Chapter 3: The Making

Bathroom is indeed a place to zone out. To stare at the water as if it is some oracle that will help you decide in life. I woke up early today so that I can stay a little longer in the bathroom. I have cousins in this house who will go to school, plus given that I have classes, there is no much time for me. Isn’t ironic, I’m done washing but I remained here as if I’m waiting for the water to make a sign?

There is no use. I have to go back again and face the day.

As usual Akemi messaged me. He is such a lovely friend, that is why no matter what I feel, I am ready to conceal it for her. I sighed as if it can help the my heavy heart.

Yokohama you are so stupid. I get what you mean, I know I’m wrong, but you are being too much.

_______

“Good morning everyone! Don’t you know that as student council members we can request a special excuse from our teachers at least twice a week? Hooray!” Yokohama lost his sanity. I’m suddenly worried, he was a monster just yesterday.

On the other side “Yoshhh!” Akemi is chiming along with him.

Yokohama specially gathered the members today and decided to skip the morning class. He hasn’t directly told the plan but instead he’s been acting weird. Mikitani is stern and ready to kill someone who waste her time. Suzuki maintains his cool despite the seemingly childish situation. Any wrong move can make this whole facade crumble.

Dangerously, it can start a war.

“The President says that we should get along. From now on we will meet here after class at least 30 minutes.” Yokohama explained. A Television which I haven’t noticed before is just above the desk, which Yokohama opened showing the contents of the flash drive that I’ve been working on.

“Our President is brilliant. I had a heart to heart conversation with her and found out about her hard work!” Yokohama passionately exclaimed.

More like he is ripping my heart off.

“The cafeteria problem has been resolved and each members should patrol. Let’s put a schedule from Monday to Friday.” His spirit is definitely undefeatable. Akemi’s sweet and cheerful personality is a great contribution to the mood.

“How slow, if we done this a week ago, things would have been better.” Mikitani responded.

“I have no objection yet, the cafeteria’s problem is not resolved yet. Students are ignorantly leaving their trash on the table. It gives extra labor to our dear kitchen staffs. The janitors only comes in at night to clean the rooms.” Suzuki has a strong personality as well, what’s more amazing is that he is very considerate of others and observant.

Isn’t this a really perfect team. Yokohama can calm the atmosphere with his Crown-Prince-like personality. Mikitani is intimidating and one word can make a stubborn student kneel on the ground. With Suzuki’s calm and intelligent observations we can easily come up with a good decision and ideas. Akemi can balance everything, if Mikitani shows so much of her aura, Akemi can easily reverse any kind of situation to an ideal one, on top of that her creative ideas are always useful. Plus, she can make questions without offending the other.

Akemi is the person who can go along well with all of them.

“Say what you must, Ms. President.” Yokohama pointed at me and then winks.

I almost died from his indirect stab.

“Well, aside from the students matters we must gain favor from the people that we lead—“

”Louder.” Mikitani impatiently comments.

My mind gets jumbled due to her interruptions. “Well, um... we must gain the seniors favor in order to make them obey. But considering the situation, Suzuki is right. The chaos in line was resolved but what comes after is not. Are there any suggestions?”

Akemi raised her hand, I nodded so she continues. “The club application will be starting tomorrow, how about we show up in the flag ceremony and demonstrate some authority.”

“How straight forward for you to use that term.” Yokohama is smiling. “Now that I think of it, our President has not yet delivered her speech. Let’s properly introduce her.”

“What—“

The air gone cold.

“Calm down everyone.” Yokohama attempted to lighten the mood yet it went for nothing.

He just sighed.

His efforts to gather us here is truly amazing. Whether they liked it or not the members are still willing to wait for the dismissal.

“Hmm I think it would be better if we stick together during breaks.” Akemi suggested.

“A good idea! 5 points! It’s about time that we show the students that we have a good relationship, by doing so they will also not dare to act disrespectful when we are around!”

The mood significantly change.

Judging the current situation, I wonder how much of a burden I would be if I ever stick to them.

“Everyone must go.”

I didn’t notice that it was already time for the break. Yokohama is pertaining to me, that we should all go out together. The others are looking to me as well.

I can’t back down now.

I know I can’t do much and it turns out that I’m hiding beside Akemi. I’m walking along with the most popular student leaders. I consider myself as a fallen star, but they still have bright futures ahead.

Walking together as student council members should not be a surprise but the student around us are showing stunned expression as if they’ve never seen such a sight.

I can’t feel any spark towards them, just a little bit that will urge me to go back.

Akemi pulls me gently as I almost hit Mikitani’s back. Taking a peek on what’s happening, I saw some figures.

“It’s almost noon senpais!” It was Yokohama who broke the silence. I can just imagine his stupid face.

“Since when did a Vice President become a baby sitter?” The voice is stern, coming from a woman. She is probably the former President of this school who happens to be one of the candidates for this year.

Yokohama laughs. “Hey, our President is a different matter.” His voice went cold.

“Oh my, did you got threatened?”

“Not at all.”

“It’s been a week, how come the Student Council haven’t done a proper job?” She tries to push the topic to provoke Yokohama. None of the members is backing him up, but it seems that he doesn’t need any.

“It’s just a warm up.” He playfully says, then again he shifts to his cold attitude “So behave at your finest former Ms. President.”

He continues walking, us behind him, following to his lead. It’s true though that we haven’t accomplished much of a thing but clearly Yokohama declares his authority. It is a battle of ego, and more importantly he did contribute a lot. I know for sure that Yokohama hated me, but still he defended me against them. Form the looks of it, I’ve caused so much trouble. Indeed, I was being selfish, that I pulled them down along with me.

Regardless, since it’s true that the student council haven’t done much in a span of 1 week, as of now Yokohama only seems rude, without proper execution, I think it’s just an empty show. From now on, we can’t let our guards down. They will persecute us through our flaws. Above all, I’m just waiting for them to come at me, because they will soon enough.

Yokohama must be having a hard time. I should start making my connection to the members as soon as possible.

We headed to the cafeteria bringing our pack lunch. It is ‘convenient’ according to Yokohama. Akemi messaged me last night since Yokohama doesn’t have my phone number yet. Apparently he does told everyone to bring packed lunch. I always have my pack lunch anyway.

Now that we are here, it’s unavoidable to have an unspeakable packed lunch show judging from everyone’s excessive containers.

Mine is just a simple black lunch box with egg roll and rice.

I caught a glimpse of Yokohama’s face feeling sorry for me. I notice the members side glances, they must be pitying me too but they don’t make a comment. I know it’s too simple. They prepared their lunch as if it was a master lunch competition.

Yokohama’s expensive lunch box is decorated with a red dragon with some gold on it’s sides. He opens it to reveal a variety of dish. His confidence reach the ceiling “If anyone wants some of mine I don’t mind, I brought extra for the others.” I haven’t seen a delicious looking and sparkling lunch box like this before.

Mikitani’s smirk, and the aura of competitiveness doesn’t falter nonetheless “My, how generous of you.” Her pink cherry blossom lunch box contains a variety of vegetable dish. Low carb diet, I might say. Her meal is rather is super healthy that it feels shameful for having such a non balanced meal in front of her. It makes me want to be mindful of calories.

This is the first time I saw Suzuki smiled. “I don’t mind sharing mine as well, I want some Yokohama.” They stare at each other with some kind of formed affection. Suzuki has a decent blue lunch box with some chicken katsu. It is simple but not as depressing as mine looks like. I hate to compare myself as worst but it is definitely the truth.

Looking at Akemi’s sky blue lunch box, with cute cinnamon roll character is simply in accordance with her personality. The dish are simple yet the design makes it appealing. “I brought extra tempura for everyone.”

“How nice!” Yokohama praised Akemi and do a high-five.

The mood is uplifting and a brilliant way to build our relationship towards each other.

I stared at Yokohama, trying his best to stitch everyone’s relationship. I consider his ambitions for his own, but this effort shows so much of his dedication. Wether he claims that this is related to his pride, his actions justify the means. Yesterday he is a different person, he is clearly frank with what he feels and not one to tolerate such misbehavior. Yet I failed to control my emotion and demonstrate what I truly feel.

I want to give up.

There’s nothing to worry with someone as dependable as him.

I admire him.

So much that it reminds me of my past self. He mentioned about being second to me, however, it made me question if I was that great at all.

I watch as he attempts to scold some noisy students in the cafeteria through his charms, it works.

“Hmmm we managed to organize the lines, but the cafeteria is still lacking.” Suzuki opened the topic.

It caught Akemi’s attention, “Do you want some tempura?”

“Gladly.” Suzuki accepted.

“Me too.” Yokohama.

“Thank you.” Mikitani.

Akemi just placed one to my lunch box without me asking and smiles. She then responded to Suzuki’s concern. “I think we should ask the canteen staff if it’s okay to put laminated posters on the wall. For example, a student who ate bread just left without disposing his trash.” She pointed at the table. It is rather shameful to see students acting irresponsibly in basic etiquette. But this trivial mistakes relies on us.

“I like your idea but we must announce it properly. They will not take it seriously unless we show them.” Suzuki tells as he take some of Yokohama’s side dish.

I felt goosebumps when Yokohama speaks out of the sudden which he aims at me “Ms. President what do you think?”

I haven’t think about anything in a while but it pinned me to the corner. I grabbed my water bottle and sip to buy some time.

“I think it will appear bossy for students when we just state it all of a sudden. We must wait for a chance to properly tell them what to do without offending them.” I paused. “Tomorrow, we must mention about our new policy along with the club opening announcement. In that way they will feel more obliged to follow since many students will be in need of our approval.”

I said it. I took the Yokohama bait, I’m not suppose to do that. Arghhhhhh, I don’t plan to.

Yokohama and Akemi applauded. I look down in embarrassment, I really feel nervous and stuttered on my first few words but it gets better at least. Suzuki and Mikitani on the other hand is feasting on Yokohama’s unattended extra food.

I feel like asking for an after school meeting but I don’t feel like it at the same it.

Attending class with Mikitani and Yokohama feels better now. I still stutter badly during class recitation, Yokohama has to save me yet again.

I feel lonely thinking about my current situation. How weak I become…

An arm wrapped around my shoulder. “Hey let’s walk home together.”

I felt nervous at his presence. It’s just Yokohama but still… “B-but I’m with Akemi..”

“You’ve been walking home alone. I also ask Akemi’s permission.”

I walk pass through him hoping that he will not follow.

“Come on now. We have so much to talk about.”

“But-“

He grabbed my hand gently, giving me a weird creepy sensation. This is too much for me!

Most of the students already left, given this situation, I will die if he does this in the crowd. Somehow, I forgot the nervousness that I felt, however the embarrassment did not fade away.

Still holding my hand “Don’t think about doing this alone.”

I don’t know how to respond. What does he mean by that anyway?

“I’m starting to lose my mind, lifting the burden that wasn’t supposed to be mine. But still you are my President. I hated you at first, however, I promised that I will be your clown for the sake of the show.”

I get it now. “You don’t expect anything towards me, you just want me to comply.”

“Exactly.”

I know he will not let me leave, that is why I will create the perfect opportunity for him to take over. He may hate me even more for trampling on his pride, but the only reason for me to fight is in hopes of giving up.

“Give me your contact information, I will contact you from time to time.” He then let go of my hand and gave his cellphone.

I followed his command and took it, I returned it as soon as I am done.

“Good, it’s set.”

It is painful to bear with his attitude like this. But I must endure, only that way can I set myself free. I smiled as hard as I can, it seems forceful but it earns a shock to him. “If I become the person that you want, will you grant me a wish?”

He took a step back as I inch closer to him. I’m scared and uncertain, but I’m trying my best to appear calm and collected. “W-what?”

“I can’t tell.”

“B-but.”

“I’ll tell you once I’ve done what you want.”

He smirks. I lost my cool when he inch closer towards me. Unlike my half hearted attempt, he is dedicated and manages to corner me, my back hitting against the wall. “Sure. You better do a good job.”

I can’t move at all, but every inch of my body wants to run away.

He suddenly smiles, showing his usual bright side. “Let’s go home, I’m looking forward seeing you tomorrow.”

He is a great clown, manipulating the situation for his own advantage. So this is how I should play it. I forced a smile again to show that I’m not backing down either. “Thank you.”

We just made a truce.

______

My room is my favorite place of all, and my favorite hobby is reading and playing games. Though I have to stop since I’m a total addict once I started to play games. I hurriedly finish my assignment so I could rest by 9 p.m. Why do I feel so tired? I haven’t done much anyways? I’ve been doing nothing, but all the damage that I’ve caused is pointing back at me.

I should just told the truth to my dad in the first place. I can’t be a President, so I should’ve refuse. No matter how much I try to console my self, I am indeed in the wrong. And my selfish wish is for someone to understand? No, that is an idiotic way to justify my wrong decisions. I know for sure that nobody will understand, and I will never ever be a damsel in distress with a prince to save her. Yokohama is like a prince in fairytale, I acknowledge that look is handsome to begin with. To be a leader with that kind of face, no matter what he does, the only thing that people will remember about him is his crown prince image.

It’s unfair Yokohama. I wanted to hate you—

My phone rings. It’s not a familiar number. Which could only mean it is him.

I answered it immediately to avoid conflict “Hello.”

“Hi, how are you?”

I am speechless. Really? “Uhmmm I’m good how about you?”

I heard fake coughs. “Very well, as you can see tomorrow is Friday, the start of club registrations.”

I felt a sudden sting in my heart. Truly I was being too loose. It’s tomorrow! Meaning…

“I will deliver the speech. You seem unprepared.”

Sighing in relief, I have no choice but to agree. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

“You better get yourself together. You must have thought that you could just leave by this week. You think I will let you?”

Isn’t just me or Yokohama is being more like a demon lord. You nasty prince looking but a villainous prince on the inside! Every time I hear him like that I lost faith in reality…. Wait, I should stop! This is disgusting, Yokohama you nasty bad mouthing nerd!

“Are you still there?”

“Oh yes, sorry.”

“Get a hold of yourself Tanizaki. Let’s meet on Sunday, I’m not sure if you are taking me seriously through this call.”

“But…”

“It’s not a date. We have things that we need to discuss.”

That is a flat rejection of my freedom to choose. Isn’t it against the law?

“Well, okay….”

“You don’t seem to be happy.”

“I am— very sorry.”

“Rest well Tanizaki.”

I didn’t get the chance to say good night because he ended the call. I can feel his annoyance but what can I do? This is embarrassing I hate it.