The walk to the Student Council building was longer than I expected, winding through thick trees that hid it well. I'd barely noticed the distance until we were halfway there. "Huh... This building is quite far," I muttered, more to myself than to Imelda, who was practically glowing with excitement.
She grinned, her eyes gleaming with that familiar enthusiasm. "It has to be! The Student Council room is special because this place has important activities and various tasks that shouldn't be disturbed."
"Peace and privacy" meant "isolation and inconvenience" if you asked me. The building was tucked away near Protea's main entrance, but thanks to the trees around it, you couldn't even see it from the gate. The sunlight seeped through the dense leaves, dappling the ground. The only clear path to the door was down a narrow trail hidden behind the tree line. This place might as well be in a different world.
"Yeah, well, 'important activities' seems like a nice way of saying you get your own private hideaway," I said, unable to resist.
Her cheerful expression faltered, and she gave me a dramatic pout. Alysha stifled a laugh beside me. Of course, Imelda's pouting was nothing new, but it was definitely something I'd rather avoid.
Imelda's pouty look at my comment was priceless, but it was dangerous territory; she'd dig her heels in if I didn't handle this carefully. Usually, she wouldn't let things go until I did something about it, but today, she seemed extra persistent.
I turned to Alysha for backup, hoping she'd intervene. "Alysha, can you can you persuade her?"
"Sorry, Brother. I think she'll only be happy if you handle it," she shrugged her hands up in mock surrender. "Besides, don't you know her personality better than me?"
My thoughts ran back to how Imelda could be when she didn't get her way. Koizumi Imelda was the type who always got what she wanted—or something equally close—and she seemed to only act this way around me. If I didn't play along, this could take all day.
I sighed again, louder this time, and finally gave in. "Alright, alright, Imelda. If it'll make you stop sulking, I'll give you one request." Her face lit up instantly, her pout disappearing in seconds.
"Really?" she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Yes, really. Now, let's go inside before more people start staring." I was trying to avoid the group of students who'd gathered, curious about our little exchange.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, finally realizing we'd drawn a small crowd. Her cheeks flushed, and she hurried up the stairs without a backward glance, her usual confidence giving way to a rare moment of embarrassment.
Imelda immediately opened the door and guided us in. The entrance led to a plain corridor that stretched out before us, lined with several doors and a staircase at the far end.
The first floor housed the Disciplinary Committee, where the enforcers of the school's rules kept a watchful eye, along with a common room where students could unwind between classes.
The second floor, however, was where the real action happened—the Student Council office and a meeting room were nestled away from prying eyes.
Without wasting any time, Imelda led us straight to the staircase, her excitement bubbling as we ascended. She reached the top and turned left, pulling open the door to the Student Council room, her face still slightly flushed from our earlier exchange. It was a mix of embarrassment from her moment outside and the thrill of stepping into her domain.
The Student Council room was straightforward and minimalistic—everything was functional and designed purely for work. A bookshelf stood against one wall, with a couch and coffee table in the center, and the president's desk neatly positioned at the far end. There were even a few plants in the corners, which seemed like the only hint of decor in the place. It was impressive, but not overdone, like Imelda's own approach to things.
"Is this the first time you've been so embarrassed in front of people?" I asked, giving her a teasing smile.
She turned away, her cheeks a little pinker. "I mean, of course! Who wouldn't be embarrassed with all those people watching? And... it doesn't usually happen."
I chuckled, taking my chance to tease her a bit more. "So, you're usually so mature, but when it's just us, you act like a kid?"
"Stop it," she muttered, still a little red. Her expression softened after a moment, and she turned back to face me. "Besides, I only act like this around you." She met my gaze, half-defiant, half-embarrassed.
"Well, that's something, at least," I said, holding back a smirk. I don't know that you are aware of your actions. I was about to drop the teasing when Alysha's voice gave me another surprise.
"Actually, Sister Imelda does act differently with someone else." Alysha shot a mischievous glance at Imelda, who immediately turned an even darker shade of pink.
"Ely!" Imelda stammered, looking caught off-guard. "What are you even talking about?"
Alysha grinned, clearly enjoying this. "Senior Dillon, of course."
"Dillon?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Who's Dillon?"
"Someone special to her," Alysha replied with a smirk, "and her boyfriend."
For a second, I just stared at her, trying to process this new piece of information. Imelda—the same Imelda who pouted like a kid and dragged me halfway across campus—had a boyfriend? And not just any boyfriend, but one who actually managed to put up with her quirks?
I didn't know whether to be surprised or impressed.
"Wow," I said finally, laughing softly. "I never thought you'd have a boyfriend."
Imelda looked both flustered and indignant. "W-Well, it's not like I have to tell you everything." She crossed her arms, but her embarrassment was plain.
"Sure, sure. You should bring him by sometime," I replied, still laughing a little.
It's quite amusing when you realize that I'm often the one who's bothered.
"Since you haven't eaten yet, I'll grab some sandwiches from the kitchen downstairs,"
As Alysha left the Student Council room to grab some food, the silence settled in around Imelda and me.
I watched her for a moment, noticing that she still seemed flustered, probably lingering embarrassment from our little scene outside. I took a seat on the couch, leaning back to look up at the ceiling, wondering what she'd say next.
Imelda, standing by the window, glanced my way and cleared her throat, changing the subject. "So… since it's just us now, Nao, I want to talk to you about something important."
I raised an eyebrow, though I had a pretty good idea where this was headed. "Sure. What is it?"
"I want you to join the Student Council," she said, her voice steady but her eyes watching my reaction closely.
I sighed, the familiar weight of that topic settling on me. "Imelda, we've been through this. You know my answer."
"You didn't even consider it!" she protested, a spark of frustration in her eyes. "We could use your help, Nao. You're one of the few people I trust to handle things properly."
I shook my head, trying to be firm. "I didn't consider it because I don't need to. You know I'm not interested in doing council work. I don't want to get involved in all the meetings, reports, and—" I stopped myself, realizing I was listing reasons that Imelda already knew too well.
"Are you going to turn me down without a second thought?" Her voice was calm, but I could tell she wasn't going to let this go easily.
"Look, I get that the council is important to you," I said, softening my tone. "And I respect that, I do. But it's just… not for me."
Imelda took a breath, closing her eyes as though she was bracing herself. When she looked back at me, her gaze was more intense. "Then I'll use the request you promised me."
I froze, remembering our deal from earlier. I'd agreed to give her one request to make up for teasing her. I hadn't thought she'd use it for something like this.
"That was supposed to be for something small," I argued, but my voice was already losing its strength.
"Does it matter?" she asked, a hint of a smile on her face. "A request is a request, Nao. And I'm choosing this."
I felt trapped. She was right. I'd agreed to a request, no matter what it was, and now she'd chosen something that I couldn't easily brush off. Still, I knew I couldn't just say yes. If I gave in this time, I'd be roped into things I didn't want to do.
"Even so, I still refuse," I said firmly, standing up and looking her in the eye. "I'll do what you ask, but if it's about the Student Council, the answer is still no. And if you keep insisting, I'll just leave."
Her expression flickered, maybe with a bit of frustration, but she quickly hid it. Imelda was persistent—far too persistent for her own good. I understood that if I lingered any longer, my resolve would shatter and would fulfill her wish. That was precisely why I had to walk away.
They didn't call her the
I was halfway to the door when it suddenly swung open, and Alysha slipped inside, carrying a plate with sandwiches and drinks. She quietly closed the door and looked between the two of us, her expression caught between amusement and curiosity.
"Where are you going, Brother?" she asked, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "I made sandwiches."
I glanced at the food, knowing she'd put in the effort, but I shook my head. "Thanks, but I'm done here."
She tilted her head, her expression becoming more playful. "But didn't you promise to grant one of Sister Imelda's requests?"
I sighed, rubbing my temple. Alysha had probably picked up on what was happening from the moment she walked in. Yet she seemed determined to drag this out.
"That's true," I conceded, my tone dead serious. "But if her request is about joining the Student Council, I'm still not interested."
I thought she'd leave it at that. After all, my feelings about the Student Council were clear as day. I'd quit back in middle school for a reason, and Imelda knew it.
"Oh, come on, Brother." Alysha crossed her arms, a challenging look in her eyes. "Aren't you a man of your word?"
With that, I felt a small pang of guilt, but I wasn't about to give in. If I let my resolve slip, Imelda would keep pushing until I ended up right where she wanted me. And that wasn't going to happen.
"I'll grant her request," I repeated, my tone unyielding. "But if it's about joining, the answer's no."
I could see where this was going. The situation was spiraling just as Imelda intended, with even Alysha nudging me along. If I stuck around any longer, I knew I'd get caught in their pace.
So, I turned back to the door, gripping the handle as if it were my lifeline. Just as I was about to pull it open, there was a sudden knock from the other side. I froze, tension creeping up my spine.
"Come in," Imelda called out.
I stepped back, giving whoever it was room to enter.
"Excuse me," a girl's voice called before the door opened fully. And the moment she stepped in, I felt a jolt of familiarity.
There, standing in the doorway, was a girl with an unmistakable presence. Sweet-looking, with eyes that held an odd combination of innocence and depth. I didn't really know her, not really, because this was our second meeting. She looked at me, her gaze widening as if she recognized me too.
"You..." I started, at the exact same moment she spoke.
"You're..." Her voice trailed off as we both stared, surprised and unable to finish our sentences.
The world felt small, like it had shrunk, bringing us together in this moment by sheer chance—or maybe by something far less ordinary. She is the girl who bumped into me this morning. This is like a meeting of fate.