Chapter 4 – Ordinary
"That concludes my morning report, Miss Kaguya."
"I see."
Hayasaka and Kaguya leaned against the brick wall, hidden from view of the other students as they filed out of the building for their lunch break.
Hayasaka stood with legs together and hands clasped in front of her, her natural stance for whenever she reported to her mistress. Her eyes darted at Kaguya, "Do you have any plans to combat this situation?"
The air between them was filled with distant chattering students.
A moment passed, then Kaguya sighed, "It's not our place to pry into another person's affairs."
Hayasaka held back a scoff at the hypocrisy of that statement. The Shinomiya family was a notoriously powerful family that was revealed in all of Japan. They had their claws in every aspect of industry be it banking, transportation, manufacturing, trading, you name it, the Shinomiya family had it all. The exact details of how the Shinomiya's rose to such power and prominence was unknown to Hayasaka. But what she did know was that they were notorious for doing whatever they could to get what they wanted. This included when Kaguya hired private investigators and bribed the legal system to obtain information about her council mates when she initially joined the student council.
"On another note, there's something else that we need to discuss."
Hayasaka stood a little taller, waiting for her to continue.
Kaguya dug the tip of her shoes into the ground, her face flushed red while looking at the floor. Hayasaka glanced to the side to see her mistress shaking.
"Um, Miss Kaguya?"
"How was it…"
Hayasaka tilted her head, "How was what?"
"You know… Walking…"
"Hmm, walking? Walking what- Oh, you mean walking with Shirogane-"
"Yes, walking with Shirogane!"
Hayasaka nearly leaped back as Kaguya's bright red face nearly pressed against hers. She looked at Kaguya's eyes, a mixture of fury, shyness, jealousy, and embarrassment on full display. Kaguya waited intently for Hayasaka's answer, but she blabbered an "Uhhhh."
"It's not fair! I spent so much time with President and I only got to go to school with him once! And it wasn't like we were talking either, he was panting as I rode on his back! He was going so hard, the view was so beautiful, but it was so short!"
Hayasaka blushed beet red, "Miss Kaguya, please be careful with your wording."
"What do you mean!?"
"Please elaborate, you rode on the back of his bike that one time. That is what you're referencing, yes?"
...
"You're referencing the bike right… Right, Miss Kaguya?"
Kaguya found her shoes interesting. It was a nice designer shoe brand issued by the school. The principal of this institution really knows a lot about-
"Miss Kaguya!?"
"YES! Stop pushing me about it, it's embarrassing!"
Hayasaka sighed in relief and frustration, "The walk with Shirogane was not planned. It was just a chance encounter. But overall, I would say it was…"
She paused. What was it like for her? Sure, she could say it was pleasant, but that wasn't quite the word she was looking for. She could describe it as "alright", but that didn't give too much detail on the whole experience.
Then she remembered seeing the group of students the other day leaving the courtyard. Their smiles beaming through the council room window from the distance.
"Ordinary. I would say it was ordinary."
Kaguya pressed her back against the wall, the cool brick seeping into her skin and sapping her of whatever warmth she had. She rolled the word in her mind, 'ordinary'. It was so foreign to her. As a Shinomiya her life was anything but that. Her life was governed and dictated by rules and authority beyond her influence. It commanded her past, present, and future and thus nothing went her way.
She only tasted freedom a handful of times, and even then, those moments were short-lived.
Her mind rushed to the night spent in the taxicab as she sat shoulder-to-shoulder with her friends. The night sky beamed with an explosion of color as the first fireworks of the summer festival came to light. The sight was beautiful, but watching Shirogane's eyes in awe was more enchanting than the scene outside.
But just like the lights of a firework, it was all extinguished so fast as not an hour had gone by before she had to promptly return home in secret.
'Hayasaka must feel the same,' Kaguya thought. 'She's no different than me.'
Hayasaka locked eyes with Kaguya, a placid smile on her lips, "That word is hard to relate to."
"I agree." Kaguya returned the gesture, "I hope that one day, I'll be able to walk to school with President."
Hayasaka nodded, "I hope you do so as well."
~^v^v^~
It was a few minutes before lunch was over that the two made it back to their classroom. It was lively as ever when they entered the room. Everyone was gathered in their usual cliques: people playing video games; students on the soccer team being together; the popular crowd gossiping amongst each other; and so on.
Within the popular crowd, a pair of girls came up to Hayasaka, "Hey, Ai! Where have you been!? You missed all the juicy stuff! Did you even eat yet?"
The two girls crowding around her were Mirin Hinokuchi and Subaru Suruga, getting in between Hayasaka and Kaguya.
"Oh my gosh, girls, sorry that I like totally missed the tea!"
The girls became engrossed in their conversation and Kaguya, feeling out of place, slowly left the group to return to her seat out of earshot.
"Oh my gosh girls, that is some spicy piece of gossip!"
"Right? I can't believe he cheated on her!" Subaru whined.
"You better watch yourself, Ai, with all those boys hitting on you, you gotta choose the right one~"
Hayasaka feigned mock disgust, "Like, ew! Who's interested in dating anyway? There's like no guys here good enough to date me, ugh."
Hayasaka flipped her side ponytail and both Hinokuchi and Suruga squealed, "Ohhh you go, sister! Miss independent!" The two shouted in sync, cheering Hayasaka on.
"By the way, you want to go karaoke with us?"
"Yeah, you should totally come with!" Suruga chimed, "It's been like foreverrrr."
"Like seriously girl, if you need someone to cover for ya, we got your back this time!"
"Yeah, like, totes!"
Hayasaka laughed nervously, "Ah ha haa~ S-Sorry girls, but I actually have student council stuff after school so-"
"Are you serious…"
Those words that came out of Hinokuchi's mouth felt like poison in Hayasaka's ears. Something cold grasped Hayasaka's heart as she snapped her head towards Hinokuchi who was smiling.
"Like girl, why didn't you tell us!? Since when did you get with the council!?"
"Oooh that means you were hand-picked by the President himself! Eek! Oh my gosh like he's sooo hot!"
'Was I just imagining things?' Hayasaka thought.
Both Hinokuchi and Suruga dived into their conversation about the council members, moving on like nothing had happened. Though Hayasaka wanted to dismiss it, she knew these girls like the back of her hand. If she wanted to maintain relations with them, she'd have to take action.
"Ah~ by the way I might be able to join you guys after my council duties!"
Just then the class bell rang throughout the school and the students returned to their seats.
The two girls looked at each other and paused.
Smiles rose from their faces, "Sure! Keep us posted bestie!"
The trio gathered into a group hug giggling, but Hayasaka took note of what transpired
As Hayasaka returned to her seat and class began, she took out her pen and paper and started to adjust her evening schedule for later today.
~^v^v^~
The end of the day was signaled by the chimes of the school bells ringing throughout the hallways. The courtyard was soon flooded with people as they made their way off campus. Lines of chauffeurs and retainers awaited their masters or mistresses, guiding them inside before taking off into the traffic-clogged streets of the city while others opted to walk.
Hayasaka packed her belongings, bid farewell to Hinokuchi and Suruga, and went to the council room with Kaguya to drop off their things before going off to visit the various clubs and organizations in the school.
Hayasaka glanced at Kaguya, "Miss Kaguya, are you sure you would like to accompany me? Wouldn't you much rather spend time with President?"
Kaguya puffed her cheeks in displeasure at the last sentence but calmed down as she released a breath, "As the manager of general affairs you need to make your presence known throughout the school. Having me be with you as we make our rounds to the various clubs and organizations will validate your new position in the council." Kaguya looked at the floor, pouting, "But I do want to be with President…" She whispered to her.
The two made their way from club to club, introducing themselves and getting feedback from students. It wasn't long before Hayasaka felt mentally drained; her gal-mode was in full force to keep up appearances and appear cordial. Not to mention the newfound notebook filled with student requests and feedback that she'll have to eventually sort through. They haven't even started on the neighborhoods of the school either so that was going to be a pain and a half…
On top of that, she also had to meet up with Hinokuchi and Suruga after school if Miss Kaguya allowed it. Hayasaka knew that those two were valuable. They knew every rumor and piece of gossip, many of which, she found, were valid. It would be a shame to lose her connection with them. But what made those two vital to the Shinomiya's, according to Hayasaka, was that just as those two were good at getting rumors, they were also experts in starting them too.
This task wasn't of the utmost importance to Hayasaka, but she knew that she had to keep face if she wanted to have them as assets.
This was the Shinomiya way.
Though, it has been a while since she was able to participate in karaoke…
As the two headed back to the council room, Hayasaka asked Kaguya if she would be able to spend time with Hinokuchi and Suruga, explaining her reasoning.
Kaguya thought for a moment, nodding, "That would be fine. Since we hired a new maid to handle some of your duties you are free to spend time with those two."
Hayasaka nodded, "I apologize for the sudden inconvenience."
"Trust me, Hayasaka, you are not inconveniencing me. I know that you're loyal and you are doing this for my best interests."
"And what of the special guest that has planned to come tonight…?"
Kaguya stared blankly at the marbled floor, the echoes of the footsteps accompanying them. Hayasaka understood the silence. She would be quiet too if she were in Kaguya's shoes. But the silence between them made her skin crawl, especially since it was him that she was addressing.
Kaguya drew a breath, "Imagining him, he'll probably only stay for a short while. Though it is strange for him to want to come to the Tokyo estate, especially since it's not the most grandiose compared to the others."
"Be careful with him, Miss Kaguya."
Kaguya narrowed her eyes at the thought of the soon-to-be guest, "I am aware."
They walked for a few more minutes until they neared the council room. As they got closer, they could hear a faint commotion happening from the inside… Along with screaming.
Hayasaka and Kaguya shared a look before they bolted for the student council doors.
Hayasaka was the first to go in, slamming the doors wide open before stepping back at the awful sight.
The council room was filled to the brim with chaos. Ishigaki was covered in something wet and was soaked. An empty bowl rested on his head with bits of cereal clinging onto his hair. He was thrashing about, screaming blood murder at Miko but was only held back by a pleading Fujiwara.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Ishigami snarled at Miko.
"I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY! COME AT ME!" Miko flailed her limbs, her legs kicking the air as Shirogane held her up.
Hayasaka noticed the boxes of cereal and milk on the table, "Ahh and you're eating cereal without us!? Like, thanks for the invite!"
"What is the meaning of this!? What's going on?" Kaguya peeked over Hayasaka's shoulder, scolding the four sitting around the council room table.
"Shinomiya-senpai!" Miko twisted her neck at the vice president, "Cereal is NOT soup, do you agree!?"
Kaguya and Hayasaka stared blankly.
"Miko, shut your blaspheming mouth! Cereal IS soup!" Ishigami barred his teeth at the 4'11" auditor.
Fujiwara looked pleadingly at Kaguya and Hayasaka, "You guys agree, right!? Kaguya, Ai, tell 'em that those punks are wrong! Cereal IS soup!"
"Fujiwara you're wrong!" Shirogane struggled to keep Miko in check, "Cereal is obviously not a soup! I am sure Shinomiya and Hayasaka agree with me and Miko!"
…
THE "IS CERAL SOUP?" DEBATE!
A question that has plagued the minds of men for thousands of years! Dating back to when barley was first harvested and mixed with milk it has been a topic for debate for all time. Some even giving their lives to this topic, receiving lashings for their views. Both sides have suffered, and no middle ground has EVER been broken! (**Note: This has not been fact-checked).
And now this topic has entered the council once Fujiwara brought in different cereals to rank them. Unbeknownst to her this was the catalyst that brought about the two differing teams that segregated the council in this unforgiving and lethal BOXING MATCH!
In this corner, an unexpected collaboration between two unlikely people in the CEREAL is SOUP team, we have Yu Ishigami and Chika Fujiwara!
And in this corner of the ring, we have the proud, the loud, and the lady of justice herself along with her sharp-eyed superior, Miko Iino, and Miyuki Shirogane in the Cereal is NOT SOUP team!
But the teams have been neck and neck, subbing in their counterparts to try and come out on top, only to be toppled down with lines of insults and degrading language.
However, with these two new challengers joining the ring, Kaguya and Hayasaka, these individuals may alter the direction of the match!
Kaguya hesitated for a moment before an amused smile spread across her lips. She looked at Hayasaka, their eyes meeting as they smiled confidently.
These two have been standing by each other's sides since they were young, going through hardships and challenges together. When the storm clouds came in, they only had each other to hold onto for comfort and care. Throughout their history, Hayasaka considered Kaguya her sister, and Kaguya considered Hayasaka the same.
Together, these two were inseparable and knew each other better than anyone else.
So, it was a no-brainer when they broke eye contact and addressed the rest of the group.
"To spend time on such a trivial question such as this is quite a waste of time since there's only one logical answer."
Hayasaka nodded, "Like, I totally agree with Shinomiya~ But not to worry, since we all know that cereal is…" Hayasaka and Kaguya both drew in a breath.
"Is not a soup-"
"Is a soup-"
The air, already thick as it was, became thicker. So thick that you couldn't cut the deafening silence with the sharpest knife in the world.
"Ah, Hayasaka, I think I misheard you."
"Me as well, Shinomiya~ Like, you didn't just say cereal was a soup, right?"
"And I'm here hoping you didn't admit to cereal being not a soup…"
"Ahaha, Shinomiya~ You're part of an elite and noble family, right? I thought you'd knew better."
Kaguya flashed Hayasaka a look, "Well it's obvious that a gyaru girl like you wouldn't know anything else except for makeup and fashion trends."
A vein burst in Hayasaka's head.
Thunder roared and lightning flashed around them. The seas twisted and turned, its waves towering high till they touched the high heavens as Hayasaka and Kaguya's faces came crashing down on each other. Their false smiles beamed with animosity, a cloud of murderous intent surrounding these two giants as neither one of them was willing to back down.
Miko slammed her giant gavel between them, separating the two great beasts.
Ishigami and Fujiwara stood beside Kaguya while Shirogane stood next to Hayasaka.
"President…" Kaguya gripped her heart, staring at her crush with sadness, "Why must you be on the wrong side…"
Miko took a seat behind her judge's table. Draped in supreme court judge attire, Miko slammed her gavel once more, bringing the court to order, "We must settle this debate here and now. Hayasaka, please present your argument as to why cereal is not soup."
Hayasaka stood up and cleared her throat, "Your honor. Like, cereal is totally not soup! Cereal is cereal whether or not it is served with milk-"
"Objection your honor," Kaguya slammed the desk, "Cereal may be called cereal due to its wide acceptance of its usage. Cereal has been considered a staple component of breakfast in Western culture. Due to this, cereal may have been labeled as cereal due to it being seen as, well, cereal."
Hayasaka gasped, taking a step back at Kaguya's fierce rebuttal. "But cereal is not soup! Besides where's the broth like a soup should have? The cereal itself isn't blended together and homogenized with the broth. Cereal in milk is like saying carrots in water! It's not soup!"
Kaguya threw her a glare, "The cereal in question are the solid components of mixed grains and sugars, which is then mixed with milk. If cereal was not confined to its label, when mixed with milk, it may have been called 'cereal soup'. Take, for example, rice soup. Simply put, it's just rice and water mixed together, and yet, instead of calling this 'rice', we call it rice soup. I argue that the label of cereal being mixed with milk being called 'cereal' is an inaccurate representation of what it should be called and yet it is still called that."
Hayasaka crashed into the wall at the sheer force of Kaguya's defense. She coughed, choking from the pain.
Hayasaka fell to the ground, pointing at Shirogane.
Shirogane looked at Hayasaka with weary eyes. But with Hayasaka's shaken state, he took a deep breath and steeled himself.
He jumped into the ring, taking on the challenge to confront Kaguya.
"But soups are mostly savory! Have you ever heard of a sweet soup that you would eat for breakfast!?"
Shirogane went in for a left hook. A ferocious heat erupted from his punch, scorching Kaguya's cheek. But the hit failed to land as Kaguya became a blur.
"Saying that soups are mostly savory does not mean that all soups have to conform to that flavor profile."
Kaguya slammed Shirogane's stomach with her fist made of rhetoric. Shirogane stumbled backward, wincing from the pain. He leaped back trying to create space, but Kaguya was on the attack.
"There are various soups in the world that are sweet, sour, bitter, or a mixture of all those things." Kaguya slammed her foot to the ground, twisting her body as she got her fist ready to attack Shirogane, "Take sweet and sour soup. As the name implies its flavor profile contains sourness, and yet it is highly regarded as a soup. And no sweet soups for breakfast? Have you not heard of Swedish blueberry soup? It is a sweet soup served mainly during the cold winter months in Sweden and is popular there and in ski resorts. To say that there are no sweet soups is a criminal statement."
Kaguya knocked the wind out of Shirogane, putting him down on the ground with her destructive argument.
Miko, seeing the carnage on her team, got up and donned her fighter outfit. She tapped Shirogane out and rushed into the ring, facing Kaguya who had a faint smile stretched across her face.
"I may be a judge, but I must protect my ideals!" Miko yelled, readying herself.
Kaguya laughed, "Let's see you try."
"Do you even know the definition?"
Kaguya's eyes widened, "What?"
She blinked for a second, but Miko was replaced with a cloud of dust.
Kaguya looked all around the ring: left, right, up, and down but could only see nothing.
"The definition of soup!"
Miko screamed and Kaguya tried to turn around, but it was too late. Miko slammed her fist against Kaguya's back.
Kaguya coughed, yelping in pain as she was tossed to the other end of the ring. She looked up, only to see Miko dipping down and winding up her punch, "A liquid dish, typically made by BOILING meat, fish, or vegetables, etc., in stock or water!"
Miko released her punch, slamming Kaguya's chin from below and sending her flying out of the ring. Kaguya looked at the spotlight from above, nearly blinding her as she soared into the air; crashing back down to earth with Miko standing tall.
She pointed at Kaguya, a defiant and definitive look on her face, screaming, "Is soup made by boiling meat or vegetables!? Is soup made in stock or water!? Is cereal any of those things!? Tell me, Kaguya-Senpai! Is it!?"
Kaguya could only look upon Miko with glaring eyes. Her pride was shaken, just like her body which trembled from pain.
Ishigami and Fujiwara came running to Kaguya's aid, standing in front of her as they helped her up. The three of them looked upon Miko who grew three times her size as the ring transformed into a burning battleground.
"Miko!" The three of them yelled, pointing at the beast that was the judge of 'cereal is NOT soup'.
They all rushed in towards Miko, their arguments at the ready. A flash of blinding light erupted as they continued their battle, countering each argument one after the other, each side gaining and losing ground.
And thus, the battle continued.
~^v^v^~
The sun was beginning to set by the time the council members had exhausted themselves of their quarrel.
Shirogane buried his head in his hands, "ARGGHHH we wasted so much time!"
The rest of the council looked down in shame, the thought of having wasted a whole day arguing about whether cereal was soup or not dawning on them.
In the end, it was a stalemate, and no progress was made on the subject.
"But at least it was fun!" Fujiwara chirped, giggling to herself, "Kaguya, you should become a lawyer!"
"That is a possibility. But I do have to admit Miko presented valid arguments as well. If anyone should be a lawyer, it should be Miko."
Miko blushed, twiddling her thumbs at the compliment, "Th-Thank you! I-I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, senpai."
"Not at all!" Kaguya glanced at Hayasaka, "On the other hand, someone's arguments were a little weak back there."
Hayasaka still buried her head in her hands, refusing to look at Kaguya. Her whole world was rocked upside down. All this time she knew that cereal wasn't soup, and yet with Kaguya's arguments even she had to admit that she was moved. Was her own ideology wrong? Was cereal really soup?
… No, cereal was NOT soup.
"You will never change my mind," Hayasaka stood up, pointing dramatically at Kaguya, "I'll prove you wrong!"
"I'm with you, Hayasaka! Don't let her taint your ideals!" Shirogane got up and stood next to her.
Ishigami sighed, "When will you ever learn, President?"
Kaguya chuckled, "Not to worry, Ishigami. They're all bark and no bite… How cute."
Shirogane stiffened, a cold chill running down his spine while everyone else started to bicker amongst each other once more.
But soon everyone had packed their belongings and waved goodbye, exiting the council room one by one until the only ones remaining were Kaguya and Hayasaka.
"Hayasaka, did you enjoy your time at the council today?" Kaguya asked, putting her belongings into her bag.
Now that the two were alone Hayasaka stood at attention, her hands clasped together in front of her, "Yes, Miss Kaguya. It was enjoyable. Never have I thought that such a pointless argument would take place in the student council…" Hayasaka bowed her head, "I apologize if my retorts have offended you in any way, shape, or form."
"You haven't offended me…" Kaguya snapped her bag shut, turning to look at Hayasaka whose golden locks were shining ever so brightly against the setting sun. "You looked so bright today."
Hayasaka raised her eyebrows, "My lady?"
"We have so much fun here. We have aimless arguments all the time, many of which never come to a resolution. Tell me, Hayasaka, compared to the lives that we have to live… Has yesterday and today made you feel some semblance of what being ordinary is like?"
Hayasaka looked at her mistress who stood in front of her. Against the orange light behind her, Kaguya looked like an angel. Her red eyes beamed a brilliant bloody orange with a radiant smile.
Compared to the Kaguya Shinomiya that she knew from a year ago, this version of Kaguya was completely different. Gone was the stark cold stare that pierced the soul, and instead was replaced with a soft nurturing glow.
Kaguya clasped Hayasaka's hands, pressing them close to her chest, "I hope you can make many pleasant memories here… Just like I have."
Hayasaka could barely hear her as Kaguya's words sounded like it was a secret meant for the wind.
Kaguya skipped to the door, "Well then, shall we go? You have an appointment with Hinokuchi and Suruga, right?"
Hayasaka stared at Kaguya, transfixed by her image. But the moment came and went, and Hayasaka nodded, opening the door for her.
The two of them walked in silence as they made their way to the courtyard where a private car awaited Kaguya.
She stepped inside the car, closed the door, and lowered the window to look at Hayasaka, "Hayasaka, make sure to successfully nurture your relationship with Hinokuchi and Suruga tonight.
"Yes, ma'am." Hayasaka bowed. "I shall be back promptly to tend to your needs later this evening. Should anything arise, please do not hesitate to summon me and I will come to you immediately."
Kaguya nodded, and the car drove off.
Hayasaka waited till the car disappeared from view before starting towards the other direction. She took out her phone, rapidly texting Hinokuchi and Suruga, asking them if she could join them for karaoke. They replied back, and soon, she was texting them back and forth.
She pondered on what her mistress had said back in the council room, "Has yesterday and today made you feel some semblance of what being ordinary is like?"
The tug in her heart gripped her again like it did yesterday when she saw those groups of students leaving together. The smile on their faces beamed as they disappeared around the corner. Now here she was, going to meet up with her two friends to go enjoy karaoke… A-and reinforce her relationship with those two to keep up with school gossip!
Hayasaka quickened the pace, a restrained smile threatening to overflow as she skipped down the block. A warmth spread against her skin. Was it from the sun? Or was it from something else?
She stood at the edge of the block, waiting for the crosswalk. The sun was setting quickly, and the tall buildings now covered Hayasaka in shadow while the other side was still a warm hue of red and orange.
Hayasaka hummed to herself as she waited patiently for the crosswalk to turn green.
She waited and waited for what seemed like years. But finally, her patience and hardship paid off as the signal was given for her to walk.
"Is this what it is like to be ordinary?" She thought.
She was about to take the first step but was abruptly interrupted by her phone which rang. She blinked, her mind snapping back to reality with eyes reflecting the number that flashed on the screen.
And it was none other than the eldest son of the Shinomiya family and Kaguya's half-brother, Oko Shinomiya.