One evening.
The class was just let out so Mei was headed for the student council room, whereas everyone else was leaving the school premises.
It's normally around 5 PM when Mei arrives at the council room on Wednesdays. Mei found herself alone in the room, let herself be seated, and started working on a pile of documents on the table without hesitation.
It was the season where each club hands in their financial reports so the council can monitor clubs' monetary activities.
Naturally, going through financial documents takes time and effort and everyone in the council often finds themselves depressed seeing their work keep piling up.
Mei was one of few who doesn't seem disturbed by what they call 'forcefully assigned insanity.'
Even though hard-working attitude is greatly valued in Japan, Mei's obsession toward her duty seemed extraordinary even to the fellow members of the council, so everyone kept the distance from her, either knowingly or unknowingly. And Mei's never expected any better from others, either.
Time quickly went by and it was already past 8, but Mei never even flinched from her seat. Normally she stops around 7 and heads home, but today she did not seem to be following her routine.
That was when she heard a sigh across the table. Mei noticed someone else was in the room.
There was another member who didn't seem to mind this hectic season besides Mei, none other than Mei's oldest friend, Himeko.
'Working hard is our duty as the members of the student council' was her catch-phrase and being the vice-president, she always did her best to relieve the president from the constant workload.
But in reality, Himeko simply enjoyed being right beside Mei. Whatever the assigned task might be, it was all pleasant excuse for her to be with Mei even a little longer.
This was how things have been for Mei and Himeko since they joined the council and it was Himeko's tiny wish that they could lead the rest of their school years just as they were at the moment.
Two best friends doing things together as two best friends.
That was why Himeko was immensely distressed when Yuzu stepped in between their (arguably, yet very strongly insisted) most beautiful friendship.
Himeko just could not understand why Mei said "Don't worry, I'll handle it" when she caught the blonde on her wrongdoing. Himeko did not like it when she saw Mei's expression gradually soften since Yuzu appeared.
It was an absolute disaster discovering Mei and Yuzu recently became step-sisters, and they cohabitate.
Mei and I have known each other since born.
Nobody can come between us, not even Mei's spouse-to-be, let alone that damned blonde.
All Himeko was supposed to feel was anger.
But what she was left with was abyssal sadness and uncontrollable devastation.
It was a feeling that was somewhat familiar to Himeko.
It was a feeling that she had wished she would never have to deal with again. It was the worst feeling she was aware of. For the second time of her life, since Mei's loss of her mother, Himeko felt powerless.
She actually wanted to cry but restrained herself and just sighed, before she remembered she wasn't alone in the council room.
.
.
.