Citrus: Mei's Story vol. 5 - Tested Heart

III. Mei's Gambit

      It was at times like this that I wished Matsuri had been allowed to come to school. Sadly the little mischief maker has some issues with her transcripts and so she was having to take extra tests to prove she could keep up with the pace of the school. She would be a late admission for her first year, just like Yuzu had been. While that meant I was spared having to explain her special circumstances to my council on top of all this chaos, it would have been nice to have someone who was tough and openly loyal to Yuzu to watch her back while I couldn't. As it was, the best I could do was create an artificial distance between Yuzu and myself while at school even while being in the same class again. That and one more thing to start the very first day.
       "Himeko..."
       As we walked through the halls in the morning, I decided to have Himeko be the one to entrust the task to.
       "Yes, madam president?"
       "Can you get word to the faction of students supporting Yuzu?"
       "It's a little strange to communicate with the faction of our opposition in an election, isn't it?"
       I sighed and let her see just exactly how I felt about this situation and having to campaign against my girlfriend.
      "Normally, but that's because typically there isn't an outside interest in who gets the position. Especially not one with Maruta as a strategic head. Mitsuko is not just going to have the election decide things. She's going after Yuzu and not over school rules."
       "So while Yuzu might be spared, those who support her might be targeted."
        About that...
       "No."
       "Huh?"
       I shut my eyes and explained.
      "Other than dress code, Yuzu is no longer being protected by me. That was part of the deal she pushed me into. Mitsuko and the other factions will be coming after her. And I can't lift a finger to stop them."
        I felt a hand on my shoulder. Himeko of anyone had seen how serious I was about making sure Yuzu had a chance at the school as long as she didn't break serious rules. And now I was going to have to watch as the people I held at bay would have a shot at her. It was beyond stressful and that was before I added the feelings of love I had for her. Before I could make myself cry I cleared my throat and spoke on what we could do.
      "However we can make sure her faction is aware of the situation so they can keep their heads down if they decide to. We should also keep our eyes on Ms Nomura."
       "You think she's in danger?"
       "I think she is danger. She's too impulsive but with no confidence or courage to withstand us being gentle. If Mitsuko gets a hold of her..."
       Himeko shuddered and a look of guilt crept over her face.
       "You did nothing wrong. Most of us remember how it was like to deal with her in power. She's got quite the charismatic pull."
       "You seemed to withstand it."
       "Only because I found something else to counter the effect."
       Thank you for being amazing, Yuzu.
      "Still, I feel like a fool."
      Well...
      She stopped and looked at me with suspicion in her eyes.
     "You were supposed to say I behaved probably for a lady of my family."
       "You let her pet you and play with you like you were Pucchi. While she openly mocked you."
        Himeko groaned and hung her head. This time, I put a hand on her shoulder.
       "Just handle spreading the word to Yuzu's faction. Even if she isn't aware of her influence, they still will be at risk."
       "And you?"
       I straightened my posture and moved towards a different turn from her.
      "Being approachable while doing my job."
      "Good luck, madam president."
      "And to you, madam vice president."
      We separated and after a few turns I started having girls come up with questions and concerns. Most of it was of little interest on a normal day, but there was a few new rumours going around that they wanted to see how I'd react and if I could verify any parts. Apparently Mitsuko had decided to return and claim the school as hers, like she was some feudal lord. No, I had called her back because Yuzu was threatening to bring an army of girls like her. Actually Yuzu was secretly part of the student council and her behaviour was to pull out the real problem girls so we could get rid of them all in a mass expulsion. Or one I decided to remember to tease Maruta with: Yuzu was Mitsuko's new lover and this was all a way to put her new girlfriend in power and strip me— apparently the old girlfriend— of my power because I didn't stop that weird glasses girl from stalking Mitsuko and her sister. Of the rest three had the sides somewhat correct as they said it was really Yuzu and I struggling with the special brand of tyranny that Mitsuko was known for. One of them was a little surprising to hear. Apparently the reason Yuzu and I shared a last name was because we were secretly married, which is how she got away with everything. Then Mitsuko discovered our secret and decided to mess with us because she was jealous.
       Of course as soon as I heard that particular rumour, I looked up to see my Yuzu walking down the hall in the opposite direction. Our eyes met and for a second we were alone. In her expression I saw her desire to run and hold me. It matched my longing to be held. And yet we did nothing. We said nothing. The world came back around us and I tore my eyes off her to at least mildly engage the current gossips and storytellers. It was then that I realised that for the first time at school, Yuzu was completely alone. Out of the corner of my eye I watched her expression turn determined and her pace quicken right as we passed each other. In that moment, I fought the temptation to reach out and having our fingers touch.
     It's just for a little while and only at school, it's fine.
     No matter how many times I told myself that, it never felt true. Especially when seeing Yuzu completely alone the whole day. The younger Taniguchi seemed to be scarce at school since her sister showed up. While I doubted it was anything deeper than what I remembered from middle school, it meant that Yuzu was without the best shield and weapon against any of Mitsuko's faction. Ever since she became the head of their family, Mitsuko had always made it very clear that little Harumi was the most precious thing in the world to her. While she herself seemed to cause the biggest trouble for her younger sister, everyone knew that Harumi was not to be touched. I had assumed that being around Yuzu as much as she was might have helped her like it had me. I had assumed that as soon as Yuzu was forced into this election Harumi was going to be right there with her to help her have the greatest shot and better protection than I would have been able to give just because it was Mitsuko puppeteering the situation. Seeing her strongest ally gone, it seemed that Yuzu was being cut off from her life here. I had to be distant around the school, the majority of her faction had been near silent before this situation and we were starting to make sure they were aware of who was the real threat, and the only known ally she had left seemed to be her weakest and would be the easiest to break. It was heartbreaking, especially when I saw Yuzu looking at me with a guilty expression and I couldn't ask her why. It all begged me to act. But I couldn't protect her like I wanted. There was only one thing I could think of. I had to find Nene.