Chapter 4: Polite Smiles, Quiet Storms

While laughter and comic pages filled the Comics Club room, a very different kind of tension hung in the student council room.

The atmosphere there was serious—chairs neatly arranged, notebooks open, pens ready. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, reflecting off the polished table where council members sat in a circle.

Akira sat upright, arms crossed loosely, eyes sharp as ever.

Mia sat two seats away, hands folded in her lap, posture calm but attentive.

The student council president cleared his throat. “Alright, everyone. Let’s begin. As you know, next week’s school newspaper is special.”

He lifted a sheet of paper. “We’ve received applications from multiple clubs who want their activities featured—some even requesting the front page.”

Excited murmurs spread across the room.

“The competition idea,” the president continued, “was proposed by Akira.”

Several heads turned toward her.

Akira blinked. “Ah—yes.”

“So,” the president said, adjusting his glasses, “since this was your initiative, I want you to lead the evaluation process.”

Akira froze.

“…Me?”

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “You’ll oversee which club submits their work first and judge whether it’s interesting enough for the front page.”

For a moment, Akira didn’t know what to say.

This was… big. Important. Real responsibility.

“I—I understand,” she said finally.

The president smiled. “Good. And to assist you—”

He turned slightly.

“Mia will help you with reviewing submissions and deciding the newspaper cover.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“Me?” she asked softly.

Akira turned her head sharply.

The president nodded. “Yes. You’re organized, observant, and fair. I think you’ll work well together.”

Mia’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

Akira forced a smile of her own. “Yeah… we’ll handle it.”

Inside, something twisted.

Why her?

Why always her?

She shook the thought away.

The meeting continued, voices overlapping as lists were made, clubs discussed, and deadlines assigned.

“Drama Club wants to publish behind-the-scenes photos.”

“Music Club is submitting original lyrics.”

“Sports Club wants a match report.”

Akira scribbled notes quickly, efficient as always.

Mia leaned over slightly. “We should prioritize clubs that submit complete drafts, not just ideas.”

Akira nodded. “Agreed. The front page needs impact.”

Their teamwork was smooth. Almost too smooth.

By the time the meeting ended, a full list of clubs and their planned features lay neatly arranged on the table.

“Good work today,” the president said. “I’m counting on you two.”

“Yes,” they replied together.

The sky outside had softened into evening hues as Akira and Mia stepped out of the school gate.

Their paths overlapped—for about half an hour.

“Well,” Mia said gently, breaking the silence, “that was productive.”

Akira adjusted her bag strap. “Yeah. Busy week ahead.”

“We’ll probably be seeing a lot of each other,” Mia added.

“Looks like it.”

They walked side by side, footsteps in sync.

“So,” Mia said after a pause, “we should set criteria for judging. Otherwise, people might complain.”

Akira nodded. “Speed, originality, and effort. And no favoritism.”

Mia smiled. “Of course.”

They talked like that the whole way—deadlines, formats, presentation quality.

Only work.

Nothing personal.

And yet—

Mia stole a glance at Akira.

She was confident. Strong. The kind of girl who spoke her mind without hesitation.

She’s always beside him, Mia thought. Too close.

Akira, meanwhile, watched Mia from the corner of her eye.

Gentle smile. Soft voice. Always calm.

That smile he blushes for…

Their conversation never drifted away from work, but their thoughts did.

“Here’s my turn,” Mia said as they reached a familiar corner.

Akira stopped. “Yeah. Mine’s straight ahead.”

There was a brief pause.

“…See you tomorrow,” Mia said.

“Yeah,” Akira replied. “Tomorrow.”

They walked in opposite directions.

Neither looked back.

At home, Mia sat on her bed, staring at her phone.

She sighed softly.

Why does being around her bother me so much?

Akira was capable. Reliable. Close to Axel.

Too close.

Mia hugged her pillow lightly. “I shouldn’t think like this…”

But her heart didn’t listen.

Across the neighborhood, Akira dropped her bag near the door and collapsed onto her bed.

She stared at the ceiling.

“Tch,” she clicked her tongue.

Mia’s smile replayed in her mind.

The way she spoke. The way she listened.

She’s not just nice, Akira thought. She’s dangerous.

She rolled onto her side, burying her face in her pillow.

“Why does everything feel so annoying lately?”

Two girls.

One role.

One boy neither of them mentioned out loud.

And somewhere, unseen—

Timing kept playing its cruel little games.

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