Night Rain: Chapter Seven [Do Nothing]

[DON’T APOLOGIZE]
“She probably wants to be alone right now, Misha.”
“Alright.”
We continue on eating.
“So, Aiko,”
“Mmm?”
“Thinking about getting involved in something here in Yamaku?”
“Like what? A boyfriend?”
“Wahaha~ no, silly! Like a club!”
“Oh! Um, I think it’s a bit soon to be considering that, don’t you think?”
“Aiko! It’s never too soon to start thinking about a club! One must constantly be on their guard if they wish to consider themselves truly prepared!”
What a Shizune thing to say.
“Isn’t it a bit late in the year for most clubs to accept newcomers?”
“Nonsense! The Student Council is always looking for members!”
Ah. So that’s what this is.
“So you figured you could rope in the new girl before she had a chance to make a decision for herself? How ambitious of you two.”
The trick to saying that line as epically as I did was to not look up from my drink until I finished my sip. From what I can tell, it had the intended effect of dumbfounding the two of them.
“To be honest, I don’t think it would be in Yamaku’s best interest for me to join.”
I wait for Shizune’s response to this. It’s as I expected: bewilderment. What a pleasant emotion for those not experiencing it.
“W-what do you mean, Aiko? How is serving your school not in the best interest of the school?”
Mikado looks genuinely upset, so I best let her down gently. Oh the times I had to do this at my old school.
“Well, consider the following. The President and Vice President are already members of the same class, right?”
“Right…”
“So if I joined, disregarding the other members of the club, there would be three people in it all from the same class, TWO OF WHOM are in important positions of power.”
“So?”
“So! Any resolutions passed or proposed within the Council would summarily be received as part of the 3-2 agenda.”
“Uh-huh…”
“And therefore not in line with the wishes of the school and student body.”
“But that wouldn’t be the case, Aiko!”
“Wouldn’t it? Tell me, how would you plan to convince the rest of the student body otherwise?”
Another no-looker line. Sometimes I think I should have been born as a cooler person. But all wishes aside for now. Shizune is speechless. Moreso than can be expected.
“It would be a shame to see our glorious leader’s legacy leveled by charges of cronyism and bias towards one particular science class.”
Check. Not sure if mate, though. They’re restrategizing. Best to let them regroup or they’ll never drop the issue.
“Aiko, such perceptions about the student council are not Shicchan’s concern. If that is how the student body thinks of the Council, let them.”
“Just let them? Oh, I see. Here I thought this was a school that took the responsibilities of Student Council seriously, not just another extracurricular.”
I think I just hit Shizune’s button with that last line. She is absolutely fuming mad. Like a giant deaf teapot. If I stay any longer, I will be scalded by the steamy eruption about to be let loose.
“Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I find a mild walk after lunch helps the digestive process. See you in class.”
“D-do you know the way?”
Mikado seems defeated, almost rejected. I can’t look back. I mustn’t. It’s all about appearances.
“I should find it easily, I believe. Take care of yourselves.”
Because God knows I won’t take care of you.