The Looming Shadow

“Th-This is…” Sakuya, who had finally come back to school the next day, was completely stunned by the sight in front of her.

The practice hall was fully packed with delinquents, who were studying passionately even before Sakuya arrived. Some of them even had the initiative to start a small study group between them. Not a single delinquent was missing from among them.

“What do you think, Sakuya-san? Aren’t we amazing?” I grinned proudly.

“Please praise me, Sakuya-chan!” Hiiro begged her with sparkling eyes.

“I’d rather you scold me harshly, Kagura-san.” Ouji spoke seriously.

Sakuya let out a weary sigh, but she couldn’t hide her blooming smile. “…you guys are really, really amazing. Thank you, Ryuu, Tarou, Pochi.”

She bowed her head to all of us, which sent us into a fluster instead.

After finally getting Sakuya to stop bowing at us, I heaved a deep sigh.

“Now, if they keep this up until the exam next week, I’m sure they’ll be okay. We won’t lose the bet.” I said.

“Mm…” Sakuya nodded, but she didn’t seem convinced. “I hope so.”

Sakuya seemed uneasy, as if she was afraid that something would go wrong when we least expected it.

Unfortunately, her premonition was right on the mark.

*****

BAM!!!

“What did you say?!” Kikuchi slammed the desk loudly. His furious expression was terrifying, as if he would beat the person in front of him to death.

“A-As I said…” His collaborator repeated in a shaky, fearful voice. “…somehow the delinquents are now even more united than before. I-I believe that Shiba Ryuuji played a big role in this. I’ve tried persuading my contacts to instigate another rebellion, but they firmly refused, saying some nonsense about not wanting to miss seeing Kagura Sakuya in a kimono at the summer festival…?”

The collaborator’s last sentence trailed off, as they themselves weren’t really sure what that was supposed to mean.

“You imbecile! Didn’t I tell you to separate that boy from her?!” Kikuchi threw the report in his hand back to the collaborator in a fit of rage. “Why the hell did he suddenly quit the Student Council and come back to her?! Why didn’t you hold him back from quitting?!”

“M-My deepest apologies, Sir…” The collaborator bowed deeply. “By the time I was aware of him quitting, the Student Council President had already given his approval. There’s nothing I can do.”

Kikuchi clicked his tongue. “You’re so useless! At this rate, they’ll pass the exam without any problem!”

He took out his phone and searched for a particular number.

“This might be a bit forceful, but there’s no other choice. I’ll make her lose, no matter what method I need to use.” Kikuchi muttered darkly as he sent a text message.

The collaborator peeked at Kikuchi anxiously. “Sir, you can’t possibly mean to use them…?”

“Shut up and get out!” Kikuchi glared at them. “If you weren’t so incompetent, I wouldn’t be forced to call them! I’ll tell the family head about this failure of yours, so feel free to cower in fear while waiting for your punishment!”

The collaborator simply lowered their head and left the room without further words.

*****

I sighed softly as I closed the Science Preparation room’s door behind me. My mind was so chaotic that I failed to notice someone approaching from the other side of the hallway.

“Oh? Is that you, Marika?”

I jumped at the familiar voice calling my name.

“P-President.” I turned around and found myself facing Yuuki. I forced my stiff lips to make my usual smile. “What are you doing here?”

“Ah, Manabu-sensei asked me to fetch something from his lab.” Yuuki gestured at the Science Laboratory room, next to the room I just exited. “Anyway, were you being called by Shijima-sensei to help out again?”

My shoulders twitched at the mention of that terrible person.

“He always asks you to run errands for him, even though you’re busy enough with your Student Council duties.” Yuuki clicked his tongue. “Should I ask him to have someone else help him?”

“N-No, that won’t be necessary!” I quickly shook my head.

I didn’t want to know what that person would do if Yuuki started meddling. I’ve struggled so hard to protect my normal, peaceful school life with my friends. If that person was displeased, he had all the power to shatter my fragile illusion to pieces.

“Hmm…” Yuuki pursed his lips in dissatisfaction. “Nevertheless, if it’s too hard on you, you should tell me, Marika. I’ll talk to Shijima-sensei for you.”

“…yes, thank you, President.” I smiled weakly at him. “If it’s to protect you, I don’t mind bearing all kinds of suffering. So please, don’t get involved any further. I’m begging you.”

*****

Takamine Academy was a private school, much like Sakurasaki Academy. It was located a few blocks away from the latter, making it the second nearest school—after Sakurazaki Private Academy next door. Compared to the two, Takamine Academy had an even worse reputation.

School for outcasts. Law-of-jungle school. Delinquent Academy.

Those were just few of Takamine Academy’s derogatory nicknames. Being overshadowed by Sakurazaki and Sakurasaki Academy, the school only received leftover students from the two schools—which resulted in more than half of the student population being delinquents.

Inside one of its worn-out, unkempt classrooms, a group of high school boys were lounging around as if they owned the place. When the last bell rang, one of the boys’ phone vibrated.

He took out his phone and started reading the message carelessly. However, his bored expression abruptly changed the moment he read a particular sentence.

“Hm? Banchou, what’s wrong? Did something good happen?” One of his lackeys asked as he noticed the leader’s change of expression.

“It’s time.” The Banchou announced as he closed his flip phone. “It’s time for me to put all of Takamine’s delinquents under my control.”

His words instantly spread excitement among his lackeys. The Banchou looked towards them with his snake-like eyes.

“Go out there and subjugate those disobedient trashes. I don’t care how you do it. Once you’re done, we’re taking down Kagura Sakuya and her dogs.”

“Yes, Banchou!” His lackeys immediately leapt to their feet and ran off to start uniting the rest of Takamine delinquents.

The Banchou, who was left on his own, stared at the direction of Sakurasaki Academy and grinned maliciously.

“This is going to be so much fun.”

*****

“Aah…it feels like my brain is going to explode…” Abe complained as he stretched his stiff body.

“Shut up, don’t say anything. You’re going to make Japanese history leak out from my brain.” Narumi pressed on his ears, as if trying to keep everything he memorized inside his head.

I held back my laughter as I walked alongside those two. There were many other delinquents trailing behind us, as we had just finished our study session for today and about to go home.

“Don’t worry, today is the last day of our study session.” I cheered them up as we walked past the school’s front gate. “The exam is tomorrow, and once you’ve passed it, you’ll be free for the summer holiday.”

“If we managed to pass, that is.” A grim voice from behind made me turn around with a start.

“…Takashi, you look terrible.” I couldn’t help but comment on his gaunt face and overly thin body. The former rebels’ leader seemed like he had been wrung dry by Sakuya.

“And whose fault is that?! Whose fault?!” Takashi grabbed my collar and shook me violently. “Dammit, I shouldn’t have listened to you back then!”

“Ahaha…” I laughed wryly. I was quite touched by the fact that Takashi chose to help because he was sincerely worried about Sakuya leaving this school.

For the record, Sakuya, Ouji, and Hiiro were absent from among us. They usually went home together with us, but today Sakuya asked them to stay behind and discuss about something. I had a feeling that they were talking about Takamine Academy, who were getting bolder and bolder by the day.

Fortunately, their acts of violence against Sakurasaki students weren’t severe enough to warrant the school’s attention yet. But at this rate, it was only a matter of time before our skirmishes turned into a full-blown war between schools. I’d had enough of war after what happened a few months ago, so I sincerely hoped Sakuya and the others could think of a solution.

“Anyway…” I continued speaking once Takashi let me go and went back to re-reading his Biology notes. “You guys just have to review the materials before you sleep tonight, and before the test tomorrow. You’ll be alri—”

My sentence was interrupted when I crashed into Kazu’s back, who was walking ahead of me.

“Ouch…what’s wrong, Senpai…?” I rubbed my nose and about to ask when I realized how tense he was.

“Hoh…so we finally meet the cowardly dogs of Sakurasaki Academy. It was worth staking out this place every day.”

A cunning, slithery voice spoke to us. That voice could be heard clearly by all the delinquents present, and they directed their hostilities to the speaker.

I quietly took a peek from behind Kazu. In front of us was a group of students wearing another school’s uniform. Their uniform’s color was at contrast with ours—they had blazing red blazers and dark-brown pants, compared to our all-black uniform. I searched my mind for any school with that uniform, but nothing came to mind.

The group was led by a third-year male student with blonde hair—which was totally dyed—and piercing black eyes. His face seemed familiar, yet I swore that I had never met him before.

“Takamine Academy, huh?” Kazu spat out that name in disgust, and I realized with a start that they were the infamous troublemakers that had been plaguing Sakurasaki lately. “What do you guys want?”

“This is bad. This is really, really bad.” I started panicking internally.

From the looks of it, these delinquents were ready to pick a fight with us. Our group had a number of former rebels, which meant we had a decent chance to win in a fight. However, the biggest problem wasn’t winning.

We’d lose the moment we fought them.

Thanks to the war a few months ago, Yuuki managed to implement the rule of suspending anyone caught fighting in the school grounds. If the delinquents got suspended just before the exam, Sakuya would automatically lose the bet.

“Is this one of Shijima-sensei’s petty tricks?!” I gritted my teeth in anger. “Whatever happens, I need to prevent them from fighting!”

“What we want, hm?” The leader sneered. “We—”

“Huh? Aniki?”

All of a sudden, a clueless voice interrupted him. Everyone turned around and looked at Takashi, who just spoke.

“Aniki, what are you doing here?” Takashi asked as he strode forward.

Having been reading his notes up until this point, the first thing Takashi saw in front of him was his older brother. He was completely blind to the tense situation nor to the hostile sparks flying between the two groups. Perhaps he had been studying a bit too hard for the exam.

“Takashi, is this guy your older brother?” I asked as I gazed alternately between Takashi and the leader. Now I finally understood why he seemed familiar—his appearance resembled Takashi’s.

“Yeah, Karasu Natsuhiko.” Takashi answered briefly before redirecting his attention to his older brother. “I thought your class was over a long time ago, so why…?”

His voice trailed off when he finally saw a group of bloodthirsty delinquents standing behind Natsuhiko.

“…oh. Damn.”

“Hey, little bro. Didn’t think I’d see you here.” Natsuhiko smirked. “You didn’t say a thing after I asked you to take over Sakurasaki a few months ago, so I thought you’d stopped being a delinquent. Never thought you’d lower yourself into becoming Kagura Sakuya’s lap dog.”

“Who’s a lap dog?!” Takashi immediately flared off. “I’m working hard to steal Kagura’s position right now! Just see! Tomorrow when I pass the test with a perfect score, the Banchou position will be mine! Then you’ll have to acknowledge that I’m as strong as you are!”

“Oh, you’re talking about that remedial test or whatever? Too bad you’ll never pass the test.” Natsuhiko’s smirk twisted into something even more malicious. “Cause you won’t even have the chance to take it.”

His words sent Sakurasaki delinquents into a stir.

“W-What do you mean?!” I inadvertently stepped forward.

Natsuhiko’s snake-like eyes were locked on to me. “Who are you?” He frowned for a moment before seeming to remember something. “Ah, you’re Kagura’s newest gopher, I recall. Ryuu-something, right?”

A chill ran through my spine. Someone was deliberately leaking information to Takamine Academy’s delinquents. I was sure of it. It would explain why Natsuhiko knew about the remedial test and my name. Someone was using Takamine Academy to interfere with the test, and I was willing to bet my money that it was Shijima.

“Since I’m feeling generous, I’ll explain to you.” Natsuhiko shrugged. “You see, I heard a new interesting rule in Sakurasaki Academy.”

I felt dread rising up in my chest as the worst-case scenario turned into a reality.

“Won’t it be funny if the students who are supposed to take the remedial test were suspended for fighting instead?” He laughed with twisted satisfaction. “It will be even funnier if they got beaten to a pulp in their own territory!”

“What did you say?!” Narumi, the most hot-blooded among us, immediately charged toward Natsuhiko.

“Wait, stop! Don’t fall for it!” I hurriedly grabbed Narumi and yanked him back.

Unfortunately, my strength was terribly insufficient in restraining Narumi by myself. Seeing me struggling to hold Narumi back, Kazu, Abe, and Touma immediately helped me out.

“Hahahaha! What’s wrong? Are you so scared of the little gopher? Sakurasaki really has fallen! They’re nothing but lowly dogs now!” Natsuhiko kept provoking him with a wide, annoying grin.

“Shut up! What do you even know about us?!” Narumi snapped at him.

“Oh, I know a lot.” Natsuhiko raised his eyebrow suggestively. “A lot more than I’m supposed to.”

“Who is it?!” I demanded with gritted teeth. “Who’s leaking information to you?!”

“I’m afraid that’s my business, not yours.” Natsuhiko shrugged. “Well then, if you don’t want to come at us, then we’ll come at you first!”

With a loud war cry, Takamine delinquents came charging at us. They all seemed like they had been waiting for this moment impatiently. Sakurasaki delinquents weren’t pushovers either. They braced themselves to meet their opponent’s charge head-on.

“WAIT!”

Nevertheless, I threw myself between Takamine and Sakurasaki delinquents in a desperate last effort to prevent the fight.

“Hold it for a moment, you guys.”

With a single sentence from Natsuhiko, his delinquents obeyed faithfully. They halted their charge, despite glaring at me with terrifying bloodlust.

On the other side, Kazu and my friends also stopped the other delinquents from jumping the gun.

“Let’s hear what the gopher has to say, yeah?” Natsuhiko stared at me with an amused look on his face.

I took a deep breath to prepare myself, “I never thought I’d say this sentence out of my own will, but…”

“You can do whatever you want with me. You can beat me up, humiliate me, order me around, anything. Just, please, please leave these guys alone.” I bowed my head to Natsuhiko.

I heard collective gasps from behind me once I uttered those words.

“No, I won’t let you do this!” Kazu grabbed my shoulder so hard that it actually hurt. “We don’t want your sacrifice—”

“Senpai, shut up and back off!” I shook off his hand. “I won’t let all of your efforts be wasted just because of a suspension!”

“Hahaha! Such a noble sacrifice!” Natsuhiko laughed in amusement. “But why do we have to listen to you, little gopher?”

“Because…” I bit my lips and desperately racked my brain. “Because I’m Kagura Sakuya’s personal gopher. Don’t you think it will be amusing if you get to order around the legendary Kagura Sakuya’s gopher?”

I bowed my head again to him. For the sake of tomorrow’s test and all of my friends’ efforts up until now, I was willing to debase myself and accept any kind of torture. My pride was a cheap thing compared to their efforts.

I prayed that this would be enough to appease the delinquents, but my offer was answered by a kick to the stomach.

“Gah…!”

I was blown away to the side and landed roughly on the ground. Since I kept my head down, I didn’t see the attack coming at all.

“Cough…! Cough…!” I spat out the blood from accidentally biting my own tongue.

“Ryuu! You bastard…!” Kazu lost all of his rationality and lunged at Natsuhiko.

“Wait, Kazu-senpai!”

Just before Kazu could touch Natsuhiko, Touma managed to catch and restrain him.

“Damn! Let me go, Touma! I’ll wipe that annoying smirk off his face!” Kazu shouted profanities as he struggled against the younger delinquent.

“Hah, that’s a pity. Just a bit more, and I’ll have him.” Natsuhiko cracked his knuckles, eager to start a fight. “Well, no matter. You guys, beat them up so badly that their parents won’t recognize them! We’ll take the gopher after that!”

“You think I’d let you do as you like, Aniki?! I’ll show you Sakurasaki’s strength!” Takashi took over and rallied everyone up.

“Idiots! Stop!” I wanted to shout, but my stomach hurt so much that I couldn’t even speak. I only watched powerlessly as the two groups rushed towards each other—and got blown away spectacularly.

“…huh?” Despite my pain, I inadvertently leaked out a dumb sound at the surreal scene.

Delinquents at the forefront of each group were being blown back as if gravity was a joke. In the vacant space that suddenly appeared between the two groups, a lone girl stood straight. She held a wooden sword usually used in kendo practice, her neatly cut black hair fluttered with the wind.

“Who dares to mess around in my territory?” In contrast to the burning anger in her crimson eyes, Sakuya’s voice was terribly cold.

“Sa…kuya…san…” I gasped in relief.

Two pairs of hand grabbed me and carefully helped me sit up.

“Wow, he sure got you good, Ryuu.” Hiiro whistled when he rolled up my shirt and saw the black bruise on my stomach.

“Don’t worry, Kagura-san will have him pay for that.” Ouji said with a scarily flat voice.

“Hiiro…Ouji-senpai…” I cringed in pain when I forced myself to stand up. “How…?”

“Did you really think anything could escape my notice in this school, Ryuu?” Hiiro grinned. “We heard about the clash and ran over as fast as we could. You can rest easy now.”

I nodded and redirected my attention to Sakuya, who was facing off against Takamine delinquents. Having tasted Sakuya’s strength for themselves, the delinquents kept a good distance from her and her wooden sword.

Sakuya rested the wooden sword on her shoulder as she regarded Natsuhiko with a condescending look. “I’m pretty sure I took care of Takamine early on, before I crushed other schools. Are you guys so stupid that you’ve forgotten the terror I instilled in you? Should I remind you again?”

Takamine delinquents flinched every time Sakuya tapped the wooden sword on her shoulder. However, Natsuhiko didn’t even bat an eye at her threat.

“I assume you’re talking about the former Banchou, a trashy coward who doesn’t have any real strength and just hides behind his parents’ money. I’ve gotten rid of that trash and took over as the new Banchou. It’s an honor to finally meet the infamous Kagura Sakuya.” Natsuhiko extended a hand toward Sakuya with a good-natured smile plastered on his face.

Sakuya stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before taking it. However, what happened after that was too fast for my untrained eyes to follow. It seemed like Natsuhiko tried to pull Sakuya off-balance and launched a sneak attack, but Sakuya thwarted his attempt.

All that I knew was Natsuhiko ended up grovelling on the ground. He coughed and retched violently while holding his stomach.

“Gakh…!” Natsuhiko groaned in pain when Sakuya stepped on his head, pressing his face to the ground.

“That will teach you not to carelessly touch other people’s toys.” Sakuya said coldly. “Leave now and don’t let me see your face again.”

Natsuhiko glared at Sakuya with resentful eyes. “I’ll admit defeat today, but I won’t forget this humiliation. You’ll definitely regret this.” He spat out.

Sakuya wordlessly watched Natsuhiko as he took his delinquents and retreated from Sakurasaki’s doorstep. After she was sure that they had completely left, Sakuya turned around and quickly approached me.

“Ryuu, are you okay?” She asked worriedly as she forcefully examined the bruise on my stomach.

“Ugh…I’ve been better, but I was saved thanks to you, Sakuya-san.” I averted my eyes, trying not to think about the fact that Sakuya was staring intently at my bare stomach.

“I see…I knew I should’ve punched that rascal harder.” Sakuya frowned as she let go of my shirt.

“Ahaha…if you did that, his organs would come out from his mouth, Sakuya-chan.” Hiiro laughed dryly, but he didn’t sound like he was joking.

“Putting that aside, you did a great job, Ryuu.” Sakuya stood tip-toed just so she could pat my head. “For someone with no fighting strength, you were able to buy time until I arrived. I’m really proud of you.” She smiled brightly at me.

All of a sudden, I felt like everything I had done up until this point was not useless. If I could see Sakuya smiling beautifully at me like this, I wouldn’t mind dying for her sake.

“Ahem!” Hiiro interjected between us. “Sakuya-chan, we’d better walk them home. We never know when those rascals will come back.”

Sakuya nodded, her smile was replaced with a serious look. “I agree. Let’s go get our bags and walk everyone home.”

I was a bit disappointed that her smile only lasted for a moment, but it was rewarding enough for me. I pretended not to feel Hiiro’s jealous glare stabbing at me as he and Sakuya headed back towards the school.

“My…what happened here?”

That feminine, charming voice instantly shattered the relief I felt from Sakuya’s presence. I slowly turned towards the school gate, where Marika and Hayakawa twins were standing.

“Marika-senpai…” I could feel blood draining from my face.

“Did you guys…have a fight with students from another school?” Marika scanned all of us with concerned eyes.

“Marika-senpai, I can explain!” I quickly ran toward her, forgetting the stabbing pain from my stomach. “We’re—”

“Yeah, we did.”

Before I could say anything, Sakuya went ahead and confessed calmly.

“Sakuya-san!” I hissed at her frantically. “We’ll get suspended at this rate! Why are you…?!”

“Well, calm down, Ryuu.” Sakuya waved dismissively at me. “We won’t get suspended, since we didn't break any rules.”

“Oh? How come?” Marika narrowed her eyes. “I believe President has said clearly that students who fought with other students will be suspended.”

“Let me reiterate his exact words.” Sakuya countered. “Anyone found to be fighting inside the school grounds will be instantly suspended, correct? First, you guys caught us after we fought with Takamine delinquents. So you guys were too late. Second, we fought outside the school grounds. If you haven’t noticed, we’re currently standing outside the front gate. So technically, this is no longer school grounds. Thus, there’s nothing you can do to us.”

I stared at Sakuya with wide eyes. Her ability to find a loophole and take advantage of them was as good as a seasoned politician. I swore to myself to never oppose Sakuya in an argument regarding law and rules.

Marika also realized that she was at a disadvantage. She fell silent, unable to refute Sakuya’s logical words.

“Marika-senpai, there’s nothing we can do today.” Asahi, who was standing next to Marika, shrugged. “Why don’t we just go home and forget about this?”

“I hate to agree with him, but I have the same thought.” Mitsuki spoke up. “We can just tell the President tomorrow about this, and come up with countermeasures together.”

Marika sighed. “…I understand. Kagura-san, we’ll let this go today. But please bear in mind that we won’t let a second time slide.”

“Yeah, sure.” Sakuya shrugged in a way that indicated she had no intention to follow Marika’s words.

“Let’s go home, Asahi-kun, Mitsuki-san.” Marika turned around to leave.

“Ah, I forgot my notes in Student Council room.” Asahi slapped his forehead. “Mitsuki, let’s go get it together. Marika-senpai, I’m sorry, but please go ahead without us.”

“Why do I have to go with you when you’re the one who forgot it?” Mitsuki grumbled, but she didn’t refuse Asahi’s request.

Marika nodded and left ahead of them.

“Asahi-san, Mitsuki-san…” I was about to thank them when someone else beat me to the punch.

“Thank you, both of you!” Hiiro circled his arms around the twin’s shoulders as he beamed innocently.

“Yeah, you should thank us more! If we didn’t help, Marika-senpai would stubbornly keep insisting on it!” Asahi proclaimed haughtily.

“You owe me some ice cream.” Mitsuki said curtly.

“Huh? D-Did you guys know each other?” I looked alternately between Hiiro and the twins in complete bewilderment.

“ “ “Yeah, we’re childhood friends.” ” ”

All three of them answered in perfect sync.

“HUH?!” I staggered back, unable to believe my ears.

All this time, I had been stressed out thinking that a Student Council officer couldn’t be seen as friends with the delinquents. But seeing these three getting along just fine made me feel devastated. What was the point of worrying about such trivial things?! Student Council officers and delinquents could get along just fine!

“Asahi, Mitsuki, you’ve saved us. As the Banchou, I thank you.” Sakuya inclined her head toward the twins.

“No, I’ll do anything for you, Sakuya-chan! Please don’t hesitate to tell me if you need any help!” Asahi quickly grabbed Sakuya’s hand and was about to kiss it when Hiiro slapped his hand away.

“Don’t you dare touch Sakuya-chan so casually! And I’ve been telling you to stop calling her ‘Sakuya-chan’! Only I can call her that!”

“Huh?! Who are you to tell me that?! You sounded like her dad!”

“What did you say?!”

As the two acted like boys competing over a toy, Mitsuki ignored them and spoke to Sakuya, “No, it’s not a big deal. Thank you for putting up with our insufferable friend.”

Sakuya shook her head. “Tarou is certainly a handful, but he’s a loyal do—person.”

“Sakuya-san, you were about to say ‘dog’, right?” I stared at her with narrowed eyes.

“Kagura-san, I’ve brought our bags.” Ouji, who had disappeared before our clash with Marika, returned with their bags.

“Well then, see you later, Mitsuki, Asahi. Tarou, stop acting so childish and let’s go home.” Sakuya called Hiiro out.

“Yes, see you later.” Mitsuki nodded before dragging her twin away.

During our walk home, the delinquents were quieter than usual. It seemed they were still affected by the clash with Takamine delinquents earlier. I myself couldn’t get rid of the worry that Natsuhiko would come back for revenge—and bringing along more unpleasant surprises with him.

“Stop moping around.”

Sakuya suddenly stopped walking and turned around to face us. She grinned fiercely as she stared at each of us.

“You don’t need to worry about Takamine. No matter what happen, I’ll protect you guys.” Sakuya thumped her modest chest. “Trust me and just focus on the test tomorrow.”

Her words lightened the mood among us. Even I couldn’t help but break a slight smile. Somehow, I got the feeling that I could fully trust her as our leader.