As the tension thickened on the rooftop, Fuyumi, still caught between anger and confusion, fixed a piercing gaze on Shiriku. Her eyes portrayed a mix of disbelief and frustration, emotions mirrored in the furrowed brows and a subtle twitch of her lips. The serene backdrop of the rooftop transformed into a stage for the unfolding drama of unspoken words.
"Why would you suddenly offer me the position? What's your reasoning for backing out?" Fuyumi demanded, her voice cutting through the tension like a sharp blade. The sharpness in her tone was matched by a narrowing of her eyes, suspicion etched across her face. Fuyumi's body language became a canvas for her frustration—her fist clenched tightly, a physical manifestation of the internal turmoil.
On the other side of the rooftop, Shiriku maintained his serious demeanor, absorbing Fuyumi's words with a measured composure. He took a deliberate deep breath, a momentary pause before offering his response. "I want to understand you, Fuyumi," he stated, his tone calm yet carrying an undercurrent of sincerity. His eyes, however, betrayed a genuine curiosity, as if seeking to unravel the mystery shrouding Fuyumi's fierce determination.
Fuyumi, not easily swayed, retorted with a skeptical expression. "Understand me? Oh, how generous of you. After all this time, you suddenly care about understanding me?" Her words dripped with a blend of defiance and frustration. The dismissive wave of her hand added emphasis, challenging the authenticity of Shiriku's words.
Shiriku, unfazed by her skepticism, held his ground. "Yes, Fuyumi. I want to understand why you seem to dislike me so much," he stated calmly, the steady tone contrasting with the intensity in his eyes.
Fuyumi, caught off guard by the directness of his question, hesitated before responding. "Well, I... I just don't think you're fit for the role. It's nothing personal." Her words carried an attempt to deflect Shiriku's inquiry, accompanied by a forced smile. It was as if she sought to mask the underlying tension beneath the surface.
Observing her response, Shiriku, though not fully convinced, nodded in acknowledgment. "Fair enough. But it feels like there's more to it. Why this strong reaction towards me?" His eyes searched hers for a hint of honesty, his own demeanor revealing a subtle persistence in getting to the heart of the matter.
Fuyumi, avoiding direct eye contact, sighed before answering, "Look, I've heard things about the 'Kami' family. Maybe I just assumed you were like the rest of them." Her response carried a hint of discomfort, and her hands gestured vaguely, attempting to downplay her feelings.
Shiriku, recognizing the weight of preconceived notions tied to his family name, nodded solemnly. "I get it. But not everyone in the 'Kami' family is the same. I have my own reasons for doing this." His tone was earnest, a plea for understanding, and his eyes held a sincerity that sought to bridge the gap between them.
Fuyumi, not fully convinced, took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. "This doesn't make sense. We've been at each other's throats, and now you suddenly want to be friends or something?" Her body language shifted from frustration to suspicion, punctuating her words with pointed gestures that mirrored her skepticism.
Shiriku, understanding the tension between them, maintained his composure. "I know it's complicated, but I believe there's more to us than this rivalry. I want to understand you better," he explained, his gaze unwavering.
Fuyumi, still guarded, retorted, "Well, your reasons don't matter to me. I have my own reasons too." Her crossed arms and defensive posture reinforced her reluctance to share the deeper truth, emphasizing the internal conflict she grappled with.
As Fuyumi and Shiriku descended the staircase, the weight of their conversation lingered between them. The hallway echoed with the faint sound of their footsteps, each step punctuating the silence that enveloped them. The air was thick with unspoken words and unanswered questions.
Upon returning to the classroom, Fuyumi and Shiriku found themselves greeted by the warmth of familiar faces and the enthusiastic energy of their classmates. Sensei Takahashi, ever the beacon of positivity, welcomed them back with open arms.
"Welcome back, my little darlings!" Sensei Takahashi exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "As you can see, we already have winners for the positions. Now, the only one left is the class president position."
Shiriku, his expression unchanged, stepped forward to address the class. "Everyone, I've decided to back out of the class president position." A collective murmur of confusion swept through the room, even Sensei Takahashi raised an eyebrow, not anticipating a sudden withdrawal.
Fuyumi, standing beside Shiriku, shared in the perplexity. The classmates exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the unexpected turn of events. Sensei Takahashi, recovering from her surprise, tried to make sense of the situation. "Oh, this is quite unexpected. Shiriku, may I ask why?"
Shiriku, with a calm demeanor, responded, "I believe it's for the best, Sensei." His words held a certain finality, leaving the classroom in a state of bewilderment.
Sensei Takahashi, although caught off guard, nodded in acceptance. "Very well. If that's your decision. Now, with Shiriku stepping back, it seems we have our class president by default."
Fuyumi, now at the forefront, faced her classmates with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I'm honored to have won the class president position. Congratulations to Shiriku for his efforts." Fuyumi's words carried a genuine tone, an acknowledgment of the unexpected turn of events.
Shiriku, standing beside her, extended his hand for a congratulatory handshake. Fuyumi, slightly taken aback, reciprocated, her expression softening.
As Fuyumi prepared to express her gratitude to Shiriku, she was surprised to find his hand extended for a congratulatory handshake. The unexpected gesture caught her off guard, but she accepted with a smirk, thinking, "This guy... he's really weird. He's not like the other Kamis that I've heard of. He looks happy and content while initiating the handshake.
In contrast, Shiriku, while appearing happy and content on the outside, couldn't help but feel a tinge of awkwardness. As Fuyumi continued to hold onto his hand, he thought to himself, "When will she stop shaking my hand? This is getting really awkward."
Fuyumi, after a moment, finally released Shiriku's hand, giving a playful smirk. In her mind, she couldn't help but acknowledge the unexpected nature of the Kami before her. "Sister, it looks like my Kami is different from the Kamis you've mentioned. The one I have right now is somewhat weird but nice."
As the awkward handshake concluded, Sensei Takahashi rallied the class to celebrate the new class president. Sensei Takahashi, delighted by the positive energy in the room, added to the applause with her own encouraging words. "Congratulations, Fuyumi! I'm sure you'll make an excellent class president." Her vibrant tone resonated, amplifying the celebratory atmosphere.
Sachi, leaning over to Junichi with a quizzical expression, couldn't help but voice her curiosity. "Junichi, what's going on? Why are Shiriku and Fuyumi suddenly smiling at each other like they've discovered a secret?"
Junichi, with an amused grin, replied, "Well, my dear Sachi, it seems like the tension has lifted. Maybe they've found common ground or decided to be friendly rivals. Who knows?"
Sachi, intrigued by the sudden change, observed Shiriku and Fuyumi exchanging smiles and nods. "Hmm, friendly rivals, you say? That would be a plot twist. They were at each other's throats during the debate, but now look at them... It's as if they're a long time friends"