Interview with the Yokai

Epilogue

The next day Shoji and Noriko met up for breakfast. They entered the dining hall holding hands, they got some looks, a few girls came up to Noriko and asked them if they were a couple and then ran off when she confirmed it. The two spent the morning together, until it was time to vote for Student Council President. All the students filed into the auditorium another magnificent structure that had been built using funds of Sasayama Academy alumni, like Shoji's father. The building was styled like a traditional japanese house, with white concrete rising up two stories, topped by a red zinc roof. The concrete walls had windows cut out of them that looked like geometric versions of trees. The front entrance to the auditorium had a koi pond in front of it, with a bridge spanning over it that led to the front doors. Once inside the lobby floor was covered in a red carpet and the ceiling had a mural of stars and planets on it.

When Shoji and Noriko entered the lobby, they got in line to vote for the first year president. Shoji and Noriko casted their vote and then were seated at the front row of the auditorium, next to Mari, Benihime, and Yayaka. The rest of the first year students were up on the balcony, but since the girls were running for president and Shoji was covering it, they were allowed in the front row.

" It seems we all know who you voted for in the end Shoji," Yayaka said teasing him a bit, but not in her usual flirtatious manner.

" I think you might be surprised Yayaka-chan, aren't I right Shoji-san?" Mari asked, her usual mischievous smile on her face.

Shoji sighed, but thought he might as well tell the truth, " I actually voted for Mari-san, she would only help me with my plan to confess to Noriko-chan if I promised to vote for her."

" Oh, you little sneak," Noriko said looking at Mari. " She made a bet with me yesterday, I was so nervous about the election I couldn't sleep. She said if I followed her she would show me something that would make me not only forget about the election, but not care about it at all and if she did I had to vote for her."

" She told me that come Saturday morning, Noriko-san and Shoji-san would walk into the cafeteria a happy couple and if I voted for her, she would play matchmaker for me," Benihime said.

All eyes turned to Yayaka, " I voted for her to, we made an agreement." That was all Yayaka would say.

" You played us all," Shoji said lightheartedly accusing Mari.

" That's called running a great campaign even my opponent's vote for me," Mari said laughing, the other girls rather than holding a grudge joined in laughing.

They had to quiet down as the votes had been tallied and it was time to start announcing the winners. The first year winner was the last to be announced and Shoji thought with the tricks Mari had pulled off she was going to win, but she didn't. The winner was Yayaka, beauty and sex appeal had beaten brains, at least that was what Mari said. Noriko didn't seem disappointed at her loss, she had beaten Yayaka at what mattered.

. . . . .

At the end of the school year Shoji was sitting in the auditorium next to Noriko watching the premier of the student play, The Monk and the Oni Princess. It was a play that he had written, starring Yayaka as the titular Oni Princess. Shoji was proud of his work and saw it as the first of many plays to come.

The End

Thank you for reading.