The next day at school, the atmosphere in Class 11-A was quiet, as it usually was. Students were focused on their work, with the occasional murmur here and there. Takahashi-sensei stood at the front of the classroom, her expression calm yet purposeful.
"Alright, class," she began, gaining everyone's attention. "We're going to need a new class leader starting this term. It's an important role, so I hope whoever volunteers is up to the task."
A few heads turned in curiosity, but most students kept their focus on their notes. Then, slowly, three hands raised into the air.
The first was Sora Yamamoto, a well-known overachiever with sharp eyes and a reputation for being competitive. Next was Mei Fujita, a quiet but diligent student who many believed had strong leadership potential. And finally, Midorikawa Raiden raised his hand confidently, causing a few surprised glances to shoot his way.
Raiden's classmates exchanged whispers.
"Raiden? I didn't expect him to go for it."
"He just transferred here a short while ago, right?"
Takahashi-sensei looked at the three volunteers, her expression thoughtful. "Alright. Yamamoto, Fujita, and Midorikawa, we'll give each of you a chance to make a case for why you should be the new class leader."
Raiden felt a surge of adrenaline. He wasn't sure what exactly had pushed him to raise his hand, but now that he had, he wasn't backing down. He glanced over at Sora, who was already looking at him with a smirk, and then at Mei, who seemed calm and composed.
This should be interesting, Raiden thought, ready for whatever came next.
Takahashi-sensei gestured for the three volunteers to come forward. "Alright, each of you will have a chance to explain why you should be chosen as class leader."
Sora Yamamoto was the first to step up, moving with confidence. He scanned the room, flashing a confident smile. "Let me begin," he said in a clear, steady voice. "I've always been dedicated to my studies, and I believe that same drive will help me lead this class. I've been involved in countless school activities, and I'm not afraid to take on responsibility. If you choose me, I promise to push this class to excel even further."
A few students nodded, impressed by his confidence and academic reputation.
Next, Mei Fujita stood up. She walked to the front with more humility but gave a warm smile. "I may not be as loud or outgoing, but I believe a leader is someone who listens and supports their classmates," she began, her voice gentle but firm. "I've worked behind the scenes on group projects to make sure everything runs smoothly. As class leader, I'd focus on understanding everyone's concerns and making decisions that benefit the entire class."
Her sincerity struck a chord with several classmates, and a respectful silence followed her speech.
Finally, it was Raiden's turn. He strolled up to the front casually, hands in his pockets, and offered a relaxed smile. "Honestly, I wasn't planning on running for this," he admitted, glancing around. "But sometimes the best leaders are the ones who don't overthink things. Sure, I'm new here, but that means I bring a fresh perspective. I want to keep things organized, have fun, and handle problems as they come. I'm not perfect, but since I moved from Class B to Class A, I've shown I can handle the pressure. If you pick me, I'll do my best to lead us to new heights."
A few whispers floated through the classroom, and Raiden could feel the curiosity and interest from his classmates. The room was now filled with a sense of anticipation as Takahashi-sensei prepared to move on to the next step.
Takahashi-sensei nodded as Raiden finished his speech. "Thank you to all three of you. Now, we'll move on to the voting process. You've heard what each candidate has to say, and it's time to choose who you believe will best represent and lead this class."
The classroom buzzed with quiet murmurs as students began filling out their ballots. Airi, seated near the middle, observed Raiden with a mix of curiosity and concern. She wasn't sure how serious he was about this, but something in his speech had resonated with her.
Thud! Takahashi-sensei placed a large box in the center of the classroom.
"I'll give you 20 minutes to hear from these three candidates. Feel free to ask them any questions," she said, encouraging interaction among the students.
The atmosphere shifted as students began to stand and approach the candidates, eager to gather more information before casting their votes. Airi watched as Sora was quickly surrounded by a group of admirers, while Mei seemed to have a more reserved group approach her, asking thoughtful questions.
Raiden, on the other hand, had a few classmates cautiously walking up to him, their expressions a mix of skepticism and intrigue. Airi felt a pull to join them, wanting to understand more about his intentions. After a moment's hesitation, she stood and made her way through the crowd.
"Hey, Raiden," she called out, catching his attention. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
Raiden turned to Airi, his relaxed demeanor shifting slightly as he noticed her approach. "Sure! What's on your mind?" He flashed her a friendly smile, clearly glad she was interested.
Airi crossed her arms, trying to appear casual despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "You said you wanted to make things fun and organized. How exactly do you plan to do that? This class is pretty set in its ways."
Raiden nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good question! I get that everyone has their routines, but I think we can bring a little more energy into things. For example, we could organize more group activities or events, like study sessions or even a class trip. I want everyone to feel included and excited about being here."
Airi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what about when things get tough? You know there will be challenges, right?"
"Absolutely," Raiden replied, leaning forward slightly, his tone earnest. "I'm not saying it'll all be easy. But I believe a good leader listens and adapts. If something isn't working, I'm all for brainstorming solutions together. I want to create an environment where we can tackle challenges as a team."
Airi considered his words, nodding slowly. "That sounds promising. But how do you plan to balance the fun with the seriousness of academics? Not everyone is on board with just having a good time."
Raiden chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "I get that! It's all about finding the right balance. We can have fun while also focusing on our studies. Maybe we can set up some study groups that are both productive and enjoyable? That way, we can help each other out and still have a good time."
Airi felt a small smile tug at her lips. "You've thought this through more than I expected... So, who's going to be your right-hand person?"
"Eh... ahh... I don't know..." Raiden stammered, his confidence faltering for a moment.
"Huh? You don't know? See, two of your opponents have already picked their right hands," Airi pointed out, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Raiden scratched his head again, his expression shifting to one of mild panic. "Well, I guess I'll just have to think of someone who's willing to help me out. I mean, it's not like I'm flying solo here, right?"
Airi chuckled, enjoying his flustered state. "Just make sure you don't pick someone who'll end up causing chaos in the class. That would defeat the purpose!"
"Then... Airi! I choose you!" Raiden declared, his voice echoing through the classroom.
Silence fell over the room as all eyes turned to them. Sora Yamamoto and Mei Fujita exchanged glances, clearly surprised by Raiden's bold choice. The atmosphere shifted; Airi suddenly felt like the center of attention, her heart racing.
Airi's eyes widened, but a smile crept onto her face. "With gratitude..." she started, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Raiden grinned, his confidence returning. "Together, we'll make this class awesome! Right?"
Airi nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Right! I'll do my best to support you."
The classmates began whispering among themselves, some impressed by Raiden's unexpected pick and others curious about how this pairing would unfold.
Takahashi-sensei cleared her throat, regaining everyone's focus. "Well, it looks like we have our candidates and their right-hand person. Remember, teamwork is key in leadership. Best of luck to all of you!"
Raiden shot Airi a playful wink, and she couldn't help but laugh. It felt good to be chosen, even if it came with a challenge.
As the voting continued, students filled out their ballots with a mix of excitement and curiosity about the new dynamic. Raiden and Airi stood together, exchanging encouraging glances while the tension in the room built.
When the time was up, Takahashi-sensei gathered the ballots and began counting. The classroom buzzed with anticipation, and Raiden's relaxed demeanor shifted slightly as he felt the weight of the moment.
Finally, Takahashi-sensei cleared her throat again, her expression serious. "I have the results! After counting all the votes, the new class leader is... Midorikawa Raiden!"
A cheer erupted from several students, and Raiden couldn't help but grin widely. He turned to Airi, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "We did it!"
Airi smiled back, her expression a mix of pride and amusement. "It's just the class leader, not exactly like being in the student council."
Raiden waved a hand dismissively, still beaming. "Hey, it's a step up! We can make this class fun together, right?"
"Right," Airi replied, feeling a growing sense of optimism. Despite her earlier reservations, there was something invigorating about being part of this new chapter. The two of them had a chance to change things, and she was ready to dive in.
Takahashi-sensei leaned closer to Raiden and whispered, "After this, don't come back yet."
Raiden leaned in to hear her better and nodded in understanding. "Got it."
"Airi, too," she added, glancing at Airi.
Airi jolted slightly, surprised by the sudden attention. "Me?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Takahashi-sensei nodded firmly. "Yes, you. I have something important to discuss with both of you after class."
Airi exchanged glances with Raiden, her heart racing with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. "Okay, we'll wait," she replied, feeling a mixture of anticipation and unease.
As the class continued with students congratulating Raiden, Airi couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting might change things for them.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, students began to pour out of the classroom, buzzing with excitement. Aya stood just outside the door, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, watching intently. She noticed Raiden and Airi deep in conversation with Takahashi-sensei, their expressions serious and focused.
Raiden leaned against the teacher's desk, his brow furrowed as he listened. Airi stood beside him, her posture slightly tense, as if she were bracing for important news. Aya's curiosity piqued; she could tell this conversation was significant.
After a few moments, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, impatiently waiting for them to finish. What could be so important? she wondered, trying to catch snippets of their discussion. She could see Raiden nodding occasionally, while Airi's expression remained thoughtful.
Finally, Takahashi-sensei concluded the conversation with a nod, and Raiden looked relieved, a grin breaking across his face. Airi, however, still wore a serious expression, as if processing the information.
As they walked out of the classroom, Raiden spotted Aya waiting by the door. "Hey! What are you doing here?" he called out, his voice cheerful.
Aya straightened up and pushed herself off the wall. "I was just waiting for you. What was that all about?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Raiden exchanged a glance with Airi, who seemed lost in thought. "Oh, just some important stuff with Takahashi-sensei about class activities and, um, plans for the future," he said, trying to keep it vague.
Aya raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Plans, huh? You look like you just won a championship or something. What's really going on?"
Airi finally broke her silence, turning to Aya. "Raiden's the new class leader, and we were discussing how to organize everything going forward. It's a big responsibility."
Aya's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and pride swelling in her chest. "Seriously?" she asked, struggling to believe it since it was her brother.
"Yeah, yeah!" Raiden nodded, his enthusiasm palpable.
Just then, Takahashi-sensei stepped out of the classroom. "What is this? Hmm... oh, you're Aya, the model," she said, her face remaining stoic as she regarded her.
Aya straightened slightly, taken aback by the teacher's recognition. "Um, yes. That's me," she replied, unsure of what to make of the encounter.
Takahashi-sensei continued, "It's nice to see students involved in extracurricular activities. Just make sure your studies don't suffer." With that, she walked past them, leaving the trio to exchange glances.
Airi broke the silence. "Looks like you have a reputation, Aya," she teased lightly, trying to ease the tension.
Raiden chuckled, "Yeah, who knew being a model came with such attention? Just don't let it get to your head, sis."
Aya rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Right, because you're one to talk about egos," she shot back playfully.
As they exited the school, the warm afternoon sun greeted them, casting a golden glow over the campus. Raiden, buoyed by his new role, led the way with a spring in his step. Airi and Aya walked alongside him, sharing light banter as they headed toward the nearby park.
"Where should we go first?" Raiden asked, his enthusiasm evident. "We could grab some ice cream or just hang out at the park. I think a little celebration is in order!"
"Did you even bring any money?" Aya asked skeptically.
"For my own and Airi's, of course! As for you, you already have a salary, so I don't need to pay you," Raiden replied, grinning mischievously.
Airi was taken aback but didn't mind it. Is he actually going to pay for my ice cream? The thought made her feel a mix of surprise and warmth.
Aya smirked, crossing her arms. "That's a bold assumption, Nii-chan. What if I want a whole sundae instead?"
Arriving at the nearby fast food restaurant known for its delicious ice cream, the trio stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sounds of sizzling fryers and cheerful chatter. The bright colors and enticing menu boards filled the space, creating a lively atmosphere.
Raiden's eyes lit up as he spotted the ice cream counter. "There it is! Let's get our treats!" He practically bounced toward the display, peering at the various flavors.
Airi followed closely, her curiosity piqued by the array of colorful ice cream options. "Wow, they have so many flavors. What are you going to get, Raiden?"
"I'm definitely getting chocolate fudge! You can't go wrong with that," he replied, still scanning the menu.
Aya sauntered over, feigning nonchalance as she inspected the choices. "I might just go for a classic vanilla. Simple but satisfying," she said, though a sly grin hinted at her playful nature.
Raiden turned to Airi, his grin widening. "What about you? Have you decided yet?"
Airi hesitated for a moment, glancing over the options. "Maybe something fruity… like strawberry?"
"Solid choice!" Raiden exclaimed, clearly excited about the group outing. "Alright, let's order!"
They made their way to the counter, where Raiden confidently placed his order for a chocolate fudge cone. Airi followed with her strawberry ice cream, while Aya, maintaining her air of casualness, ordered her vanilla sundae with extra toppings.
As they waited for their orders, Raiden leaned against the counter, looking over at Airi and Aya. "You know, this feels like the start of something great. New class leader, ice cream with friends... it's a good day!"
Airi nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her at the moment. "Yeah, it really is."
Aya rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't suppress her smile. "Just don't let it get to your head, Nii-chan. You've got responsibilities now!"
Raiden laughed, "Don't worry, I won't forget! But first, ice cream!"
Their orders were ready, and they grabbed their treats, finding a cozy booth by the window. As they settled in, the sunlight streamed through, illuminating their faces and adding to the cheerful ambiance of their celebration.
As they settled into the booth, Airi found herself sitting next to Aya, while Raiden happily savored his chocolate fudge ice cream across from them. The atmosphere was light and cheerful, but Airi couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness simmering beneath the surface.
Aya leaned in closer, a hint of mischief in her tone. "Hey, are you even comfortable around my brother?"
Airi glanced at Raiden, who was blissfully enjoying his ice cream, lost in his own world. "Honestly, it's... a little complicated," she replied, trying to keep her voice low. "He's nice, but sometimes he can be a bit too carefree for my liking. But he has a kind side too…"
"Yeah, kind of like a demon, I would say," Aya added with a playful smirk.
"Hmm? What are you guys talking about?" Raiden asked, looking between them with a curious expression.
"Just some girl talk, nothing much," Aya dismissed, waving her hand as if to brush off any suspicion.
Airi shot Aya a quick glance, grateful for her friend's cover but also wondering if she would let Raiden in on their conversation. Raiden raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he shrugged it off and returned to his ice cream, a playful grin on his face.
After finishing their ice cream, the three of them stood up from the booth and stepped out of the fast-food place, the warm afternoon sun greeting them once again. Raiden walked with a bounce in his step, clearly enjoying the time spent with Airi and Aya.
"Okay, what's next?" Raiden asked, glancing between the two girls. "We could hit the park, or if you're up for it, we can play some games at the arcade nearby!"
Airi smiled at the idea of the arcade. "I'm down for that! I haven't played in a while, and it sounds like fun."
Aya rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not in the mood for games right now. How about we just head back home instead?"
Raiden frowned slightly, sensing her reluctance. "Come on, Aya! Just a little bit of fun before we go home. It'll be worth it!"
Airi looked at Aya, trying to gauge her mood. "Maybe we can just stop by the arcade for a little while? It might lighten the day."
Chapter 4 – Finished.