Chapter 23:

Pride

Four Seasons With You


With the storm finally out of the region, everything went back to normal and the school days resumed as usual. Today is the start of the 2nd week of July and so is the preparation for the event that everyone's been waiting for. Students will finally be able to exhibit their talents in the arts field and celebrate.

However, there is one exception to the things that have been fixed. The Student Council has a massive problem with its finances.

That day, inside the Student Council office, President Ayumi and the rest of the committee members were in the middle of discussing their newly-constructed plan for the Arts Festival.

Most of the representatives were confused about what prompted Ayumi to change the course outline of their plan. But everything sizzled down when Nigel informed them of the problem and how they weren't able to settle things fast enough to sustain it.

"80 percent of the budgets that we accumulated for the last two months including the funds pooled by the PTA was ultimately distributed to repair the old building." everyone gasped when they heard it.

Naturally, Ayumi and the other council members weren't that surprised as they were the ones who managed to witness the destruction of the building due to the storm breaking in.

The old building on the opposite side of the SASMNHS was hit by a storm last week and it decimated its entrance and some rooms. Because of that, the students weren't able to continue their study sessions and the teachers from the faculty were having a hard time adjusting their schedule to accommodate the students.

"Are there any funds left to at least support the initial plan that the students voted for?" 4th-year representative Bianca asked.

Nigel waved her head. "I'm sorry, but it looks like the remaining funds aren't enough to continue the planned outline. It's likely that we can only use the remaining twenty percent to set up the exhibit."

"What if we did crowdfunding or some solicitation?" Vice-President Joseph suggested.

"That is a viable option but I don't think we can amass many donations in one single week. A single increase in its percentage wouldn't really change anything." Secretary Sarah said.

"I concur, but any slight help is better than doing nothing. Secretary Sarah, please inform the President of each class and do some solicitation. You can ask the Music club for some support." Ayumi instructed her.

"Understood!" with a bow, Sarah left the council room.

Ayumi noticed that some of the representatives were discussing something on their own.

"Umm, President...?" 1st-year representative Ethan raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"Since our budget is cut off, does that mean that only the Exhibition is available for the event?" he asked.

"Yes, the Art Gallery and the exhibition of arts of each class is the only event we can implement right now without using any assets." Ayumi hung her head in distress.

"Then what will happen to the Theatre act?" 2nd-year representative Allan asked.

"Unfortunately, we can't do the theatre anymore..." Nigel answered.

"Why?"

"There's a lot of work to do in setting up a theatre. And now that we're running out of funds, we won't be able to prepare the necessary equipment, costumes, props, effects, and actors needed for the play. We're also understaffed right now because most of the students are focused on their stalls."

The Student Council lacked the manpower and budget needed to implement many activities and showcases for the Arts Festival so they're limiting its event based on what's necessary.

"But... the Theatre Play is the only selling point we have this year. The students voted for it, if we can't do them anymore then..."

There's no need to elaborate on it any further. Everyone hung their head as they realized how deep their problem is. They've suffered enough damage because of the storm and now they're dealing with the pressure of successfully driving the event into a grand one that the students and outsiders will be able to enjoy without any support.

It's a difficult task for everyone including Ayumi. Right now, they're hopeless.

"Keep your heads up, everyone..." however, there is one single person who hasn't given up yet.

Ayumi stood up straight and asserted her ice-cold aura to everyone present in the room. They're already familiar with her frosty attitude but it still intimidated them. Only Ayumi could make everyone twitch in fear with just a single sentence.

"What's the reason why the students voted for us in this position? Is it because we're popular? No, we're in this place right now because they saw how capable we are. That's why I want all of you to keep your heads up. I'll think of a new plan before the weekends so leave everything to me..." Ayumi declared her determination and exuded her pride as the President.

"..." everyone nodded resolutely to her words.

"I will definitely find a way to fix this!" Ayumi resolved herself.

No one knows what she's planning but they all believed in her. The reason why Ayumi is so popular and why she became the President is because of her pride and will to do everything. Her firm determination to make everything work and her ability to singlehandedly fix everything is something that no normal person has.

She is a leader that will do everything... in exchange for isolating herself in a cold abyss filled with nothing but darkness.

She is a leader that will do her best... even if she has to sacrifice herself.

Her ability to take responsibility for everything alone is something that she cannot fix.

That's why it is also her greatest weakness...

***

I attended the briefing today and it seems like everyone's been on edge lately. I've seen some representatives doing solicitation with a few members of the band from the music club and they're asking for a small donation for the upcoming event.

I don't know what happened in the council last week because I was busy dealing with Yvette's problem but now that I'm back, things were looking gloomy and I suppose it has something to do with the recent storm passing by.

I asked Kylee for some rundown and she told me what happened:

Apparently, when the storm broke out, the old building which was used by the other students from the lower grade level collapsed and they pooled all of the budgets that is supposed to be for the Arts Festival to repair the building. Such a decision was of course declared by Fuyumi but the setback was far more critical.

"Fuyumi's been super stressed lately and she couldn't focus on herself. Can we do something about it? You're close with the President, right?" Kylee begged me for some ideas but I can't really think of anything.

"I don't know... even if I have a solution, I don't think Fuyumi's going to let me do anything," I answered.

Fuyumi still hasn't given me any permission to help her. And there's no order for us especially in the committee so my scope of work is very limited to pointless stuff. She's keeping all of the work to herself and I find that really annoying.

While we were walking to the hall, someone passed by us and immediately went inside the office. Kylee and I arrived as well to check the situation.

"President! Sorry for barging in..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Fuyumi placed the paperwork for a second to listen.

"A group of students from the other school came in today to check the campus and it seems like they wanted to talk to you..."

"A group of students?" she narrowed her eyes.

"Yes. It looks like they're checking the campus for our preparation." the reporter nodded.

"I understand. I'll be right there immediately."

"Roger, I'll inform them."

It's pretty weird that students from the other school are coming in to scout our preparation so all of us headed outside towards the school gate to meet them.

I looked at Kylee and she waved her head. I supposed she doesn't have any clue about it as well so we followed the council members.

As soon as we reached the gate, we were greeted by an intense stare off between Fuyumi and the guy from the other school. He was accompanied by a couple of members and they were all wearing different uniforms.

"What are you doing in here?" Fuyumi glared at the man.

I was curious about their identity so I asked Secretary Sarah for some information.

"Um... who are those people?"

"Ah, his name is Algion. He and President Ayumi were rivals back in middle school but they got separated when they went to high school." she answered.

"Rivals? You mean like they used to compete with each other back then?"

"Mmm, yes. They have a long history and Algion is always bothering her. He'd always challenge Ayumi to any competition but there's actually a good reason for that..." Sarah turned to me.

"Good reason?"

"It's because Algion has feelings for Ayumi..."

"Eh...?" I instinctively cringed when I heard it.

"You could say that they're like water and oil but Algion is pretty much stubborn. Well, as you can see right now, he's here again to challenge her..."

I looked over at the two to see what was happening.

"It's been a long time, Yumi. I heard that your council is having trouble..." Algion grinned as he approached Fuyumi.

It felt like Algion was intimidating her with the way he firmed his tall frame in front. But Fuyumi didn't back down and continued to stare daggers at him.

"News does travel fast as they say..." Fuyumi heaved a sigh, followed by a condescending smug.

"This isn't like you, Yumi. If only you prioritized the school's foundation first, you would've saved that dirty old building. But you didn't. Instead, you focused on the event and your negligence caused this pandemonium." Algion bluntly reminded Fuyumi of her mistake.

"Hey, take that back, you bastard... you don't know what Ayumi's been through. She's already doing the best that she can by multitasking and all of this is unprecedented." joseph stepped in to confront Algion. His calm and composed attitude instantly vanished when he heard Algion's remark.

"Are you a fool?" but Algion retorted. "It's not unprecedented. All Student Council shall be always ready for any disaster no matter how small it is. They shouldn't be only focusing on the students but also on their own establishments. And your council failed to do just that..."

With that single comment, everyone glared at him.

To be honest, Algion has a point. The way how our council work focuses on future prospects and they're neglecting any minor optimization to the school's campus.

If I remember correctly, Kylee had already reminded Fuyumi of the situation in the old building back when we were having a meeting before the Reyson issue. But Fuyumi shrugged it off and she didn't focus on it.

"So? Did you just come in here to ridicule our platform?" after a short silence, Fuyumi finally spoke. Despite all of Algion's attacks, she still remained cold and expressionless. This annoyed him because he feels like he was being treated like trash and was wasting her time.

"Heh... I came here to wage war, Yumi." he snarled.

"What do you mean?"

"I wanted to know which Student Council is better in handling events. There's the upcoming Arts Festival, right? I want to challenge you again..." he placed his hand in his pockets.

"What is it...?"

"The challenge is... whichever school generates the highest income and popularity from the Arts Festival will win. If my school wins, you will go out with me and I'll date you..."

When he said that, everyone gasped.

The condition that he set is going too far. If their way of handling the event is superior to ours, Fuyumi will have no choice but to date Algion. This, of course, left everyone flabbergasted with a tinge of anger.

"Don't accept it, President! It's far too risky!"

"She's right! Please, let's just focus on our own business!"

Sarah and Joseph pleaded, however...

"Is that right? I accept then..." Fuyumi made a devilish grin.

"What?" I snapped out when I heard her answer. The same reaction can be seen from our side as well.

Is she out of her mind? There's no way she could win this! They're already in deep trouble, she has no time to accept a foolish challenge.

"President!"

"What are you doing?!"

Everyone tried to complain but Fuyumi gestured for them to stop. "I'll accept your challenge, Gion. But if our school wins, you will never step inside our school grounds anymore and you will relinquish your position and drop out."

"..." everyone widened their eyes.

Just as Algion placed a risky stake by dating her, Fuyumi placed an even more risky condition.

"Fine. Considering my condition, it's only natural that you will devise something harsher."

"Algion, are you sure about this...?"

"President, I think we should just stop this."

Both Presidents didn't listen to their subordinates. All of them are worried but it's not like they could change Fuyumi and Algion's minds after all of that taunts.

"Well then, I'll be seeing you again on the last day of the Arts Festival, Yumi. Let's see if you can save yourself this time..."

After that, Algion and the rest left our school.

All of us are too stunned to even say anything about their confrontation.

But I wonder why... Why do I feel angry?

"Everyone, let's get back to work..." Fuyumi waved her platinum hair and goes back. Everyone followed her but their expression was painted with dread and hopelessness.

***

Sessions finally ended but Nathan stayed around to do something important. And that is to confront Ayumi about her decisions.

A tinge of anger, puzzlement, and perplexity can be seen on his expression as he faced Ayumi.

"What?" but Ayumi wasn't acting like her old self. Just like Nathan, she also glared at him.

"What the hell are you thinking back then? Accepting such ridiculous warfare for no good reason..." Nathan's tone was devoid of emotion.

"What about it? It's not like I'm going to lose anyway... I'm confident that I'm going to turn things around even at the last minute." Ayumi's sharp tone made Nathan infuriated.

"Confident? So you're relying on pride now? Let me just say that I don't like that part of you, Ayumi." he snapped in a calm way.

"I never told you to like it in the first place. If you don't agree with my methods then feel free to back out..."

With that single retort, Nathan shouted.

"Don't screw with me! You only did that because you didn't want to lose face in front of the others!"

Ayumi got startled at his rough tone. Nathan already realized what's bugging Ayumi for some time now.

"Can't you see the position that you're in right now? We are in deep trouble, Ayumi! There's no point in you earning everyone's validation for the sake of your pride."

Ayumi gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. "You don't understand anything..."

"Stop shouldering everything by yourself, please. You're not in such a position to accept such a foolish challenge right now. Lower your pride and ask for our help—"

"Shut up! You don't know anything!" Ayumi shouted, baffling Nathan.

"I know—"

"You don't know anything! You don't know how hard it is to become a President! You don't know how hard and tiring for me to always keep this optimistic facade just for the sake of increasing everyone's morale!"

The reason why Ayumi is always distributing confidence is that she didn't want the whole council to feel hopeless even in crucial times. Her overwhelming pride is the reason why the council is always productive.

If she showed her weakness every now and then, it will generally affect the council's work and their productivity.

Her ability to take everything and do it herself is draining her so badly. But she can't stop it.

If she stops, it's over.

Ayumi is the only momentum they have to pass the obstacles in front of them.

She's sacrificing herself to open the door for everyone to keep up the good work.

She's doing the best that she can to be a good and productive president to motivate everyone around her.

She accepted Algion's challenge because she didn't want everyone to see her hopeless side.

And that infuriated Nathan.

He knows that what she's doing is sacrificial. Her pride wouldn't let her give up even at the toughest moment. She didn't everyone to see her weakness...

Because if they do—Ayumi is scared to lose everyone's trust in her.

She is afraid that everyone will leave her alone again if she didn't meet their expectations with her leadership.

That's why she's always reaching for the zenith—even if it is hard for her.

"..." Nathan couldn't find anything to say after that.

Ayumi realized that she snapped out at the man who's always been giving her the push. When she realized that, a small tear dropped from her eye and then she ran away.

Nathan tried to reach her but he stopped.