The Student Council room was too clean.
Not just "neat" clean — it was the kind of clean where even dust particles probably needed permission to enter.
Every file was stacked perfectly.
Every pen aligned.
Even the clock ticked in a polite, almost apologetic way.
I sat in the chair opposite Mizuki Hayasaka, our Student Council President, and tried not to fidget.
---
She poured herself a cup of tea before speaking.
Her movements were precise, elegant — like every motion had been rehearsed.
"Aizawa-kun," she began, "you are aware of the rumors circulating about you and Tanaka-san, correct?"
I glanced at the steaming cup in front of her, then at my empty spot on the table.
"…Are you offering tea?" I asked.
Her gaze sharpened. "This is not a social visit."
So… no tea.
---
"It's my responsibility," Mizuki continued, "to address any matter that might affect the school's moral image."
"I'm just helping a friend carry some sports equipment," I said.
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"…Are you certain?"
I blinked. "What do you want me to say? 'Yes, Your Honor'?"
Her expression didn't change, but the faintest twitch of her lips told me she almost smiled.
---
Before I could push my luck, the door opened.
Yui stepped inside, holding a bottle of sports drink.
"Haruto, what's taking you so—" She stopped mid-step. "Oh."
Her eyes moved from me to Mizuki… then to the empty chair beside me.
"…Am I interrupting something?"
"Not at all," Mizuki said smoothly. "We're simply clarifying a misunderstanding."
Yui raised an eyebrow. "Clarifying? Sounds more like interrogating."
---
The two of them locked eyes.
It wasn't the kind of glare where you shout.
It was the quiet kind, the one where both sides smile politely but somehow make the room feel ten degrees colder.
---
"I assure you, Tanaka-san, my concern is purely for the school's reputation," Mizuki said.
"And I assure you, Haruto doesn't need a babysitter," Yui replied.
"I'm not babysitting. I'm ensuring transparency."
"…Transparency? What are you, a politician?"
---
I slowly raised a hand. "Can I say something?"
"No," they said in unison.
---
Yui moved to stand beside my chair, placing her hand on the backrest.
"You know, if you have questions about me, you could just ask me directly."
Mizuki took a sip of tea. "I prefer to hear it from the source."
"I am the source."
"I meant Aizawa-kun."
---
This was starting to feel less like a meeting and more like one of those detective dramas… where I was the prime suspect.
And the worst part?
I wasn't sure if they were arguing about me…
or over me.
---
Finally, Mizuki set down her cup and folded her hands.
"Very well. I'll consider the matter… provisionally closed. For now."
Yui leaned down, her voice low but audible. "Good. Because I'll be watching him too."
The air between them crackled like static.
---
When I finally left the Student Council room, Yui walked with me down the hallway.
"So…" I began.
"So," she repeated, sipping her drink.
"…You didn't glare at her the whole time, right?"
"I was smiling," Yui said.
"…Your smile looked like it was planning war."
---
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had the distinct feeling this wasn't the end of it.
If anything, it was just the prelude.
---
[To be continued…]