The first meeting of the student council was immediately after school that day. While everyone else went to check out their prospective clubs, I gathered my things and prepared myself for the torment that awaited me. I walked the emptying halls until I reached the council room, 316. Standing at the door, I tried to prepare myself for the torment that awaited me once I crossed the threshold.

  I took a deep breath and entered the chamber. The room itself was immaculate. The tables and desk were made of mahogany and gilded along the edges. The chairs were also mahogany with a fabric that resembled satin, and the couches were of the same fabric. The windows let in the perfect amount of natural light, and there were various plants spotting the walls and corners. They even had their own kitchenette with a kettle and mini fridge.

  "Welcome, Ishigami," said a refined feminine voice, "to the student council of Toriyama High."

  I was too stunned to say anything since that refined voice came from the head of the table. At its head stood the student council president, my sister. Everything that she was before seemed like a lie. There she stood, poised, elegant, radiating down. I almost fell back in her presence.

  "Please, take a seat. We're about to begin," she continued.

  My seat was between the Class C representative and the Class A representative, Hiasaka Nina. I took my seat, and the long process began. The senior students discussed upcoming events, club funding allocations, disciplinary actions, and various other subjects. Meanwhile, I was lost between trying to take notes and staring at the person that I had previously regarded as little better than a degenerate.

  Next to me, I felt Nina remain tense the entire meeting. Sitting next to someone who could easily end your life and the lives of everyone in the room is definitely unnerving.

  I need to let her know that I'm not going to hurt her or her brother.

  After the meeting was adjourned, the Class C rep turned to me, and I was again at a loss for words. The previous Number 8 introduced himself to me with a completely uncharacteristic smile.

  "Nice to meet you, I'm Aido Satoshi, Class 1-C's representative. I look forward to working with you."

  "Likewise, I'm Ishigami Kazuma, Class 1-B."

  "Say, Ishigami, forgive me for being candid, but there's something familiar about you. I can't quite put my finger on it, though. It's almost like, when I look at you, I get this feeling of — "

  "Deja vu?"

  "That's the word! Have we met before?"

  "No, I don't think we have."

  In this life, anyway.

  "Well, anyway, I look forward to making great things happen with you and the council. See you later."

  With that, he left, and I turned in hopes of Nina still being on my other side. She had moved around the room introducing herself to the other representatives and council members. As soon as she became free, I took a chance and talked to her.

  "Excuse me, Hiasaka?"

  "Yes?" Her voice changed, and she slowly turned to face me. Her eyes reverted to that fearful gaze.

  "Hi, I'm — "

  "Ishigami Kazuma, Class 1-B, I'm aware. You were my final competition for this position."

  "Oh? How is that?"

  "Didn't you know that the student with the highest entry exam score becomes the overall class rep?"

  "I guess that slipped my mind. Congratulations, though."

  "Thank you. Now, if there isn't anything you need, I must be going."

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  "There is, actually, if you don't mind." I made sure not to make any sudden moves. "I look forward to working with you... and I promise that neither I nor my friends will cause you any trouble intentionally."

  She stared at me for a moment before responding. "I see. The feeling is mutual then. Goodbye." She turned and left the room.

  I realized after she left that I was the last representative still in the chamber. I quickly gave my regards and tried to leave, but I was stopped by the vice-president.

  "Ishigami, don't expect any special treatment just because Yui is your sister," she stated boldly.

  Fujiwara Hanabi was shorter and slimmer than I was despite being a third year. Her long pink pigtails gave an impression that she was childish. Her bright green eyes and stern face proved that impression false. She had been with my sister since before they started high school; they were very close.

  "I wouldn't expect any, Vice President," I responded.

  I again tried to duck out. I made it to the door when it opened before me. In walked Ms Kimura. Her long dark hair almost looked purple as the early evening sun filled the room with light. She didn't look a day over twenty five despite being a teacher for a number of years. Her deep red eyes walked up my body before she said anything.

  "Ah, Ishigami. I was just looking for you. Come with me." She grabbed my arm and took off before I could say a word.

  We walked through the school. Well, she walked and I was nearly dragged behind her. She was silent the whole time as we passed every door on the floor eventually coming to the principal's office. Still not giving me a chance to ask any questions, she knocked on the door. Upon invitation, we went inside.

  This again? I'm not even done with my first day. What now?

  "Good afternoon, Ishigami," Principal Kushida began. "Ms Kimura, thank you for bringing him. You are dismissed." Ms Kimura bowed and left.

  The evening sun filled the room with a warm but eerie light. Her silver hair radiated as the light hit it and bounced off. Behind her glasses, her blue eyes were more piercing than before. She sat behind her elaborate desk with her hands folded. At first glance, her desk was cluttered, but there was an organization to it. On top of all of it sat my entrance exam and a small file with my school ID photo in it, a dossier no doubt.

  "Ishigami, do you know why you were brought to me?"

  "No ma'am."

  I tried to keep a neutral expression. This scenario reminded me of giving reports to Captain Ryder in Eclipse. Even her appearance and mannerisms reminded me of the captain. All I could do was try to fight off the flashbacks and what followed those reports as the principal spoke to me.

  "Your entrance exam... why did you purposely answer so many questions incorrectly?"

  "Ma'am?"

  "You answered a number of questions incorrectly that were significantly easier than the ones that you answered correctly. Why hide your ability?"

  "I was nervous, ma'am," I lied. "I must have overanalyzed my answers."

  "I originally thought that too, but the indicator came at the end of the exam. Your final essay, to be exact. I have been an educator for many years at several different levels. No one, and I mean no one, has ever written an essay like yours, not before post-secondary education, at least."

  I'm being worked into a corner. There's no way she's seen as many as she claims with mine standing atop them all.

  "There was not a single error throughout the entirety of the essay. The test was given in pen so that we could assess how you handled and corrected mistakes, but in your case, there were none despite the use of a secondary-level writing style and concepts only covered briefly with third years."

  Deeper into the corner I go. I should have kept a cooler head and not used my powers during the exam. What is wrong with me?

  "All of that considered, I'll ask again. Why try to hide your ability?"

  Do I die on this hill? Can I calm myself enough to rewind if it goes wrong? Breathe, Kazuma. In. Out. There's a way out of this, I just know it. I just need time to think. In. Out.

  I opened my eyes to see her as statuesque as before. I took it as my chance to relax and gather my thoughts. I paced the floor in silence. I looked at my test again. Some questions that were simple enough were wrong, but there were also more complex questions missed. I specifically did it that way to mislead suspicions like this. As I went to place the paper back, I looked into her eyes, and they moved to meet mine.

  "Now everything makes sense," she said as she unfolded her hands and sat back in her chair.

  What the hell?! I froze time, how is she moving?! Did it not work? What's going on?!

  Outside the window, two birds flew by. Her desk phone rang, and she answered it with ease. I fell back in shock. After a short phone call, she hung up and walked over to me. She stood like a mighty tower over me before reaching her hand down to help me up.

  "Ishigami Kazuma, you're safe here," her tone and expression had changed. "It seems we have a few more things to talk about." She sat me down across from her desk and made us both tea.

  Now I'm even more confused. Do I go back? Not try to freeze? Will my ability even work? Close your eyes. Breathe. In. Out.

  I opened my eyes to see myself in the same position as before I closed them. Principal Kushida sat my cup down before returning to her seat with hers. Her new demeanor was that of an elegant lady from some fantasy manga. She gracefully stirred a cube of sugar into her tea before taking a sip and returning her gaze to me.

  "I'll start again. I am Kushida Iroah, principal of Toriyama High School and someone with a peculiar gift, like you."