The hall sounded with the footsteps of students hurrying home, heading to their clubs, or other tasks. As Heru pulled Adam along, they bumped into someone they knew.
"Hey, Mark!" [Heru]
Slapping the back of their fellow student, Mark stumbled forward.
"Woah! What the-?!" [Mark]
He turned to Heru with confusion on his face. It appeared that he wasn't expecting such a welcome.
"Huh? Heru? And… the guy I hit with the door?" [Mark]
"It's Adam." [Adam]
"Oh… uh, nice to meet you." [Mark]
Holding out a hand, Mark notioned for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too." [Adam]
Adam accepted the greeting. The two shook hands in the middle of the hallway, causing passing students to glance at them while avoiding them.
"...This might not be the best spot for introductions." [Heru]
"Yeah, I'm gonna head that way then." [Mark]
Pointing a thumb down the hall, Mark waved at them.
"Oh, what a coincidence." [Heru]
"Hm?" [Mark]
"We're also going that way." [Heru]
"We are?" [Adam]
"We are." [Heru]
Heru spoke as if it was a given, but Adam was clueless. He still had no clue as to where they were going.
"...Then how about we go together?" [Mark]
"That sounds like a good idea." [Heru]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The three students moved along the hallway, chatting about trivial things until they reached a certain room.
"Oh, this is my stop." [Mark]
Mark pointed to a room labeled "Disciplinary Committee", and began to open the door.
"Oh, what another coincidence." [Heru]
"Huh?" [Mark]
"This is also our stop." [Heru]
"What?" [Adam]
Adam and Mark stared at Heru with confusion. There was no movement between them for many moments, causing Heru to break the silence.
"Are you going to go in?" [Heru]
"Y… Yeah…" [Mark]
Mark opened the door to the room, allowing Adam and Heru to enter before himself.
"Welcome back- eh?" [???]
There sat a girl at a large desk similar to the student council room's. Judging by her tone of voice, she didn't seem to be expecting guests.
"Heru?! What are you doing here?" [Girl]
"Did you not ask for help?" [Heru]
("Help?") [Adam]
As Heru spoke with the girl, Adam took a quick look at the room.
("...Huh? Isn't this the student council room?") [Adam]
The room was like an exact replica of the student council room, except for the fact that it was more clean and organized.
"And who's that behind you?" [Girl]
"That's our new recruit." [Heru]
Heru raised an arm to tap on Adam's chest, bringing his attention to the girl.
"Hey, introduce yourself." [Heru]
"O-oh! uh… Hi, my name is Adam. I'm the student council's new recruit." [Adam]
As he introduced himself, Adam observed the girl before him.
("Is this their leader?") [Adam]
The girl had red short red hair, growing all the way down to her chin. Her outfit, just like any other student, was a blue school uniform.
"Adam, is it? Nice to meet you. My name is Gertrude, the head of the disciplinary committee." [Girl]
Gertrude smiled at Adam, making him feel a bit more relaxed.
"So? Are you two here to help out?" [Gertrude]
"No." [Heru]
("We aren't?") [Adam]
Gertrude's smile vanished. It seemed that she didn't want to entertain guests that didn't benefit her.
"Then leave." [Gertrude]
"Wait. Hear us out." [Heru]
"..." [Gertrude]
She held her tongue. Picking up a nearby pen, Gertrude twirled it around her thumb.
"Speak." [Gertrude]
"As you know, Adam here is a new recruit." [Heru]
"Meaning?' [Gertrude]
"Adam will be the one helping you." [Heru]
Gertrude stopped fiddling with her pen, bringing her full attention onto Heru.
"He is?" [Gertrude]
("I am?") [Adam]
"He needs more experience. As much as Jelia hates you, and as much as you hate Jelia, we still need to cooperate." [Heru]
Gertrude went silent. Placing a hand to her chin, she considered it.
"...I suppose you're right. I'll take him." [Gertrude]
"Good decision. I'd like it if you return him by the end of spring break." [Heru]
"Deal." [Gertrude]
With that, the two came to an agreement.
"I'll be off now. I'll send you his info later." [Heru]
"Please do." [Gertrude]
Heru turned to leave, and Adam began to follow.
"What are you doing?" [Heru]
Stopping in his tracks, Heru placed a hand on Adam's shoulder.
"Uh… Following you?" [Adam]
"Oh, Adam…" [Heru]
"Yes…?" [Adam]
"You're belong here now. I leave the rest to you." [Heru]
"Wait, I'm starting right now?!" [Adam]
Leaving those parting words, Heru left the room.