Chapter 5
A Strange Turn of Events
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
His words felt like a slap in the face. I felt all the worries I had 5 years ago rush back into my mind, replaying in an eternal loop as if taunting me.
'Hadn't you promised to remember me? Weren't you the one who said that we would always remain friends? I know that we hadn't known each other very long but was I really so unimportant that you would forget all about me?' The thoughts that entered my brain were overbearing.
"Why can't he remember me?" I signed furiously to Senri-sensei. "I remember him perfectly well but why doesn't he? It hasn't even been very long! He even realized that I was mute right away! Just like the past!"
I finished my ranting, near tears, staring at sensei expectantly as he signed back. "It's strange that he doesn't remember you… Well, in any case, if he doesn't remember you, we'll just make him remember you.' The smirk appeared on his face sent a worried shiver over my spine, unconsciously causing me to take a step back. "And how exactly do you expect to do that, sensei?" His grin widened and he replied, "You'll both see."
Amidst our conversation, Takanari-sama growled in annoyance. "What?"
Senri-sensei scratched his chin as he contemplated us both and smirked eerily.
"Well, Koutei-sama, you now have a new Student Council member."
'EH?'
"Nani?"
Takanari-sama was obviously just as surprised as I. I mean, who in their right mind would let a mute girl into the Student Council? As it was only his first year as Koutei, it would probably reflect badly on him. Come to think of it, why is he suddenly the Koutei even though it's his first year in high school? That's highly unusual…
Takanari-sama crossed his arms, clearly not in good humour as he stated tersely, "Sensei, the rules clearly state that the appointment of a student to the Student Council must be approved by the principal, must be backed up by a recommendation of a teacher and the student must have a minimum average of 85 and above in all subjects."
Eh? Are they all geniuses or something? Well… they probably are considering this is a prestigious school but I had to work many sleepless nights just to enter the school! How am I supposed to be able to get into the Student Council? 'Senri-sensei, what on Earth are you thinking?'
Senri-sensei merely shook his head as if Takanari-sama was a small child with little knowledge of the world. "Oh Koutei, Koutei; you underestimate me. Would I be suggesting this if all the requirements were not met?"
"Actually, yes, you would."
I nodded at the statement. Knowing sensei's character pretty well by now, he could be just making this up on the spot.
Senri-sensei gave us a look of artificial shock, complete with an exaggerated gasp as he lifted his hand to his mouth in surprise. "I'm disappointed in you two! How could you dare think a teacher was lying to you?"
'Senri-sensei… you're sort of freaking me out…' I thought, looking away from him and stepping behind Takanari-sama.
"Tsk tsk. But I, indeed, have the following requirements!" Senri-sensei exclaimed, pulling out a letter from his pocket. "This is a letter from the principal and my own letter for Haine's recommendation! It also includes Haine's report from middle school that clearly shows that she has an 85.5 per cent average!"
'EH?'
Takanari-sama turned to see my astounded face and looked back at our insane teacher. He crossed his arms saying, "You seem rather prepared for this…"
I nodded in agreement, surprised at Sensei's boldness. I mean- I've never even heard him mention anything about getting into the Student Council let alone meet the principal! Besides, the only reason I've barely made the required mark for Japanese, despite it being my native language, is the pain of the gruelling weeks Ushio forced me to spend studying for the final exam.
Besides, it's not as if Takanari-sama would comply after all the trouble I've caused today.
After a moment of what seemed to be a very conflicted internal battle which ended with him giving sensei one last irritated look, Takanari-sama sighed in defeat, "Okay then… I hereby declare Otomiya Haine-san a Student Council member."
Never mind.
"Chotto!" I signed to Senri-sensei hurriedly. "Even if I am a Student Council member now, what am I supposed to do there? It's not as if I have any special abilities!"
Once again, as if reading my mind, Takanari-sama nodded to me as he turned to the door. "There will be a meeting in the Student Council room tomorrow afternoon. By then, we'll have your position and new uniform ready so don't be late." He had already exited the room when I nodded uncertainly at his words.
Then, right at the moment that the door closed, Senri-sensei started dancing joyfully around the room. Honestly, he finally cracked. Well, everyone in the hospital expected it to happen one day. I swear I'm not affiliated to him in any way at all.
"'Mission: Student Council' is a success!"
"What are you talking about sensei?" I signed, barely hiding the fact that he was seriously freaking me out.
"Don't you worry about it, Haine! I've got everything all covered!" This remark was followed by a string of crazy guffaws which encouraged me to run away from him. And I did. I think it's alright since he was so busy laughing that I doubt he noticed me run to the door.
"Haine…"
I looked up from my bento box, my mouth filled with Okaa-san's delicious onigiri, and gave Ushio a questioning expression.
It was now lunch time and we sat at a bench right under the shade of the big oak tree. The food in the cafeteria was so expensive that I could buy 2 strawberry shortcakes and a banana split at the nearby bakery and ice cream parlour with the money used for just one small meal there!
I know that they probably serve gourmet food but seriously? It all goes in and out the same way.
Rich people.
"Did Senri-sensei do something weird again?"
"Huh? Nande?"
"I just received this before lunch." In her hands was a white envelope.
Curiously, I took the letter, forcing down the onigiri in my mouth and nearly choking in the process. Inside was a letter in sensei's writing:
Amamiya-san,
You have now been accepted into the Student Council due to your amazing academic performance and my wonderful recommendation to the principal who in turn agreed to my proposal. Enclosed is a letter of acceptance from Koutei-sama as well.
Please report to the Student Coucil room tomorrow, after school and they will have everything prepared.
Don't forget to bring Haine-chan!
-Senri-sensei xoxo
"Uh… what?" I signed, bewildered. Senri-sensei rarely speaks to Ushio; on occasions when they meet on Ushio's visits to the hospital, the only words they exchange are those of greeting. I think that Ushio dislikes him, though I don't really know why.
"Be careful of that man. I don't trust him."
I smiled uneasily. "Well," I began to sign in reply, attempting, with little possibility of success, to show Senri-sensei in a good light- it's Senri-sensei after all. After a moment of empty thought, I signed back pathetically, "He isn't all that bad."
"I think you trust him too much. For all we know, he's a pedophile who enjoys going to maid cafes in order to see young ladies in skimpy dresses only to be tossed out because of his creepiness." Ushio signed back. We looked at each other for a moment and started laughing at the perfectly believable scenario.
It's only when I'm laughing that it sounds like I still have my voice. It's just the sound of me taking in air but this doesn't stop my family nor Ushio from trying to make me laugh as much as possible just for this reason. They take joy in the simplest things I can do; that's why I love them so much!
"It is Senri-sensei." I commented in amusement. I then pulled out the so called "enclosed letter" and read it. 'Ah, it's basically the same thing…'
Ushio blinked at me questioningly. "I was wondering why he said to bring you along… Did he force you as well?"
"Mou… Sort of?"
Sensei's mind is so confusing… Was he planning this all along?
Apparently, my fate lies in the hands of my doctor and teacher… My very disturbing doctor and teacher…
The world works in strange ways, ne?
Updated: 07/23/11