Chapter 6: Hermes, the Editor in Chief

EHS School publication is superior over the years. As expected from an elite school, they have outstanding journalist. They are more like a school organization aside from the student council. They are not like other clubs who needs the student council’s approval. The campus publication is established on their own.

It is also the organization the student council must be wary of. Over the years they published not only achievements but also pieces of articles that has led to amplifying issues. They are involved in various issue that attracts the whole nation’s attention.

They won several awards in competition as well. When it comes to magazine and literary folios they are never second, in short they’ve been always first. It is none other than the LARK, the EHS school publication. The school snake, as some student calls them.

“This will be a big hit Chief Kimura!” A bright new member of LARK is happily pasting the news page on the news wall. A news titled Where is the Student Council President?

Kimura Takeo is the current Editor in Chief of the LARK. He’s been in the executive position, it is only natural when he received the title. It’s like as everybody expected. Striking while the iron is hot, he know so well that school publication and the student council government will never be in good terms. It’s been a legacy trait of campus journalist, this much is a tease. But clearly he is confident about the student council’s disadvantage.

His mischievous grin explains how happy he is to have a huge scoop. Plus, it’s only the third week of school, this is definitely the way to gather attention.

His morning started happily, as he hear everyone in the corridors talking about the news he wrote. It brings her joy that her article has gone famous.

He even pass by the famous Vice President, Yokohama Ryusei, who was rudely standing for her useless president. He was happier when Yokohama intentionally did not move, and him not purposely moving away, causing their shoulders to bump. It doesn’t hurt him at all, in fact he is happy.

“Hey Vice President, I’m going to submit a club registration later, I hope your decision will not be biased due to this trivial matter.”

Yokohama glared at him, it’s a murderous one. Takeo was not even scared, it is funny to him. “Whatever.”

Thus, shall this ongoing war blossom, yet again.

___________

The morning news is a hard boiled slap on the face. Where is the Student Council President? by Hermes.

“Easton High School is famous for impeccable student leaders. It’s been a tradition that school board members, select students for the position. It was never a democratic process, but it was not a fail nonetheless, with a shining 49 years of continuous glory. Three weeks had passed yet the new Student Council Government is nowhere to be seen? The President did not appear for the traditional opening ceremony speech. Until now the question arise, who is the student council president?“

I can’t help but take a huge nervous gulp as I read the news. I am more worried about Yokohama’s reaction. He took my failures as if it is his own.

The article is splendid. Hermes is a good writer. I mean look at how interesting he uses his words. It is is somehow familiar, I mean it’s obvious that Hermes is a messenger god. Isn’t a potential common pen name? I thought it is because one of my friend has that sort of pen name.

I can’t disagree with this author by the way. All that he said is true so why am I going to be hurt by this? I only really care about Yokohama’s fragile feeling.

It’s great that nobody knows me yet. Well some of them must have heard about me, but having brown hair is definitely making it easy for me to blend in the crowd. Well I’m cello-waxing my hair for quite some time into a dark shade of brown. My natural hair color happens to be a a pretty silver blue, the only side effect is that it attracts negative attention, it compliments my stern looking face though. Looking back, it contributes a lot about how people perceive me.

What I feared has come as if I manifested it. Walking pass through me is a bad mood Yokohama. I froze in my spot. I’ve been the cold person before, but even if I’ve been like that once in my life, I was never this cold.

The class begins with a much heavy heart. After all, even if it’s me who expressed my side yesterday, it’s as if the gap between Yokohama and I was even magnified.

I am more afraid that if this continues the lunch bond will be dissolved.

______________

“I don’t want to dine in the cafeteria for today.” It sounds cold but Yokohama is indeed gloomy.

The members of the student council is gathered inside the office. However, the tension is overflowing, the one who cause it all is none other me. I can endure their resentment because I know I deserve it.

“Let’s just eat.” Mikitani.

“Miki is right let’s eat!” Akemi is obviously trying to lighten up the mood but it was no use.

Mikitani sure feels about this, and Suzuki too. They have the right to feel disappointed. It’s not about them but they all carry the weight. We are a team after all.

If I ever tell something? Would it even change a thing? If I tell them everything? Would it even appeal to all the mistakes that I’ve done?

I bite my lips to hold myself back. I’ve decided not to tell them anything.

This lunch was the saddest. The usual food-sharing didn’t happen at all. Everyone just finish their food without a word. Yokohama is an important factor in this team, without him everything will crumble. I can’t put all the burden to Yokohama.

Still, this is immature of me to let this go. I can’t take this, when I know so so we’ll that I am at fault.

Once everyone is done, there’s someone that I went after first. I followed Mikitani to the student council’s personal comfort room. I have to find a right timing, I can’t just talk to her, she hates wasting time after all. So I waited until she finish and goes out of the cubicle.

She is quick to notice that I have no business here at all. Mustering the courage I managed to break the silence. “Well I um…. I’m sorry for causing this trouble.” I finally said it out loud. After her, I have three more person to talk to. I’m nervous what she may tell me. There is a chance that he will slap me, or shout at me the next moment.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity for us to talk.” Her voice is icy, in a serious manner.

Any wrong answer may get me bad shot towards Mikitani. I have to be careful. “Sure, I’m here now.” It’s not hot in here but my sweats are threatening to escape my pores.

“I don’t hate you.”

Did I just hear it right? That’s what she said, but in a tone that is gentle. Wait what?

“It’s just I’m just waiting for you to approach us that’s all.” I can’t believe the look on her face, she is such a cute person right now. Unlike her usual alpha tiger persona, she now looks like a cub.

Mikitani is such a nice person! I never predicted this side of her. Isn’t this what I’m lacking this entire time? I haven’t established communication towards my member yet, that’s why I’ve been making baseless assumptions. This is all due to my coward side.

“I’m really sorry, but please give me chance. I will do my best this time.”

Mikitani smiled “Please do Ms. President!”

I wanted to hug Mikitani but we are not to that stage yet. “I would be comfortable if you call me Chi, would that be okay?”

“That’s no problem Chi, you may call me Rumi then.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Was it this easy all this time?”

“That’s right, it’s not that I blame you. It’s just the way I am, and the way I like to keep it.”

I know Rumi, it’s been like that for me as well. “I’m sorry—“

“Say that again I’ll be your lioness again!” It sounded as if it was meant as half joke and half the truth.

“One more thing,” she added. Taking a deep breath, her expression didn’t change. “I don’t plan to resign just because the situation is difficult. For some reason, out of all the leaders, you were the chosen one. What makes the current President so special that Mikitani Harumi was placed as secretary, Yokohama Ryusei as Vice President, Suzuki Kise as treasurer, and the Nitori Akemi as the student representative.”

“I don’t deserve it really.”

“No, I don’t think the board decision is a joke. You top amongst the greatest student leaders of this nation. I don’t think of you any less.“

It might be indirect, but Mikitani is complimenting me.

“Thank you Rumi.”

I don’t deserve the heavy thorn being lifted on my chest. But still it’s a relief, since I have three more thorns to deal with. Akemi might be the closest person to me and the person I think will understand me most, but I don’t want to take advantage of her kindness.

I will talk to Suzuki next, it’s just the time is running out I have to hurry in class.

_________

I’m still happy about Rumi and I. Though I’m fully aware that the bad news about the student council is at hit, there’s still one thing that I can look up to. This optimistic attitude is selfish, that’s because I have other members to deal with first. But thinking about that it makes me sad as well. And if I’m that sad, I’m probably not going to have the courage to even face Yokoma, the final boss.

I’ve decided to allow the members to go home earlier. I still haven’t converse with Akemi, and Suzuki but it’s better for them to rest first. Yokohama insisted that he will stay with me, surely he still doesn’t trust me. How can I blame him? I’m the star of the news after all.

Yokohama took the desk role and I entertain the students who came to pass their registration. This is a reverse role, I know. It doesn’t matter because Yokohama fits perfectly in that desk. Of course it’s unavoidable that I attract curious gazes, probably they are thinking who I was. It’s as expected that they speculate that I’m the infamous President. I real what I sow, isn’t that right?

I just have to make it until 4:30 p.m. Only 15 minutes left.

“Excuse me, is this the student council?”

My eyes widen in surprise. I was frozen shock.

He is someone know! Kimura Takeo, my senior who guided me back then. I forgot he is even here, it’s because I knew he got accepted. I hope he doesn’t figure out who I am—

“What are you doing here?” He asks, his eyes focused on me.

I heard the creak of the wooden chair, Yokohama stood from his seat. “Hey that’s rude!”

Takeo ignored it. The next moment he hugged me so tight. When he finally lets me go, I am dizzy.

Standing beside us, confused is Yokohama. “Did you just?”

“Yes, I hugged her. She is my lovely friend after all.”

“Huh?” Yokohama’s brows furrowed.

Takeo on the other hand stands still, making eye contact with Yokohama. Is it some sort of man to man thing?

As he stare longer, his face started to crumple. “Oh my….”

“Why Takeo?” Does Yokohama know something about Takeo that I don’t?

Takeo went pale. He is frozen like a statue.

Yokohama then flick fis forehead using his fingers. The gloomy Yokohama suddenly grins. I am rather mortified. Did he just grins? What an evil demon lord he has become!

“Go ahead and tell her, Hermes.” Yokohama whispered in an evil tone. It’s the kind of whisper that is intended to be heard. I think Hermes is a pen name. I’ve seen that this morning.

“Well…”

“What is it?”

“Umm…”

“Takeo it’s okay no matter what you say.”

Takeo is my friend so I want to know.

Taking a deep breath he finally said “I am the one who wrote that article about you I’m sorry I didn’t know it was you! You see I’ve been writing about your achievements even before and it’s just we haven’t talked lately I didn’t know you are here.” Takeo is on the verge of tears

“Actually the article is really good—“

“I’m sorry!”

“I mean the way it was written because it is the truth. I don’t feel a bit mad about you. It was truly a great article. It’s not a surprise at all since you are a journalist.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Yokohama frown. I just praised an article that made him depressed earlier, how can I even say it was good. That’s probably how he feels right now.

The tears that he’s been holding, burst out. Still sniffling, “Is this your new strategy, my dear Ar-“

For the first time in my life I smacked a friend on his mouth. I meant to cover it but it was rather a slap. Takeo cried even more. “I’m sorry Takeo I didn’t mean to but,” I placed my pointer finger on to my lips signaling that it’s a secret.

Yokohama’s devilish grin is gone, but his focus is on mine.

“Editor in Chief, did you write about Tanizaki’s achievement?” Yokohama finally asked.

Takeo is rather weirded by his question. “Huh?”

I’m not sure if Takeo’s confusion helped the situation or it sparked an even more controversial matter to Yokohama. Taking that into account I must take Takeo away as soon as possible and by that I am so desperate.

I grabbed the paper from his hand and handed it to Yokohama.

“I’m borrowing Takeo for a while, you can go home without waiting for me! Thank you so much Yokohama!”

I literally dragged Takeo away from the student council office. I ran as far as I can until I’ve found a safe spot. In movies the usual spot is the rooftop, this time my foot took me to my future basketball team’s infamous hideout. Most of the students,are already home at this time.

I was panting, Takeo as well. His clueless face, requires enlightenment to be fixed.

I rested my arms on his shoulder. Thankfully there is some old chairs we could use. After some time I was able to catch my breath. “Takeo, I’m Tanizaki Chiaki at this moment.”

“Huh? Isn’t that… how is that possible?” He asked.

“You see, I’ve made a reputation as archangel. I was offered scholarship, which I can’t refuse because you know my father. Right?”

“Yes, but what happened why do you have to hide your identity?”

This question is not a surprise at all. “I’m sorry Takeo but I can’t tell the full details yet. But here is all I can say. I am not the Archangel anymore.”

He frowns, it might have been pity or anything sad, but this is all I am willing to say. “I didn’t know. It’s been a while. Don’t worry, I will not force you, please take your time.”

Our relationship has never been romantic. He is just a person that I feel comfortable with. Someone that I can freely call a friend without being afraid of romantic feelings. Takeo helped me a lot back then. He is the one who taught me how to write. My skills in writing, even up to making fine reports is because of him. He is indeed the top of the class at that time, and I am a struggling President who wants to remain in place amidst pressures.

Those blissful days are gone. Why can’t I just write like Takeo? Would it be better if the path given to me is similar? I would at-least be free.

“I’m glad nobody recognizes you though.” He added.

“You are just my friend so of course you will notice. Even Akemi does.”

“Of course who are you fooling? By the way, so Nitori is your friend. Again, sorry for being careless. I promise I will make lovely articles to cover the damage!”

I chuckled, as usual Takeo is creative, he did critic me in the article but still he is a good person. I believe in that. It’s just it’s a piece of worthy topic. “Don’t bother plus, I have another favor.”

“What is it?”

“Please don’t mention me in any article. Even if it’s the student council’s achievement, please don’t.”

“Are you sure?” In the past he wrote my achievements. He was even featured in the TEEN WEEKLY magazine, at that time he uses his own name to post my articles. He doesn’t use a pen name for covering articles, but now I think something has change. I’ll ask him soon about this.

“Well, you are the editor in chief and your writings is so powerful that it can influence the students perceptions. I just wanted to hide.”

“From what?”

“From the shadows of being a leader.” I don’t expect Takeo to understand. It’s been a while since the last time we catch up on each other. He’s looking at a different person right now. From a person who owns confidence, to a person who just wants to run away.

“Hey, I’m not not saying this because you are my friend. But truly you are a great leader.”

I know that he is sincere and it is something he wanted to say or feel. But it’s just no word can appease me. It will not reach even the tip of my soul. It’s like a thing that I used to love and used to have, but now they’re gone. All I have now is an empty space, failures, and hatred. Do I wish to save? That’s truly disgusting. If I will drown in this empty feelings, I will not shout for help.

I will just fix my mistakes in a way I’d feel a sense that I was able to take responsibility.

This too shall be over.