Chapter Text
Returning the favour to the Vice President is proving to be more difficult than Sayaka had initially expected.
She doesn't know anything about the Vice President. Nothing substantial. Or not considered creepy.
Sayaka knows the Vice President's height, standing taller than average at 5"6(because the President happens to be of the same stature). She knows her shoe size(again, President), what time she enters and leaves school, and that she's silent if more than two people are present in a room at a time. None of this helps Sayaka. Knowing such specific details about the masked girl only makes her look like a creep.
How does she even eat with that mask on all the time...
At the moment, food seems out of the question.
Would she drink something with a straw in it? That's-
"Sayaka?" calls a familiar voice, ever the chilling in tone.
"Yes! How may I help you, President?" Sayaka cringes at her unexpected volume, straightening to face the icy eyes that still manage to pierce right through her.
"I'd just like a cup of tea," Kirari muses, eyeing the secretary up and down, "my, you're extra jumpy today. Why is that?"
The secretary instantly flushes. Of course there would be no hiding from the President; the latter seems to be able to pick up on the littlest things about Sayaka, even stuff she'd rather have hidden. The President is so painstakingly observant at times; Observant, much like the Vice President, yet not quite.
"It's nothing, President. I'll get to making your tea," Sayaka nods curtly, already walking to the tea table.
While Sayaka prepares Kirari's blend, she hears the latter sigh out loud. The sound is dramatic, and it's one she's heard before. Her hands aren't as steady as usual while she's spooning the dried leaves into the pot, for she knows the President is likely about to try and get something out of her. They both know too well that her 'nothing' is almost always a ‘something’.
But... What if the President can help?
Sayaka's eyes widen with hope, pouring the boiling water carefully into the expensive teapot. She has seen the President and Vice President interact with each other numerous times, most often with no one else around. Perhaps they are somewhat close? Maybe the President would know what she likes. It seems promising enough, in theory, but Sayaka doesn't know if she can pluck up the courage to even ask the President for such a thing.
"Join me for tea, Sayaka. Sit," Kirari pats the spot on the floral lounge chair, right beside her.
Sayaka wills her strength into placing the tray onto the table as silently as possible. The President would not appreciate her tea set being rattled(it's also roughly the price of half a year of Sayaka's rent). She sits carefully beside the latter, hands folded neatly in her lap, and back straightened to a perfect angle. To her left, braids swing slightly with the tilting of Kirari's head as she takes her first sip. The air around her is inherently harder to breathe in. It's not quite suffocating- it just feels like there's less oxygen near her.
Where breathing is of utmost ease on level ground, oxygen is scarce on mountain peaks.
"Tell me, Sayaka. What's on your mind?" Kirari says, suddenly leaning very much into Sayaka's proximity.
As her secretary stammers for a moment, the President throws a glance back at her tea, "it's brewed perfectly, by the way. Always better than the servants at home."
Sayaka is torn between responding appropriately to the high compliment and answering her question honestly. She should have known Kirari wouldn't make anything easy for her. The weight of her want to know is very much present, however, unlike her comment about the tea. Sayaka makes up her mind to overlook the praise, even if the pink dust on her cheeks says otherwise.
"President- I was actually wondering if... If you could help me with something?" she finally squeaks.
Kirari regards her secretary, frozen in place, as if asking a favour of her is of the worst crimes to commit. She breathes a chuckle through her exhale, shaking her head slightly. The smirk painted in blue on her lips gives away none of her slight... Disappointment. As much as it amuses her to no end, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if Sayaka wasn't this afraid of her. Progressing in any kind of way isn't easy when one party is just short of petrified of the other.
"Of course, my dear. This is most certainly a first. Do tell me what you need," she smiles, and she hopes it looks genuine.
A sip of tea follows, to hide the imperceptible moment of weakness.
Sayaka seems to ease up slightly. Her shoulders visibly slacken, as do the contorted muscles in her face. She's got such a lovely face. Kirari smiles at it; smiles at the glossy pink of her lips, at the dark shades that take on her eyes, at the visible softness of her skin from her forehead down to her chin.
"I want to get a gift for the Vice President."
Whatever remnants of a dazed smile that remain on Kirari's face dissipate instantly. The feeling that begins to simmer inside her is not a pleasant one. It's as unfamiliar as it is sickening. Kirari breathes for a moment before fixing another smile onto her lips, erasing her disdain in a matter of milliseconds.
If Sayaka is observant enough to have seen it, then good.
"Oh? What has the Vice President done to be deserving of a gift from my secretary?" she tilts her head, lips curving upward at the sight of Sayaka's cheeks quickly reddening.
Maybe she's feeling a little devilish, she absently admits, for there's no way Sayaka could miss how heavily she emphasised on the girl being hers. And no, she doesn't care if her silent rage is being directed to the Vice President. In fact, something about it being her sister actually makes it feel a bit worse. Kirari's sure of it.
"I- Um, she's been buying me lunch and snacks because I kind of forget to eat," Sayaka starts, sheepish, "so I want to give her something in return, but I don't know what she'd like."
Interesting.
Kirari hums, pretending to ponder on a helpful thing to say. Oh, but she's fuming, and there might almost be steam rising from the top of her head like she's a cup of tea. What a ridiculous thought, despite it feeling entirely possible. By the looks of Sayaka's demeanor, she's sure her dear secretary has caught on to her ruined mood by now. Cute.
But Kirari is not petty. She will not be petty.
Ririka has been sweet to her Sayaka, and receiving something for it isn't a crime. So be it. Kirari can be the nice twin.
It's just funny that Ririka had conveniently failed to mention ever doing such a thing for her secretary, when she's usually more than happy to tell Kirari anything concerning Sayaka. It's almost like her sister has been quiet about it on purpose.
Ririka, Ririka. What do you think you're doing here?
"Well, to my knowledge, the Vice President very much enjoys desserts. Though I see why it would be hard to tell," Kirari muses, crossing one leg over the other.
"Desserts..." Sayaka mumbles, deep in thought, "I see. Is there anything else she might like?"
Kirari has most definitely had enough of this. Once again, her smile is gone. She doesn't try to replace it, nor does she outwardly scowl. Sayaka seems to tense slightly, unable to meet her eyes. Kirari tries not to revel too much in the surge of power she feels from it. A poker face is a skill, indeed.
But Kirari wants Sayaka to get the hint this time.
"Strawberries."
Sayaka blanches. It's not mind blowing that the Vice President likes strawberries- no. What has her losing composure is the President; more specifically, her evidently bad mood. Perhaps asking her for help hadn't been a good idea, after all? If that is even the issue... There isn't a frown on her face, but long gone is her teasing smirk that Sayaka is used to seeing. Something is wrong, but she only knows that much. It might be time to talk about something else. She does have enough information for her task now, anyway.
"I- I see! Thank you for you help, but I'm very sorry for burdening you with this, President!" she stammers out, standing in preparation to flee from Kirari's silent wrath.
The President, sitting, still manages to stare Sayaka down from her place. The secretary feels her very bones tremble from the cold. Just as she's on the verge of apologising once again, a smile, much smaller than what either of them are used to, graces Kirari's face. It doesn't reach her eyes. It doesn't tease. It's just a smile. Sayaka shivers at the lack of anything behind the expression.
"Don't worry yourself over it, Sayaka. I presume you have somewhere to be?" asks the President, slowly returning to more of her usual self.
Sayaka bows curtly, "Yes, President. I should be getting to class soon. Thank you again for your help..."
Kirari breathes a chuckle, reaching for her cup. "I'll see you later, Sayaka."
Sayaka can't miss the strange glint in the President's eyes even if she tries, the sinister sparkle haunting her on her way out. She has a feeling something about their encounter had just pissed the latter off. The thought nearly makes Sayaka tremble; Kirari being angry is one issue in itself, but to be the cause of her anger is something else entirely. She's never been in that position and she's not willing to take it up now, either. Or ever.
Is it really possible to stay on her good side forever?
At lunch, Sayaka finds herself indulging in yet another free plate of egg fried rice. It's been a long while since this started- more specifically, two weeks and one day. If Sayaka's being honest with herself, she really shouldn't have even let it go on for this long. But between Council duties, school work, and the strange tasks that come with being the President's secretary, Sayaka has found herself simply indulging in it instead. It's more than easy to accept the snacks she finds tucked away in places only meant for her, if not for the warmth that accompanies the gestures. Eating egg fried rice more frequently(except for the occasional cold soba and pork cutlets) hasn't gotten tiring. She loves egg fried rice wholeheartedly, but she's bought lunches from different counters so as to not cause the Vice President to spend money on her every lunch meal. She's been to the cafeteria more in the last two weeks than she had for the entire previous academic year. She hopes, deep down, that the Vice President and her silent, possibly stalking ways, has noticed it.
Recalling the masked girl's words each time she sits alone with her meal makes her feel that warmth all over again; that feeling one gets when they're cared for.
However, the Vice President is starting to get frustrating.
It seems as if the girl with the mask is intentionally avoiding Sayaka, or so the secretary thinks. Not only has she missed a multitude of meetings since that fateful day, but she has also been leaving the Council room if ever left alone with Sayaka. And forget class hours; she's almost non existent then. There's never any sight of her in the hallways, or the gardens, or the different courtyards around the school. (Not that Sayaka has been looking at any chance she gets). Sayaka isn't the best at situations like these, but it doesn't take a genius to know the Vice President is most certainly avoiding her. She just can't figure out why the latter would have to, or how on earth she manages to sneak chocolate bars into Sayaka's bag without being caught.
Just as Sayaka is starting to wonder if the girl in question is absent today, she sees it. A flash of silvery white, a masked face in the crowd. If there is only one perk to the girl, it's that she can't be mistaken for anyone else. Sayaka quickly clears her lunch tray, ready to pursue the ever elusive Vice President who is quickly moving out of sight. This is her chance.
Sayaka soon comes to realise that she isn't as ready to confront the Vice President as she had thought.
"V-Vice President!"
Ririka whips her head around to find the Student Council Secretary, panting and with her hands on her knees. The girl almost looks more disheveled than Ririka's ever seen her. She's clearly run a long way, but for what?
Ririka could have sworn she was careful about being seen. She curses inwardly; she had been too careless for wanting to catch a glimpse of the secretary in the cafeteria.
"Igarashi-san. Am I needed for something?" she bows in a short greeting, hands clasped behind her back.
The Vice President watches with fascination as the secretary catches her breath. It is strange to see her in such a state, so far from her usually composed self. Ririka isn't sure if endearing would be the right word at the moment, but it's what comes to mind. She's most grateful for her mask in moments like these, granting her the freedom to stare as openly as she pleases(it doesn't stop her from occasionally feeling like a creep, though). Slim fingers brush a strand of hair out of her face, the same hand running all along the length of her sided ponytail to neaten it. Ririka would almost think she is taking her sweet time, but it's when she spots the flush in her cheeks that doesn't seem to be from running that she quickly understands. Sayaka is most definitely stalling.
"Um- you're still... Paying for my food, and- and giving me snacks. It's been more than two weeks!" Sayaka finally breathes, exasperated.
Ririka stiffens slightly. She hadn't been expecting such a reaction from her. Also-
Has it actually been that long?
Clearing her throat, the modulator crackles slightly, "My apologies, Igarashi-san. I didn't mean to... Upset you. Should I stop?"
"Yes! Wait- no! I mean-" Sayaka pinches the bridge of her nose, but it doesn't hide the dusting of pink across it, colouring her cheeks prettily. "Could I just know why you've been so diligent about making sure I always have food, and going as far as paying for my meals?"
...Why?
It seems like an easy question, really. It's straightforward and perfectly reasonable for Sayaka to ask her this. The only problem is Ririka's inability to find a decent answer. Why has she been doing this?
Had it started out of genuine concern for the secretary's health, and wanting her to be eating well?
Yes, probably.
Had she just wanted to see how the girl would react to her doing something for her, knowing full well it would be unexpected?
...maybe.
Is she just so bad at getting acquainted with people that spending money on them- and throwing money at any issue in general- is the only thing she knows how to do?
Yes.
It's no surprise that Ririka has more money than she knows what to do with; she had simply passed the egg fried rice stall an overly huge check and asked them not to charge Sayaka for anything she ordered from there. (After seeing the secretary get food from a couple of different counters she proceeded to do the same for them, but Sayaka has yet to find out).
Definitely. Yes. This could be a money problem.
As for the vending machine snacks, knowing what Sayaka likes had simply been a result of observing her in silence for so long, having always been her Council Room companion regardless of Kirari being there or not.
Kirari.
Is this because of her? Did watching Kirari treat Sayaka as more like a form of entertainment as opposed to the object of her affections finally make her sick enough to want to piss her off? Ririka knows that Kirari would be- or already is- fuming at what she’s been doing, and more so because she’s chosen not to tell her. It’s only a matter of time before Sayaka says something, though, so Ririka has been preparing to deal with Kirari in her own time.
Is this whole… act of kindness just a way to show Kirari that Ririka can treat Sayaka better than she can while barely lifting a finger?
No. No, this isn’t... out of spite.
Ririka knows that much, even if Kirari’s behaviour towards the secretary gets on her nerves most of the time. Her sister has nothing to do with this.
“Igarashi-san, I apologise for troubling you. I truly just… wanted to do something nice for you. There’s nothing more to it. I wanted you to take care of yourself better.”
Despite the modulator of her mask like a tide between them, it’s impossible to miss the evident softness in her tone. Sayaka feels herself melt ever so slightly. She knows the Vice President has no ill intentions, and it’s not like she had suspected anything of the sort. Perhaps, much like the President, the Vice President struggles to gauge what a small gesture is supposed to look like.
It’s so strange to find similarities between such heavily contrasting people.
Sayaka eases into a smile. She’ll take this answer, and she’ll give the Vice President her strawberry shortcake as soon as she finds a bakery she deems fancy enough. It shouldn’t be too hard, considering she has a list of places Kirari enjoys and she can easily pick one out from there. There should be something in her budget for the Vice President.
“Okay. Thank you, Vice President, but I think I could take care of myself better if you weren’t already doing that for me,” she tilts her head, smile still in place.
Ririka’s heart pounds violently in her chest, deafening in her reddened ears for a moment. Her hair isn’t exactly covering them either. She can’t stop an overwhelmed squeak from spilling from her lips. Her shoulders loosen slightly when the sound comes out unrecognisable, causing Sayaka’s warm smile to turn into a confused one. Looking back, Ririka doesn’t recall ever seeing her look so carefree. She stores it away in her memory, absently wondering if Kirari has ever seen this smile.
“So…” Ririka twiddles her thumbs, “I should stop now, right?”
Sayaka, to Ririka’s utter surprise, actually giggles. The sound is contagious and she wants to join her, but laughing sounds absurd with her mask on. She refrains, but there is a smile behind the mask’s smile. Sometimes it sucks having to wear it.
“Please do, Vice President. I won’t doubt your financial status as a member of the Council, but I still feel bad that you’ve spent this much money on me already,” Sayaka shakes her head lightly, “but if I can be honest… I have immensely appreciated the gesture.”
Ririka is ready to stop if it’s what the secretary wants. She’s gotten what she had hoped for; knowing that Sayaka appreciated it. As she’s about to give her the affirmative, one little problem pops into her head.
“I will stop… but-” she clears her throat, “I’m afraid I can’t take back the checks I gave to the counters in the cafeteria.”
Sayaka visibly blanches. “Checks- counters?! Plural?!”
Ririka winces.
“Um- you may enjoy free egg fried rice, soba, and pork cutlets for the rest of the academic year, Igarashi-san. Please excuse me,” Ririka rushes out, composed through her modulator, and speed walks in the opposite direction.
She could have sworn she heard Sayaka scream. Far enough away from her, Ririka lets herself laugh.
Sayaka smiles to herself when, as promised, she hasn’t been ambushed by her favourite granola bar the day after her successful confrontation. A part of her had started to get used to the constant and convenient supply of treats, but this is for the better. No singular act of kindness is meant to last for two weeks. Remembering the situation with the checks the Vice President had given the food stalls in the cafeterias makes her feel faint.
For the rest of the academic year… just how much did she pay them?
Sayaka’s first period is free on Fridays, to her delight. She usually spends the time in the Council room, finishing up the last bits of the week’s workload. But who is she kidding; she really just gets a headstart on next week. Concerning the President’s schedule, she’s got the whole of next month covered too.
Making her way across the courtyard, the sun bathes her in warmth. Her dark hair gleams under the light, white ribbon fluttering like a delicate butterfly. Sayaka doesn’t slow down to enjoy the weather, though, for the sake of the box in her hands.
The Vice President will love these.
Maybe the world is turning at just the right frequency, and the universe has deemed her worthy enough for a day of perfect timing. Upon entering the Council room, Sayaka is met with the Vice President herself, sitting at her usual seat on the left of the head. The secretary was unaware that the girl had a free period at this time as well, but it’s worked perfectly in her favour. She can’t even hold in her smile at the sight of her, for she is precisely the person she wants to see. It saves her anxiously waiting around with the precious cargo all day until the scheduled after school meeting.
She won’t admit it, but it also saves her from potentially having to gift the masked girl in front of the President. Their… tea time yesterday had been terrifying. Sayaka tucks that thought away for now, but she’s painfully aware she will have to face the Kirari sooner or later. She only hopes that the blue-eyed girl is in a better mood today, or else she’s entirely to blame for that cold glare she received yesterday. A robotic voice eases her out of her thoughts before her heart can throb painfully.
Oh, President…
“Good morning, Igarashi-san.”
“Good morning to you, Vice President,” Sayaka says, fixing a sweet smile onto her lips as she approaches her sitting figure.
The curiosity of wanting to see what the Vice President looks like behind her ominous mask isn’t a feeling that ever goes away. It simply lingers, always at the back of Sayaka’s mind, and the front whenever she looks right at her for too long. It’s strangely unnerving to be able to feel her stare even without seeing her eyes. Nonetheless, Sayaka’s thoughts of the masked girl have most certainly changed as of late. The Vice President had never been hostile to her, but now it kind of feels like they have something of a friendship with each other. It’s pleasant.
“Is the Council celebrating something today?” asks the distorted voice, an elegant hand motioning lightly to the white box in Sayaka’s hands.
“This?” Sayaka looks down at it for a moment, then smiles when she finds the Vice President’s face again, “this is for you, Vice President.”
How Sayaka would kill to see the surprise she knows is on her face right now. A small sound escapes the confines of the shield that protects her face. It’s the only indication of a response, along with the red tips of her ears that peak out from her long, luscious hair. Sayaka beams at her, walking around to her side of the table to hand her the box. With shaky, pretty hands, the Vice President accepts it from her.
“For all you’ve done for me,” Sayaka mutters, unexpectedly shy.
“You don’t owe me anything,” speaks the Vice President, almost cradling the box in her gentle hold.
“I know. It’s just a gift. Would you like to see what’s inside?” Sayaka asks, allowing herself to lean lightly against the table, right by the masked girl’s seat.
Ririka opens the box with careful fingers. Yet again, the secretary hears her distorted gasp. She can’t believe her eyes. Embarrassingly, she feels close to drooling. She looks up from the box to find a kind of proud smile on Sayaka’s face. Again, it’s a new expression. She files this one away as well.
“These are mini strawberry Napoleons, from the bakery in central Tokyo? Igarashi-san, how did you know these are my favourite?” she asks, genuinely bewildered for a moment; both she and Kirari frequent this place whenever a craving hits.
“Ah, that…” Sayaka fiddles with her fingers, “I, um, I asked the President to help me. She mentioned that you enjoy desserts and s-strawberries, so… but I didn’t know these were your favourite! I just picked them because they fitted the description...”
Ririka stiffens imperceptibly. This makes sense now, and by the gods will it look especially bad when her twin comes to know about it, but Ririka is happy. She’s happy right now, in this moment, because these are her absolute favourite sweet treats and Sayaka has just gifted them to her. She appreciatively stares at the secretary’s blush for a moment, her own pink cheeks hidden beneath pristine white. Maybe she wants Kirari to see this, but she doesn’t pay the sinister thought any mind.
“I see. The President… Thank you very much for these, Igarashi-san. They are delightful. I insist that you try one as well," she settles on saying, standing to offer the box to the shorter latter.
Sayaka blushes when the Vice President stands. Not only have they not been this close to each other, but she's currently being towered over by a slightly intimidating figure.
She's just the President's height.
"Thank you," she mumbles, gingerly picking one of the delicate pastries from the box.
Sayaka hopes the Vice President smiles. At this point it's all she can do, considering what's on her face distorts her voice as well as hides her expressions. Now, as she takes her own seat across from her, holding a napkin underneath her dessert, she has a feeling there's a smile on the latter's face. She hides one of her own behind a small bite when something occurs to her. The secretary takes her time enjoying the flavours in her mouth before swallowing and speaking.
"Vice President, um… how are you going to-"
One pastry disappears into the haunting black smile of the mask. The entire rectangular layering of perfectly light puff pastry slabs, filled with rich custard cream and sliced strawberries between them, vanishes. It had just barely been the height of the mask’s mouth. It quite frankly makes no sense.
"-eat…?"
Sayaka tries not to outwardly gape at this unreal sight, but she does anyway. Not only are these pastries far too large to consume in one bite, but they're also incredibly flakey. They're just… messy pastries to eat, and yet not a single hint of that shows on the Vice President's mask, or even her pale hands. All the time she's spent wondering, and… watching this for the first time is not what Sayaka had expected it to look like at all. It looks like the Vice President just... inhaled the whole thing.
How on earth…
The Vice President clears her throat, gently wiping her fingers off on a napkin. She picks another beautiful pastry from the box of six between them, pausing before it reaches her mask.
"You look shocked, Igarashi-san. I can assure you, eating is not a problem for me. I just prefer not to in front of others," she says.
Sayaka, with her lips still parted slightly in shock, can only nod. A part of her feels honoured to be here, witnessing the Vice President doing something she prefers to do in privacy. Warmth floods her cheeks.
The rest of their free period goes on this way. After enjoying their pastries(Sayaka declined a second one while Ririka indulged in four), the Council room had enveloped itself into a silence they were both used to. While almost unconsciously completing her tasks, Sayaka basks in the comfort she feels from being around the Vice President. The girl who had previously been nothing but a silent and intimidating hand of the President, only speaking to Sayaka when she absolutely had to, seems to have changed drastically. At least, in Sayaka's eyes she has. Looking at the masked girl invokes a kind of warmth, a light hearted feeling of what she hopes is friendship, within her. She's never been good at the whole friend thing, and by the looks of it, neither has the Vice President. Yet, they're here now, together. They're enjoying the company of one another, albeit in their own silent ways. The Vice President spends the time typing away on her phone while Sayaka finalises next week’s meeting calendar. When the bell rings for second period, Sayaka takes her time packing her things. A thought prods at her mind, asking her if she's trying to draw out her time spent with the Vice President. Another thought wonders why it’s true.
“I should be going now, Vice President. I hope you’ve enjoyed the gift,” Sayaka smiles and bows, ready to leave.
“I did- very much so. Thank you again for this. Also… I don’t mind the use of my name if we’re alone,” the Vice President responds, standing as well.
Sayaka pauses by the door, her hand millimeters from its handle.
Her… name?
“Forgive me, Vice President, but I don’t think I know-”
The door opens on its own accord, and in walks the President herself, Momobami Kirari. Both other figures in the room freeze, Sayaka’s cheeks going red as Kirari stops right by her. Cold, blue eyes regard the secretary for a moment, followed by the Vice President. Her gaze settles on the familiar white box in her hands. A smirk blooms onto her lips.
“I see you’ve wasted no time in providing your gift to the Vice President, Sayaka. Time-efficient as always,” Kirari muses, slowly stepping toward where the masked girl lingers at the table.
Kirari reinforces the hold on her composure with steel when Ririka glances down at the box and then offers it to her. From the other side of the room, Sayaka watches the interaction with bated breath, absently admiring their hair of the same shade in two different styles and how it glints when they move.
“There’s one left, President. Would you like to have it?” asks her distorted voice, clearly done to get on her nerves. Kirari won’t allow it to work.
“Oh,” she huffs, gently pushing the box back to her twin, “that looks lovely but I wouldn’t steal your favourite. After all, Sayaka bought this specially for you, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she did.”
Sayaka’s mouth is agape. They have got to be on some level of closeness for the Vice President to say that without hesitating. She feels nervous as their topic of conversation, both dying to excuse herself and too scared to move. The President is in that mood she had been yesterday, masking her distaste under that perfect smirk of hers. Sayaka sees it now, just how peeved she is. She must be directing it to the Vice President. The secretary doesn’t know if she is to feel more relieved or stressed by this realisation.
“You seem proud of yourself, Ririka.”
Ririka. Ririka is her name.
What a beautiful one.
The Vice President whips her head to Sayaka at the door the moment her name slips from Kirari’s lips. It appears her twin has woken up and chosen violence today. Ririka looks back at Kirari, masked eyes boring holes into that too-smug face. She shouldn’t be looking like that; Sayaka didn’t get her six strawberry Napoleons. Kirari has simply perfected her indifference to circumstances that most certainly rile her up. Ririka is likely the only one who can read her like a book, anyway. Rolling her eyes where neither of the two in the room can see, the older of the twins bows curtly at the President.
“If you’ll excuse me. I have class,” she says, not waiting around for a response.
Reaching the door, Ririka regards a very unsure, very hesitant looking Sayaka. This is what she’s like when Kirari is in the room. She almost wishes her sister could see how carefree Sayaka looks when she’s not there, ironically. The secretary is visibly broken out of her stupor, bowing deeply at the President after a questioning glance at the masked girl.
“I-I’m afraid I have to attend class as well, President. Have a good morning,” Sayaka stammers slightly, bowing again.
Seated comfortably at the head of her table, her head resting in her palm, Kirari’s eyes flicker between her secretary and her twin. She smiles and nods.
“Off you go, then. You two… how funny,” she chuckles, more to herself when the two finally leave her alone.
Shutting the large doors behind them, Sayaka breathes an audible sigh of relief. Ririka stands awkwardly by her side. They meet eyes- well, sort of. Pink dusts Sayaka’s cheeks.
“Bye.” “Goodbye.”
Ririka wants to slap herself for lack of a better reaction to this feeling. Talking over each other- seriously? Sayaka’s blush deepens, but that unsure smile playing on her lips blooms into a shy giggle. Once again, Ririka finds herself aching to laugh along with her, devoid of the restraint on her face. Her heart pounds. She smiles in privacy.
“You really should be getting to class now,” Ririka says. She hopes her mask doesn’t ruin any semblance of the softness with which she regards the secretary.
“R-right. Have a nice day, Vice- um, Ririka,” Sayaka mumbles, unsure; it’s clear that it’s the first time she’s tasting the name on her tongue.
Ririka smiles again, “you too, Sayaka.”
Past the doors beyond them, Kirari sits, pondering the new and unusual flower that’s bloomed in her garden; Ririka and Sayaka getting acquainted. The petals are delicate. Her eyes on them are not.
Outside the Council room, Sayaka and Ririka bow to each other before parting ways, each headed in an opposing direction.
Ririka would say the smile on her face is for her precious remaining strawberry Napoleon, and the secretary who had given it to her alike. The tormenting smile on her mask is for Kirari, and the passive aggressive dinner Ririka knows they are going to have tonight. But Ririka finds it in herself to think that it’s been worth it.
Sayaka runs her mind over the events that have transpired in recent memory, much like her blooming relationship with the Vice President. Still, none of it manages to overpower the intense shiver down her spine when she recalls Kirari, the ever haunting, ever alluring presence in her mind and life alike.
Had she just eaten lunch on time that day…