Blue Drop: Angel's Partner: Chapter 7
In School
A couple days after Tsubael stopped by to officially confirm her staying in Micchi's dorm room, Sugawara addresses her class. ``A lot has happened in the past week. I'm glad to see all of you that here, and hopefully we can start bringing things back to a more normal routine. I don't see any more invasions on my calendar, but{}''
The class laughs at her attempt to bring humor into these dreary days.
``I haven't gotten the official paperwork, but it sounds like Hagino-san will not be returning.'' This gets the full attention of the class. ``So it looks like we probably need to elect another class representative.'' She moves to the blackboard and takes up the chalk. ``Do I have any nominations?''
One hand goes up, and the student nominates, ``Kouzuki-san.''
While she writes Micchi's name on the blackboard, someone else pipes up, ``Yeah. She did a good job directing our play for the festival.''
``Yes.''
``Yes! Yes, Kouzuki-san,'' comes a flurry of agreement from the rest of the class. Nobody else's name is even mentioned.
``So, Kouzuki-san,'' asks Sugawara-sensei, ``how about it? I agree you did a good job of directing and running everything for our play.''
Micchi equivocates, embarrassed by the attention and compliments.
``Why don't you think about it overnight,'' Sugawara suggests, granting Micchi a temporary reprieve. ``We can talk more tomorrow and hold the election Monday.''
ooo OOO ooo
Micchi and Tsubael return to their room that evening. As they're getting ready for bed Micchi mentions, ``Tsubael, you'll never guess what Sugawara-sensei recommended me for in class today.''
``Does she want you to take Eka... Senkouji-san's position as class representative?''
Micchi drops her pajamas in surprise and turns to Tsubael. ``How did you... Did someone tell you?''
``No.'' Tsubael smiles. ``That was only a guess on my part. I figure they need someone as Senkouji-san can't very well do it now, and I can't think of anyone better than you to take over from her as class representative.''
``But... but I'm not sure if I can do it. I'm nowhere near as good as she was. Will I even be able to do the job? I don't know if I can get people to follow my suggestions like she could, much less come up with good ones.'' Micchi plops down on her bed, covers her face in despair then slides to the floor. ``They all seem to want me to... but can I even do it?''
Tsubame sits down next to her bed facing Micchi, setting aside her own evening preparations. ``Michiko, I'm sure you'll be good at it. You can definitely do it.''
``But... but... there's so much...''
``I know you've got the ability. I saw how well you were able to direct the play, making sure that everything was taken care of and that everyone did what was needed. You really did very well there. ...I'm sorry that I spied on you then, but I...''
``Don't apologize,'' Micchi interrupts her. ``I don't mind your watching. I know why you were, and I'm glad you did. Now I know my feeling that there was someone watching over us was right. I'm happy you could be part of our play, if only like that.'' She blushes. ``And the better I get to know you, the more glad I am that you participated.''
Tsubael blushes in return. ``Th... Thank you.'' She continues, ``You can be class representative just as well, and with the same kind of help from your friends. Please don't worry about it.'' She looks at her hands in her lap and quietly adds, ``If there's anything I can do to help you, I'd love to.''
``You would?'' Micchi's eyes brighten a bit with hope. ``Are you serious?''
``Of course I am, Michiko. I'd love to be able to help.'' Micchi's change of expression chases some of the shadows of worry from her face. ``What can I do for you? I'm not really a student but...'' She looks back up at Micchi. ``But I do want to be a friend.''
``Oh, you are! You are!'' Micchi's fading blush returns. ``I'm really glad to have you as a friend.''
This brings a full smile to Tsubael's face, and they return to their preparations for bed. Tsubael pauses folding up her clothes and starts laughing. ``I just realized you have another advantage as class representative that Sugawara-sensei doesn't know about.''
Micchi looked over, her curiosity piqued by the laughter. ``And what's that?''
``Well, if you ever want to know what Senkouji-san did or what she would do in a new situation, you can always ask her.''
Micchi's eyes widen in surprise. ``You're right. But so can Mari-san and she—''
``Wouldn't be as good a class representative as you.'' Tsubael explains, interrupting her. ``Mari is a good friend, and there's no-one closer to Senkouji-san, but she doesn't have the leadership ability you do.''
Micchi looks skeptical. ``But...''
``Look, your classmates also feel this way. That's why they nominated you. I'm also sure that Mari would be happy to help you too.''
``Do you really think so? How can you sound so sure that I'll be able to?''
Tsubael sat down again and looked straight at her. ``Please trust me, Michiko.'' She put all the sincerity she could into her voice. ``I... I've served under quite a few officers and seen even more in the Arume Fleet. I see the same in you that I saw in the best of them. You'll do fine.''
``But Mari...'' Micchi trailed off, uncertain what to say or ask.
``Mari is a wonderful friend, and she and Senkouji-san are so good for each other. I've seen her—both of them, actually—grow so much since Mari came here, but she isn't yet quite ready for this.''
``OK. If you say so,'' Micchi agrees, not sounding entirely confident.
Next morning over breakfast they discuss this briefly with Mari. She agrees with Tsubael and promises to help and support Micchi.
ooo OOO ooo
Micchi stops by to talk with Sugawara-sensei after school. She offers Micchi a beaker of tea to relax and asks, ``Have you thought about being class representative any more?''
``Yes, I have.'' Micchi takes a breath. ``I also talked with my friends some. It seems they have more confidence in me than I do.''
``Sometimes our friends know us better than we do ourselves.'' Sensei's face grows more serious as she falls into advising mode. ``I also think you'll do a good job at it. The only question is your self-doubt. I saw how you were able to overcome that for the play, and you did a wonderful job there, both writing and directing.''
``But we were never able to finish the play...''
``And that was through no fault of yours. Look, the whole government and Self-Defense Forces couldn't stop that invasion, so you shouldn't expect to yourself. Anyway, everything you did worked out well. Don't blame yourself for things beyond your control.''
``Thank you. That's what my friends said too...''
This brings a smile to Sugawara's face. ``You have wise friends. ...So back to my original question. How about it?''
``I... I...'' Micchi takes a deep breath to gather her courage. ``I'll try... if the rest of the class really wants me. I'll also need their—and your—help and advice. I can't do it all myself.''
``Thank you.'' Sugawara's smile grows broader. ``I'm sure they'll support you, and you can always come talk to me.''
``I'll take all the advice and support I can get. I'll need it.''
.
Micchi is the only one who is surprised that Monday when she's elected class representative by a landslide.
