Yuuto's voice cut through the charged silence. "We need three volunteers for committee members! Who's up for it?"
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, almost without thinking, Aina's hand shot up—sharp but nervous, "Me. I'll... I'll do it." It surprised everyone. She was filling embarrassed, I think it was same for me.
As eyes flicked to her, I felt a flicker of happy, excited too. "You'll do it?" I asked to confirm.
"Yes." She replied.
"So are you going to attend the committee training this weekend?"
"Ofcourse!" This time she replied with her usual bright smile. The buzz started in the class about Aina. "Hey she seems nice."
"She talks less but she seems nice." Like these it all continued.
"Wait a moment." Yuuto whispered.
"Huh." I looked at him to know occurred to him.
"What's this committee training?" He asked. He was kind of depressed. He didn't even looked up. It looked like he was possessed or something. I flinched, "What? Weren't you listening to Arai-sensei when he told? It's an overnight trip during this weekend."
"That sounds like huge pain." He whined in a low, heavy voice. By now, I had little idea of his personality, "You know, you can't back down now! It will ruin everything. By the way, didn't Makabe-sensei told you? He's the one who is leading this. I knew about it yesterday from him." He glared at me with his face being miserable and the killing–like intent in his eyes, I jolted unconsciously. "What? It's not my fault!" I defended myself, holding my left arm close to chest. He didn't really knew? They are brothers right? I don't know as an outsider if it is right to say but do they don't have any brotherly bond? Why are there's a distance between them?
"If had know that I would have never volunteered" he said. I felt sorry for him, "Yuuto..." I get that it would be weird with your elder brother with you. If I was in his place, I don't know if it will be same but I had felt like that. Like I am on the trip with my friends but my older is with me there, as someone coming together to babysit. Well it's good Yuuto wasn't listening before. Yuuto just acts like mean kid. I grinned.
"I'll join too." Huh? Who was that? I was so engrossed in talking with Yuuto that I forget we were recruiting committee members. When I saw next volunteer surprised me. It was "Naruse?"
She wasn't nervous or something, she was confident. She doesn't care about anyone. Wow! Really? Naruse, the lone wolf?!
"You sure?" I asked to confirm, not to confirm if she wants to join but to confirm that I heard right.
Now also she didn't said anything just nodded. If Naruse is here that means... "Me too! I'm also on board." He declared. Huh, haha. I knew it. Wow, that was fast. Just nominating the class prez took long.
So... I'll start with this group, Huh. This might be the most random made group ever.
***
The sun was already rosed. It's rays spreading through the blue sky. The road was empty and silent if my panting was not included. I was wearing my uniform and carrying the bag. I was rushing to school as it was my first day class representative so I wanted to be first one to be in the class. Still there's two hours for school to start. Yeah. I know definitely it sounds foolish to go school two hour earlier but if something happens then I don't want anything make me late.
I got into my train where almost few passengers were there. I sat on an empty seat nearby. "I am worn out by all that running." I yawned.
I opened my eyes. Huh? When did I fall asleep? Which station is this? I checked the current station and "Huh!" I screamed in shock. I am one station ahead. What should I do now? I knew I'll mess it up somewhere. It'll take me fifteen minutes to go back and then ten minutes for school. Can I do it? No, I have to do it.
The moment I got back to correct station, I rushed to school ASAP. Getting first in class idea might go to hell. I don't want to be the last one. There was three minutes left. I quickly switched my shoes to slipper and went straight for the class, I might be running faster than the cook of future's pirate king. Swordsman fans please no hate. For this moment I can only relate to him. I spent a month or two to catch up with anime that I didn't gave time to my hobby or study.
Oh! It seems like I am not only the one who's late, Yuuto is too. He was just going to knock but then he noticed me. His face got completely pale when he saw me. I must be looking weird. When I realized I needed to slow down so I could stop in front of the door, I stopped beside Yuuto, gently pushed him back, opened the door, asked for permission, and stepped inside. I plunk down on my seat; followed Yuuto also came in. As he was walking, he was coldly staring at me. Why is he staring like that? I pretended.
The class buzzed faintly as everyone got ready for morning homeroom. Arai-sensei was late as usual. She always appeared exactly five seconds before the bell, like she had a built-in radar for timing. I glanced sideways at Yuuto; he hadn't said a word since we sat down.
"Still in depressed mode?" I whispered.
He rested his chin on his palm and said quietly, "It's not depression. Just regret."
"Yeah, but you volunteered," I reminded him, trying not to grin.He finally looked at me, eyes half-lidded. "You were louder than everyone else. I didn't stand a chance."
"That's what they call teamwork," I said casually, pretending to scribble something in my notebook.
Yuuto just let out a short breath—half a sigh, half a laugh. "You really don't sound sorry."
Naruse, who was tapping her pen a few seats away, looked up briefly. Still unreadable. Haruki was busy balancing his eraser on his pencil like usual. And there was Aina—quiet, with that focused expression again—as she walked in, her bag hugging her side neatly.
"Morning," I said without thinking.She blinked, then smiled.
"Good morning, Mio (President)."
Somehow the "President" part always sounds heavier than it needed to. I wasn't born to lead people; I just raised my hand first that day. And Yuuto ended up beside me—the so-called vice president, who talked less than I did but had the talent of making any silence twice as awkward.
Right then, the door slid open. "Good morning, everyone!" Arai-sensei's cheerful voice cut through the low noise. She carried a stack of papers under one arm, her hair tied loosely today. Her energy level was like a morning news anchor on extra caffeine.
"Okay, committee members," she began, scanning the room until her eyes landed on me. "Mio, Yuuto, as you two are representative of not only the project but also the class. So during the weekend training, you and other members will learn everything about your job. And for practice you'll double-check everyone's paperwork, this week's attendance, and—"
Yuuto interrupted, not raising his head. "That's a lot of work for two people."
"No," Arai-sensei said with a warm but terrifying smile. "Vice presidents are born for paperwork."
The whole class laughed. I tried, very hard, not to.
Yuuto leaned a little closer to me and murmured, "Remind me not to sit near you next time something like this happens."
"Duly noted," I said. His voice wasn't complaining—just calm, like he already accepted his fate.
I don't know why, but even his deadpan somehow made the morning feel lighter. Maybe this committee thing wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Or maybe it'd be a disaster. Either way, I had a feeling it'd be interesting.