Uh… if I had to sum up the reason why the chapter came out late in the form of a meme, it'd be like this:

Readers: Hi, fanfiction?

Me: Sorry, fanfiction machine broke.

Readers: Understandable have a nice day.

So, uh, yeah, hopefully you guys will say that...

She feels pain. No. Not quite pain.

It's more like an uncomfortable aching sensation that continuously pulsates around her cranium area. However, the same sensation can be contributed as the primary reason why she is now awake. Her eyes, although opened, she's sure they're opened, cannot quite play their roles of seeing just yet; giving only blurry snippets of her surroundings. The ache also contributes to messing up with her sense of balance, because the moment she lifts her torso up, she falls back onto the mattress she is laying on.

"Ouch… ow ow ow… what… happened?" The words come out of her mouth just fine, looks like she doesn't have to worry about not being able to speak or her lips being too dry for her to do so; although they quite are.

"Sagami...chan?"

A voice. This prompts her to ever so slowly and drowsily turn her head towards the direction and origin of the voice. Her vision, through the help of repeated rubbing with the back of her sleeves, is steadily clearing; allowing her to make heads or tail of whoever it is that has called her.

"Aya...chan? Aya… is that you?" She asks, blinking repeatedly, in an effort to refresh her vision.

Sagami does not get an immediate reply. However, what she does get, is the sudden but warm embrace of her friend. Sagami feels the shorter girl's arms wrapped around her neck and her chin resting on her left shoulder, though she is so out of it that it takes her a few moments before she can realize what is happening.

"Aya-chan… what's going on, why am I in the infirmary?" Her voice comes out muffled by the fabric of her friend's uniform that has somehow constricts the vocal flow out of her mouth due to their embrace.

"I'm glad." The bespectacled girl murmurs, burying her eyes into the purple haired girl's shoulder. "I'm very glad…"

Sagami feels weak. She's too weak to question why is her friend suddenly crying on her much less ask questions related to herself. She doesn't know what to do, and doesn't have the energy to do anything like asking questions, so, slowly, she returns her friend's embrace, weakly wrapping her arms around the other girl's back.

Sagami sits there on the infirmary's bed, unsure of what has happened or is happening. All she can do is make circular stroking motions on the surface of her friend's uniformed back as an attempt to ease her ail. As her friend's weeping gets progressively louder, the infirmary's door suddenly slides open, revealing multiple faculty staff members including teachers.

"Sagami-san, you've woken up!" A middle aged woman with graying her rushes first into the room, dressed in an iconic white coat, she is the head nurse of the school.

"We heard you've fainted Sagami and that Ayano was the one who carried you to the infirmary." Another white coated woman enters, although she is much younger and youthful.

Kind of.

Hiratsuka Shizuka nearly had a heart attack when the head nurse of the school rushes into the faculty office telling everybody that a student has fainted and is unconscious. What make things even more alarming, it's someone she's in charge of; a student from her class. She and several other teachers such the P.E teacher and the Home Economics teacher, went along with the school nurse to look into problem in question, a.k.a Sagami herself.

"Whew…" A male P.E teacher breathes out as he enters the room. "All that walking around got even me sweating. Strange." He mutters.

"Isn't it? I thought I was the only one who felt tired…" The Home Economics teacher says as she supports herself on the door frame, wiping a bead of sweat that's threatening to drip down her forehead. "Weird."

"Anyway, Sagami, are you okay now? And why is Ayano crying?" The homeroom teacher of class 2-F walks closer to the bed, being careful not to hinder the nurse's attempt of comforting the crying girl.

Sagami turns her head slightly upward, meeting her teacher's face. Although Shizuka is able to recognize the confusion on her student's face, she can tell that the girl is conscious enough to respond to her.

"I-I'm fine, sensei." Her stuttering convinces Shizuka otherwise. "But… Aya-chan, why are you crying?" Sagami redirects her attention to her friend, who is still sobbing quietly to her shoulder, staining her white blouse with warm tears.

"I-I'm sorry… I'm sorry…!"

Ayano's cries are continuous repetition of an apology that Sagami has no idea about.

It takes a while for the teachers to comfort the weeping girl. Shizuka and the head nurse are conversing while the Home Economic teacher takes both girls into the counseling room for a session, although she's the one who is supposed to be doing it. The P.E teacher has taken the initiative to report back to the faculty room, leaving only the head nurse and her in the infirmary.

"It's got to be stress."

Shizuka's skeptic look is very understandable. "Stress? You're telling me high schoolers are prone to faint-inducing stress nowadays?" asks the teacher with a hint of incredulousness in her voice.

The aged nurse returns the younger woman's look with one of indifference. "Not just ordinary stress, of course. It probably has to do with something personal, maybe between her family members and when you bring that sort of weight to school… sometimes your brain just finds it easier to shutdown and reboot rather than having to cope with the strains."

"And need I remind you that all people handle stress differently, sensei?" The older woman asks, tilting her head with a flat expression.

"U-Urk…"

As methodical and professional the nurse's explanation is, Shizuka still finds it hard to believe that a simple six lettered word is the only conclusion to her student's condition.

"Then… what about Ayano?" the homeroom teacher of 2-F asks. "What's her deal?"

The older woman shrugs. "They're best friends, from the looks of it. You should know more about the student's relation, they are from your class after all, Hiratsuka-sensei." The nurse says flatly with a tilted head.

"G-Guh…" Coughing to her hand, the twenty six year old unmarried, lab coat wearing teacher looks away. "Still… neither girls are in condition to speak at the moment. Sagami because we're still unsure of her condition and Ayano… she's just catatonic, for the lack of better terms."

The nurse rolls her eyes. Obviously, there are better terms.

"So, bottom line, we'll have to excuse them for not coming to school the next couple of days… or just Sagami, at least." Shizuka says conclusively.

"I second that." The nurse nods approvingly. "Tell the faculty that I support this suggestion. If it's just stress, the girl will have time to talk things out with her family; maybe find a counselor too while she's at it." The woman pauses, before continuing. "I suggest sending them home now, since it's way past dismissal hours."

After hearing what the nurse has said, Shizuka prepares herself to leave the infirmary and return back to the faculty room to finish her paperwork.

"Oh and Hiratsuka-sensei, try not to pressure them too much. It's best to wait if they're not ready to tell anything."

Sighing, Shizuka wordlessly complies before leaving the infirmary.

I never believed in the greater good… or just the idea of things like good and evil being quantifiable in general. Call me a sage… an immortal, but I've learned that wisdom does not come by age. Good is good, evil is evil; it's as simple as that.

Humans are natural scholars, and with their scholastic brains, they need to create measurements, quantifiers; that can help them understand the worth of things. This is why everything in this world has their own respective values.

And with values, come choices.

And choosing between choices is not something we are all good at. Different people make different choices, even if they might seem similar at a glance. Like what to choose for lunch. Is it the tonkotsu pork belly ramen with extra thick broth and silky smooth noodles, or is it the filling and scrumptious large gyudon beef bowl with premium grade-A beef?

Between two choices, if it's based on personal preferences, beliefs, and something as fundamentally instilled like morals, people will most likely choose the latter; since it affects the way people look at them. Their image.

Especially when it comes to a matter of right or wrong.

A convict, guilty of criminal actions that no sane man would commit, is to be executed for his crimes. Is it right or is it wrong to execute the man?

Most people will say that it's wrong, saying that all human life is precious and people are worthy of second chances. Even against valid justification that the man is fully committed into committing the crime. The act of playing the defendant, the protectors, have always tugged a string at people's heart. Why? It's because humans want to believe that other people are capable of being selfless and virtuous.

I'm not saying that all people are like this. I believe that there are some rare cases out there that have truly realized and understood the value of human life, therefore making their defense very justifiable.

But to those people who choose to be good for the sake of being known as a good person? Those people are the worst.

They make me sick, frankly speaking.

…

Which is why, sometimes, due to people like these existing… it's understandable why executing that convict is completely okay. Both options, when seen from a third perspective would be like looking at a screen. Doesn't matter which is which. It's only wrong if: A, it doesn't align with your personal feelings, or B, it doesn't conform to the socially implemented virtues of our society.

Sadly, most of the times, it's both A and B.

"Ah, Maki, took you long enough."

I slide the club room's door shut, expelling a subtle breath of air. I give Yui a small smile and a thumbs up, saying, "All's good now, nothing to worry about."

I am expecting Yui to berrate me with questions regarding my departure and the whole entire thing with Ayano-san, but to surprise, Yukinoshita beat her to it.

"So, care to share what was it that you had to so 'privately' discuss with Ayano-san?"

I swear, woman, you're speaking with air quotes…

I shrug my shoulders while making my way to my spot. "Nothing that'll interest you, really… just something that needed settling from a previous conversation."

Urgh. I can feel their stares at me… I look way guiltier than Bill Clinton during his televised scandal response speech.

They're still looking at me even as I try to sit down. I can just not talk and they'll get the idea that I do not want to share anything regarding my conversation with Ayano, but that will be cheap of me. So I choose to speak anyway.

"It's… private and I don't really want to talk about it."

"O-Oh…" It's hard to miss Yui's obvious downcast expression and the disappointment of not knowing fading off her eyes. "That's fine, I guess, if it's private." despite all this, she still smiles. What a girl.

"I see." Yukinoshita closes her eyes, humming lowly. She then opens her eyes again, only this time, there's a smile on her face. "Very well then, we shall respect your decision."

...I'm relieved, almost, glad in a way. Would they still smile if I didn't say anything? If I choose to stay silent and not bother to make up a reason, will they still show the confirmation of their trust? Probably. They're both good girls, after all.

I feel the corner of lips tugging upwards slightly without my consent.

"Thank you." I say, almost like releasing a bated breath. "Thank you." I say it again, only quieter.

After what happened before… I can safely say that this time - for now at least - the right choice has been made.

"Why… why were you crying, Aya-chan?"

Ayano turns her head, twisting it slowly so that she can face her friend who is walking beside her. Grim repopulates her face once again. It's an expression that she's grown accustomed of making. Yet despite it all, she tries to maintain a cool front… as cool as she can, at least.

"I was just…" Ayano struggles, lowering her head to avoid the returning look Sagami has just given her. "I was just very worried. Y-You…"

You lied.

You lied to her.

You're lying.

The bespectacled girl stops dead on her tracks, her body flinching as she comes to a halt. This surprises the purple haired girl walking beside her, causing an expression of worry to form on her face.

"What's wrong Aya-chan?"

Ayano feels a warm pair of hands grab her own left hand, causing her to glance at the girl standing right beside her. The warmness, however, contradicts the raging tundra-like turmoil she has inside her consciousness. She's glad. She's happy that her friend is back to normal. But this…

...this doesn't feel right.

Her lips quiver, but she quickly hides all signs that might further indicate her internal tribulations.

No… I've done enough. He's done enough.

Hardening her eyes, Ayano returns Sagami's gesture with her own, clasping her own hand over her friend's and this action surprises the purple haired girl.

"Sagami-chan, listen…"

I don't know how to approach this… she's alright now, she can start over new!

Ayano parts her lips, but the words struggle to come out. "I-I'll… I'll be your friend." The brunette says quickly, almost desperate in conveying her message. "S-So, even if you're lonely, I'll still be here! We're all here! Me, Sawa-chan and Mei-chan! We're all here for you, so, e-even if you feel alone… please…"

Her stuttered speech descends into a broken staccato, morphing into restrained sniffles which futily prevents her sobs.

"So… please… don't forget me... "

She wasn't there for Sagami during the school festival. If only she had been more aware, if only she paid attention more then surely she might've been able to prevent all of this from happening. As much as she wants to blame him for all of this, she can't. It will be much easier, sure, but it's not going to solve anything.

Perhaps that reason is why she's putting all the blame on herself. If she had only been more observant, she could've prevented Sagami from experiencing all of this, thus ultimately sparing herself from making that choice.

Ah… I'm such an idiot…

"Aya-chan."

With that, Sagami follows up with an embrace, replicating the action before in the infirmary. Although Ayano is not sobbing as loudly as before, Sagami comforts her just as much. They're not even a block away from school yet the same thing is already happening again.

The streets are fortunately desolate and quiet, allowing them to share the moment of comfort. Honestly, if it's otherwise, she's not sure if she'll hug her friend.

"I don't know what happened… but I feel like I haven't been feeling well lately, like, I wasn't myself." The taller girl mutters, her hand rubbing her friend's back, tracing circular motions. "I'm sorry if I worried you and the others too much… even if I want to remember, I can't remember anything."

Unnoticed by Sagami, Ayano's sobbing becomes slightly louder, muffled only by the sound of her uniform.

"But… I don't think it matters anymore." Sagami says. "Right now, I'm here. You're here. Mei-chan and Sawa-chan are here. So… that's all that matters to me right now."

Even in the midst of her best friend's hiccups and sobs, Sagami continue to comfort her.

"So it's okay… in fact, why are you crying anyway?" Sagami laughs. "It's not like you're the one who fainted."

"B-But…! B-But… I did do something b-bad." Ayano manages to stutter out. "And what's even worse, is that, I can't even tell you a-about what I did…!"

Hearing that, Sagami's lips pursed together, forming a small pout. That's right. Even earlier, during their time in the counseling room with the teachers, Ayano refused - no… refuse is such a strong word - she held back from divulging any cause or reason as to why she was upset. Although, right now, Sagami's feeling rather motivated to find out why.

But, she decides against it.

"...it's fine."

"H-Hm?"

"It's fine." She smiles. "Even if you can't tell me, it's fine. Although I am, like, really curious about what is it you're hiding from me." At this, Ayano's heart sinks even more.

"I-I…" Ayano stutters, the grip of her hands on Sagami's uniform tightens. "I can't… even if I want to, I can't." She almost hisses through gritted teeth, hot tears escaping from her eyes.

"Un." Sagami nods. "That's fine."

Ayano grows quiet.

She wonders, why is it that he didn't erase her memories too? He certainly could have done that and she would be none the wiser. After all, he stressed the importance of secrecy for him. Yet here she is, still alive and conscious with the knowledge that there's an alien ninja immortal attending their school under the guise of one of their biggest troublemakers.

Ayano's grip tightens to the maximum, she grits her teeth together.

She cannot help it. Just thinking of him causes a spark of misplaced irritation and spite to start inside of her. There is no use blaming… after all, she's the one who had to decide things in the end. In a way, she's guilty too. And she'll have to live with this for the rest of her life.

Yes. Life.

Suddenly, she lets go of Sagami, grabbing said girl's attention.

"Are you okay now, Aya-chan?" asks the purple haired girl, now holding her school bag with both of her hands now that they're free from embracing her friend.

Using the back of her sleeves to wipe her eyes clear of tears, the bespectacled girl finally smiles. A small smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"Um. I'm fine now." She mutters, closing her eyes. Opening them again, she looks her friend right in the eyes. "Sagami-chan. I'm sorry. I'll say it as many times I could; I'm sorry. I can never, ever, ever… tell you everything. It's too much to ask, I know, but if… if we can still be friends after this… that's all I want…"

Her eyes widen, then, they reverts back to their natural state. "What are you talking about, Aya-chan. Of course we're still friends. Sensei told me that you're the one who carried me all the way to the infirmary, so, thank you for that!"

The glasses wearing girl giggles. "It wasn't an easy thing to do, by the way."

"H-Hey… what do you mean by that?!"

"Ahaha!"

The two share a round of laughter, before eventually quieting down again.

"Ne, Sagami-chan?"

"Hm?"

Ayano does not immediately respond. Pursing her lips, the glasses wearing girl then finally opens her mouth to speak.

"Let's go somewhere tomorrow. The school will understand if you're off for tomorrow."

"Yeah, but not you."

Ayano grins. Sagami's eyes widened briefly. "Meh, screw it. I wanna spend the day hanging out with my friend tomorrow."

Looking a little bit shocked, Sagami then breaks into a fit of giggles. "What's this? You've never been like this, Aya-chan."

"Ahaha…"

The two best friends walk the rest of their evening off towards the distance, the direction of the town with the evening pastel colored sky above them while sharing both laughter and words. The wind brushes past the scenery, bringing dust up into the air and blowing it away. As the surrounding neighborhood is already empty, the distant sound of traffic noises from the commercial sector of the town ahead can be heard all the way to here.

Around this time of the day, primary and even secondary schools have dismissed their students for the day; though there are exceptions. In Soubu, to one club in particular, three club goers have just made their way to the school's gate. A trio of teenagers, two of them female and one male.

"Puuaaah!" The pinkette of the trio stretches her arms sideways while holding her school bag and releasing air through her mouth. "Today felt like a very long day for some reason."

"Hm, it certainly does." This time, a more decorous and composed voice speaks in response to the pink haired girl's statement. With her bag on her side, she continues speaking. "I see it's not just me who felt it."

"Maa, maa, let's just go already. I wanna grab some food…" A much deeper and masculine voice half yawns and half whines, coming from the middle of the two girls.

"Ah, food! Let's go eat somewhere guys, how about that cat cafe?"

"Eeeh… are you sure it's open this time?" The male of the group shoots a skeptic look at the pinkette.

"I-I'm sure! Stupid Maki, trust me a little bit will you…"

"Well, I did a double check just now…" the other girl returns her phone to her blazer's pocket. "And it seems that Yuigahama-san is right this time. It's open and does not require any advance booking."

"Well, uh, yeah. What do you think the place is, huh? Some sort of bistro or something?" The boy snorts, earning a mild glare from the second girl.

"Hey, guys, anyway, let's go already… I'm hungry too…" The first girl whines.

"Yeah, Yui's right." The boy sighs, abandoning all trace of hostility he has for his counterpart. "I'm starving. Hope that place serves big portions." He then smirks. "Although Le Prez over here will have her hands full handling all those puss-oof!"

With her fist stuck into his gut, Yukinoshita grits her teeth. "I can… assure you that it will not come to that point." She says that but she's blushing.

"Ahaha… don't fight you two, c'mon~!"

The Service Club members are very close as usual.

"Alright, so-"

I never know that this day would come.

"-everything's dealt with. The election results are all in - if you can call a one man candidate as an election in the first place - and Isshiki's basically future student council president confirmed."

First of all, Hiratsuka-sensei knocked when she entered the room earlier, surprising not only me but Yui and Yukinoshita too. Secondly, she's not wearing her lab coat. Yes, the latter is what surprised me more! Instead, she's wearing a purple buttoned blouse and a black pleated skirt.

And, dude, let me tell you, she has a fantastic leg game going on right now…

"Whoa… sensei, you're all pretty and stuff!" Yui that's actually rude.

"Oho? Does that mean that I'm not pretty before, Yuigahama?" Hiratsuka-sensei's tone takes a sickly sweet turn, her smile is nothing but threatening. Oh, and it's hot too, I guess.

"G-Geh…! N-No! Totally, no!" Yui makes the mistake of talking smack about the person that grades your paper, not to mention sensei's our homeroom teacher too. "It's just a fresh look to look at!"

"I'll have to agree with Yuigahama-san, sensei." Meanwhile, Ice Queen over here is looking at our club advisor with mildly interested eyes. With her hand holding her chin, she sends Hiratsuka-sensei a studious stare. "You do look fresher. Younger, even."

"R-Really?" Uwaah… this woman looks genuinely happy at the compliment. Man… someone take her already, it's sad seeing her reacting so happily at a simple compliment like that.

But, hey, I suppose they're both right. She does look more… eye catching than usual.

Man, I can only imagine how the guys reacted when they saw her walk in the halls to here. Since today's a special day, a day dedicated solely for the future student council election, we're only having half day class. Awesome, right?

Although, it's not as awesome for us as it is for the rest of the regular students, I suppose. We're involved with the planning and things, since we're basically Isshiki's sponsor, although the current student council is the one leading the entire debacle so that's a plus, I guess.

Yeah. Today's been good so far.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Hm, what? Why are you guys looking at me like that?" I don't have something on my face, do I? Komachi wasn't at my place to doodle all over my face… again.

Then, simultaneously, all female presence within the room sighs.

"Haa… Maki you're so dense." Wah?

"As thoughtless as ever, Uzumaki-kun. Are you even capable of processing thoughts in the first place?" Oi!

"...haaaaah." Uwah, that's a very serious sigh! She looks depressed too for some reason! "...tch!"

She clicked her tongue! Right there! You heard that right?!

"Maa… anyway," recomposing herself, our club advisor reassumes her usual persona once again, "we're going to be talking with faculty members, the student council and the principal himself. So, although it's pointless since you three are good kids, behave yourself. Remember, Isshiki's still our client and it's our responsibility to see this through the end."

The three of us nod our heads, obviously, we're going to go through this. After the amount of work we all put with that troublesome brat Isshiki… man, I feel like I should be getting paid for dealing with sly female juniors in school.

Then that'll beat the whole purpose of this club.

Huh.

Can we ask for donations, though?

"This goes without saying, sensei." Our club president replies, straightening her sitting posture making herself look all the more dignified.

"Everything regarding the election itself has been pretty much settled, thanks to our resident delinquent-

"Oi!"

"-and troublemaker." She doesn't even bother hiding her smile. "All that's left is to assist Isshiki-san with the more unmediated details such as her speech."

"Man… Iroha-chan's going to have a lot of work waiting to be done. I actually feel sorry for her." Yui comments, slumping down her body so that it's resting on the table. She'll ruin her posture by doing that but I get to see a little bit of cleavage so I'm not complaining.

Ah, fuck, that reminds me. I'm the one who convinced Isshiki to become president. Shit. Now that kid's going to make me take responsibility… oh no, I can already imagine the kind of shit that I'll have to put up with.

"Hm? Why do you look sad, Maki?" Yui asks.

"Fuaah…" I breathe out through my mouth, letting a sigh escape. "I'm just coming to terms with what's about to happen eventually."

"Eeh… why does it sound so ominous, Maki?" Yui asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

Oh trust me, it is. "Nah, nothing."

I can't afford to let Yui and Yukinoshita suffer from Isshiki's cheekiness. That kid, young as she may be, is actually far more cunning than Yukinoshita. As much as I don't want to get involved with whatever it is that Isshiki's going to eventually make me do, I have to go and hand it to that kid.

From what I've heard, she - with the help of Shiromeguri-senpai of course - has picked her cabinet members already. Looks like she actually went out of her way to think about this too, makes me relieved a little bit. Okay, yeah, so what if I didn't trust her that much at first?

And it's not like she's gonna be completely alone in it either. After all, her dependable senpais are right here after all.

"Uwaaah Maki, you had like a really gross face for a second there. Like an overly proud dad who can't keep quiet about his kid getting an A on his test scores."

"Oh? I thought it has been firmly established that Uzumaki-kun's facial feature is-"

"Oi, oi, oi can you guys not? Hiratsuka-sensei is still here…" The audacity of these girls, even with sensei around, they still don't hold back?!

"Ehh… so this is what you guys are like whenever I'm not around, huh? Nice work, Uzumaki, you even got Yukinoshita talking. Although, I agree with Yuigahama, it was pretty gross."

"God damn it!"

What is it, huh?! Is today 'Bully Naruto Day' or something?!

After they're finished giving me the roast of the century, we make our way to the faculty room. An entourage of our own, led by Hiratsuka-sensei. I kinda have to admit, it's nice to have people look at you as if you're some sort of important person. Yeah, that's the kind of thought I have when the other students move aside to let us walk on the way here.

Entering the faculty room, it's been rearranged to accommodate the sheer number of people that will be here later. Desks are put aside to allow space in the middle, basically the same arrangement as the one in the meeting room. So, uh, why don't we just do the meeting in the meeting room and not here?

Meh, ain't gonna question it.

Inside, there are several familiar faces. I say several although I kind of recognize them all; there are some teachers who I'm not really familiar with so I'll omit them out.

From the corner of my eye, I can already spot the star of the whole debacle; Isshiki herself. She notices our presence and does a wave that's supposed to make her look cute and adorable or something, although it won't work on me since I've seen how foxy she can be.

Yui, as expected, returns the gesture with a cute wave of her own. Yukinoshita briefly acknowledges the future student council president's presence with a brief nod and Hiratsuka-sensei is already on her seat the moment Isshiki notices us. Me? I give her wink, which grosses the hell out of her judging from the disgusted expression she's making right now.

Isshiki is not alone. She's accompanied by an entourage of her own, much like how we are with Hiratsuka-sensei.

Shiromeguri-senpai, bless her soul, is present which is logical considering that she's the current student council president. There are three students who I have never seen before, I think, and it seems like they are Isshiki's new co-workers.

Man… it ain't even their time yet, but I feel sorry for them already.

"Now that we are all here, we can begin the meeting."

We approach our labeled seats. Well, only the new student council members and some of the teachers have their seats labeled; Yukinoshita, Yui and I just take whatever space there is near Hiratsuka-sensei.

And what follows is a session of whomever-the-fuck cares about. Basically, the principal wants to hear the progress of things himself and that is all they tell him. Isshiki and Shiromeguri-senpai do most of the talking and I have to say that I am surprised Isshiki can speak so well. I guess I have been underestimating her all this time. This cheeky little fox of an underclassman of mine turns out to be more than meets the eye.

And that actually reassures me somehow. Komachi plans on entering Soubu, so, the least that I can do is secure a capable student council president for her.

Stretching my arms, it takes everything I have in me to not express just how boring the last thirty minutes was.

"Ah, senpai, Yukinoshita-senpai, Yui-senpai!"

If it isn't miss president-elect herself.

"Iroha-chan, yahallo!" Again. Looks like it's still going on.

"Yahallo!"

Walking over to us, miss soon-to-be president waves her cute little hand at us.

"Thank you so much for attending this meeting senpai, even though you guys didn't really have to."

"Think nothing of it, Isshiki-san." Our club rep says with a slight smile. "This is a part of our agreement and we intend to see through this until the very end."

"You don't have to make it sound like she's running for a real election, Yukinoshita." I roll my eyes, making myself look more like a jerk than usual. "It's scary to picture what she'll do with that kind of power."

"Oh I know what I'll do alright," Isshiki huffs, crossing her arms going all 'tsun' on us, "and it'll involve not allowing mean, blonde haired whisker faced senpai's from bullying cute, adorable student council presidents ever."

I shrug. "See? She's already demanding the impossible."

"Are you saying that you'll be bullying me from now on, senpai?" She bows low, like, a formal bow. "I'm sorry for what I said but don't think that we'll have a chance of hitting it off just because we have this sort of senpai-kouhai relatio-OW!"

"M-Maki hit a girl!"

"As expected from a brute."

I scoff. "Puh-lease." I rub the finger that I used to flick Isshiki's forehead with. "It wasn't even a hit."

But I still dealt +5 damage to her, I suppose.

Level Up!

"Owowowow… senpai, I didn't really expect you to bully me for real." Oh now she's whining. "What will become of our beautiful relationship from here onwards, senp-AAAAIIIEEE!"

"You ever heard the phrase 'be careful what you wish for?' Isshiki?" I rub my middle finger this time. It actually hurts a little.

Grinning, I flex the fingers on my right arm. "They made an entire Disney sitcom based on that saying starring Selena Gomez back in two thousand seven."

"I never knew Maki and Iroha-chan are this close…"

She must have intended to say it for herself, but those of us near her - pretty much ALL OF US - hear her loud and clear. Good job Yui. Good job.

"But I don't think I'm liking this closeness of ours, Yui-senpai…" Whine all you want brat, I'm going to make sure that you're doing your job properly.

"S-See! He's looking at me while smiling like that, help me Yukinoshita-senpai!"

"Yeah ple-OW!"

Yukinoshita! What the hell?!

"Not to worry Isshiki-san," she waves the hand that she used to pinch my cheeks with, "we will make sure to tighten the leash on this one."

"Oi, I'm not the club's dog."

"Ara? Who says that you're a dog?"

Oh, looks like she's being reasona-

"You're a cat, Uzumaki-kun. A cat."

-ble… nevermind.

"Hm? But I don't think you're supposed to put cats on a leash, Yukinon."

"You're going along with her?!" I snap at Yui.

Isshiki tags along with us out of the room but it's only her. It seems that she's completely abandoned her committee already. I was right to feel sorry for them.

"Anyway, I'm gonna grab some grub from the cafeteria. Ciao."

"Wait, Maki!"

Woman you interrupted my ciao!

Sighing, I turn my head and face the young lady who has her hand placed firmly on my shoulder.

"What is it?" I'm not gonna hide it. If I sound like I'm irritated that's because I am. And hungry.

"Let's go eat in the club room!" Her eyes are sparkling. Urgh, Yui's sparkly eyes, one of my many weakness.

But I don't see what's wrong with the suggestion. I do spend a lot of time in that unused classroom. I shrug. "Sure."

"Great! You can join us if you want too, Iroha-chan!" Oh geez, she's already romping up another victim here.

"U-Uh…" Try not to look into her eyes, Isshiki, you won't be able to resist it. "I think I'll have to say no to that, Yui-senpai. I think Shiromeguri-senpai and the others are looking for me."

Woman, it's your fault in the first place for leaving them.

"Ah, is that so? Okay then…" Oh god, not the droopy eyes. "See ya later then, Iroha-chan, and good luck!"

Isshiki salutes playfully, smiling. She also gives Yukinoshita a nod and is returned in courtesy. Then, when she faces me, she sticks out her tongue before turning a perfect one eighty and bolts off through the halls.

"That brat…!"

"Is this the last box?"

"Hm? Ah, yeah, yeah. Just put them down over there."

"..."

"Hm? Don't you hear me, senpai? Just put it down there, vice president-kun will sort it out later."

Oi, at least remember your council members' names.

It's been exactly a day after Isshiki got formally elected as the Student Council President. Her inauguration was unexpectedly… normal and it went along smoothly just as the event organizers intended. The Service Club barely lend their hands into it, something I'm not complaining about. We're just glad that this is all over with and I can guess that Isshiki feels the same way.

Placing the overly stuffed cardboard box that I have been carrying all the way from the storage room on the folding table Isshiki is using to support her weight, which isn't that much, I make myself at home in this soon-to-be student council office and drag a nearby chair for myself.

"Tough day?"

The moment the sigh escapes her lips, I can tell that I am right.

"You know, senpai, at first, I thought it wasn't going to be that bad. Student council president. Doing paperwork. Attend club budget meetings. Help plan events."

I can feel the life escaping from her very being as she speaks.

"I can handle those. I've done most of those as the soccer club's manager, in fact. But then I realized that I can't not do paperwork, attend club budget meetings or help plan events. I have to. I have to do these things on the daily and this is what I'll be doing for the rest of my high school life until this job gets passed down to the next guy or girl who's unfortunate enough to have some blonde haired senpai sweet talk them into taking the job."

"You got something to say to me then say it! You don't have to be all passive aggressive like that!" I abruptly rise from my chair, raising a shaking fist.

Rather than acting childish and blow raspberries at me, the newly appointed student council president gives me a smile that reminds me of a certain older Yukinoshita.

"Ah, but I'm not complaining or anything senpai."

"Like hell you weren't."

"Really, I'm not complaining." She stretches her arms upwards, the soft sound of her bones cracking is audible to me. "I'm just saying what I feel about this whole thing. It might sound like I'm complaining, senpai, but I'm not; really."

I can be sceptical about this, but I don't see why I should. It's understandable that Isshiki is finding the whole 'being a student council president' thing a hassle, it's her first day after all. And with the kind of workload waiting for her, I can't blame her.

"Well, it's not like you're in it alone Isshiki. You have your committee with you and the service club to rely on." I sigh out, perching my chin on my palm. "Although I'll appreciate it if you don't rely on us too much."

"Muu… you almost sound reliable there, senpai."

"Hey, I am reliable."

My foxy junior giggles, hiding her lips behind her sleeve. "Haaah… yeah, I suppose you are, senpai."

W-Why are you making such a faraway expression like that, Isshiki?! If you're teasing your senpai it's bad! Minus fifty points! Minus!

Now the both of us aren't saying anything. I blame it on the perfectly calming mood we have right now. It's technically recess, but some classes are still ongoing. Aside from several second year classes, class is still ongoing for everyone. My class has been assigned to help out with the clean up on the auditorium. Thankfully, I'm not one of the poor sods that has to do that; I have it easy and nice, just like I wanted. Although I won't mind helping since they're paying us with food.

"You mind if I turn on the AC?" I ask, holding the remote with my hand.

"Ah, sure, sure."

The beeping sound that the sensor makes as it registers the IR light which ultimately turns on the air conditioning unit is fleeting in existence. By the time we know it, we're already feeling warm air blowing on us. Modern air conditioning is such a blessing, but those heat lamp ones aren't that bad either.

"Y'know, Komachi is gonna apply for Soubu next year."

"Hah? Komachi? What's that, food?"

"No, you idjit, she's my unrelated little sister."

"Siscon?"

"No."

Then, Isshiki does a double take. "Wait, unrelated?" she asks me with confused expression on her face. "How does that work, senpai?"

"She's not my little sister. In fact, we aren't related at all." I wave her suspicious expression off. "She's my… boss's daughter and we happen to be close."

"But to consider her your little sister…"

Hm? Can't quite hear you if you're mumbling like that, Isshiki. "What was that?"

"N-Nothing." Your face is red, Isshiki. Is it too hot for you? You can just turn the heat down if you want to. The remote's right here. "Heeh… so senpai has a younger girl he's close to, huh?"

I snort. "What, you really think you're the only younger girl I know?" Sorry to say but you're not, Isshiki.

"Hmm… not really, but you can't deny that I'm your favorite younger girl that you've ever known, right senpai?"

Uwaaah… her sickly sweet tone is making me cringe. And I did. I cringe. "Guh, you wish. Komachi is still cuter than you anyway." I subconsciously huff, crossing my arms on the table.

"Eeeeh…? Really? Then I guess I'll just have to meet Komachi-chan myself."

Yeah, I guess you'll have to-wait.

Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Isshiki… meeting Komachi?

Countless of bad scenarios began to play in my head should these two ever meet up in person. I can feel my face morphing into grim realization, something that Isshiki will eventually notice, which is why I quickly brush it off.

"Hm, just don't talk to her too much. You'll corrupt her with your foxiness." I warn her.

"See? Aren't you being a siscon, senpai?"

"Nope, I'm just doing what any older sibling would do when their little sisters are potentially capable of being corrupted by foxy student council presidents."

"How mean!"

When I say today has been a long day, I am not kidding.

Today is a long day. Heck, the past few weeks have been long; the longest I've ever experienced as a high school student, in fact. Never mind the whole deal with Sagami and Ayano, that's probably the least memorable part, but Isshiki's coronation has been taking a toll on the entire school faculty and not just us volunteers.

I'm not tryin'a make it sound like it's Isshiki's fault for being president and causing a hassle for everyone else, because ultimately, that'll mean that I'm also at fault because I'm the guy who convinced her to take the job in the first place.

Huh, shit's starting to go full circle.

But anywho, if there's someone or people to blame, it's the school itself. Soubu's reputation for being one of the most prestigious school in Chiba requires itself to be… a pain in the ass for the most parts. So things like school festivals, student council election or any important event at all must be done with the utmost effort.

I mean, shit, if the school festival wasn't bad enough; I can only imagine if they decided to throw a ball or some shit. That'd be lovely to organize.

But none of that matters right now. Right now, I'm in the club room chilling with my earphones on and my laptop playing my favorite playlist.

And boy oh boy, I'm really enjoying the AESTHETIC right now.

Skrrr… bang.

"Oh, Maki, you're here."

...and just like that, my enjoyment is short lived.

I don't have the volume playing that high, which is why Yui's entrance into the room disrupts my peace and quiet. I give her a half lidded stare, a small frown fixed on my face.

She notices this, which explains why she's walking towards me with a pout on her face.

"You don't have to make that kind of face Maki."

I roll my eyes. "Just sit down already, you're disrupting the mood." I shrug my shoulders.

Huffing, and still pouting, our resident eye candy childishly pulls out a chair, bringing it next to me. She unfolds the chair and sets it so that she's now sitting beside me. She is still not facing me, her cheeks puffed out like mochi tinged with a little bit of redness.

I resist a chuckle. She is kind of adorable.

"...ne, what are you listening to?"

Again, adorable.

Pulling out one of the earphone buds, the one easier for Yui to use, I hold it out to her. "Wanna hear?"

"O-Okay."

She slowly places the earphone bud on her ear, sharing the music I'm listening. Slowly, I observe as her expression changes. It transforms from unfamiliar exposure to mild confusion, then she begins to settle in, letting the music overcome her.

"I never know you listen to this kind of music, Maki." She comments as I browse through documents that needed filing. "What genre is this?"

"It's a bit complicated." I say, scratching my chin with my free hand. "This playlist contains several genre of music, most of them are lo-fi hip-hop, DnB, vaporwave and all that. These ones specifically aren't very popular."

"Oh… but there's no lyrics at all though." Is that a complaint I hear?

"Well, yeah." I pause my browsing to look at Yui who has her eyes wandering the ceiling for some reason or another. "I mean, why would they? They're good enough as it is."

I mean, it's better than having some tool repeating the same fucking words for the whole entire duration of the song.

"Why? Is it boring for you?" I ask.

"What? N-No! It's just… unexpected, I guess." I raise an eyebrow, indicating her to elaborate. "I mean, just like you said before, these songs aren't really popular; so I kind'a expect you to listen to the more popular ones, y'know?"

"I do listen to some, but they don't really suit the mood especially with how… noisy most mainstream songs can be."

"Ah, I get you, I get you."

Now, the two of us return to silence, with the only thing accompanying us the music smoothly playing in our ears and the constant ticks and tacks that my keyboard is making as I type. The yellowish orange and purple sky is visible through the windows of the room, illuminating the room with a soft evening glow. It's a little bit chilly, since we're almost entering that time of the season, but not too cold to a point where I'll have to blast the A/C on full power just in case Yui gets too cold.

This period of silence I can cherish. It really feels different from all those times of having to type away all by myself in a studio apartment with the lights turned off. Having the company of your club mate isn't so bad after all.

"You know, Maki…"

Yui's sudden call snaps me out of my thoughts. "What?" I ask.

"I just realized… if you hadn't convinced Iroha-chan to become student council president… then there's a high chance that Yukinon will be elected as the student council president."

Oho?

"What makes you say that?"

"I-I mean!" She stutters. "Yukinon's a very smart girl! The teachers like her and if she ran for president I'm sure a lot of people would've voted for her!"

Unfortunately, I can't say that they'll be doing it out of the goodness of their heart, Yui. Much like what happened with Isshiki, Yukinoshita Yukino has people that don't particularly like her.

"And if Yukinon became student council president… she won't have any time to spend with us in the club."

Ah. I see.

Yui has a smile on her face. But I can't say it's one of happiness. No. It is of happiness, just not the right kind.

It's the smile of someone who is relieved.

"I'm just… glad that I can get to be in the club with you and Yukinon. When I figured this whole out, I was very, very glad that Iroha-chan ended up being president. I-I know it's selfish… but I'm just glad."

Yeah, it's selfish alright.

"So… thank you Maki."

This time, she's looking at me with glistening eyes. The melancholy remains, but it has been alleviated with sincere gratitude. This is sincerity in its purest form.

"Thank you for saving this club."

At… first, I don't know what to say. I'm sitting here, clueless and completely unsure on how to respond. But then, I realize, I don't have to.

"Ow!"

"Yui you idjit." My tone takes on a scolding tone. The motion that I make causes the earphone jack to disconnect from the laptop, letting the music freely flow and roam all throughout the room.

"H-Hey! What did I do?!" She makes a troubled expression. Shit. I think she might be crying again this time.

"You became an idjit, Yui." I flatly say, sighing soon after. Turning my posture, I also shift my chair and seating position to completely face her. "Look, here, Yui."

I look at her in the eye.

"There's no need to thank me. I did it because there was no other easier way. If we let Yukinoshita run for president, she'll work us to the bones and not letting us go even if we beg and cry for mercy. And when she becomes president, which will ultimately happen if she ran for the position in the first place, she'll make us her committee! Can you imagine how hellish that'd be, Yui? Having to be at the beck and call of a devil superwoman like her and imagining that someone like that having the authority of a student council president? Man I shudder. I. Freaking. Shudder, Yui."

Yui's expression slowly transforms into a 'what the fuck'.

"And that's not the worst part. Eventually, we'll have to do student council stuffs which is like TWICE the trouble compared to the things we're already doing. I'll tell you what I told Isshiki; remember what Uncle Ben said, great power begets great responsibility; and Yukinoshita is a fucking tyrant even without student council president privileges. I'm not normally the type of guy to choose between two evils, in fact, if I have to, I'd rather not choose at all; but in this case, Yui, I'd rather suffer under Isshiki's dictatorship rather than that devil superwoman's tyran-"

"Ohoho…"

Oh. Fuck.

My body freezes all over. I look at Yui with a deadpan expression.

"She's right at the door, isn't she?"

Yui nods her head very slowly.

"How long?" I ask Yui, my voice as dry as sandpaper.

"Ever since you start talking about Yukinon working us to the bones and not letting us go even if we beg and cry for mercy?"

"That's right from the beginning!" I turn my body to face the person standing under the door frame. "Y-Yukinoshita, I can expla-"

"No. There's no need, Uzumaki-kun." Rather than a furious expression, our club president has a very wide smile on her face. Something which is twelve times scarier than fury. "I heard you loud and clear and it seems that you have some… bottled up opinions that you want to share regarding my humble self."

She slowly makes her way towards us. Towards me. My ninja instinct is screaming at me to run, because fuck me for triggering a woman's righteous fury.

"Let's have a little chat shall we, Uzumaki-kun? It's the service club's duty to listen to people's troubles, after all. Even their own members."

Woman your Yandere tendencies are showing! Have you been taking lessons from Katsura Kotonoha?!

"Y-Yukinoshita, you're scaring me!" I turn to look at Yui. "Yui hel-THAT BOOBHEAD RAN AWAY!"

"Now, now Uzumaki-kun. Today's service club counseling service is in session, please take a seat."

"N-No! You can't make me!"

"Sit. Now."

My body just went full Inuyasha on the chair.

For the next hour, Yukinoshita and I discussed just how important trust and image is in the context of an interpersonal relationship and then she proceeds to berate and insult me, saying how I have none of those two aforementioned things.

Today was a long day.

Bruh, that feeling when you have to deal with workplace racial harassment… But never mind that. Most of the stereotypes the guy mentioned was right anyway.

So, anyway, this was it for this chapter. I know I kind'a 'axed' the whole bit with Sagami but I think it's the best way to end it without causing any future problems.

This chapter concludes Isshiki's election as student council president and it might seem too fast, which it is, but the anime wasn't exactly detailed about the election too.

Lastly, I'm going full OOC now. I have come to fully accept just how much of a rebel I am and after having being 'woke af' by day to day experience, I've come love myself and believe in myself more.

…

Yeah, forget that last part.

This was it for this chapter, see ya on the next one.