After class the next day, Fujiwara Shirayuki took out the recruitment form. Twenty people. That was not going to be easy. She decided to start with the people closest to her.
Heading upstairs to find Mejiro Dober's classroom, she saw Dober sitting quietly at her desk, reading. "Dober-senpai," Shirayuki called softly. Dober looked up, scanned the room, then noticed her at the door and stepped out into the hallway. Shirayuki planned to ask her for help.
While waiting, a voice suddenly spoke beside her. "My, my… what a cute little one. What are you doing here?" Shirayuki turned and immediately became alert. Standing there was Agnes Tachyon, her reddish-brown hair framing a faint smile, dull crimson eyes studying Shirayuki like a specimen.
"I'm here to see my senpai.""Senpai? Who? I'm your senpai too, you know.""I'm here for Dober-senpai."
Tachyon glanced into the classroom, her eyes landing on Dober. "So it's Dober… you're the transfer student from the other day, right?""Yeah.""Have you had your physical data measured yet?""Physical data? No… what is that?""Every transfer student needs to submit it at the infirmary. You didn't know?""…I'm not sure. Tazuna-san didn't tell me.""If you don't submit it, registering for races later will be troublesome. She's probably just too busy and forgot.""Really? I'll go ask this afternoon."
Shirayuki truly wasn't familiar with the process. Tachyon continued, "After measuring, it goes to the health committee, then to the teacher, then the student council. Same process every year. How about this? Come to the infirmary at one. I'll have someone waiting so you can submit everything at once. Saves you the trouble."
Hearing how helpful she sounded, Shirayuki was surprised. This was completely different from the rumors. "Alright, then I'll trouble you.""Then it's settled. One o'clock."
Tachyon waved and left just as Dober approached. Seems like rumors really couldn't be trusted.
"So, what is it, Shirayuki?""Dober-senpai, I have a favor to ask.""What is it?""This."
Shirayuki handed over the form."The student council? Are you joining?""More like applying. I need recommendations.""How many?""Twenty.""…Twenty…"
That number felt impossible to Dober. "I was hoping you could sign and write a recommendation.""Of course." Dober agreed immediately. "You've helped me so much. You definitely have what it takes. Let me think… maybe 'Shirayuki is kind, patient, always willing to help others, and capable of handling student council duties—'""You can keep it shorter," Shirayuki said quickly."It's done.""Thank you so much, Dober-senpai.""It's nothing compared to what you've done for me."
They parted ways. Inside the classroom, Agnes Tachyon quietly listened, her ears perked. A student council recruitment form… interesting.
Back in her classroom, Shirayuki counted again. Nineteen more to go.
Her eyes landed on someone secretly snacking. "Spe-chan!" She ran over to Special Week."Shirayuki… munch… what's up?""I need your help. Just a quick favor."
She handed over the form."Student council?""Yeah. I need names and recommendations. Can you fill it out?""Of course!"
Special Week picked up a pen, but just as she was about to write—"Hold it!"
A figure popped in between them. It was El Condor Pasa."That won't do, Shirayuki! The student council exists to help others. You can't just write recommendations because you're friends. You need to actually help them first."
That… was a fair point. Still, wasn't this exactly when connections should help? But since it was said out loud, Shirayuki couldn't force it.
"Then is there anything you need help with, Spe-chan?""Hmm… I don't really have any problems right now…""I see…""Wait! Let me think first. I'll come back when I find something you can help with!"
Before Shirayuki could stop her, Special Week dashed out of the classroom. You're supposed to have a problem, not go looking for one…
"Fufufu… I've heard everything, white kitten." A dramatic voice echoed as a dazzling figure approached."If you seek someone in need, then I, in all my splendor, have a request."
It was T.M. Opera O.
"Opera O? What kind of problem could you possibly have?""This problem could extinguish the sun itself and drain the color from the vast blue ocean!""Th-that sounds way beyond me…""Of course it is not, white kitten! My problem is this. I cannot fully present my beauty to the world! Therefore, I need someone to assist me, so that all of Tracen may witness the magnificence of a true king!"