Practicing Democracy

The guy was frozen upon looking at how many missed calls he had for the past 20 minutes. Considering how repetitive the attempt is, it must be urgent. However, Kairo is too scared to call him back so instead, he just texted.

"I'm sorry uncle, I was in the shower a while ago. Is there something wrong?"

Kairo breathes out after pressing the "SEND" button, hoping there is not much of an issue. However, while on his way back to the house, the phone vibrated once again signaling a call. Kairo had no choice. He had to answer it this time that's why upon answering the call, he did not say anything first.

"You seem really brave now huh, not answering any of my calls. HUH, Kai-ro Mo-ri-ya-ma?!" He knew it. He knew at that very moment, he's screwed.

"...technically I answered right now so I didn't reject all of your calls."

"Get your ass over here, I'll beat you up."

Kairo tried to keep his composure up while being scolded by this cold, stern voice.

"Where the fuck are you anyway?!"

"I can't tell uncle. But I, at least, I got off the radar. Don't worry about me that much. I'm in a safe place."

"Bold of you to assume I'm actually worried about you. As long as you're off the radar, I don't care if you are in some yakuza's refuge or something."

"And here I am thinking that you love me so much."

"Fuck off!" Kairo had to pull his phone away for a while so that his ears wouldn't suffer that much with the volume of his uncle's voice. He seemed really angry right now. Damn.

"Anyway, I'll send you your allowance after this call. As long as you're alive, you'll be fine." his uncle said.

"I know, I know. I've survived this long. I'm confident I'll be able to sustain this kind of status."

"What kind of household are you in to anyway?"

"The Hatsugawas. They're pretty ki~nd."

"Why does it seem that you hesitated a little bit on that word? Are they beating you up? Are you hurt?"

"Well, not hurt but I am pretty beaten up by them." Kairo whimpered through the call because of his recent issue with the family.

"That's good."

"THAT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!"

"I gotta end this call. I just need to know how you're doing. Send me updates from time to time. Bye."

"Wai---" before Kairo could even continue his sentence, the call was already cut off. He sighed as he stared at his phone before putting it back inside his pocket. The call seemed to have caused his mind to drift off in thought, but he had to keep his calm. He stood up, lifted his clothes and went back inside.

When he reached inside the house, everyone is already sitting by the dining table, staring at him.

Sachiko was the first one to speak when she saw Kairo. "What took you so long?"

"Nothing. I just couldn't find my favorite shirt a while ago. I found it behind the bushes though. It seems like it was blown by the wind." Kairo laughed awkwardly.

"Okay then. Put those back and let's eat okay?"

"Okay. I'll be back in a minute." Kairo then rushed upstairs while carrying his things and returned to the dining table immediately for dinner.

------------

Tuesday morning and every student of Class 1-B was gathered inside the classroom as Shinichiro was announcing a few things.

"I know you're all busy with your clubs but at this moment, every section needs to choose their class representatives. As you all know, the class representatives will be assigned to tasks mostly related to the student council, the faculty, and many more meaning, it's not an easy job so I need you to choose wisely okay?"

Everyone buzzed around talking about who deserve to be the class representatives and such. Erika was very enthusiastic when it comes to this topic since for her, class representative = class' leader.

"We need a male and a female for this. First. we'll have a nomination then everyone will vote by writing in a small piece of paper and placing it inside this ballot box". Shinichiro said as he pointed at the box on top of his table. "At the end of the voting, I will tally the votes and whoever will win will continue the election for the female representative. Is everything clear?"

"YES!"

"Very well then, we'll start voting for the male representative. The table is now open."

One student raised her hand and after being recognized by the adviser, she spoke. "I nominate Kairo Moriyama-kun to be the class representative". Following that statement, almost every girl inside the room squealed to which the boys frowned jealously.

"Kairo Moriyama then. Anything else?"

"CLOOOOOSED." the girls voted in unison and that made Shinichiro sigh.

"Didn't you hear the instructions that I have just said?" The adviser said while crossing his arms. "You're supposed to vote through writing your pick."

"But sensei, this class majors on female students and you heard all girls vote for Kairo. That counts as the decision of the majority, isn't it?" another one of the female students said to which everyone nodded in unison.

"You aren't certain all of the girls voted for Moriyama-kun since I did not precisely see Himari Matsuyama and Erika Hatsugawa say respond. One is busy passing money on the other after all."

With that being said, all of the students looked at Himari and Erika's direction to which they witnessed Erika pass 200 yen to Himari. Feeling the silence around them, Erika flinched a bit and looked at everyone.

"W--Why are you staring?"

"What are you two doing at the back? Matsuyama? Hatsugawa?" Shinichiro said while staring seriously at them, making the two girls stand on the spot.

"We were just betting that Kairo will win by the girls' agreement, sensei." Himari said shyly while looking down.

Shinichiro then walked towards their direction. "But the decision isn't final yet because of you two. Give me the money." Erika got confused and she looked at Himari, who was also confused. Himari then gave the 200 yen to Shinichiro just to witness the adviser place it neatly on top of the desk.

"Hatsugawa.... Do you nominate anybody else to be the class representative?" Shinichiro asked. Erika was in the spotlight and intimidated right now not because of Shinichiro's stare but because of the girls' devilish look at her as if telling her to vote for Kairo.

"U--Um... I actually think that Mitsuru fits for the slo--------"

"ERIKA HATSUGAWA!!" All the girls shouted at her.

"NO SIR! MORIYAMA DESERVES TO BE THE CLASS REP!!"

"Is that so? How about you Matsuyama?" Shinichiro said and shifted his look towards Himari.

"Well I don't see any reason for Kairo-kun not to be elected." Himari said casually.

"Then it is settled.... Kairo Moriyama!"

Kairo was too surprised with the sudden call that he ended up standing straight. "Yes sir?!"

"You're the male class representative. Congratulations." Shinichiro said while giving Himari the 200 yen. Everybody clapped upon the decision while Himari was clapping louder than anyone, as if the 'congratulations' word also applies to her, and Erika is crying at the back.

---

"We will now proceed to the election of the female representative. Any nominations?" Kairo said in front of everyone, sighing towards the situation that he's in now.

Unlike the unified vote for Kairo a while ago, there are a lot nominations for the female spot as if everyone is competing for on being with Kairo Moriyama during class duties. If he's not quick enough, he would rumble all the names of the girls resulting to confusion. Erika doesn't care anymore since even if she wanted to be class representative, she doesn't want to be paired up with Kairo.

The instructions Shinichiro mentioned for them was adhered to and everybody wrote their vote in paper. Kairo then collected all the papers and with the help of another companion, they tallied the votes. For some reason, Himari won the slot for the female class representative probably because of the boys who didn't want bias. The girls groaned in despair but an applause was heard anyway.

"Just when I thought this was already my lucky day." Himari lazily walked towards the front.

Kairo laughed lightly as he looked at Himari. "Nice to meet you, Himari Matsuyama. Welcome to hell."

"Shut up."

"Congratulations to the both of you for being the class representative. After class, you will proceed to the gymnasium for the briefing. For now, take your seats." after being said that, the two students bowed and returned to their seats.

The afternoon period was spent with the girls still agonizing over losing the representative slot, but they couldn't complain about that in front of Himari since she will beat them off. Meanwhile, Himari and Kairo started talking about responsibilities and such while Erika was crouched down on her desk. This is a self-study session that's why the students have their different ways of handling their time.

A little while after, Erika felt someone poke her arm and when she lifted her head up, she was hit by a book.

"The ceiling is low now." Kairo grinned happily to which it was followed by Erika's grip on his collar, lifting him an inch up. "HEY! HEY! STOP! I'm seriously gonna die for this!!" complained the victim.

"DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME JUST BECAUSE YOU WON THE SLOT!!"

"Hey! It's not like I wanted to be class rep! Can you not be angry?! It's just for a year!" Kairo coughed in between words as he is starting to lose air. Erika sighed and puts him down. He tried to catch his breath and when he succeeded on doing so, he looked at Erika. "Why are you so angry? You gotta chill sometimes, really."

"You seem really popular despite just transferring, huh Moriyama. Everybody likes you so easily." Erika said softly as she returned sitting on her desk. She was a lot quieter than usual. Kairo felt as if Erika was insecure about his relationship with the other students. While thinking about what to say, he walked close to her and sat on the edge of her desk.

"I can smell your ass, idiot."

"I dunno what's the technique of being liked. And I don't know what's so special about it either because I personally think that it is better to be yourself and live true rather than be liked and falsify your identity." He said serenely and looked outside the window. "And don't complain about my ass. It doesn't stink."

At this point, Erika witnessed a different side of Kairo. Maybe he really doesn't want to be class representative but even so, he became one. Maybe sometimes people are forced to do something they don't want to because other people chose their duty before they could even decide on what to do. Some people want the role, but they weren't able to have it.

Things sometimes don't go your way because of a greater purpose.

"Do you think.....even though I am not class representative, I would stand out enough to be noticed by the Emperor and the Empress."

"Who cares about the parents? If the Prince notices you, then that's all that matters right?" he said softly as he looked at her. "Point is, you need not to please everybody because that's impossible to begin with. Please the person who matters to you the most. It'll feel better that way." He said and smiled at her, patting her head before standing up.

Erika looked at Kairo and thought, maybe she still doesn't know him all too well. There's the lame Kairo, and there's the Kairo who's more of a man now than how he appears to be. She smiled a bit, looking down at the ground. It kinda excites her to know him more.

"Good point." she thought.