NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: The Appraisal
Meanwhile, in the corridor, two students made their way toward the student council room, having been summoned by President Kenzaki. The time had been specified, and neither had any reason to refuse.
“Yo… Sayacchi~,” Miyamae Nonoa called out, her voice playful as usual. She was trailing just behind her childhood friend, Sayaka Taniyama, who seemed unusually quiet.
“You’ve been pretty out of it since yesterday. Still thinking about that Arima guy?”
Sayaka, walking ahead, didn’t respond right away. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, clearly lost in thought. Her brow furrowed as if she were working through something complicated, which wasn’t unusual for her.
“Ne~ Ne~, Sayacchi! Are you just gonna ignore me?” Nonoa prodded, leaning forward to catch a glimpse of Sayaka’s face, hoping to get some kind of reaction.
Finally, Sayaka sighed and spoke.
“Hey, Nonoa... why do you think the president asked for our help?” Her tone was contemplative, her mind clearly still on the meeting ahead.
Nonoa blinked, taken slightly aback by the question. “Hmm...” She placed a finger on her chin, striking a playful, mock-thoughtful pose.
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re capable, Sayacchi. The president knows that. He trusts you.”
Sayaka’s lips twitched slightly, but her expression remained conflicted.
“Is that all?”
“Of course!” Nonoa grinned, bouncing a little on her feet. “And since I’m your bestie and friendly with literally everyone, I’m obviously a top candidate too.”
Sayaka glanced at her, unimpressed. “Right… because being popular is a qualification.”
“Hey, don’t knock it!” Nonoa teased, playfully nudging Sayaka’s arm. “It’s a superpower. And who else can keep up with you? You need someone fun around to balance all that overthinking.”
Sayaka rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
“If you say so.”
“Anyway,” Nonoa continued with a grin, “maybe you’re thinking too much about this Arima guy. What’s the big deal, huh?”
Sayaka’s expression darkened slightly.
“That’s just it... if he’s as good as they say, why did he vanish? Why would someone like that stop showing up?”
Nonoa tilted her head, curious now.
“Hmm, I guess that is weird.” She thought for a second before shrugging. “But hey, maybe he’s just got his own stuff going on, y’know? Not everyone’s as diligent as you, Sayacchi.”
Sayaka remained quiet, her mind still churning over the possibilities. Nonoa, sensing the heaviness in the air, leaned in closer, flashing her friend a bright smile.
“C’mon, Sayacchi! Don’t let this Arima dude stress you out. We’re gonna do what we always do—kick butt, handle business, and look good while doing it.” She winked playfully.
Sayaka finally let out a soft chuckle. “You’re impossible.”
“I know~,” Nonoa sang, her grin stretching ear to ear as they approached the student council room.
The lightness of her tone echoed down the corridor, but her expression quickly shifted when they turned the corner.
Coming out of the administration office was a tall figure with sharp features and spiky black hair, his presence almost looming. Sayaka blinked, momentarily startled by the sudden appearance of the boy in front of them.
“Huh?” Sayaka muttered under her breath as she instinctively took a step back. The boy was taller than most students she’d encountered, and she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his gaze.
For a split second, his eyes flicked toward them, cool and unreadable, but then, without a word, he dismissed them and began making his way toward the student council room, his steps purposeful and steady, as if their presence meant nothing to him.
“Who...?” Sayaka’s voice trailed off, her mind racing as she processed the encounter. But something clicked, a connection, and without thinking, her feet began moving. She quickened her pace, following him.
“Wait, Sayacchi!” Nonoa called after her, surprised by her friend’s sudden shift in energy. She hurried to catch up, her curiosity piqued as she jogged beside Sayaka.
“What’s going on? Why are you suddenly rushing?”
Sayaka’s gaze was locked on the boy ahead of them, her expression tightening.
“It’s him... it has to be.”
“Him? Wait... you mean—” Nonoa’s eyes widened as the realization dawned. “Arima?”
Sayaka didn’t answer directly, but the tension in her posture was enough of a confirmation. The boy—if it really was Arima—had just come out of the administration office, a place students didn’t typically visit unless there was a specific reason.
And with being given a final notice to show up, it made sense why he’d be there.
“Sayacchi, are you sure about this?” Nonoa asked, still trying to keep up. “I mean, we’ve never even seen him before. It could be anyone.”
Sayaka’s steps didn’t falter. “I need to know.”
As they followed the boy, who continued walking at a brisk pace toward the student council room, Sayaka’s suspicions grew. If it was him—Youseke Arima—then it wasn’t just curiosity anymore. She had heard the stories, the rumors about him being a once-in-a-lifetime genius, and his sudden disappearance had left everyone puzzled. And now, here he was, walking right into their orbit.
Judging by the fact that he had just exited the administration office, Sayaka knew there could be several reasons for his visit. But the look in his eyes, the way he moved with such confidence—it was as if he was carrying a secret that no one else knew.