Chapter Text
Ririka was never the one to have a favorite season, growing up as her sister’s ‘dupe’ made her lack personality, or so she thought.
Spring was just around the corner, and she caught herself admiring the blooming buds, listening to the birds' chirp early in the morning while walking through the school gate, Kirari a few steps ahead of her, like always. Sayaka was there as well, greeting the President and Vice President first thing in the morning, she wasn’t a secretary for no reason, she always took her job seriously, annoyingly so.
She and Ririka didn’t have much of a relationship; Ririka didn’t have much of a relationship with anyone. She barely talked, and even when she did it was behind a voice changer, one her mask provided. One thing was clear though; Sayaka felt uneasy whenever she was alone with the Vice President, and Ririka didn’t like her presence much either. She never understood what was so special about her, why Kirari was so weirdly... “attached” to her secretary.
How she, some outsider with no relations to the clan, could tell them apart even without realizing it?
It annoyed her to say the least.
But more than that, she was curious. Curious about the relationship between her sister and her secretary. Because this was clearly more than just that, more than just work. And, honestly, it was interesting seeing her sister, her better self, pay so much attention to some girl most people would just deem “boring”. She knew her sister well, not that it needed much of knowing her to understand how easily bored she could get, how she hates “boring” settings, “boring” days, and “boring” gambles-
“Today’s so boring...” Kirari sighed, resting her head on her hand, her elbow lazily on the arm of the president’s chair.
They were already in the student council room... Ririka must have spaced out the whole way here. It happens often, since nobody really talks to her, she just walks on autopilot. She doesn’t mind, she thinks.
“The day just barely started, madame President...” Sayaka said, a calm smile on her face while she poured some black tea in Kirari’s favorite teacup.
With soft footsteps, Sayaka made her way next to the President’s side, setting her warm tea in front of her on the table. “Besides, it is still so early, the rest of the council hasn’t even arrived for our morning meeting. Once they’re all here, I’m sure something worth your attention will be said.”
“My, you sound so sure, Sayaka. Is there something you haven’t told me?” Kirari smiled coyly, taking her teacup gracefully in her hand and taking a small sip.
“Of course not, madame President. Just... intuition, someone could say.” Sayaka, who stood next to the president’s chair, smiled, matching Kirari’s own.
...
Should Ririka even be here? She could go outside until the rest of the student council arrived and save her sanity, what was left of it at least... But walking out suddenly, wouldn’t it make it worse? Wouldn't it make it obvious how weird she was feeling having these two... talk?
They were just talking, so why did she feel so awkward listening to them? She was standing by the side of Kirari’s chair, her mask masking her emotions, yet these two were talking like she wasn’t even there. Was she really that unimportant? That forgettable-
The door swung open, Runa and Midari walked in, which was unreasonably early for both of them. They were talking about something before coming here it seems, laughing, making some jokes maybe? But anything was possible since it was Midari of all people, perhaps she got into another argument with some passerby students, scared them off and laughed her ass off as usual.
And Runa... well she was easily entertained. She would laugh even at someone’s misfortune, one of the reasons Kirari even allowed her to be part of the student council. That and her “absolute neutrality”.
Ririka watched from the sideline, like always. Once the rest of the members arrived, the morning meeting was finally about to begin. Honestly, she just wanted this to be over with already, her feet were starting to hurt.
She wasn’t paying much attention, after a certain point she was just standing there, enduring this like some form of torture. Was a morning meeting even necessary? Most of the time they have these, it is just a repeat of their last meeting from the day before, maybe with one or two new topics, but nothing they couldn’t say later at their actual meeting after school.
Was this all just to skip the first period?
...
Maybe she didn’t mind the morning meetings after all...
Once the meeting was over, she took a seat at one of the couches at the lounge, Runa was laying on the one opposite of her, playing on her console. Yumemi was still sitting on the main table, looking through the magazines she brought over with her photoshoot on the cover. The rest of the council left, except for Kirari and Sayaka, the two of them were inside the president’s office.
Which left Ririka feeling rather uneasy. Uneasy and tired. Sitting upright on the couch, her hands over one another on her lap, she could easily fall asleep and make sure it looked like she was wide awake, thanks to her mask.
Not that she had much of a choice when her eyes were fighting to stay open. Why was she so tired anyway? Did she sleep late? She went to sleep around the same time as Kirari, at 1am, and she seemed fine. Was her body that much different from Kirari’s that it also needed more rest? Did they grow up to become so individual?
Was that a bad thing...?
The sound of a door opening startled her awake, out of her thoughts. It was Sayaka, walking out of the president’s office, looking awfully happy.
What happened in there? Was it wrong to be curious about it? About their, perhaps, private relationship? Ririka glanced towards her, watching the dark-haired girl sit back on the table, setting a pile of papers next to her.
Sayaka and Yumemi started talking, their voices like a lullaby to Ririka’s tired ears. If they were to actually sing her a lullaby, she’d be asleep within seconds. Well, if Yumemi did, she’s not sure if Sayaka has a good singing voice, though her normal talking voice was surprisingly soothing to listen to...
She started nodding off, her head falling forward with a sudden nod before catching herself, fixing her posture. She needed to fight it; she wasn’t weak. If Kirari could function with 5 hours of sleep, so could Ririka.
With a quick glance around, she realized everyone had left. Since when was she alone? Wouldn’t she see them leave, or at least hear them walk out? She just hoped they didn’t try to talk to her while she was half asleep.
Ririka stood up, feeling drowsy, but she pushed that feeling away and made her way to Kirari’s office.
*Knock knock*
There was silence from the other end. Did Kirari leave as well? That was unusual...
With a twist of the doorknob, Ririka pushed through, the office looking as cold as ever. The aquarium, the sound of fish swimming along, that would for sure make her fall asleep if she were to stay here any longer-
Walking further into the office, she found her sister, the student council President, Kirari Momobami, sleeping on her chair, upright but 100% asleep. Eyes shut, a small smile plastered on her face; even asleep she looked so smug...
“Ridiculous...” Ririka huffed softly, walking out of the office as quietly as she entered.
Here she was, fighting sleep while her twin sister was having a slumber party with her fish.
“... ridiculous...” she sighed again, going back to the couch she was sitting on earlier, determined to fall asleep this time.
Later that day, once school was over and the “fun” activities had started, Ririka found herself surveilling the halls. Or at least that’s what it looked like to everyone else. What Ririka was really doing was simply looking for an empty spot to sit in. The student council room had Runa and Midari making a hustle, and she wasn’t in the mood to engage in whatever activities they’d offer.
The school was huge, so there were a lot of places where someone could find some peace and quiet, but it wasn’t so easy for someone like Ririka, she needed to be absolutely sure no one would come by. She needed time for herself, maybe even taking her mask off a little and breathing some fresh air, which she hadn’t had all day.
There was something in the air today that just wouldn't let her relax... Almost suffocating. She just wished for a quiet corner somewhere, anywhere.
But no luck. Nowhere were secure enough for her to feel okay with taking her mask off. With a small, defeated sigh, she started making her way back to the student council, not before walking into Yumeko Jabami and Ryota Suzui.
Walking past them was no big deal, but even the presence of Yumeko Jabami made Ririka feel targeted. She knew Yumeko was after Kirari, not the student council president position, but Kirari herself.
But there was no point confronting her or even talking to her, Yumeko was unpredictable, that was for sure... So, the only thing Ririka had to do was walk away, walk past them like they didn’t even resister in her mind, like she was a mindless robot, following orders.
The student council room was just a turn away anyway, maybe she’d be lucky enough to have it to herself by now-
*Thud*
Ririka stumbled on her feet. As she was about to take the turn, she ran into yet another problem.
Mary Saotome. Looking angrier than usual.
“Watch where you’re going-! Damnit, another student council member? Just my luck today, huh? Tsk.” Mary exclaimed with a huff, pushing Ririka back and out of her way.
Ririka looked at her as she walked off, stamping her feet like an angry toddler... She had a feeling she knew who made her have such a reaction, and it was none other than her twin sister.
Not that it needed much to get a reaction out of her.
With a turn of her heel, she continued her way towards the student council room. Soft clicks, barely noticeable. Just like her whole existence, most of the time.
Once inside the student council lounge, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Alone...
Kirari was probably still in her office. Perhaps Sayaka was in there with her, but in the meantime, she was alone in the lounge. She took a seat on the couch, looking at the mess Runa and Midari probably left behind, ironic for the beautification president, but not for Midari as a person...
Candy wraps, paper scraps, pens, markers...? Just what were they even doing. Ririka shook her head softly. No need to try to make sense of the unreasonable...
She should just focus on the silence, relax, maybe have some tea later when Sayaka comes back-
“Ah, Vice President, I was about to go look for you. Madame President wanted to talk with you, so if you please.” Sayaka came out of Kirari’s office, her voice calm yet slightly surprised, she probably wasn't expecting to suddenly see Ririka since a moment ago she was walking aimlessly around the school halls.
Ririka gave her a small nod, standing up and walking past her and into the president’s office. Sayaka didn’t join in, just closed the door once Ririka was inside.
This was between Ririka and Kirari, it seems.
Kirari was sitting on the couch facing away from the aquarium, legs crossed, hands folded over each other on her lap, “Ririka, let’s have some tea.”