4/25
Makoto Nijima walks towards Shujin academy early in the morning. She's arriving much earlier than most students typically arrive, but that's only because of her status as student body president. Truth be told, Makoto would much rather be at home sleeping. She had stayed up far too late studying and going over notes for her quiz today about American early history. Her walk brings her up the stairs to Shujin and through the front door only to be met by the one person at the school who's more tired than she is.
"Good morning, Nijima-san," Kawakami-sensei says.
"Good morning," Makoto says with a smile.
"Having a good year so far?" Kawakami asks.
"Oh, yes. Staying on top of my studies is getting more challenging by the day but I'm managing."
"I'm glad to hear that," Kawakami replies with a somber smile. Makoto can see the bags under her eyes, poorly hidden under what looks like old makeup. Makoto doesn't know what Kawakami-sensei does outside of school, but whatever it is, it obviously keeps her busy. "There's something I meant to have you do last week, Nijima-san. But, due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn't able to be done."
Makoto looks at her inquisitively. She hoped this wasn't some big assignment or committee position she was to take.
"Of course," Kawakami-sensei begins, "I'm talking about the new student, Akira Kurusu."
Makoto's head fills with a rush of information at the sound of the name. Akira Kurusu, sixteen years old. Second year at Shujin Academy. Convicted criminal, a hikoku. Tried and convicted of assault of a member of the general public and resisting arrest at the scene. Makoto knew that rumors around the school painted Kurusu-kun as a much larger and dangerous criminal than he likely was. But she knew better from her briefing from Principal Kobayakawa.
"I… see," Makoto responds.
"I was hoping we'd be able to acclimate him to the school and set up some tutoring for him," Kawakami explains. "But, given the work he's turned in thus far, he obviously doesn't need the tutoring."
"Really? I've never seen him in the library studying or anything," Makoto says. Kawakami nods.
"Yes, he seems to leave school relatively quickly at the end of each day. Typically, he's accompanied by Ryuji Sakamoto."
Makoto groans at hearing that name. She's had her own troubles with Sakamoto-kun in the past. His near failing grades are notorious throughout the school, despite her attempts to get him to join study groups or sessions. And of course, there was the incident last year with him punching Kamoshida-sensei in the jaw. Makoto's stomach gives an involuntary lurch at the thought of him.
"I agree, if what they say about him is true," Kawakami says looking over her shoulder, "then the student body won't need the kind of trouble two people like them could cook up."
"I agree, the trouble they could cause wouldn't look good on Shujin," Makoto says. Her words remain as measured as ever, as she carefully contemplates them and delivers them without emotion. All in a fraction of a second.
"Which is why I was hoping you'd speak with him. Obviously, the introduction to the school won't really be necessary but if we can… rehabilitate him, for lack of a better term. Then perhaps, we can avoid having two Sakamoto's running around this school."
Makoto silently nods her head in agreement. I hope the rumors aren't true about Kurusu-kun getting on Kamoshida's bad side. Having potentially two most evil forces going at it in this school won't do good things to any bystanders.
"I understand," Makoto says as she bows. "I'll call Kurusu-kun into a meeting after school today if that would please you."
"That will do just fine," Kawakami says with her own small bow. "I know the rumor mill is going at the moment at the boy, but perhaps meeting with him privately wouldn't be the best thing."
"I understand. I'll have a friend accompany me then."
"Then I thank you, Nijima-san, and leave you to your business. Have a good week," Kawakami says as she walks away. Makoto pulls out her phone as she walks to the library to get some last-minute studying done before the quiz.
Makoto: Hey, I need your help with something after school today
XXXX
Akira sits in class watching the minutes tick away on his wristwatch. Today was going to be the day they found the treasure in Kamoshida's palace. Morgana assures him that if they can make it to the top of the tower today, they can move forward with the next phase of the plan to steal the treasure. As Akira sits and imagines what it will be like to take that treasure, the school intercom comes on minutes before the final bell rings for the day.
"Akira Kurusu to the student council room. Akira Kurusu to the student council room please."
Ann turns to look at Akira with wide eyes. Akira is taken aback by her reaction and furrows his brow in confusion.
"What does she want with you?!" Ann whispers. Akira doesn't know who or what she's talking about but with all eyes in class now looking at him, he doesn't have time to ask her to clarify. He packs up his things and makes his way out of the classroom and down the hall.
XXXX
Akira knocks on the door to the student council room and is greeted by a, "Come in," from inside the room. As he opens the door and walks in, he's greeted by a rather small room, much smaller than most classrooms, with a table and some chairs around it. The room seems bare, like the people who typically occupy it don't do much in making it their own. There's little sense of identity. A girl who appears to be a bit older than Akira, though none taller, stands to greet him.
"Thank you for coming to meet with me, Kurusu-kun," she says with a bow. Akira returns her bow as she continues, "I'm Makoto Nijima, student body president here at Shujin. And this is my friend, Haru Okumura," she says gesturing to another girl in the room who stands and gives her own bow and smile before returning to her seat.
"I want to apologize for not meeting with you during your first week," Makoto says. "I had intended to meet with you on your first day, had you not been late." Akira doesn't know what to make of this girl. Her statements seem measured and deliberate. But, still delivered without emotion or inflection unintentionally. This girl is accustomed to watching how she speaks and that is written plainly across her face.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I got… lost," Akira says trying to come up with an excuse.
"Yes, lost with Sakamoto-kun as I understand it," Makoto says as she takes a seat and motions for Akira to do the same. "That was something I wanted to speak with you about. You see, I've been briefed on your profile before you arrived by Principal Kobayakawa and I—"
"So, you've made up your mind then?" Akira interrupts.
"E-Excuse me?" Makoto says.
"I said, 'So, you've made up your mind then?' I'm assuming you know about my record and the rumors going around about me."
"Well, yes. I am aware of both. But it is not my place to judge. I'm merely here to be representative to the student body to individuals above and outside of us." Akira stares at her expressionless. He knows what she reminds him of now. Her manner of talking and her demeanor. It reminds him of the prosecutors on his case that first sent him on this journey he now finds himself on.
"Sakamoto-kun is known around school for not being… the highest achieving student and for trouble he's gotten into. I was concerned when I'd heard you had seemed to have become friends with him."
"You don't want me to be friends with Ryuji?" Akira asks.
"I don't want more trouble coming to Shujin, Kurusu-kun. I know what's in your file officially, and I know the rumors going around about you are the result of being this week's latest gossip. It's my responsibility to look out for the well being of the students here and that is what I am committed to doing."
"Seems like you need to commit a little harder," Akira snapped back. He immediately felt all the blood rush out of his face and his mouth drop open slightly at what he just said. Nijima-san and Okumura-san both looked at him like he'd just slapped them across the face.
"What did you just say to me?" Makoto asks in little more than a whisper. Akira looks at the two of them like he'd like nothing more than to just run out the door. He had two options: He could double down on what he said, or he can pass it off as a slip of the tongue.
"Well… I mean… with Shiho and everything with Kamoshida…" Akira mumbles. Nijima-san stares daggers at Akira as she lets the sentence hang in the air.
"I'll have you know, Kurusu, that I had no idea what Shiho was going through. And if I had, I would certainly have done something about it," she says with unhidden malice. "Furthermore, I've heard of what Kamoshida-sensei plans to report to the board in a weeks' time, and I have heard rumors about what you, Sakamoto-kun, and Mishima-kun have done to warrant this," she says as she lowers her head. "Please understand Kurusu-kun, I know how you must feel. You feel because of some part of your life you can look at the injustice in the world and do something about it because you're tough enough and strong enough to do it."
Akira is slightly relieved that she isn't hostile about his comment anymore but the change in tone of the conversation all of a sudden is unexpected.
"But don't be an idiot! You're here after your last school expelled you for your record and getting expelled here will almost certainly ruin your chances of any kind of good future for your life.
Specifically, I'd advise you to be wary with Sakamoto-kun and Kamoshida. If I were you, I'd ask Kamoshida-sensei for forgiveness and spend a little less time with Sakamoto-kun and a little more time in the library preparing for exams in a couple of weeks, if you'll still be here to take them." With that, Makoto stands from the table and moves towards the door.
Akira stands and follows her to the door as she opens it. He mutters a 'thank you' as he steps out into the empty hallway and hears the door close behind him.
XXXX
As Kurusu-kun steps out of the office, Makoto closes the door behind him and waits a few moments until she can no longer hear his footsteps. She turns to Haru with a look of mild bewilderment on her face.
"Did you hear what he said to me?" she asks.
"Yes. That was quite… rude," Haru replies. "It seemed as though he was offended that you had said you were committed to the students here."
"I'd thought that too. Haru? Do you think he knows what Kamoshida-sensei is doing?"
"Do we?"
"No," Makoto replies. "Not really. I still can't get any students to talk to me about it, but that might be because of my position as student council president. I assume anyway."
"Maybe they told Kurusu-kun about it because they want him to do something to Kamoshida-sensei?"
"It's… possible. But unlikely. I think the more likely reason he may know about is because of Sakamoto-kun. He likely informed Kurusu-kun of it when they met and coerced him into helping find dirt on Kamoshida.
It's also quite likely that Sakamoto-kun would be looking to get revenge on Kamoshida-sensei and would wrap Kurusu-kun and Mishima-kun up in some scheme against Kamoshida-sensei. Kamoshida would have found out, and now plans to expel them all at the next board meeting," Makoto says. She looks over at Haru's face for the first time since Kurusu-kun left and sees her sitting there smiling. "What?"
"It's nothing, hehehe," Haru chuckles. "He seemed to really get under your skin with that comment." Makoto sits down with a sigh.
"He did. He's been here barely a week and he's telling me that I'm not committed to this school or its students? What would he know?"
"Perhaps he doesn't," Haru says. "Perhaps he thinks he does based on his interactions with some students and Kamoshida. We'll never know unless we ask."
"What? You think we should speak with him again?" Makoto asks in surprise.
"I think we should wait and see what happens between now and the board meeting next week. Maybe he won't be expelled, and we can speak with him then. Or he'll be expelled, and we won't have to worry about it either way," Haru replies with a smile. "Orrrr… maybe he'll actually get into it with Kamoshida and break his kneecaps or something! God knows I'd love to see that, especially if your suspicions about Kamoshida-sensei are true."
"HARU!" Makoto gasps in astonishment. Haru laughs heartily as she stands to collect her things.
"C'mon, let's head back to my place and study there. I'll have the maids make us some study snacks."