Chapter 2: Astounded

Sayaka thought of the girl as she walked towards the student council room. Even if the girl had stayed after apologizing, she would have remained speechless. The girl startled her so much that no words came out of her mouth. Nearing the student council room, she heard Touko's voice; she seemed to be talking to someone inside. She opens the door, and Touko immediately looks up to greet her.

"Ah Sayaka."

To Sayaka's surprise, the very girl who had admired her earlier was sitting opposite Touko. She's looking down, and her cheeks are burning red. This made Sayaka smile.

Touko saw Sayaka glance at Yuu and introduce them to each other, "Sayaka, this is the first year that sensei told us about, Koito Yuu." Then, looking over at Yuu, Touko was a little shocked to see that she was blushing full force. "Yuu, this is my best friend Saeki Sayaka; she is also part of the Student Council."

Yuu stands up and greets her other senpai, though not quite looking her in the eyes, and sits down again.

"What's wrong, Yuu? You are blushing too much." Touko glanced at Sayaka and found that her friend was smiling and blushing a little too. "Eh, what's this? Did you guys meet before?"

"Not so long ago." Replied Sayaka. At this point, Yuu's blush turns a shade darker. "Nice to meet you, Koito-san." The little girl only nodded.

"Explain, explain." Touko demanded.

"Should I or you?" Sayaka asks as she walks to take the chair beside Touko.

"I, uhm..." but no words come out after.

"Okay, I will." Sayaka said as she settled her bag on the table. "I saw this girl by the music room window. Apparently, she had been listening to me play. Then she told me she admired how I play the piano." Sayaka gazes at Yuu. She is still blushing so much.

"Oh, that's it? Why are you blushing so much, Yuu? Sayaka is a good piano player. There's no need to be embarrassed about it." Touko said while leaning over the table to pat Yuu's head.

Sayaka noticed that Touko was amused by the little girl. And she agrees that the girl is really amusing because of how shy she is. The blush is beginning to be lighter, but it is still there.

"There, there," Touko said, proceeding to explain the tasks that they do in the student council. The girl will look up to Touko and listen attentively, but whenever Sayaka moves, she can see that the little girl will flinch ever so slightly, and it amuses Sayaka to no end. "That's about it, right, Sayaka?"

"Yeah, organizing events and paperwork. That's mostly it." The little girl blushed again when she heard Sayaka's voice. "But they could be a little overwhelming at times. So, we could really use your help." If only the girl would look at Sayaka, she would see a welcoming smile. Sayaka is now getting worried about how long the girl has been blushing and wants her to relax.

Touko stood up and told Yuu to follow her so she could show her the file room. The girl obeys with a quick little glance in Sayaka's direction. Their eyes didn't meet as the girl hurried along to Touko's side. They entered the room together, and Sayaka could hear Touko explain each section of the file room. Sayaka wondered if the girl had finally relaxed since she hadn't come with them. And her answer came when Touko came out and led the girl to the mini-snack table. Her blush isn't prominent anymore.

"So, you can use this to make tea or coffee. The biscuits and snacks are there, and they're for everyone, so don't be shy to take some." The little girl nodded. "Oh, and sometimes Sayaka brings some very tasty pastries when she wants us to work harder." Touko added with a laugh.

"A reward could be motivation, isn't it?" Sayaka said. With that, Yuu blushed again. 'This girl, why is she blushing every time I talk?" Was she still embarrassed about what happened earlier?'

"And we are thankful for it." Touko replied to her best friend, then looked at Yuu. "Why are you blushing again, Yuu?"

"Maybe she is excited for when I bring some cakes." Sayaka offered.

"Well, they are delicious." Touko agrees. "That's it. That's the end of the tour. Any questions?" She asks, looking down at Yuu. The girl only shook her head. "Now, now you can use words, Yuu." Touko teases.

"I don't have any questions, Nanami-senpai. Thanks for the tour."

"We can meet here again tomorrow after class if you do decide to help us out this coming election."

"I will be here."

"Oh, that is nice to hear. Thanks Koito-san. I'm looking forward to that. You can go home for today. Right, Sayaka?"

"Yeah, let's not scare the girl out by giving her work on the first day."

"I... uh, I don't mind." Yuu replied shyly.

"Nah, it's okay. Your senpais are here. Go ahead and enjoy your afternoon. And thanks again for showing up today." Touko patted her head again. Sayaka thinks that it was the first time she saw Touko touching someone affectionately. But she also felt a weird desire to pat the girl's head if only the girl would look at her and interact with her somehow.

"Thanks for today, Nanami-senpai." She bows to Touko and turns to Sayaka. "Saeki-senpai." She said it with yet another blush, then took her bag and went towards the door.

"Till tomorrow, Koito-san." Touko wave. The girl bows at them again, goes out, closes the door, and walks away as fast as she can. "That girl is amusing."

"She really is." Sayaka replied. And for the first time, her attention was on another girl, even with Touko nearby.

-*+/

'Arggh!' Yuu shouted inside her mind again. 'Why does she have to be part of the student council too?' With her promise to return tomorrow, she can't back down now. 'Would I be able to talk to her? I must be better next time. Maybe just forget about the piano incident. It must have been just a big deal to me.'