna asked earnestly.

“You’re paranoid, President.” Makoto sternly declared, clearly annoyed.

The room remained quiet for a moment.

“Now, now, little Ishigami, don’t you think that’s going a little far?” Megumi awkwardly tried to smooth things over, but Makoto refused to budge.

“Not at all.” he sharply retorted. “What I see is our president getting overly concerned about a simple matter and trying to involve us as if this were anything like that missing student debacle when in reality it’s completely different.”

A harsh silence lingered over the room. Even though the other three all disagreed with Makoto’s blunt accusation, it’s not as though they weren’t thinking something similar.

“I see. I understand what you are saying.” After thinking the situation over carefully, Kanna conceded. “In that case, I will begin to investigate this on my own. If necessary, I shall call a new meeting tomorrow.”

“Seriously? Tomorrow’s Sunday, you know.” Makoto sighed. Annoyed that he may have to be bothered about this on what should have been his day off.

“I am aware.” Kanna sighed. “Well, perhaps Monday, then…”

“That works for me.” Shizuo notes with a thumbs up.

“I’m sure the two students will be feeling much better by then!” Megumi cheerfully remained positive.

“Okay.” Kanna nodded. “Yamamura, you may take over and complete the proceedings for today. I shall go and gather input from the clinic.”

“You got it!” Shizuo affirmed as he began rummaging through his bag to get some files ready.

“What a waste of time.” Makoto sighed, as he prepared to get to work.

Kanna rose from her desk and made her way to the doorway. As she did, a small voice managed to reach her.

“U-umm…” it was Tsutomu, trying to get Kanna’s attention.

“Ah, Azuma? What is it?” Kanna stopped, having noticed him.

“Sh-should I go with you…? O-or… stay here?” the shy boy stuttered.

“Ah, of course…” Kanna had forgotten for a moment that Tsutomu’s primary job was to assist her. “You may accompany me.”

“Y-yes ma’am!” Tsutomu nodded and rose from his seat, moving to follow closely behind Kanna.

As the two reached the doorway, Kanna briefly turned back and looked at the other three student council members all getting started on their work.

Despite the differences between us, we truly do form an efficient team…

A small smile forms on Kanna’s face as a bit of pride swells within her chest.

Is this how your student council felt too, President Yamazaki?

For a moment, Kanna thought back to the fond memories of her time on the council during the previous year, and the graduated upperclassman she could no longer meet.

“Let us go, Azuma.” Kanna restated as she took hold of the doorknob and made her way out of the room.

“R-right!” Tsutomu nodded as he followed along right behind her.