Chapter Text
Sayaka walked through the crowded hallway in slight confusion. Everyone seemed to be in a bubbly mood and giggling. Some students were holding heart-shaped trinkets and chocolates, as well as decorated cards or stuffed animals. A puzzled expression covered her face as she stopped to watch a boy shyly hand a girl a small candy with a note. He scratched the back of his neck with a light blush while the girl smiled widely. The dark-haired girl turned away from the interaction and continued through the corridor, then to the student council room's door. But...what was this? The door appeared to have hearts taped onto it as well as a single rose directly in the middle. Sayaka huffed, unsure what sort of event could be happening today. She wasn’t too good at remembering holidays since they did not have much significance to her. She only tries to remember for the president so she can offer her small gifts.
Sayaka knocked on the door softly to ask for permission to come in. She heard the president approve her to enter. Sayaka slowly opened the door and shut it behind her. As she turned around, she noticed many different things about the student council room. The purple-haired girl was taken aback. Hearts covered most of the walls, and pink and red streamers hung from the ceiling. She figured the president must have caught her expression since she started to laugh softly.
“What’s the matter, Sayaka? Do you find this holiday unpleasant?” Sayaka walked closer with a bewildered look. She stopped once she was close enough to properly talk to her.
“I don’t understand what you’re referring to, President,” She answered. Her hands were firmly held together in front of her skirt; one of her preferred poses to take. Kirari’s smile faded for a moment with her mouth slightly agape. She sat up so her hand was propping up her chin.
“Sayaka, do you perhaps not know that today is Valentine’s Day?” Kirari asked tilting her head. Sayaka opened her mouth slightly in realization. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, suddenly remembering that she hadn’t gotten anything for the president. She gulped, answering in a somewhat trembling tone.
“Oh...I must have forgotten. My apologies.” Kirari’s small smile returned as she looked at her intently. Sayaka half-expected her to laugh at her, but she only twinkled.
“No need to apologize. Though, I’m curious,” she trailed off glancing at the aquarium for a moment. Her other hand tapped on the armrest of her chair ponderingly. “Have you received a valentine yet?” The president looked at her expectantly. Something about her expression changed from an inviting smile to a neutral frown. Sayaka couldn’t help but smirk slightly at the question wanting to chuckle.
“Of course not, President,” she responded, keeping her composure. The secretary had never been given a valentine. In fact, she thought the whole holiday was rather silly. But, last year she gave Kirari a small note of admiration. Sayaka knew that Kirari thought the event was rather interesting and fun to watch, so she fed into her fascination with it. The president’s eyes glinted for a second.
“Why did you respond like that?” Sayaka raised an eyebrow then realized what she was talking about. She adjusted her posture to stand up more straight.
“I’ve never received one before,” the dark-haired girl answered shortly. Kirari’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Sayaka averted her eyes, somewhat embarrassed. “I-I don’t have time to care for such things anyway, as I much work to attend to,” she said trying to explain herself. She looked back at the president to continue. “Have you..gotten one?”
“Yes, many,” the silver-haired girl responded. A slight smirk appeared on her face. “Though, I do not care for them, as none of them are from anyone important.” Sayaka’s face contorted a dull expression. She tried not to show that she was a little jealous. Who could be so crucial to her? She decided not to question her. Instead, the secretary would try to achieve higher than whoever dared to challenge her.
“I see,” she answered monotonously. She distinctly changed the subject. “What work should I have completed today?” Kirari’s grin faded back to her usual facial expression. Her icy blue eyes lost interest.
“I would like you to draw up some life-plan templates, as we are starting to run low since more students continue to fall into deep debt. Finish it by lunchtime, please,” Kirari spoke with authority. Sayaka nodded and bowed, then went off to do her duties.
******
Some time had passed, and it was now a little over lunchtime. Sayaka had finished with the life-plan templates and already handed them over to the president. Now that she had a little time before her next task, she began to work on her gift for Kirari. The purple-haired girl sat at the student council table, writing a note on a small piece of paper. Her careful handwriting was so intent that Sayaka was sure that Kirari would find it… fascinating. She hoped she would.
After her gamble with Yumeko Jabami, the interaction with the president in the lily field took her by surprise. She thought there was no possibility of the president ever returning her feelings. There was no way that a goddess such as her would be in love with a normal logical girl like Sayaka. The president was the complete opposite of her. But the tower of doors changed her perspective. Not only did the silver-haired girl say that she was fascinated by her, but she liked that they were opposites. Sayaka was so enamored with the president that the lily field interchange had altered her whole point of view. Now, the secretary had new-found confidence and was determined to be noticed once again by her president.
Suddenly Sayaka was snapped out of her thoughts. A hand was placed on each of her shoulders. A voice whispered into her ear.
“Sayakaaa, are you in there?” Sayaka jolted upwards in fright. She quickly turned her head to meet the president only five inches away from her face. “Oh, you’re back now, good. What’re you writing?” The president asked her. Sayaka’s face turned beet red from the proximity of their faces. Kirari smiled gently to not continue startling her.
“U-Uhm, i-it’s nothing, President!” Kirari's eyes flashed from concern to dark suspicion. Sayaka’s eyes widened at her unusual gaze.
“Lying are we now?” Sayaka gulped subtly. She couldn’t exactly tell her what she was doing, but it felt improper to lie to the president.
“Well…I’m writing something for someone,” she replied nervously. Kirari moved away from her to stand up properly. She crossed her arms in a manner Sayaka could not describe.
“Oh? Does my secretary have a valentine at last?” The president seemed to have some sort of unreadable look plastered across her facade. The dark-haired girl continued to keep her tranquility, carefully dismantling the conversation. Though, Kirari calling her “her secretary” indeed rose a light blush out of her.
“Hm, it seems so. Well, I wish you luck then,” the president said unexpectedly. She must have gotten a different idea! She then turned around to walk out the door. “Let me know how it goes, will you?”
Sayaka shuddered in defeat as the student council room door shut. She didn’t even get a chance to reply, and now she had given Kirari the wrong perception. Sayaka facepalmed herself. Her emotions had accidentally shown through and on her face no doubt. She looked back down at the letter, crumbled it up, and threw it across the room. She sighed, clearly annoyed. Suddenly, someone opened the door and shut it behind them. Sayaka whirled around to see who it was.
“Heyaaa, Sayaka,” Midari said in a somewhat slurred manner. Sayaka’s face drained of light. Why her?
“Hello, Ikishima,” she greeted her politely. Midari’s face crumbled into disgust.
“Aw c’mon now, call me Midari, Saya,” she said. Midari usually called Sayaka "Saya." She didn’t mind it, and only Midari called her it.
“Apologies, Midari,” Sayaka replied briefly. The black-haired girl grinned devilishly. Midari started striding over to her.
“Man, what’d you say to get the president that look on her face-” she cut herself off as she noticed she stepped on something. Oh no. “Heyy, what’s this?” She picked up the granulated piece of paper and opened it up to read it. Sayaka scrambled to get up.
“H-hey, wait, don’t read that!” Midari held it high enough above her head so that Sayaka couldn’t grab it from her. As she started to read it aloud, the purple-haired girl covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.
“Dear President, I am writing this letter to show you my gratitude and appreciation for you. You seem to take such a great interest in this holiday, and I-” Midari quickly burst out laughing and dropped the paper in the process. Sayaka swiftly snatched the paper floating in the air and held it close to her chest.
“How dare you read my personal works?!” Sayaka snarled. Midari stopped laughing and wiped a tear from her eye.
“Oh c’mon, Saya, you left it there on the ground for anyone to pick up and read,” Midari replied with a smirk. The secretary huffed angrily and walked over to the trashcan to throw it away. It was a finished note, but it certainly wasn’t good enough for someone as flawless as the president.
Sayaka always put the president on such a pedestal. She was a hierarchy above everyone else in her eyes. Although she’s sure the entire academy feels the same way. Almost everything Kirari does puzzles her, but she leads it to an outstanding outcome. Sayaka does not entirely understand her, but maybe that’s what keeps her here. She is faithfully betrothed to her.
“Are ya gonna get the pres’ something for Valentine’s Day other than that pitiful note?” Midari asked lazily. Sayaka walked back over to the table and sat down. She sent Midari an annoyed glance.
“It is none of your concern,” she replied coldly. Midari scoffed and leaned back in her chair, propping her feet on the table. Sayaka wrinkled her nose at the gesture.
“Fine whatever, I’ll just find out about it later,” she said shrugging lightly. Sayaka raised an eyebrow in confusion. She was about to respond, but then the door opened once more. In walked the president. Sayaka wondered what she was doing that took so little time to complete. It had only been about five minutes. Could she have only come back because she noticed Midari walking in?
“I have returned Sayaka. And hello to you too, Midari,” the silver-haired girl trailed off staring at the girl with a purple bow. Midari smirked and stood up.
“Don’t worry pres’, I was just leaving anyways,” she said, then walked out. Kirari shut the door behind her and turned to face Sayaka.
“Are you alright, dear?” Did she just call her dear? Sayaka's heart was practically beating out of her chest. She was sure her face was as red as a tomato now. Could she have come back because she was worried about her? Surely not, right? Sayaka quickly turned her head away from Kirari to hide her appearance. She heard her footsteps creep closer.
“Y-yes, I’m fine, nothing to worry about. Ikis-, I mean, Midari was just looking for something to stir up,” she replied trying to soothe herself. The president’s careful steps stopped just behind her chair. Her elegant arms reached down to rest on her shoulders, and her hushed voice rang throughout her eardrums as she spoke.
“Are you sure? It’s clear that a girl such as Midari can be too much sometimes. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my dear secretary.” If Sayaka wasn’t already blushing, she most definitely was now. Ever since she had confessed her love for her, the president seemed to show more emotion and concern for Sayaka. It surprised the secretary, but she didn’t mind it. It was nice to be seen by her like that.
“Of course, President, I’m fine,” she responded shakily. She peeked at her. Again this position; it’s very compromising. Kirari sighed lightly and then smiled kindly at her. A pastel pink tinted Sayaka’s face. The president’s delicate fingers lifted off of Sayaka’s shoulders and returned to her sides. Kirari sat in the chair next to Sayaka and supported her chin with her hand.
“How is your valentine's proposal going?” Sayaka winced slightly, looking away. She still had nothing to show for her president. Kirari’s mouth formed a small frown. “Not well, hm?” The purple-haired girl returned her gaze to the president and shook her head momentarily. Sayaka sighed exasperatedly.
“I’m unsure what yo-” Sayaka cut herself off. “W-what this person would want…” Kirari tilted her head. She hummed thoughtfully, then a sly glance appeared on her face.
“Perhaps they would want a kiss?” Sayaka’s face nearly broke out into flames. She was absently mindedly shaking her head.
“W-what?, President, that’s-” She was cut off by Kirari giggling at her reaction. The secretary slumped moderately into her chair, covering her cheeks with her palms. Kirari’s laughter died down. She was now looking at her attentively.
“Who could be so lucky to have you as their valentine?” Sayaka’s mouth was slightly agape. She couldn’t tell her yet. She was planning to surprise her at the end of the day. The dark-haired girl fiddled with her fingers.
“I-I’m sorry, President, I cannot disclose that to you yet,” The secretary responded looking down. Kirari gasped lightly. Suddenly Sayaka realized her mistake as her eyes darted up to meet the silver-haired girl’s.
“So you're going to tell me eventually?” Sayaka sighed in defeat and nodded. She hadn’t meant to say “yet.” Kirari clapped her hands together excitedly. Sayaka was tooken aback.
“You seem so feverish to know who it is,” The secretary said observantly. The president smiled wildly in return.
“Of course I am, I would love to know who my secretary’s first valentine is,” Kirari replied with an interesting glint in her piercing blue eyes. Sayaka grinned earnestly. Having her president so captivated by her life filled her with an odd sense of delight. Though, it was peculiar that Kirari didn’t know that the valentine was her. Sayaka had confessed her love quite profoundly in her eyes.
“I see, well-” The chime signaling the next class rang throughout the student council room, cutting Sayaka off. Kirari stood up from the chair and walked over to her original seat, signaling the conversation was over. Sayaka rose from her seat as well and took the stack of papers in front of the president’s chair.
“I’ll finish this work for you, President,” Sayaka said with her returning neutral gaze. Kirari nodded in approval and sat down, drumming her slim fingers on the wooden table. After Sayaka was done with these, she would get to work on a new plan for a valentine for her President.