Chapter 27: Self-Restraint
The last P.E. class on Tuesday ended, and Sakurai changed out of his gym uniform before heading back to class to grab his bag.
Glancing at Shinomiya Kaguya, Sakurai noticed that she seemed to be heading to the student council room just like him.
Without any intention of walking together, Sakurai slung his bag over his shoulder and left immediately.
Pushing open the student council room door, Sakurai saw Shirogane Miyuki sitting in the president's seat, while Ishigami Yuu wore a look of utter despair.
Ishigami: (ಥ_ಥ)
"Yo Ishigami, what's wrong?" Sakurai Saki set his bag down on the sofa.
(„• ֊ •„)੭?
"I'm fed up with the clubs at this school." Ishigami Yuu was typing data on a keyboard while complaining. "Sakurai-senpai, can you believe it? The gaming club is full of boys and girls flirting! I seriously don't get it!"
(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞
"That's because many games require teamwork." Sakurai glanced at Shirogane Miyuki. "Shirogane, isn't the club welcoming event already over? Why are you still working on paperwork?"
"Ah, Sakurai, you're here. In a few days, I have to discuss budget matters with the inter-club union, so right now I'm writing this year's funding approval report." Shirogane spoke while writing.
Poor guy. Seriously working his ass off.
"So, Ishigami, did you end up joining any club?" Sakurai asked curiously.
Looking at him, the answer was probably no.
"Sakurai-senpai, gaming is still the most fun." Ishigami Yuu concluded with a resolute tone.
Don't make that face like you've spent ages pondering just to come to that conclusion!
Looks like this guy really is a certified gaming loser addict.
"Ishigami, I think high schoolers should still join at least one club," Shirogane Miyuki said without even looking up.
"..." Ishigami stared at Shirogane Miyuki in silence.
He was about to use Shirogane as an example, but seeing how busy the guy was, he probably couldn't join any club himself either.
'Wait a second! Aren't I also the student council treasurer?'
"The work of an treasurer is pretty busy, so... I won't be joining any club either. The student council is more important."
( ദ്ദി ˙ᗜ˙ )
Right after he said that, the sound of footsteps came from outside.
A few seconds later, Shinomiya Kaguya walked in.
"Ishigami-kun, are you saying... you intend to be part of the bottom tier of Shuchiin?" Kaguya showed no expression, her face as cold as a Yuki-onna.
(✿•_•)
Her attitude toward Ishigami Yuu could probably be summed up as… frustrated by his lack of ambition?
As mentioned in the previous chapter, there's a very clear hierarchy in Shuchiin.
Sports clubs > cultural clubs, and those who don't join any club and just head straight home — the "Go Home" faction — are the bottom tier of students.
And since Ishigami Yuu is the only junior in the student council, his declaration of not joining any club was exactly what Shinomiya Kaguya didn't want to hear.
"Shinomiya-senpai…" Cold sweat trickled down Ishigami Yuu's forehead.
This man — his fear of the entity known as Shinomiya Kaguya seemed to have been carved deep into his bones.
Kaguya in Ishiyami eyes: (ಥ益ಥ)っΨ
"Ishigami-kun, it's not like I've ground you into powder, packed you in cement, and thrown you into Tokyo Bay, so why are you so scared of me?" Shinomiya Kaguya asked in puzzlement.
( ╹ -╹)?
That soulless look in your eyes when you stare at people is seriously terrifying, Senpai!
Ishigami Yuu stayed obedient like a puppy, not daring to speak.
(⊃ ˃̣̣̥ ᴖ ˂̣̣̥ ⊂)
"Sakurai-san, same goes for you — you don't intend to join any club either?" Shinomiya Kaguya turned her aim.
No! Not turned — she added another target.
"If you want to join the archery club, you can just let me know. Kojima-san from the kendo club also wants to invite you."
In terms of pure strength, this man named Sakurai Saki was indeed very powerful.
It might not be obvious just from appearances.
But last year, he helped Shirogane resolve a conflict between inter-club union. At that time, Shirogane was holding Sakurai Saki's current position, still just the general affairs officer of the student council, and one of the people causing trouble was Ryuju Momo — daughter of the Yakuza boss Ryuju — who didn't have a very good relationship with Kojima, head of the kendo club.
"Refuse. I don't find sports appealing." Sakurai Saki declined.
Due to the extremely unstable nature of supernatural powers, Sakurai didn't want to interact with too many people.
It was far too easy for something to go wrong.
He didn't want to hurt others, whether intentionally or unintentionally—it would be a violation of the principles he had set for himself. That's why Sakurai was always on high alert.
If a human has no limits, they become a monster.
And for those with supernatural abilities, that truth holds even stronger.
Like an anchor keeping ships steady when they dock, Sakurai Saki had his own set of "anchors."
First: Never harm others without cause—that is, do not use supernatural powers to slaughter innocent people indiscriminately.
Second: Until he had complete control over his powers, he must not fall in love easily.
Third: Always remember that he is human.
Fourth: Smile more—this was very important.
Fifth: Live like a normal person.
Sixth: Live a happy life as a normal person.
Seventh: Don't dwell on the past—always look ahead.
Eighth: Never use time-related powers to return to the past…
"Hmm? If you're not interested in sports, then some of the cultural clubs wouldn't be a bad choice either." Shinomiya Kaguya noticed he was lost in thought and spoke up.
"Sakurai lives alone in Tokyo. It's not easy for him." Shirogane Miyuki added in.
Not everyone has time to enjoy their youth.
Shirogane Miyuki had to work part-time to help his family, and Sakurai also had to earn money to cover his own living expenses.
"Lives alone?" Shinomiya Kaguya repeated.
( ╹ -╹)?
This was the first time she'd heard that.
She already knew that Shirogane Miyuki and Sakurai Saki had part-time jobs.
But Sakurai, the general affairs officer, lived by himself?
Even she had Hayasaka Ai by her side every day—someone to talk to, to discuss things with.
Going home alone… wouldn't that feel lonely?
Shinomiya Kaguya's frozen expression softened a little, something vague appearing on her face… hmm… maternal instinct?
Kaguya: (..◜ᴗ◝..)
"Sakurai-san, so you've been struggling that much, huh?"
This was the first time Sakurai Saki had seen this side of Kaguya. For some reason, a chill ran down his back.
Please, I'm begging you, Vice President Shinomiya—just go back to normal.
Save that excess maternal energy for Ishigami, he's your only junior in the student council.
"It's really not that bad." Sakurai Saki wasn't used to this. The forced smile on his face looked incredibly awkward.
(ᵕ—ᴗ—)
Shinomiya Kaguya saw the weird look on his face and gave a slight smile.
"Oh~."
❀.(*´◡`*)❀
Ishigami Yuu: ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!!
That expression… is terrifying!! Shinomiya-senpai! You're looking at Sakurai-senpai like you want to kill him!!
Why are you smiling?! Are you smiling because you're excited to see blood?!
Too scary… too scary… too…
"Ishigami-kun~" Shinomiya Kaguya's voice sounded in Ishigami's ears like the whisper of a demon crawling out of hell.
(≖ᴗ≖ ✿)
Ishigami Yuu looked up slightly, turning toward Kaguya.
"W-what is it, Shinomiya-senpai…" His voice trembled slightly.
(｡Ó﹏Ò｡)
What was Shinomiya-senpai going to say?
What was she planning to do?
Kill me?
Somebody HELP!!!
"If you really don't want to join any club, then improve your grades a little." Shinomiya Kaguya issued the command mercilessly.
"To be honest, letting someone like you into the student council is honestly an embarrassment."
Ishigami Yuu looked to Shirogane Miyuki for help.
Shirogane responded with a face that basically said, 'my hands are tied'.
'Gambare gambare.'
'Calm down, you're strong!'
Something like that.
Ishigami Yuu was in despair.
He didn't want to study. Studying meant nothing to him. If not for wanting to repay his senpai—Shirogane Miyuki—he wouldn't have even joined the student council.
This student council… weren't there too many honor students?
Top 3 in the entire school year all gathered here?! That's insane!
Wait, no! Hold on! There's one more person!
"Yayaya! What's everyone doing?"
✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡
Fujiwara Chika burst into the student council room, eyes darting around in curiosity.
What interesting topic were they discussing now?