Unexpected Side of a Coin

A coin has two faces. Heads or tails.

If you are looking on heads, you can’t see the tails. Similarly, you can’t also see the heads if you are looking on the tails.

Just looking on one side of a coin makes us think that it was all there is to it, but in reality, there is a side that we are not expecting to see.

We won’t be able to see it unless we look at it from a different angle.

This also applies to getting to know someone.

Who knows if there is more to them than meets the eyes?

__

After the talk with the Student Council yesterday, it was decided that I’ll be taking the role of secretary. I’m not completely ignorant about the secretary work because I also used to do it some time before. Though, not on a scale of Student Council, but I’m still confident that I’ll be fine.

What’s more bothering is the fact that I don’t know much about the school, being a transferee and all. And so, I will be given a tour around the school today.

“G-good morning, Terushima-san.” The figure of the bowing Kurokawa-senpai is the first thing that greeted me this morning. He was waiting for me on the main gate of the school.

I squinted my eyes at him. His confidence really hits rock bottom. At this rate, I can’t help but think that he was a lost cause.

I also noticed that the cat ears are nowhere to be seen. That’s too bad because I would like to stare at them if I got a chance. They’re really cute!

Wait, what are you saying, Hikari?! That sounds like a creepy person would say! Forget about it!

In the end, I couldn’t ask him right now because there are also other students around. I could just ask him later when I got the chance.

“Good morning, Kurokawa-senpai,” I greeted back.

“I’m really sorry if I am the one giving you a tour around. Everyone have some plans so I really apologize if my explanations are lacking.” He bowed profusely.

Ah, he went off again.

“Please take care of me today, senpai.” I slightly bowed as a form of respect.

I am excused in my classes as requested by the student council to give me an orientation. It seems like the teachers have exceptional treatment towards student council because they are free to attend classes whenever they like. Well, that must be because student council members have exceptional skills overall.

In my case, I don’t have problem academically so I didn’t face strong opposition from taking the position. More than that, I realized that most faculty members are even thankful that I took the job of being a secretary. I wonder what was that about. Suspicious.

“First things first, Terushima-san will be asked to go to the student council building every morning to help with everyday agendas that need to be settled. You already know about the location of the building, right?”

“Ah… yeah. Somehow…” I answered vaguely.

The truth is, I can’t really remember the way I took yesterday to go to the place. I was just following Yami without paying attention to my surroundings. My bad, it was my blunder.

Kurokawa-senpai stared at me worriedly. Looks like he also realized that I’m unsure about the place.

“O-okay, let’s go there again after we have a tour around the school…” He suggested.

“Thanks.” I let out an awkward chuckle in which he just nodded to me.

The two of us walked around the school, there was an obvious distance between us that it somehow feels awkward. I can’t really blame him since it seems like I was the threat between the two of us. He continued explaining places but my mind stopped responding at the middle so I didn’t hear most of what he said after that.

It was a good thing that we took a small break in the cafeteria. I was looking on their stuffed bread choices, there are curry pan, melon pan and others. Hmm, what should I get?

“You can get anything you like, Terushima-san.” Kurokawa-senpai said as he got himself a tuna onigiri.

“Eh? Would that be fine?” I’m not expecting that.

“Un. Student council can have food from cafeteria, free of charge.” He said with a slight nod.

Oh, so that was it.

Yeah… being a member of student council is really amazing. They are really treated well, huh. I’m not a sucker for money but being able to have food for free saves me a lot of trouble. I could also save my lunch money! Great, this is a win-win for me!

In the end, I just got myself a melon pan and the two of us eat our food on a bench outside. Senpai said that the cafeteria would be crowded because it was already around the time for lunch break. In which it was proven true as the bell signaling the lunch break went off.

Weird, why do I feel that it’s not the bell that I’m expecting to hear? Whatever, probably just my imagination.

I don’t really have much of an appetite so I think the melon pan would be fine for me. I didn’t prepare bento today because I find it bothersome to spend time for it. Even Dad is just giving me lunch allowance so I don’t see a point on bothering to prepare one. Only Mom would find time to make us bento for school and work.

Yeah, only Mom would…

“Terushima-san…?”

I didn’t realized that Kurokawa-senpai is calling me. Looks like I was spacing out for a long time already.

“H-hai…”

“Are you really okay with just a melon pan? I-If you want, we can also get others…” He frantically suggested. Looks like he was worried about me.

“It’s fine, senpai. I’m just thinking about something.” I reassured him. “Speaking of which, I can’t see your cat ears today, senpai. Is there a reason?”

“E-etto… we were hiding it during class hours…” He said in a quiet voice but enough for me to hear.

“I see.”

I feel like I shouldn’t ask too much of him anymore. If I want explanations, asking Irosaki-sensei or Mashiro-senpai would be the best course of action. I don’t think I could impose too much on Kurokawa-senpai just after what happened yesterday.

Looking back on it, I really said something embarrassing! Aaaah!

“Ne, Terushima-san, you said that you love black cats yesterday, right?” He asked out of nowhere making me go back to reality.

“Y-yes… that’s right.”

A small smile spread in Kurokawa-senpai’s face upon hearing my response.

He didn’t say anything after that as we just continued eating our food. I’m just sure that Kurokawa-senpai looks like he’s in a good mood after that.

__

We continued our tour around the school. There is only one thing I can say.

THIS SCHOOL IS REALLY WIDE!

The classes are almost over and we are not done yet! How long are we going to walk around here?! If I know that it was this long, I could’ve took another melon pan from the cafeteria!

“Just a little longer, Terushima-san. We’re about to be done here.” Kurokawa-senpai tried to encourage me as we are taking a flight of stairs in one of the buildings.

“I’ll… trust your words…” I said in between a series of pants.

Damn, I really hate stairs.

One more step and…

… Eh?

Maybe because I’m also tired from all that walking, my legs suddenly lost its strength. I took a misstep and my foot slips on that one step.

Ah, I’m falling…

I tightly closed my eyes as I slowly accepted that I’ll be done with this. If I’m going to be a goner with this, at least let me have a moment to cuddle with a cute cat!

“Terushima-san!”

I was thrown back in reality with a shout and a harsh pull on my left arm. I opened my eyes only to see Kurokawa-senpai with a desperate look on his face and trying his best to pull me up.

“Senpai…”

He quickly pulled me up but the force was slightly too much that the two of us crashed together on the floor ahead.

“T-Terushima-san… a-are you okay?” He asked me frantically with an expression on his face that he was on the verge of crying already.

“A-ah… yeah.” That was all I managed to say.

“Uuuu, it was my fault. I shouldn’t be the one guiding you around, I only bring misfortune.”

Ah, as expected, he cried.

I dropped the thought of comforting him since I realized yesterday that if he was in this sulking mode, it was impossible to reach him. The two of us just sat down in one corner as I was waiting for him to calm down. If Mashiro-senpai will know this, I’m sure that he won’t let me go without compensating. That white demon!

Speaking of which, if the others will be with me right now, I doubt that they will help me. Especially Mashiro-senpai and Mikejima-kun, they would push me down the stairs instead. 

If it was Toujo-kun, I think he will take advantage of me instead. He really gives me the impression of a playboy. Haibara-kun was out of question, he won’t be able to join me because he was busy today.

After all, Kurokawa-senpai saved me there. For that, I’m as thankful that it was him.

“Thank you, senpai.” I said to him when he started to calm down.

“Y-you mean it?” He asked in a whisper.

“Un! Senpai saved me there. It wasn’t your fault. I was actually the one who made a mistake, I was also a little tired. Thank you.” I said to him and give him a smile.

His eyes widened for a moment and he looks away quickly.

We remained there for a little while that the dismissal bell already rung. It was a good thing that we are hidden from the way of other students leaving. No one dared to speak a word between the two of us, it was an awkward silence.

“Senpai, have you calmed down?” I asked him after a while.

“Y-yes… let’s continue.”

With that, we proceeded to go to the places we haven’t visited yet.

__

In our walk, we happened to end up on the Music Room. There were students gathering inside. Since we can’t come in, we just peeked through the window. In there, we saw someone playing the piano.

A harmonious sound resounded on the hallway as that someone started playing. I’m no expert in music but hearing this sounds really settles you at ease. It was calming and beautiful.

“Kirei…” I whispered in admiration.

“Right? I also think so.” Kurokawa-senpai also agreed.

“As expected of Haibara! You’re really good!”

“Not really, I’m just playing like I was told.”

And the person playing such great music is none other than the Student Council First Year Representative, Aoi Haibara.

He was surrounded by a group of students so it was impossible for us to approach him.

“Aoi-kun is really talented, right? He is kind and also gets along with people easily.” Senpai said enthusiastically as if he was proud for his underclassman.

“I can see that too. His music really moves you! It could be nice if he could also sing along with it, his voice is really charming too!”

I have a similar feeling from yesterday upon hearing Haibara-kun’s voice, I bet it would go well with his music!

“Ah, that might be too much…” Kurokawa-senpai showed a sad smile towards Haibara-kun’s direction.

I don’t know what it was, but I know that it was a sensitive topic that I shouldn’t touch. I just fell silent as we continued to tour around the school.

__

We passed by the school library when we are walking around. It has a glass door making the view inside the library visible from outside. From the view here, it was really amazing to see lots of books gathered in one place.

“This is the school library, Terushima-san can go here when you need to do some studying. If you also need some information when making reports, you can also access the school archive as a member of Student Council.”

That treatment really never failed to amaze me.

I gave a glance inside and what caught my attention the most was the person sitting in the reception desk of the library.

It was someone that I’m not expecting to see in this kind of place. Moreover, he was seriously reading a book with glasses on.

“That person…”

“Oh, it was Asahi-kun. He’s a member of library committee, looks like he’s reading one of those again.”

Yes, it was the first year who seems like a playboy, Asahi Toujo. Looking at his serious face right now feels like the flirty character yesterday was just a joke. It seems like he’s a different person.

“What is he reading?”

“The school’s account book.”

“I see… Wait! An account book? Moreover, it was the school’s? Is that something that you could let a first year read?” I retorted to Senpai.

“Why not? Asahi-kun is the Student Council Treasurer after all.”

Ah, I forgot about that part. I seriously thought that he was just a clingy person who happened to have cat ears and joined the student council. This is really surprising.

“Asahi-kun is really amazing, right? If it was me, I couldn’t even understand those reports.” Kurokawa-senpai let out a small chuckle but he seemed proud like his expression with Haibara-kun earlier.

“I feel like it was also impossible for me to understand those.”

“Then, we’re on the same boat.”

__

We soon ended up on the swimming area. There were students practicing together. Ah, it could be called a spring of youth. Taking a sport and having a team that will aim to the nationals are really the main events of being a high school athlete.

“Here it comes! Mikejima’s butterfly stroke!” The students started cheering for a certain guy in the platform.

“Eh? Mikejima-kun?” I reacted when I heard the name of a certain Calico.

“Yes. Tsukasa-kun is also the swimming team’s ace. Isn’t it surprising?”

Surely, it was surprising that Mikejima is being cheered on. My impression of him was actually like a certain big boss delinquent that stood in the top of the school hierarchy. That rude attitude of him also plays the part.

“I also realized that he was some kind of athlete, but I’m not expecting that it was swimming. Because you know… cat’s hate water, right?” I reasoned to him.

Kurokawa-senpai covered his mouth and looks away from me while I noticed his shoulders shaking.

“Senpai, you just laughed at me, right?” I seriously asked.

“N-no! I’m sorry… I shouldn’t laugh… I was jus—” he started looking dejected bit by bit.

I cut him off quickly. I’m sure this will end up another depressing talk if I would leave him there. Haah, I don’t want to be made the villain again!

“Well, that’s fine if you’re having fun.” I simply said to him and urges him to get going. “Let’s get going, senpai.”

_

The two of us arrived at the school backyard. I stared in awe to the flower fields we found. The flowers are in full bloom making the place seem like a paradise. It was Spring after all!

“This is the school backyard, and the one taking care of this place is…” Kurokawa-senpai was in the middle of explaining when we noticed someone squatting to the ground and carefully picking up dried leaves.

“Ah, it was Mashiro-senpai.”

“Yes. Tsuki-kun is taking care of the plants here. He may not be good with words but he’s kind in his own way.” Kurokawa-senpai said as he was smiling proudly towards Mashiro-senpai’s direction. “I really respect him.”

I also glance over Mashiro-senpai’s direction. He was smiling gently as he was taking care of plants.

So he can even make such a smile too. I always thought of him as a cold person. Well, you can’t blame me, that was his first impression on me.

However, seeing the different sides of everyone in the student council makes me think that they all have differences. For those varying people to work together as a team, their bond is quite intriguing isn’t it?

__

Lastly, we headed to the final place that we agreed upon, the Student Council Building.

I also went there yesterday but I didn’t notice how far it was because I’m just innocently following Yami. Now that I’m actually aware of my surroundings, I can say that the Student Council building is really far from the other buildings! Not to mention it was hidden in the woods!

Are you telling me to walk every morning to go here? This is bothersome…

I better complain to Irosaki-sensei about this. I feel like I should watch my movements towards Kurokawa-senpai in order not to step in a landmine. Haah…

The temple-like building came into sight. It was none other that the Student Council Building.

Located in the middle of the woods is a traditional Japanese house with red roof. There is also a torii gate with two statues of cats on each side of the gate facing each other. The sakura trees also paved the way towards the building.

I can’t believe that I didn’t pay attention to this beautiful scene yesterday. Well, it was normal for me. Cats should be prioritized first.

As we passed through the torii, Kurokawa-senpai’s cat ears popped up.

Uwaah! Here it is!

When I realized that I looked stupid just now, I tried my best to not look at the cat ears. It would surely come out as rude.

“Lastly, this is the Student Council building. We will work here from now on. Let’s do our best, Terushima-san.”

“Un! I’ll be in your care, Kaichou!” I beamed at him in which he responded with another smile.

After that, senpai also explained what I need to do as the secretary and about little things here and there. I also ended up helping him do some paper works right at that moment.

The way he works fast and precise made me stare in awe as he finished the mountain of paper works in just a few minutes. It was an inhuman speed and what’s more, I can’t talk to him when he’s seriously working.

I also realized, Irosaki-sensei is right about Kurokawa-senpai. I shouldn’t underestimate him.

Kurokawa-senpai might seem weak and clumsy, but he’s also strong in his own way.

__

On my way home, I thought about everything that happened so far. I transferred to a peculiar school, met strange people, and got responsibilities and duties out of nowhere. It was really bothersome when I give it a thought, but I’m sure it will be fun!

“Mom was right! Cats are reeaally the best!” I smiled to myself as I glanced at my treasured bell and held it dearly.

I look forward to what’s in store for me as the Student Council Secretary!