Chapter 7: The Student Council

Sona Shitori, president of the student council at the prestigious Kuoh Academy. A beautiful young woman with short black hair and violet eyes, known for keeping the institution in strict order. Her strict and demanding personality has earned her the respect, and even the fear, of both students and teachers alike. At first glance, Sona appears to be the perfect student: dedicated, disciplined, and fully focused on her studies and personal aspirations.

And while all of the above is entirely true, the hidden truth about this girl is that she belongs to the proud race of demons and, on top of that, is the heir to one of the most important clans in the underworld, the Sitri clan. With this in mind, it's deducible that the surname "Shitori" is merely a cover for her true nature, and her real name is Sona Sitri.

Since childhood, Sona has shared a close friendship with Rias Gremory. They support each other and are great rivals, sharing a natural competitiveness that drives them to constantly surpass themselves. However, there is a fundamental difference between them: while Rias seeks power, following the more traditional impulses of demon nature, Sona prefers to act with caution and strategy. This prudence has turned her into a brilliant strategist, able to deeply analyze her opponents and stay informed about everything happening around her, even if it is unrelated to the supernatural.

It is precisely this strategic curiosity combined with the greedy nature of demons that catches Sona's attention towards a certain human teenager, who at first glance seems completely ordinary.

—"He's a hero!" —came the excited shout from a voice in the news report.

—"He saved that family!"

—"I can't believe it, he jumped from that height with them in his arms!"

On the screen, a reporter announced enthusiastically:

—"This is truly impressive. A young teenager just rescued four people from a burning building when even the firefighters hesitated to enter due to the instability of the structure. According to witnesses, the young man jumped from the fifth floor carrying the victims in his arms. Without a doubt, it is an act of bravery and recklessness."

The camera focused on the hero of the day: a young man with slightly long brown hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes. His face and Kuoh Academy uniform were covered in soot, showing some minor burns.

The reporter tried to approach him for an interview, but before she could speak to him, paramedics surrounded him to provide medical attention. Although his body showed signs of exhaustion due to the effort and smoke inhalation, his expression reflected an unwavering determination.

As the dedicated president of the student council, known for her desire to keep everything in perfect order, Sona immediately identified the young man who had performed the heroic act that had captured everyone's attention.

—"Hideki Saito" —she murmured to herself, as her mind replayed the few, though memorable, interactions she had had with him.

Hideki was, on the surface, a completely normal human. She had never perceived any supernatural energy from him, and when she researched his profile when he enrolled at the academy, she found no signs of connection to the supernatural world. For this reason, Sona hadn't paid him much attention beyond what was necessary. However, she couldn't ignore certain details: he had entered the academy on a scholarship thanks to his hard work and dedication, and his grades placed him just below the best students at Kuoh. Specifically, he ranked fifth, behind Sona, Rias, Tsubaki, and Akeno, in that order.

Hideki was known for his good heart, always willing to help anyone in need, no matter who they were. On more than one occasion, Sona had heard her servant Tsubasa Yura mention how Hideki had helped her with simple tasks, like delivering documents to the student council room. This kindness had forged a small friendship between them, something Sona hadn't given much importance to.

For her part, Sona's interactions with Hideki had been few and strictly related to academic or disciplinary matters. She especially remembered one occasion that, though insignificant, had turned out to be strangely memorable: Hideki had gotten lost in the academy during his first days, and when he happened to run into Sona, he asked for help finding his classroom. What was curious was that after walking through several hallways, Hideki hadn't realized they were right in front of the classroom he was looking for when he asked for directions.

That anecdote brought a faint smile to her face as she recalled it. Although she had always considered him a normal guy, the recent events had sparked a new curiosity in Sona. What could motivate someone like him to risk so much for others?

The next day at the academy, Hideki was surrounded by his classmates, who bombarded him with questions and congratulations, clearly impressed by his heroic act.

—"You're amazing, Hideki! Did you really jump from the fifth floor with those people in your arms?" —asked a boy, his voice full of awe.

—"Weren't you scared the building would collapse?" —added one of the girls, looking at him with wide eyes.

—"You should be a firefighter or something!"

Hideki, visibly uncomfortable with so much attention, raised a hand in an attempt to calm the crowd.

—"It wasn't that big of a deal, really..." —he responded modestly, scratching the back of his neck. His tone reflected more embarrassment than pride—. "I just did what anyone would have done in that situation."

—"That's not true! Most people wouldn't have even entered the building, let alone jumped with other people on their backs!" —protested another student.

Amidst the commotion, a familiar figure watched from a distance. Sona Shitori, accompanied by her loyal vice president Tsubaki Shinra, studied the boy attentively as she adjusted her glasses.

—"Tell me, Tsubaki, what can you sense from Hideki Saito-kun?" —Sona asked calmly while observing the boy from a prudent distance. She had considered approaching him and speaking directly about the events from the day before, but something about him caught her attention, something that hadn't been present before. Before acting, she decided to confirm her suspicions and test her Queen's perception.

Tsubaki took a moment to respond, slightly furrowing her brow as she analyzed the young man.

—"To be honest, Kaichou, I don't feel anything special about him" —she finally replied, her tone serene but slightly confused.

Sona kept her expression calm, although inside, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She didn't entirely blame Tsubaki; after all, what she had noticed wasn't something obvious. However, she had hoped her Queen would show a greater level of perception.

—"Hmph, you still have a lot to learn, Tsubaki" —Sona commented, adjusting her glasses with an elegant gesture before revealing what she had discovered—. "Surely, because of Hideki's human nature, you didn't notice. But he possesses quite powerful Ki for just a human."

Tsubaki's eyes widened slightly, surprised by her president's statement.

—"Ki? You mean the energy that Yokai usually use?" —she asked, intrigued.

Sona nodded.

—"Exactly. As you know, any being, whether human or supernatural, has the ability to use Ki. However, it is not common for humans to develop such strong Ki, especially without proper training. Even among the supernatural, its use is not habitual. Beings like us generally prefer to rely on magic, which is more versatile and allows for a greater variety of strategies and attacks."

Tsubaki absorbed the explanation, recalling exceptional figures like Sairaorg Bael, a demon who had mastered the use of Ki due to his limited magical ability. Even so, it was even rarer to find humans with such mastery of this energy.

—"But what really catches my attention" —Sona continued, her gaze fixed on Hideki as she spoke in a lower tone—, "is that this amount of Ki wasn't present in him a few weeks ago. And what's even more interesting... he's trying to hide it."

Sona's calculated tone left Tsubaki thoughtful. If Hideki had developed such a significant amount of Ki in such a short time and was also trying to conceal it, it meant there was much more to him than met the eye.

—"Tsubaki, look for all the recent information on him. I want to review his history once more" —Sona ordered calmly, as she headed back to her office.

Hideki walked through the halls of Kuoh Academy with a stack of documents in his arms, barely managing to balance them while following Tsubasa Yura. The young girl, one of the members of the student council, was also carrying a large stack of papers, and seeing her, Hideki didn't hesitate to offer his help.

—"Thank you for the help, Saito-kun. These documents are heavier than they look," Yura said, giving him a small smile.

—"No problem, Tsubasa-san. It's the least I can do. Besides, I was already on my way here," Hideki replied with his usual friendly tone. "And I've told you before, call me Hideki."

—"Of course, Hideki-san," she replied, with an almost imperceptible blush on her face. She really appreciated Hideki's help.

When they arrived at the student council room door, Yura opened it to let him in.

—"You can leave them on that table," she said, pointing to an empty space near the main desk.

Hideki nodded and walked over to the table, carefully placing the documents down. It was then that he noticed an unexpected presence.

—"Oh, Saito-kun. What a surprise to see you here," the firm and serene voice of Sona Shitori, the student council president, caught his attention.

Hideki quickly straightened up, turning toward her with a slightly surprised expression.

—"Ah, Shitori-Kaichou, sorry for the intrusion. I was just helping Tsubasa-san with these documents," he said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.

As he spoke, a peculiar feeling washed over him. "This presence... I've felt it before," he thought, observing both Yura and Sona. "Their auras are similar to what I sensed at the park yesterday. Is it possible they're demons too?"

Since Hideki had started developing his ability to sense supernatural presences through his ki, he'd realized that the academy was full of them. However, his inexperience still made it difficult to precisely identify who they belonged to unless he had the person directly in front of him.

Sona observed him for a moment, adjusting her glasses with an elegant gesture.

—"It's not an intrusion if you're helping, Saito-kun," she responded with a polite tone, though her analytical gaze seemed to scan him completely. "It's good to see you willing to assist. However..."

She slowly approached, maintaining a flawless posture while watching him more closely.

—"Have you been well after the fire incident? After all, you missed two days."

Hideki blinked, surprised by the question.

—"Are you referring to the fire? Yes, I'm fine. The paramedics checked me out and said there was nothing serious, just some minor burns. Thank you for your concern, Shitori-Kaichou," he replied with a slight smile.

—"I'm glad to hear that," Sona responded, though her tone remained measured and professional. "However, I can't help but wonder... what made you act that way? Jumping from the fifth floor with a family in your arms is not something just anyone can do. It's admirable, but also risky."

Hideki looked uncomfortable with the attention, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to respond.

—"Well... I didn't think much about it at the time. I just wanted to help. I couldn't stand by while someone was in danger," he said sincerely.

Sona kept her gaze fixed on him, as though trying to decipher something beyond his words.

—"I see. That's an... interesting response," she commented before turning to Yura. "Yura, thank you for the documents. You may leave, I will handle Saito-kun."

Yura blinked, surprised by the decision, but said nothing and left the room, leaving Sona and Hideki alone.

—"Saito-kun, would you mind staying a few more minutes? There's something I'd like to discuss with you," Sona said, sitting at her desk and placing her hands on it.

—"Of course, Shitori-san. What is it about?"

Sona watched him silently for a moment before speaking.

—"The act you performed yesterday was extraordinary. But I can't help but wonder... how did you manage something like that being, as far as I know, a normal student? Is there something I should know, Saito-kun?"

Hideki swallowed, feeling the intensity in Sona's violet eyes. Though the question sounded polite, it was also an indication that the president wouldn't let the matter go easily.

Hideki remained silent for a moment, trying to find the right words. Sona's gaze was piercing, but not aggressive. She seemed more interested in understanding him than confronting him directly.

—"There's not much to tell, Shitori-Kaichou," he said finally, scratching the back of his neck. "I just... acted. I don't think it was anything extraordinary, I simply did what I felt was right."

Sona watched him closely for a few more seconds before standing up from her seat. She walked over to a nearby shelf, where a perfectly arranged chessboard was placed.

—"Well, let's set that aside. Do you play chess, Saito-kun?" she asked, pulling the board out and placing it on the student council table.

—"Ah, well... a little. I used to play with my grandfather, he taught me when I was a kid, but I'm not very good," Hideki replied, eyeing the chessboard with curiosity. "By the way, Shitori-Kaichou, please call me Hideki."

—"Perfect. Let's play a game while we talk and there won't be a problem, Hideki-kun," Sona said calmly as she set up the board. Hideki smiled upon noticing that the girl had no problem calling him by his name.

Hideki sat across from her, still somewhat nervous about the situation, but grateful that the conversation wasn't too formal.

—"You start, Hideki-kun," Sona said, turning the board so that Hideki would play with the white pieces.

Hideki moved a pawn forward, breaking the ice.

—"So... what did you want to talk about, Shitori-Kaichou?"

Sona moved her pawn with precision and watched him with an inquisitive gaze, though not intimidating.

—"Nothing complicated. I just wanted to know more about you. After all, we don't usually talk beyond academic matters. Where are you from, Hideki-kun?"

Hideki moved his knight thoughtfully.

—"I'm from Asuka, in the Nara Prefecture," Hideki recalled how Kaori had helped him with the papers in this world, and when mentioning that he had spent some time in Osaka for training, she had chosen a nearby village for his registration.

—"And what brought you to this academy?"

Hideki shrugged while Sona moved her bishop with precision.

—"I wanted to take advantage of the scholarship. I've always been someone who tries to do my best, and when I had the opportunity to get in here, I didn't want to let it pass. Also, I heard the academy has an excellent level of education."

Sona nodded, intrigued.

—"That explains your grades. You're among the best students, and that's not easy to achieve, especially with this academy's demands. Do you have any goals for the future?"

Hideki sighed, moving his rook and getting lost in his thoughts for a moment.

—"I guess... I want to do something meaningful. I'm still not sure exactly what, but I want to help people, somehow."

Sona smiled faintly, moving her queen and taking one of Hideki's pieces.

—"That's a noble goal. Although, from what I've seen, you already help those around you. I've heard you offered to help Yura with some documents this morning, and this isn't the first time you've done something like that."

Hideki laughed softly, slightly embarrassed.

—"I just try to be helpful. I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary."

Sona moved another piece and looked directly at him.

—"Don't underestimate the importance of small acts, Hideki-kun. Sometimes, the simplest actions have a bigger impact than we imagine."

Though a bit intimidated by her reflective tone, Hideki decided to shift the subject slightly.

—"Are you always this good at chess, Shitori-Kaichou?"

—"Let's just say I have a lot of practice," Sona replied with a slight smile. "It's a good exercise for the mind. But back to you... how are you adjusting at the academy? Have you had any difficulties?"

Hideki moved a piece, clearly thinking about his answer.

—"Well, at first it was hard. Coming from a small town to a place like this was a big change. But I've met kind people who have helped me. Yura, for example, is a great friend, even though we've only spoken a couple of times."

Sona nodded, mentally noting his words.

—"It's good to hear that. Maintaining good relationships is just as important as academic performance."

The game continued for a few more minutes, with Sona clearly in the lead. Each of the president's calculated moves seemed to close door after door on the board. Despite his efforts, Hideki made mistakes that she exploited with precision.

—"Tell me, Hideki-kun, what can you tell me about your parents?" Sona asked casually, though her gaze seemed more inquisitive.

Hideki let out a heavy sigh before responding, his expression turning more serious.

—"The truth is, I don't know much about them. They abandoned me when I was 4. I was raised by an old man who adopted me shortly afterward. I always considered him my grandpa... though he's no longer with us." He had chosen to summarize his story, leaving out unnecessary details. Since he was no longer in his world, talking about his grandfather as someone who had passed away was easier than trying to explain his current situation.

Sona listened in silence, her expression softening as she absorbed what he said.

—"I understand. It must have been very difficult for you, losing the only family you had," she said with empathy. After a brief pause, she added, "Have you never been curious about your biological parents?"

Hideki fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the board as he moved a bishop almost mechanically, leaving the king exposed.

—"I can't deny that at first, I was curious," he finally admitted, "but soon I realized they meant nothing to me. I stopped looking for them."

His tone hardened as he said this, reflecting the mix of emotions he still harbored. He remembered when his biological parents had sought him out after the sports festival, wanting him to join their hero agency. The decision to ignore them had been painful, but necessary for him.

Sona noticed the change in his tone and leaned slightly forward with an apologetic gesture.

—"Sorry. That must have been a very delicate question. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," she said sincerely. Then, in an attempt to shift the topic, she continued cautiously, "Can I know who you're living with now?"

Hideki looked up at her, clearly tired of the interrogation. He didn't feel that Sona was a bad person, but she was prying too much into his past. Plus, with the growing certainty that she was a demon, he decided he didn't want to share any more.

—"Excuse me, Shitori-Kaichou," he said abruptly, standing up from his seat. "I appreciate your hospitality, but I think I've taken up too much of your time."

Sona blinked, surprised by his sudden reaction, but she showed no signs of annoyance. Instead, she smiled calmly and nodded.

—"I understand, Hideki-kun. Thank you for joining me for the game. I hope we can talk again sometime."

Hideki gave a slight bow before heading toward the door, feeling the weight of their conversation as he walked away. As he exited, he noticed that Yura was still waiting for him outside, apparently having finished her tasks.

—"Is everything okay, Hideki-kun?" she asked in a friendly tone.

—"Yes, thank you for waiting for me, Tsubasa-san," he replied with a smile, as if the previous conversation had never happened.

As they walked away from the student council room, Hideki couldn't shake the feeling that Sona knew more than she let on. His intuition told him that this wouldn't be the last time they spoke, and that he needed to prepare for more questions in the future.

Inside the room, Sona stared at the chessboard, where her pieces were still perfectly arranged. She was just one move away from Checkmate, but upon closer inspection, Hideki's last pawn was only one square from the enemy base. If it had become a queen, it would have left Sona in check. Not that it mattered much, as the next turn was hers.

—"Interesting guy," she murmured to herself before adjusting her glasses, carefully moving the remaining rook, and trapping Hideki's king, achieving Checkmate and victory for the demon.

End I hope you liked it

I don't know if I managed to write Sona well in this chapter or if she is very out of character, if someone knows and can help me with this, I would really appreciate it.