And Then, Silence

The Emperor of Creation

The echoes in the gym is primarily composed of squeaking of the shoes and the bounce of the ball; And the frequent squealing of fan girls. Unlike the usual days, the only one's using the gym are the main players while the others are practicing on the court outside, near the grounds.

Eiji Shirogane quietly assessed his players and occasionally noting some observed bad habits. Such as, Kotaro's unnesessary playfulness, Reo's sudden sassiness, Eikichi's rough friendly slap on the back and Chihiro's aloofness. Akashi, on the other side, he's decent. His brain protests otherwise.

The coach didn't let his thoughts show and maintained his poker face. Despite their contrasting personalities, their performance is still in sync.

The group continued their friendly match with the third years but the starters are halved. The players teamed up with the great Akashi Seijuro internally rejoiced. But the other group is still pumped up with the help of the two energetic uncrowned kings, Eikichi and Kotaro.

The match ended with the winner you-know-who.

"Sei-chan!" Reo called out to their captain, the group are already in the changing room. Some just finished washing up while others are still cooling down. "Do I still need to show myself in the SC room?"

"Yes. There's still some preparation left to do." Akashi simply said while drying his hair with a towel.

"Oh. Then I'll go after I shower." The student council vice president said before entering the shower room.

"Kotaro, I'm expecting you to show yourself in tomorrow's meeting."

"Geh!?" Kotaro didn't expect the sudden attention and cautiously looked at Akashi. It is true he is mostly absent during meetings. "I'm just part of the PE committee, my presence is not that important."

"We are talking about the incoming sports festival. Everyone involved with the student council should participate during meetings. It is for the school and students betterment. That is our work."

Akashi left, not seeing the impressed looks from his teammates. They do admit that despite their captain's intimidating aura, he is a respectable leader that can see one's potential.

The red emperor entered the student council's room only to be greeted by the frantic first year representative and the other officers trying to calm him down. His eyes narrowed at the scene and the first year was stunned into silence.

"What's wrong?" His cool voice echoed throughout the room.

"Th-the compiled records of the whole first year body is missing. I just left it on my table earlier... but..." The teen stuttered. His deep brown eyes started to shine as tears started to form. "I'm sorry for my incompetence." He then bowed, his head leveled his waist.

"Raise your head." Akashi ordered which the first year hesitated to follow. The red head continued. "Vice principal, Reboyama-sensei was the one who took it from your table."

His eyes widened.

"That was what we've been trying to tell you earlier." A higher year whined. Her brown curls bounced as she slumped back to her seat, clearly tired of the first year's antics.

"Wha-?" The boy looked at the other officers dumbfounded. They all nodded. "Why? He should have asked me if he needed something... am... am I that incompetent?"

"You shouldn't be here if you are unqualified." The boy sheepishly smiled at Akashi's words. Being acknowledged by the emperor is enough to boost one's self confidence. These led to two things: arrogance and self impovement; the people choose their own path. As for the representative, he walked the road of the latter.