Chapter V - The President

I wander the halls aimlessly, deep in thought. Having split up with North after we left the Headmaster's office, I found myself going up the stairs, past the second floor, past the third...and I arrive on the roof.

The sun midway down the sky, a comforting breeze rustles my hair.

"Haaah, what a day..." I lean against the railing, the fresh air crisp and cool.

The quiet silence makes my mind wander, and nostalgia falls over me like a wet blanket...as a faint and blurry but happy memory comes to mind. The faces were unidentifiable but the emotions can be clearly felt. Happiness and contentment...

The sound of footsteps snaps me out of my thoughts.

I turn to face the one that is with me, looking into a new face I haven't seen yet.

Tall, pretty, and lean, but like someone you don't want to mess with.

Her dark eyes slowly scan the rooftop, before noticing me.

As the wind pushes her auburn hair loose from a messy bun updo, she narrows her eyes at me.

"How did you get up here? Normal students don't have permission to be on the rooftop without authorization," She said bluntly, her voice strict and tense.

I don't answer, looking away and across the campus.

I catch sight of the president on the track field, directing members into practice.

I look back up to the sky, watching the clouds drift past, "Well, some fresh air is always nice..." I said. "...You know that feeling don't you?"

The girl was silent for a moment, before sighing.

"Just...be quick about it will you?"

She leaves without another word, shutting the door back behind her.

I finally let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

Looking out at the fields, my gaze catches upon a glint of oceanic blue among people in red tracksuits, just barely visible from this height.

The figure turns and looks up- in my direction.

I recognize the girl instantly, the pellicular color of her eyes imprinted in my mind.

'Reminds me of the ocean...back home.' I thought to myself.

I shake my head out of my thoughts, stepping away from the edge of the rooftop.

I think over my choices, "That girl...though...particular. Her aura..."

I sensed her magic was strong, stronger than most of the others...and the energy spikes- abnormal.

...

'A divine deity in disguise?'

-WHEEEEEEEEEE-

"Saka! Perfect that running form!"

-WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

I watch from under the shade of a tree, quietly observing the track team doing their drills nearby.

The girl with the white-framed glasses and the peculiar blue eyes walks toward them.

"Kagiko, how are things going on so far?"She said to a small girl with light aqua blue hair.

She answers with a salute, "The recruits are doing well, though we will have to hope they will be ready in time for the competition."

"Alright, thanks for covering for me while I was gone, Lily."

She grins back, "Of course President!"

The president turns away, walking off to help the other members.

The girl named Lily suddenly notices me and bounds over to me with a wide smile, "Hey you! You interested in joining the team?" She eyes my outfit, "Oh, you must be one of the new students!" She leans closer, "And a cute one at that..."

I resist the urge to flinch and back away, instead, I stare at her, unfazed.

She brings her face impossibly closer, "Hmm, strange..."

"Kagiko."

It was the President.

"What did I say about respecting other people's personal space?"

Lily pouts, but steps back, "You're no fun..."

She sighs, "Seducing someone to join the team isn't how it goes."

Lily grins back at me, "Ah, but this one seems immune to my charms! Quite interesting isn't it?"

I raise an eyebrow, noting how some kind of purple energy subtly hovers around her, slowly circling her body like the rings on a distant planet in space.

I blink, and the energy then disappears from my sight.

The president turns to me, face apologetic, "I'm sorry about Kagiko... and I apologize if that was awkward at all." She shoots a sharp gaze at her.

Lily just bats her eyes innocently, "Sorry~ Not sorry hehe~" She turns back to me, "Soo, what are you doing here new person? Interested in joining the club? We're looking for potential members~"

The president places a hand on Lily's shoulder, "First, let me introduce myself. I believe we have met prior this afternoon..." She raises an eyebrow at me.

I glance away, "...I think we have...yes"

She raises a hand to her chest, "My name is Minuet Mizuku, student council president, and daughter of Mateo Mizuku." She smiles warmly, "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Lily pipes up, "Also track team captain! The President is good at many things, her charisma is also one of the many good traits she has~"

Minuet looks away, slightly flustered, "Come on now...don't want to give the new student the wrong impression. I'm just doing what's expected of me."

"And modest too!" Lily said, "No need to be so humble, just because I know how bad you can get~"

She bursts into laughter at the President's bewildered expression, "Ahaha! I'm just messing with you President...you know me hahaha!"

Minuet sighs, and shakes her head, though a hint of a smile tugs at the corner of her lips. Turning toward me, she gestures a hand in my direction.

"Well..? And may I ask who you are?"

I stare at her blankly, before realizing with a start that she was asking for my name.

"...Raven." I look away awkwardly.

"Raven," Minuet repeated as if tasting the word on her tongue. "Unique name I must say...." She regards me with a searching gaze.

I wanted nothing but to escape the intensity of being under her piercing eyes, my insides squirm in place.

Lily looks between us with interest, bemused.

The president breaks her stare after a brief moment, then turns her back to me, "Come on Kagiko, the practice has to begin now." She glances once back at me, "And you, new student, don't get into too much trouble...till next time now." She turns away with a small smirk of amusement.

"Let's go."