Chapter 21:
The two teenage girls started that day on Sayuri's campaign, thinking of clever strategies and neat catch phrases as they drew up ideas for flyers and other vote drawing gimmicks.
"You should definitely have blue as your color. It's bold and eye catching and not yellow." Umiko seemed to think that the last was most important.
"Yeah yeah, I get it, uniforms." Sayuri droned from the computer where she was busy typing up ideas that would be good for drawing people to support her. "Hmm, what do you think of field trips?"
"They are fun, educational, and entirely underused in our schooling."
"Good enough for me." She typed down a few notes before peeking at what her friend was sketching on her notebook. "Those ideas for our uniform?"
"Mhm." I know that the administration would never go for anything with a short skirt, but maybe just a long version of the usual skirt? And a vest over the shirt… And we'd have blazers! I haven't decided on ribbons or ties though, what do you think?" She inquired of her friend, the eraser of her pencil resting on her chin.
"Definitely ribbons. If we can convince them that it's still very feminine then it'll make the battle easier. What about the color scheme?"
"Nng I have no idea. I mean blue would be soo good, but what if they insist on yellow? I can't even picture that for this uniform."
"I see your point… What about purple? It's girly, not blue and most important, not yellow." Sayuri offered.
"That's an idea…" Umiko's eyes lit up as she went back to sketching.
So far they had come up with a few ideas to get Sayuri the popular vote. Uniforms of course, as most of the female population hated those yellow dresses. As well as lengthening the lunch period and offering school hosted dances, for fun as well as help the many young heirs of Ouran get to know each other and make ties among another. They continued on throughout the day until the shadows started lengthening outside at which point Sayuri had to excuse herself and begged Umiko to take care of Toya until she talked to and hopefully convinced her mother.
"No way! You should take him with you. If anything, that will help your case. I mean, who can turn down a cute little kitten?" The blonde concluded, oblivious her friend's awkward eye roll. Umiko really had no clue about her mother, but couldn't help but have hope.
The cat remained asleep for most of the ride but awoke when they got out of the car. She was greeted by the usual one servant to help her with her bags or follow any orders she might have at her arrival. The girl bowed and asked demurely, "Would you like me to take the animal young Mistress?"
"No, thank you. But send someone out for some supplies. Baby formula and a small dropper along with a cat bed and litter box."
The servant bowed again. "Of course young Mistress." And was about to leave to carry out her orders before she was stopped.
"Wait. Is my mother home?" Sayuri asked with only slight worry showing in her eyes.
"She is not Sayuri-sama. She told Graham-sama that she would return tomorrow however, in time for dinner."
"Thank you." Sayuri nodded with dismissal, watching the servant leave. She then continued inside, dropping her bag just inside, knowing one of the servants would take it up to her room for her. She had something to do before she could relax. Holding Toya closely, she first ducked into the library and then her father's study in search of him before heading out to the garden where he was sitting near some lilies reading. She smiled for a moment, watching him slowly curl his mustache absent-mindedly as he read, his legs crossed comfortably. Then he suddenly seemed to realize he wasn't alone and glanced up only to chuckle as he saw her.
"I'd ask how long you've been standing there, but I'm rather afraid to know the answer." He commented as he carefully settled a bookmark in between the pages he had been reading before closing it and resting it on a nearby table. "What's that you have there poppet?" he then asked as his eyes rested on the feline in her arms.
Sayuri glanced down and stroked Toya's head before looking up and answering, "My friend Umiko-chan found two kittens and she took them home with her. She asked me to take this one and look after him… I gave him the name, 'Toya'." She explained before looking back down and shifting the kitten as he tried to get down from her grasp to explore. Looking back up she asked with trepidation, "Do you think mother will let me keep him?"
Graham inhaled and held his breath in consideration before letting it out, his whiskers twitching from the air. "You know how she feels about animals indoors. But considering that you're not a child anymore and you've made her quite happy with how you've been handling yourself since entering high school... I think that I'll be able to convince her to let you keep it." The old Brit gave a kind smile to his daughter, who had a broad grin as she hugged the kitten in her arms tightly before setting it down on the table so she could give her father a tight hug.
"Thank you daddy, soo much! You won't regret it! Come on Toya, let me show you our room." The teen scooped up the confused ball of fluff and ran off back into the mansion. Sayuri spent the rest of the day setting up things for her new pet in her room after doing some online research and bathing and feeding him, though the latter action earned her a few scratches.
On Monday she officially submitted her name for consideration for Student Body President and began working on spreading the word by mouth until she got her flyers ready. While waiting for Kyoya to finish up some business in the Host Club, she chatted with the other patrons about her plans and seemed to garner much attention, especially after mentioning that she was going to try and convince the board to change the girl's uniforms.
Sayuri had no idea who was running for president but she already felt she would win over the competition considering the amount of support she was getting already.
But just when she thought it was going to be all smooth sailing from there on out, she had to brag after archery club.
"I hope you'll be willing to support me Ferio-san." She told her practice partner. "I heard you're applying for treasurer? I'm sure you'll get it! You're top of our math class and a really good guy too." She turned on the charm with a smile.
"Aw, heh I'm not that good. But I'll be sure to vote for you." He said modestly, drinking up the attention.
"Do you think you could spread the word? I'm still making up some flyers, but word of mouth is just as powerful!" She asked sweetly before she heard a barking laugh, mocking her.
"You're running for Student Body President?" Ephriham asked as he waxed his bowstring while Delilah sorted his quiver.
Sayuri did not back down at the question and simply answered graciously, "Yes, I am."
"Well there went what government we had left." He snickered.
She bristled at the snide remark. "Excuse me, but I happen to have a lot of support among the student body! They believe that I'll be a great President."
"So what? It's not like it's that hard anyways. Anyone could do it." He shrugged with a smirk, earning a simpering laugh from Delilah.
"Not anyone can be a successful President you know." She stated, crossing her arms in annoyance. Just who did he think he was anyways?
He simply raised an eyebrow and collected his equipment before leaving with Delilah in tow.
It wasn't until the next day when she was talking with the other girls visiting the host club that she found out his plans.
"I'm sorry Nitta-san, but I promised Delilah that I would vote for Ephriham." One girl apologized while her friend nodded, oblivious to her mounting horror.
She immediately went to Kyoya to make sure her suspicions were founded.
"Yes, he applied early this morning and has been campaigning all day. Just flyers and buttons so far though." The bespectacled host affirmed.
"Can he do that? Just up and apply to run out of nowhere?!"
"Well yes. You are both first years Nitta-san so technically you would both be considered as coming up out of 'nowhere'. There is no rule against it and he is well within the deadline to run."
It was hopeless talking with him, so Sayuri vented to her friend after leaving to her house.
"I just know he did it specifically to run against me because he knew it would annoy me. Is that his goal in life now? And where is the purple marker?!" The raven haired girl growled at a desk while her friend simply shook her head and handed Sayuri said coloring utensil.
"Girl, I know you're mad and everything, and I'm totally with you. But…could you not take it out on the flyer?" She pointed out the mess that was supposed to be an idea for the Nitta Campaign Flyer and Button.
Sayuri sighed and nodded. "Sorry Umiko. Maybe I should just leave it to you, you can draw way better than me anyway."
The blonde chuckled, "Flattery will get you far."
"I just don't know why he's so against me. I mean it's not just the campaign, in archery club too."
"Well from what I've heard he's kind of like that to everyone. People either love him or hate him, guys and girls alike. No offense Sayuri-chan, but you've got your work cut out for you running against him." The otaku shrugged before starting up a new sketch.
Sayuri drew in a breath and sat up primly, straightening her spine as she spoke carefully in a calm manner, "If I just stick to my principles and lay out my goals and propositions, I think that our class will be able to see who will be the better chocie in the long run. He's just a fad..."
Umiko glanced up at her friend as she worked and refrained from commenting that she rather seemed like she was more trying to convince herself.