Chapter Text
Weeping silver clouds were the last thing anyone expected at the end of a once sunny afternoon. Yet, for the Student Council of Shuchiin Academy, it was business as usual.
Seated at his desk in utter concentration, President Shirogane’s tired sapphire eyes perused a bundle of documents.
“President?” There’s only one voice capable of stealing Miyuki Shirogane’s attention away from his work. Glancing up, his gaze centers on the Vice President, Kaguya Shinomiya, “Would you like some tea?” Her innocent, saccharine smile made the offer even more inviting.
“Sure, Shinomiya.” Shirogane gladly accepts the freshly brewed cup of Darjeeling tea. Knowing that Shinomiya was the one who prepared it accentuates the refreshing taste.
Leaning on the wall next to the entrance of the Student Council room with a glowing screen before his eyes, Treasurer Ishigami plainly ignores the angry protests of their Auditor Iino, “Put that thing away or I’ll confiscate it!”
Pausing his game, Yu Ishigami lifts his Nintendo Switch out of Miko Iino’s reach, “Alright then, confiscate it.”
Intimidated by the clear disadvantage in height, Iino gives up without even trying, “Hmph. Next time I won’t be so lenient.” The brunette huffs, turning away from her nonchalant classmate.
“If that’s all your fighting spirit then you’re a failure as a public morals committee member.” Ishigami returns to his game and Iino growls, furiously stomping on the boy’s right foot in tandem with a loud bang of thunder. Ishigami’s painful screech and the shrill rattle of teacups were drowned out by the sound.
Shinomiya stilled the quivering tray in her hands, placing the tea set in its rightful place. Thunder always had a way of startling her. Vibrant ruby eyes scan the Student Council room. Even on a dreary day like today, her kouhais are lively as ever. President is just as hardworking. Then there’s Fujiwara. Staring out the wide window, peculiarly silent, the Secretary’s sights trail the glistening tracks of descending raindrops on the glass, “Fujiwara, is everything alright?” Shinomiya joins her.
“Well…” Chika Fujiwara hesitates, silvery pink hair swaying from side to side as she rocks back and forth, “There’s something bothering me but the only way I can get over it is with everyone’s help.”
“Oh, then if there’s anything we can do to-” “Yes!” Fujiwara cuts Shinomiya off, twirling around the room with bubbly excitement, “Kaguya-san said yes so everyone, we’re going to play a game!”
Shirogane, finishing off his work for the day, instantly shot the idea down. Fujiwara’s games were nothing but trouble, “I don’t think that’s a great idea, Secretary Fujiwara. The rain’s coming down so we should all leave as soon as possible.”
“But Prez!” Fujiwara fussed, “We can’t leave in this stormy weather. Besides, its been a while since we’ve all played a game together. I…I want to have fun memories of my youth with all my friends.” The Secretary pouts cutely.
“No. She’s definitely up to something.” The other members of the Student Council weren’t fooled.
Although, Shinomiya’s car was running late today due to the inclement weather. So what’s the harm in humouring Fujiwara? Who knows, this might be the perfect opportunity to get a confession from the President. The way he drank the tea she poured for him with such appreciation, “Kyaaaaaa!” “Fujiwara makes a good point. Our time together may be shorter than we think.” President flinches, a reaction Shinomiya didn’t expect but she continues, “So why not?” Hopefully the Vice President doesn’t come to regret her decision.
“Yay!” Fujiwara hugs Shinomiya from behind.
“If Fujiwara-senpai wants to then…” Iino remarks shyly.
Shirogane and Ishigami were still not convinced, “You both trust this wolf in sheep’s clothing?” Ishigami protests, “After all she’s put us through?”
“Is that any way to speak to your upperclassmen?!” Iino smacks Ishigami behind the head with a ledger.
Fujiwara, riding this wave of support, grins smugly, hands at her hips, “That’s right.”
“President?” Shirogane’s ears perk up at Shinomiya’s voice, “I’m certain it won’t be that bad.”
“Fujiwara’s always had Iino wrapped around her little finger but Shinomiya too?” Shirogane couldn’t believe his Vice President was taking Fujiwara’s side. Shinomiya’s mocking voice slithers its way into his head, “You can’t even handle one game President? How cute.”
“Let’s do this!” Shirogane won’t lose to anyone, especially not Shinomiya!
“Alright!” Fujiwara releases the Vice President and everyone, including a weary Ishigami, assembles around the room’s center table, “We’re going to play…” The Secretary reveals a plain white box with a hole in the top, “Truth or dare!”
“Truth or dare?!” Lightning flashes outside like the jolt of shock that passes over everyone who wasn’t Fujiwara.
The energetic Secretary settles the box in the middle of the table, “The rules are simple. In the box are cards with either a question you must answer truthfully or a dare you must complete. We take turns dipping for a card and once that card’s been drawn it’s removed from the game. Oh, and if you don’t answer the question or do the dare, there’s a penalty.” Fujiwara summons another smaller red box labelled ‘PENALTY’ and places it next to the white box, “We’ll decide the order by pocky sticks!” The Secretary pulls out a box of strawberry pocky with five sticks of seemingly same lengths, “Shortest stick goes first.”
The results:
Shinomiya -> Shirogane -> Fujiwara -> Ishigami -> Iino
“You’re up first, Kaguya-san.” Fujiwara’s happy grin mismatches the tense atmosphere surrounding the room.
Composed as always, Shinomiya reaches inside the box for a card. This is a simple game really, no need to get herself worked up. How bad can answering a question or performing a dare be?
Dare – ‘Take off one item of clothing.’
Shinomiya was halfway out the door, “Oh look, my driver is here.”
“Shinomiya-senpai is trying to escape!” Ishigami became rather enthusiastic all of a sudden.
“S-shinomiya…has to…!” In that moment, the President’s mind raked over the multiple clothing choices she could remove, “No!” He banishes those thoughts. Shirogane will never allow Shinomiya to do such a thing, in front of another man like Ishigami no less, “I can't condone such...” Unspeakable thoughts return to his mind and Shirogane's face felt a little too warm, “Improper behaviour in this sacred Student Council room”
“What are you talking about President?” Ishigami wasn't all that thrilled to be honest, since Shinomiya isn't best girl and all, but the premise is entertaining enough, “Far worse things have happened in this room than Shinomiya-senpai stripping.”
Iino covers her mouth with both hands in shock, “H-how lewd!”
Fujiwara playfully smirks, “Would you rather endure a punishment, Kaguya-san?” The Secretary's sinister chuckle was unnerving.
“Isn't this dare punishment enough?” Shirogane deadpanned.
The Vice President sat back down, prim and proper as a Shinomiya should be. Then, she laughed, “Fine then.” Her girlish giggle brimming with confidence, “It's not as if I don't do this every day.”
Iino blocks her eyes with both hands but peeks through her fingers moments later while the other Student Council members stare longingly at the Vice President with bated breath.
Raven locks cascade down Shinomiya's back and a frigid miasma far colder than the downpour outside manifests in the room, “Satisfied?” Shinomiya folds her signature ribbon across her lap.
Shirogane sighs in relief while Fujiwara pouts in distaste.
“Well that was underwhelming. Ow!” Iino smacks Ishigami with her ledger a second time.
“Okay. It's your turn, Miyuki-kun!” Fujiwara sings.
The President swallows, dreading whatever he's about to pull out of the box.
Truth - 'What do you like most in a person of the opposite gender?'
“Hmm, what I like most in a girl?” Shirogane ponders, sneaking a quick glance at Shinomiya. If he’s going to be a man, that includes being intentional, “Someone who's not afraid of taking action, I guess.”
“Ho ho!” Fujiwara snickers, “What kind of action, Prez?” Iino gasps, shrinking back in disgust.
Shirogane glares at the Secretary in annoyance, “It's your turn, Secretary Fujiwara, if I'm not mistaken.”
“Okay, okay.” Fujiwara draws a card.
Truth - 'Tell the person on your left the thing you like most about them.'
“Well isn't this convenient,” The very person on her left scoffs, “Fujiwara-senpai gets an easy one.”
“What I like most about Ishigami-kun, huh...” Fujiwara remains silent far longer than she should have.
Ishigami deadpans, “You know, that's extremely rude Fujiwara-senpai.”
“I just needed some time to...choose the right one, Ishigami-kun,” She was definitely lying, “I like...that...March 3rd...is an important date to you.” Fujiwara deflates exponentially.
“At least pretend to be honest.” It's no secret that Secretary Fujiwara hates the fact that she shares a birthday with Treasurer Ishigami.
Shinomiya gets the ball rolling again, “Looks like it's your turn, Ishigami-kun.”
Dare - 'Pretend to be the person on your left until your next turn.'
“Pretend to be Iino?” Ishigami drops his card on top of the pile of used one on the table, “That shouldn't be too hard.” He clears his throat, getting into character, “This lecherous game is unacceptable!” Ishigami's voice jumps two octaves higher, “As a representative of the public morals committee, blah blah blah, confiscation, blah blah blah.”
Iino and Fujiwara both turn red in the face but for opposing reasons. The Secretary couldn't contain her laugh, “That was spot on, Ishigami-kun!”
“F-fujiwara-senpai!” Iino's anger dissolves into embarrassment.
Her upperclassmen waves it off, “It's just a joke, Miko-chan. Don't take it personally.”
“If...you say so.” Shirogane and Shinomiya feel sorry for Iino, always being manipulated by Fujiwara. The brunette glares daggers at Ishigami, “I don't act or talk like that!”
Ishigami folds his arms, turning away from Iino, “Hmph.”
“I don't...!” Iino raises her voice but calms down seconds later, sighing, “Let’s get this dumb game over with already.” She fishes for a card.
Truth - 'If you could kiss anyone present, who would you choose and why?'
“H-how vulgar!” “Eww, kissing!” Iino and Ishigami scream in sync.
“Ouuuuuuuu!” Fujiwara was all ears, “Who's Miko-chan going to choose?”
Iino couldn't contain her blush, “Umm...” She automatically rules out Shinomiya and Fujiwara, leaving President Shirogane and Ishigami. Miyuki Shirogane is an intelligent, kind, all around nice guy but the President and Shinomiya were obviously made for each other. Then that leaves...
“Iino.” Surprised by the gentle call of her name, Miko Iino turns to her classmate who captures her chin with his right hand. Midnight blue eyes cast a hypnotic spell on caramel brown ones, she just couldn’t look away, “May I…” Ishigami tilts her head upwards, “Kiss you?” He pulls her in slowly, the sound of Iino’s frantic heartbeat increasing with every inch.
“No!” Iino shrieks, hurling her ledger at Ishigami who dodges for dear life.
Ishigami maintains his pitchy tone, “Are you crazy?!”
Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Iino mumbles, “I would choose the President.”
Iino’s response was a little unexpected, “Me?” Shirogane never would’ve guessed Auditor Iino thought of him that way.
“Really?” Shinomiya appeared slightly perplexed on the outside but on the inside, “What!” The Vice President was seething, “I always knew that innocent façade was all an act. Miko Iino, you salacious, dirty woman.”
“Well, that’s because my options were limited.” Iino’s blush is in full bloom, she lowers her head bashfully, “But I would never k-kiss the President.” Iino’s sharp words felt like stabs to Shirogane, “Never in a million years. I really couldn’t.”
“But what’s wrong with the President?” “But what’s wrong with the President!” Fujiwara voices out Shinomiya’s thoughts.
Iino finally found her full composure, casually stating, “I just think that Shinomiya-senpai and the President would make a better match, that’s all.”
“You think so?” Shirogane concealed his blush fairly well. He glances at the Vice President who’s as calm as ever.
“Miko Iino is such a good girl!” Shinomiya gushed inwardly.
Round One’s Results – Ishigami Losses