—
Ryo’s sudden request caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected someone to approach me so directly.
“You want to join our team? I suppose word about my win has spread fast,” I said with a smirk.
“Everyone’s talking about it,” Ryo affirmed, his excitement contagious. His genuine joy made me feel warm and fuzzy.
“That's great, but why me?” I enquired, genuinely curious about his motives.
“It’s simple. I heard about your plan to bring summer travels to the school. I think it’s awesome,” he explained, beaming.
“Do you have a destination in mind?”
“The Bahamas!” he exclaimed, eyes lighting up.
“The Bahamas? That's ambitious,” I replied, a hint of surprise in my tone. I couldn't help but think about the logistical difficulties that such a trip would entail, even though I found the idea intriguing.
“I've always wanted to go there—the crystal-clear ocean, beautiful sun, delicious food, and vibrant culture. It’s all so fascinating,” Ryo gushed.
As we reached the library entrance, our conversation paused. Ryo led me to a nearby desk, where we set down the books.
“Thanks, Marcus.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
“And about my request?” Ryo prompted.
“I’ll need some time to think it over, but I’ll get back to you. How about you give me your number?”
“Of course,” Ryo said, handing over his contact details.
With a quick wave, I left the library, mulling over our conversation. Checking the time, I debated whether to call Hazel and share the encounter or simply send her a text. Opting for the latter, I quickly composed a message before returning to the dormitories.
As I walked, I spotted Haku-senpai conversing with another student. I tried to pass unnoticed, but he called out to me.
“President,” I nodded.
“Marcus. Congratulations on your victory,” he greeted with a warm smile.
“Thank you,” I replied.
I glanced at the girl beside him, noting her annoyed expression.
“I assume your strategy paid off well,” Haku-senpai remarked.
“It did,” I confirmed.
He turned back to the girl. “Shayna, I’m not sure you’ve met Marcus.”
“I’ve heard about him,” Shayna said sharply, her tone dripping with disdain. Though unsure why, I could sense her resentment. Deciding it was best to avoid any potential confrontation, I kept my distance.
“Can you not talk like that?” Haku-senpai frowned at Shayna.
She dismissed him, unfazed.
“Don't mind her; she’s just grumpy,” he said before turning back to me. “Anyway, sorry for taking up your time. We’ll catch up later.”
“No problem,” I answered, anxious to get out of the predicament. With a brief farewell, I continued on my way, not looking back as I walked away.
I noticed that Hazel had sent me a message on my phone, asking to meet by the fountain. I quickly replied, agreeing to meet her after dropping off my belongings.
—
—
As I approached the fountain, the setting sun cast a warm glow over the scene. Hazel sat on a wooden bench, engrossed in her phone, her figure outlined by the fading light. She wore a simple blue sports tracksuit, a departure from her usual polished look.
“Hey,” I greeted as I sat beside her. The bench creaked slightly under my weight.
“You took your sweet time,” she remarked, finally looking up.
“Sorry about that,” I said, running a hand through my hair.
But before I could say more, she cut in.
“Before you say anything, I just wanted to say this was a mistake.”
“A mistake? What do you mean?”
“Me joining your team was a mistake,” she said, her voice firm.
“But why? I thought you were on board with the idea.” I struggled to understand her sudden change of heart.
“After some reflection, I realised I only joined on impulse, swayed by the scenario you and Diya concocted,” she said.
She had seen through our strategy—a subtle manipulation meant to push her into agreeing. Even though I knew it was wrong, I genuinely wanted her on the team.
“I’m sorry if I misled you, but my reasons for wanting you were sincere. You’re the best fit for the position,” I countered.
“It’s not about being the best fit. I don’t want to settle for second place. Being a runner-up isn’t something I want to contend with,” she admitted, frustration evident in her voice.
“So you don’t want to be second in command?” I asked, trying to understand her perspective. Hazel paused, avoiding my gaze as she wrestled with her thoughts.
“It’s something you wouldn’t understand, but I want out of the team,” she declared.
Her words hit me hard, leaving me speechless.
“Damn,” I mumbled under my breath, disappointment settling in.
“Alright,” I said seriously. “If that’s your decision, I respect it. I’ll inform Nomura-sensei.” Rising from the bench, I prepared to leave.
But before I could take another step, Hazel’s voice stopped me.
“Wait,” she called out.
I turned to face her, waiting for her to speak.
I paused, then responded, “No, I won’t. It’s your decision, and I won’t force or stop you. While part of me wants to convince you otherwise, I know it wouldn’t be right. Hazel, wish me luck, and if you ever need someone to compete against, I’m here.”
Giving her a brief nod, I turned to leave.
“Now, everything is up to me,” I murmured to myself.
—
—
On Wednesday morning, Hazel's unexpected message caught my eye. It wasn’t a reversal of her decision, but rather the information she had promised to provide. Despite her choice to stay out of the election, I appreciated the gesture—it gave me direction.
I took the opportunity to message Ryo after our Japanese lesson, arranging a meeting during the break at the green area. With one class left, I had time to prepare.
Hazel, meanwhile, maintained her usual calm and stoic self. She didn't appear to be acting differently as a result of her decision not to participate in the election.
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At lunchtime, I headed to the green area, choosing a secluded spot. Soon after, Ryo arrived, waving enthusiastically before taking a seat across from me.
“Hello, Marcus,” he greeted with a smile.
“Ryo, thanks for coming,” I replied.
“It’s cool,” he said confidently.
“As you probably guessed, I called you here about the student council election. Since you’re interested in joining, consider this your interview,” I explained.
“An interview? That’s cool. I’m definitely ready for this,” he declared.
“Let’s start with the basics. Why do you want to be my secretary?” I asked.
“I believe in making positive changes in our school. I’ve seen your leadership and vision, and I want to support you however I can,” Ryo replied.
I considered his response before continuing.
“That's great to hear. Teamwork is essential in this role. Can you share any experiences or skills you have that would make you an effective secretary?” I was curious to hear about Ryo's practical abilities.
“Definitely. I’ve been involved in various clubs where I honed my organisational and communication skills,” he said.
“What clubs?” I asked.
“The Model Congress Club, Film Production Club, and Drama Club,” Ryo listed, counting on his fingers. “I’m detail-orientated, efficient, and adaptable—important traits for a secretary,” he added confidently.
“It’s good to know you’re adaptable. How would you handle communication between the council and me as president?” I asked.
“I’d ensure all members stay informed about decisions and plans, keep open channels for feedback, and update you promptly on any developments,” Ryo replied.
“Alright. What initiatives do you think we should pursue if I’m elected?”
“We should improve extracurricular activities, foster student unity, and plan exciting school trips to engage and reward students. But I’m open to collaborating on the agenda,” he said.
“Good starting points. Finally, what personal values guide your approach to leadership and teamwork?”
“Integrity, honesty, and inclusivity are fundamental to me. I believe in leading by example and ensuring everyone's voice is heard,” Ryo affirmed.
It was perfect. Everything. His values aligned closely with mine, and they were pretty much what I wanted to hear.
“Oh, one more thing. Do you know about Cohen from Class 3?”
“I do. I tried to stay out of class politics, but since I'm involved in the election now, I had to stay informed. I don’t approve of what Cohen is doing—it’s breeding distrust—but they’re aware of the consequences,” Ryo said.
“What action is your class taking?”
“Our class rep, Tomiko, hasn’t revealed that yet,” Ryo admitted.
“I do, and that is not going to stop me. It's just some friendly competition in which there is a winner and loser, although I would love to be on the winning side,” he chuckled.
“Alright then, that concludes the interview,” I said.
“Great. How did I do?” Ryo asked.
“I'll need some time to mull it over and discuss it with my vice president,” I replied.
“Vice President?” His expression shifted briefly before he regained his usual composure. “That's cool. I'll wait for your feedback. Thanks, Marcus.” He stood up, stretched, and turned to leave.
Once he was gone, I retrieved my phone from under the table, where I had discreetly recorded the interview for later reference. Absentmindedly tapping it against the table, I muttered, “Now, what next?”
—
—
After classes ended, I was packing up when Jaden approached me.
“Hey, Marcus. Can we talk outside?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, setting my things aside and following him to a quieter spot at the end of the hall.
“First, congrats on your win. Sorry for not saying it sooner,” Jaden said sincerely.
“Thanks, it's cool,” I replied, appreciating the acknowledgement.
“Alright, I wanted to talk about the tension Class 3 has stirred up,” he continued. “It’s already affecting interactions between students.”
“This only started yesterday. Things are already that bad?” I remarked.
“Yes, they are. Cohen is barring all contact with other classes. Some clubs are trying to stay neutral, but it's proving difficult,” Jaden said.
“You want me to do something about it?” I asked, feeling the weight of responsibility.
“If possible. Do you have any ideas, Marcus?”
“At the moment, no. And honestly, Jaden, I don’t see a real solution unless Cohen changes his approach,” I admitted. “Besides, I have other things to figure out. I still don’t have a vice president.”
“Still? I thought you’d have settled that by now,” Jaden said, concerned.
“Well, I had, but stuff happened, and that fell through,” I said, sounding a little frustrated. “Jaden, why not be my vice president?”
“I get that you’re overwhelmed, but I’m still not budging. Leadership isn’t for me,” he said firmly.
“It was worth a shot,” I sighed.
“Sorry, I can’t be more help,” Jaden said apologetically.
“I did bring this upon myself so I will handle everything. By the way, do you know anyone I can recommend to become a member of my election team?” I asked.
“I think I have someone.”
A new voice interrupted us, and we turned to see Hazel approaching.
“Hazel?” I said, surprised.
“Hey, you two,” she greeted.
“Hazel, what are you doing here? And did I hear you have a candidate in mind?” Jaden asked, his interest piqued.
“Yes, but it’ll take some time,” she replied cryptically.
“I know I said I wanted out, but first, I have a question for you,” she said, turning to me with a serious expression.
“A question?” I echoed. “Sure, what is it?”
“Why do you want to become student council president?” Her question was straightforward yet loaded, causing me to pause and consider my reasons.
“Marcus, answer me honestly. Why do ‘
That emphasis. Perhaps it's best to express my thoughts as they are, unfiltered. That's what she desires, after all. Very well, Hazel.
“Well, at first, it was about the competition—about beating you. But now, I’m not sure. The truth is that at this point, I don't have a definite reason. I could say I want to leave my mark on this school, but that’s not my driving factor. I think sometimes people do things without knowing at first, but along the way, they discover their reason. I want to do that. I want to discover the reason I am still doing this.”
“What if that reason never exists? What if you just get bored of all this?” Hazel challenged.
“That’s a valid concern,” I admitted. “That’s why I make this whole process as fun and engaging as I can.”
Having spoken my truth, I awaited Hazel’s response.
“Alright then. I want to retract my statement about not wanting to be your vice president. If you’ll have me back, I’m ready to begin,” Hazel said, extending her hand.
“What convinced you to change your mind?” I asked, surprised yet appreciative.
“I had time to think about what you said. Plus, a very persistent friend wouldn’t stop nagging me,” she laughed, clearly alluding to Diya.
“I didn’t tell Diya to do that,” I interjected hastily.
Hazel just chuckled. “I know. She can be a pain sometimes,” she said with a warm smile. “So, are we good?”
She shook her extended hand slightly, bringing my attention back to it. I smiled and clasped her hand firmly.
“Yes, we are,” I said, feeling a wave of relief pass over me.
“I know I caused trouble by leaving, so I’ll make up for it by putting in extra effort,” Hazel said with conviction.
“Alright then, let’s start with this.” I handed her my phone. “I recorded an interview with Ryo from Class 2—he’s interested in being our secretary. Do you know anything about him?”
“Ryo?” Hazel repeated, thinking for a moment. “I only know he’s one of the top students in their class.”
“I see,” I noted.
“Want me to ask Diya?” she offered.
“No, first listen to the interview and tell me what you think,” I suggested.
“Alright then.” She took the earphones from me and listened to the recording.
After a few minutes, she removed them and handed back the phone. “Initial thoughts are that he is good and seems like a perfect fit.”
It matched my own conclusion.
“But something felt off. He mentioned seeing your leadership qualities and vision—did that actually happen?” she asked.
“You noticed that too. The interview was completely impromptu, and my questions were basic. His answers were flawless—no stuttering, no reflection, no internalisation. It was like he knew this was coming and had prepared the perfect response,” I said, voicing my concerns.
“Cohen was another interesting topic. Even though you didn’t mention his stipulations, Ryo was already aware of them,” Hazel noted.
This was an important observation. The text I had received from Hazel a few days before was about what Tomiko thought about the situation. Tomiko's response was clear and simple—she would handle Cohen by herself and had not informed the class about it.
It's possible that between the time Hazel spoke with Tomiko and the time I interviewed Ryo, Tomiko could have shared her plans. However, I doubt that was the case because Ryo explicitly stated that Tomiko had not revealed a plan to counter Cohen at the moment.
“So, what do you think?” I asked Hazel.
“Don’t accept his offer. I’ll find someone else from Class 2,” she said firmly.
“You’re sure?” I asked, though I had already leaned toward that decision.
“Yes. Just give me some time—I have someone in mind,” she assured me, resting her hand on her cheek.
“Thank you,” I said with a relieved smile.
“As for Class 3, we’ll handle that later. I have to go now, but I’ll keep in contact,” Hazel said as she walked away.
Having her back as vice president was a weight off my shoulders. With her in the role, I was confident because I knew I had made the best choice.
—
—
On January 26, 2024, Hazel texted me to meet her at the aquatic centre at 4 pm. When I arrived, the pool was bustling, likely with the swimming club. Amidst the noise, Hazel approached me.
“Our target is the guy by the skimmer,” she said, gesturing toward a green-haired, athletic figure. “Sullivan Kramer, from Class 2.”
I observed him leaning casually against the pool wall.
“Any other info on him?” I asked.
“He’s in the swimming club, as you can see, and from what I’ve heard, he’s quite insightful,” Hazel noted.
Following her lead, we approached Sullivan, who was lost in thought.
“Excuse me, Sullivan?” Hazel called, drawing his attention.
“Huh?” he responded, surprised.
“I’m Hazel, and this is Marcus,” she introduced us and he seemed taken aback by our sudden approach.
“This is unexpected,” Sullivan said curiously.
“Yes, it is. We just need a bit of your time,” Hazel replied. Sullivan nodded, then swam to the ladder and climbed out. He picked up a towel from a nearby chair and started to dry himself off.
“I’m listening,” Sullivan said, turning to us with curiosity.
“I’ll be straight to the point—we want you on our election team,” I said, watching his reaction. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“I’m honoured, but why me?” he asked.
“You’ve been co-captain of the swimming club for a year, haven't you? That's impressive and makes you a good fit to be our secretary,” Hazel stated confidently. Sullivan nodded thoughtfully.
“I see you've done your research, and despite that, you came to me. Seems like I'm a good fit for you all,” he mused. “I’ll think about it. I’d get your numbers, but I don’t have anything to write them down.”
“No problem. Just come to our class when you’re ready,” Hazel said warmly.
We left Sullivan to his day and exited the aquatic centre.
“That went well, didn’t it?” I asked Hazel.
She sighed, her expression thoughtful. The weight of the situation was clear as we prepared for the waiting game ahead.