For a long time, the dormitory quieted down again, but a lot of stuff still happened.
Thud, thud, thud. Takamaru heard someone running all the way down the corridor while she was reading. She opened the door and saw Akamatsu running downstairs and then upstairs again.
“What’s the matter?” asked Takamaru.
“Yuu was beaten!” cried Akatsu as he grabbed the first aid kit. Takamaru followed when she saw Ushi carrying Yuu into Yuu’s room.
Akamatsu bandaged Yuu’s head while he was still unconscious. On the side, Takamaru listened to the ins and outs of the matter from Ushi.
“Alright, I’ll take care of this.” Takamaru crossed her hands. Ushi and Akamatsu walked out the door.
“Alas, why is there so much going on today?” Takamaru couldn’t help sighing. She went back to her room to take her book and sat down beside Yuu. From time to time, she stared at Yuu who was asleep and wanted to fiddle with his hair, but she refrained. After awhile, Yuu regained consciousness. Takamaru explained everything to him.
*Fast forward to the day of the election*
“Is this confirmed?” Takamaru stood before the director and asked.
“Yes.” The director replied. Takamaru looked at the paper on the table and sighed.
“Do you have a candidate?” The director asked.
“Sort of,” said Takamaru as she picked up the paper.
Soon, the election was about to begin. Director Yosuke Hisa stood on stage with Takamaru behind him.
“Dear students, our election has officially begun!” At the end of his speech, the crowd began to cheer.
“First of all, we’ll test your balance. Each student must stand on the tightrope and maintain your balance. Don’t worry about falling, there will be a net underneath.” As the director spoke, Takamaru watched from the sidelines.
The director observed the other students but Takamaru was only focused on Yuu.
‘Do I have a candidate?’ Takamaru thought.
‘If so, who would it be? Him?’ She looked at Yuu.
“What’s the matter?” The director saw that Takamaru seemed to be staring in front, and followed in the direction she was looking at.
“Do you like him?” The director asked.
“Can’t exactly call it ‘like’.” Takamaru said with her hands crossed.
“Then, what is it?” Takamaru followed the director to take a seat on the chair on the stage.
“I feel as if there’s something about him that makes me want to explore more.” Takamaru thought that the director liked listening to others talk.
“Hmm, I feel it too.” He nodded.
Takamaru and the director continued to observe the candidates. They started the “Service Attitude” test and walked down the stage together. They went to one of the tables similar to that in a cafe and sat down.
“Pretend that you’re waiters and serve us. Those that are playing the guests will give you votes. Food and drinks can be obtained in the nearby cafeteria. Let’s begin!” The director pointed a finger and the auditorium door was opened. People came in, one after another, and sat at the tables. All the candidates began to act.
The candidates were all very serious about serving the guests. Takamaru and the director sat there watching them. The director felt rather satisfied.
“Are you still thinking about him?” Takamaru nodded silently.
“I think I want to be closer to him.” Takamaru looked to the front, so the director thought of something and asked Takamaru to cooperate with him.
“That waiter over there, please come here.” The director called Yuu who walked over with some nervousness. Standing in front of him, Takamaru mouthed the word, “Relax.” Yuu took a deep breath.
“May I help you?” Seeing Yuu’s smile, the director thought of testing him in a different manner.
“I want a cup of coffee. Darling, what do you want?” The director asked Takamaru with his trademark smile. Yuu was shocked. Perhaps the guests nearby were accustomed to the director’s change of tone, yet this sudden change had also frightened them. He sounded as if they were lovers.
“Ah, I’ll have a cappuccino then.” Takamaru squinted her eyes and smiled with her face resting on her hands.
“That’s it then.” The director turned and smiled.
“Yes, right away.” Yuu maintained his smile and went to the nearby cafeteria.
“Is this… okay?” whispered Takamaru. The director winked at her but she couldn’t catch what he was thinking.
“Sir, here’s your coffee and the lady’s cappuccino.” Yuu placed the cups on the table.
“Thank you very much.” The director smiled and thanked him. Then, Yuu bowed and left.
“How do you feel now?” The director asked after tasting his coffee.
“…I don’t know.” Takamaru stared at her cappuccino.
‘Are you a fool in love?’ The director’s head was covered in black lines¹ as he wondered.
*The final test*
“…The winner of the first match is Akamatsu!” The director spoke into the microphone. There was also a lot of noise in the auditorium at once.
“It’s his match now.” The director covered the microphone, turning to speak to Takamaru in the back. Takamaru nodded to show that she knew.
TL note: 1. To express helplessness or embarrassment, like in anime. The emoticon version would be something like this -_- ||||||
