Heart Strings

Chapter 9: Cold Steel

A few weeks had passed since Jaku first joined the student council, and there have been more incidents of dead bodies being found, but with no sign of the killer whatsoever. Kizuna Sunobu, Oka Ruto, Asu Rito, even two staff members, all found dead for strange reasons. People were starting to become paranoid but as there was little to no evidence left behind, nothing could be done.

"When will the killings end?" Jaku mumbles to himself as he massages his temples.

"We'll get her, one day." Kuroko says.

"I hope that one day doesn't come too late." Jaku replies. That's when Uekiya stops by the student council room. The student council is surprised, especially Jaku as he notices that her armband is gone. "What happened?"

"Most of my club members dropped out or they transferred to escape the chaos... There weren't enough members so I had to disband the club." Uekiya replies sorrowfully.

"I'm so sorry to hear that..." Jaku says.

"I still can't believe it though." Uekiya replies. "I may be seen as a big sister to everyone but there's nobody that ever returns the favor, except you."

"...Me?" Jaku asks.

"You're the only one that takes time out to talk to me. Not even my club members could find time to talk with me outside of club activities." Uekiya replies. "I just felt... Alone."

"Well at least I'm still here. I think of you as a close friend." Jaku says.

"That's so nice of you to say!" Uekiya replies, blushing.

"Hey, I did keep on talking with you even though I wasn't a part of your club." Jaku says. "I guess I can say we've grown closer over the past few weeks." He adds in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Alright enough with the cutesy stuff." Aoi chuckles. "We've got a patrol to do."

"Right." Jaku replies.

"Hey, I ain't mad at you or anything." Aoi says. "Just trying to get you back to reality. You almost seem like you're getting lost in her eyes." She adds, snickering.

"Aoi!" Akane says as Jaku starts madly blushing.

"Sorry, won't do it again." Aoi says, scratching the back of her head as the student council heads out to do their morning patrol. Just as Jaku and Aoi had agreed on, Jaku now patrols the roof and third floor halls while Aoi watches over the first and second floor halls- the other council members have kept their same routines. This time, Uekiya decides to accompany Jaku on his patrol much to the student council's amusement- even Kuroko breaks out into a small chuckle as she watches Uekiya follow Jaku around.

"Just make sure you aren't late to your own class." Jaku chuckles. "Are you free after class? Kuroko suggested dinner at a fancy restaurant. The rest of the student council will obviously be there."

"Sure." Uekiya replies as Jaku continues his patrol. On the roof is a particularly tough looking girl with some sort of jacket draped around her shoulders. That alone is enough to make Uekiya wince upon realizing who this was. "...That's Osoro Shidesu... She's the leader of the delinquents..."

"And she's back..." Jaku mumbles. Eventually Osoro spins around to see Jaku, and she takes up a more normal stance as opposed to her hunched over and aggressive stance earlier.

"I thought the president didn't allow guys into the student council." Osoro says gruffly. "I guess this is just her trying to be tough."

"Just don't get on our bad side." Jaku says. "Or you'll get suspended all over again."

"Like I want to." Osoro replies. "Before you were a student council member you were just a wimp. Now look what the student council has turned you into."

"Yeah I know." Jaku says. "It turned me into a responsible young man." With that Osoro bristles, clenching her fists, but then she heads downstairs feeling somewhat defeated after finding she couldn't find a way to counter Jaku's smart comment without resorting to punching him. Uekiya looks at Jaku with shock and awe before applauding.

"NOBODY has ever stood up to Osoro and walked away unharmed." Uekiya says. "That was impressive."

"I wouldn't call that impressive." Jaku chuckles. "Maybe she knows better than to directly attack an authority figure." And with that Uekiya heads to her class as Jaku does the same. Before he can reach his classroom though, Jaku notices Ayano, and he notices something in her hands, something that really shouldn't be carried around... "What are you doing with that?!"

"Huh?!" Ayano shouts, throwing the unidentified object into the air. It turns out to be a syringe of some sort and Jaku looks at Ayano sternly.

"I don't care what you plan on doing, but you're coming with me! I think the counselor would like to have a word with you!" Jaku snarls, and Ayano quickly obliges as Jaku leads her off to the counselor. Once she's in the office and Jaku has given the counselor the object that Ayano was carrying he heads off to his classroom where a very surprised class and sensei await him. "Don't worry, situation's dealt with." And with that he pulls up his walkie-talkie. "Kuroko, I just had to take Ayano to the counselor. I don't think she'll be bothering anyone for a while."

"Good call. We'll speak about this later on, I don't want you to be too late for class." Kuroko's voice crackles before communication is cut. With a reaffirmation Jaku heads to his seat and the class continues like normal.