Kana quickly stepped between them, her voice rising. "Wait! Mizunoya! That's not appropriate!" she scolded.
Mizunoya, a third-year student and class leader of Grade 12-A, didn't even flinch. "Shut up, Kana," he muttered, his focus still locked on Raiden. "Tell me your biggest achievement," he repeated, his eyes narrowing.
Raiden simply smiled, meeting Mizunoya's intense gaze without hesitation. "Being alive," he replied coolly.
A brief silence followed, the tension thick in the air as the two stared at each other.
Mizunoya adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable as he gave a small nod. "Fair enough," he said curtly, before turning on his heel and heading back to his desk, where he resumed his work on the papers spread out in front of him.
Kana let out a relieved sigh and glanced at Raiden with a smile. "Well, that went better than expected," she said softly, leading him further into the room.
As Raiden followed Kana deeper into the room, he took in the subtle hum of activity around him—students diligently typing on laptops, reviewing documents, and quietly discussing plans. The atmosphere felt busy but focused.
Kana led him to an empty table near the whiteboard and gestured for him to sit. "Alright, Raiden. We've got a lot going on with the upcoming school event, and we're falling behind on some logistics. Since you're the new class leader, we thought you could help us get things back on track."
Raiden leaned back in his chair, scanning the bustling room. "So, what exactly do you need me to do?"
Kana smiled. "Well, we need help organizing student booths, event schedules, the usual stuff. I think you'd be great at handling that."
Raiden chuckled, causing a few heads to turn. "Sorry, but if you can, give me something that involves sitting in front of a laptop with Excel. I'm not really the type to run around and micromanage everything."
Kana raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by Raiden's response. "Excel, huh? I guess we can make that work. There's definitely plenty of data that needs organizing—budgets, schedules, and some event registration lists. You sure you're up for the challenge?"
Raiden smirked. "As long as I don't have to run around chasing people down, I'm good."
Kana handed him a folder filled with spreadsheets and some notes. "Alright, then. This is a list of everything we need organized by the end of the week. It's a bit of a mess right now, so feel free to tidy it up however you see fit. Just make sure everything is ready before the final event meeting."
Raiden opened the folder, scanning through the disorganized data. "Looks like a fun challenge. I'll get started right away."
Kana nodded, her smile widening. "Thanks, Raiden. I'm sure you'll do great. If you need any help, just let me know."
As she walked away to join the others, Raiden leaned forward, focused on his task. Despite his usual carefree attitude, he knew that being part of the student council would mean stepping up in ways he hadn't expected.
After a moment of fifteen minutes of silence in the student council room, Raiden suddenly stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, I'm finished. I'm heading home," he declared nonchalantly.
The student council members looked at him in disbelief, their eyes wide with surprise.
"You serious?" one of them finally blurted out, looking between the disorganized mess they'd handed him and Raiden, who now appeared completely relaxed.
Raiden smirked. "Yeah, I sorted everything out. Check the files if you don't believe me." He slid the folder across the table, grabbed his bag, and headed for the door.
Kana quickly picked up the folder, flipping through the neatly organized spreadsheets. Her jaw dropped slightly. "Wait, how did you finish this so fast?"
Raiden shrugged. "I told you, I'm better with data than running around. Anyway, see you all tomorrow!" He waved casually before disappearing out the door.
The room remained silent for a few moments before someone finally muttered, "He's not normal, is he?"
As Raiden reached the doorway, he paused and turned back to Kana. "I can go back home now, right?" he asked casually. "My sister might be waiting for me."
Kana, still staring at the neatly finished work in her hands, blinked and nodded. "Yeah, you're good to go. Thanks for the help."
Raiden gave a small nod, his usual laid-back smile returning. "Cool. See you tomorrow, then."
Without waiting for a reply, he stepped out, leaving the council members behind, still processing how quickly he had wrapped everything up.
As he walked down the hallway, he checked his phone, wondering if Aya had messaged him yet. Guess I'll be home early today, he thought.
Raiden arrived at the apartment building just as the sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow across the sky. He made his way up the familiar steps, his mind drifting to the day's events at school. The student council wasn't as intense as he had imagined, but the encounter with Mizunoya still lingered in his thoughts.
As he unlocked the door to the apartment, he was greeted by the sound of the TV playing in the living room. Aya was sprawled out on the couch, flipping through channels with a bored expression. She glanced over when Raiden entered.
"You're back early," she remarked, not taking her eyes off the screen. "How was your 'planning' session with the student council?"
Raiden kicked off his shoes and shrugged. "Not bad. I finished what they needed in like, fifteen minutes."
Aya raised an eyebrow, finally looking at him. "Seriously? I thought you'd be stuck there for hours. What'd you do, hack into their computers?"
Raiden chuckled, plopping down on the couch next to her. "Nah, just some organizing. You know how it is."
Aya rolled her eyes but smiled. "Well, lucky for you. I thought I'd have to order dinner without you."
"Is that your way of saying you're hungry?" Raiden teased, grabbing the TV remote from her.
"Maybe," Aya replied with a smirk. "What's on the menu tonight, chef?"
Raiden thought for a moment, then glanced over at the kitchen. Opening the fridge and the cabinet, he said, "Well... how about sausage teriyaki?"
Aya perked up at the suggestion. "That sounds amazing! We have everything we need, right?"
Raiden nodded, pulling out the ingredients. "Yep! Just need to cook the sausages and whip up the teriyaki sauce. Shouldn't take long."
As he started preparing the meal, Aya leaned against the counter, watching him with curiosity. "You really enjoy cooking, don't you?"
"Yeah, it's kinda relaxing," Raiden replied, slicing the sausages with precision. "Besides, I want to make sure you eat something good. You can't live off snacks and instant ramen forever."
Aya chuckled. "Hey, those are classics! But I guess I wouldn't mind a homemade meal once in a while."
As Raiden turned on the stove, the sound of sizzling filled the kitchen. The smell of cooking sausages wafted through the air, making both of their stomachs growl in unison.
"See? Even the food agrees that this is a great idea," Raiden joked, flashing a grin at Aya.
"Alright, alright. You're winning me over," she said, folding her arms with a mock-serious expression. "Just make sure you don't burn anything."
"Not on my watch!" he replied confidently, stirring the sauce in a separate pan.
After a few minutes of cooking, the sausages were perfectly browned, and the teriyaki sauce was ready to go. Raiden plated the food and set it on the dining table, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.
"Dinner's served!" he declared, gesturing for Aya to join him at the table.
"Wow, it looks delicious!" she said, her eyes lighting up as she took a seat.
"Thanks! I'm just glad I didn't set anything on fire," Raiden replied with a grin, sitting down across from her.
As they dug into their meal, the warmth of the apartment and the comfort of their routine enveloped them, momentarily pushing aside the challenges of school and life outside.
Raiden slumped onto his bed, exhaustion washing over him as he closed his eyes, trying to drift off to sleep. Just as he was about to surrender to slumber, his phone rang, jolting him awake.
Groaning, he fumbled for the device on his bedside table, squinting at the screen to see who was calling. It was an unknown number, but curiosity got the better of him. He answered the call, bringing the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Raiden said, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Raiden... it's me, Airi," she said, her tone soft and hesitant.
Raiden sat up in bed, suddenly alert. "Airi? What's up? Is everything okay?"
There was a brief pause on the other end. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just... wanted to talk to you about something."
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Raiden asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"I just got a text from one of the student council members. It seems like there's still a lot we need to do there, huh?"
Raiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it looks like it. I thought I could get away with just one day of work, but apparently not."
Airi chuckled softly on the other end. "Well, you are the class leader now. You've got responsibilities."
"Tell me about it," he replied, shaking his head in disbelief. "What's the plan? Are they expecting you to help out too?"
"Yeah," Airi confirmed, her voice steady. "They mentioned needing extra hands for the event preparations. I figured I'd swing by tomorrow after school. Want to join?"
Raiden paused for a moment, weighing his options. He knew he should show up and support his classmates, especially in his first week as class leader. "I suppose I should. Can't let them down right off the bat, can I?"
"Exactly," Airi said, her tone encouraging yet soft. "Good luck to both of us. It sounds like we're in for a busy time."
"Yeah, good luck for you too," Raiden replied, a hint of camaraderie in his voice.
After a brief silence, Airi added, "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then."
"See you tomorrow," he echoed, before Airi hung up the call.
Raiden placed his phone back on the bedside table, feeling the weight of the responsibilities settling on his shoulders. As he stared at the ceiling he cant help to sleep for tomorrow.
The next day dawned bright and early, sunlight filtering through the curtains and illuminating Raiden's room. He groaned, reluctantly pulling himself out of bed. After a quick shower and breakfast, he grabbed his backpack and made sure to include his laptop—he had a feeling he'd need it for the student council meeting.
As he walked to school, Raiden's mind wandered to the tasks ahead. He felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about his new role as class leader. Would he be able to keep everything organized and ensure that the upcoming school event went smoothly?
Upon arriving at school, he made his way to Class 2-A, where he found Airi already waiting outside, her expression a blend of determination and nervousness.
"Hey, Raiden!" she called out, waving. "Ready for today?"
Raiden smiled, trying to match her enthusiasm. "As ready as I'll ever be. Did you manage to get any details on what we need to do?"
"Just a bit," Airi replied, her brow furrowed slightly. "Kana mentioned that we need to set up booths, finalize the schedule, and handle a few logistics. It sounds like a lot, but I think we can manage it if we work together."
"Yeah, teamwork makes the dream work, right?" Raiden joked, nudging her playfully.
Airi laughed, the tension easing a bit. "Exactly! Let's head to the student council room and see what we're up against."
As they walked, they passed students buzzing with excitement about the upcoming event. Raiden felt a wave of energy wash over him; it was clear everyone was eager to contribute.
Arriving at the student council room, they were greeted by the familiar sight of students working diligently at their desks. Kana was at the whiteboard, sketching out plans while Mizunoya meticulously organized papers at his table.
"Good morning, everyone!" Raiden announced, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the room.
Kana turned around, her face lighting up. "Hey, Raiden! Glad you could make it. We were just discussing the layout for the booths."
Raiden nodded, feeling more confident now that he was surrounded by supportive peers. "What do you need me to do?"
Kana gestured to the whiteboard. "We're thinking of having three main booths: one for games, one for food, and one for information. We need to assign students to each booth and create a schedule for shifts. Do you think you could help organize that?"
"Absolutely!" Raiden replied, already formulating a plan in his mind. "Let's get everyone involved. Airi and I can work on the schedules while you handle the booth assignments."
"Perfect!" Kana said, her energy infectious. "Let's make this event unforgettable!"
Raiden glanced around the room at the eager faces of his fellow council members. With teamwork and determination, they were ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Raiden dove into the task at hand. He pulled out his laptop and opened a shared document, inviting Airi to join him as they began drafting the schedule.
"Alright, let's break it down," Raiden said, tapping away at the keyboard. "We'll need shifts for each booth, ideally with enough overlap so that everyone has a chance to participate in the event."
Airi nodded, her eyes scanning the notes on the whiteboard. "We should also consider the different times for peak attendance. Maybe we can assign more people during lunch breaks and after school when everyone is around."
"Great idea!" Raiden replied, feeling the synergy between them. "Let's mark those times down and see how many volunteers we have."
As they brainstormed, the rest of the student council members began to gather around, curious about their plans. Kana walked over, glancing at the document on Raiden's screen. "How's it going?"
"Pretty well! Airi and I are working on the schedule," Raiden replied. "We're trying to ensure everyone gets a chance to help out without feeling overwhelmed."
Mizunoya, still focused on his papers, glanced up. "Just make sure you allocate enough time for each shift. We don't want anyone burning out before the event."
"Absolutely," Raiden agreed. "We'll aim for two-hour shifts at the very least, with breaks in between."
The room buzzed with conversation as other council members contributed their thoughts, discussing which students might be best suited for each booth and how to promote the event to the rest of the school.
Kringg! The bell rang, signaling the start of the first class.
Raiden glanced at his laptop and then at Airi. "Should we head back to class? The first period is starting soon."
Airi nodded, looking a bit reluctant to leave the productive environment but understanding the importance of attending class. "Yeah, let's go. We can pick this up after school."
Raiden closed his laptop, feeling a sense of accomplishment despite the looming responsibilities. "Alright, let's make sure we're prepared for our classes. We've got a lot to do later!"
With that, they headed out of the student council room, the buzz of ideas and plans still fresh in their minds.
Raiden held his laptop with one hand as he walked to class, oblivious to Airi's curious gaze lingering on his arm. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Hey, doesn't that laptop look thick and heavy?"
"Hmmm? I'm used to it," Raiden replied casually. "It's only 5 kg, and it's an old laptop, you could say."
"5 kg!?" Airi exclaimed, her eyes widening. "That's pretty heavy for a laptop! How do you carry that around all the time?"
Raiden shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "I guess I've just built up some muscle from lugging it around. Plus, I've had it for years; it's like an old friend at this point." He adjusted his grip, balancing it effortlessly.
"An old friend that weighs 5 kg? You must be a pro at this!" Airi chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I'd probably drop it within a minute!"
"Don't worry; I've dropped it a few times, but it always manages to survive," he replied with a laugh. "It's tougher than it looks."
Airi rolled her eyes playfully. "Just promise me you won't drop it in the middle of a presentation or something."
Raiden nodded, still grinning. "No promises! But I'll do my best." They shared a laugh, their lighthearted banter easing the tension before they entered the classroom.
As Raiden and Airi stepped into Class 2-A, the familiar quiet atmosphere greeted them once more. The students were already seated, their focus absorbed by their books and notebooks, as if the world outside the classroom didn't exist. It was as if the room itself demanded silence and concentration.
Raiden scanned the room, taking in the serene scene. He nodded toward Airi before heading to his desk. Airi, still marveling at how calm the classroom always seemed, whispered, "It's so quiet here, as usual. You'd think it was a library."
Raiden chuckled softly, taking his seat. "Yeah, it's always like this. Everyone's pretty serious about their studies."
Airi nodded in agreement and went to her desk as well, the sound of her chair scraping the floor being the only noticeable noise in the room. The calm returned immediately, with all eyes back on their respective tasks. Raiden opened his laptop, ready to continue where they left off with the student council work, his mind already preparing for the day ahead.
Chapter 6 – Finished.