Chapter 8: Roles

The sound of the rushing water became my peace. I’ve been doing this a lot. I usually summon the water gods of the bathroom at least 2 times a month, but it’s my 3rd for this week. Bathroom is my decision oracle, I’m not entirely sure if it has helped me with my life. But surely thinking about the arguments that I failed to win will never be corrected since that already happen. I could only wish for the same thing to happen and I shall respond much clever.

Theres still one thing that I havent done yet. It's been the thing that keeps us from moving forward. So what if the relationship between the members are getting a little better?

The most important thing of all and the most basic is to designate the roles properly. I know that they are already aware with what they are supposed to do. But still, I haven't said a word. All this time I've been secretly doing their jobs, which is selfish since they are waiting for it.

I specially gathered the student council members today, excusing them on our first subject. Clearly it was my orders but Yokohama used his name instead of mine.

The teachers dont mind. I wonder if they know who I am. I wish they don't because there is nothing that I can prove yet.

Absolutely, the change must start now. Regardless of my reason or my situation, I need to fight. In that way, I may be freed from this shackles.

They are all sitting on the couch while I remain standing.

I did not mention all the details to Yokohama last night. He still found a way to call me regardless of his busy schedule.

"I hope everyone is alright."

"Of course I'm excited what could it be?" Akemi asked. Her sweet gestures subtly lighten the mood.

“I can only say, again, sorry for all the inconvenience that I have caused. Thank you for staying with me up to now.” I don’t expect anyone to be proud of me just because of this small thing, but I am happy that they all listen. “Let’s start with the roles.” The only reason that they’ve been holding back is because they are not authorized to do so yet. Or even if they do, they have enough respect for me to wait.

“Let’s start from Yokohama, you’ve been a great Vice President all this time.” I’m commending him right now but his smug look is beyond natural.

“That’s right.” It’s his usual sarcasm but it was less hurtful.

I hear a low chuckle coming from Suzuki. When I turn to look at him, he already has his face serious.

I wonder if these two have inside jokes about me, or they are just in good terms.

“As usual Yokohama. By the way, I want you to keep doing what you are doing for me. I apologize for the inconvenience but, I will entrust that you fill my role for awhile. I’d handle the inside jobs.”

“As you wish.” Yokohama did not hesitate, what matters to me most is that he is not disappointed at me today. Though, i am not sure if he will still be fine with it tonight.

I have to move forward to my 3 other members.

“Rumi, every-time we have meetings you have to make reports. I will send you the format later. Also, the alphabetical order of club registration.”

Rumi just smiled, which seems out of character but she is just a kind person on her own ways. “I am getting bored lateley, there’s better be more jobs other than this.”

“Don’t worry we have emails to process and more.” I can assure the emails, they are piling uo anyway.

I turn my gaze to Suzuki. He gives this vibes similar to Yokohama, but he is much gentler. "Suzuki, the budget is given to me on the very first day of school. I will hand you the ledger later. You will manage the future expenses from now on."

"I've been waiting for that too. I'm excited to finally have my role."

"I am sorry for making everyone wait. I know this is my fault." Sincerely, in my heart I know I have to do something and this is my responsibility. But none of them was complaining.

"Last, but not least. My dearest friend Akemi. Well how's the class going?"

She smiled cheerfully. "I have gathered one representative for each class. By the way Mikitani is your room's class representative. Then for our room it's me. I also have their emails so I can announce anything any time."

"Thank you very much Akemi and everyone. I know what I've been saying is typical and obvious. But that is not all that I will request. From now on, when someone sees a person loiterring or disobeyong any rules, regardless of position, are free to scold students who disrespects. But still we must observe what to say to them." I can still remember what Yokohama told me before. I was looking at Suzuki, while saying the lines because I wanted him to be able to defend himself.

Continuing my speech, I have to mention about marshalls. "Since everyone here is capable, I suggest we assign marshalls on campus."

"Are you excluded?" Yokohama already see this coming. He knew I have no guts for this kind of things.

"I'm sorry but... yes."

"I'll cover for your shift then. Akemi and me pairs up. Then Kise and Mikitani."

"I have no problem with that." Mikitani.

"Me too." Suzuki.

"On your supposed to be shift I will go solo."

"Thank you so much! I'll do my best in the way I can and will update you guys if there is something important. For any problems feel free to report to me and we will deal with it. Every week we must search any problems that we can solve. Until it gets better."

"This is an elite school but still it's the same with other private school I guess." Suzuki mentioned nonchalantly.

"I'd say, they feel too elite that their defiance is aiming for mockery." Yokohama replied. Which makes sense, that can only be a reason.

"Plus they think we are first year students who are too young for the position, they think we don't deserve the title." Rumi added.

"But we are the greatest leaders of the nation, don't we forget that. Well I am just a Vice President before but I was respected by the whole school before. Rumi, Suzuki, and Yokohama are like three dominant Emperors and Empress. We also have--"

"While I am someone who was just forced to be the president that is why I feel so bad because everyone here is President worthy but they choose me and I hated it!" I blurted it outloud in attempted to stop Akemi from oversharing.

"President Chi... really it's alright." Rumi assured me, she must have thought that I was offended or something.

"I-ummm..."

"Lets cut the chase there is also something that puzzles me. Why are you the President? If not the archangel it could have been me. It is not like I aim for this school, but you suddenly appeared. Most of all the principal never reprimanded you. So I expected you to be someone far greater than us, or the board is just playing a game. They must have been bored of the usual over achieving image." At first it seems to me that Yokohama is wanting to believe in me, but as it goes by he was getting more frank and even to the point that causes doubt.

"That's a great conspiracy." Suzuki chimes in. But it is less offending than Yokohama. One day I will defenitely smash their heads together.

"Well, I am more on the conspiracy that our President is so much more than she show." Rumi butted in.

"I agree with Rumi since I knew Chiyo the longest."

"Chiyo?" Yokohama asked, deadly cold.

I felt the rush of adrenaline, I fell silent frozen to my spot. At least Akemi took responsibility. "Umm... ahh.. well Chiaki is called Chi, that is her nickname and I call her Chi yow what's up! So it became a super good rhyme I called her Chi-yow!"

"That is cute!" Rumi giggled, I am so glad he appreciates Akemi's story. But for some reason Yokohama is not a bit happy. He was more like thinking about something. I wish it is not me.

"That's right Akemi is such a lovely childhood friend!" Of course the childhood friend part is a lie but I have to carry on.

I do not want to dwell in this topic I feel like I have to change it somehow. "By the way I opened a sport club. Yokohama and Suzuki knows about it because they are members. I wanted you girls to know."

"You have so many surprises dont you think so?" Rumi seems excited which made me so happy.

"Wait.."

"I am the first to sign Ryu." Suzuki pats Yokohama's shoulder. It was great to have Suzuki on the list.

"Oh dang it!"

"Please man, I'm here I wanted to try. Plus it will be fun, we are together."

"Okay okay! I know she planned this. But I did not think you agreed so easily."

"I thought you already knew and was willing to do so."

"You trickster!" He pointed at me blaming me.

I just smiled in return, satisfied that this version of Yokohama was so badly teased his face is blushing in deep red color. "Sign this." I handed him the paper.

"Fine!" He replied in his annoyed tone. But still he does, so I am happy.

"This will be all for this meeting. I have to go find the other members. I will assign the club registration to you Akemi and Rumi later this afternoon!"

"Sure!" Akemi replied.

It was the first time I finally took a step and leave the student council room with a happy heart.

The next thing I am going to do is look for the other members. There is a 30 minutes break after the first subject I have to go find the rising stars of this school. I will make sure that this will be the best year for them and they will continue the legacy.

Just as expected I found them hanging on their spot. It is just a 30 minutes break but still they have decided to go here. It makes me sad because there are various reason why they are hanging out here. For instance, the judging eyes of other students who are either scared or mocking them upfront.

I wave the paper in front of them. "Come on! The gym will be yours by today!"

They just gazed at me silently. Was it in disbelief. They all then burst laughing. "Amazing you really did!" I cant read what Nakajima means was he happy or teasing me.

"Well? I think I dont want to join. It will be a waste of time." Furukawa said in a bored voice.

Did they just toyed with me? Or are they just testing me? Or maybe they don’t trust theirselves enough. But I can’t give up now!

“I am not going to ask why, but there is only one way for you to refuse.”

“Oh come on!” Furukawa whined.

‘

“Don’t whine on me Furukawa senpai. If you are a true man at all, prove it to me at the court.”

“But we will miss class.” I remember Saito, he is a first year, but for a delinquent that people calls them, he seems responsible.

“I will excuse you for the next two subjects.” Without waiting for their reply I dialed Yokohama’s number, which I am so glad he immediately answered. “Please call the guards and open the gym, also tell Rumi to make an excuse letter for 5 students.”

“You are such a fraud Tanizaki, even the five members are not even into the club you proposed, but you dared started it in the first place.”

“This will work, I promise.”

“That better be.” He ended the call.

He sure has some attitude, he is still in a bad mood.

“Let’s go.” I turn my back on them, confident that they will follow. Which they does.

When we arrived at the gym it was already unlocked. One of these days I will finally have a duplicate on this. This is exciting me. Of course I will not loose.

I stopped right in the middle.

“The condition for this match is that all of you guys will have 3 chances to shoot, 2 points,for each shot. We will add them all up, then that will be the number I have to beat. Say for example, you guys had a total of 12 shots, equivalent to 24 points, I will them have to shoot at least 13 to beat that score. Is it clear?”

“Clear as the day.” Furukawa answered confidently.

“Let’s get the balls.” I commanded.

We all went to the storage room. When we opened it, it was so dusty, all of us coughed.

“Damn it smells like nerds!” Furukawa complained, the rest of his friends just laugh it off. I am busy coughing it was too much for me.

“This is so sad there is only one ball.” Ando commented.

“Well, unless the papers are signed, they will not give me the budget.” I clarified the, because in the first place they are the one who keeps refusing. But oh well, at least the ball is still in good form.

“Well, this is ridiculous.” Hasegawa barely speak but he sounds so alike with Yokohama.

I will ask someone to clean that storage room or I will clean that myself if they don’t. We get out of there after a few nonsense conversation.

“Let’s star from the youngest.” Furukawa suggested.

“Oh this is bad.” Saito groaned. He was the one who thinks this is an exciting thing but he has the most doubt in his skill.

“It is just basketball, we played it in Physical Education. Which we still have now.” Ando patted Saito’s head to cheer him up.

“You can do it Daisuki!” Hasegawa.

“Well here goes nothing.” Saito was reluctant, but he does it anyway. He managed to shoot a two times, which is great. His posture is not bad.

“Wow way to go!” Ando messed his hair, expressing his proud joy for him. His other three friends are cheering along. They were noisy and full of energy.

But why do I feel like he does play basketball and just trying to be humble? I can see it from his smile which he tries to hide.

The next to try is Ando. He seems confident and has the expression of let’s get this done with, but judging by his posture… as predicted he did not make any score.

He is the one who did say, “it’s just basketball”. But nonetheless, his friends cheered him up. They are laughing at him though. Rather than cheering up I guess it was more like teasing.

The next is Hasegawa. His posture is not that bad either, but the position of his hands seems way off. But still he managed to score a one.

“I thought you will score at least two!” Ando teases him.

“Shut up!” Hasegawa is so red.

“Dont fuzz kids, I will make it up.” Furukawa then gets the ball. As expected his confidence match up to his skill. His posture, his hands position, and even the way he lifts up his feet is perfect. If I felt like Saito knows how to play, there is a chance that his score of two is by luck, but Furukawa is way beyond that, his shots are all meant to shoot in that basket. He did got a full three score.

His friends yelled in excitement.

“As expected of the boss!” Saito.

“Wow boss!” Ando.

“Why don’t you just agree you can compete on your own.” Hasegawa’s remarks had them all laughing.

“Hey guys don’t forget about me.” Furukawa smiled and handed the ball to Nakajima.

He just smiled at us, but I do know his aura. He is someone that can match Furukawa. Unlike the rest of the group he moved to the three points line. Without saying a word, he does his shot. Everyone was silent as they watch him. He shot a perfect three in row. They are all just gazing at him, Furukawa on the other hand already knows about this, he is nit surprise at all.

“Yow!” Ando.

“Jiro you are so cool!” Hasegawa is practically fanboying. Well at least he got a cute side, not like Yokohama (who has a cute side but still seems scary)

“I didn’t know you guys are this kind of monters!” Saito.

“It is no big deal, hey Miss.” Nakajima called me. “We have a total of 9 shots. But since I shoot in three points lane that means our score will be 21.”

I nodded. “Very well I just have to make 11 clean shots then.”

They seem confident about their score. After all Nakajima contributed a lot on it. But still they don’t know a thing about me.

The first time that I ever handled a basketball team was back in middle school. It was in the intramurals game. Akemi and I are on different teams, and since I am a mere student council president at that time, they had me lead the team.

At that time I had the naughtiest members of all time. To tame them I have to show them I am better. Since basketball is part of the game I had to practice before the intramurals began and then train my members who loves opposing me. They are annoyed by me because of my position, but eventually we became friends.

It was a succes. They wish I could play with them in the basketball since I was the one who teach them, they teased me about that.

Our championship at that time was mentioned in this TEEN WEEKLY magazine. It was Takeo who submitted an entry. Someone went to our school I dont know what his position was, he confirmed if it was true. Which is the pure truth there is even a video footage of that event. I know all of this because I was in that meeting.

I am confident on this one.

Because this is a sport that I love, and always will.

Just like Nakajima did I go for the three points. It is after all 21, instead of having to do 11 shots, I will make it 7. I positioned my self and focus. To be honest I have to jump higher since I am short, and my only complain about this is that it had my hands aching. I wish I tied my hands up before doing this.

The gym is so silent, if a bee suddenly decided to buzz, it will be so loud for anyone to hear.

I did make the seven 3 points shot pretty well. “Before I shoot this last. I just want to say that this is the sport I love. I had to be good at something I wish to start, isn’t just fair. So do accept my proposal without hesitation.”

I let go my 8th shot, closing my final score to 23.

“Isn’t this fair enough for you guys to agree?”

I didn’t expect them to applause. They all seem happy.

“We dont like to call Saji our boss! It’s you now!” Saito.

“Master what is your name again?” Hasegawa (I am taking my word back because he seems much kinder than Yokohama)

“You kids are bias, by the way I commend you Ms. President Takizaki.” Furukawa said all of a sudden, melting my sanity.

Did he just said President? I am not popolar right?

“Well umm… you mispronounced it, it is Takizaki.”

“I like the sound of Takizaki better.” Furukawa insisted.

“Wait so you mean she is the student council President nobody knows of?” Ando asked. They are scanning me looking for a sign that I might look like the President they are talking about. But they are in utter disbelief.

“Are everyone stupid? It was announced in the News wall, it’s just that the so called President ditch the first assembly, doesn’t show up much that people forgets her. Apparently it was the Vice President that stitches the Student Council to function. I mean no offense.” Despite Furukawa’s frankness, I might slightly get offended but it was nothing to me now.

“It’s the truth everybody. But please don’t mention Yokohama how I won you guys over. Please make it seem that this is your dream come true of some sort.”

“It does to me.” I’m glad it was for Nakajima. “Right Saji?”

“Well, thank you for this opportunity.” Saito.

I almost cried how much they appreciated it.

“Let’s start tomorrow then!”