Assistance

“In other words, the information you got is not about the mission from god but about strange phenomenon with the students not being able to recognize us, right?” Mashiro-senpai scanned through the pages of the report that I made about the info that I got from Hanako-san.

I just nodded silently.

We are having a meeting on the student council office regarding the things that I found out from Hanako-san. I haven’t got any leads about the mission, so I don’t think that they will give me the promised approval to touch the cat ears. Uuu, it was too bad!

However, I intentionally left the deal offer from Hanako-san out of my report. It’s not that I want to hide anything but… I feel like I shouldn’t mention it to them yet.

I know that it was such an incriminating chance! But… accepting that deal is risky.

It was a good thing that there are only four of us here, Mikejima-kun is a no-show yet again. Above all, I’m thankful that Irosaki-sensei is not around, or else, she could’ve read my mind.

Another thing that has been bothering me for a while now are Hanako-san’s words about Kurokawa-senpai.

It was like a warning that something will happen to Kurokawa-senpai. Also, what does she mean when she said that Kurokawa-senpai is drifting away? Is he leaving?

Surely, he’s not planning to abandon the student council, right?

But still… everything sounds suspicious. I better watch him carefully just to be sure.

“U-um… T-terushima-san… did I do something wrong…? You have been staring for a long time already… do I have dirt on my face? Or do I look hideous to you? Aah… I should’ve shut myself in…” Kurokawa-senpai started mumbling to himself out of depression.

Ah! I didn’t realize that I’ve been staring at him for a while now. I definitely look suspicious to them.

“Senpai-chan, you’re awfully silent since you returned from talking to Hanako-san. You’re not possessed, are you?” Toujo-kun suspiciously asked.

“Ah! Of course not! Wait–what do you mean by possession?! Is that possible?!”

“Yes. That’s possible.” Haibara-kun nodded.

F-for real?!

“Haha, senpai-chan’s reaction is really amusing. Don’t worry, if senpai-chan is having a trouble…” Toujo-kun leaned closer to me and whispered to my ear with his breathy voice, “I’ll protect you. Fufu.”

I feel blood rushing to my face and I quickly pushed him away out of embarrassment.

“P-please stop, Toujo-kun! This is sexual harassment!” I closed my eyes tightly and covered my flustered face with my hands.

Haibara-kun sneaked from behind him and landed a chop on his head.

“Ittai! Aoi-chi, that hurts!”

You got what you deserve!

“Knock it off! You’re creeping her out.”

“T-that’s right! Why are you pulling those moves on me?!”

“Hoh… then why are you blushing, senpai?” Toujo-kun teasingly asked with his brows wriggling and a smug smile on his face.

“W-who’s blushing?! I’m not!”

AAAAH! GIVE ME A BREAK!

Why are you cornering me like this?! If this continues, my heart will definitely stop!

“Kurokawa-senpai! Please say something!”

Holding on to my last resort, I decided to call Kurokawa-senpai for help.

I was expecting him to do something but he seems out of it as if there’s something bothering him.

I shrugged Toujo-kun’s pestering and paid attention to Kurokawa-senpai.

“A-ano… Kurokawa-senpai, are you okay?” I asked him out of concern.

Kurokawa-senpai flinched for a moment but soon regained his composure.

Everyone in the room remained silent.

“A-ah… y-yeah…”

Now that I have a better look on his face, the bags under his eyes are noticeably deeper today. Did he stay up late again?

This is no good! Kurokawa-senpai is overworking again!

“W-what are we talking about again…? Sorry… I’m not paying attention…” he said in a weak voice and awkwardly forced a smile.

This is strange… Kurokawa-senpai is oddly dispirited today.

I mean, he was always depress about little things and that’s normal. However, I feel something ominous today that made me worried about him.

“Kurokawa-senpai–“

Just when I was about to speak, Mashiro-senpai cut me off and resumed the analysis of report.

“We’re talking about the phenomenon that the students can’t recognize us. Please take a look at this paper.”

“Wait! Mashiro-senpai–“

“Settle down, Terushima,” Mashiro-senpai strictly said and sent a glare to my direction which made me step down from my inquiry.

After that, Mashiro-senpai continued sending sharp glances in my direction every once in a while.

I haven’t done anything bad yet!

You’re definitely trying to stop me from talking to Kurokawa-senpai! You… white cat demon!

The discussion continued for long while.

I’m not expecting them to talk about this topic seriously. To be honest, that intel was just a bonus that I got as an assurance. It wasn’t actually the information that we’re looking for in the first place.

However, for some reasons, they are all agreeing about setting this phenomenon first.

“Popularity, huh…”

“It seems like we need to get known by the students.”

“That makes sense, Terushima-senpai said that some people still recognized us according to our popularity.”

“Fumu. Worry not, everyone! For I, Asahi Toujo, the most popular guy will tell you what you need to do! Hoho!”

Toujo-kun stood proudly with his fist on his chest and gazing above as if recreating a historic scene out of a story book.

This speech earned him cheers from Kurokawa-senpai who greatly supports his comrades, a lazy clap from Mashiro-senpai who just goes along with Kurokawa-senpai, and a muffled laugh from Haibara-kun.

“Aoi-chi! Why are you laughing?! I’m serious here!”

“Huh? I didn’t laugh though… pfft.”

“You just laughed!”

On the other hand, I just deadpanned at him.

“Toujo-kun is just third on popularity rankings though.”

“Wha?! How is that possible?! I’m the most handsome guy among us!” He flipped his hair confidently. “I demand a reevaluation!”

“Haha. Pain in the ass,” I mumbled under my breath.

This guy… he’s a narcissist!

“Ahem! Looking back on it, the most popular on the rankings is Haibara-kun, and Mikejima-kun coming in second. After that, Toujo-kun, Mashiro-senpai and Kurokawa-senpai followed respectively,” I read the results of the popularity rankings that I made from the responses of students in the school.

I originally did this out of curiosity even before I learned something from Hanako-san. It was plain chance that they interconnect like this.

However, the results are intriguing. There’s nothing weird with Haibara-kun and Mikejima-kun’s popularity, Toujo-kun also seemed just self-centric to claim that he was popular. But…

The third years are coming in last.

Mashiro-senpai was still known by a few as ‘the pretty guy who stood in the middle of flower fields’, that was quite an exaggerating way to put it. The few that recognized him just said that he was so pretty and can’t approach him because it feels wrong.

Haha, I feel the same way. Mashiro-senpai seems out of everyone’s league. Not to mention, if you don’t want to freeze to death, don’t approach him.

And the most puzzling of all results is Kurokawa-senpai’s. It was…

Not even a soul knows him.

With exception from the student council, the teachers, and the staffs, there are no students who know Kurokawa-senpai.

Considering that it was like this, isn’t it more accurate if the third years are more popular that the lower years?

But still…

“Ne, are we going to be fine dealing with this now? Shouldn’t we focus on the mission first?”

Kurokawa-senpai sighed, “Terushima-san, this is also of importance. Even before we made the contract, we’re students–not to mention, student council, first and foremost.”

Ah… how could I forget…

They are just high school students.

It doesn’t matter if there was a contract or not.

They should be enjoying their high school days like every normal teens do.

…

“And… the school year just started. We still have plenty of time to find it out.” Kurokawa-senpai smiled at me.

I mustered all of my courage and stood proudly.

“I understand. I’ll think of something. But don’t leave the student council yet, Kurokawa-senpai!”

What I said made his expression falter for a moment but soon regained his composure. A gentle smile formed on his lips.

“What are you saying, Terushima-san? I won’t leave.”

Ah…

Crap! I said that abruptly! I easily said what’s on my mind…

I swiftly covered my mouth and looked away from them.

“F-forget about it! I said nothing!”

Out of nowhere, I suddenly felt ice glaciers striking me from behind. It was followed by Mashiro-senpai’s cold voice as if summoning a snow storm inside the room.

“Terushima-san… you…”

I was the only one who can feel it though.

“Hora, Tsuki-senpai, calm down first…” Haibara-kun, who seemed to notice the murderous intent from Mashiro-senpai stood in front of him to calm him down.

Uwaah! Thank you, Haibara-kun!

I really can’t understand Mashiro-senpai. Every time I got closer to Kurokawa-senpai, he will always get in the way. Is he still wary about the first time we met?

I won’t do something bad to Kurokawa-senpai! I was carefully watching my steps around him! I even learned to filter my words in a way that he won’t misunderstood… I think.

“Fine. I’ll let this pass.”

Mashiro-senpai sighed in defeat and settled down. Seems like Haibara-kun managed to calm him. If not, I’ll probably run for my life right now.

Toujo-kun, who was standing beside me, mumbled something.

“Tsuki-senpai is suspicious of you, Senpai-chan. After Kaichou dismissed us, run quickly.”

“Eh? W-what do you mean, Toujo-kun?”

“No matter what, don’t let him catch you.”

Somehow… I feel shivers down my spine.

“Ah… moving on! Let’s deal with the problem at hand first!”

I awkwardly started a discussion. I can still feel Mashiro-senpai’s death glares to my direction.

Haha, I’m in danger.

“If you guys have any idea on where should we start, feel free to suggest anything!”

I was the one who took charge of the discussion in order to shrug Mashiro-senpai’s threat. Uuu, it’s not working!

“Hai!” Toujo-kun raised his hand.

“Toujo-kun! Go ahead!” I frantically exclaimed.

“We’re talking about popularity, aren’t we? Then… how about hosting a mixer party? It was effective!”

What the heck?! How can this guy suggest something like that in a meeting like this?!

“What is a mixer…?” Kurokawa-senpai asked while slightly tilting his head in confusion.

Crap! Kurokawa-senpai doesn’t know it! It was better left unsaid!

At this point, I and Mashiro-senpai probably have the same thing in mind.

I’m still cautious about what he might do to me about his suspicions, but that goes for later.

The first thing that we must deal with is to shut Toujo-kun up before he could say something inappropriate in front of Kurokawa-senpai.

After exchanging a synchronized nod with each other, I and Mashiro-senpai took pieces of mochi in the snacks that Haibara-kun prepared for us.

Haibara-kun also nodded, he would distract Kurokawa-senpai for a while so we could deal with Toujo-kun.

We’ll leave that to you, Haibara-kun!

“Toujo-kun likes snacks, right?”

“Ahaha… yeah… I like them… but senpai, why are you looking at me like that?”

As if oblivious of our intention, Toujo-kun just awkwardly laughed from uneasiness.

“What are you saying Asahi-kun? This is normal though,” Mashiro-senpai ominously said, paired with his threatening smile.

“W-wait! Hear me out! If it was about the mixer–“

Before he could continue what he was about to say, the two of us swiftly shoved mochi in his mouth that he ended up choking on it.

“P-pweashee shtopp…” he cried with his mouth full of mochi.

“Haibara-kun’s sweets are delicious though!”

“Saa, eat more, Asahi-kun.”

After suffering from endless chewing of sticky mochi, we managed to shut him up.

On the other hand, Kurokawa-senpai is distracted by talking to Haibara-kun. His eyes lit up while talking to his kouhai, it seems like their conversation is interesting.

“That’s a nice idea, Aoi-kun! Ne, what do you think, everyone?”

“What is it?”

Haibara-kun nodded and explained his suggestion, “Since Terushima-senpai is a transferee, she probably don’t know about the sports festival. Every year, when the seasons started to change from Spring to Summer, Nekoji Academy’s Sports Festival is held.”

“Ooh! That’s nice!”

“That was the first event of the school year after all. What I’m suggesting is that, we should hype up things this time. That way, we could also raise the popularity of the student council.”

“That could work…”

Even Mashiro-senpai agreed.

“Right? Aoi-kun suggested a good idea! Everyone here is okay with that?”

Everyone gave our agreement about it. Toujo-kun who was forced to chew mochi since earlier just managed to nod his head.

Did we go overboard?

“Then, let’s call it a day. I’ll stay here to make plans for the event. Everyone is free to go now.”

“Wait, senpai! You should res–“

I was just about to appeal to Kurokawa-senpai when I felt a cold touch on my shoulder. When I look behind, it was Mashiro-senpai, smiling ominously.

“Terushima-san, can I have a word with you?”

“A-ah… etto…”

While I was trying hard to not look at him, my sight fell upon Toujo-kun, now recovered from chewing mochis, he mouthed something.

‘Run.’

“Sorry, senpai. I have something that I have to do. Well then, later!”

Run!

As soon as I get out of the office, I made a run for it.

It completely slipped from my mind! I need to run away!

“Terushima-san, why are you running?”

As if Mashiro-senpai was a ghost from a horror movie, he showed up out of nowhere and put his hand on my shoulder as I feel his bloodlust even from behind.

I just swallowed a lump on my throat.

__

“Now then, Terushima-san, speak up.”

What is this situation?

I ran for my life with everything I got, but even then, Mashiro-senpai managed to catch me and we somehow ended up on the back of the dorm.

In order to make sure that I won’t escape, he locked me in the wall, with both of his hands in each side.

My face is currently burning from embarrassment.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking but I suggest you to speak up now. Don’t test my patience, Terushima. What did Hanako-san tell you about kaichou?”

His glare pierced through me as if a pointed weapon aiming to slit my throat. Mashiro-senpai is dead serious to squeeze out any information from me.

I gulped out of fear.

My heart was beating rapidly, a cold sweat broke on my forehead… what an intense pressure.

“Don’t think of making any excuses. That ghost definitely said something.”

There’s no one here.

I was cornered.

There’s no point regretting that I turned to run in a secluded place. I don’t have a choice.

If I died here, please send my regards to my dear father. Tell him that I love him so much. His daughter lived a life with no regrets, she was just plain stupid to stood up against a demon.

I’ll speak up. If it was Mashiro-senpai, he definitely knows what does that mean.

“N-ne… about Kurokawa-senpai… is he drifting away?”

Mashiro-senpai didn’t respond for a while.

It became silent all of a sudden, all I could hear is the blowing of the wind and the rustling of the leaves from the trees.

“Hah. So that ghost said something like that…”

I lift my gaze and glanced at him. Our eyes didn’t meet since he was looking down.

“A-ano… Mashiro-senpai…”

“Anything more?”

“Ah… nothing else. She just said that I must look out on Kurokawa-senpai, and that as soon as his contract ends, it was over for him.”

Mashiro-senpai remained silent and raised his left hand from locking me into the wall. However, it wasn’t to let me go, the way he raised his hands, closing it into a fist, he’s definitely going to hit me.

I closed my eyes tightly, expecting his fist to land on my face.

I definitely made him upset now, right? Uuu, please don’t make it painful.

However...

It didn’t come.

THUMP!

A loud thud made me flinch on my place as I opened my eyes to see his fist making a dent on the wall. He punched it!

I-is he okay?

“This is… unacceptable…”

I freeze in that moment.

Mashiro-senpai’s voice… it was in so much pain.

“That guy doesn’t deserve it… I can’t just let it end like this… I don’t want to lose someone important to me again…”

Again…

This isn’t the first.

I know the pain of losing someone important.

Things like 'if only I could do something at that time, I’ll do it whatever it is’. Those thoughts always clouded my mind after Mom died.

It might be a natural death but the pain is still there, it leaves a wound that time may or may not be able to heal.

Seeing Mashiro-senpai frustrated about Kurokawa-senpai’s sake said it all.

He is important to him.

“That guy… no matter how many times I pushed him away… he always sticks by my side. No matter how cold I treated him, he would always smile… I took everything for granted and before I know it… that guy is about to disappear…”

As I thought… there’s really something wrong with Kurokawa-senpai.

Telling comforting words at this point may just come out impudent.

I just remained silent.

Mashiro-senpai is a strong person. I could tell how much pain it is from every word he said but… he’s not crying.

He’s trying hard not to cry.

“If I could make a wish to that god again, I’ll do it over and over again,” his voice finally cracked.

It hit me.

Mashiro-senpai was desperate.

All that time he was hostile towards me, it was because of Kurokawa-senpai. He was wary that I might do something bad to his friend.

Well, it’s not something that I can understand easily. I don’t have any idea about that kind of long lasting friendship.

It was something that I never had.

“Senpai… I actually have something that I didn’t mention. Hanako-san offered a deal to me. She said that she would answer any questions I have in exchange for a favor.”

If the deal would benefit us, I won’t mind accepting it.

Mashiro-senpai lifted his gaze and looked at me with widened eyes.

Mashiro-senpai held both of my shoulder and lightly shook it. He looks restless by what I said.

“Terushima, promise me that you won’t accept that deal no matter what.” His voice trembled.

Eh?

“W-wait, aren’t you going to say that I should accept it?”

“Accepting that kind of deal with a supernatural will only bring you misfortune!"

Senpai…

“Promise me that you won’t accept it,” he repeated and shook me more intensely from earlier.

“I… I p-promise… stop shaking me senpai…” I mumbled softly as I started to feel dizzy from the way he’s shaking me.

“O-oh… sorry…”

“That was too much, senpai!”

He lets out a soft chuckle and I noticed a subtle hint of blush on his cheeks.

It looks like he’s enjoying himself by making fun of me.

I pouted at him and sulked.

“Are you sulking because of the deal?”

“That’s not it!”

“Then, how about making a deal with me instead? If you help me save kaichou… Yuuto-kun, I’ll let you touch my cat ears.”

Now that I realized… it was the first time that I heard Kurokawa-senpai’s first name being spoken.

Mashiro-senpai lend his hand out to me. I held it and shook hands with him.

“I accept.”

I got Mashiro-senpai’s approval! Yayyy!

But still, even if he doesn’t make a deal with me, I will still end up finding myself doing something anyway.

“Mashiro-senpai, you really like Kurokawa-senpai, huh.”

“Un… he’s someone that I admire greatly. He was like a hero to me.”

A gentle smile formed on Mashiro-senpai’s lips while saying that.

If only he could be this gentle every time, I bet he would be popular in no time!

“Now then, we should focus on making the Sports Festival a success. We only have a month left, we should assist kaichou with everything we got.”

“Are you putting me on work right away? What a slave driver…”

“Get to work, Terushima.”

And that was how I ended up collaborating with Mashiro-senpai.

__

In preparation for the upcoming Sports Festival, all of us are giving our best.

However, everything is not going to sail smoothly. Problems started rising one after another during our one month preparation for the first event of the school year.

And the biggest problem was...

"How shameful can you be?! Seducing Tsuki-senpai like that! What cheap tricks are you planning?! Oi! Terushima!"

It was that damned Calico.