Chapter 12:

The Breaking Point

The Pride of A Banchou [Short]


“Still nothing, huh?” I sighed in disappointment as I stopped to take a breath.

I walked off the gravel path to a nearby tree, one of the many trees growing around the school grounds. I leaned on its trunk and gazed blankly at the library building in front of me.

After running into Sasaki at the infirmary, I ran around the school trying to find Sakuya. I met with Ouji and Hiiro during that duration, and we exchanged information, but it still didn’t help my search. We agreed to mobilize every delinquent still at school, and they were all willing to help—even the rebels. I guessed seeing Sakuya collapsed became some kind of a shock therapy to them.

Not only that, I also asked every acquaintance I ran into if they had seen Sakuya, but the answer was always a negative. I’ve tried looking into every possible location such as the practice hall, the delinquent base, her own classroom, and even the faculty room, but Sakuya was nowhere to be found.

“Has she actually gone home?” I muttered to myself. “Aah, if only Sakuya-san has a phone, then we won’t have to run around searching for her.”

I’d asked Sakuya about it before, but she firmly refused to buy a phone. When I started asking how her parents could contact her, Sakuya frantically changed the topic. I guessed her reluctance to have a phone was related to her complicated family.

“Well, there’s no use thinking about it.” I roused myself back. “I’ll just take another look around the school, and if I still can’t find her, I’ll check her house…”

Right at that moment, my eyes caught a familiar jet-black hair swaying in the wind.

“Huh?”

My mind froze as I stared at one of the library’s open window. There was a study desk right in front of every library window, as it provided natural sunlight. On one of the study desks, a petite girl with long, slightly disheveled black hair was sleeping peacefully. Her brilliant red eyes were closed shut, and her small shoulders moved in rhythm with every breath she took.

I approached the sleeping Sakuya soundlessly and stared at her from outside the window. There were books and notes on the remedial test scattered on the desk, showing what she’d been doing in the library.

“Jeez…so this is where you’ve been hiding.” I whispered with a wry smile.

Since the delinquents all uniformly hated studying, none of them—except for Touma, probably—had ever set foot into the school library. Perhaps that was why I subconsciously excluded the library from my search.

“Please don’t give Sasaki-san and everyone else so much trouble, Sakuya-san.” I gently chided her, but Sakuya didn’t stir at all from my whisper.

Now that I had a good look at her, the black circles under her eyes were getting darker than before. Sakuya also seemed thinner than usual, making Narumi’s words earlier more believable. She usually hid all of her flaws behind her charismatic and powerful aura, but now that Sakuya was asleep, she seemed a lot younger than usual. Just how much pain and anxiety had she been enduring all this time?

I reached out at her and caught a strand of her black hair that was fluttering from the wind. “Sakuya-san…I…”

“Sakuya-chan!”

The moment I registered Hiiro’s voice, I instinctively let go of Sakuya’s hair and ducked under the window. I didn’t really know what I was going to do earlier had Hiiro not show up, but my face was burning red with embarrassment.

*****

“Urgh…Hiiro…?” I woke up from my accidental slumber and rubbed my eyes wearily. “Did I fall asleep again…?”

“Sakuya-chan, won’t you go home and rest for the day? You look terrible right now.” Hiiro asked worriedly as he approached me from behind.

“No, I can’t go home yet.” I muttered the same refusal I gave to Sasaki earlier. “We’ve missed today’s study session, so we need to work twice as hard tomorrow…” I resumed making the homework I had been doing before falling asleep.

“Sakuya-san.”

When Hiiro addressed me formally, I finally turned to look at him. This was the second time Hiiro had spoken so seriously to me, the first time being the moment I scouted him into my faction.

“Why don’t you stop doing this?”

However, Hiiro’s words pierced right through my chest. He was saying something else, but all I could hear was Kikuchi’s words earlier today.

Why don’t you stop doing this, Kagura-san?

Kikuchi had called me after the last period, under the pretense of discussing my career expectation or something.

Seeing you struggle so desperately is amusing, but it is unbecoming of the Kagura Family’s heiress. You know better than anyone else that you’re not going to win your subordinates’ hearts, even less the bet. Why don’t you accept your loss gracefully and come back to the main house with dignity?” Kikuchi offered with a condescending look.

Without even stopping to consider that possibility, I shot him my fiercest glare. “Are you taking me for an idiot? Only a fool would count their chickens before the eggs even hatched. No one knows who will win this bet until the result comes out. I definitely won’t give up until the end! It’s fine even if my efforts are desperate or unseemly! I’m going to do everything to win!

Kikuchi returned my glare with his own disappointed glare. It seemed he wished to break my spirit before the exam, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

All of a sudden, Kikuchi’s glare morphed into a malicious smirk.

I see, so you’re going to do everything, huh? By yourself, I suppose? Since that so-called ‘irreplaceable piece’ of yours has abandoned you.

My sight seemed to darken once Kikuchi mentioned Ryuu. I clenched my fist to hide my agitation and I replied as calmly as possible, “So you’ve been snooping around me? I didn’t know you have such a distasteful hobby, Shijima-sensei.

A vein popped out of Kikuchi’s temple, but he barely reined in his anger. He grinned widely and said, “Well, perhaps this is the best for Ryuu-kun. After all, I was told that he’s doing great in the Student Council. He won’t be so stupid as to throw away his ideal school life for someone who doesn’t even appreciate him.

Shut up.” I couldn’t endure it anymore and snapped angrily at Kikuchi. Even I knew that I made a mistake and hurt Ryuu because of my selfishness. Someone like me didn’t deserve Ryuu’s kindness and devotion. But being told that to my face still irritated me. “Is that all you want to say to me? Then please excuse me, Shijima-sensei.

After that, I collapsed on my way to the practice hall. I was surprised at my own fragility. I thought I knew my own limits well, and I maintained my food intake and sleep properly. This had never happened to me, who was trained to be able to function without rest for three days and three nights. However, my body refused to listen to me and strength left my body.

“…kuya-chan! Sakuya-chan!”

Hiiro’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Sakuya-chan, are you listening to me? Please stop pushing yourself so hard…!”

“I CAN’T!!!”

Before I realized it, I had jumped to my feet and screamed at Hiiro. He was clearly taken aback by my sudden outburst.

“I can’t stop now! If I stop, all of my efforts up until now will be wasted! Then I won’t know why I tried so hard all this time! Why the hell did I endure being kept awake by nightmares every night?! What’s the meaning of me desperately trying to keep everyone studying to the point of becoming a tyrant?! Why…”

My voice cracked and drops of tears fell to my cheeks.

“…why did I even let Ryuu go…?!”

At this point, my knees lost its strength and I lurched forward.

“Sakuya-chan…!” Hiiro shouted as he lunged toward me.

Before I hit the floor, I felt someone caught me in his embrace. I dizzily opened my eyes and about to thank Hiiro when I saw that person’s face.

“Ryuu…?” I muttered his name in a daze.

“Eh? Ryuu? Did you just jump through the window?” Hiiro looked at Ryuu in amazement, but Ryuu ignored him.

“Sakuya-san, it will be fine. All of your efforts up until now won’t be wasted. I won’t let it be wasted. Trust me.” Ryuu spoke in low, yet confident voice.

It took me a moment to grasp Ryuu’s words, but the moment I did, it felt like I could breathe again. I clutched his shirt tightly, clinging to him with the desperation of someone drowning at sea.

“…really?” I stared at Ryuu with hopeful eyes. “Can I really…trust you?”

“Yes.” Ryuu nodded. “That’s why, all you need to do is rest well and get healthy quickly. Please leave the rest to me.”

I nodded meekly and closed my eyes. The last thing I remembered was the reassuring warmth from Ryuu’s arms.

*****

I waited patiently until Sakuya had fallen asleep before turning toward Hiiro.

“Hiiro, I need your help.” I said seriously.

“Okay, I’ll help you take Sakuya-chan home.” Hiiro automatically extended his hands to receive Sakuya from me, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“No, that's not what I meant. I need your help for something else.” I corrected him without moving an inch, acting as if I didn't see his gesture.

“Yeah, sure, but before that, I want you to stop hugging Sakuya-chan.” Hiiro’s eyes never left Sakuya, and his persistent gaze started scaring me a little.

“She’s asleep right now, what do you want me to do? Put her on the floor?” I complained.

“Then give her to me.”

Hiiro reached out again to take Sakuya, but I reflexively avoided his hands.

“…Ryuu? I told you to give her to me.” Hiiro repeated his demand with a charming smile on his face, but his eyes weren’t smiling.

“No, it’s not like I don’t want to give her to you…” I tried looking for other excuses, but my mind drew a blank. “…sorry, it’s a lie. I just don’t want to give her to you.” I gave up and answered honestly.

Hiiro sighed, but he retracted his hands. “I’m dying with jealousy here, but since you’re the one who caught Sakuya-chan just now, I’ll let it slide. I won’t let you do it again next time, though!” He warned me.

“Y-Yeah…” I nodded stiffly. “As if Sakuya would let me hug her like this next time.

“So? What do you need me to do? If it’s for Sakuya-chan’s sake, then I’ll do anything.” Hiiro returned to the matter at hand.

“Ah, right. I’m going to gather all the delinquents tomorrow after school. I need you to make sure everyone is coming, just like the first day of study session.” I asked him.

Hiiro frowned. “It will be easy if we’re allowed to use force, but…”

“It’s fine to use force.” I reassured him.

“Hey, aren’t you the one who told Sakuya-chan not to force them to study?” Hiiro retorted.

“I’m not gathering them to have them study tomorrow.” I smiled widely. If I had a mirror right now, I was sure I would see a cunning, sly smile on its reflection. “There’s something I want to tell all of them. It’s related to the exam and Sakuya-san. If you tell them this, they’ll definitely come.”

*****

The next day, during lunch break at the Student Council room.

“Shiba-kun.”

Yuuki, who was sitting behind his desk, laced his fingers and stared intently at me. There were only the two of us inside this room. All of the Student Council members never stepped foot into the Student Council room during lunch break unless necessary—except Yuuki. The ever-diligent Student Council President always occupied this room during lunch break. That was why I approached him at this timing.

“Are you serious about this?” Yuuki’s tone suggested that I reconsidered this matter.

“Yes, I’m completely serious, President.” I nodded, undeterred by his heavy tone.

Yuuki sighed. “Are you seriously going to quit the Student Council after only serving for a week?” He tapped my letter of resignation on the table.

“Yes.” I affirmed. “I really enjoyed becoming part of the Student Council, but right now there’s something I need to do. That’s why, I cannot continue being here.”

Yuuki massaged his temple. “Let me guess—it has something to do with Kagura Sakuya and her delinquents.”

I smiled without saying anything.

“…fine.” Yuuki gave up trying to persuade me. “It pains me to let such a talented personnel go, but it’s my policy to never hold anyone back. Just make sure you won’t regret your decision.”

“I won’t, President. Thank you very much for your guidance.” I bowed to him. “And one more thing. Will you help me with this one thing? Please think of it as a parting gift.” I spoke without raising my face.

“You…do you know that you started resembling Kagura more and more lately? Such shamelessness is just like her.” Yuuki sounded exasperated. “Anyway, tell me first. I’ll decide after hearing you out.”

“Thank you, President.” I lifted my face. “Please allow me to borrow the Student Council’s broadcast system. I have an announcement for all of the delinquents.”

For a moment, Yuuki was struck speechless. He stared blankly at me, trying to process my absurd request.

“…are you crazy?” Yuuki spat out, having regained his wits.

“No, please hear me out, President.” I put my hands on the table and leaned closer to Yuuki. “It has something to do with Sakuya-san’s request for more classrooms around two weeks ago.”

“…I’m listening.” Yuuki’s expression told me that he was a bit intrigued.

I began telling him about the bet between Sakuya and Kikuchi. I didn’t tell him that Kikuchi was a part of the Kagura Family, but simply that he despised Sakuya. Yuuki accepted it quite well, perhaps because Sakuya was the kind of person who made enemies as easily as she made allies. When I reached the part where Sakuya collapsed because of overwork, I saw a hint of surprise and regret flashed in Yuuki’s eyes.

“I see. I got the gist of it.” Yuuki nodded. “So, what will happen if Kagura lost this bet? She’s not the type of person to quietly accept this kind of disadvantageous bet.”

“She…” I bit her lips, hesitating whether to tell him the truth or not. “…will have to leave school. She has no choice but to accept the bet.”

In the end, I decided against dropping Kagura Family’s name here.

Yuuki pursed his lips and appeared to be thinking hard. I waited for his reaction with bated breath. If Yuuki decided that this school would be better off without Sakuya, everything I told him would backfire on us. Yuuki wouldn’t lend us his support. However, if he decided otherwise…

“That is…” Yuuki broke the silence, having arrived at his decision. “…troubling indeed. If the delinquents’ leader were to disappear, they’ll be reduced to a disorderly mob. The school peace that we’ve worked so hard to maintain will be gone.”

“Y-You mean…!” My face brightened at his words.

“Shiba-kun, you’re still a member of the Student Council until you hand over this letter.” Yuuki pushed my resignation letter back. “And a Student Council officer has the right to use our broadcast system.”

“Thank you very much, President!” I bowed deeply to him.

“Yeah…think of it as my atonement for refusing Kagura’s request.” Yuuki averted his eyes with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

“President…” I looked at him in surprise. “Despite all of his hostilities, he’s quite soft toward Sakuya-san, huh?

I turned toward the broadcast equipment in the corner of the Student Council room. With heart full of determination, I started operating them.

“[Attention to all students. This is Shiba Ryuuji speaking. After school today, all students who consider themselves to be delinquents should gather in the drama club’s practice hall. I repeat, all students who consider themselves to be delinquents should gather in the drama club’s practice hall after school today.]”

I paused for a moment to take a breath. Then my lips curled into a fierce grin.

“[Anyone who fails to show up will receive a special treatment from Kagura Sakuya-san. Thank you for your attention.]”

I ended the broadcast while pretending not to hear Yuuki’s mutter of “Isn’t that basically a threat?” in the background.

Koyomi
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