16: Student Council President And Vice President

As me, Raven and Nero are in the cafeteria eating our lunch together, I look over to him with a anxious gaze."Umm, thank you for talking it through with the president.""No need to thank me. I am the vice president after all." Nero says in response as he keeps a professional aura on him.'Even though he was nothing more but a quiet NPC at first, he seems to be more than what he seems.'"But it looks like that Axel guy is keen on keeping Estelle around the Art club whether she likes it or not.." Raven mutters, clearly seething with rage over Axel."Well, he has every right to. Announcing things on the spot is bad, and you should know it yourself, Estelle." Nero says to me as I jolt and gulped nervously.'I can't argue with that, I was only deadset on leaving without thinking of the consequence.' I think to myself."But.. you also have every right to leave when you want to." Nero adds as he gives a gentle remark.I feel the tension leaving me as I looked at Nero."Huh, you really are a vice president, huh?" Raven mutters with a stoic expression."Weren't you the one who confirmed it to her?" Nero looks back at her, also giving the same stoic expression.'They are pretty alike in some ways, huh?' I think to myself as I watch Nero and Raven talk to each other."But.. even though you told me this, I don't have much proof to your case over Axel being a lazy club president that dumps his responsibilities and takes the easy way.""... That's.. true. I guess my words aren't enough." I mutter softly to myself as I try to think of any solution.Nero looks at me once again as he crosses his arms and speaks up.Nero's stoic expression doesn't waver as he continues to speak."In that case, it's crucial for us to gather evidence that proves Axel's negligence as a club president." He replies as he looks down, hiding his eyes again with his bangs.I look up at Nero with a hint of surprise, not expecting him to actually take my side."Thank you.. really." I say with a smile at Nero who nods as at my response."..." Nero looks at me and nods.As we return to the classroom, I can feel the weight of the situation slowly growing as I think about the upcoming meeting with the student council.I sit down at my desk and try to clear my mind, but my thoughts keep returning to the meeting and the evidence I need to gather against Axel.'It's impossible to get something against him in just the remaining time before class ends though.' I think to myself.I glance at the clock, the ticking of the seconds sounding like a countdown to my impending doom.'I don't have enough time. There's no way I can gather any evidence against Axel in such a short period.'I mentally curse myself for not thinking ahead and gathering any proof earlier.As I glance at Nero who is listening in class, I couldn't help but overthink.'Will it be okay later?'And before we knew it, class ended and we are in the student council office.Me face to face with Axel and Nero face to face with Nomase who is sitting on the chair before getting up and greeting us."Let's get on in the issue at hand, shall we?" Nomase gestures for me and Nero to sit down like Axel who's already looking at me with a slight uneasiness."Alright. Now, let's start of with the very main question. Why do you wish to quit the Art Club at such short notice, Estelle Zeller?" Nomase asks as he looks serious at me.I take a deep breath as I try to keep my nerves in check. Nomase's questioning is already making me feel on edge as I answer."Axel has been dumping his responsibilities as club president on me, often having me handle the tasks that he should be doing himself.""That's not true. I did the paperworks." Axel says as he looks at Nomase who takes out the paperworks as evidence."That's your argument. But, he appears to be doing his part." Nomase states.I look at the paperworks, feeling frustrated that Axel seems to have all the evidence on his side."But he doesn't do anything else, president. He just lets the fangirls into the club room and doesn't take initiative to plan our exhibitions. It's all been left on me!""Fangirls?" Nomase says in a questionable remark."T-that's.. they only follow me around. " Axel says as he crosses his arms. "You shouldn't blame other people for something so minimal--" As Axel continues on, Nero gets up from his seat and speaks up.Nero cuts off Axel mid-sentence, his serious tone ringing throughout the student council room."It's not just a minimal issue. Those fangirls are a distraction to the members, and they've been causing disturbances during club activities. It's clear that Axel has been more preoccupied with his personal fans than his club duties.""... Your evidence?" Nomase asks.Nero leans forward and places his hands the desk, his eyes never leaving Nomase."I heard that the fangirls have been taking up significant space in the art room, leaving limited room for the members to practice and work on their artworks. This not only negatively affects the members' creative process, but it also disrupts the overall productivity of the club."He then turns his gaze to Axel."And the club president does nothing to address the issue, instead he seems to relish in the attention. He's more interested in being pampered by his fans than fulfilling his responsibilities as a club leader.""You're just stating things! Where's the proof!?" Axel argues.Nero raises an eyebrow and looks at Axel with a dead serious expression."You demand proof? Very well. I've been observing the club activities for the past few weeks. And I can confirm that the fangirls have indeed been taking up space in the art room and causing distractions. I'm sure there are plenty of club members who will vouch for what I'm saying."Nero looks to the door. "Come in. " He demands.And two people enter, a girl and a boy who appears timid."...! " Axel appears to recognize them as he jolts up."These two were members of the art club last year. They quitted last year for reasons unknown and today, I encouraged them to speak up. " Nero states."... " Nomase keeps his serious gaze as he listens in, seeing the two ex club members in front, while Axel is frozen solid.Nomase appears to already be trusting in on us.'I didn't know these people even existed. But, to think they were members who quitted too. I guess I shouldn't be too shocked.' I think over as we all listen to what the two ex art club members have to say.The timid boy speaks up first, his voice shaky."The fangirls were a constant hindrance during club activities. We never had access to the supplies or materials we needed..."The girl continues, her voice filled with annoyance." ..and they never stop chatting and giggling. They were more focused on Axel to really let us work.""And.. you are aware of the Axel's very own fanclub in this school, right? Since he's a well-known student that competed in a lot of contests, it was bound to happen. However, thanks to this. It treated him as a celebrity and gave him the upper hand to let this go on." Nero says."As the vice president, it is my job to not let such things occur and cause more problem, at least problems that the previous president have overlooked into, so.. president, since you're new here. I hope you don't overlook into this." Nero adds as he looks at Nomase in a serious manner.Nomase remains silent for a moment, taking in the testimonies of the two ex-club members and Nero's explanation. He glances at Axel, who is still frozen in place."I see, so Axel's popularity has led to the fanclub and their disruptions in the art room," Nomase says, his eyes still fixed on Axel."And you, Axel. Do you have anything to say to defend yourself?"Axel opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He seems to be at a loss for words, his previous confidence vanishing in the face of Nero's solid evidence."Hmm.." Nomase takes notice of Axel's silence and hums as he crosses his arms."Silence won't serve you in your favor, Axel. Do you have any explanation for your negligence as a club president?" Nomase asks, his tone becoming more stern.Axel stutters, his usual confident demeanor gone."I... I didn't think it was a big deal. The fanclub just naturally followed me. I didn't really tell them to come." Axel mutters in attempt to defend himself.Nomase's eyes narrow as he processes Axel's response."Incorrect. As a club president, it is your responsibility to maintain a conducive environment for all club members and ensure that distractions are minimized. The presence of the fanclub and your lack of action to address it has negatively impacted the functioning of the club." Nomase's voice remains firm and authoritative.'He can be really serious in cases like this, huh? Maybe I misjudged him.. ' I think to myself as I look at Nomase.Nomase clears his throat and speaks up once more."In light of the evidence presented and the testimonies from the ex-club members, it appears that your leadership within the art club is inadequate, Axel. You failed to address the distractions and disturbances caused by the fanclub, hindering the progress and productivity of the club."Nomase looks at Axel, his eyes unwavering."Due to the severity of the situation, immediate measures are required. Axel, your position as club president is hereby suspended until further notice."Axel's eyes widen, and a look of disbelief and shock crosses his face."Suspended? You can't do that! I--" Axel protests, but Nomase cuts him off."Enough. You have failed in your duties as a club president and have allowed distractions to disrupt the club's functioning. A temporary suspension is necessary to reassess the club's leadership and address the issues that have been brought to light." Nomase says, keeping everything firm and straightforward.Axel's shoulders slump, defeated. The weight of Nomase's decision hangs heavily in the air.Nomase turns his gaze to me, his expression somewhat softer now."Estelle, seeing as your complaint against Axel have been validated, we will be assigning a temporary club president in his absence." Nomase says to me in a softer tone.I nod, my heart racing as I anticipated what he might say next."A temporary president? Who will it be?""Well, that will depend on who the members are. Well? Do you still wish to quit?" Nomase asks."...I'm quitting." I respond, my voice tinged with uneasiness.'I can't paint or draw like the old Estelle anyway!' I think to myself despite the atmosphere."H-huh--.. well.. that's certainly something. But, I guess you have your own personal issues for being keen on quitting." Nomase says, surprised by my decision.He clears his throat and looks at everyone in the room."I think we discussed everything for today. As for Axel's fanclub, I will deal with that matter alone." Nomase states."Nonsense. I'll help as well. I'm the vice president of the student council, and.. since you're still new. It's only proper that I help you, president." Nero says to Nomase with a gentle expression.Even thought the two of them are both unreadable, that atmosphere between them seemed to be less tense than before.'Well, today is a relief at least.' I think to myself before breathing a sigh of relief.When I look over at Axel, he appears to be frustrated as he looks down and clench his fist.'I should definitely avoid him from now on. Who knows how his mind works after he just got suspended from his role.' I think over and nod to myself.TO BE CONTINUED