Extra in the Student Council
5. President, I'm going to leave my seat for a while.s
With the added training menu on Shuu's list of things to do every day, nothing much changed from usual. It's still study, study, and study. (Oh, and training, I guess.)
('It's pretty enjoyable.' Saying that was the least I could do to cheer myself.) Shuu's sighed
(If it weren't for my mature mentality, I don't think even the smartest and most diligent kid could endure all of this.)
(I'm starting to think my parents have a sadistic side to them at this point.) Shuu sighed again.
Do you know the reason why playing games is always more enjoyable than studying? because it's easy? Not really, there are games that are so hard that they grill the player's mentality to the breaking point. but they didn't stop. because it's more fun? not really. For the same example, playing hard-core games can be more upsetting than studying, especially competitive games.
There are a few reasons, like difficulty-skill graphs and rewards. but the most important is a visible progress bar. Just knowing that you are making a bit of progress toward reaching your small goals gives a euphoric feeling to the player, which makes them want to keep making progress. By this point, we might be able to conclude gamers weren't the laziest bunch. Instead, they were the most diligent ones. However, it's very hard to see the progress bar in real life and in study. That's why many stop trying once they think they haven't made any progress at all.
If we could see a progress bar in everyday life, we might be able to erase the lazy trait from our dictionary. The future technologies of AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) sound more appealing, don't they?
In Shuu's case, his progress was much faster than that of his peers. It was fast enough that he could feel he was making progress in anything he tried his hands on. That's why it was enjoyable for him. and with his mature mind, he won't back down easily until he makes progress. It was a spiral of positivity for him.
Anyway, after a bit of a break, it was time to start his basic combat training. Shuu went on his way toward the dojo-like place near his home to meet his teacher. However, there's something different today, usually there's only him and his teacher, yet today there's a third person.
Shuu observed her for a moment. It was a cute blonde-haired girl. From Shuu's observation, she most likely had the exact opposite personality from Chika. Shuu didn't say much and greeted his teacher and the girl like usual.
His teacher greeted him back before explaining the situation. "I realized. There's a limit to me teaching Katsuragi-sama alone. By having a training partner on the same level as Katsuragi-sama, it would be very beneficial for Katsuragi-sama's progress," he said. "And coincidentally, I also had to teach this girl basic combat, so it's a win-win situation for both of you."
"Do you mind, Katsuragi-sama?"
"Please, Katsuragi-sama" The girl followed up. Unlike Chika's greeting, her greeting was more refined, like a trained servant in his house.
"Hmm, I see," Shuu replied flatly to his teacher. "If that's what the teacher decided, then it must be right. I trust teacher enough for this," then Shuu turned to the girl once again "I'm sure you already knew me, but let's take this more appropriately. My name is Katsuragi Shuu, I'll be in your care from now on."
"Likewise, Katsuragi-sama," the girl bowed perfectly, "my name is Hayasaka Ai, I'll be in Katsuragi-sama's care from now on."
***
Kaguya stared at the two guests of the student council. She couldn't help but look at them like extraterrestrial beings. From her dictionary, what they did was something impossible to happen. She didn't expect there to be something that could exceed her imagination in a bad way like this.
"How did they even enroll in this school?" Kaguya muttered unconsciously in a small voice, but it was still heard by those two.
""Ugh"" They flinched as if an arrow had struck through their hearts.
When Kaguya came to herself, she saw every student council member in the room staring at her, and the two guests looked even more miserable. She quickly realized her mistake and apologized.
Meanwhile, Miyuki also didn't expect they would be this bad. After all, in the second year, there were only a few who were called geniuses, and these two were included on it. On the other hand, Miyuki also understood their hardship. He was once the same as them—a child who was unable to study and unable to achieve his parents' expectations. He was going to help them from the beginning, but now that he knows their circumstances, he is even more eager to help them.
"By the way, if you don't mind answering, are you two okay with just passing the test?" Shuu took the reins and asked
Rizu and Fumino quickly straightened their spines and recovered when they heard Shuu's question. ""No!"" They resolutely denied it. It surprised the student council member a bit.
"I see, then your future college is—" Before Shuu could finish his question.
"Literature," Rizu replied, and "Science," Fumino replied simultaneously.
Kaguya was no longer looking at them as extraterrestrial beings, the only thing left in her eyes for them was disappointment. It was the same as Shuu. Chika wasn't bothered by their choices. It was up to them to choose their future. while Miyuki was quite supportive of their choice, because it was similar to his path.
After a moment of silence.
"Haa~" Shuu deliberately sighed loudly enough for all of them to hear him. Then Shuu stared straight into their eyes menacingly and asked, "Do you two take life as a joke?" With that one line, the atmosphere in the room becomes immensely heavier and chillier, as if the room temperature just dropped by a few degrees Celsius.
Miyuki remembered this feeling. It was the same feeling as when he invited Shuu and Kaguya into the student council. However, unlike Kaguya's aura, which mellowed over time, Shuu's aura quickly disappeared the moment he joined the student council. However, sometimes in important moments, like when he was discussing the Shuchi'in academy club's budget with the club's leader, Shuu would have the same aura as before. Miyuki concluded Shuu could switch on and off his temperament, or what you call his charismatic aura, like a light switch. Making Shuu more sophisticated than Kaguya in Miyuki's eyes. What he didn't know was that Kaguya could do the same, just not as perfectly as Shuu.
Chika knew Shuu for quite a long time. She knew it was better not to interfere when Shuu was like this. While the rest were more or less intimidated by Shuu's presence, Kaguya was the only one who wasn't affected by it.
"What do you mean?" Rizu snarked back. "Do you want to say, like other people say, that we should follow our talent?" Fumino didn't say anything. However, she also gazed straight back at Shuu, stating that she felt the same as Rizu.
"Yes, that's exactly what I said. Are you unable to comprehend it?" Shuu condescendingly stared at them, as if staring at some little trash on the side road.
"Having talent or not doesn't matter!" Rizu shouted back and fumed with anger, "I'm sick of people using that word to decide what my life should be! Others can go ahead and decide their lives if they wish!!" and after she said what she wanted to say. Rizu was about to run from the student council's room. yet…
*Slap
Shuu slapped the back of the couch. It wasn't strong, but it was loud enough to startle everyone in the room. "That's why I SAID: Do you take life as a joke?" Shuu was glaring at them by this point. "Just because you wished to do so, everything would end well? Do you think everyone has the same chance to choose freely? If you do, then throw that naive mind to the ground! or even step and spit on it! if you have time."
"You think everyone is fair? There's only unfairness in this world!!" Unable to refute Shuu's remark, the two could only bite their lips in silence, looking like they were about to cry. Miyuki tried to interfere, but Shuu glared at him to stop, while Chika also helped to stop Miyuki.
"What?" Shuu continued, "Is it hard to hear? Well, if you don't want to hear it anymore, feel free to go, the door is over there." Shuu pointed at the door. Then, as if following his words, the two were about to stand up and leave the room but stopped instantly when they heard Shuu's next line. "It showed us what your limits are."
Both Fumino and Rizu quickly sat back down again. Meanwhile, Shuu is still glaring at them, "What? Didn't you guys want to leave?" He said it mockingly. Yet the two sit still. It took time, but they eventually were able to glare back at Shuu. Between the two, Fumino was able to do that faster.
"Are you two prepared to use... to burn every last being of yourself to achieve what you wanted?" Shuu asked again. He stared at them as if he were looking into their core. It was a very unpleasant feeling, yet the two endured it. They didn't reply back, but the conviction and determination in their eyes were enough to answer his question.
That's why…
*Clap
Shuu clapped his hand, breaking all the heavy atmosphere from before, which shook both Fumino and Rizu. "Then come here when you have time, or find us outside, which is also fine. For Science. Me and Shinomiya-san would be the best. And for literature, President and Chika would be the best. We'll see who's had free time at that time." Shuu concluded "Are you alright with this arrangement, president?" Shuu asked.
"Aah,"" Miyuki replied shortly, he's also a bit overwhelmed by the situation Shuu's created before.
"Alright, both Chika and Shinomiya-san are fine, right?" Shuu asked to make sure, and when they both nodded toward him, Shuu turned toward Miyuki once again.
"Then. I'm sorry, President, I'm going to leave my seat for a while." Shuu said. His conduct conveyed that he was not accepting any answer other than yes. He makes his way out of the student council's room. But before he was out, he took a glance at Kaguya, who was also staring at him. One glance was enough to convey his attention to Kaguya: 'Take care of the rest'.
Then Shuu left the room.
The moment Shuu left. The two, Fumino and Rizu, broke down in tears immediately. Watching that, Kaguya could only sigh lightly before moving to take care of the aftermath.