Double checking I had everything, I finally closed my bag, the documents neatly filed together for the upcoming meeting. Thanks to the obligatory student council meetings I had made a habit of arriving at the school gates rather early, there were very few students around at all, the same could be said for teachers, though I assumed the few that had in fact arrived were relaxing in the teacher's lounge or preparing material for classes later in the day.
There was another benefit to my timing, I needed to check up on a friend… I just didn't expect them to contact me instead.
Registering the number calling quickly once again, I wasn't mistaken. A premonition was forming, one I didn't like all too much. Trying not to sound too much on edge, I answered.
"Suzui, is everything alright?"
"…Yeah. Yeah, I just forgot to say thanks." Her voice was subdued as if she were whispering in the corners of a long-forgotten place.
"For what?" I didn't do anything worth thanking, not now. Nor in the future.
"Haha… that's just like you…" She didn't elaborate, whispering to herself between defeated chuckles.
"Are you sure everything is fine?" A familiar guilt ate at me.
"Do me a favour, would you? Could you tell Ann I'm sorry?"
"I'd prefer it if you told her yourself."
"…"
"Is there a reason you can't?"
"Uhuh. I'd- I'd just… appreciate it if you can do that for me."
I didn't acknowledge her. "Can I see you right now?"
"That might be a little difficult…"
"Are you at school? Whereabouts?"
"…You'll do it for me, won't you?" A gust of wind blown through the speaker.
"Are you outside? You're worrying me, Suzui. Whatever's wrong we can talk about it-" I maintained my casual timbre as much as I could, my legs gradually picking up pace, the stairwell blurring by.
"Thanks, Ayanokouji-kun. Really. But I'm done with talking. Done with thinking." There was a sombre determination backing those words, a resolve to accept defeat.
"Done with thinking about what?"
"I enjoyed our time on the beach… If I had a choice I wouldn't have left. You, Ann, Ryuji. It was nice there." As much as I could agree…
Sweet memories didn't exist in a vacuum, they only mattered because they contrasted with the bitter ones.
"…Vacation's come to an end. Bad and good times end eventually. Where are you?"
"…He didn't do anything, you know? To me... I fought it off for so long..." I sighed internally, a small feeling of agitation nipping at my nerves.
"Who didn't?"
"I-I'm still… p-pure…"
I'm taking too long.
"Don't move from there."
"I'm sorry. I-I don't have the courage to do it alone."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"It's a lot, isn't it? Sorry, I keep on troubling you…"
"I don't mind. Will you continue to trouble me?"
"…For a short while longer. Sorry."
"You don't have to apologise."
A silence brewed, the only noticeable sounds from either end were our shallow breaths and the remnant gusts of wind billowing through the receiver.
"…You know where I am, don't you?" She asked, her voice steady. The choice planted firmly in her mind.
"…Does that mean you've already factored me into this? That I won't be able to reach you in time?"
"…I know all about how quick you are."
"Is there nothing I can do to stop you?"
"Sorry… This is the only way I know how to fix it." It's a mistake, one I could capitalise on.
"…" I didn't answer, focusing on speeding up and reaching the rooftop.
"Did I give it away yesterday…? Is that why you pulled the alarm? To save me? You know… I-" She choked up a bit, stopping herself just before sobbing.
Suzui didn't have to say anything, I already knew.
"…thank you." She whispered.
It's happening again, isn't it?
Memories fade and collapse in on one another, my decisions remain the same even as my recollection grows hazy. This will end exactly as she wants, because I did nothing to stop it.
No, I allowed it to happen.
Waited for it.
Planned for the occurrence.
"…"
She sniffled lightly. "Maybe I should've agreed with Ryuji back then, things might be different today if more people talked out against him."
BANG!
"Oh, Ayanokouji-kun, what're you doing up here?" The familiar woolly hair of Okumura perked up behind a shelf of potted plants.
Slight surprise took me. Is she not in the school, after all?
"Where are you?" I directed to the phone.
"…Looks like our time is nearly up."
She's near. There's no other explanation.
Higher.
"A-Ayanokouji-kun!?"
I ran, vaulting over obstacles off the beaten pathway of the school roof, to a higher section of the school roof, overlooking the school orchard from the pinnacle of the campus. She's there, she's got to be…
"I didn't expect to watch you trying so hard. Thanks." I strained to hear the words coming through the speaker whilst running, the muffled voice, barely reaching my ears.
"If you want to thank me properly then don't do what you're thinking about doing."
"Please look out for Ann and Ryuji. They're excellent friends, they were for me, I'm sure they'll be the same for you."
"…" Nearly there. I hopped over installations and finally grabbed the last verge, the highest rooftop beneath my feet, a few tens of metres between us.
She turned, teetering on the edge, a soulful smile etching out her features, the brilliant sun peeking out from behind her cascading hairs blinding me with an angelic silhouette.
"See ya! It was fun, Ayanokouji-kun. For a short time… I got to feel like a girl again. I'm glad that the guy I fell for ended up being you."
I won't let those be your final words.
"Don't."
Her feet shimmied along the ledge, briefly glancing over her shoulder with a look of apprehension. Before looking back, staring into my eyes. "It's still scary… I hope you don't mind if I hold you close."
"Come closer, away from there and I'll hold you as much as you want."
This isn't-
She smiled sweetly, wiping a solitary tear from her eye. Hugging the phone close to her body.
"I feel warmer already…"
She closed her eyes.
And leaned back.
Pushing off the floor with enough strength to crack the concrete, I sprinted to the edge of the rooftop. The calculation's assure me it's meaningless, that I could never make it in time, her hand is just barely in view, I'd have to jump as well. Then what?
Despite understanding all this tacitly my body still thrust itself into action, my legs straining to their maximum, rather than running it was more like I had jumped horizontally. My body turned at the very last moment, anchoring a single foot on the edge of the rooftop, reaching out my hand to reach hers. More than a hair's breadth, more than a finger's reach, more than a hand, a body's length had extended between us, a distance which was increasing by the moment. A satisfied smile on her face as she closed her eyes and fell gracefully towards the ground. Gravity didn't care for the object, all things followed a determined trajectory.
I knew the risks. I knew the possibilities.
I knew.
And still I chose this.
…
A last-ditch effort.
There were precious few second before the end, before nothing could ever be attempted again, before the person known as Suzui Shiho becomes no more than a memory. I brought the phone closer to my face, enunciating the words as clear as day.
"Kamoshida Suguru. Pervert's castle."
It's taking too long.
Come on.
"I SAID; KAMOSHIDA SUGURU. PERVERT'S CASTLE!" A sudden clambering behind me took my attention away from the edge of the roof.
"HAAAH! Haah… You run too fast Ayanokouji-kun! Is everything okay?" The recognisably mature tone of Okumura came from behind. Her dignified aura slightly diminished as she fumbled across the ledge, barely making it onto the roof.
Damn it.
I didn't want to turn back yet. I wasn't yet prepared for the sight that might greet me.
"Y-You shouldn't stand so close to the edge, it's dangerous-"
She came closer towards me, hesitantly peering over the edge.
"AHHHH!"
The wind swept violently causing her to slightly lose her footing, stumbling towards me.
"S-SEE! It's dangerous, I know you're somewhat of a bad boy Kouhai-kun, but you should be more careful, my heart almost leapt out of my throat!-"
"Be quiet."
How was she falling? The angle alone could result in any number of injuries or even fatality. The space itself would change as she transported there, where exactly would she be transported to? No, before that, does traversing the boundary between the realms reduce or nullify the forces of inertia and gravity?
She dropped at least a floor before disappearing, was it more?
Maximum height of the roof is more than enough to be fatal.
Tch.
There's not enough information.
BANG!
Without thinking I had slammed my fist into one of the installations, creating a large dent in the metallic coat.
"A-Ah, sorry Ayanokouji-kun… A-Are you alright? Y-Your hand is bleeding. H-here, let me!" She rapidly reached inside her blazer, removing a small first aid kit.
It was just like Okumura to keep something like that around.
What am I doing?
This is unlike me.
…
Is it?
…
Just when I think I can stomach it, that same guilt washes over me.
Inhaling deeply, I sighed. "Sorry, Okumura. I just wanted to be alone for a moment, needed to relieve a bit of stress…"
Compose yourself.
You can't just disappear, too many questions will arise.
This is a normal day.
For Okumura Haru, this is the average day.
For a student of Shujin Academy, lessons haven't even started yet.
She didn't see anything.
We're just two students that are on the roof without permission, nothing else.
…
I can wait.
[Phantom Opera: White Soliloquy]
I could hear the faint murmuring of multiple voices behind the door, gently pushing the wooden door, a short creak sounded as the people inside diverted their eyes towards me.
Silence enveloped the room, save for a single person at the head of the table, shortly clearing her throat and referring to me. Authority laced in each syllable.
"What did I tell you about being late?"
"Not to-"
"And? Was that too difficult to remember?"
"I apologise for my tardiness. There was an unavoidable situation I had to resolve."
"Save it, I'd like something other than excuses. Or at the very least if you're going to make them make sure it's a sensible one."
"…"
"So, go ahead. What was so utterly important that it took precedence over this meeting?"
"…You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Her eyes narrowed, clearly taking my words as a petty snipe. "Try me."
"Haah… I went to another reality to fight evil and protect the princess." A few of the other students looked at me dumbfounded.
She pinched the bridge of her nose betwixt her forefinger and thumb, seemingly fighting back the intense onset of a migraine. "…Do you have no intention of taking this seriously? You had given me your word that you would approach this position with a certain level of professionalism. This isn't for the faint of heart, our council works hard to maintain morale with the students and aims to solve problems with a level of urgency and efficiency. Perhaps I should just notify Principal Kobayakawa and Kamoshida-Sensei that this was a mistake…"
"I'm only five minutes late…" Time was constant, I couldn't be everywhere all at once.
"Attendance and punctuation are not only mandatory, but they are imperative to the success of this council."
"Haven't your complaints furthered us off course, more than my absence ever would have?" Her eyes hardened into a dagger aimed at my heart.
"Disciplining subordinates is a duty I must follow through on. Don't make excuses for your poor performance." I was convinced. Niijima and Horikita would get on like a house on fire, even if only to torment me.
"I believe you said if I solved the issues given to me then I would be exempt from your overbearing gaze?"
"Are you saying they're all resolved? I assumed your tardiness was only further proof that the task was beyond your ability. Or are you saying, you have the gall to show your face late even after failing? I won't accept it if even a single one of those papers isn't up to standard."
"Go ahead. There are copies." I distributed several pieces of paper between the members of the student council, standing and beginning to debrief them on the presentation.
"First, proposal of a new air-conditioning unit for the entire school system. This gets suggested every year, the school doesn't have the budget, nor do they have any intention of spending it on this. Immediately declined." The others didn't appear to be surprised by this result, though they must've been intrigued by my bluntness regarding it. I could practically feel the impatience emanating off of the student council president. How scary.
Moving on.
I shuffled the paper onto the next item on the itinerary.
"Regarding the state of the baseball and football teams practice spots, they shall be shared between the two at a ratio of 3:2 days in favour of the baseball team who has had much more favourable results on the national stage. In repayment of the still substantially favourable ratio, the newer founded football team shall help the baseball team with cleanup after their practice on one of the days they practice. This has been signed and admitted by both coaches of the respective teams and appended with a signature from both team captains to ensure this is accepted as a unanimous decision on behalf of the teams."
"Budgetary concerns for the literature, newspaper and research clubs have been consolidated for a state-of-the-art copier which will aid all of them in their ventures. Club advisors shall be given permission to make use of the copier on a needs-to-needs basis. The copier shall be installed in the faculty office, to ensure proper usage and maintenance."
"Finally, Kobayakawa has given his signed consent and affirmation that students will now be allowed to maintain a part-time job so long as they don't have any club affiliations. Otherwise the student can be admitted to these additional responsibilities if they show a certain level of ability within their field and seem to be actively taking on a greater role in their given field."
"He really agreed to it…" A few of the other members whispered amongst themselves.
"…"
"Principle Kobayakawa has become of the understanding that contributing to society in some way is greatly beneficial to the students in their period of growth. Not all contribution looks the same. Aiding your parents with bills or even gaining an understanding of what life entails after mandatory education is a viable path as much as learning extra skills through school affiliations. Any students found to be at risk of academic failure or deemed to be unsuitable for these added responsibilities will have mandatory consultation with a teacher and parents present to come to a mutual understanding. In accordance with this new change, any students already working despite the school's prior policy regarding student employment, will not be penalised. However, they will be investigated to ensure their current employment isn't proving to affect their learning capabilities. That concludes my report." I had just about managed to avoid discarding the paper, simply letting it float down onto the table before taking a seat once again.
All in all, it wasn't that hard. Niijima-senpai was fair, even if she was callous, to me that is.
The biggest concern was recognising the real issues compared to the red flags. If I had actually invested all my time in getting the first paper accepted, I would've been sent on a wild goose chase to get the air-conditioning system accepted. A brief look into the council's personal documents via the historian, it was evident that this had been asked multiple years in a row, with no change. It wouldn't be fair for Niijima to deduct points from my performance when she couldn't accomplish the same goal. Thus, it was pointless to invest any more time, even if it was possible. Every other issue just required a compromise on both parties sides. If I had any major takeaway from this, it was that the council or rather, Niijima herself was appraising my diplomatic skills more than anything else. The number of students and teachers I had to talk to, to coax these solutions was a bit overkill. Nevertheless, it paid out in the end.
"How did you-"
"I hope this proves to you that I was sincere when I said that."
"…Fine. So long as you do your work and don't cause any issues for us. I'll get off your back. Meeting adjourned. Good work… everyone. You can leave." Just like that? No more fight left in her? Whatever, this works for me too.
"Understood. See you tomorrow, President."
"…Yeah." Well that was a look of defeat I wasn't quite expecting.
The other members filtered out of the room, barely looking at the president, sensing the awkward atmosphere towards the back of the room.
For everything you could say that Kamoshida did wrong, he was a good judge of character. The most intriguing piece of information I had learnt from the time in that palace was Niijima's family relations.
"Uhm, Ayanokouji-kun. If you don't mind, could we talk for a moment?" It wasn't like I was in a rush… That being said, if we go off the chain of command, I couldn't exactly refuse either. The reason being the man before me was the vice-president of the council. One of my bosses so to speak.
Iwasaki Sano.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I don't know how you did it, but thanks." He was a mild-mannered boy with short black hair, combed neatly to the left. He looked… tidy, was the best way to describe it. To an almost eerie degree. If they said to put your best foot forward, he'd probably hop into view.
Confused, I simply tilted my head. I was only doing my job, hardly anything to thank me for.
"The president has been trying to get that approved for a while now. There were so many advantages, but the teachers wouldn't listen to reason saying that students should only be prioritising studies, even though we collected data to prove our point. I think the president is just a little… annoyed she was beaten to the punch." Add on the fact that I wasn't appointed to the council through normal means, I can see why she's dissatisfied.
"I see." The favourable impression Kobayakawa had of me was no doubt pulling quite a bit of the weight as well. You could even say this wager was in my favour. Even if it was coincidental, it left a small bitter taste in my mouth.
"I understand the president was probably… confrontational to put it quite bluntly, but she was only trying to act in our best interest. I hope you don't hold a grudge because of anything she might've said. She really does mean well." He assured me, bowing slightly as he did.
"Don't worry, I've never interpreted it as anything else." I suppose I was being slightly childish as well.
"Thanks. I know it isn't easy to be so charitable when someone comes swinging at you. But I appreciate it. I'm sure the others do as well. Just wanted to let you know, even if you didn't apply for the council, in my eyes you're just as much a member as any of the others."
"Well, I appreciate it."
"No problem. Haha, sorry that was more serious than I was trying to make this." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly whilst laughing. "Anyway, yeah, I just wanted to say thanks."
"Anytime… Well, maybe not any time. That sounds difficult."
"'Fraid I'll be holding you to that."
"A bit of mercy, please."
"Hah, no chance. You're on the council, now. And now that I know you're so capable..."
"So, I didn't really have a choice in how much work I got in the end…"
"Nothing wrong with being reliable. I've seen guys last longer without accomplishing as much as you have."
"…" Between the café, Takemi's practice and volleyball, now this... I might find myself with no free time at all.
He snorted lightly, apparently finding my utter apprehension to be somewhat amusing. "Ah, look at the time! Should probably get moving to class, you coming?"
"Go on ahead, I actually left the documents in there. Still need to give some of the copies to Kobayakawa and take some for record keeping."
"Hm? Don't worry about that, the President will take-" He peered into my eyes, looking back and forth between me and the door to the student council office, realisation gradually forming. "Ah, understood. I'll just leave you to it then?" I wonder just what conclusion he came to?
"Yeah. See ya." Turning to the door, I gestured a vague farewell to my fellow councilman.
"Don't go teasing her too much, we'll hold a grudge."
"Wasn't my plan-…"
And… he's already gone.
If you're going to threaten me like that you could at least wait for my retort.
Well, not like he was completely wrong either.
Now… How does the great student council president of Shujin Academy react to a frustrating loss?
Maybe it was my dissatisfaction or just a lingering sense of schadenfreude that spurred me on, but I was intent on witnessing whatever face she made at this moment.
Not bothering with any type of warning, I pushed the door and abruptly entered the space, not too fast or slow.
"…Could you come back in a moment, I've yet to clean up these documents. I'll be just a few minutes…" She replied without looking up, her gaze pouring over the documents on the table, a few scattered as if a gust of wind had rolled across the desolate room, despite no windows being open.
"That's good, considering I still need them."
"…come to gloat?" It felt like her mood had measurably worsened by the mere recognition of my presence.
"If the answer's, yes?" She sighed, dismissively tossing a ballpoint pen onto the table, rolling along the scattered documents, a few of the sheets with visible creases as if they had been balled up and unfurled.
"…I don't get it. I tried everything I could think of. I took every step forward that was available, gave proof, gathered evidence. But it didn't matter. But then you come along and what… just tell them they should do it? Everything changes." Whilst there was anger, fatigue washed through as well. They really were alike, biting off more than they can chew.
Even though I knew it was useless, I attempted to console her. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself-"
"If I'm not, who's going to be? I can't rely on anyone else, I need to establish myself as reliable. But when I really want to, I can't even change something this simple." She was still pretty level-headed…
What was I expecting; a tantrum? Sure, there was self-pity. But there was something beyond it, something that intrigued me.
"Have you ever thought that this was impossible for you, precisely because of who you are?" Some people just weren't capable of the things they wanted to enact, at least not right now.
"…What are you trying to say?" She looked offended.
"Not only the words of a person but also the mouth that utters them matters when it comes to enacting change." Hoping for the judgement of a person solely on their character wasn't possible. As nuanced as humans were, we still paid attention to the first information we could process. Appearance, gender, age, nationality, race, etc. Implicit personality theory existed, we even judged those that were objectively good-looking as being virtuous people despite no further context being provided. Though that wasn't exactly pertinent to this example…
"Are you saying it's only natural they wouldn't listen to me? What kind of backwards logic is that? We aren't in the 50s, as a society we've progressed much further than-" In fairness, I could've worded that better.
I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Not the reason you're thinking of."
"…" She sat back in the chair, waiting for me to continue.
"You're a model student, valedictorian, athletic, and serious when it comes to school matters. However, the beginning, middle and end of your life experience exists within the boundaries of a school's gates." It felt somewhat ironic that I was the person that had to spell this out for her. Coming from a somewhat sheltered background myself.
Rather than feel offended, she sat straight in her chair, the slumped posture gradually overwritten by something more stoic. "Is that reason enough to dismiss me at my words?"
"No. But it makes your argument weaker. Would you trust the words of a general or a soldier when asking about the experience of being on a battlefield?" Both had their place, but it was clear which opinion was more pertinent if you were placed in a similar scenario. The same way you wouldn't ask a Masai tribesman how to install a Wi-Fi router, it didn't help her own argument if the student council president had no experience in the workforce.
"I see… So it lacked any persuasion because I lack the firsthand experience, is that it?" In reality there were plenty of students that worked behind the school's back. Apparently, Takamaki has been modelling for a while, which is a pretty open secret within the school. The only difference now is that the staff can openly acknowledge these things, before they stood behind a layer of inscrutability via ignorance.
To change this relationship the school had with employment required altering their thinking. If students learn they can get extra money so long as their grades are acceptable, more will have an incentive to study enough to reach the median score. Some scores might drop in response, but overall the impact should be positive. However, even if it isn't they can just revert to the status quo, no harm done.
"It works against your point, you're the antithesis. All a teacher has to do is point to your own academic successes, to argue against the idea." Niijima spent her every waking moment thinking about school, thus she was a good student. However, you could argue Sakamoto was also only ever thinking about the school, granted they weren't thinking about the same topics, his purview was also completely limited by the scope of the school's gates. Yet the two of them couldn't be any more different.
"Certainly… So that's what it is! That's what I have to do!" A small measure of happiness, the rush of dopamine innervated my synapses. It was always a good thing to realise your own limitations and take the steps to actively change them, I was happy for her. A win-win. We all got what we wanted out of this interaction.
"…"
"I just need to get more experience. I've limited my viewpoint for so long, how couldn't I see it?" She was rather accepting of her downfalls, usually there was a bit more pushback against such a fundamental change. Nobody liked being wrong. In reality the reason was fairly obvious…
Niijima is fully in service to those around her. She embodies the idea of a leader for the people. She was rigid before in the beliefs that students had one purpose because she hadn't seen any other way, that was what caused her and Takamaki's argument. Though that raised another problem; why did she want to allow student employment anyway?
"That's natural. It isn't necessary for you to do it, after all your own life is progressing steadily on your desired pathway. In the same vein, I ended up here despite my intentions. However, it certainly gives me new perspective, even if it isn't essential for my life going forward."
"That may be so… It was chance, but… I'm not totally against it. Perhaps it was a good thing that you were appointed to this council." It wasn't so much a smile, but it seemed a bit of warmth had reached her eyes. A far different impression than the closed-off iron mask she donned a few minutes earlier.
"I'm glad that's the case. So now, I suppose you don't mind lessening the work coming my way? You can understand that I might get overburdened, what with my other responsibilities…"
"What're you talking about? We're only just getting started! I have so much to experience now, and you're going to help me each step of the way!"
…
…What?
"That sounds like a lot of work I didn't sign up for."
"It's integral to bettering the student council and by extension the school. It's my duty to the students. You convinced me! You can't just back out now!"
"What about your promise?"
"W-What promise? T-Teehee." Anxiously she lightly tapped the side of her head with a bundled-up fist. I could barely hide the disdain in my eyes.
I once joked that I could forgive anything Kushida said after pulling off that gambit. Even if she stole my bank account details. So long as it looked cute.
It was a joke.
"Oi…"
Is nothing sacred?
Forget it, I can just rip up the contracts.
She glanced into my eyes, practically predicting my next move before I even attempted it.
"Ah, no you can't-!" Try and stop me.
And try she did, almost successfully I might add. Well, I didn't really want to hurt a girl. Is the excuse my fragile ego came up with.
"L-let go!" She's surprisingly strong for such a slim girl. She kept restricting my joints from behind, aikido or maybe jiujitsu, something focused on submission.
"You shouldn't jump up on someone like that, it's dangerous." I managed to get a single arm around her and threw her gently onto the table, clearing my back of the nuisance.
"You can't-!" She gasped.
"My win, president." I looked down at her, with the victorious paper held aloft in my hand, a no doubt irritating sense of smug satisfaction washing over my features. Maybe.
"Ah, don't-!"
BRIIIINGGGGG-RIIIINGGGG!
The sudden ringing of the bell startled her.
As if forcibly sprang into action, my body kicked forward, the sensation of a soft hand grasping my wrist and warm breath massaging my cheek, with a luscious sensation wrapped around my upper back.
We stared at each other in utter disbelief. The ringing of the bell washing away the tension of our battle only to introduce a new tension altogether.
"…"
"…"
Dangerous. Very, very dangerous. I shouldn't keep looking into those red eyes, yet I find my gaze doesn't want to let go. I better be imagining those pupils dilating.
Her heavy breaths gradually became more controlled as we stared at each other for what felt way too long, my body hunched over hers on the table. Whilst staring me in the eye, her fingers lightly grazed over the bandage Okumura has wrapped around my knuckles, softly moving over them until they clasped around the letter in my hand, gently taking my possession and setting back on the table, a heavy blush dusting her cheeks, her legs escaping from the vice-grip they had on my back.
In half a daze I moved back from the table, separating from Niijima. She stood in a moment straightening her uniform, whilst staring above my head. She stepped backwards, grabbing her bag, colliding into the table and a few chairs sending them tumbling, not even paying them any attention she reached for the door mumbling all the while.
"…" She stood at the door hesitant to move the latch, before staring at me, a red hue of embarrassment freshly dusting her otherwise dignified features.
"…What?"
"IT WAS A BJJ MOVE!"
"Huh… Uh, yeah. Yeah, it certainly was…"
"Hn…" Her eyes were misty as if she was about to burst out with tears right then and there. "See… see you later."
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'll… see you later."
…
I should've taught Kei Brazilian Jiujitsu.
…
There's something wrong with me.
…
I should clean this up.
---
Word count: 5424
Pretty heavy chapter, I think I did it justice. Maybe. I think the phone call makes sense from her perspective, especially because she thinks he had interfered with it. To Shiho Kamoshida's assault was just an inevitability. This way with a suicide on school grounds and someone who might speak out about it e.g. Ayanokouji, the chance that Kamoshida is stopped increases. What Shiho done might've been slightly fucked and pretty selfish, but it just shows what a bad place she was in.
As for Haru, I think I made it pretty clear from the dialogue, but she didn't see Shiho at all. Ayanokouji only managed to make out her appearance because he was quick enough. By the time Suzui had jumped Haru didn't have a clue. Though maybe I could've added more dialogue to alter the sense of time during that scene. Ah, I dunno. It's what I settled on.
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Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Until next time.