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[-Continuation-]
[-Few Days Later-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
The last traces of New Year's excitement and vibe faded as January drew to a close.
Unlike every other year, this year's Sobu High student council officer elections were delayed longer than usual, dragging on without much fanfare.
There were no heated debates, no bustling campaign posters, no whispered conversations about who would win.
It was as if the entire student body had collectively decided that it wasn't worth the trouble to care.
Yesterday, the voting took place, and the whole thing was so quiet, you would barely notice it happened.
On that same day, Isshiki Iroha was officially named student council president.
No fanfare, no celebrations. Just a formality, really.
Today marks the first day of the new student council's reign.
But that was all irrelevant to the average student, as they spent the day as they usually did.
I was the same.
I went on with the same life that hadn't changed to this day.
I attended my classes, barely paying attention, letting the hours drift by until the final bell rang.
Homeroom ended, and without much thought, I gathered my things and made my way out of the classroom without a second thought.
I descended the stairs and turned into the hallway.
As I walked, my mind wandered, lost in the usual monotony.
But ahead of me was the student council room, its first day of official operation under Isshiki's leadership.
A small crowd of students buzzed around, shuffling in and out, likely setting things up for whatever student council business they had planned.
Speaking of which…
There she is. Isshiki Iroha herself, right in the middle of it all.
Her eyes lock onto me instantly, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head.
That smile... I know that smile. It spells trouble.
She waves at me, all delicate and coy-like.
I sigh. Maybe if I just nod and keep walking...
I gave her a half-hearted nod in response, a minimal gesture, just enough to acknowledge her and hoping it would be enough to satisfy her without actually requiring me to stop.
I picked up my pace, trying to make a quick escape.
"Senior!" Her voice cuts through the hallway chatter, sickeningly sweet.
I could already sense the incoming trouble.
Reluctantly, I stopped in my tracks and turned towards her, feigning indifference.
"Hey, Isshiki." I manage, trying to sound as uninterested as possible. "What's up?"
She pouts, her lower lip jutting out just so.
"Why are you ignoring meee?" She whines, drawing out the last word like a petulant child.
I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Thought I shouldn't bother you on your big day... You know, being student council president and all."
Her eyes light up at that. The pout vanishes, replaced by a smirk that's way too smug for my liking.
She takes a step closer. "Yeah, but it's our first day. You didn't think you could just walk by without wishing me luck, did you?"
Don't drag me into this. I thought, but I know it's too late. I am already caught in her web.
"Figured you would be too busy for distractions." I say, trying to keep my tone firm.
She crosses her arms, pouting again, but this time it's all for show. Her eyes are sharp, calculating. "Aww, that's harsh. You know I value your opinion, Senior! A little moral support wouldn't kill you, you know."
I groaned internally.
She is not going to let this go, and I know I need to shut this down before I get roped into something I will regret.
"You have got this handled, Isshiki." I say, fixing her with a hard stare. "You don't need me pretending to care just to stroke your ego."
Her eyes widen in mock surprise, but I catch that familiar glint.
She's not done yet. "Geez, you really don't know how to be nice, do you?"
"I am not here to be nice." I fire back, my words sharp and unyielding. "You have got a job to do, so focus on that. I am sure you will manage just fine without me holding your hand."
Isshiki blinks, momentarily thrown off balance by my bluntness. But she is nothing if not resilient.
Her grin widens, eyes gleaming with that practiced innocence she wears like a second skin.
"You think so?" She asks, as if fishing for more compliments.
For a fleeting moment, I catch a glimpse of something genuine in her eyes - a flash of belief that maybe, just maybe, I have faith in her.
It was an expression almost too innocent for her usual manipulative tendencies. I almost wanted to reach out and pat her head, though I quickly shoved that thought aside.
"You will do fine." I concede, more out of obligation than anything else. "Enough to not mess things up completely... but just enough to get by."
"What's that supposed to mean...?" Her eyes widen, adopting that spoiled look that's hard to resist. "You could at least pretend to be supportive, you know."
I stand my ground. "I am being supportive. This is as nice as I get."
Her eyes narrow, weighing whether to push further.
Then, with a small huff that's almost playful, she relents. "Fine, fine, I will take your support, even if it's as half-hearted as ever, Senior."
"Good. Now get back to your work." I say, turning to leave.
"I will..." She replies, sticking out her tongue before spinning away.
I resume my walk, lost in thought.
She should probably be waiting for me in the club by now…?
I wasted too much time.
Just as I turn the corner, Isshiki catches up, her footsteps quick and light behind me.
"You know." She said, her voice shifting to a more serious tone. "I really do appreciate your 'support.' Even if it sounds like you are being meanie."
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Really? Because it seemed like you were just fishing for compliments."
She puffed out her cheeks, indignant. "That's not true! I just want to do a good job as president, and it helps to have someone believe in me, even if it's you."
"...since you know, no one is expecting anything from me, it was nice." She adds, her voice softening slightly.
I try to maintain my facade of indifference, but something in her words strikes a chord.
"That's good, then. You have room to surprise everyone."
Then, almost without thinking, I add. "...and next year, my sister's going to enroll here."
"..?" Isshiki's hands freeze mid-gesture, her expression one of confusion.
"So make it a good school." I continue, feeling oddly protective about the environment my sister would enter.
"..." Isshiki's mouth hangs open for a moment, clearly taken aback.
Then, as if to quickly regain control, she shoots me a playful smirk.
"What's this, Senior? Are you making passes at me? Don't you have a girlfriend?" Her tone is light, teasing as usual, but her eyes betray a flicker of genuine curiosity.
I rolled my eyes. "Hardly."
But before I could respond, she spun on her heel, her hair whipping around dramatically.
"Thanks for the encouragement! See you around, Senior!" She calls over her shoulder, her voice filled with its usual playful energy.
I sigh, thinking it's finally over. But then...
Isshiki stops abruptly, as if she's hit an invisible wall. The air around us seems to shift, charged with sudden tension.
Confused, I turn back….
….and there she is. Yukino.
Her figure stands just a few feet away, poised and elegant as always. Her calm expression is fixed on me, but there is a sharpness in her eyes that I can't quite place.
Behind her, Yuigahama offers a small wave, but her attention is focused on the unfolding scene.
Isshiki, ever the quick thinker, recovers in an instant. She flashes both girls a cheery smile as she breezes past them.
"Senior Yukinoshita, Senior Yui, good to see you!"
Her voice chirps, bright and bubbly, as she darts down the hall. The energy she leaves in her wake is almost tangible.
As Isshiki's footsteps fade into the distance, I feel a tired sigh escape me. Of course, this would happen.
Yukino crosses her arms, a teasing light dancing in her eyes.
"So, did you enjoy yourself, chatting with your lil junior?" Her voice holds just a hint of amusement and suspicion, the kind she only uses when she's trying to get a rise out of me.
I hear Yuigahama giggle softly behind her, but I choose to ignore it.
What are they doing here? Shouldn't they already be in the clubroom?
"Yukino… you already know it isn't something like that." I reply, keeping my tone neutral.
"Hmm…" Her lips curled slightly, her tone feigning disbelief.
"Hmm..." Her lips curl slightly, her voice dripping with feigned disbelief. "Yes, I suppose I can see that." Each word is laced with sarcasm, though her expression remains perfectly composed.
See… what? Exactly?
I feel a small smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
There's no real accusation in her tone, just that instinctive teasing edge she sometimes employs.
She's not mad, just acting on what could be called 'womanly intuition.'
With a graceful motion, Yukino flicks her raven-black hair back and turns on her heel.
She begins walking away, Yuigahama following close behind. As they pass, Yuigahama flashes me an amused look.
I watch them leave, shaking my head slightly before turning back toward the clubroom.
It was just another day, after all.
But despite her playful teasing, I knew better.
There were no misunderstandings between us. Yukino trusted me, and that trust was mutual.
She just had her own way of expressing it.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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