The next day arrived, and Raiden stood outside the classroom, casually scrolling through social media on his phone, enjoying the calm of the morning. He seemed completely absorbed in whatever was on the screen, taking a moment to relax before the start of the day.
Suddenly, Takahashi-sensei appeared, her footsteps soft but purposeful. She stopped in front of him, her expression unreadable. "Raiden, follow me for a moment," she said in a tone that didn't allow much room for hesitation.
Raiden blinked, momentarily confused, before locking his phone and slipping it into his pocket. "Ah... okay," he replied, standing up straight and following her down the hallway, wondering what could be coming next.
Raiden followed Takahashi-sensei down the hallway, his mind running in circles, wondering what she wanted to discuss. Eventually, they arrived at her private office, a small room lined with bookshelves and papers neatly stacked on her desk. She gestured for Raiden to take a seat, and he did so, still unsure of the situation.
Takahashi-sensei took a deep breath and sat across from him, her expression more serious than usual. "I wanted to talk to you about an incident that happened recently," she began. "It involves Tanaka Haruto, the former class leader, and Sora Yamamoto."
Raiden raised an eyebrow. "Tanaka Haruto? I've never even met him. Isn't he always outside of school?"
"That's right," Takahashi-sensei confirmed with a nod. "Haruto has been absent quite often, which is why you haven't crossed paths with him. But despite his absence, he still carries some influence, and it seems there's been tension between him and Sora Yamamoto."
Raiden leaned forward, intrigued now. "What happened?"
"There was a fight between them," Takahashi-sensei said gravely. "It wasn't physical, but things escalated quickly during a disagreement over leadership and who should have control over class activities. Sora's competitive nature clashed with Haruto's, and their argument almost disrupted the class harmony. We managed to de-escalate the situation, but I need to make sure this doesn't cause more problems."
Raiden listened carefully, processing the information. "So, what do you need me to do?" he asked.
"I need you, as the new class leader, to step in and mediate," she said firmly. "Haruto may no longer be the class leader, but he still holds sway over some of the students. I'm asking you to help resolve this tension before it turns into something bigger. It won't be easy, but I believe you're capable."
Raiden sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. "I'll do my best," he said, determined. "But it might be tough if Haruto doesn't want to listen to someone he doesn't know."
Takahashi-sensei smiled faintly. "That's why I wanted to talk to you now. I'll introduce you to Haruto, and I trust you'll find a way to handle the situation with the same calm and balance you showed during the class leader election. This is your first real challenge as class leader, Raiden."
Raiden nodded slowly, already thinking of how to approach Haruto and Sora. "Alright. Let's do this."
So, Sora really wants to be class leader, huh... and he's arguing with Haruto... Raiden thought, considering the weight of the situation. He knew Sora was competitive, but he hadn't realized just how deep his desire to lead ran. And now, Haruto, a former class leader who still had sway despite his absences, was involved.
This could get messy, Raiden mused, imagining the possible scenarios. If Haruto still had influence, Sora could feel overshadowed even more, potentially causing more friction within the class. Raiden would need to tread carefully to balance both personalities and defuse the tension before it escalated further.
He glanced back at Takahashi-sensei, who was busy looking through some papers on her desk. How am I going to deal with this? he wondered. The last thing he wanted was for his first challenge as class leader to devolve into a power struggle between two strong-willed students.
I'll need to talk to Sora first, Raiden decided. Figure out what's really going on in his head. And then I'll deal with Haruto.
Raiden took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but if he could handle it, he'd prove to himself—and the class—that he was the right person for the job.
"Ah, also," Takahashi-sensei called, interrupting Raiden's thoughts.
"Y-yes!?" Raiden straightened up, caught off guard.
"Can you take care of Airi?"
"Huh...?" Raiden blinked in confusion, not expecting that at all.
"I've heard from the school counseling teacher that she's dealing with some family issues," Takahashi-sensei explained, her voice softening. "So don't let her get overwhelmed, and please, don't make her cry or burden her with too much responsibility."
Raiden's mind raced. Airi's going through family problems? She never mentioned anything... He felt a wave of concern for her but nodded, taking the request seriously. "I'll keep an eye on her, sensei. I won't let her feel overwhelmed."
Takahashi-sensei smiled slightly. "Good. She trusts you, so be there for her."
Raiden felt a heavy responsibility settling on his shoulders. Leading the class was one thing, but looking out for Airi's well-being in the process? He wasn't sure how he'd manage it all, but he knew one thing—he couldn't let her down.
In class, Raiden sat at his desk, staring blankly at the board but lost deep in thought. How do I handle this? he wondered. Taking care of a verbal fight feels harder than dealing with a physical one. And now, I also have to keep an eye on Airi...
"Seems like you're thinking a lot," a voice broke through his thoughts. Airi, who sat beside him, had been watching him intently.
Raiden blinked and turned to face her. "Huh? Oh... yeah, just... a lot on my mind." He tried to smile, but it came out more awkward than reassuring.
Airi tilted her head slightly, studying his expression. "You sure you're okay? You look more stressed than usual."
Raiden hesitated. He couldn't exactly tell her everything, not about Takahashi-sensei's request, at least. "Yeah, just, you know... class leader stuff. It's a bit more than I expected."
Airi smiled gently. "Don't worry. You don't have to do everything alone, you know. I'm here too."
Thud! The classroom door swung open, and a burst of energy filled the room. Standing there was a cheerful guy with a wide grin plastered on his face—it was Tanaka Haruto.
"Hello everyone!" he shouted, laughing heartily as if he owned the room.
Raiden blinked in surprise. So that's Tanaka Haruto… the former class leader? He'd never met him before, but it was clear from the moment Haruto entered that he had a larger-than-life personality.
Haruto walked in confidently, his laughter still echoing through the room as he waved at some familiar faces. He then stopped abruptly and turned toward Raiden, his smile never faltering. "Oh! You must be the new class leader! Raiden, right?"
Raiden gave a hesitant nod. "Yeah, that's me."
Haruto let out another laugh. "Well, good luck! It's quite the job, let me tell you!" He leaned in with a conspiratorial wink. "But hey, I'm always around if you need some tips."
"Ah, right. I wanted to ask you something," Raiden said, glancing at Haruto with a thoughtful expression.
Haruto's grin widened. "Oh? Go ahead, ask away!"
Raiden hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I heard the class leader has to constantly interact with the student council. Is that true?"
Haruto chuckled, crossing his arms. "Oh, absolutely! You'll be dealing with them quite a bit. They'll come to you for event planning, student concerns, and all sorts of things. It's part of the job! But don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds—if you're organized, that is."
Just as Raiden was about to respond, Airi, who had been listening quietly, suddenly chimed in. "Wait, what exactly happens in the student council? I mean, besides planning events and stuff. What kind of things should we expect?"
Haruto's eyes lit up, clearly enjoying the opportunity to explain. "Well, besides event planning, the student council handles a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff—like budgeting for clubs, organizing school festivals, and sometimes even mediating between students and teachers. It's kind of like being the bridge between the administration and the students."
Airi nodded thoughtfully. "So it's not just about making things fun, then. There's a lot of responsibility involved."
"Exactly!" Haruto exclaimed. "You'll have to juggle both fun and serious matters. But honestly, it's a great way to make a difference in the school."
Raiden leaned back in his chair, absorbing the information. "Sounds like a lot to handle, but I guess that's what leadership's about, right?"
Airi glanced at Raiden, her expression slightly more serious. "It sounds like we'll have our hands full... Are you sure you're ready for all of this?"
Raiden grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, with you around, I think I'll manage just fine!"
"Ah, here's the guy who ran away from me! Enough of this running away, huh?" Sora suddenly stood behind Haruto.
Haruto turned to face him, his smile unwavering. He seemed unfazed by Sora's presence. "Well, Sora-kun, it's because the student council constantly asks me to go with them to survey a lot of things," he replied casually.
Sora narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "That's just an excuse. You could've stood up to me back then, but instead, you chose to hide behind your little council meetings."
Haruto chuckled, brushing off Sora's words. "Hiding? Nah, I just have other responsibilities now. Besides, avoiding conflicts isn't exactly a bad strategy." He glanced around the classroom, his demeanor relaxed, as if the tension didn't bother him at all.
Airi exchanged a worried glance with Raiden. "Do you think this is going to escalate?" she whispered.
Raiden shrugged, his eyes fixed on Sora, who was fuming. "It's hard to say. Haruto seems calm, but Sora looks like he's ready to blow."
"Whatever. You can keep your excuses," Sora shot back, folding his arms defiantly. "Just remember, you should pay for your actions in the past." With that, he slumped back in his desk.
The class sat in silence, watching the exchange with rapt attention.
Damn, the atmosphere is heavy here... Raiden thought.
But the tension dissipated when Takahashi-sensei walked into the room.
Takahashi-sensei scanned the classroom, her expression shifting from mild annoyance to stern authority as she took in the palpable tension. "Good morning, everyone. I hope you all remember our classroom rules about respectful communication," she stated, her voice firm.
Sora muttered under his breath, "As if he deserves respect."
Takahashi-sensei's gaze locked onto Sora, her eyebrows raised. "If you have something to say, Sora, please share it with the class."
Sora sat up straight, caught off guard but unwilling to back down. "I just think it's hard to respect someone who isn't even aware of their own actions from the past."
Haruto shrugged, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, Sora-kun, if you truly believe that about the past, I would recommend you stop. I'm not the one who made her feel that way; she just did it to herself."
Seems this isn't just a fight about leadership, huh? I was wrong about that... Takahashi thought, observing the dynamic between the two boys.
"Enough," she interjected, raising her hand to silence them. "Let's focus on our studies now."
Raiden leaned closer to whisper to Airi, "She?"
"Probably a girl, huh?" Airi replied, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to piece together the context.
Raiden nodded, his curiosity piqued. "I wonder what happened. It sounds like it's a bigger issue than just a class leadership dispute."
Airi sighed, glancing back at Sora and Haruto, who were now trying to avoid each other's gaze. "It's definitely something personal. I hope it doesn't escalate further."
"Me too," Raiden agreed, still watching the tension in the room. "For now, we should just focus on class."
As Takahashi-sensei began the lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom slowly shifted. The students tried to engage with the material, but Raiden couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
After school, as Raiden headed toward the 1-B classroom to see his sister, someone suddenly blocked his path.
"Midorikawa Raiden, I'm from the student council. Can you follow me? I heard you're the new class leader."
Raiden raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by the abruptness of the student's request. "Uh, sure. What's this about?" he asked, glancing around to see if Airi or Aya were nearby.
The student, a tall girl with short brown hair and a determined expression, gestured for him to follow. "We need your expertise in the student council to help organize everything. Last time you took an exam, you scored a perfect 100. We could really use that kind of brainpower!"
Raiden crossed his arms, skepticism creeping into his tone. "What exactly should I do?"
The girl smiled confidently. "Everything! We need someone to help with planning events, coordinating meetings, and managing communications. Just follow me; I'll fill you in on all the details."
"Tell me your name first," Raiden asked, glancing at her chest where her name tag should be. However, he couldn't quite see it since her movements were a bit distracting.
The girl caught his gaze and raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips. "It's Matsuda Kana. Nice to meet you, Raiden." She extended her hand for a shake, clearly unfazed by his awkwardness.
Raiden shook her hand, feeling a firm grip. "Nice to meet you too, Kana. So, what exactly do you need from me?"
Kana smiled, her expression turning serious. "As the new class leader, you'll have some influence over how we operate in the student council. We're trying to plan some events and get the class more involved, but we need fresh ideas and organization. Your performance in exams shows you have the potential to help us achieve that."
Raiden considered her words for a moment. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm not sure how much I can contribute. I've never been involved in student council stuff before."
Kana waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it! That's what I'm here for. I'll guide you through the process. Plus, with your analytical skills, we can make a real impact this year."
"Okay, I guess I can give it a shot," Raiden said, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Great! Let's head to the student council room. You'll meet the rest of the team, and we can brainstorm some ideas." Kana turned on her heel and started walking, glancing back to ensure Raiden was following.
As they made their way through the bustling hallways, Raiden couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He was stepping into uncharted territory, and although it was intimidating, it also felt like an opportunity for growth.
They rounded a corner, and Raiden spotted Aya standing by a row of lockers, her arms crossed and a skeptical expression on her face. She looked relieved to see him, but her eyebrow shot up at the sight of Kana beside him.
"Onii-chan! There you are!" Aya called out, striding over. "What are you doing with the student council?"
"This… Ah, Aya, isn't that the model student over there?" Kana remarked, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Aya. "Wait, 'Onii-chan'? Are you two related?"
"Ah, imouto-san, you're going home alone? I have something to take care of," Raiden said, patting Aya's head affectionately.
Aya shrugged off Raiden's hand, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I can handle myself, you know! But what exactly are you doing with her?" she asked, pointing at Kana with a hint of suspicion.
Kana smiled brightly, trying to ease the tension. "I'm just recruiting Raiden for the student council! We need his help with organizing some activities since he's the new class leader."
Raiden nodded, glancing at Aya. "Yeah, it's just some planning stuff. Nothing too serious."
Aya crossed her arms, her skepticism not fading. "Planning, huh? Are you sure you can handle that? You're not just going to get swept away, are you?"
Raiden rolled his eyes playfully. "I can handle it, I promise. Besides, it might be fun!"
Kana chimed in, "Exactly! We could use your input on some of our ideas. It'll be great!"
Aya sighed, seemingly torn between trusting her brother and her protective instincts. "Fine, but don't take too long. I'll be waiting for you at home," she said, her tone softening a bit.
"Yeah, shoo shoo! Get going," Raiden teased, playfully nudging her away.
"Yeah, yeah," Aya replied, rolling her eyes but unable to hide a small smile as she walked away.
"Then should we continue to the student council room?" Kana asked, her enthusiasm returning.
Raiden nodded, eager to see what the council had in store. "Sure, lead the way!"
Kana gestured for him to follow as she walked down the hallway, chatting about some of the upcoming events they were planning. "We've got a lot of exciting activities lined up—festivals, charity events, and even a talent show! Your input would be invaluable."
Raiden listened, intrigued. "That sounds like a lot of work. How do you manage all of that?"
Kana smiled over her shoulder. "We all pitch in! Plus, with your help, I think we can streamline things a bit. The more ideas, the better!"
As they approached the student council room, Raiden felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about what awaited him inside.
As they reached the student council room, Kana opened the door, revealing a spacious area filled with tables and chairs. A large whiteboard covered in colorful notes dominated one wall, while a few students were already seated, chatting animatedly.
"Everyone, this is Raiden, the new class 2-A leader!" Kana announced, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
The room erupted with a mix of cheers and murmurs. A few students looked up from their laptops, flashing smiles and nods in acknowledgment, while others remained absorbed in their tasks, typing away furiously.
"Welcome, Raiden!" one student called out, raising a fist in the air. "Let's make this year great!"
"Yeah! Glad to have you on board!" another chimed in, a grin spreading across their face.
Raiden felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he took in the diverse reactions. He stepped further into the room, glancing at the students who were focused on their screens. "Thanks, everyone! I'm looking forward to working with you all," he said, trying to match their enthusiasm.
Kana led him to a table near the front, where a stack of papers and a laptop awaited. "This is where all the planning happens! We've got some great ideas lined up, and we need your input," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Raiden nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle on his shoulders. "Alright, let's get started then!"
But then a guy who had been focused on the papers stood up and walked over to him, adjusting his glasses as he faced Raiden directly.
"What is your biggest achievement?" he asked, his tone serious and scrutinizing.
Bottom of Form
Chapter 5 – Finished.