Chapter 1
It's the start of his senior year in high school and everything's been going according to plan.
"Not surprising at all. Lelouch Lamperouge is earning the most votes among the six candidates. Well, that's expected when you have the largest fanclub in school."
"They comprise what? Almost 15% of the student's population. It will be a sure win for him, then."
"Well, to be fair, he was a capable vice-president during his term. Let's be honest, he cleaned up Milly's messes real well last year, but his arrogant attitude is a complete turn-off."
"Then, it's good that I am not pursuing you, Kallen."
The three of them flinch at his sudden arrival. Or has he been there all along, silently eavesdropping to their conversation? Well, he rather not reveal the real situation and let them wonder if he had heard all their comments. Plus, it's not like they were talking badly of him, in fact, what they all said are true.
"Lelouch! Stop sneaking at other people's back like that!" Kallen bursts as she tries to hide her flustered expression.
"Ah, but it was amusing to listen to your comments. And here I thought I'm going to find out if someone's talking ill of me behind my back."
"Someone will if you continue that pompous attitude of yours," the girl mutters to which Lelouch only answers with a smirk as he makes his way to the front. He stands before the screen monitor and admire the numbers infront of him. It will be an easy win. The difference between him and the second placer is enormous that it will be impossible for Gino Weinberg to catch up.
"Remind me again why Gino dare to go against me?" he asks.
"He didn't 'go against you'. He simply joins the election for experience and fun. You know how he is. Not everything is about you, Lamperouge."
"And you don't have to be angry all the time, Stadtfeld. You'll develop wrinkles soon if you keep that habit."
"Ass."
"Err, anyway," Rivalz nervously places himself between them before Kallen can throw a punch on Lelouch's face. Though bickering is a common occurrence between them, he doesn't want to deal with angry fan girls who are out for revenge against whoever hurt the 'love of their lives'. "The sophomore's votes aren't counted yet and they have the biggest population here. The election can still turn more exciting in the next few days."
"But even so, majority of them will definitely vote for Lelouch after what he did for them during the last school festival," adds Suzaku.
"All of my moves since freshman year are all calculated for this ultimate goal. And next week, the whole school will be at my mercy."
"Hey, Suzaku, what's that homework Miss Nu left for us yesterday? I wasn't able to catch it," Kallen asks, already switching to her 'Ignoring Lelouch and his crazy speeches' mode.
"What? It was difficult! I won't let you copy mine this time! I stayed up late just to solve it."
"Rivalz?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't know we have homework."
Lelouch sighs at his helpless friends. What would they do without him? He retrieves his notebook and wordlessly hands it to Kallen.
"Oh, cool! Thanks, you're the best! You'll surely win the elections, buddy," she says while patting his arm, but Kallen's strength has always been stronger than ordinary girls so Lelouch expects some redness on his skin later.
"Just remember to return it before the class starts!" Lelouch calls as they leave. Checking his watch, he decides to pay the middle school students a surprise visit. There is ample time to say 'Hi' to his younger sister and ward off the boys who try to get close to her. Might as well live up to his 'siscon' reputation every now and then.
"Mother is going to make dinner for us later so you better come home early."
Lelouch pushes the wheelchair towards a bench in the school grounds where they can watch the entering students peacefully. He makes sure that Nunnally is under the tree's shade and her young skin isn't getting bitten by any insect. It's such a convenience that their academy both caters to middle school and high school students. Such arrangement is favourable to the Lamperouge siblings especially with Nunnally's condition. Even though she is pretty much an independent girl, Lelouch cannot help but worry about her all the time.
"I have to finalize my platforms and projects after school so that might take a while. Eat without me," he says.
"But she is really looking forward to it. Please, Lelouch. Even just for tonight."
Lelouch looks away and swallows. Her big doe eyes are a force to behold. They make it hard for him to say 'No'. Ah, damn it. He can never say 'No' to Nunnally. Dinner will surely be awkward later but he doesn't want to break Nunnally's heart.
"I'll try to finish early," Lelouch mutters as he spots a black luxury car parking infront of the gates. Narrowing his eyes, he tries to get a better view of who's going to come out.
"Who might that be? That is one expensive car," Nunnally utters beside him. Students stop from walking and take their time to see the mystery person, not minding getting late for their classes. It is not everyday that a car as luxurious as this one arrives infront of their school. Well, there are the few wealthy kids studying in Ashford Academy yet they don't prance around riding this kind of car and… wait, did a man actually go out first and open an umbrella effectively covering who their VIP is from Lelouch's sight? And are those actual personal security guards around them?
"Does the president of the country have a surprise visit in our school?" Nunnally wonders.
The president of the country can be an extreme assumption but not a far-fetched guess of who the VIP might be with all these security personnel scattered around. But as long as this situation doesn't affect the student council election, Lelouch does not mind at all. In fact, he will be more eager to give the VIP a tour around the school and explain its history and vision.
Suddenly, the bell rings and everything is put again into motion. A sea of excited chatters and urgent calls fill the air and Lelouch gives Nunnally a hasty but gentle goodbye.
"Don't forget about later!" his sister shouts infront of her classroom's door.
Half-running backwards, Lelouch shouts, "I'll think about it!"
Welp, that's another item to add to his long list of things he has to carefully ponder about.
A new student. That is something Lelouch didn't expect to happen today. And for them to join his section during the last year of high school is a curious case to say the least. He can only imagine the pain of leaving your longtime friends and enter a school where everyone is a stranger. Building strong connections in a span of a year, others might find it easy, but for some, having eye-contact is the scariest part of the day.
"I believe you saw the commotion earlier by the gates," Mr. Gottwald, their homeroom teacher, begins.
"I didn't see it, but I heard it was one of the school's big shots," Kallen whispers.
"The academy's top donator was here to enroll his daughter today and she would be joining your class this school year. We know that it's hard to adjust to a new environment during the last year of high school so I ask each one of you to be welcoming and help her find her way around the academy."
"Top donator, huh?" Lelouch utters under his breath.
"So without further ado, let's all welcome Miss Cecaniah Corabelle to our class."
It's like everything has stopped. Yes, Lelouch knows that he is being cliché right now, but that's what it feels like at this moment. But not because a cheesy-romantic, heart-stopping scenario of a boy meets girl is unfolding before him right now. No, it's just what is happening. As it is. You know that kind of person who has the power to render a crowd speechless or silent by her mere presence? The kind of aura that can entrance audience in a snap? That's what he is talking about. And the fact that she possesses the facial features of someone looking like a mystery personified is just making his case solid.
She owns the brightest pair of golden eyes he had ever seen in his entire life. Her nose is small like a button reminding him of Nunnally's cute one. She has a slender figure and ivory skin which give off that haunted porcelain doll vibe from horror movies which Lelouch isn't fond of watching. Her hair is green and long and straight, those bangs of hers perfectly compliment her heart-shaped face.
But it's the way her eyes gaze at her surroundings. It's still early to judge, but for starters, her gaze unnerves him.
However, he can honestly admit that Cecaniah Corabelle is one beautiful girl. Everybody in his class will surely agree with him.
"Good morning everyone, my name is Cecaniah Corabelle but I prefer to be called C.C. It's nice to meet you."
Huh, he likes the timbre of her voice.
Mr. Gottwald looks at her kindly which is as rare sight as a meteor hitting earth. "Is there anything else you'd like to say, C.C.?"
"Hmmm..." Her gaze roams around the room, scanning their faces like a police officer. Lelouch can see her carefully taking in their expressions. He holds his breath the moment her eyes reach him like what people do underwater. He sits straighter and tilts his chin higher. It would be good to be friends with her. Having an influential person such as her father become a connection is an asset he cannot miss.
A smirk appears on her lips.
"Ah, yes. I am here to be your new student council president."
I think my cat is pregnant.