“Today we are choosing your student council 1st year rep. Usually, the councils are different per class, in each grade. This year, however, a proposal has been made to try something new. We will have a council rep from each grade that will govern the entire student body, as well as the other few parts, such as treasurer and secretary.
“There will be a Leader, President, and Vice President; the Leader will be a third year, the President a second year, and the Vice President a third year. Does everyone understand so far?”
The young man asked the class, who all nodded with the exception of one. Kiyoko had fallen asleep. All the weird dreams she had been having were keeping her awake at night, plus class was always so boring.
“Good. Now, the Leader has already been chosen, as has the President. You are the last first year class to vote. The two nominees are Tanoya Kimishi and Kiyoko Hatoma. You have all been given a ballot to write your choice on, and when you have done that, put your vote into the box at the back of the room. We will announce your student council tomorrow morning.”
The young man left the class and every student began whispering excitedly.
“Who are you choosing?” a student asked her friend.
“I don’t know. Tanoya is cute, but also kinda rude and narcissistic. Kiyoko is quiet and doesn’t appear to do much, but she’s very nice and really smart.” The girl recited the facts to her friend.
“Yeah, …I think I’ll vote for Kiyoko.”
“Me too.”
The next morning the students were almost giddy, laughing and gossiping as they headed to class. Kiyoko had yet another sleepless night and prayed for some rest while shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare. As she walked through the hall a couple of rowdy boys went rushing past, knocking Kiyoko backwards.
Oh crap. Kiyoko shut her eyes tight and held her body still to prevent any abnormal impact. Suddenly she stopped. Her feet where up, her body slanted…but there was no SMACK, no pain, no shock, no ‘oh my gosh I’m gonna die!’
Kiyoko opened one eye to find two staring down at her. She realized someone had thankfully caught her mid fall, then scrambled out of his arms and straightened her uniform.
“You ok?” The boy asked.
“Huh? Oh yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” She replied still not looking up and continuing to wipe away imaginary debris from her skirt.
“Alright, then I guess I’ll go.” He turned and walked away.
Kiyoko just stood there; face hidden, hand held to her chest. That boy, there was something about him…something nostalgic. She breathed hard, trying to calm herself. This was so strange and anomalous; she didn’t know what to do.
A sharp pain shot through to her brain, flashes of images past her eyes and Kiyoko fell to the floor of the vacant hall, unconscious.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
“OOKAWA!” Roiyaru yelled, popping up into sitting position, fighting to take a breath.
The past fifty years Roiyaru had been having odd dreams. They always had Ookawa there; it was almost like he was watching her new life. But this one was so strange; it felt even more real then most and caused him immense panic.
One, Ookawa had suddenly passed out in the middle of an empty hall and two, she was speaking to a guy and he held her…well sort of. Just thinking about this made his blood boil; Roiyaru began tightly gripping the covers of his bed. He had already ruined seven bed sheets by screwing up the fibers with his constant worry on them.
“Ookawa.”
He whispered her name and remembered her. Roiyaru looked over at his nightstand, where a lovely white ribbon rested peacefully. He smiled and reached for the silky fabric, his long loose blonde hair falling around him. The texture was smooth and calming, and reminded him of one outfit she wore often.
A white collared shirt with a black vest-like jacket over it with intricate white designs in the top left and bottom right. Her white skirt ruffled out and fell gracefully at mid-thigh; a pair of high socks with black ribbons at the top ends covered most of her legs. She also had black boots that came up mid calf with the same white designs on the outer top rim.
Then the white ribbons; they held two small bits of her long black hair. Ookawa always looked so very pretty; Roiyaru smiled and placed the ribbon back on the stand. She would be ok, Ookawa was smart…she knew what she was doing.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
So warm, Kiyoko was so very warm. She felt like she was floating, it was such a weird sensation. Kiyoko slowly opened her eyes and came face to neck. It wasn’t hers though, well obviously.
She opened her eyes wider to view her surroundings, she found she was apparently being carried, and by a guy. The thought made the fact his hand was on her bare thigh a little embarrassing. She twitched lightly in his arms.
“Good, you’re awake.”
“…um…what happened?”
“I don’t know, after I left, I heard something in your direction and decided to go back and see what happened. You were on the floor, as though you passed out. So I’m taking you to the infirmary.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“So, what happened to you?”
“Uh…I don’t really remember. After you left I just stood there, and then…”
She paused and he looked down into her face, but her eyes were averted and uncertain.
“And then…?”
“Oh, uh…I…there was this feeling, or maybe pain. I don’t know; it just hit me…and I felt unsure…I think. Then I just…fell? I-I don’t really remember.”
“Hmm, that’s strange…”
“…yeah.”
There was a small awkward pause.
“May I put you down now? You’re sort of heavy.”
Kiyoko blushed a little and nodded. He stopped in the hall, put down her legs and slowly pushed her up with his hand on her back.
“Thank you.”
“Sure.”
“So…I’ll go then.”
“Are you gonna be ok?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Alright, bye.”
“Bye.”
Kiyoko began walking down the hall; her left hand was held to her collar, a habit that was becoming even more evident.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
“I never got your name.”
She turned her head slightly to the side, eyes hidden.
“Neither did I.”
She turned back and continued walking around the corner. He watched her go, faintly shocked, but smiled and placed his hands in his pockets as he turned to leave. She really was very mysterious.
“…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again?”
He whispered to himself as he entered the student council office.
“Tatoya, how are the ballots coming along?”
“They’re good.”
“So have we gotten the 1st year leader yet?”
“Almost. One seems to be winning by a landslide.”
“Fine. After you announce it, please send him or her to me here. I’ll prepare them for their future position.”
“Will do.” Tatoya said without even looking to Ronin. Tatoya was the best treasurer they had; he was fast, smart, responsible, and efficient.
“Kayo, do you have the papers I asked for?”
“Sure do Ronin!”
She opened a drawer in her desk and handed him a thick red folder.
“Thank you.” He said as he began shuffling through the contents of the file.
“You’re welcome.”
She smiled at him. Every council member knew she had a crush on him; however she was a third year and would leave once this term was over. She continued to watch him as he entered the room, dubbed to be his office.
Ronin read intently over the papers as he sat down at his desk.
The students voted for some sort of social event, similar to a dance. It was a lot to plan, but Ronin had been diligently working on the event. He had fortunately been able to arrange a beautiful old garden for the dance…thing; Sateko, the Leader, had already begun preparations for catering.
These things generally took most of the two and a half months they had, and now they just needed the Vice President to work with decorations and entertainment. Hopefully, everything would be done on time. Kayo had told Ronin that the new member would be announced today.
Ronin sighed. “This is going to be a long day.”
He held his hand to his head, eyes shut in frustration, his mind wondering. That girl. “I know I met her somewhere before, but…there’s like a hole in my memory.” The only part of remembrance he could remove from the empty space was cold rain and a kiss.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Tatoya had to, yet again, go around to every class and announce the news. It was really very boring, but it got him out of his other projects and obligations.
Each class was unsurprised by the news, except the one containing the losing candidate. He continued down the hall, his pace increasing when the last door finally appeared and he slid it back loudly to get the awaiting classes attention. Heads turned, that is, all expect one. A thick head of black hair draped around the sleeping Kiyoko as Tatoya came to the front of the class.
“The votes have been counted and it seems one nominee won by an unpredictably massive amount.”
All the students were eager to know who would be their class rep.
“Your class representative is Hatoma.”
Most everyone cheered, though a couple looked annoyed.
“Kiyoko! ...Kiyoko, hey Hatoma?’
The girl in front of Kiyoko started to poke the black mass as it slowly awoke.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“You won!”
“What did I win?”
“Huh…”- she looked annoyed at Kiyoko’s responses, she didn’t like being asked stupid questions-“You’re our class Rep. of course!”
“What!” Kiyoko shot straight up in her seat, startling the girl in front of her.
“Aren’t you excited?”
“Why should I be pleased to win something I never entered?”
“Of course you entered. They can’t elect you unless you agree.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Well you must have. Every class nominated and Tatoya took every denial and acception. No one would be considered if they said no.”
“Which day was this?”
“About…”-she paused to think for a few minutes, evidently not showing superior intellect by holding her chin while she did so-“two weeks ago, a Monday.”
“I slept through most of the classes that day. I never saw any ‘Tatoya’.”
“Maybe you ‘sleep accepted’.”
She laughed a little at her lame pun as she turned in her seat to face the front of the room, but left a very confused and tired Kiyoko behind.
“Great.” She whispered under her breath as her head fell back onto the desk.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Kiyoko walked down the fast moving hall as the students hurried to leave. She would have stayed in the room to wait out the panic and excitement, but the drama club kicked her out for play practice. Which they always needed.
“Yeah, I hear the 1st year rep. is in charge of the decorations and entertainment, the hardest job.”
“Really? Last year the 3rd year did that.”
“I think it rotates every year, depending on what we’re doing.”
“Well, as long as it’s as good as last year.”
“Defiantly.”
“Who won anyway?”
“I don’t remember, some guy.”
The two girls giggled and started walking away. Kiyoko, though, had been listening to the entire conversation.
“Decorations and entertainment…”
Kiyoko pondered briefly then continued walking through the hall to get her shoes and left. She sinuously walked on the pavement in front of the school, her eyes concentrating on nothing.
“Hmmm….They could have at least remembered my gender correctly.”
She lifted her head up in full view and began walking faster. Kiyoko wanted a quiet place to consider recent events and she knew exactly where to go. There was a small clearing by the river, she had been there once or twice before, it was quiet and peaceful, an easy place to think.
When she arrived the river was rushing gently and the sun bore into the green grass. She kept on until she was in the middle of the meadow and went over to sit on the large rock near the edge of the water, bathed in light. She removed her boots and neatly set them along side the rock, then turned to face the ripples.
“Decorations, simple. Entertainment, mild.”
Kiyoko ran through a list of popular artists in her head. Most she didn’t care for, though the few she did not mind pilled up for further contemplation. She unconsciously began to hum as she filed though the names; each had some flaw to her, but eventually she found one. Satome Kitoyi, not wonderful but he would have to do.
Kiyoko turned in her seat and began putting her shoes back on, tightening the lace as she went. Once she was satisfied that each boot was secure and comfortable, she left the open area and headed out.
First, she would acquire the decorations, then the entertainment. Each were considerably easy tasks, Kiyoko had no idea why so many thought it was the hardest.
She entered a large store as she came around the corner of the road. All she really required was to pick a planner and have them hold everything until it was needed. Kiyoko spotted a young woman putting away packages of streamers and came over to speak with her.
“Excuse me.”
“Huh, oh yes.” The woman looked down from the small ladder she was on.
“Hi, I was wondering, would you mind organizing decorations for my school’s dance?”
“Why?”
“Well, you want to be a planner don’t you?”
“How could you tell?”
“I’m good at those sorts of things.”
“You’re a smart girl.”
“Thank you.”-She nodded at the woman- “So, will you accept?”
“Perhaps…”
“You will be paid fairly.”
“How fairly?”
“22000 yen for the selections and 890 an hour for setting it up.”
“Wow, that’s very fair.”
“Then you agree?”
“Alright. What should I do?”
“Select the decorations. The dance is formal and the entertainment is pending, there is nothing specific for style or colors, so you have plenty of room for creativity. And I will need you to hold everything until the council calls you.”
Kiyoko took a clear folder out of her bag and handed it to her.
“This has everything we discussed. There are also pictures of the place chosen to host the dance and any measurements I was able to get. The address and other various phone numbers pertaining to the dance is there as well, incase you need to be at the site in person or have any questions. You have two and a half months.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
Kiyoko smiled at the young woman and turned to leave, her black hair swinging behind her with every evenly placed step she made. The young woman watched Kiyoko silently leave.
“…Interesting girl.”
She went back to her work, already thinking of new ideas; an anxious feeling inside her.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
“You called earlier?”
“I did.”
Kiyoko had arrived at the record company only just a few minutes ago. She had been led to a large room with a small coffee table and two padded chairs; a large window brought light into the huge space. The man sitting before her was a little stout, but not in a grotesque manner. He had rather large eyes behind a small pair of black rimmed glasses and a small black ponytail streaked with grey resting low on his head of thinning hair.
He sat in one seat, Kiyoko in the other; the coffee table between them.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how were you even able to get this number, let alone arrange a meeting?”
“I don’t mind you asking, but I also won’t answer.”
“Right…well then”-he cleared his throat-“what is it you wish to discuss?”
“I would like Satome Kitoyi to be the entertainment for my school’s dance.”
He chuckled. “Do you realize how common a question that is?”
“I do, but I have little choice. I was involuntarily made the student council rep for my class year. This is the job I was given.”
“Ah, I see.”
“So might we discuss my proposal?”
“I may agree, but Satome needs to as well. And he doesn’t really do these types of jobs very often.”
“Then I suppose I should speak with him.”
“That may be difficult. You see…”
“Taiyo, did you get my…”
“Oh Satome,”-Taiyo cut him off- “we were just discussing you.”
“About something good I hope.”
“Yes, this young lady has requested you for the entertainment at her school’s dance.”
“Really? And what did you say?”
“Well, I didn’t technically say anything about it either way, but I did explain that if it was ok with me, it would have to be approved by you.”
“Ok then. May I speak with her now, Taiyo?”
“Of course, I’ll be in the other room.”
Taiyo left through the same door Satome entered. During all this, Kiyoko felt very invisible, but materialized a little as Satome sat down in front of her, his wild orange-red hair spiked up on his head, but led you to his dark blue eyes.
“So, why me?”
“That’s obvious. You’re one of the most popular singers, and I don’t mind your music.”
“Why should that matter?”
“I would like to do well with this, so a top performer is best. Plus since I was forced into this job, I believe I’m entitled to a little opinion with my choice.”
“I see. And what is this job of yours?”
He had leaned back in the chair, showing he was relaxed.
“The 1st year student council class representative or the Vice President, whichever you prefer. To be honest, I think the whole idea to be stupid, despite its organization.”
“Really? I was on the student council my first year as well.”
“Interesting. And what year would or are you now?”
“Third year, but I can’t believe you’re a first year. You look older and seem very smart.”
“I am a first year by age, however not by intelligence. I have been offered many applications to various prestigious colleges and universities. Once I was even offered a job at the large medical lab that oversees most hospitals here.”
“Why didn’t you accept?”
“There is no reason to push through life.”
“Right. So then, what? You’re some sort of genius.”
“Yes, I am.”
Satome had tilted forward in his chair towards her, an interested expression on his face.
“Hmm…I’m satisfied.”
Kiyoko’s eyebrows drew down into a perplexed expression.
“With what, exactly?”
Satome started to stand.
“Oh, nothing. Anyway, I’ll be there.”
“But I’ve said nothing about it.”
“Just leave the information with Taiyo.”
“…Ok.”
“Just make sure you’re there.”
“I will be there whether I like it or not.”
“A student council thing?”
“Afraid so.”
“Ok, see you then.”
“Yeah…you too.”
He left the room.
Kiyoko smiled, he was a sly flirt, but one nonetheless. She removed another clear folder from her bag and placed it on the table, near Taiyo’s forgotten coffee.
“At least he’s cute.”
Kiyoko turned to the door, as she was heading to leave the window blew open. She quickly looked back and came face to chest with a very tall man. She wondered why she kept running into awkward situations like this recently.
“Who are you?”
“Who I am is not important, but who you are is.”
“Me? How am I relevant?”
“You are far more important that you realize.”
“And how is that?”
“I’m not to tell you anything, only that the time for you is approaching. Be aware.”
“What do you mean?”
“I cannot say.”
“What can you say?” She put her hands on her hips, an annoyed pout started to appear at the edge of her mouth.
The man already turned for the window, nearly ready to leap out. He looked back, showing a slightly half downcast profile.
“You are missed.”
Then he was gone, vanishing with a flash, almost like he dissolved into light. Kiyoko just stood there.
“I’m…missed?”
A tear escaped her as she pondered the words the strange man had spoken. She didn’t know why, but it seemed familiar and loving, while also a little sad. Kiyoko enjoyed it.
