[X] Start of Chapter Two
One Week Later
Like every morning you stand before the floor mirror, making sure than your appearance is nothing short of
perfect.
First, the sweater. Sky blue with gold trims, it has multicolor dragonfly wings designs around the collar, an opening below the neck in the form of a inverted five pointed star that shows your chest and, above the lower hem, a series of golden, tribal dragonfly symbols. More golden tribal lines illustrating dragonflies are depicted on the rest of its surface, giving the impression of a swarm ready to attack.
Over it the Hakoniwa Academy's male uniform, a white jacket with blue and gold trims. You ditched the red tie and keep the jacket open. Around the collar you put the same multicolor dragonfly wings designs of the sweater, and on the lower hem a series of stylized golden dragonflies.
With the white pants and the blue shoes on, the ensemble is completed by dragonfly brooches put on each side of your chest, below the school symbols on both shoulders and on your shoes.
"So that's why narcissism is a thing." You grin, trying a few poses for all occasions before leaving for school.
On the way there you receive a message from Medaka, saying that she has a request that may need your expertise.
A request that was not undertaken anonymously.
[*]
Inside the Student Council Room you stand next to Medaka while she drinks tea seated on an expensive looking chair. On the other side of the table and sitting on a simple rolling chair is a girl wearing the Athletics Club uniform under a windbreaker, with dark brown eyes and brown hair done up in two ponytails with green hairbands.
Her name is
Aria Ariake, 2nd year from Class 9. Technically she's your upper-classman, but due to the difference in height it's hard for you to treat her as such.
"Erm...sorry." She begins. "To tell you the truth I didn't really think that this was something I should be talking to 1st years about."
A single year of difference isn't really much in your opinion.
"But after hearing from a friend about the Kendo Hall incident..."
"Don't ever think about it. Go ahead." Medaka's response is that of a queen magnanimously forgiving a courier arriving while she was busy while also giving an order to show the proper social hierarchy. "I will take requests from anyone!"
Ariake is unsurprisingly put off by your friend's attitude, and from time to time she also steals furtive glances at you. You flash her a reassuring smile to make her relax, and are rewarded with a fierce blush. Damn, you acquired another
fangirl!
"The thing I've come to you about...is
this." She eventually says, putting a carton box on the desk and taking out a pair of sprinting shoes that were
ruined by cutting them apart and a letter made with cut-out letters that say:
[quit the athletics club].
So,
bullying. And of the cowardly type.
"...
Horrific." Medaka declares while staring at both objects. Looking at Ariake she silently commands her to explain.
"I was chosen to represent the school in the sprint event at the next competition. I was really happy since it's pretty rare that a second year gets chosen to represent the school." So, either the third years in the Athletics Club aren't much, are absent or Ariake has a better time than any of them. By a logical standpoint, choosing the one who can perform better is the right choice. "But, one week ago I found my running shoes in this state."
Sadly, not everyone think logically. "Do you have any suspects in mind?" You ask her while staring at the incriminating items. Already you can see
hints that point to a possible culprit.
"I don't know." She shakes her head. "My shoes were just left in the changing room. Anyone could have done it. Actually..." She clenches her hands. "I don't trust any of them! It's traditional that the competition for a regular place on the team here at Hakoniwa Academy is rough, it's probably normal to be treated with a little hostility after being chosen for a place, right?"
Of course it's perfectly normal. Such are the perils of proving yourself better than someone else. While there are some that don't feel that way, maybe due to honor or a forgiving attitude, there will always be at least one person feeling resentment.
"That's why I was ready for something to happen. But this...I never thought anyone would go this far." Actually, as bullying goes this is more common that one would think.
"By the look of it I'd say you've cherished those shoes for quite some time now." Medaka observes. "And with them in this sort of state I'm guessing you can't train, am I right?"
Ariake nods. "For the moment I have to use trainers. I can't talk with the coach about this: I'm worried that students who are under this sort of stress might be taken off the team."
Hey now, no need to diss the Hakoniwa teachers: those you know about are all quite good at their jobs. However, openly bringing up this sort of problem may truly cause unwanted effects.
"But most of all I can't bring myself to practice with the people who probably were the ones who did this to me!" Ariake is on the verge of crying. "Everyone's a
suspect! I can't trust anyone! I'm so upset I can't even sleep at night!"
[] "Please don't worry Ariake-sempai! We will solve this case and bring you back peace of mind!"
[] "How can I say it, the sport clubs are less wholesome than I expected. But we can still help you."
[] "If this is enough to shake you this much, then maybe you should really quit the club."
[] "...Troublesome."
[] "..." Remain silent.
[] "This is what they call the law of nature."
[] "Is there really someone who would do this? That's fucked up!"
[] "I swear! I will give whoever did this a lesson they'll never forget!"
[] "So they admit trash into sport clubs now. Disappointing."
[] Write-in.
