Author's Note: Spoiler alert, Fude Ezumachi features prominently in this chapter. I've re-watched "Execute the Student Council" a few times and read the relevant wiki articles, but there really isn't enough of him shown that I cannot but take a few liberties with the character. So, everybody write a review and tell me how I managed, okay? Thank you.
Disclaimer: Medaka Box is the property of Nisio Isin and Akira Akatsuki. The author is making no profit by this work.
Chapter Three: We Should Try To Get Along, Right?
"Look who I found!"
「Tanzaku-chan! Itami-chan!」 Kumagawa waved the two girls to the table. 「Come, sit, sit!」
Aso moved to take a seat with practiced confidence. Behind her, Koga made her way more cautiously, careful to keep away from the equipment strewn about the clubroom. Even after she took a seat, she continued to stare in wide-eyed amazement at her surroundings.
Kumagawa let her stare, swollen with obvious pride at the effect the Broadcast Club's room had on a visitor.
"Kumagawa-sempai, doesn't the Broadcast Club have any proper storage space?"
Kumagawa deflated. 「That's all?」
"Eh…" Koga flailed in the face of Kumagawa's dejection. "I mean, most of the other clubs I've been to seem to have separate areas for members to meet and for equipment to be stored."
"Ah, sorry, Koga-san," said Aso. "That may be the case for the bigger clubs, but the Broadcast Club just doesn't have the numbers to warrant more space."
Koga raised a quizzical eyebrow. "But you have so much equipment!"
Aso shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Campus space is doled out based on the length of the members list we submit at the beginning of the year. Club property isn't taken into account accept in extreme cases, and our clubroom was a … I mean, is large enough to be a storage room."
「Never fear, Tanzaku-chan!」 Kumagawa's fist slammed onto the table top. 「A revival is just around the corner! You'll see. As soon as the first school-wide event comes around, the Broadcast Club will burst onto the academy scene! Our voices shall be heard across the campus, with the latest scores, running commentary, and advertisements for local stores and restaurants!」
"…Captain, do you remember our agreement?"
「Of course, Tanzaku-chan! I never forget a promise with a cute girl. Rested assured, I will leave the speaker system to my cute underclassmen.」
Aso eyed Kumagawa suspiciously.
Kumagawa smiled back.
Their staring match was interrupted by a muffled giggle.
"I'm sorry," Koga mumbled. She blushed even as a few more giggles slipped out. "I wish I'd known about the Broadcast Club last year. You all seem to have so much fun!"
Kumagawa beamed.
「Oho, what's this? Do you perhaps want to join—」
"Cut it out, Captain," said Aso. "You know Koga-san is with the Student Council." She turned to Koga. "Anyway, Koga-san, I think you're giving us too much credit. We might look like we're always goofing off, but as the captain said, it's hard work come school events. Most people don't realize how much of a production goes on behind the scenes."
Koga tilted her head to the side. "Well, if you say so, Aso-sempai. But if no one realizes what goes on behind the scenes, doesn't that mean that everyone in the club is doing their job right?"
Aso stared at Koga in slack-jawed amazement and then burst into tears. "Koga-chan!" she wailed. "No one ever compliments the Broadcast Club! Forget the Student Council, come join us!"
「Totally! Totally!」 Kumagawa agreed. 「How can you say no to a face like this, Itami-chan?」
Koga's head swung back a forth between the two of them as she tried to decide who to answer first. "Uh … we-well," she stammered.
The clubroom door burst open.
「Uniform, black as opposed to the usual white. Skirt, at regulation length. Jacket, modest (would look better with a window at chest level). Left sleeve, decorated with one blue armband and two green armbands. Red ribbon in place of the usual tie. That hair, that flair, those ballistics, it's none other than Hakoniwa Academy's Student Council vice-president, Medaka Kurokami-chan!」
"…Captain, we can all see who it is. You didn't need to narrate."
「I'm keeping in form, Tanzaku-chan! Never know when my duties as Broadcast Club captain will be called upon.」 Kumagawa coughed and turned his head to the side. 「And it can't hurt to show off in front of the girl who controls club funds…」 he mumbled into his hand.
Medaka's gaze swept across the clubroom, taking note of everything inside, before it settled on her subordinate. "General Affairs Manager Koga-san," she said.
"Yes!" Koga cried. She jumped to her feet in such haste she nearly fell over. "Yes!" she repeated after she had steadied herself. "What is it, Kurokami-san?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Student Council has received a request for which I would like your assistance," Medaka stated. She turned to the members of the Broadcast Club. "My apologies, Third Year Aso-san, Kumagawa-sempai. I'm afraid I will be taking General Affairs Manager Koga-san with me."
"…Ah … no, no problem," said Aso. "Sorry for keeping her."
"Very good," said Medaka. She turned to leave. "General Affairs Manager Koga-san, I'll explain on the way, so let's—"
「Why don't you explain now, Medaka-chan?」
Medaka froze in mid-step and turned back to the room. Kumagawa met her gaze. Both of them ignored Aso's scandalized expression and Koga's confused one.
"I apologize, Kumagawa-sempai," said Medaka. "But this is a request by another student, and it would not be appropriate for me to share—"
「Let me guess. Is it from the Art Club? Concerning a transfer student?」
Medaka's eyes narrowed. "You seem well informed, Kumagawa-sempai."
「Not really.」 Kumagawa shrugged. 「But I do know a freshman girl who is.」
"Very well then," said Medaka. She stepped away from the door and made her way to the table to take a seat. "Since it seems you're already acquainted with this incident anyway, it won't hurt to indulge your curiosity. General Affairs Manager Koga-san, please listen closely."
Koga nodded without comment, though her gaze wavered curiously between Medaka and Kumagawa.
"Classmate Yuubaru-san of the Art Club contacted me personally a few days ago, concerning one Fude Ezumachi, a second year transfer student from Suisou Academy. It seems he should be a third year, but there was some trouble concerning his departure, and his studies were not completed to the standard needed for passing. Classmate Yuubaru-san is not familiar with the exact circumstances, but it seems Second Year Ezumachi-san is the antisocial type. Within his first week, he expelled all members of the Art Club from their clubroom, and has since been using the club's facilities and supplies exclusively for himself. While I advised Classmate Yuubaru-san to take this matter up with the faculty, it seems there are some extenuating circumstances concerning Second Year Ezumachi-san on account of his class allocation." Medaka paused to take a breath, looking annoyed. "In return for looking into this case, Classmate Yuubaru-san has agreed to help with a separate matter concerning a third year student and her handwriting."
"So what exactly are we doing, Kurokami-san?" asked Koga.
"Settling Second Year Ezumachi-san's differences with the Art Club," Medaka answered. "Regardless of his personality type, he cannot be allowed to use an entire clubroom for his sole satisfaction.
「Sounds like you're the same as always, Medaka-chan,」 said Kumagawa.
"Is that so? You sound relieved, Kumagawa-sempai," Medaka replied.
「Of course I am! I was genuinely worried about you, Medaka-chan. Zenkichi-chan told me you were okay, but it's still reassuring to see it with my own eyes.」
"I'm not such a delicate girl that I need you to worry about me, Kumagawa-sempai. If you're satisfied, may General Affairs Manager Koga-san and I take our leave now?"
「Sure, sure, go right ahead. The Broadcast Club captain can't deny the Student Council vice-president after all.」 Kumagawa leaned back in his chair and shooed them away with his hands.
"…If you still have concerns, why don't you join us, Kumagawa-sempai?"
"Eh?" cried Aso and Koga together.
"I would advise against that, Kurokami-san," Aso warned.
"Kurokami-san, what's gotten into you? You're always telling me off for getting other students involved in Student Council business!" said Koga.
Medaka sniffed primly. "If you need help with anything, General Affairs Manager Koga-san, I am more than qualified to assist you. Besides, I am not asking for Kumagawa-sempai's help. He only needs to observe. If you are concerned, you may come along as well, Third Year Aso-san."
「Well, that's very gracious of you—」 Kumagawa leaned too far back in his chair and toppled over. 「I'm okay!」 he called from the floor.
Aso and Koga sweat dropped. Medaka was unfazed.
"Come along then," she ordered. She rose from her seat and made for the door. Koga and Aso rushed to help Kumagawa to his feet and half carried him along as they hurried to catch up.
-ooo-
Onigase kicked the door to the Art Club room open. She did not have to kick the door open (it was unlocked), but she liked the effect such an action made. It showed the rule breakers that you meant business, that you were not afraid to use force, that you were ready to kick some ass and take some names.
Second year transfer student Fude Ezumachi continued to paint. His back managed to look very unimpressed.
Though disappointed by this bad start, Onigase did not give herself the time to be discouraged by the older boy's lack of response.
"Fude Ezumachi-san!" she declared, and struck a pose for dramatic effect. "Due to numerous complaints about your behavior from the Art Club, as well as violation of academy rules, Harigane Onigase of the Enforcers has come to purge you! Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Ezumachi continued to paint, attention spared only to the easel before him.
Onigase's temper flared. "Fine, if you won't answer to words, then I have no choice but to resort to force. Ezumachi-san, prepare yourself!" Onigase lunged forward, right arm outstretched to drive her cuff into the middle of her target's back.
"Color Of Beauty."
Onigase's cuff made contact … and disintegrated. Onigase yelped, curbed her momentum as best she could, and jumped back. She stared down at her right hand and the remaining half of her weapon in amazement. Gray flakes dropped from each broken end where the metal seemed to have simply crumbled away.
"…Harigane … Onigase … was it?"
Onigase's head jerked up at the sound of her name. Ezumachi had turned away from his easel. Reddish-brown eyes glared at her from behind a thick strand of his multi-colored hair.
Though unnerved, Onigase forced a sardonic smile.
"Your hair is against regulations as well you know. And is that an earring I see?"
"I am only going to say this once," Ezumachi drawled, his voice without inflection. "I have no interest in this academy, in its rules, and least of all its students. I want to paint. Leave me in peace, and that is all I'll do."
"Oh? Think you're something special do you, Mister Class 13?" Onigase's eyes narrowed. "I don't care which class you're in, which year you're in, or if you're a transfer student. All rule breakers will be dealt punishment accordingly." Onigase dropped her ruined cuff to pull out another and thumped her clenched fist against her chest. "I'll teach you to respect the uniform of the Enforcers."
Ezumachi was nonplussed. "The uniform of the Enforcers? It's not very intimidating."
Onigase blinked. Ezumachi pointed at her jacket. Onigase looked down.
Her uniform had turned pink.
"Eh?" Onigase shrieked. She rubbed frantically, as if doing so would make the white reappear. The pink remained in place. Her head whipped up and she glared at Ezumachi. "What did you do?" she snarled.
Ezumachi shrugged and turned back to his easel. "You say you want respect, when what you really want is fear. Again, I have no interest, so I made your uniform look as ridiculous as you are."
Onigase opened her mouth to respond.
The clubroom door burst open.
「Uniform, black as opposed to the usual white. Skirt, at regulation length. Jacket, modest (would look better with a window at chest level). Left sleeve, decorated with one blue armband and two green armbands. That hair, that flair, those ballistics, it's none other than Hakoniwa Academy's Student Council vice-president, Medaka Kurokami-chan!」
"…Captain, everyone can see who it is. You still don't need to narrate."
「Weren't you listening, Tanzaku-chan? This is a transfer problem student. I'm sure he appreciates the info.」
"So noisy…" Ezumachi growled.
Kumagawa slumped against the doorway.
"Wah, Captain, don't get so depressed!"
"…Onigase-san? Is … is that you?"
"Ko-Koga-sempai," Onigase spluttered.
Koga giggled.
Onigase turned red. "Don't laugh!" she roared.
"Sorry, I'm"—gasp—"I'm sorry." Koga tried to stifle her giggles.
Medaka ignored the action at her back, eyes on Ezumachi. In contrast, Ezumachi seemed to have lost all interest, and had turned back to his easel.
"Kumagawa-sempai is correct, even if his manner of expression leaves something to be desired," Medaka addressed Ezumachi. Behind her, the other four students paused in their horseplay. "I am Vice-President Medaka Kurokami of the Student Council. Second Year Ezumachi-san—"
"I knew you would be coming," Ezumachi interrupted.
Medaka paused. "Oh?"
"As I told that other girl," Ezumachi continued. "I have no interest in Class 13, nor do I have any interest in you. Stay out of my business, and I'll stay out of yours." Ezumachi spared her a glance over his shoulder. "As fellow members of Class 13, we should try to get along, right?"
"That doesn't sound like you, Second Year Ezumachi-san."
"Correct. That other girl told me to say it," Ezumachi intoned. "How about this? Stay out of my business."
Medaka chuckled. "You're direct, Second Year Ezumachi-san. I like that. You're subterfuge could use some work though. Now I'm even more interested in your business."
"In that case, Vice-President, how about you stay out of my business?"
Medaka turned. Onigase glared at her.
"Classmate Onigase-san? What are you wearing?"
"I'll kill you!" Onigase howled at Ezumachi. "Turn my uniform back right now!"
Ezumachi ignored her.
Medaka glanced back and forth between the two of them. "Second Year Ezumachi-san did this, Classmate Onigase-san?"
Onigase returned her glare to Medaka. "Yes," she spat. "But I can handle this myself. I don't need the Student Council's— Oomph!"
「Hey, hey! That's no good, Harigane-chan! If you're always glaring like that, you'll ruin your cute face!」
"Get off me!"
"Captain, get off her! This is a sexual-harassment complaint just waiting to happen!"
From his place on the floor, Onigase pinned underneath him, Kumagawa smiled up at Medaka.
「Why don't you hurry up and do what you came here to do, Medaka-chan? Besides, you don't meet other students from your class too often right? You should take advantage of this opportunity.」
"…Thank you, Kumagawa-sempai." Medaka smiled tightly. "Though I'd rather not be obliged to you any more than I already am."
「What a thing to say, Medaka-chan. There are no obligations between a senior and his underclassmen! Though, if you can't help but feel that way, if you were to cut out some of the material from your uniform—」
"Second Year Ezumachi-san," said Medaka. "I came here on behalf of the Art Club, but now I have some personal questions I'd like to ask you as well."
"No!" Onigase raged from behind her. "This is the Enforcer's job! This is my job! The Art Club contacted us first!"
"Is that so? Hmm, seems I'll need to have a talk with Classmate Yuubaru-san after I'm done here."
"Shut. Up."
Thunk.
A palette knife embedded itself in the floor where Onigase's head had been but a few moments earlier. Onigase stared wide-eyed at the knife and didn't even notice she had ended up in Kumagawa's lap when he had pulled them both out of the way.
Medaka stared at an identical knife in her hand, caught a scant few centimeters away from her nose.
"I'll tell you the same thing I told that girl yesterday," Ezumachi said, his tone cold. "If you want to get in the way of my art, be prepared for the consequences."
By the door, Koga let out a belated squeak.
"You keep going on about this other girl. You're only making me more and more curious, Second Year Ezumachi-san," said Medaka. "Classmate Onigase-san," she called over her shoulder without looking back. "I noticed one of your handcuffs on the floor when I came in. Half of it was missing. What happened?"
Onigase looked up at the sound of her name. "It crumbled away," she answered in a daze.
Without another word, Medaka shot forward. Across the room, Ezumachi hurled several palette knives at her. Rather than try to dodge, Medaka continued to run straight ahead, and batted the projectiles aside with her hands. Ezumachi picked up a tube of red paint.
"Color Of Beauty."
There was a hiss, several pops, and the smell of burnt meat.
Medaka came to a sudden halt, then backed away slowly from Ezumachi.
He watched her retreat. "Now you understand," he said. "Just keep away. That's all I want."
"Kurokami-san? Kurokami-san, what's wrong? Are you all ri— Kurokami-san!" Koga had moved to Medaka's side as the vice-president backed away, and gasped at what she saw. Medaka's hands were dark red with burns, and several popped blisters leaked fluid. "Kurokami-san! These burns! We have to get you—"
"Red," said Medaka.
Koga glanced away from her hands and to her face. "Kurokami-san?"
"My hands are red. Burns are red. He painted my hands red to burn them." Medaka looked up from her hands, eyes narrowed. "Second Year Ezumachi-san, you can control color."
Ezumachi tipped his head to the side. "That's impressive. You were able to figure it out so quickly."
"You turned Classmate Onigase-san's uniform pink," said Medaka. "And if you looked closely, you could see that the broken ends of her handcuff were a different shade of gray compared to the rest of the metal."
"What magnificent eyesight. And what magnificent deductive prowess." Ezumachi frowned. "Even if you're only a vice-president, you're already on your way to being a president." His gaze hardened. "But you're not there yet, Kurokami."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Though Medaka smiled, the expression was strained. "So, what will you do now, Second Year Ezumachi-san? Do you have any more color tricks to show me?"
"No," said Ezumachi slowly. He pulled out two handfuls of palette knives. "I think I'll stick to my knives."
Medaka snorted. "You're underestimating me if you think a few burns are going to stop me from knocking those aside just as easily as the last set."
"Of that I have no doubt," Ezumachi replied. "However, Kurokami, though you may be able to protect yourself with those hands…" His gaze shifted. "What about your friends?"
Medaka blinked. Ezumachi's stare was on Koga, who was more concerned with Medaka's hands. Ezumachi pulled his arms back, and he threw his knives, and they sailed through the air, and Koga still hadn't noticed, and Medaka wasn't going to make it in time…
Something small and metallic, several somethings small and metallic, collided with the flurry of palette knives, and all items involved scattered through the air. Koga yelped and shoved her hands over Medaka's face to protect it. Medaka was too astonished by the action to tell Koga not to bother. Instead, she looked down at the floor.
Screws. Screws and palette knives.
Thank you, Kumagawa-sempai.
"Is it over?"
Medaka looked over at Koga, and smiled despite herself. Having covered Medaka with her hands, the older girl had protected her own face by pulling her cap down over it.
"Yes, General Affairs Manager Koga-san. It's over."
「It certainly is, Medaka-chan. Fude-chan has made his escape.」
Medaka snapped to attention to find that, yes, Ezumachi had disappeared from the clubroom.
From the floor, Onigase made an inarticulate sound of frustration, before elbowing Kumagawa in the gut and rising to her feet. She did not spare a word for any of them and stomped out of the clubroom in a huff.
Still on the floor, Kumagawa groaned.
"Captain, are you all right?"
「Fine, fine, Tanzaku-chan. I'm used to being rejected by girls. This sort of pain is nothing compared to the suffering my heart has gone through in the past seventeen years.」
"…Would you like a hand up?"
「Yes, please.」
As Aso saw to her captain and Koga fiddled with her cap, Medaka made her way across the room to Ezumachi's abandoned easel. Before her was a painting of a blonde woman in a green uniform. Her face had yet to be painted in.
「A cute girl without a face. Could you explain the symbolism, Medaka-chan?」
"Thank you for your help, Kumagawa-sempai. Again."
「Are you still going on about that? It's nothing more than self-preservation. Your temper tantrums are scary, Medaka-chan. Though…」 Kumagawa's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. 「If you really want to thank me, you could give me Itami-chan's—」
"Phone number?"
「…Sure. We can start slow. You know how to contact me, right?」
"Classmate Hitoyoshi-san?"
「See!」 Kumagawa patted her on the shoulder. 「Go to the nurse's office, Medaka-chan. Leave Fude-chan to me. You're not the only one who wants some questions answered.」 He turned away from her and headed for the door. 「Tanzaku-chan!」
"Yes, Captain?"
「Stick with Medaka-chan for a little bit longer, okay?」 As he drew up beside her, Kumagawa's voice dropped. 「When she refuses to go to the nurse's office and goes to the Student Council office instead, make sure she at least gets some gauze on her hands, okay?」
"You're being surprisingly considerate, Captain. Does it have something to do with why you're the only upperclassman Kurokami-san refers to as sempai?"
「No idea. If I understood cute girls, Tanzaku-chan, do you think I'd still be single?」
-ooo-
Ezumachi stopped. There was no reason to stay on the move. It seemed he had been found all the same.
"Come out," he ordered.
「Easy there, Fude-chan. You weren't thinking of leaving just like that, now were you?」
Ezumachi turned to glare at the unassuming boy behind him. "Do not call me Fude-chan."
「Whoa, you're so cool, Fude-chan! However,」 the boy reached into his pocket. Ezumachi tensed, but was surprised to see the only thing the boy took out was a small screw. 「Leaving in the middle of battle and making a cool exit, do you think this is Weekly Shōnen Jump?」
Ezumachi snorted. "Weekly Shōnen Jump? I don't know who you are, and I don't care. Get out of my way."
「Well, if you're going to be like that—」
Ezumachi was aware of the sound of running feet, and then a white blur shot past him to slam feet first into the other boy and knock him to the floor. The young man (who Ezumachi could see now that he had stopped moving) clambered off the smaller boy snd hauled him up by the collar to shake him violently.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? What have I told you about using your screws! What has my mom told you about using your screws! Do want a repeat of what happened three years ago?" the young man ranted, oblivious to how dazed he had left his victim.
Ezumachi observed him. Though Ezumachi did not recognize the white robe the young man was wearing, there was something familiar about him…
"Zenkichi Hitoyoshi?" said Ezumachi, more out of surprise that he had remembered the name then in an attempt to call the young man's attention.
"Hmm?" Zenkichi turned around at the sound of his name. He stared for a few seconds, then his face lit up with recognition. "Ezumachi-sempai!" He seemed inordinately pleased to have recalled who was addressing him. "Ezumachi-sempai," he said again, and walked over, dragging the other boy along with him. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon," he remarked. "I'd like to say with this we're even, but"—he gestured at the other boy—"I would have stopped this guy in any case. He's not the sort that can be left alone."
"…What are you wearing?" Ezumachi asked, for lack of anything better to say.
"What, this?" Zenkichi looked down at himself. "This is my judo uniform. I'm a member of the Judo Club. We're not supposed to wear the uniform outside of the Judo Hall, but the captain sent me to beg the Student Council for funding, and she thought I'd make more of an impression dressed like this." Zenkichi wiped his forehead self-consciously. "I don't know why."
"The Student Council?" Ezumachi repeated. "You can just walk into their office?"
Zenkichi's hand flailed about his neck, looking for a collar to tug on. "Well," he said, the word drawn out. "Not really, but I'm on good terms with the general affairs manager." Zenkichi cleared his throat. "Something Nabeshima-sempai wants to milk for all it's worth," he mumbled.
Most of this dialogue meant nothing to Ezumachi, but there was one item that caught his attention.
"You are friends with the general affairs manager?" he asked.
「Itami Koga-chan!」 the boy called cheerily from Zenkichi's grip. 「You've met her already, Fude-chan, in the Art Club room.」
"The Art Club room? What was Koga-sempai doing there? You in trouble, Ezumachi-sempai?"
Ezumachi ignored them both. "Hitoyoshi," he said. "You owe me a favor."
"…Yes."
"You can return it now. The Student Council is interfering with my art. Get them to leave me alone."
"Uh…" Zenkichi grimaced. "Uh, sure, I mean, I can try. I don't know how much I can actually do—"
"It will be fine. The vice-president is partial to her general affairs manager."
"Well, if you say so."
"Good." Ezumachi nodded. "Come on then." He turned away from the other two and walked off in the direction of the Student Council office.
Zenkichi glared down at Kumagawa. "If I let go of you, are you going to behave?"
「To see the knockout that runs the Student Council on her home turf, I'll do anything you want, Zenkichi-chan!」
"…That's the best I'm going to get, isn't it? All right, come on. Hey, Ezumachi-sempai, wait up!"
-ooo-
The Student Council office was crowded. Medaka stood behind her desk. A nervous Koga hovered at her side. Opposite, a wary Zenkichi stood beside a stoic Ezumachi to the left. On the right stood a black-haired girl with a rough air (and her uniform without the tie) and a small boy with light green hair. Both seemed annoyed with the other. Behind all of them, Kumagawa and Aso stood near the door as if they had no business in the room (they did not).
Feeling exposed and vulnerable in his judo uniform, Zenkichi wanted nothing more than to leave.
"Yeah, so … if you could maybe let Ezumachi-sempai off the hook this time … that'd be cool."
"Don't listen to this guy, Kurokami-san!" cried the small boy (he was too underwhelming to demand). "I asked the Student Council—"
"After you asked the Public Morals Committee," Koga cut in.
The boy wilted. "Err, well … what happened to her?"
"Classmate Onigase-san left some time ago. I would imagine to try and restore her uniform to its proper color," Medaka answered.
"The pink will have faded by tomorrow morning," Ezumachi supplied, his first words since coming to the office.
"Well, at least someone will be going home happy then!" the girl with the rough air exploded.
"Yatsushiro-sempai…" the boy started.
"Enough out of you, Yuubaru-san!" Yatsushiro snapped. She turned her glare on Medaka. "Are you making fun of me, Kurokami-san? I came here looking for help, embarrassed as I was, and you give me this guy?"
"Um, Kurokami-san?" said Koga. She flinched as her question drew Yatsushiro's attention. "What is Yatsushiro-sempai talking about?
"I agreed to answer Classmate Yuubaru-san's request concerning the Art Club in return for his aid with Third Year Yatsushiro-san's request," Medaka answered, nonplussed. "She would like to improve her handwriting. I thought an artist would be appropriate."
The office fell silent.
"Captain?" A whisper.
「Yes?」 Also a whisper.
"That logic doesn't work." Another whisper.
「No, it doesn't.」 A whisper again.
"You are making fun of me!" Yatsushiro cried.
"Your handwriting has improved."
All heads turned to the left. Ezumachi held two sheets of paper, each covered with text, and examined each with a critical eye.
"Your handwriting has improved," he repeated. "The text of this version is much more legible than the other, though the quality is still poor."
"Don't read them!" Yatsushiro shrieked, and lunged at Ezumachi. Zenkichi caught her before she could collide with the junior transfer student, and received an elbow to the nose for his trouble. "That hardly counts," Yatsushiro snapped at Medaka. "Yuubaru-san didn't help me with that letter, it was…" she stopped, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "It was … it was … Yuubaru-san, who came in and helped me out in the mid-afternoon?"
Yuubaru looked just as unsettled as she did. "I … I know someone did come in, but … I can't remember who it was…"
"Well … whatever," Yatsushiro turned back to Medaka. "If I can't remember, it can't be important. Anyway, I came here for help, and all I've gotten out of it if this"—she waved contemptuously at Ezumachi, bent over Medaka's desk—"jerk is to be believed is 'more legible poor quality'. This was a waste of my time—"
"Here."
Yatsushiro blinked at the sheet being held out to her.
Ezumachi held no expression.
Yatsushiro took the paper. "This … this is my letter," she said, voice laden with disbelief.
"If that letter is what its contents lead me to believe it is," said Ezumachi, "then you're only trying to write a clean copy of this one manuscript. There is no need to reteach you how to write." He gestured at the paper in her hands. "Just keep rewriting until you can get your own writing to match mine."
Yatsushiro stared at him. "You have very nice handwriting," she said at last.
"Thank you." Ezumachi waved her away and turned to back the desk. "If that matter is resolved, could we please move on to mine and the Art Club's, Kurokami?"
"Yeah, I want to get this sorted too," Zenkichi spoke up as Yatsushiro made her way out of the office. "Ezumachi-sempai, I can't say I agree with tossing out an entire club just for your art. I'm not an artist, so how you behave is your own business, though I do think that was a bit extreme. But, Kurokami-san," Zenkichi turned to Medaka. "I can't believe Ezumachi-sempai is a bad guy. He helped me out when the Judo Club were attacking me left and right, and he just helped out a girl—"
「A cute girl!」
"—without any ulterior motives. That makes him a better guy than a certain other upperclassman I know."
「You know other upperclassmen, Zenkichi-chan? Are you cheating on me?」
"Captain!"
Medaka stared levelly at Zenkichi, who stared right back at her. Both ignored the behavior of their mutual acquaintance at the back of the room.
"Look, it's Hitoyoshi-san, right?" said Yuubaru. "Maybe Ezumachi-sempai really is a good guy. I've seen for myself that he is a talented artist. But he can't expect the Art Club to empty out our only clubroom just because he finds the other members a distraction. Isn't it more realistic for him to find somewhere else to paint if he's that opposed to other people?"
"Another place to paint, huh?" Zenkichi chewed his lower lip thoughtfully.
"Ah!" said Koga suddenly. She leaned to right and looked over Zenkichi's shoulder. "Kuma—"
「Absolutely no way.」
"…Aso-sem—"
"Absolutely no way."
"Oh, well, never mind that idea then…"
"No, you might have come up with something good, General Affairs Manager Koga-san," said Medaka. "If Second Year Ezumachi-san needs somewhere else to paint, we just need to find him a room. Second Year Ezumachi-san," she addressed the older boy. "Would you have any problems moving to a different room if the light was reasonable and you were granted supplies?"
Ezumachi stared at her. "…Better," he said at last. His gaze flickered to the bands around her left arm. "But you still have a long way to go before you're president material, Kurokami."
Medaka grinned at him. "That's fine. I'm not so egoistical to think myself ready to succeed the president yet. By all means, keep telling me how I may improve, Second Year Ezumachi-san."
"No. I don't want to see any more of you than I have to."
Medaka laughed. As Koga tried to get her to settle down, Zenkichi took Ezumachi by the shoulder and pulled him close.
"Hey, Ezumachi-sempai, I get that you're the antisocial type, but could you at least try and meet Kurokami-san half way here? Believe me, this girl is even crazier than you are, and if you want to get a good deal out of this, you need—"
"I'm not interested." Ezumachi did not bother to whisper despite their close proximity. "Hitoyoshi, if you are so concerned for my welfare, then you handle it."
Zenkichi glared halfheartedly at him. "I take it back. You're no better than that certain other upperclassman. Neither of you knows how to take care of himself."
「I heard that, Zenkichi-chan! What's their name? Who's stolen you away from me!」
"If the Art Club can have their room back, I think I'm just going to leave now…" Yuubaru edged towards the door.
"All right!" Medaka declared. "Second Year Ezumachi-san, I know just the place for you!"
-ooo-
Shiranui looked around the Broadcast Club room. Seated at the table were Zenkichi, Kumagawa, Aso, and Koga. The addition of the Student Council general affairs manager was not a surprise. The addition of the Student Council vice-president, making tea in the room's corner with an electric kettle, was.
"My goodness," she said. "What brings the esteemed Student Council to the Broadcast Club's humble storage room?"
"IT'S NOT … I mean, it's not a storage room, Shiranui-san," said Aso.
"We're compensating a student—" Koga started.
「Slowly being evicted…」
"—for their time." Koga finished. She threw an annoyed look at Kumagawa.
"Such teasing! In a good mood are we, Kumagawa-sempai?"
「You got it, Hanhaba-chan! The cute girls of the Student Council have two hours every day they can't spend in their office, so they're spending it in mine!」
"…Captain, when you call the clubroom your office, that carries several bad connotations…"
"To make things a bit clearer, Shiranui," cut in Zenkichi. "The Student Council now has a secretary, on the condition that he gets two hours to himself in their office every day to paint, plus any time these two are out of the office handling requests, provided his Student Council work is completed."
"My, my, you are well-informed today, Hitoyoshi-san. Are you perhaps trying to take over my role in the story?"
"Watch out, Shiranui. I think Kumagawa's starting to rub off on you. And the only reason I'm well-informed is because the new secretary had me haggling for his terms."
Shiranui raised an eyebrow. "You are a student representative now, Hitoyoshi-san? Just who is this new secretary?"
"Second Year Fude Ezumachi-san," said Medaka. She carried a tray over to the group, put it down on the table, and began handing out cups. "Tea, Classmate Shiranui-san?"
"No thank you, Kurokami-san, I have my own." Taking a seat, Shiranui withdrew her thermos. "So, the Student Council now has a secretary." Shiranui stared pointedly at Medaka's left arm. "That leaves only the position of treasurer to be filled, does it not?"
"Yes!" Koga cried. "Kurokami-san, let's get a treasurer soon. The clubs are starting to get fidgety about their budgets. I'm sure having Ezumachi-san on board will help, but it's getting to the point that if you just mention funds—"
「Funds? Funds!」
"Captain, she said funds!"
"Oh crap, I forgot to report back to Nabeshima-sempai about the funds!"
Koga gestured at the club members seated at the table. "See!"
Medaka tapped her chin. "Indeed, not having a treasurer is starting to cause problems now. There isn't enough money to go around, and there's really no good way to divide up the resources we do have appropriately."
"If I my make a … suggestion, Kurokami-san?" said Shiranui.
Medaka glanced over at the other girl. "Of course. What would you like to say, Classmate Shiranui-san?"
"Well, I cannot boast to know how best to handle your current dilemma, but I do like to stay informed. Were you aware, Kurokami-san, that the academy has recently had a new pool built that is not being used?"