Chapter 3: Called to the Council

Break time arrived and, while some students ran toward their respective school clubs, Haru walked down the hallway toward the student council.

He could feel inquisitive stares stuck to his back.

After all, the news that an average student, with no charm at all, had been personally summoned by the student council president spread like the wind throughout Katagiri High School.

There was even a girl wearing a bandana from Yukihiro’s fan club squeezing a wooden doll tightly while muttering words that seemed to summon malice.

After all, the president was the most beloved person in the entire school.

The closest thing to a pure and shining angel.

Haru knocked on the council room door while, in his imagination, he saw dark, ghostly hands reaching toward him from the hallway.

He went in quickly, shutting the door behind him in fear.

"Pre… President. It’s Aizawa."

"Come in," her soft voice was heard from the inner door.

When he entered the office, she was there.

Straight. Calm. Sitting at her desk next to a large stack of papers.

It was like looking at a judge from the bench.

"Please, have a seat," she said calmly.

In the center of the room there was a chair that looked more like a defendant’s seat than anything else.

Haru sat down right away and felt as if he were under the spotlight of a single light in that large room.

"Haru Aizawa…" she began, holding a sheet of paper. "Seventeen years old. Height: 5’11”. Average grades of 6. Not enrolled in any club. No outstanding academic achievements…"

"May I know why—?"

Before he could finish the sentence, she looked at him seriously.

"Small circle of friends. Apparently knows how to cook. Favorite color: blue. And a younger sister."

Haru swallowed.

"How did she know I like blue?"

"Was that in my student profile?"

"Is that correct?" she asked.

"Yes… well, most of it is," he replied.

She jumped down from her chair and walked toward him.

"Tell me, Aizawa… What do you think of me?"

"Is this an interrogation? Are there wrong answers?"

"Just answer. Honestly, please."

Haru crossed his arms and slightly tilted his head to think clearly. The president’s blue eyes were too intense to hold for long.

Finally, he organized his thoughts and let out a small sigh.

"I think you’re an excellent president. You always look firm, attentive to everyone. Your grades are among the best and you project seriousness and respect to the students…"

She sighed, as if she already knew the answer. After all, it was the same speech everyone repeated about her.

"But…"

Something like a ray of hope crossed her gaze.

"I also think a lot of what people say about you is exaggerated by the students. I think they adore you blindly… and that has led you to be alone."

She felt a slight pressure in her chest. His words had hit the mark.

"I’ve seen you eat alone. I always see you read alone. You never team up with anyone. I see you carry the stacks of paperwork by yourself…"

Haru lowered his voice a little.

"I guess it must be a burden you didn’t ask for."

She smiled.

It wasn’t the president’s perfect smile.

It was a small one. Honest.

"I knew I wasn’t wrong about you, Aizawa."

"And yes… you’re right," she continued. "I don’t even have council members."

She began walking across the large room, running her hand over the furniture.

"Everyone abandoned me…"

She imitated voices with slight irony:

"We’re not worthy of being with you."

"I’m not at your level," said the vice president. "Can you believe that?"

For a moment, her true personality slightly showed.

That brought a warm smile to Haru’s face.

"I’m not as good as everyone thinks…"

Then her face turned red with embarrassment.

"And that day… you… you saw me."

"I swear I don’t spy on the girls’ bathroom!" he said, raising his hands, showing innocence.

She immediately showed a look of disgust.

"I mean the day you walked into the office…"

The memory of the president doing “Nya” in front of her phone came back to his mind.

"I… I didn’t see anything," he replied, pretending ignorance.

"It’s fine. You don’t have to pretend," she said with a mix of indignation and embarrassment.

"What I mean is that you saw me like that. And even though I followed you all week, you didn’t say a single word about it."

Haru blinked.

"You followed me all week?"

She looked away.

"You could have ruined my reputation… but you didn’t."

For the first time since he had known her, for four years now, Haru saw her as she really was.

Not as the president.

But as a girl.

"There’s nothing to thank me for. It was the right thing to do."

He put a hand on his head, thoughtful.

"Besides… no one would believe me if I said the president does cat poses on the internet. Your fan club would probably come after me."

She turned completely red and quickly stepped closer, giving him a small hit on the head.

"You’re a fool! You really love ruining the mood!"

Both of them started laughing at the same time.

And for the first time, the student council office didn’t feel so big.

"I like you, Aizawa."

She held out her hand to him.

"Would you like to be my partner in the student council? I have… like four open spots."

She slightly looked away.

"Only if you want to. It’s not an obligation."

Haru smiled back at her.

"I’m in your care, President."

He said that while shaking her hand.

And just like that, the lonely student council got a new member.

And the president… her first friend.