"You want me to see that disgusting face of yours every day?! NO WAY!" Jessyka shouted furiously at Guina.
Sekai tried to pull his hand away from Jessyka's head.
Grrrr...
Jessyka growled at him, and he immediately went back to patting her.
"Calm down, Miss Jessyka. I only meant to specify my reward in case I win our duel."
Guina stood up from her seat and walked toward the window of the student council room, from where the school gym could be seen.
"You see, Miss Jessyka, this is my second year as student council president, and I've never needed anyone else. Jim and I have always been enough to handle the council's duties."
"Oh, so this year you just suddenly decided to bother two first-years on their second day of school? What nonsense is that?! What do we have to do with your main-character syndrome? If you like working alone so much, then leave us out of it!"
"Miss Jessyka," Guina continued calmly, "I became president during my first year, after the previous council graduated. All of its members were seniors, so once they left, the council was empty. Luckily, they left most of the work well-organized, so I didn't need to recruit new members back then.
But with this new school year starting, I'd like to have more people helping me. You and your cousin seem perfect for the job."
"Ah, so you're not a workaholic or a self-centered freak—you're just a spoiled girl who got lucky and spent the rest of the year vegetating in this fancy office. Whatever, I still refuse to see your face every day!" Jessyka said, arms crossed and scowling.
"Well, that's my request if I win our little game. But you can make a request too, Miss Jessyka. What do you want?"
"If I win, I want you to undo that absurd decision to put me in a different class from Sekai! Don't even think—" Jessyka glared at Sekai before he could move his hand away again. He silently resumed patting her head.
"Ah… well… I can't do that," Guina said. "You see, that's not a council directive—it's a school policy."
"What?!" Jessyka slammed her hands on the table.
"The school has a rule that family members in the same grade can't be in the same class. Unfortunately, I can't change that—only the principal can."
"Then talk to him!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Jessyka. Rules are rules. I don't make them, I just enforce them. Please, choose something within my reach."
"Fine, then I never want to see your face while I'm at this school again! Don't talk to me, don't come near me, don't even breathe the same air as me or Sekai!"
That's going to be a problem, Guina… maybe you should—
"All right, I accept." Guina said, walking back toward the table.
The sunlight from the window behind her illuminated her golden hair, making her look radiant and breathtakingly beautiful. She placed her left hand over her chest and extended her right hand.
"I, Guina Tsarevna, accept never to speak to, interact with, or approach Jessyka Everhart and her cousin while they're enrolled in this school, should I lose." she declared with a warm smile.
Sekai froze, blushing as he stared at the dazzling girl before him.
Jessyka, still furious, stood up abruptly and stepped in front of Guina, blocking Sekai's view. She placed her left hand over her right chest.
"I, Jessyka Everhart, agree to join the Student Council and remain in it until the end of the school year—or until Guina Tsarevna deems it unnecessary—should I lose. Along with my cousin, Sekai Everhart."
I still don't get why I'm involved in this when I'm not even part of the duel… Sekai thought.
Guina looked at him and smiled softly. Sekai blushed a little.
Well… I guess it might not be so bad.
Jessyka raised her right hand and shook Guina's. Guina smiled warmly at her, but Jessyka turned her face away in disgust.
"Ugh, I'm gonna have to wash my hand with bleach after this."
"Well, I think it's time for you two to go. Lunch break is almost over—you should get back to class. We'll meet in the gym at the end of the day."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for everything, President," Sekai said with a smile.
"You're very welcome," Guina replied with a gentle smile. "Until later, Miss Jessyka. I'll be waiting for our match."
"Thank God this is over. Let's go, Sekai," Jessyka said, turning and walking out. Sekai followed, giving small waves back at Guina.
"See you later," Guina said, waving lightly. Jim bowed silently behind her.
"The president's a pretty fun person, isn't she, Jessy?" Sekai said cheerfully.
"Whaaat?! That bleach-blonde witch? She's a wolf in sheep's clothing! I'm sure that snake is plotting something. I just don't know what yet…"
"But what could she want with us? We're just normal students."
"You're too naïve, Sekai. I'm sure she's after something… The way she spoke, the way she smiled… Wait, IT CAN'T BE—!" Jessyka gasped, freezing in the middle of the hallway.
"What is it, Jessy? Did you think of something?"
"She wants you, Sekai! That filthy blonde must've fallen in love with you during the ceremony, and now she's trying to get rid of me so she can build her little love nest in the Student Council! Snake, viper, two-faced witch!" Jessyka shouted, pulling at her own hair as she cursed.
Sekai quickly grabbed her hands.
"Don't do that, Jessy! You'll hurt yourself—and it's bad for your hair." He lowered her hands gently. "There's no way that's it, Jessy. I'm not even that special. Besides, the president already has that other guy—Jim."
"Ah! That must be it! She's building a harem of pretty boys, and now she's after my perfect Sekai! She wants to collect handsome guys, gather them all in the council room and— !"
Sekai sighed and pressed a finger to her lips. "Jessy, your imagination's getting out of hand. I'm really not that handsome…"
"Yes, you are! Sekai's way more handsome than that Jim guy! No—than anyone in this school! No—this city! No—this world! No—this universe! No—"
"All right, all right, I'm getting embarrassed here. But… thanks, I guess..." Sekai said, blushing.
"You liked it? Then give me a kiss," Jessyka said, grabbing his shoulders and leaning in, lips puckered and eyes closed.
"Okay, that's enough. I'm going to class—you go to yours," Sekai said, gently pulling her away and walking off down the hallway.
"Tsk," Jessyka clicked her tongue, pouting.