Chapter 4: Building Trust

Easton High School is a prestigious school that cultivates young talents. They are most known for producing great leaders. Majority of the students here came from a well known family. Including the well known Yokohama Ryusei from a family of politicians. His brother is a usual guest at TEEN WEEKLY a monthly magazine that features young students' achievements, lifestyle, stories, fashion, and many more. The Archangel has been featured thrice, but it gathers the most attention. Ryusei was never in the spotlight, but he was always good.

Ryusei hated to be stuck with a President that has no will to lead. It is his first time to be a Vice President under someone who is hard to respect. He is used to being the one to dominate every decision, up until now though. However, the circumstances can get any worse.

To ensure that his president will not mess up, he decided to keep her closer. In that way she will not do anything that will cause his downfall. Not only that, he appreciates the potential of every member. In fact, he knew all of them. He heard stories about them and admired them. He wanted to be as great as them. Above all the leaders he knew, it was the Archangel that he fell in love with. Someone he looks forward to.

“Too bad, I didn’t get the chance to meet her.” He thought.

Today is important for him, he will deliver the speech for the club registration. Putting that aside he did not go to school early just for the sake of preparation for a simple speech. He is wary of Tanizaki. He knew that she would do something.

He decided to get out of the car before it reached the front gate. Waiting for the school to open, and the surprised guards who are discussing something with someone wearing a black jacket. He knew immediately.

“Tanizaki.”

“Umm good morning Yokohama.” She replied strangely, she felt embarrassed for some reason.

“I knew you will do something like this.”

One of the guards then spoke. “Your student council President is very hardworking. Don’t you think?”

Ryusei’s attitude turns 180 degrees different right away. “Sure does! I feel happy to be her Vice President!”

Chiaki knew that it is just a facade but still she pretended that there is nothing awkward going on between them. The guards did not suspect them or anything. They just thought that these students are energetic.

Ryusei noticed that eco-bag earlier that Chiaki is holding. But he only just mention it now. “What are those?”

“These are laminated posters that I will put on the canteen walls. Principal Tanaka approved this so there’s no problem.”

“You didn’t tell me?” He did remember that Chiaki promised to be someone he wanted to be. But surely, he hates the idea of her trying to do things alone.

“Oh yes I’m sorry, I plan not to bother you about this.”

He faced palms. “I told you not to do things alone.” What he is more worried about is the designs. He has trust issues with Chiaki’s capabilities until now.

Chiaki handed it to him. To his surprise the designs are great. He thought she just downloaded it online so he asked. “Did you make the designs?”

“Yes.”

Her answer is strange, that’s what he thought. Maybe he is over underestimating her. He doesn’t expect much from her anyways. Tanizaki is someone who might have potential, but that alone is not what he needs. Someone who doesn’t lead like they mean it is not a leader at all.

“Let’s do this.” He stated.

Chiaki then nods, it’s not that she can't refuse. But she seems glad to have someone to help her.

He still doesn’t know how this clumsy girl was selected. He faced harsh criticism all his life, most of them at home. But who is she? What is the sick joke that principal Tanaka is plotting? Could it be something to do with their family? He wanted to know.

____

Yokohama did call me that night. For someone who bravely puts up a front, I was stuttering so much. As a matter of fact, he became rather persistent. He even asked me for a Sunday date. He is acting like a pestering boyfriend who wants to ruin your life by depriving you from the things you like.

He is also good at mind reading, he even predicted I’d be at school early today. He did help me at the cafeteria. We then spend the remaining hours waiting at the student council room. No one suspected anything weird.

What I must keep in mind is that I need to tame Yokohama, in that way I can win. If I give him the upper hand he will never surrender to me. Anyway, what I do is for him.

I really want to give up but I am not in the mood for it.

Friday, which is today, will be our first busy day. For the first time I will be going on stage. The first day of school I ditch the assembly which I ruined. Yokohama had to speak for me. Luckily, he is a natural talent and preparing an impromptu was not that hard. He told me about the excuse he had for me on that day. While it is true that I spent my time in the infirmary, the part that I was sick was not the truth.

I am purposely making the effort to lose everyone’s trust and have my dream impeachment.

But Yokohama is tougher. My plan will not work out. No one has ever become a student leader in this school for two consecutive years. Every year it changes, I don’t appreciate the fact that we are all first years who overpass the 3rd years who are waiting for their chance to be leaders. This is truly sad, they only had one last opportunity but it never came because of us. Ironically, we are a history for EHS.

Sadly it will crumble down. I will tear everything to pieces. That’s when the Crown prince will appear as the empire’s hero who will make the kingdom better. Yokohama will be perfect for everything. Out of embarrassment, I will leave the school, and the principal will understand. That is my ideal. I still consider that.

I have to get out of here as soon as possible. If I can’t, I have to endure this whole year.

It’s true that Yokohama and I had a truce. But it’s such a long process it will take the best of me. The truce is a backup.

The time has come for me to face what I’ve been avoiding. The moment we stepped inside the gymnasium everyone fell silent. This is the traditional red carpet walk for the student leaders. I still lack the courage to stand in front, Yokohama fulfilled that role. It doesn’t matter to students. Yokohama, the crown prince has always gained everyone’s favor.

Second in line is Mikitani and Suzuki, Akemi and I are last in line. Nonetheless, even crossing out the crown prince, this pack is a dream team together with Mikitani, Suzuki, and Akemi. I am the black hole, I don’t deny.

My hands are getting cold from the pressure that I felt. I just clasp my hands together in hopes it could get better. I avoided looking around. It will make my situation worse. But Akemi game me a nod, smiling to encourage me. She’s always been sweet like that.

Yokohama called me last night, he volunteers to deliver the speech in my stead. I was relieved. My only role is to sit here on the stage.

The flag ceremony happens like a flash. I did not attempt to look at the crowd, it would suffocate me. I didn’t understand what our dear principal had said either. He later calls for Yokohama to deliver the speech.

His posture screams dignified, was I too ignorant back when I was at my glory days.

“Good morning everyone! Before we go back to our respective classrooms, I want to take this time to announce the club registration. The student council office will be accepting your submission from 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Starting today until Friday next week. We will gladly entertain your questions at the office. Thank you.”

The students applause, majority are girls who seems to be fangirling over Yokohama. Really? They have no idea about his nasty side.

There was no problem at all.

Yokohama smiled at us, he even high fives Suzuki. When did these two get close anyway? Suzuki is always serious looking guy. He is the boy version of Mikitani.

_____

The things is even if students don’t have any plans to submit their registration today, we still have to be at school around the promised time. I left my job to Yokohama, of course he didn’t want to but I told him I have reasons. He didn’t investigate furthermore, at least he holds dear to my promise.

There is one thing that I wanted to do. The delinquents of this school are one of my potential problems. I have encountered many delinquents back in those days, I usually treated them with hostility. But it never works, that’s the time that I decided to befriend them. It’s not a bad memory. But those are all in the past.

I could have just used my true identity right from the start, to deal with this matter. But in my condition, I don’t want to tarnish the last piece of good I was able to achieve. Still, I despise it. The Archangel is someone I want to forget, but someone I don’t want to completely ruin.

What I have right now is a goal. I will start from scratch unwillingly.

I searched their hideout but they are no longer there. I was just in time at the gate, they were almost out. “Come here guys!” I called over them. Self, you may hate this right now but please think like you are a shoujo main character! Fight! Fight! Fight!

They just raised their eyebrows.

“Let’s go to the gym for a while, please?”

“Why?” Furukawa, their acting leader, asked.

“School is boring right? It’s so sad to not be able to do something that you like at all.”

Hasegawa nodded. “True indeed.”

Ando followed. “This school is a piece of nuisance.”

“Well then let’s go to the gym!”

They are still weirded by what I’m trying to say. But they obediently followed me. Along the way I distracted them with anything just to maintain the conversation. I felt happy that at least they didn’t run away. See, there is hope for them!

Now that we are in the middle of the gym I stopped.

“Over history, EHS has never produced athletes. They only care about academics. Isn’t it a shame?” I faced them with all the confidence I could muster. I continued, “Look at this gym this is so huge but this is for the students to play sports!”

They are listening to me with utmost curiosity. This is when I’ve decided to strike. “Let’s make a basketball team! I will be your manager.”

They fell silent. Sakto scratched his head. “I never knew what I’m good at even at sport.”

Nakajima pointed to himself. “I do know basketball but I have never played to compete in a serious way.”

“Guys. Relax. I don’t care if you guys know how to or not. See how tall you guys are?” They did check each other and agreed with my opinion.

“All of you are in good condition to play sport, with that height and physic, I am actually thrilled and thought about this. I want to see all of you on the court playing basketball! I’m sure it will be awesome.”

Furukawa doesn’t seem happy. “But how do we get started? Do you even know how to manage a team?”

I flicked my hair. I know they will ask this. “Of course, I was a former coach of my team before.” I didn’t mention which team. It was obviously a one time experience and the players are just middle school students.

To tie the knot I added “If you may ask, I am kind of on good terms with the principal. It is also stated in the school rules to fund clubs that students want. There are of course restrictions and probable suspension for not complying but I promise to take full responsibility.”

Nakajima rested his left arms on Furukawa. “Come on Saji, this is our last year with our friends. I’m sure this will be fun.”

Saito, the youngest of them all, is excited. “Boss this is such a great opportunity isn’t it? I am thrilled to gain abs.”

Furukawa playfully smacks him on his head. “You really are simple minded.” He then turns to me. “I will refuse.”

I noticed the disappointment from the others but they did not disagree. “We are school delinquents. We have bad reputations. Who will support us?”

I feel embarrassed to say this out loud but here goes nothing! “I will support you! All of you!”

Furukawa bitterly laughs. “Tell us once you get it done.”

If the deal is what he wants I will give it to them. “Sure.” I take this as a challenge. “Promise me that you will all agree once I get the signature of the principal.”

“Why do you want to join a club with us anyway? Don’t you think it will just be a laughing matter for this school of human perfect androids?” Furukawa, he is oozing with a gangster aura. I’ve been to their hideout, I even scolded them once or twice. But did they harm me at all? Not that they can harm me anyways.

I know my plan is not that sincere. I know I’m just wanting to make them obey. But they are students of this school. It is my duty, so that they will not miss out. “Then let’s show those human androids that we are human. Come on, show them that you excel in sports. We all have something we are good at.”

“That is such an optimistic line miss.”

“Well I admit I feel embarrassed just approaching anyone, you know. I get the feeling of being an outcast myself. You see, I’ve done a lot of things I thought were good, but the mistakes always fell on mine. The greatest disappointment always befall me. So why do we have to care about those stupid one sided commentators?” I may have read so many novels that I feel like I am such a heroine.

Looking at their reactions, are they speechless? Or do they just think I’m absurd? I want to sink on the ground, this is too much!

Furukawa approached me. He is closer now, but still I’m curious what he intends to do.

Unexpectedly, he pats my head as if I’m a little kid. My height is just around 5’1 so he is so tall, I have to look up to see his face. Which shows a….

He is so cute and gentle from that angle. My heart is overwhelmed by his cinnamon roll side. How can people call him a gangster or even a delinquent?

Thinking about it now. What am I exactly doing. Arghhhh, I know I wanted to make this happen. I basically love basketball, it is my favorite sport. I plan to leave maybe next year, but just for the sake of achieving, I over exerted effort. But I will make this happen.

I watch them go, they are stereotyped as dangerous people but they are all just kids who want to belong.