After the loud crash of the gym doors had stolen everyone's attention, the audience turned back to witness the two girls' fight. But now, Guina—who only moments ago seemed about to lose—was standing, panting, while Jessyka lay unconscious on the floor.
Guina lifted her head in relief, sweat dripping down her face as she panted heavily. With some effort, the blonde girl raised her right arm in a modest victory pose.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
The crowd went wild. Cheers and whistles echoed through the gym; nobody understood what had just happened, but their beloved student council president had won.
People began leaving the bleachers, rushing toward Guina.
"Congratulations, President!" said one girl.
"I… I knew… you'd win, President!" cried another, being comforted by her friend.
"I never doubted the president for a single second!" bragged a boy.
"Wait, didn't you say you only came to see the girls making out?" another boy asked.
"Shut up, man."
"You boys are hopeless…" one girl sighed.
Amid the laughter and applause surrounding Guina, Sekai stood frozen near the bench.
Guina won? But how…? A second ago, the fight was basically decided… And then it all turned around in an instant. Something happened—this can't be normal. What did the president do…?
Sekai rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
Still panting, Guina finally gave in to exhaustion and dropped to her knees.
"President!"
"Hurry! She needs help!"
"Boys, quick! Help the president!"
Some boys started approaching Guina.
"Don't… touch me!" The president lifted her hand, and the boys froze in place, startled by her reaction.
Koff. Guina cleared her throat. "Sorry, but that won't be necessary. Jim!"
At her call, Jim emerged quickly from the crowd. He lifted Guina into his arms like a princess.
"Oh my gosh, I didn't even notice Jim was here!"
"He's so handsome, like a real prince!"
"Kyaaaaah! He's carrying the president like a princess! Kyaaaaah!"
"That was reckless, Miss Guina," the boy muttered.
"Just take me to the car, Jim."
"Understood."
Jim began walking toward the exit. Everyone just watched in silence as he carried Guina.
"Wait, Jim!" Sekai ran over, carrying Guina's bag and uniform. He handed them to Jim, who nodded politely in thanks.
At the gym entrance, a man in his forties wearing a black suit was waiting with an umbrella. The rain and wind had already eased up. Jim, accompanied by the man, left the gym and soon disappeared from sight.
"Hey, you!"
One of the girls in the crowd pointed at Sekai.
"You're the reason all this happened, aren't you!?"
"Eh!?" Sekai reacted, confused.
"That's the guy they were fighting over?" a boy asked.
"So what happens now? The president won, but what does that mean?" said another.
"It means he's the president's boyfriend now!" shouted a girl.
"No, that's—" Sekai tried to explain, but it was already too late.
"EEEHHHH!?" The entire gym erupted in surprise.
"I can't believe it! The president taken just like that—I wasn't ready for this!" one girl wailed.
"Man, that guy's lucky. The president's gorgeous," said another.
"I refuse to accept it! The president with him!? Impossible! The only one worthy of her is Jim!" yelled another girl in the crowd.
"Damn, what a lucky guy. I thought maybe I had a shot with the president," said a boy.
"You? Never! Not with that face…" mocked a girl.
"If that freshman scored her on his second day, why couldn't I?" the boy shot back.
"He just got lucky! Or better yet, he's probably just another pet in her collection. The real love of her life is Jim!" the girl said, hopeful.
You know what… whatever. Sekai gave up on trying to clear the misunderstanding. This will sort itself out somehow…
Jessyka began twitching slightly on the floor—signs of regaining consciousness.
"Jessy!" Sekai rushed to her side, kneeling and holding her in his arms.
"W-what…?" The redhead opened her eyes slowly, seeing Sekai holding her.
With a worried expression, Sekai gently touched her cheek.
"Jessy? Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
"Ah! It's a dream of my little Sekai! Yes, kiss me, please," Jessyka murmured sleepily, puckering her lips.
"Hehe." Sekai chuckled. "Well, if you can joke like that, you're fine."
"Tsk." Jessyka clicked her tongue.
"Geez, Sekai! I tried so hard and you can't even give me a little reward?" she pouted.
"Jessy! Do you realize what you did to the president? She had to be carried out of here!"
"Hmph! She got what she deserved! I didn't do anything wrong!" Jessyka crossed her arms, still pouting.
"And another thing!" Her expression turned serious as she stared into Sekai's eyes.
"I'd really like to know how that bleached witch found out about my nickname, Se-ka-i."
Her intense gaze froze Sekai in place; a chill ran down his spine.
"Ah… well… you see…" Sekai fumbled for words under Jessyka's intimidating stare.
"Oh, the redhead's awake!" said one of the boys.
"Hey, boy! You belong to the president now! Don't you dare flirt with anyone else!" shouted a girl angrily, pointing at him.
"WHAT!?" Jessyka screamed, jumping out of Sekai's arms.
"My Sekai is mine alone! He'll never belong to any bleached blonde snake, got it!?"
"You have no right to say that! You lost to the pre—"
Jessyka grabbed the girl by the collar and glared into her eyes with a furious expression.
"I don't know what that blonde viper did, but I'm not giving up my Sekai for anything!"
"Jessy, don't!" Sekai pleaded.
Jessyka threw the girl down and turned to the rest of the crowd, her voice sharp.
"Listen up! Sekai and I are deeply connected! We're destined to be together! I won't accept any lies or insults from that bleached witch or her minions!"
"Minions!?" a boy exclaimed.
"How dare you insult the presi—" another started, but froze mid-sentence.
"Oh, so that's how it is? Fine by me…" Jessyka smiled menacingly and began cracking her fingers.
The entire gym went silent; her intimidating aura silenced everyone.
"Get out!"
Without a word, the students began filing out of the gym.
"Jessy?" Sekai approached her.
"Sorry you had to see that, Sekai."
"No, no, it's fine…" Sekai said quietly. Things just got even more complicated…He thought.
"But I'm more worried about you, Jessy. Are you really okay?"
"Well… some wounds take time to heal…" she said softly, lowering her head.
"I'm sorry. I told the president a little about your past. I didn't think it would end like this…"
"I told you not to trust that snake, didn't I?" Jessyka said irritably.
"Well… I still don't think she's that bad, Jessy…"
"EEEHHH!?" Jessyka shouted. "She's clearly hiding something, Sekai! Are you blind!?"
"Well, she… kind of gives off a trustworthy vibe, you know…" Sekai said, blushing slightly.
"Bleh." Jessyka looked at him with disgust.
"You do know we're going to have a talk about your favoritism toward the president, right?" she said, crossing her arms with a stern look.
Sekai felt her intense aura and shivered.
"Ah, well, you know how it is…" He paused, then suddenly remembered something.
"Jessy! Remember that movie you wanted to watch? How about we go this weekend!?"
Jessyka's eyes lit up with joy.
"A date?! Of course I want to go!" She hugged Sekai tightly, her face glowing with genuine happiness.
"A date, a date, haha!"
"Whew…" Sekai sighed in relief.