[https://i.imgur.com/Ehk54sG.png]

3-1

This evening was the second time me, Alice and Kina functioning as the student council. Despite that, Ms. Claire sent us email that she wouldn’t let us get to work until we resolved the rumors. So naturally, judging by Ms. Claire’s response, the rumors must’ve also come to teachers’ attention. An investigation should have been opened before I can actually get any feedback from the teachers’ side.

I’m not worried about that, teachers are adults. They’d probably review my case better than any of those fellow students could possibly do.

Regardless, we still had the authority as the student council. This school basically handed all the hassles of student related work to student council, effectively making all the affairs between students were handled by students themselves. From general affairs, clubs and even festivals. Sometime we could even intervene with teachers’ affair if given solid reasoning.

The school really gives student council a lot of trust.

Ironically, it wasn’t always the trust, having the newly elected the president of student council besieged with bad scandals, Ms. Claire must’ve been having headache knowing it was her suggestion to put me on the president’s chair. Though, I doubted that’s the case. Her neutral reaction from this morning gave me this sinister feeling of “you deal with your own shit.” There’s no way she didn’t know about the rumors beforehand.

Her unspoken message is somewhat similar to class rep’s, don’t you think?

Talking about rumors, it surprised me how well Ichika spread her dark scheme overnight. It’s almost like she had some kind of witch’s power. A spell that its only purpose to bring misfortune on others. It even got the attention from the second years, if first years, then it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.

One night… less than 16 hours….

Some things just refused to add up.

“We will keep doing nothing if this goes on. Are the stuff about you cleared up? We can’t let things got delayed just because of your incompetency to keep your image clean.”

Even from meters apart, with me sitting on the president’s chair and her on the sofa, Alice sharp words and inattentive eyes which only directed towards a small book on her hands did nothing but tilt me. One little push and I would’ve sacked her out of vice-president position. You should thank Ms. Claire for directly appointing you as the vice herself.

I can rant all I wanted but Alice promised me to become my aide if she decided that I’m worthy. The fact she did use the word ‘incompetency’, I’d suggest she had yet to acknowledge me. Not to mention, she’s from class S which I can expect she’d produce only diamonds in her work.

“Don’t ask me, it’s not my fault people start believing hoax.”

There was a sudden moment of reticence. Albeit not speaking up, Alice’s silent treatment indicated she wasn’t fond of my answer. Can’t blame her, I sounded like I was running from my responsibility. So, I decided to rephrase my words.

“At ease, it’s all under control.”

“I see but it doesn’t show any sign of resolving yet.”

“It’s gonna be over soon.”

My sentence was so enhanced with confidence that it made Alice turned this way. Of course it was not the ‘surprised’ reaction, instead the ‘I’m looking forward to it,” kind of reaction.

She’s really clinched on seeing what the president can do, huh?

Though, I must admit her determination had gone to a point that I think it can be called creepy. Alice one thing, Ichika another, what’s with you girls being so obsessed with me?

“Oh yeah, rumors aside, have you decided who’s gonna take the rest of the position in the student council?” asked Kina who just finished polishing almost everything in the room.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Our initial plan was first do some cleaning before doing other works. Before we knew, Kina had been doing all the cleaning jobs flawlessly. With Alice and me not being close to decent when it came to chores, we just got shushed away thus explaining our situation, sitting and doing nothing.

Kina voiced a question as if the petty rumors was not even a threat to my position. Clearly, Alice noticed that and also the reason she had a brief stare at Kina before going on with the conversation.

“That’s a matter we should address too. You got anyone in minds?”

“We’ll deal with that later. I can’t confirm anything right now. Well, this school is full with study maniacs and I think it’s hard for us to convince anyone sometime soon. They’ll probably don’t want to waste their time with other stuff than studying.”

The standard vacancies in the student council were usually the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and historian. Alice and I had taken the president and vice respectively while Kina, well… let’s see, I haven’t assigned her to any position just yet.

Maybe I should put her as secretary.

“Waste their time…? I agree. Who would spend their time helping this president, don’t you think so?”

I feel like having one’s skin twitching when talking Alice was just a normal response that anyone would have. Don’t fight me, it’s been the third time I met her and I got wrinkles every time. At this rate, I can age twice… no, thrice as fast throughout my term as the president!

“Yep, I really think so. I’m not sure if you’re talking about yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I am not. Didn’t I tell you? I’m not helping the fools.”

“I’m assuming your words are heavy, heavy with meaning. Say, what will I get from you once things have settled down?”

I’d made my question as serious as possible, so did my eyes. It appeared as a demand severe enough she should consider her best offer, take it or leave it. As a result of that, we had exchanged eye contacts for a considerable amount of time.

“I will offer you…” she abruptly shut closed her book, “My life. Of course that includes my time and efforts,” a paused was made, “…all will be yours.”

Certainly, once Alice declared her promise, both Kina and I went speechless. We looked at each other in daze and turned back to Alice at similar rate.

Confused with our reaction, Alice asked,

“Did I say something odd?”

“N-no…” Kina spoke first, “It’s almost like you’re confessing… No, no! You are confessing, right?”

“Confessing? You mean like in love?”

“Yes, that!” Kina nodded aggressively.

“Ooh… Then, I’ve certainly sent the correct message. You’re spot-on. It’s just my way of expressing my interest to somebody after they’ve proven their capability. You may call it ‘love’ if you’d like.”

What is this confounding feeling? Should I be pumped to get her recognition at all cost? More importantly, does she even know what love is? Is she confusing it with interest?

I needed to ask her something.

“Alice, have we met before?”

“Other than our meeting along with Ms. Claire yesterday, never. What are you even asking? A question to your amnesia?”

“Nothing big, I’ve just wondered if we’ve met and I just never noticed you.”

“That…” just when Alice started to reopen her book, she quickly shut it back, “…are you referring to someone you know?”

“Huh? Who exactly is that?”

“Who knows?”

Alice immediately ended the quick puzzling game by returning her all attention towards the book. She resumed into her state of reading once again, leaving both me and Kina in curiosity.

There’s a lot of mysteries about Alice that just intrigued me. I called them mysteries because I simply had hard time reading her. Be it her intention, common movements or mere desires. Girls themselves are very much mysterious, add the recipe “Alice” and there, you have a beautiful enigma.

What is this creature?

As I was in deep thought, something pinged my biological schedule as I looked at the fancy wall clock. The digital number showed 3.51 p.m. and it’s an indication that an event was about to occur.

“It’s almost time,” I called both Kina and Alice.

“Time… for what?” asked Kina.

“Apparently there should be a meeting with club’s president every time a new president of student council is elected. We probably will deal with each other a lot in the near future.”

Alice with her attention only on the book, answered in my stead.

“Is this meeting necessary?”

“Ms. Claire said we can treat it as ice-breaking. Based on our proposal to conduct a town hall, I guess this meeting should be suitable enough to replace it.”

By the sound of this, only Kina was unaware of the meeting. It can’t be helped, she probably missed it because she came to the room late after Alice and I’ve discussed on Ms. Claire’s new email. Well, it wouldn’t matter, I’d probably do the most of the talking.

“The meeting will be held at the Minerva Meeting Room, located below this floor.”

I’d explained as I gathered my essential belongings like my smartphone and wallet. I’d leave my bag in the room and Kina also decided to do the same. As Kina and I were already prepared to move out, Alice had shown no sign of following us. Thus, I asked,

“Are you not going?”

“Is there a reason I should come? At this time, I’d rather not let others know that I’m the vice-president just yet.”

It’s her decision, avoiding an undesirable title was also her decision. We’d never announced the student council’s member, only me as the president. So, the situation was most likely in Alice’s favor if she decided to refuse that vice position.

However, I’ll change your mind.

“Is this your first time meeting people? I promise, it’s gonna be interesting.”

As if she’s taking my cheap bait, Alice’s lips carved a very sinister smile.

“Don’t let me down.”