Takahashi-sensei entered the classroom with her usual calm demeanor, her eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone was in place. Without a word, she walked to the front, setting down her materials and pulling out a neatly stacked set of papers. The students, well accustomed to her punctuality, straightened in their seats, ready for another focused, intense lesson.
"Good morning, everyone," Takahashi-sensei greeted, her voice measured and authoritative. "Today, we'll be covering the fundamentals of differential equations—an essential topic for those aiming to excel in higher-level mathematics."
A few students adjusted their notebooks and opened their textbooks, while others—like Raiden—flipped open their laptops to follow along digitally. Takahashi-sensei began writing equations on the board with precise, deliberate movements, her handwriting flawless. Each stroke of chalk seemed to carry an almost palpable weight, as if every mark held a crucial piece of knowledge.
Raiden glanced over at Airi, who appeared slightly overwhelmed. She shot him a look that said, I hope you're keeping up with this. Raiden chuckled quietly to himself but turned his attention back to the lesson.
Takahashi-sensei paused, turning to face the class. "These types of equations will challenge you, but they are key to understanding complex systems, whether in physics, engineering, or even economics. Now, let's solve this first one together...." Just then, Takahashi-sensei paused and turned toward Raiden, her gaze sharp. "Raiden, no laptops. For this lesson, I want you to use paper."
Raiden blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then nodded, closing his laptop with a quiet sigh and pulling out a notebook.
Airi chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand, clearly amused by Takahashi-sensei's reprimand. Raiden's eyes widened at the sound of her laughter. She's mocking me... he thought, glancing sideways at her.
Her innocent expression didn't help his suspicion, and Raiden fought the urge to sigh dramatically. Instead, he pulled out his notebook and pen, trying to focus on the equations on the board while Airi's teasing laugh echoed in his mind.
Lunchtime arrived, and Raiden and Airi found themselves in the quiet refuge of the school library. The soft rustling of pages and the occasional cough were the only sounds around them as they sat at a corner table. Between them lay their lunchboxes, half-eaten, as they both worked on their student council tasks.
Raiden glanced up from his laptop, the low hum of the fan barely audible in the library's stillness. Airi was beside him, silently jotting down notes on her tablet. The atmosphere was comfortable but focused, each of them lost in their own tasks.
"Did you finish the booth schedule?" Raiden asked quietly, careful not to disturb the library's peaceful atmosphere.
Airi nodded, not looking up. "Almost. Just need to adjust a few shifts for peak times. What about you?"
"I've done most of the logistics for the event setup," Raiden replied, taking another bite of his sandwich. "Still need to double-check the volunteer list though."
They both returned to their work in silence, their synergy making the task surprisingly smooth. Even though neither of them spoke much, the shared focus and occasional exchange of ideas made their teamwork feel effortless.
After a few more minutes, Airi broke the silence. "You're handling this really well, Raiden. I didn't expect you to jump into the council work so easily."
Raiden smirked. "You're just surprised I'm not complaining more."
Airi laughed softly, her eyes flicking up to meet his. "Maybe. But you're doing great."
Raiden shrugged, a faint smile crossing his face as he looked back at his screen. "Guess I have to live up to the class leader title after all."
They continued working in the quiet comfort of the library, time slipping by as they prepared for the upcoming event.
As Raiden and Airi quietly continued their work, the peace of the library was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Raiden looked up just as Aya appeared around the corner, followed by her friend, Nishida Yumi. Aya wore her usual curious expression, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes that made Raiden narrow his gaze.
"Well, well, look who's hard at work," Aya teased, crossing her arms as she stopped in front of the table. Yumi, standing beside her, offered a polite smile, though her eyes scanned Raiden and Airi's setup with mild curiosity.
"Oh, my dear imouto," Raiden replied, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, didn't you have that agency gig today?"
Yumi's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Aya. "You had work today?"
Aya nodded nonchalantly, brushing it off. "Yeah, that's why I was late this morning. But it doesn't matter now. Anyway, nii-chan, what are you working on?" She leaned over the table, her curiosity piqued.
Raiden sighed, motioning to his laptop. "Student council stuff. Airi and I are planning for the upcoming school event."
Aya grinned playfully, poking at Raiden's arm. "Look at you, all responsible and everything. Who knew?"
Raiden rolled his eyes, shooting her a look. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead and make fun. Shouldn't you be getting ready for your next gig?"
Aya waved him off, clearly not in any rush. "I've got time. Besides, this looks way more interesting." She glanced between Raiden and Airi, her teasing grin never faltering.
Yumi, standing quietly, smiled awkwardly but kept her focus on Aya.
"Maybe we shouldn't interrupt them too much, Aya," Yumi suggested cautiously.
Aya, ignoring the suggestion, called out, "Well, Yumi, come sit! Don't just stand there."
Yumi hesitated for a moment but eventually took a seat, though her expression remained unsure, clearly wondering what was coming next.
Airi glanced at Raiden and said, "Hey, can you search for an estimate of how many tables we have at school?"
Raiden shook his head. "I don't have that info. We'll probably have to check and count them ourselves."
"Hmmm… so, you wanna go check it out now?" Airi asked with a slight smirk.
Raiden stopped typing and got to his feet. "Yeah, might as well." Turning to Aya, he added, "Aya, can you watch my laptop while we're gone? Don't change anything, but you can mess around with it if you want."
Aya's eyes lit up mischievously. "Don't worry, nii-chan, I won't do anything too crazy," she teased, giving him a playful grin.
"Alright... let's go, Airi," Raiden said, stretching as he got ready to leave. "We should check the warehouse to see if we have enough tables for the booths."
Airi nodded, gathering her things. "Good idea. Hopefully, we've got plenty so we won't need to scramble last minute."
As they started walking toward the door, Aya waved her hand lazily at them. "Don't take too long. I might get bored and start reorganizing your files, nii-chan," she called out teasingly.
Raiden rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, just don't break anything." He glanced at Airi with a small smile. "Let's get this over with."
Yumi leaned closer to Aya and whispered, "Is your brother really close with that Airi-senpai?"
"Huh...?" Aya turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Well, yeah, probably. Why?"
"She's... rarely like this," Yumi replied, glancing in the direction of Raiden and Airi as they walked away. "I always thought she was the kind of person who kept everyone at arm's length."
Aya's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I didn't know that. She seems pretty friendly now."
"Maybe your brother brings out a different side of her," Yumi suggested, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Aya pondered this for a moment, her curiosity piqued. "I wonder what their dynamic is like. I should ask him later."
Meanwhile, Airi and Raiden walked through the school yard, the sun shining brightly above them. As they approached the warehouse, Raiden glanced over at Airi. "So, what do you think we'll find in there? Enough tables for the booths?"
Airi shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "I hope so. If not, we might have to get creative with the layout."
Raiden chuckled. "Creative? You mean chaotic."
"Exactly," Airi replied with a grin. "But that's half the fun, right?"
...I wonder why; he seems to give me positive energy... Airi thought, glancing at Raiden as he walked beside her. His relaxed demeanor and easygoing nature were infectious, making her feel more at ease than she had in a long time.
"Here we are," Raiden announced, stopping in front of the slightly ajar door of the warehouse. He reached out and pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit space filled with stacks of supplies, old sports equipment, and a few tables haphazardly piled in one corner.
Airi stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. "Looks like we hit the jackpot," she said, spotting a couple of tables in decent condition. "At least there are some here."
Raiden nodded, walking further into the warehouse. "Let's check how many we actually have." He started counting the tables, his voice echoing slightly in the large, empty space. "One, two... looks like there are four usable ones."
Airi moved closer to inspect a table, running her fingers over the surface. "Not bad. We might need more, but this is a good start. Let's make sure they're not too wobbly or damaged."
"Good call," Raiden replied, testing one of the tables by shaking it gently. "This one seems solid enough."
As they continued their inspection, Airi felt a growing sense of teamwork between them. Working alongside Raiden was turning out to be more enjoyable than she had anticipated. "You know, I'm glad we're doing this together," she said, glancing over at him with a smile. "I think we make a pretty good team."
Raiden turned around slowly, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her. "Hmmm?" he mumbled, his curiosity piqued.
Airi felt a flush creep up her cheeks as she looked down at the ground. "I meant as a team... I've never done anything right when working with others. It's just that... don't take it the wrong way."
Raiden regarded her for a moment, sensing her unease. "Hey, don't worry about it. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I think you're doing great so far." He offered her a reassuring smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
Airi met his gaze, her heart racing a little. "Really? You think so?"
"Absolutely," Raiden replied, shrugging casually. "You've got good ideas, and you're organized. That's what we need right now."
Feeling a little more confident, Airi smiled back. "Thanks, Raiden. That means a lot coming from you." She looked around the warehouse, taking a deep breath. "Alright, let's finish checking these tables and get back to the council room. We still have a lot to do."
Raiden nodded, his playful demeanor returning as he continued inspecting the tables. "Race you to see who can find the sturdiest one!" he challenged, a grin spreading across his face.
They both darted into the warehouse, weaving through stacks of unused chairs and old decorations. The dim light filtered through the dusty windows, casting long shadows on the concrete floor. Raiden moved quickly, scanning the tables lined up against the far wall.
After a while, Raiden walked over to Airi, who seemed to be diligently counting all the parts for the booths to ensure everything could be used for the event for every class.
"Everything good?" he asked, peering at the notes she had made.
Airi looked up from her clipboard, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Yeah, I think so. I've counted at least ten tables here that seem usable, but I still need to check a few more." She gestured to a stack of tables pushed against the back wall. "I just want to make sure we have enough for all the booths and that they're in decent shape."
Raiden nodded, impressed by her thoroughness. "Want me to help you with the counting? Two sets of eyes are better than one."
Airi smiled appreciatively. "Sure, that would help. Let's get those tables over there." She pointed to the stack she had indicated earlier, and they made their way over, the creaking of the floor echoing around them.
As they worked, Raiden couldn't help but notice how focused Airi was, her determination shining through. "You really care about this event, don't you?" he remarked casually.
Airi paused for a moment, glancing at him. "Yeah, I do. I want it to be a success, not just for the student council, but for everyone involved. I think it's important for our school spirit."
Raiden nodded, appreciating her passion. "That's a great mindset to have. Let's make sure we pull it off together."
Aya leaned closer to Yumi, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come here, look at the picture folder of my onii-chan... hehe," she suggested, her voice low and playful.
Yumi hesitated, her face flushed with embarrassment. "H-Hey, it's not good to invade your brother's privacy, even if he's your brother…"
"Aw, come on! It's just for fun!" Aya giggled, tapping the laptop's trackpad and opening the folder with a flourish. "Besides, you're my friend! You have to share in the embarrassment!"
Reluctantly, Yumi leaned closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Fine, but just a quick look," she said, her tone half-heartedly reprimanding as she peered at the screen.
The folder opened to reveal a mix of photos, some showing Raiden in various school activities, others depicting silly moments with friends, and a few candid shots taken without his knowledge. Yumi stifled a laugh at a picture of Raiden making a goofy face while posing with his friends.
"Aww, he looks so silly here!" Yumi exclaimed, unable to contain her laughter. "Is he always like this?"
Aya nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "You have no idea! He's super serious when he needs to be, but he's also really fun to be around. It's like he has two sides."
Yumi scrolled through the photos, raising an eyebrow at one of Raiden holding a large stuffed animal he had clearly won at a fair. "And this one? What's the story behind it?"
"Oh, that was last summer! He insisted on playing all the carnival games to win me a prize, and he ended up winning that ridiculous bear," Aya explained, chuckling at the memory. "I told him he should've just bought me something cute, but he was determined to win it himself."
Yumi smiled, finally seeing Raiden in a new light. "He seems really sweet," she said, her tone softening. "I can see why you look up to him."
"Oi."
"Kyaa!" Both Aya and Yumi squeaked in surprise.
They quickly turned to see Raiden and Airi standing just inside the library, eyebrows raised in disbelief. Fortunately, the library was empty, save for the four of them.
Aya's face flushed, realizing they had been caught in the act. "Uh, we were just… um…"
Airi crossed her arms, trying to hide her amusement. "Looks like you were having fun over here."
Raiden leaned closer, peering at the screen with a chuckle. "At least you didn't change the Excel sheet, right?" he teased, raising an eyebrow at Aya.
Aya crossed her arms defensively, a playful pout forming on her lips. "I would never! I'm not that mean," she protested, though a hint of mischief lingered in her eyes.
"Can you move a bit? I need to adjust and add something," he said.
Yumi immediately shifted aside, giving Raiden more room, while Aya scooted over slightly so her brother could sit.
Raiden settled into the chair, adjusting the laptop so he could see the screen better. He quickly scanned the Excel sheet they had been working on, his brow furrowing as he noticed a few discrepancies.
"Alright, let's see... We need to update the number of tables and assign some to each class," he muttered, typing away. As he worked, he could feel Airi's gaze on him, but he didn't turn to meet it.
"Need any help?" Airi asked, her voice breaking the silence.
Raiden glanced up, catching her concerned expression. "I think I've got it, but if you could double-check the list of volunteers, that would be great. We need to make sure everyone's accounted for."
"Sure thing," Airi replied, shifting her focus to her notebook.
Meanwhile, Aya and Yumi exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by Raiden's concentration.
"What do you think he's thinking?" Aya whispered to Yumi, leaning closer.
Yumi shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "Probably about how to organize everything efficiently. He seems really dedicated."
Aya nodded, her eyes sparkling with admiration for her brother. "He is. It's just one of the things I love about him."
As Raiden typed furiously, Airi leaned over to read what he had written. "You've got the right idea here, but I think we should allocate a few more tables for the games," she suggested, pointing at the screen.
"Good call," Raiden said, making the adjustments. "I'll add a few more to the list."
After a few minutes of quiet collaboration, the atmosphere in the library shifted. Raiden felt a sense of camaraderie building between him, Airi, and their friends.
I've never seen this side of nii-chan... Aya thought.
As the final bell rang, Raiden gathered his things and met up with Aya outside the school gates. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling streets as students poured out of the building, laughing and chatting.
"Ready to head home?" Raiden asked, adjusting the strap of his backpack as they began walking side by side.
"Yep! I'm starving!" Aya replied, her eyes lighting up at the thought of dinner. "I hope you're in the mood for my favorite ramen place."
Raiden chuckled. "Always. I could go for some good ramen after a long day."
They strolled through the streets, the familiar sights of their neighborhood bringing a sense of comfort. As they passed by the bakery, the sweet scent of fresh pastries wafted through the air, making Aya pause briefly to gaze longingly at the window display.
"Just one pastry?" she pleaded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Raiden smiled, amused by her enthusiasm. "Alright, just one. But we're getting ramen afterward."
"Deal!" Aya beamed, practically bouncing on her toes as they entered the bakery.
After quickly selecting a delicious-looking cream puff, they continued on their way, savoring the moment. The chatter of passersby mixed with the distant sounds of traffic, creating a lively backdrop for their walk.
Once they reached their apartment building, they stepped into the elevator, and Raiden pressed the button for their floor. The small space felt cozy, and they shared a comfortable silence as the elevator glided upward.
"Hey, nii-chan..."
"What is it, Aya?"
"Just in case our parents really do decide to move you out when you turn 18, are you going to go?" she asked.
Raiden and his family had been facing numerous challenges—not financial ones, but more about their differing perspectives. When Raiden was 15, he had been forced to live alone when their parents bought a house for him as he entered high school. When he turned 18, he would have to decide whether to return to a private finance school or live a "normal" life, feeling abandoned in the process.
Raiden chuckled, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "I just want to make you happy."
"What is that... that's not even an answer."
"Hahaha!"
Chapter 7 – Finished.