Hello, Itsyoursis-Artemis here! As promised, here's the new chapter!
Please review! Let me know what you think!
*I do not own KHR, Amano Akira does.
***Flashback to the day after Ayano visited her aunt for the first time***
Tara Fujioka's eyes widened as Ayano delivered an unexpected news upon returning from her trip to Namimori. The fact that the teenager was the first to request to move out meant that the girl Tara raised and loved for 17 years had finally acquired the strength, bravery, and maturity needed to be ready to be emancipated.
It was a statewide law for orphan houses that the unadopted orphans who turned 18 must move out and either: live in foster homes or be on their own. Ayano hated the idea of living in foster homes. She didn't want to become an unnecessary member of an another family. Therefore, when Tara Fujioka made a promise to support Ayano with living expenses in college, the teenager gladly accepted it. She promised her supposedly benefactor to repay her once she became successful in her career.
However, with the revelation of the Nicolaou inheritance, Ayano decided not to be a burden to Tara. Tara never viewed her as a burden though. But, Ayano knew that sooner or later she would have to be on her own, like a deer that was raised in a sanctuary being inevitably freed to the wilderness.
Initially, she was going to decline her inheritance. She didn't need the Nicolaou money as Tara had promised to be her benefactor in college. She didn't need the title of her grandfather's house as she was going to live in the dormitory. Furthermore, the fact that her aunt still lived in the house put a pressure on the 17-year old girl, as she didn't want to kick her aunt out.
However, her missing mother had a wish.
Was it a final wish?
What if it was?
What if she was already dead?
Would Ayano fail to live her mother's last wish?
What if her mom was still alive? Where would she be then? Ayano wanted to know what happened to her mother. And the first step would be to reside in the house she was entitled to. Agatha had agreed to help her find her mother especially since she had in her possession, Yoshino's diary.
"We still have about 6 months to spend together before I move out," Ayano suggested. "I still need to finish 11th grade so I can easily transfer to Namimori high."
"While I'm saddened that you will soon depart us soon, I will happily support your decision." Tara smiled. She was happy that Ayano had grown into a strong, independent woman.
"Now that I'm back, will you tell me more about your times with my mom? No rush, of course. We have six months," the teenager pointed which made Tara chuckled.
"Of course. You see, your mom was such a hardworking college student one could aspire to be…"
***End of Flashback***
"Congrats! You are now the historian of the student council!" Mina clapped, as the two girls walked toward the student council room to attend Ayano's first ever council meeting.
Ayano accepted Mina's offer to take the historian job, and it took them three days to approve her. She was interviewed by the president and the secretary of the council, and her spot was finally guaranteed by Mina's reference.
The reason she accepted the historian job was because, well, why not. She wanted to make the best out of her last year. Besides, her job did sound fun and laid back: capturing moments with a lense. Her perks included free passes (and even backstage passes) to school activities and sports events.
Basically, her job was to be a photographer. It was kind of redundant, as a yearbook* club already existed. However, she would be the supervisor of the club. If the club needed an advice or something, they would go to Ayano first. Her position was not as important as any other officers, as the council could function without a historian, but she would be included in the voting quorum, therefore, holding a vote and an opinion in any student council discussion matters.
The meeting lasted about an hour. They reviewed a rough draft of the activities that were going to occur in the next three months. An emphasis on the club fair was given due to how crowded the school ground would get during the tabling session, where clubs recruit new members. The council discussed and set up a layout on which tables and location each clubs would get, the emergency exit route, the set-up/clean-up form that the clubs had to fill out by next week, etc. There were no objections during the meeting, which was why it went by smoothly.
"I need someone to submit these papers to the disciplinary committee for them to review," the president announced.
Ayano immediately noticed how everyone's faces became restless.
"Every. Single. Time. " The president complained that no one out of the ten people in the room volunteered.
"Can't help it. Hibari-san is so scary he sucks the energy out of you even if you only spend five seconds with him," the secretary shrugged.
"Let the newbie do it," suggested by the treasurer.
Everyone turned around to look at Ayano. Ayano looked back at Mina and mouthed, me?
"Stop it guys, let's not haze our new member," Mina sighed. "If ya'll don't have balls then I will unfortunately volunteer."
"No, it's fine. I'll do it." Ayano raised her hand.
She didn't want to leave a bad impression on the other council members for not completing a simple task. She didn't perceive it as a haze. She didn't understand what was so dangerous about submitting papers to a fellow student.
Or maybe she was doing it to gain acceptance from the council. Maybe she wanted them to think that she was a reliable girl. Of course, she wasn't going to be their little servant; she just wanted them to think that she was more capable than being a historian.
"Okay Nicolaou-san, here are the papers. Tell them that you are a new member of the student council, and that the documents are needed to be reviewed and approved by Hibari-san," the president instructed. "Meeting is now dismissed."
The rest of the members quickly packed their things and headed out, as some of them were athletes who had to attend practice, while the others worked a part-time job. Mina approached Ayano to give her more instructions.
"I wish I could accompany you, but I have my volleyball practice that I need to attend," Mina put her hands on Ayano's shoulders. "So listen carefully, if you see one of Hibari's subordinates walking around, you can just give it to them and tell them to relay the message to Hibari-san. It would be better if you give it to Kusakabe-san, he's usually patrolling the same floor as the disciplinary room."
"I'll be fine, don't worry," Ayano reassured. "Hibari-san might be intimidating, but I'm not that afraid of him."
"But here's the thing: at least try to be a little submissive, because one molecule of opposition could set the devil off."
"Just go to your practice, you'll be late," Ayano smiled. "I promise I'll survive."
The fearless girl arrived on the fourth floor of the building. She was hoping to see at least one of Hibari's subordinates; but alas, they were nowhere to be found. She looked around for Tetsuya Kusakabe, whom she met once when she submitted her student transfer form before the semester started. He was also nowhere to be found.
Ayano stood in front of the disciplinary committee room. She took a deep breath and prayed that Kusakabe was in there and not Hibari.
She knocked.
"Come in," said the familiar, cold voice.
Ah, great, luck wasn't on my side today, she mumbled before she opened the door.
Ayano opened the door and met the certain skylark's apathetic gaze, who was organizing papers on his desk. She closed the door behind her and commenced with her introduction.
"I am Ayano Nicolaou, a new member of the student body council. I was tasked to give you these drafts about the upcoming events for this semester... for your approval."
"The transfer student that the senior representative tried to protect joined a herd of herbivores," Hibari recalled as he finished organizing his desk.
Herbivores? Ayano took another breath. Whatever. "Is there a problem with that?"
She walked toward Hibari's desk and handed him the documents.
"This is the first time a student council member personally handed something to me," Hibari took the documents from the fearless girl's hand, then continued, "instead of relaying to my vice-chairman like a bunch of cowards they are."
Uhm. Okay? "Well I'm different from them." She lightly raised her left eyebrow.
To Hibari, her response translated as a challenge.
"What are you implying then, herbivore?" Hibari slowly rose from his seat and glared at Ayano.
Ayano suddenly felt a cold chill. Hibari was spilling bloodlust which definitely made her slightly feel uncomfortable.
No, Ayano, do not be scared of this man.
"Nothing, Hibari-san. Have a good day."
She bowed and walked fast out of the room. She collected her things in the council room and headed home. While walking, Ayano couldn't help but to replay in her head her small exchange of words with Hibari.
Did I say something wrong? Ayano thought. He looked like he was about to fight me.
**Yearbook: a book which contained photos that document, list, or highlight the school's year
I will post the next chapter in three days. Actually, I already have it written (In fact, I have written up to chapter 9). I will be on vacation in the next two days and I want to enjoy my time.
It's slowly developing, but be patient, I promise we will eventually get there!
Also, if I have grammatical mistakes, please tell me, I will quickly fix them!
Please review! and I'll see you in 3 days!