3rd POV
Later, Yap Haruto (Yes, that's his name from now onwards) meets with student council president Tatenashi Sarashiki in private. "Ah, the student council prez, huh?" He whistled, then let out a low chuckle. "So.. what do I have the honors of meeting you for at this time, 3 in the afternoon, as the students are all coming back from summer vacation?"
Tatenashi Sarashiki stood poised near the wide windows of the council room, arms crossed with her usual graceful air and playful glint in her eyes. The sunlight framed her in a dramatic light, but of course, knowing Tatenashi, that was probably intentional.
She turned to Yap Haruto with a sly smirk.
"Oh, just a little curiosity of mine, Yap-kun." Her voice carried a teasing edge, as always. "You've made quite the impression over the break. Gospel incident, an impromptu role as a butler, and apparently you're now crepe chef extraordinaire."
Haruto cocked an eyebrow, chuckling as he leaned against a nearby desk, arms folded. "Impressive surveillance you got going on, Student Council Prez. Should I be worried about you watching me in the showers next?"
Tatenashi gave an amused laugh, her head tilting slightly. "Tempting, but no. I have other sources. Besides," she stepped forward, the air around her shifting just a little more serious, "you're not exactly the easiest person to figure out, Haruto. Even for me."
Yap's smirk twitched slightly. The playful mask didn't fully drop, but his eyes sharpened a bit. "That so? And here I thought I was an open book. Sarcastic chapters and all."
Tatenashi stopped just a few feet from him, gaze steady. "You held back in that fight with Gospel."
That caught him.
Haruto's smirk dropped just a hair. "Did I now?"
"Don't bother denying it. The data doesn't lie," she said calmly. "You could've ended it before Houki got her shot. But you didn't. Whether that was tactical or personal... I want to know why."
He exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair. "Tactical? Maybe. Personal? A bit. Sometimes it's good to let people have their spotlight. Even heroes need the win sometimes." His eyes drifted toward the window, thoughtful. "And besides... there's something about that Gospel. Something that's going to matter later. Better she had her moment now while it's still manageable."
Tatenashi's gaze lingered on him a moment longer, as if peeling layers from his words. Then she let out a soft hum.
"You're not just here to play the transfer wildcard, are you, Haruto?" she asked, smiling lightly. "You're playing a longer game."
He gave a short laugh, dry and amused. "Maybe. Maybe I just like stirring the pot and seeing what floats to the top."
Tatenashi turned, heading back toward her desk. "Well, whatever it is... just know I'll be watching. And if anything interesting comes up—"
"—you'll be the first to poke your pretty little nose into it," Haruto finished with a grin.
She glanced back with a wink. "Exactly. Glad we understand each other."
As he left the room, the sun casting a long shadow behind him, Haruto muttered under his breath:
"That one's going to be trouble... but the interesting kind."
The morning sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, the usual chatter of students buzzing in the air. Yap Haruto leaned back in his chair, foot resting on one knee, lazily twirling a pen between his fingers. His gaze briefly flicked to the empty seat usually occupied by Ichika.
YOU ARE READING
A Vengeful Retribution
Fanfiction(OC X Infinite Stratos) I guess you know where this is going. 2nd Male IS Pilot thing. Meet Yap. Growing up in South East Asia wasn't easy for a young boi like him. Compared to kids in other countries, he has seen what a kid doesn't; Bloodshed, assa...
