Chapter Text
The council room was designed to be immaculate. It had Kirari’s grand long table, where she, Sayaka, and her sister sat completing their work. It had her imported couch, where their bags sat waiting to be reclaimed. Her aquarium filled the leftmost wall, giving the plain walls a splash of needed color. Generic art could never compare. The cabinet at the opposite wall was oversized and polished to perfection. That too was custom ordered to fit files on one side, and tools on the other. Then there was the window, larger than most doors, and designed to wash the room in the sun’s glorious light.
Today however the sun had been choked out by gloomy clouds that had grown ever darker as the evening went on. Kirari glanced out at the approaching rain, and took it as confirmation that the gods were on her side after all.
"Sayaka, I'm in the mood for canned coffee," Kirari stated, and returned her attention to her mostly untouched homework.
It was an unusual request for The President of Hyakkaou academy who typically preferred her black teas. However, Kirari was also known for her whims. So aside from an arched brow and pursed lip, Sayaka did not think too deeply into the request.
"Really? I know the vending machine has some. It's a little on the sweet side though."
Kirari was already sliding the money over. "It'll do. Bring some snacks as well."
"Are you sure you wouldn't want something from the kitchens?" Sayaka asked. "It would be fresher."
"No. Even I like partaking in the simple things sometimes."
Sayaka seemed unconvinced. In response, Kirari tilted her head, giving her secretary her very best angle of her most dashing smile. "Please?"
Sayaka smiled, perhaps savoring the sight of her, before conceding with a nod. She took the money and looked towards Ririka at the other end of the table. "Any requests, Vice President?"
Ririka nodded, her mask distorting her response. "Something sweet."
Sayaka smiled at the request and began to take her leave. Kirari watched her go, her azure eyes lingering at the sway of that long school skirt Sayaka favored. The moment the door clicked shut she leapt up from her seat and made her way towards the couch. Ririka rose too, and without looking Kirari knew her sister's eyes were narrowing on her.
"What are you doing?" Ririka asked, her tone sharp, and threatening. It did not stop Kirari from opening Sayaka's bag, nor from shifting through it in search of her prize.
"Kirari, that's a breach of trust."
Kirari didn't respond. She simply plucked the packed umbrella from Sayaka's bag, and placed it into her own.
"Kirari, that's stealing."
Kirari continued to ignore her sister as she fixed the position of the bags down to the wrinkles of the fabric. Sayaka was too keen to ignore the small details.
"Why are you doing this? Sayaka is going to need her umbrella today." Ririka pressed, this time without her mask. Only then did Kirari acknowledge her.
"Exactly! It's going to rain after all! I was worried at lunch when the sun was still out."
Ririka looked at her skeptically. She remained silent as she waited for further explanation, which Kirari happily supplied.
"Ririka, what's more romantic than sharing an umbrella? I even ordered one perfectly sized for us."
She was quite proud of it too. The white fabric was of the highest quality. Its width was just big enough for both her and Sayaka to share without having to worry about either of their shoulders getting wet, but not so big that they wouldn’t have to huddle close. That was the important part of the experience after all. With the rain caging them in, there would be no escape for Sayaka.
When Kirari explained this to Ririka however, her sister remained unimpressed. Kirari matched Riri’s impassive stare as she returned to her seat at the table.
"Anyways, whenever you finish your sweets, you have to leave early. I suggest using a stomach ache as an excuse. You can blame it on the food’s low quality.”
Ririka shook her head, too exasperated for meekness. "What makes the umbrella experience romantic is how spontaneous it is. This plan is far too detailed to qualify."
Kirari had already considered that. Luck, fate, and timing- They were just as important in gambling as they were in matters of the heart. Kirari knew this. However, even with the gods on her side, she would not rely on luck alone to get what she wanted.
"Sayaka is far too practical to ever forget her umbrella, and we always ride home in the car. If I don't do this, it will never happen. I will graduate without ever having this crucial high-school experience!"
Ririka sighed in defeat. “Normal people would call this creepy.”
“Hm. What was that?”
Ririka huffed. “Nothing. I’m leaving now.”
“But if you leave like this, it will only make her sad.” Kirari protested as Ririka moved to fetch her bag and ignored Kirari completely.
Timing, however, was not on Ririka’s side. When she opened the door to leave, Sayaka was already on the other side reaching out for the handle. Somehow she balanced the bundle of drinks and snacks in her other arm perfectly.
Kirari watched as Sayaka’s eyes darted between Ririka and herself, before darkening as she retreated into her head. Kirari knew it was her fault. She spent a year and a half keeping the two apart. Sayaka only saw the Vice President wearing either the mask of Kirari or the plastic one. Because of this, while she had always known they were sisters, Sayaka never acclimated to actually seeing Ririka.
But her Secretary recovered quickly.
“Ah! Thank you Vice President, I…” Sayaka’s voice trailed off, her brow furrowing, “...Is something wrong?”
Kirari could only smile at that. Sayaka was always perceptive.
“Something came up, and Ririka volunteered to take care of it. She will be leaving first.” she explained.
“I see. Do you still want your coffee?”
Ririka bobbed her head and took her pick from the snacks Sayaka had offered. Kirari frowned as her sister purposely took the cookies she favored, but held her tongue. She and Sayaka would be alone soon after all. Ririka ignored Sayaka’s goodbye as she left the room, yet somehow it was Kirari that received her secretary’s sharp look of skepticism. She must have thought that Kirari sent her sister away again.
Which was technically correct.
“What came up? If it's something that requires your attention…”
“It's nothing Ririka can not handle on her own.” Kirari said, “Or would you rather I leave instead?”
“Of course not! In any case, here’s your coffee.”
Kirari let out a pleasant hum as she took the golden can Sayaka was offering. She enjoyed the way Sayaka leaned in as she took her first drink of it. Her secretary was always trying to predict what she would or would not like, as though such things could be predicted and memorized like the answers on a test. But how could Sayaka know something Kirari herself did not?
They would have to learn together.
“It's not bad…” Kirari mused, pulling the can away and holding it in the air like the gravedigger and the skull. She always loved theatrics. Sayaka did too, and as Kirari's number one audience, she eagerly waited for Kirari to finish her assertation with a held breath.
She savored that reaction as much as the sweet coffee. It brought Kirari's smile to her eyes.
“...But it has a funny aftertaste.”
Sayaka nodded. “It's the sugar supplement they use.”
She then went on to explain the differences in sweeteners, and preservatives in canned coffees and how it affected the overall taste. Never knowing Sayaka to drink coffee, Kirari had to wonder if she had looked all of this up beforehand. Or was it possible that she did the research between her travel to and from the vending machine? That had to have been impossible, even for her secretary.
Kirari cut her off by teasing her. She laughed at Sayaka’s flustered protests. Then, ever diligent, Sayaka actually redirected Kirari back to their studies. There were Life Plans to complete after their math homework, and there was little time left to complete either.
They shared a perfect rhythm together in that quiet. Sayaka flew through her work, and began going over club requests. She slid over forms or letters that needed a formal rejection or were otherwise amusing while approving the easy requests and using Kirari's signature when necessary. A simple hum or a tap of the finger, and Sayaka knew when Kirari didn't want to bother with something. When Sayaka cleared her throat or pursed her lip Kirari knew when a particular document was important. Most importantly, Sayaka wanted to be here. She thrived in the world of Bureaucracy, details, and spreadsheets. Years from now, if they ever parted, Kirari knew she could find easy success in the world of business. But the reason Sayaka was here now was Kirari. Because Sayaka valued Kirari's company as much as she valued hers
Kirari thanked the gods for sending Sayaka her way.
They must have been listening too, for at that moment the rain finally began to fall. The pitter-patter at the window was like a symphony to her ears, that drew both girls’ attention away from their work. Kirari’s lips curled upwards triumphantly. Sayaka however, was less thrilled.
“We should probably leave now. It looks like it's going to worsen earlier than expected.” Sayaka said, scowling up at the clouds.
Kirari feigned her disappointment. “What a shame. We normally have another hour together.”
“I know.” Sayaka sighed, her own disappointment evident. They looked at one another then, both wondering at the other’s thoughts. Without the sun, Sayaka’s eyes were impossibly dark. Kirari’s own abyss drew her forever in.
The moment Sayaka turned away, Kirari brought out her phone. In the seconds Sayaka took to reach her bag, Kirari had sent a single text to Ririka: [Call me now.]
Twenty-five more seconds later, and her phone was ringing. Sayaka was busy rummaging through her own bag, searching for the stolen umbrella. Kirari kept her expression even as she brought the phone to her ear.
“What's wrong?” Ririka asked.
Kirari waited for a moment, her attention shifting from Sayaka to the clock on the wall. After just the right amount of time, Kirari replied.
“Oh. That does sound bad! How long will it take for a tow truck to arrive?”
“What are you talking ab---” Ririka stopped herself. “This is ridiculous.”
“It's unfortunate. But even I’m capable of walking home.” Kirari said. Her eyes met Sayaka’s from across the room, meeting her frown with a reassuring smile. Sayaka had just given up on her umbrella.
“Don’t worry about it.” Kirari finished, then ended the call. She took a moment to collect herself. It was more for Sayaka’s benefit than herself. She had to act like this was all coincidental, and not another superb victory.
“Looks like we’re walking home together, Sayaka!”
“Why didn’t your driver call me if he was experiencing car troubles?” She asked.
“Because he’s still with Ririka. She was the one who called.”
Sayaka nodded at that but her frown still deepened. “Will you be okay walking? Should I call you a cab? Or-”
“Sayaka, are you saying I’m incapable of walking home on my own?”
“It's dangerous for a number of reasons.”
Kirari’s smile dropped to an expression of neutrality. The fact that Sayaka genuinely believed Kirari wasn’t up to such a mundane task irked her. Sayaka flinched under her stare, but she remained adamant.
“Your house is far away. You’re going to be caught in the storm!”
“Then why don’t we compromise? I’ll wait at your place until my chauffeur is able to pick me up.” Kirari had not planned for this. The very idea had just popped into her head, and it made her very excited indeed!
Sayaka on the other hand seemed to short-circuit at the idea. The words she wanted to say were not coming out in complete sentences.
“Besides,” Kirari added, “I see that you don’t have an umbrella? How unlike you to be so unprepared.”
That snapped Sayaka out of it. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “....I must have left it on the counter.”
“Well it's not a problem. We can share mine.”
Sayaka was beet red when she declined. “Th-That is unnecessary, President! I keep a spare here in the council room!”
“..You do?”
Ever proud of herself, Sayaka moved towards that custom cabinet Kirari had ordered her. Sayaka pulled open the smaller drawer on the topmost left side. In the past, Kirari has seen Sayaka pull out flashlights, batteries, and one time a spare condiments packet. She had assumed it was a junk drawer of sorts. She never expected Sayaka to pull out a small personal umbrella. It seems she had underestimated her secretary.
She forced a smile as Sayaka presented it proudly. But Kirari couldn't help but feel offended at the item. Sensing her discomfort, Sayaka's own smile faltered and followed Kirari out the door in a heavy silence.
Outside the weather had cooled with the rain. The wind was picking up as well. Carrying her own umbrella would prove a challenge.
“Are you ready?” Sayaka asked, looking back towards Kirari who was still lingering at the door.
Blue eyes took in her Secretary's skirt that was fluttering dangerously about her legs. Her ponytail was whipping frantically as well, and Kirari doubted the ribbon would hold the entire way. Sayaka’s grip on her umbrella was tight. Despite all this, Sayaka was looking at her with shy and hopeful excitement.
She felt her agitation melt. It was their first time walking home together after all. Kirari would not count this as a loss.
“Yes.” Kirari said, and followed Sayaka out the door.
There was something different about leaving the school grounds on foot like this. She had taken Sayaka to her house before. They had even dined out at restaurants for both business and pleasure. However, there was always a feeling of artificiality to those events. The school was Kirari’s domain, and everything that transpired inside of it was in her control. The restaurants were always ones that she had wished to visit. It was always her driver taking them too and from the school. It was like they were always in a perfect little box, of Kirari’s own making, their activities meticulously scheduled out and planned, and tainted with the pretense of work or duty. Completely unromantic, as Ririka would describe it
It wasn’t something that Kirari had really noticed before. It was simply her life.
The wet streets and the scent of the rain did away with that. There were no walls, and there were no games. It was quiet and peaceful, and for the first time, Kirari was content with that.
It almost made her regret the deception.
She looked away from Sayaka, and noticed the other students around them. Among the dispersing crowd, there were other couples about. Some were actually smiling shyly as they huddled close beneath a single umbrella.
Kirari was sure the gods put them there as punishment. There would be no other explanation.
“Are you okay, President?” Sayaka asked, noticing Kirari’s tight expression. “Is the wind bothering you?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what's wrong?”
There was no answer to give because there was nothing wrong. Her world was of meticulous tricks and treacherous power plays. Kill or be killed. If she wanted to share moments like this with Sayaka, it took meticulous planning and clever deception. They would have never fit naturally, but Kirari was willing to do anything to make it so they did.
“You’re beautiful,” Kirari answered at last.
Kirari wondered if there would ever be a time when her free affections wouldn't surprise Sayaka.
Sayaka turned away, her face red and mumbling something under her breath.
"What was that?"
"I said the pretty one here is you!"
Kirari fought the girlish giggle that threatened to escape. Instead she looked ahead, her grin never faltering.
"I'm surprised about how peaceful something like this is. Even with the rain"
"Mm. I'm just happy to be sharing this walk with you."
Kirari's eyes widened, “Should we seek the outdoors more then? Or perhaps take a bus into the city?”
“It has been a while since I’ve been downtown. But somehow I can’t see you riding a public bus.”
“You seem to be doubting my abilities quite a bit today.” Kirari scolded.
Sayaka laughed and apologized, the nerves leaving her voice finally. She would have snatched Sayaka’s free hand if her own weren’t so occupied with keeping her oversized umbrella under control. The gods had sent them a terrible wind.
She had truly miscalculated indeed, and yet she couldn't have been happier.
-----
Keeping their distance, a black car followed the oblivious couple. From her window, Ririka watched the two. She couldn't read their lips from this far, but even an idiot could tell that they were enjoying themselves. It almost made her feel guilty for spying.
“From afar, she seems so normal,” Ririka said, almost surprised. Even Kirari looked unimportant in the rain. She panicked when her driver started to laugh.
“Sorry miss!” he said, clearing his throat as she glared at him through the rearview mirror. “But, yes. It's nice seeing a real smile on her face.”
Ririka frowned at that, and looked back towards the two. Sayaka was helping Kirari hold her oversized umbrella as her sister was looking down at her phone. She jumped when the text came through.
‘Go away. You can pick me up from Sayaka’s address around five.’
It was Ririka’s turn to laugh.
“We’ve been caught. Wait for them to pass the next light, then take me home.”
------
Fin