The Superior Elite (Ongoing)

Chapter 8.5 : The water problem

" No - water!?"

The announcement came unexpectedly, throwing the school dormitories into a mild state of chaos. The administration had informed the students that water would be unavailable for an undetermined period. In response, the school provided specific guidelines:

Students could retrieve water from the cafeteria, but only two liters at a time. Nearby convenience stores were closed as a precaution, and students were prohibited from bottling water from the Keyaki Mall.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji received the news with typical detachment, considering it a minor inconvenience. However, the situation quickly grew more complex when he received a series of strange calls from Suzune Horikita. Typically, Suzune communicated via text, so the calls piqued his curiosity.

The first call came while he was preparing dinner. Before he could answer, the call was cut off. When he tried to call her back, there was no reply. Another call came as he resumed cooking, but it ended abruptly as well. Texting her yielded no better results; his messages were left on read. Kiyotaka's concern grew as the evening wore on.

" What's going on, with her..."

Later that night, he decided to try texting Suzune again. This time, his message wasn't even marked as read. His worry intensified, prompting him to call her repeatedly. On the fourth attempt, she finally picked up.

"Is something wrong?" Kiyotaka asked, his voice calm but laced with concern.

Suzune's response was terse. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just busy. Sorry for not answering earlier."

Kiyotaka's keen ears picked up a metallic thunk in the background. "What was that noise?"

Suzune hesitated before replying, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She ended the call abruptly, leaving Kiyotaka more puzzled than before.

At 9:00 PM, Suzune texted Kiyotaka again, this time requesting a call. When he called her back, her voice sounded strained.

"Can we talk for a bit?" she asked, her tone uncharacteristically vulnerable.

Kiyotaka's curiosity deepened. "Sure, what's going on?"

After a moment of silence, Suzune admitted, "I'm in trouble. Can you come over?"

" Okay, give me a second"

Kiyotaka agreed without hesitation. He left his room and quietly made his way to Suzune's dorm. Upon arriving, he pressed the door chime but received no response. Finding the door unlocked, he entered cautiously.

Suzune emerged from her room, looking uncharacteristically flustered. She held up her right hand, which was stuck inside a small water bottle.

"How did this happen?" Kiyotaka asked, masking his amusement with concern.

"I was trying to get the last bit of water, and my hand got stuck," Suzune explained, her frustration evident. "I've tried everything to get it off."

Kiyotaka examined the situation, considering their options. "We might need to go to Keyaki Mall. They have resources that could help."

Suzune frowned. "But we'll be seen. It's embarrassing."

" How?-"

" Just help me ..." Said horikita looking away-

" Well-"

"..."

"We can try to disguise it," Kiyotaka suggested, "but it might draw more attention."

" Just do whatever, you can!"

Realizing they had little choice, Suzune reluctantly agreed. They decided to avoid the elevators, knowing they were under surveillance. Instead, they headed for the emergency stairs.

As they navigated the halls, they ran into Kushida, who was returning from Maezono's room.

"Oh, it's ayanokoji and horikita San ?"

"What are you two doing here?" she asked, eyeing Suzune's concealed hand suspiciously.

Suzune tried to deflect. "Nothing important."

" I have some water- I know it's been rough nowadays since it's getting hot- you can have some of mine- if you're thirsty enough"

" No, thank you"

"But-"

Kushida offered water, but Suzune declined, signaling to Kiyotaka that she didn't want to explain further. Kushida seemed unconvinced but let them go.

Reaching the lobby, they found it crowded. Suzune, overwhelmed, wanted to retreat, but Kiyotaka insisted they press on. They hurried into an elevator, with Kiyotaka positioning himself to block the camera's view of Suzune's hand.

" Ha ha ha!"

At the fifth floor, Rokusuke Kōenji entered.

" What a beautiful day! What a beautiful night! What a beautiful, me!"

Oblivious to their predicament admiring his own self. He went directly to the mirror to comb his hair.

" Good training for today, ku ku ku"

" As usual summer- is a good time to work out a sweat out there in the beautiful sun light!-"

" Hurry up now, elevator boy"

" Top floor- please "

Referring to Kiyotaka as "elevator boy" and requesting to go to the top floor. Kiyotaka complied, keeping Suzune's hand hidden.

Back in Suzune's room, they realized they needed water to lubricate her hand out of the bottle. Kiyotaka volunteered to fetch it from Kushida, who was still in the dorms.

Kushida was curious. "Why do you need water?"

" Long story"

" And what's your relationship with Karuizawa, Horikita, and Hirata?"

"..."

" You threatened me to work with you- so it's only fair you let me in "

"..."

" Hey-"

Kiyotaka ignored her questions. "It's just a small errand. Thanks for the water."

"..."

Returning to Suzune's room, Kiyotaka carefully poured the water over her hand. After some effort, they managed to pull the bottle off.

"Thank you," Suzune said, her voice begrudging but sincere.

Kiyotaka nodded. "Remember to speak up next time."

Suzune huffed. "Fine. But don't mention this to anyone."

Kiyotaka left her room, reflecting on the bizarre series of events. Back in his room, he took out a water bottle and idly tested if his hand could get stuck, thinking, "I guess I'll need to visit Kushida again if this happens."

He quickly dismissed the thought, realizing the absurdity of the situation. With a smirk, he settled in for the night, pondering the strange but oddly endearing predicament of Suzune Horikita.

" I suppose, even the cold queen can have a cute side too"