"Please, Sensei. Just one article. Please give me a chance," Fumika begged the club advisor, Itaru-sensei who was proofreading the Literature article.
It was lunchtime and they were alone in the club room. Today was supposed to be the day off for the club so Fumika was to find the advisor alone here.
"Look, I don't know what to say, Hibari. I don't think it's a good idea for you to take this on."
"Why not, Sensei? All I want is just one chance. Please."
"You will get your chance eventually so just be patient for now. Tell you what, how about you take a shot at the Mathematics section? There's an empty slot there," Itaru-sensei replied lazily.
"Sensei, it has to be the Basketball article. Just one article for this whole year. Just one. I'll do anything. I'll clean the club room. I'll handle the photocopies. I'll arrange and file all of the paperwork and articles from the day Ryonan was established!"
Itaru-sensei looked up at Fumika and with a defeated look, he scratched his head.
"As much as I want to give you a chance, it's going to be hard. You do know that Asahara is the one in charge of that section, right?"
"I know, Sensei. I get it but it's really important for me to just be given this one article. I understand that Senpai has been here longer than me so she has more experience and seniority. I just want one. One is all I need. Just one, please."
Fumika looked at Itaru-sensei in determination and Sensei stared back in silence. Then with a sigh, he set down the article and stretched his neck out to glance over Fumika's shoulder, as though he was making sure the coast was clear.
"Hibari, do you know why Asahara is in charge of the Basketball section?"
"Because she's good with getting inside information? She's better at writing? She's the best person for the role?"
"You know that's not true, don't you?" he had on a serious look when he looked up at her.
Fumika was surprised to see the expression on her teacher's face. He always had the image of being a lazy person with no motivation. Always fooling around and joking around with the students way too much.
She didn't want to answer from the bottom of her heart because no matter how much she disliked Asahara-senpai, she wasn't going to badmouth her seniors in front of anyone else unless they are people she trusted.
"She has been on the Basketball section ever since she joined the club, I heard. She must have shown her prowess to be able to retain her role for such a long time."
"Hibari, you are one of the most talented students that have joined our clubs ever since I've held the position as this club's advisor. You are committed, hardworking and willing to learn. I like those traits in my journalists and you stood out the most among the members this year."
Embarrassed by Sensei's praise, Fumika blushed and smiled widely. "Well, when you put it like that..."
Itaru-sensei intercepted her immediately. "Of course, you do have some weak point like being stubborn, too impatient, absolutely terrible with numbers, noisy... Anyway, I got sidetracked. My point is, Hibari, you are not so bad yourself but I do my own reasons on not letting you taking Asahara's spot."
"Why not?" Fumika was super curious now. If Itaru-sensei has such high regards for her, what was stopping him?
Itaru-sensei leaned back into his chair and paused a moment before answering. "Favouritism."
Fumika immediately frowned and was ready to question his ethical behaviour but was once again intercepted.
"Hold on, before you say what I think you are about to say, I'm not the one showing favouritism to Asahara. I always believe in effort and contribution. Favouritism is something I hate a lot."
"Then who?"
His finger pointed upwards. "The top management of Ryonan."
Fumika was stunt as she registered his reply. The top management. Why would they show favouritism to Asahara-senpai? But what if Sensei said was true, it would kind of make sense as to why Asahara-senpai was so daring to act like she ruled the school.
"Can you elaborate in more details, Sensei? Why is the top management involved?"
"Have you heard of the Kurame Group?"
Fumika tilted her head. "You mean that huge conglomerate company situated in this district?"
"Yeah," Itaru-sensei nodded his head. "Asahara's father is one of the directors in the company and they are the main sponsor of Ryonan high school. Now, do you get it now?"
There was it. The driving force behind Asahara-senpai. It was bigger than Fumika expected which spelt bad news. This was going to be even more complicated now. Still, she wasn't going to back down because she can't.
"I still don't care, Sensei. I want to write the article."
"Hibari, I get you are frustrated about this but that's how our journalist club has been operating for the past three years. As long as Asahara is still here, we had to give in to her or else it would just make things worse."
"Sensei, you just said favouritism isn't good but yet you are letting her get away with this."
"Let me tell you a story then," Itaru-sensei stood up and walked towards the window with his back facing Fumika. "Three years ago, the basketball section was written by a junior student. She was bright, smart and dedicated. Everyone liked her and she was respected. Until Asahara came."
"Asahara fought for the basketball section role but her writing wasn't as good as that student. But I decided to give them a compromise to encourage their growth in which Asahara and the other student can share the responsibilities together. However, the difference in them was too wide apart as people were always praising the other girl. So Asahara was angry and was never fully satisfied with being a number two."
"Then the bully and sabotage begin. Negative rumours and scandal were spreading like wildfire so everyone steered clear of the student. That girl's parents launched official complaints to the school about the issues but the top management wouldn't investigate because they had to protect Asahara. When the parents tried to take it to the media, Kurame group shut them down. That girl endured it all until she broke down. She had to transfer school in the end."
Itaru-sensei turned around to look at Fumika. "Now, do you understand why you must not stand up against Asahara? I have always regretted I couldn't help that student because I didn't realise it was happening until it was too late. Moreover, part of me always felt if only I had realized the danger Asahara posed, none of this would have happened. So I promised myself if there's anything I can do to prevent this from happening again, I will."
Fumika bit her lips and her hand gripped in furious. Asahara-senpai was now doing the exact same thing to Yuki. Fumika knew the danger of standing up to her but there was just no way she was going to stand idly by and let her friend her hurt. She couldn't, no, mustn't let the same thing happen to Yuki.
The question is how? The plan she whipped up yesterday would definitely get Yuki off the hook from the danger of other students which is the main priority now. But was there a way to do it without getting Yuki and herself hurt in the process?
The ringing lunch bell broke Fumika's train of thoughts. "Get back to class, Hibari," Itaru-sensei said. "Just be patient. Asahara will be gone next year and I'll make sure you'll be the journalist you want to be."
Fumika bowed her head and left the club room. She made her way to the class while thinking of new plans to deal with this. She passed by a few club rooms but stopped in tracks when she heard a familiar voice.
"Well, well, well, look who it is?" Asahara-senpai greeted her from up ahead.
Fumika's head snapped up instantly and looked into the face of her senior and her two sidekicks. Damn it. Why did she have to run into them, of all people?
Fumika forced a sincere smile. "What a coincidence to see you here, Senpai."
Asahara-senpai glanced behind Fumika and shifted her posture. "So, you were coming back from the club room? Thought today was off. What were you doing there?"
"Just dropping off some stuff I borrowed."
"You are as hardworking as ever, Hibari," Asahara-senpai laughed at her but then stopped and glared at her. "Or maybe you're there, trying to suck up to Sensei just to give you the chance to write an article?"
Fumika's heart was beating fast. Was there a chance she might have been outside there earlier and heard something? No, no. It cannot be. She was just coming from the other direction. There's no way she could have heard it and even so, she didn't say anything bad. So Fumika collected herself and stood up straight.
"Nope, I was just dropping some notes at the club. By the way, I think I need to go back to class now. Got English class next. See you, Senpai."
Fumika continued to head towards the classroom.
"Hold on, Hibari," Asahara-senpai called out when Fumika walked past her.
Reluctantly, Fumika turned around and stared into Asahara-senpai's smug look. Asahara-senpai inched closer to Fumika.
"Come on, Hibari. I was a freshman once too. I've seen the eager look on your face and your fascination for the basketball club. I know you wanted to write as much as I had wanted. You were like me last time, weren't you, Hibari?"
Fumika was driven to the corner. She didn't know how to answer. She wanted to answer her honestly and bravely to stick it to her senior's face. However, the truthful answer would just lead to trouble, and Fumika was worried what happened to that transferred student may happen to her.
Just as she was about to bring herself to lie, she saw Sendoh strolling from the corridor ahead with a few girls around her. They were chatting happily and the girls looked pleased.
Damn it. He was working hard for Yuki and there's no way she's going to lose to him. She wants to be there for Yuki as much as Sendoh.
With a determined look, she replied, "Yes, I hope I get the chance to write an article for the basketball club. I was at the journalist club, asking Sensei for that opportunity."
She waited for Asahara-senpai to lash out with cruel words or evil plans but instead, she received a smile. "Good, I will give it to you. One article."
Fumika's eyes widened in surprise. That was unexpected. Maybe she's a nice person in a way? No way, there has to be catch in this.
"On a condition, of course."
There it was. That's what villains do in the movie and a villain like Asahara-senpai would have done the same nonetheless. That's right, Fumika decided to brand her as a villain from now on.
"What do you need?"
Asahara-senpai handed a fold of paper and a small note to Fumika who accepted cautiously. The paper revealed the same flyer about Yuki. Oh yeah, Asahara-senpai didn't know about the lie and thought she didn't read it. Then the small note revealed one word, 'Slut'. Fumika thought to herself, 'Did she just called me a slut?'
Fumika looked up, ready to hurl insults at Asahara-senpai for but she was cut off.
"I saw you and that girl yesterday so I figured you might not have gotten the flyer," Asahara-senpai said as she gestured her head towards the flyer. "So here's the notice for you. Take your time and read it but here's the summary, she's not a good person and not welcomed in this school anymore. She crossed the line so I want her gone. Out of this school."
Each of her words was filled with venom. Fumika decided not to respond because she somehow know there were more to come.
"So, my condition in exchange to write an article so you can stand out among the rest of the freshman, I just need you to do something for me."
"What is it?"
Asahara-senpai pointed at the small note. "I want you to slip that note in her desk every day. I'll give you the notes so don't worry about the colourful words. You prove your loyalty and the article is yours."
That was it. Her breakthrough. The chance she needed to help Yuki. It came to her in an unexpected way but it still came through. Fumika drew the plan in her head at that moment and after a quick setting, things would still go according to the plan even if she accepted Asahara-senpai's request.
The only problem is she is now part of the people bullying Yuki. The thing was she has seen the other students were already doing something to Yuki but Yuki being Yuki didn't say anything. Fumika had wanted to do something but she hasn't come up with a plan to combat that just yet.
The article is the main core of the plan so she needed it no matter what. She must not waver now. It's just a short term thing so it should be okay. Once everything is over, she'll explain herself to Yuki and she was sure Yuki will be understanding about it.
Before she was able to reply, Asahara-senpai continued. "Oh wait, you also can't talk to her anymore. I want her to feel complete isolation."
Fumika kept quiet for a while before replying.
"Senpai, why are you doing this to her?"
Asahara-senpai tilted her head. "I don't want her around Shiroma-sama. I don't like how she is just slithering her way into the Basketball team. She must have done something to them to be seduced like that."
Fumika knew she could just explain it was all just a misunderstanding but she was sure that Asahara-senpai would not believe about the connection between Yuki and the guys. Instead, she wants to think of the solution that can allow her plan to work rather than giving in to Asahara-senpai's tyranny in this school.
"I get what you mean but what makes you think I'll help you, Asahara-senpai?" Fumika asked.
Asahara-senpai shrugged. "From what I've heard, other than the basketball team members, you're the only person she talks to. I guess I want to test where your loyalty lies. Is it with us or her? I'm giving you a chance to decide who should you really side with before I take a, how should I say this, harsher action."
This could turn out bad if Fumika doesn't play her cards right. She cannot risk putting herself in danger so she decided to put on an act.
Fumika put on a strained smile she hoped would just be viewed as an evil smile. "I guess I will just have to thank you for presenting the opportunity then. Your timing couldn't have been better. I can't stand the idea of her talking to Shiroma-sama anymore."
Asahara-senpai's right eyebrow arched in amusement. "Ah, I see. So you do have the same admiration for Shiroma-sama as us then. Is that the reason you're hanging out with her?"
Fumika shrugged. "I hung out with her at first because I was just being nice. I didn't know she was actually connected to the basketball team until recently so I thought l hit a jackpot when I found out. But when I tried to make her introduced me to the team yesterday, she rejected me. The nerve!"
"See, she's not a good person that's why she has to go."
"Still, she has some connection to the basketball team so if you want me to steer clear away from her completely, I can't do that. She might still be of use to me. At most, I will try not to talk to her and stay away from her as much as I can. Oh, and also the note thing."
Asahara-senpai clapped her hands. "My, oh, my. You are even more devious than I thought. Very well then, we have a deal."
Fumika urged herself to not break character now. See it through! Hours of watching movies and drama may have proven to be useful.
"A deal then," Fumika said and slipped the note in her pocket. "I want an article this Friday, may I?"
"Yes, you may, Hibari. Yes, you may. I'll tell Sensei about this. In the meantime, I'll give you a note every day. Just slip it under her desk. That's all you need to do. Well, bye now."
Without waiting for Hibari's reply, Asahara-senpai and her two minions turned left the corridor and walked up the stairs. The moment they were out of sight, Hibari let out a sigh of relief. She made it through. Now all she has to do is think of what to do with the note and the next action in the plan.
"Hey, who's that girl?" a voice asked from behind her.
She turned around to see Sendoh peering curiously in the direction Asahara had just walked to.
"You scared the hell out of me, Sendoh!" Fumika exclaimed but quickly clasped her hand on her mouth then whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for something. You still haven't answered my question. Who was that?"
"Asahara-senpai. The one that is behind the flyer and whole sabotage of Yuki."
"Oh, that was the girl? So what did you guys talk about?"
"I will tell you all about it later. Hold on," Fumika was finally registering she was talking to Sendoh. "Didn't I tell you not to let anyone see us together in the school?"
Sendoh gestured around. "Do you see anyone here besides us?"
Fumika looked around and sure enough, it was empty. Wait, this means... "Oh no! Lunch is way past over! I have to get back to class. I'll meet you later after school. Bye!"
She ran off to the classroom in hurry without waiting for any replies from Sendoh. All she knew was she is so going to get into trouble. Come to think of it, what was Sendoh doing near the clubrooms?