Chapter 7: A Sudden Change

This day is extremely normal. Takeo is probably still consumed in guilt, he features cute puppies for todays news board. It doesn’t matter to the students, the puppies are cute, everyone was just happy about it. Yokohama is still the person he is, and I can’t still approach Mikitani in her seat, but our relationship is getting even better.

The class started with a group activity. I am grouped with the classmates I’m not familiar with. But judging by their looks, they were the group who likes to play games, they also had the latest MOBA game keychain. None of us really had the intention to discuss an idea. It’s not like I have something in mind. The project is about arts, we will make a miniature museum. That’s why we are given plenty of time.

One thing I learned from group activities, the first person to speak will be the one who will automatically lead. That is something that I can’t do.

If there is someone who is lucky, that is probably Yokohama and Rumi who is in the same group.

This project will be passed next month so why bother?

With that in mind, our group didn’t come up with an idea.

Another thing is that even if the class ended, Yokohama, Rumi, and I doesn’t go out of the room together. I’m alone going out of the classroom.

Or so I thought.

“Chiakiiiiii!” Takeo screamed in the hallway as if he is not a campus journalist and the Editor in chief.

Akemi followed, since her classroom is just beside mine. “Hi Chiaki!”

What bothers me is the students who are whispering.

“She’s the one who stutters a lot in recitation?”

“Is she famous?”

“Nah, she just got some friends.”

“But that’s the student council Representative Nitori and Editor in Chief Kimura.”

“Rumors says that, they’ve seen her with Ryusei.”

“Eh? Not our prince!”

“Hey Akemi, Takeo… let’s get out of here.” I grabbed both of their arms and dragged them out of the hallway. First of all I don’t want to attract attention.

It must have been because of yesterday, but my feet brought me to the student council office. Coincidentally the members are already here.

We are greeted by the Final Boss, Yokohama. “Oh, why is Hermes here? The puppies are cute by the way.” See that? He is evilly teasing Takeo. Who knows, he might blackmail him later. Isn’t Yokohama so obsessed with weakness of other people? Wait there’s a possibility in the first place.

“Ummm thank you.” Takeo who has no words to reply said.

“Wait, Editor in Chief?” Suzuki asked. Beside him is Mikitani. They don’t know about it yet.

Breaking free from my arms, Takeo kneels on the ground, doing Dogeza (kneeling on the ground, head touching the floor, to express his apology). This is too much, I don’t want Takeo to do this in the first place, I did try to pull him up.

I checked everyone to see what they will do, they are just curious about the situation. Yokohama on the other hand is the only one who is hiding his excitement.

“I am very sorry about the article yesterday.”

“Takeo this is too much please get up.” I told him.

“Well, it’s mostly about our president.” Suzuki commented.

“It’s not like there’s no evidence.” Rumi added.

“Clearly our President is at fault.” Yokohama is mean as usual.

But what can I do? I mean it’s been said and done. Takeo gets up with a teary eyes. Isn’t because of the fact that everyone agrees that it is my fault? After all Takeo is right, but as my friend he just feels bad.

“Do you have some Tempura, Kimura?” Akemi asked Takeo.

“Oh I only have my usual lunch. Wait, do you happen to know about our restaurant?”

“Of course I’m a regular! Since we brought packed lunch, how about I buy some and you eat with us here?”

Ohh right, Takeo’s family owns a restaurant. They had the best Tempura. At the time Akemi and I became friends, he is already in high school, but I’ve always mentioned and visit that restaurant together with Akemi.

“Is that so? Thank you so much!”

Did we just get along? I mean the student council and the campus journal? I mean it’s only Takeo, will it be the same for the rest of the members? After all, we are dining inside the student council office. Yokohama is enjoying teasing Takeo, but it’s not bad at all. We are eating together our lunch as if the yesterday’s article did not impact our moods.

“When did you meet Tanizaki, Kimura?” Yokohama suddenly asked.

“Back in middle school.” Takeo simply answered.

“That’s interesting where did you take middle school?”

I’ve become suspicious of Yokohama so I purposely pinched Takeo’s arms to signal him that I will answer it this time. He is quick to catch on so it wasn’t a problem.

“He came to Morningstar Academy.” One thing I learned about lying is that I should lie close to the truth. Takeo attended that school back when he was in elementary. He moved to the same school as mine starting in middle school.

Anything associated with my middle school is not worth mentioning. I’m just afraid Yokohama will discover something about us. Maybe I’m thinking too much but it’s not like he will investigate it further, right? I’ve become so petty this is so annoying.

“Is that so.” That’s the only thing Yokohama replied, should I consider this a good sign? And when did I thought of him as a threat?

“Everyone I have something to say.” It was unexpected for Akemi to say it in such a hurry. But we all turn our gazes at her to hear what she has to say. “Chiaki is a good leader. I hope everyone will be patient with her. It will take some time, but she will not let us down.”

I’m left speechless. Akemi has always admired me and praised me. She’s a friend of mine who is trustworthy and always tries her best do accomplish the task given to her.

“We’ve all just been waiting. But isn’t more exciting this way?” Rumi said with a faint smile on her lips.

Suzuki is the only one I haven’t talked to yet, so he probably doesn’t know how to respond. He just looks away and took one of Yokohama’s sausage.

“I’ve been patient Akemi.” Yokohama’s word are sarcastic but it’s the closest thing he can say that will make him a little nice.

Suzuki unexpectedly laugh on Yokohama’s remarks. It weirded me at some point because what if they are talking I’ll behind my back? But isn’t just normal? Again, I believe it’s my fault.

At least everyone is happy again right? I never dreamed about this to happen. I thought the members would be more strict with outsiders. After all this is the student council office, it’s definitely our territory. Since the editor in chief is my friend, they obviously didn’t think ill of him anymore. Is it? I mean Takeo did made a bad impression to them. He shared some of the details about it. I can agree that he has been a real journalist jerk in some cases.

________

For the one going club registration, Rumi, Akemi, and Suzuki is on duty. Yokohama left early today, while I go straight ahead to Principal Tanaka. This is for my sole personal reason. I am 200 percent sure about the basketball club that I am going to open. This has never been done before, and I’m sure that it’s not impossible, but I just have to tell him. Since it involved students who are blacklisted by the former administration. Will it matter to him? I hope it’s not. I just want to be careful since this is a school that cares so much about reputation.

I pushed the heavy doors. Principal Tanaka is already standing, he’s looking at his window. I’m sure he is looking at the students, since the window is faced towards the school gates. It gives a clear view of students going in and out of the campus.

“Good afternoon Principal Tanaka.”

“Good to see you madam President!” He warmly greets me.

The last time Yokohama mentioned him, he was so pissed off. But who can hate Principal Tanaka he is so kind and accommodating. Look at that smile, he is definitely one of those Principal you see in kindergarten schools who gets along well with everyone.

“I’m here for a request.”

“We’ll take a seat first.”

We then both sat on the couch, facing each other. “It’s about a club that I want to open.” I started.

“Amazing I want to hear!”

Will his expression stays like that? Or I will get pissed off like Yokohama? “Over the years, EHS was never good at sport. That is why, I want to start a basketball club.”

“Sure consider this approved!”

I’m internally face palming my self. Really did he just agree because it was the chosen student council president that went to him? I mean I’m not even saying the full details!

“Wait Principal Tanaka. This is because I plan to include certain students. These are my members.” I handed him the registration papers. Aside from the student council’s signature, the final approval relies to the Principal.

He reads them, but his expression remained unfazed. “Oh them. Furukawa punched the former President Yokohama Riki.”

“Vice President Yokohama’s brother?”

“Yes, he is. It was a huge issue.”

Yokohama mentioned that his brother graduated last year. The other thing is that I’m not aware of Yokohama’s family situation. Do they get along? Will Yokohama feel the same if he knew it is the person who punched his brother?

Nonetheless, I still want to try. I feel sorry yet again for Yokohama, after all I’ve been causing him trouble left and right. Through this guilt I will pursue to be a better person. I also don’t intend to ask about it, not even to the Principal. That’s because just the thought of Yokohama overwhelms me.

“Furukawa and his friends indeed look like trouble. I’ve been confronting them for quite some time. But they don’t really hurt people without any reason.”

What’s our first meeting again? I found them bullying a classmate, extorting him of money. But then I try to visit their hideout but they didn’t try to lay a finger on me, considering the fact that I fought with them. They are also willing to listen on my proposal. They are clearly a bunch of kids that needs extra guidance.

“It’s all in the past, how about we give them a chance. Furukawa and Nakajima are graduating students. They probably wanted to join a club but because of strict standards they are probably rejected. Over the years Principal, what has been done for the students who have been left out?”

He only smiled. There is a few moments of silence between us. “I see, then I guess you won’t have a problem with handling them.”

“Of course!”

That being said, the principal agreed without further objection or side comments. He simply lets me off. This feels cheating isn’t? For my club I already got an advance signature from the principal, since I’m the president it is easy for me to just fill it up. The next thing I need to get are the signatures of my members.

“By the way Madam President, how’s the student council?”

Of course it’s only normal that he ask. “I’m still a disappointment, I’m sorry.”

As much as I hate how this sounds, I don’t want to tell a lie. I’ve been a useless president from the past few weeks.

“To me you’re still the archangel.”

Principal Tanaka has been good to me, and I want to fulfill his dying wishes, that is one. Hearing that petty nickname is such a nuisance. I hate that word. Those fake glory days, I hate that so much. Never would I ever want to be a leader again. Never would I ever do my best like that.

Who am I kidding?

I have to do my best all over again.

The meeting with the principal drained the positivity out of me. Lucky for me normal students don’t lurk around here that much. I passed my time a bit, sitting on the stairs. I just wanted to rest for a bit that’s all. Was it scary? Not at all, I’ve never been scared of empty hallways, or been afraid to go to the comfort room alone. I can’t be scared because there will be no one to protect me at all.

______

They probably gone home already, but anyway, there’s still a good 10 minutes left. I’ve decided to visit the student council office because I just feel like it. Ironic, I know.

When I arrived I found Suzuki, tidying the desk. It seems that Akemi and Rumi already left.

The article thing has passed but still I should tell something to Suzuki!

He might be a person who will not open up to me at all or someone who will ignore me, but that doesn’t matter. I was at fault and he was affected by my actions. Even Yokohama mentioned that Suzuki received harsh treatments from others.

“H-hello Suzuki…”

“Hello President Tanizaki.”

Now that I think of it, Yokohama never addressed me that way, even Rumi. This is the first time that I’ve heard Suzuki addressed me. All this time Yokohama has been described as the perfect prince in my imagination. But isn’t wrong? It’s supposed to be Suzuki! It is Suzuki now! Because he is so polite.

I snapped out of my crazy imagination since I haven’t to talked to him properly yet.

“About yesterday, I’m sorry.”

“Oh did something happen that I didn’t know of?”

“Even if the article is already resolved, I still feel bad about it. I’m sorry that you are also treated rudely by students because of me.”

“Is that what you are worried about?”

“Well, I’ve been a failure of a president. I owe this apology to everyone.”

He just laughed. But it’s not a mocking kind of laugh. “You better prove that to us Ms. President.” Unlike Yokohama, his comments could sound mean but it was more polite when he say it.

“Thank you…”

Was it this easy for him as well.

“It does prick my heart Ms. President but what can I do? I mean you probably doesn’t know how I lead, but I’m a strict person.”

Is he making me feel bad? His aura changes, but I can’t read him at all.

“I don’t know if you are aware of this, but we are all student leaders gathered as student council of EHS. Ryuusei is a dominating person isn’t he? That goes for me and Mikitani as well. We have distinct leadership, at some point we may have compete regardless of position. It is also probable that since we are all leaders, our decisions may clash.”

Does he mean that at some point he feels bad for being just a treasurer for an incompetent President? What I’m certain about is it’s the same for everyone. The members are potential candidates for President. It would be much acceptable if Yokohama was chosen. What made him stay?

“But recently it’s not as heavy as I thought it would be. I was mad that I can’t control some things that are right in front of me. When those students purposely litter in front of me, I felt so powerless and mocked. I’ve been the one to organize, and the one to lead. It feels frustrating. Oddly enough, I felt as if it’s not my burden.”

I don’t like how this is going. It feels like—

“Whenever I encounter disappointing things regarding the student council, I felt as if it’s no big deal. Don’t you think I became someone who doesn’t care at all?”

I will scratch the fact that I consider him as a nicer prince. Rather, he is just another guy. Probably another villainous male lead like Yokohama. But I haven’t thought of a perfect term for him yet. Anyway, he is not wrong.

“Let’s see, this is the closest thing I can interpret it. You’ve been a student leader who are always on top position, for instance a President. It’s normal that when you are in such a position you will feel all the burden. Regardless of what your members feel, you feel them ten times more. But now that you are in a position lower than your prior position, your burden was lifted. After all, doesn’t it feel nice to feel like you will be the one to rely on someone this time? I’m not sure if it’s just me but I wished to be someone who can rely on others…”

“You talk as if you have been a skilled leader. Really? That’s more like it. Thanks to you I’ve experience more free time.” He is smiling again. It was the same gentle smile.

“Now that you mention free time, would you like to join my club?”

“What club?”

“A basketball club.”

“Huh?”

“Please, I’m sure you can do it.” Hands clasped together, I’m indirectly begging him to join.

“I was never into sport—“

“If you know how to exercise that will do, you have a good physic by the way.”

For some reason Suzuki became red like tomato. Isn’t he si embarrassed? Isn’t just ten truth? “Uhmm thank you.”

Now it’s me who gets weirded by his sudden reply. I was just dumbfounded. But I handed him the paper and pointed his name.

“Did you just ask my permission now? But you already included me?”

I scratched the back of my head, I’m caught red handed. Nodding I said “Yes.”

“I’m glad this things requires signature, you are more dangerous than I thought.”

“Sorry about that Suzuki, but this is the first good thing that I will contribute for the student council.”

“Putting it like that is promising you know.” He said.

“I know. I haven’t done much, but you know what? This is the first thing I’m excited about.”

Thankfully Suzuki agreed to join the basketball club. It’s a boys game right! I’m not stereotyping but they are probably familiar with it already. I could be interested in soccer, but basketball hooks me more. It was because of the intramural games. That’s when students will be divided in groups and they will compete in various games. Basketball was nice, it was breathtaking. Can’t get enough of that fun game, I actually watched professional basketball player games in the internet.

The next signature should be Yokohama.