I have people asking for Kise and Kuroko's appearance, so I made this short filler arc! And any Niji-Yume shippers here? I have this arc mostly planned, so hopefully the next few updates will be quick.
Pairings : Undecided
Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 31 - Friendship is always a sweet responsibility
It was an ordinary school day, the lessons were taught by the teachers and students diligently took notes to aid their studies. The whiteboard on the front of the class was one of the medias used to deliver these informations. And currently, it was filled with another information, containing several names of the students in the class, with varying tallies count next to each name.
The Class President of 1-B, a female student by the name of Takahashi Kiyoko, and her Vice President, a male student by the name of Yamato Shougo, concluded the voting for the student representative of 1-B as the Cleaning Day's committee after every votes in the class had been garnered.
"Manai-san, please represent our class as the representative of the Cleaning Day's committee." Kiyoko smiled as she circled a particular spot on the whiteboard, her eyes trained on the brunette at the back of the class.
'Manai Yume - (twenty-three tallies) O'
"Good luck." Shougo curtly nodded at her, his expression stiff like a board.
Apparently, the reason why the fair brunette was chosen by a wide margin was because she was a member of the Student Council and thus had experiences with the job description of a representative, such as holding discussions and making decisions.
Although, said brunette wasn't quite happy with the result seeing as she had her part-time works to juggle with her studies even without another on her plate.
'I'll have to notify the managers...' she remarked inwardly, sighing mentally at the development.
Her managers, both from the convenience store and the bookstore were fortunately compassionate people and they understood her responsibilities as a student, so they could be quite lenient with her. However, she wasn't happy to behave based on that. She preferred to earn what she deserved.
"This must be hard, eh, Yuu-chan?" the pinkette murmured with a frown as students began to vacate the class. She gave a tiny smile and a nod. "I promise I'll help you!" she voiced proudly.
Yume shook her head at this. "No. Sat-chan, you're already busied with your club activities. I don't want to increase your burden."
Despite this, Momoi still held strong. She pouted, persistent. "You're one to talk, Yuu-chan! You're busier than I am!" she pointed out.
Which was true. While the pinkette had only the basketball club to worry about in addition to her studies, and perhaps her childhood friend, the brunette had her hands full with balancing her studies, part-time works and Student Council's matters.
With these thoughts in mind, she wilted abruptly, surprising the brunette. "It's not fair that Yuu-chan is chosen just because you're experienced..." she muttered, her head hung in dejection.
"It's a good thing that Yuu-chan is capable of managerial works and few others, but it isn't a reason for the others to keep depending on you like you're the only person on Earth...!" she continued ranting, her eyes began to moist over.
Like, seriously? They had thirty-eight students in class, and out of those thirty-eight, twenty-three chose her friend to shoulder the responsibility which many probably considered a burden.
"...Why are you treated this way just because you're capable? It isn't fair, they didn't even ask for your opinion regarding this." she sniffled, her eyes glued to the ground.
The tell-tale of tears touched the brunette for the sincere concern her bestfriend displayed. For this, she did something she never before by initiating the physical contact, which was usually the pinkette's job. She gently reached for her hand and grasped it comfortingly, smiling.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Sat-chan... But you see... It was a voting, and everyone else had a right to decide who they think is suitable." she whispered softly.
Her smile stayed as the sniffling girl raised her gaze. "Perhaps some didn't want the responsibility, but others probably believed I can do better than themselves, thus the choice." she continued.
"Besides," her smile lightened, causing her expression to brighten. "I wasn't the only one depended on. During the Teikō's Festival, everyone on the class worked hard, didn't they?"
Momoi sniffled, but nodded. She recalled those busy yet fun times of preparing for the festival, from the decorations to the outfits for the cafe, and the advertising she and her friend did with their animal-ears on the day of the festival.
"...What about the Student Council, your part-time works and studies?" she murmured, her worries reflected on her peach orbs.
She hesitated, having the same thoughts as her friend. "I... will try to balance them somehow, it's only for this week. I will be fine." she convinced both of them.
"But if I need any help, I will be sure to contact you, Sat-chan." she smiled at this, playful.
Satisfied, the pinkette nodded as she smiled. That was what she wanted to hear, for friends would be ready to back the other when needed. With that, the two left the empty classroom. They walked together until a certain point because the Gym and her meeting place was in the same direction.
"I wonder if Akashi-kun is the 1-A's representative, since he is capable and all..." the pinkette voiced her thoughts quietly.
Somehow, that plausible fact escaped her before. Now it came to haunt her. Yume briefly stilled soon as her brain processed the words and what it meant for her; (more) unavoidable interactions with the redhead. As if those fifteen minutes in Student Council every school days weren't enough.
"...Perhaps." she replied vaguely in a low whisper. She sincerely wished it wasn't so.
"It'd be great if he is!" the pinkette continued cheerily, unaware of her friend's thoughts. "That way, you will have someone you know to work with, Yuu-chan!"
Without a glance at her inwardly grimacing bestfriend, she pushed on. "Midorin will also do, he's in 1-A too. Well, Dai-chan is in 1-C, but the chance of him being one isn't even one percent." she commented with a shake of head.
Her childhood friend was a spectacular basketball player, if all. That was sadly, his best and only good trait. He was lazy, insensitive and... stupid! She had every rights to say that when the responsibility to make him passed his exams rested on her. And it had always been extremely difficult.
No one in their right mind would choose the tanned male to be the representative unless he was the last person on Earth, and then, there would be not one to be represented for.
"Miyazawa-san is in 1-D, right? She might be voted as one..." she muttered in thoughts.
The pinkette's data was far and wide spread, she had accumulated varying informations from simply listening to asking. And she had general ideas of who would be possible candidates for the student representatives. She might not know them personally, but she did generally.
"I will know later." she replied in a low hum. She didn't mind working with the fair ravenette if she could actually looked past the budget matters.
"...Well! Here we are, I'm going this way." Momoi chirped as she stood at the fork of the hallways, one towards the gym.
Whereas the brunette stood few steps away from her, her destination on her left-hand side. "I'll see you tomorrow." she nodded her goodbye.
"Mm. Good luck, Yuu-chan!" she waved her friend away, receiving a smiley nod in return.
After the two females part ways, the 1-B's representative silently walked down the corridors, specifically looking for the meeting place. She was told that the discussion would be held on the first floor, in the Meeting Room which was intended for what it's named after.
Arriving at the door, she relaxed herself before knocking to announce her presence and slide the door opened. As soon as she entered the room, her eyes almost immediately picked out the familiar shade of red on top of a familiar head by the window sill, his arms crossed and his posture exuded his confidence.
And she could have sworn she saw a smirk playing on his lips for the shortest moment when their eyes met. No, she was not delusional.
Fortunately (or not), her thoughts didn't linger because she soon heard another familiar voice calling out her name.
"Yo, Manai." was the casual greeting.
The second year ravenette approached her, stopping before he got too close, yet not far away to appear as strangers. "You got voted, eh? You're like Akashi in that regards, trusted for many kinds of work." he noted.
Although she had prepared herself to meet her redhead superior, she didn't think that she would see the senpai she was estranged with until the Teikō's Festival. Her surprise at his unexpected presence quickly wore off, but not without trying to hide the heat creeping up her cheeks. It was weird how it always found its way whenever he was near.
"Good afternoon, Nijimura-san." she returned his greeting, meeting his gaze, albeit shyly.
This didn't escape Nijimura's notice, and he found her behaviour endearing. The brunette was like the younger sister he always dreamed of, soft-spoken and mild-mannered. His own little sister was more on the boyish-side and while he loved her, she wasn't the sweetest. Also, his younger brother was an old man in how he acted, he was wiser than his own older brother.
The thoughts caused him to smirk, as well as the sight before him but he said nothing of it.
On the sidelines, a certain redhead looked on with his expression carefully managed and his silence kept. It was something he was accustomed to, maintaining his reaction no matter what situation he was in. In this case, it was watching his senpai from the same club and a member of the Student Council he led, interacting somewhat disturbingly.
"Is everyone here? I would like to start the discussion soon, so please take your place." one of the representatives from the third years called out their attentions.
It was clear that he was the appointed leader, by the teachers perhaps. By his call, the discussion soon began with customary introduction before delving into the matters regarding the Cleaning Day this Saturday and whatever interaction other then was halted.
The Cleaning Day was one day on Saturday where the whole student body was tasked with responsibility to clean and tidy the school area, which was held once a year. The preparations for said day began on the first day of school during the week with the participations of student representative from each class from all years in a discussion that lasted from Monday to Friday.
The elected representative from each class was to represent the class in the meetings to decide the school areas to clean with other representatives and the cleaning supplies to bring. There were eight representatives from each year, totalling to twenty-four student representatives.
Amongst these were Akashi Seijūrō from 1-A, Manai Yume from 1-B, Miyazawa Ayumi from 1-D and Nijimura Shūzō from 2-B. The twenty four representatives held discussions after school in the Meeting Room and the twenty four homeroom teachers from each class were responsible to assist the student representative of their class and helped supervise the activity on the D-day.
The Student Council was also responsible to organise the meals provided for the participating students and teachers. They allocated the given budget to search for appropriate supplier after confirming the final number of participating students with the representatives and teacher's representative.
The list of school areas to clean on the day was distributed to everyone on the room, and the appointed leader of the discussion, a third year, spoke to them all. "Start with listing the participating students of your class, the final list should be ready by Thursday."
"Participations are mandatory and should a student unable to attend, accepted documents should be prepared stating so and submitted to the homeroom teacher for confirmation." he continued, ensuring that everyone in attendance understood through eye contact.
When it appeared that they all did, he nodded in satisfaction. "That's it for today. The next meeting will be held here as well. This discussion is now dismissed." he ended.
The dismissal was followed with students leaving the room after courteous departure remarks, mainly towards the older senpai. As the mannered one, Yume did excuse herself with acceptable gestures. She didn't want to get in trouble with her senpai for being rude, that was Aomine's job. Or perhaps Midorima, and occasionally, Murasakibara.
Now that she thought of it, her group of her friends consisted of quite the rude, blunt or nonchalant individuals, excluding her, Momoi and Akashi. That was half of them.
"Manai? You're walking home alone?" the voice came unexpectedly, nearly causing her to flinch.
"A-Ah, Nijimura-san..." she hoped she didn't stutter, gazing up at the ravenette. "Yes, I am." she answered his earlier question.
"Want me to walk you home?" he offered, he found the need to, as a responsible senpai to his kōhai.
While she was surprised to see him, much like before the start of the discussion, she didn't see a reason to refuse especially after him offering to. She didn't want to hurt his feelings by saying no and caused another awkward tension between them. She had had enough with Aomine several days ago.
"S-Sure." she responded, ready to take a step away from the school building.
...Well, until she realised it was weird that the older ravenette was here but her redhead President was not when they were both in the basketball club. And today was Monday; basketball club's practice.
The reason why she wasn't walking home with her bestfriend, her recently-crowned older brother and her colourful band of friends.
It didn't make sense to her that the teen before her was skipping practice unless he had a very good reason for it. He just didn't seem to be the type of person who do things without careful considerations.
So why was he here?
And was she supposed to ask?
So yeah, how is it?
Reviews are very much appreciated!
Next time, what's Nijimura's reason for skipping practice? Will Yume ask?
