The trimester has begun, my peace and tranquility is over. Meeting back up with the group wasn't too shabby though. Holly had completed her service hours, as did Randan. I actually hadn't seen Holly over the
break, since she was often either busy or stolen by the school. I knew her parents had forced her to study more after that abysmal
performance.
"Hey there Daniel" Oliver spoke out to me.
"Hi Oliver. Enjoy the break?"
"It was pretty good, lotta homework though"
"Ain't that the truth"
"Did you actually do yours?"
"Surprisingly I did, not alone but I did do it"
"That tracks. So are you deadass locked in now?"
"More or less, but I haven't gotten off the ground fully yet"
"We'll see how you do then. On the October midterms"
"That we will, hopefully I do well.."
"Ehh, you probably will"
"Let's see if you can beat me then"
"You're on"
"No stakes, just a friendly.. I've lost two bets already I ain't making it four in two months"
"Ah well"
My short conversation with Oliver was over as he returned to his seat. Having spoken with most of the group already there was one man I hadn't seen as of yet, Macsen.
"Heya there Mac"
"Don't call me that.. Anyway what's up"
"Ah sorry, just wondering how it's hanging"
"I've been playing a lot of basketball, and I've been keeping fit, not much else"
"Just about what I expected"
I called out to Sakurako.
"Hey, when's that meeting thing??" I had to raise my voice to reach her on the other side of the classroom. She, on the other hand, got up and walked over to me.
"It's today, they wanted to get it done at first recess"
"Oh I see. Well then that'll be great fun.. See you Macsen!"
"Yeah see ya.."
I walked off with Sakurako back to our desks, continuing the convo though.
"I'll make it again next exams trust me"
"I believe you, what are you aiming for? Second, third place?"
"Hah" I grinned at her. "First place"
"In your dreams. That's mine"
"We'll see about that"
An official challenge for first place. Oliver is definitely in this battle, but I doubt he would be able to defeat Sakurako even at his best, she was just too strong for someone of his calibre.
Math class began, it was less dull than usual. I paid attention, full attention. I am going to improve. I am going to improve. I will improve. I must improve, I will improve. I will get better.. I have to.. For..
Finals were coming up, for the football club. A tournament for the chess club. A tournament for the dueling club. Homework. Studying. My plate was overflowing with things I had to do. So I'll just have to expand the plate. I can fit more things no problem.
I furiously worked at break-neck speed, notes, problems, everything. This was the hardest I've worked in years, ever since it happened I gave up on life. But now I worked hard for myself, not for anybody else, but for me. Sakurako was ultimately the one that helped me get to this point, and I wanted to best her more than anything in the world
right now. If I have a goal like this, I'm sure I can work hard to achieve it.
Even if it takes until the finals of fourth year, I will beat her once, I will come first, I will come first, I will beat everybody. I am allowed arrogance, I keep my plans close to my chest, I will bide my time and see what to do, I need to start action soon. I want to do things here, my brother comes first, although that will have to wait for quite a while. I will wait. I wait and wait, I will wait. If I need to wait 10, 20 years I will. But I need to do something there.
Other than that, I'll see as time passes, maybe next year I'll do some interesting things. Even in my own mind I'm rambling, and now I've lost my place in the lecture, damn..
"Hey. Let's go" Sakurako tugged my sleeve as the class ended.
"Yeah let's just grab Oliver"
We meandered over to his desk and picked him up, heading to the student council room, somewhere I had never been before.
Sakurako knocked on the door, and it was opened by the Treasurer, a girl named Elizabeth, same as my sister.
"Come in" A voice emanated from the end of the room, the president.
"Hello there president, and the rest of the council"
"Hello again Sakurako, and Oliver, as expected you two return for this meeting. But this is definitely unexpected, you there, in the middle, what's your name
"You should know my name, I'm sure you knew it when you censored my ability rating" Seeing as the other two top 5 weren't here for some reason, I had no reason not to say this.
"Ahh, it's you"
"Damn right it's me"
Michael snapped his neck 90 degrees to face me. He then quickly paced toward me, as if he was about to hurt me. His imposing figure, 6 foot 7 tall and massive build, twice my weight looms over me. His brown eyes
glaring at me from above.
"Who do you think you're talking to like that you pest" His finger strongly prodded my chest. Sakurako looked my way in a mix of
bewilderment at what I was doing, and seemingly anger at my brother.
"The student council president, obviously"
"That's i-"
"Enough!" The Vice-President's booming voice filled the room.
"Please, let's be civil here. Your rating was covered up on the behest of your brother, once his influence is gone the censor will be lifted. That's when him and I graduate, for your information"
"Are you sure about that? There's an election in a bit you know"
"Of course I'm sure"
"Don't test me"
"Try your best, first year"
"Ha, as if that matters"
This meeting had blown wildly off-course now, and the VP obviously wanted to get it back onto the right course.
"Anyway, past that now. Congratulations to you students for placing within the top five for your year!"
"Hmm, you're interesting" I murmured.
"As with last time you will receive a commendation award for this achievement, that can assist with your time at school of course"
I will be keeping this in the back of my mind. I know that these awards help in some capacity, but I doubt that'll be explained here.
"You're welcome to stay here for the rest of recess if you wish, but you can just leave as well" The president stated, his gaze shifted to me as the latter half of the statement left his mouth. I wonder why.
I turned and walked out, leaving the room immediately with Sakurako tailing shortly behind. Oliver stayed, seemingly he wanted to make some useful connections, I did too but you know, kinda pointless after the
stunt I just pulled.
"What was that all about??"
"I don't really know, I just wanted to be stronger than I used to be"
"That's all well and good but did you need to insult the president?"
"No, but I wanted to, he seems like a prick"
"He's definitely arrogant and is very close with your brother..But he is still the president.."
"They've already antagonised me, I don't see how it'll hurt to fire back"
"Oh yeah..So I take it Oliver knows about your 100s as well then"
"Yep, told him a while back"
"That makes sense, he's definitely worthy of the knowledge"
"I don't know about how trustworthy he is, but he won't go blabbing"
I then remembered another request I had received, I had been called out at recess to meet..someone? It was anonymous and I was dreading the worst here, so I prepared myself for that.
"I have another errand to run.."
"Do you now?"
"Yes I've been told to come to the back of the I building.."
"Really now? Wonder what it's for.."
"You know what it's for.. Probably saying 85% chance of it"
"Are you really that popular?"
"You wouldn't even know.."
"Well, see you in a bit then"
"Bye"
Daniel had left to go to his "meeting", and I was interested in what was going to happen. So I followed him.
"Hey there. Are you the one I'm meeting with?"
Daniel addressed the girl, she was, if I remember correctly, one of Randan's girlfriends friends.
"Y-Yes I am!"
"Alright then, what's up?"
This would certainly be an awkward situation for him, so I wonder what his response shall be..
"I-I" She was stammering her way through this, hopefully she'd actually collect herself, respectfully this was rather disappointing.
Although..despite her demeanour, she is very beautiful, definitely a girl who would be hard to turn down.
"I like you! I want to go out with you!" She said that pretty loud, but good job on her for actually getting that out. Now we'll see Daniel's response..
"I uhh.." He scratched the back of his head, but really I could see on his face that he was unconflicted in this. But in what way? I don't
really care, or at least I don't think I care..
"I'm really very sorry, but I like someone else right now"
Daniel said this, and if for a moment, it felt like I had a palpitation..did my
heart actually skip a beat at him saying no? What's this all about? Does he really like someone right now or is he just saying that??
"Oh.. I see.. Can I ask who it is?" I guess she wasn't all that into him, her disappointment was only moderate. "Is it that Egawa girl
you're always with??"
Eh?!?
"Hah, sorry but that's a secret" Leaning slightly in and pressing his left index finger against the grin on his face. That was definitely characteristic of him, or maybe he just felt the need to conceal it for a different reason.
"Alright then.. Cya!"
That girl was a strange one, she was exceptionally chipper following a rejection..
What a strange interaction that was. I wonder if he really does like someone..
"Hey there, enjoy that spectacle?"
"EEK!" I jumped out of my skin. Daniel had known I was there the whole time
"So did you?"
"I-" What do I even say? "I was very h-" NO! I can not say that made me happy!
"Why'd you follow me? You jealous?"
"I-I am not!"
"Eh whatever I don't really care that you followed me to be honest"
"S-So do you?"
"Do I what? Like someone? Why'd you want to know?"
"Curious.."
"Yeah that's an interesting question.."
"Huh? Answer it then!"
"Very interesting..." Placing my hand onto my chin as if I was the thinker or something, I made it clear I was not answering this question.
"Fine then!" Sakurako pounded my chest lightly, and ran off, probably to get to class early.
Looking at her back, her hair, the most beautiful shade of lilac, her frame, the way she jogged, the way that she acted around me, her unbounding intelligence. As I watched her leave I finally understood one crucial thing.
I love Sakurako Egawa.