The final bell rang to what could be called the most tiring day in a long while. (Ok I admit. Cliché opening but I'm too tired to think of anything better.)

Stifling a yawn, I swiped whatever was on my desk into the bad, threw it over my shoulder and pressed on to the student council room.

Kira was off for another day citing the need to recover from jet lag so classes were less… hectic. But for now Tsukiko was my main priority.

It had taken the majority of last night, but thanks to her, I had maliciously managed to finish the assignment and escape the jaws of death. Seriously, Kotomine-sensei is no pushover when it comes to forgetting homework.

With that incident over and done with, I could focus my attention on forcing that girl to go home and get a good night's rest. However, stuck to the student council room door was a note:

Dear Mikazuki Kotori-sama,

I am truly sorry for being unable to pass you this message in person and have thus resorted to writing you this humble note.

I have been called to a teacher's conference to discuss some matters and would not be returning to the room anytime soon. Owing to this situation, I am unable to keep our previous agreement and would humbly ask of you to not be upset over this matter.

My sincerest apologies,

Sato Tsukiko

Even in writing, Tsukiko was as polite and awkward as always. But seeing that the doors were locked, I was left hanging with nothing to do (Well I'm not giving up that easily!).

I should find a spot to rest while waiting for Tsukiko…

Wait a second.

I sighed wearily. Well I guess it was time to pay a visit to THAT person…

"Enter."

Those words came through the door before I even knocked.

Taking a deep breath, I entered into the darkness for the room. With the curtains drawn, glass screen bookshelves lining both sides and a running desktop providing the only illumination, it felt more like a library than the clubroom of the newspaper club.

"Have a seat."

The voice came from the hentai staring at me from across the foldable table in the middle of the room. When I mean hentai, I'm talking about the red-tinted spectacle, white gloved, fingers intertwined partially covering an eerie grin with elbows resting on the table, Ranko Misaki.

"How did you know I was coming?"

"A simple matter really. Where else could you go when Tsukihime is at the meeting. An open book with the key written on your face is always the easiest to read Kotori-chan."

Misaki's deadpan voice was even creepier than usual. How should I put it… it was not really the atmosphere of the room but more of the serious tone of voice that made me tremble.

"I believe you are looking for this."

Misaki slid a brown paper folder across the table before returning to her pose staring at me. On the title was Tsukiko's name and picture fastened with a metal paperclip. This is starting to feel more like a hard-boiled detective's office than a library… complete with impractically spinning overhead fan though strangely it was cello music in the background as opposed to the saxophone that came from hidden speakers.

Easing into the foldable chair that was placed (conveniently?) in front of me, I scanned through the thick bundle of documents inside.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Why did you come here in the first place?" Was Misaki's immediate reply. "What you are seeking is in these documents. Of course I've taken the liberty to omit any sensitive information. After all Human Instrumentality Projects are no easy feats. Especially for the student council."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry. You would understand in time. But for now. I believe it is your time to go. The folder would always be here for your reference, so don't worry about it. After all you can't keep the princess waiting."

I left the unmoving Misaki to her fantasies and proceeded back to the student council room where as the prophet had said, had the familiar sound of paper rustling coming from within.

*Crash*

…

She did it again. Is knocking on the door so scary that you would knock down stacks of documents every time someone does it? I mean I can relate if I it was like last night but it's not even past six!

"Kotori-san! I thought you went home."

"I said this before Tsukiko-chan. I'm here to help you. Let's just say I'm selfish and want to help ok?" I smiled while picking up the papers scattered all over the room, trying to reassure Tsukiko that it was all right.

"Tha- thank you…"

So we settled to doing whatever you'd imagine student council members do. With me trying my best to catch up with the Tsukiko's pace. With one hand on the stamp and the other a pen she swept through whatever was on the "In" pile and dumped it into the "Out" one in a matter of seconds. All the time being flushed red and occasionally glancing up shyly at me.

By the time I had noticed it was already dark.

"Shall we take a break here?"

"Yeah sure."

I slumped back onto my chair my mind numb from the amount of information processed while an unfazed Tsukiko went to prepare some tea.

"Oi, Ki-chan I'm back. Mom wants you to eat with us so I'm here to dra-"

Maybe my mind was playing tricks with me but the person that had slammed the door open looked like a certain someone that I faintly recall…

Tsukiko on the other hand had no other reaction than to look up from her tea pot and reply that she was busy.

Wait. So knocking on the door was enough to cause a nervous breakdown but slamming open the door did nothing to her! What the hell…

That pause in the sentence was when he saw me and froze. I'm guessing our minds would be buffeting at the moment.

"EHHH!"

This time it was the both of us who shouted. Night two of the Tsukiko-arc and I'm thrown into more situations.

Great.

Just great.

Ya~hoo

Misaki-des Its good to be back! Did everyone like my super cool impersonation? Here's a hint: I am the leader of nerves pulling the strings of those who think they are doing the same to me. Have fun and gokigenyo.

Misaki Ranko :)