Our Ordinary Lives

Chapter 10 - A Meeting With the President

Kiyotaka POV

As I followed Horikita Manabu, the distant sounds of the lively club fair grew fainter, muffled by the ever growing distance. The halls were now occupied mostly by second and third-year students, with only a few having attended the fair to showcase the clubs they were a part of. It came to my attention the lack of first year students in these halls. Many had clearly chosen to participate in the event.

As we made our way through the halls, I kept my facial expressions neutral, maintaining a detached and analytical mindset. We seemed to be heading towards the student council offices, which would be natural as Horikita Manabu was the president of the student council.

As I walked alongside Horikita Manabu, I couldn't help but slightly annoyed at his actions during the club fair. His request for my piano performance could be overlooked, but it was my now association with the student president that truly troubled me. Being good at the piano wasn't entirely rare, so people might chalk it up to be me being gifted in music, however being with the president was a different story. Even as we left the fair, I noticed several students from different years gawking at me due to my unexpected connection with the president. Horikita Manabu rarely showed interest in underclassmen, so my presence alongside him had become a subject of intrigue and curiosity.

The attention I was bound to receive from my fellow first-year students and mostly the second and third years weighed on my mind. I had already fabricated a reason for being with the president, but the idea of people approaching me, demanding answers, was a complication I preferred to avoid.

Upon reaching an office that I assumed belonged to the president, we both entered. The room exuded a purely professional enviroment, and was devoid of any personal touches. Basic furniture filled the space, but nothing else suggested the personality or preferences of its owner. As I observed the room, I noticed a purple-haired, short senior sitting on the desk. She appeared welcoming at first, but her expression soured upon catching sight of me. I noticed a name on one of the books that were next to her, it said Tachibana Akane. That's probably her name.

Horikita Manabu: "Good afternoon, Tachibana. Could you please leave the room for a moment?" He greeted her with a composed yet warm tone, and I couldn't help but notice a subtle hint of familiarity in their interaction. Tachibana's eyes lingered on me for a moment, seemingly assessing the situation before she responded.

Tachibana: "Is this kohai in trouble?" Her concern was genuine, and I observed a sense of admiration in the way she addressed the president. Her body language conveyed a mixture of respect and fondness, evident in the slight tilt of her head and the gentle tone of her voice.

Horikita Manabu: "Nothing of the sort. I simply want to discuss something with him." He spoke with a calm authority that seemed to reassure her.

Tachibana: "President, could I have some details on what you will be discussing with him?" Her curiosity was evident, and I noticed the way her hands fidgeted slightly, betraying a hint of nervousness.

Horikita Manabu: "Unfortunately, it's more of a private matter." He maintained a certain distance in his response, keeping the conversation closed off from further inquiry.

Tachibana: "I understand." There was a touch of disappointment in her voice, and I observed a subtle change in her posture as she prepared to leave. "Well, I'll leave now then. I hope your conversation is fruitful, president."

As Tachibana exited the room, leaving the two of us alone, I couldn't help but analyze her speech patterns and body movements. Her admiration for Horikita Manabu was apparent in the way she spoke to him, her words laced with respect and a sense of loyalty. The slight fidgeting of her hands and the careful choice of her words spoke volumes about her feelings towards the student council president.