*Snap*
Yuuna took a bite of a Pocky that she had pinched from the box laying hidden amongst stacks of other snacks, books and devices. The thin chocolate sticks spilled out on the carpeted table of the supply room, Yuuna eyeing some more before she had finished the one hanging from her lips as she tossed a baseball up and down in the air. She laid back on the chair, arms flung behind her head.
"Y'know, this Occult Club stuff ain't so bad," she chimed.
"Well, we were given permission for this, so I suppose I can't feel self-conscious about not joining in on any of the activities. Speaking of which, where is the president today?" Tsugumi mentioned, not allowing her head to leave its position between the pages of her book.
"No clue, but the door was unlocked."
"There are always matters worthy of investigation afoot. Forces beyond our understanding, extraordinary occurrences that regular humans dare not encounter. If she will not step up to the fore, then so be it," monologued Shigenori, who was tapping buttons intermittently on his handheld game device, a small bag of alien head-shaped chips on the table beside him.
You're not even supposed to be here. The only reason you're forgiving Fushigi for being late is because she'll kick you out when she arrives.
"Yeah I'm in no rush. Not in the mood for a palm reading today, not gonna lie," joked Yuuna.
I don't think she's ever said anything about that before.
Amongst all of this lax enjoyment was Shintaro, who, unlike the others in the room, was sat bolt upright, fidgeting and glancing toward the door. This wasn't out of anticipation. I could tell, he was worried.
(Calm down, nobody here is going to expose you. This is your club now, so, uh... I don't know, hang out, eat some snacks, blend in. The less reason they have to suspect you, the less you have to worry.)
("I see... but how would Shintaro interact with these people? I have no idea where to start...")
(Good point... it's not like class where you can ignore them and focus on working. I'll get started on thinking of some icebreakers for you.)
Before I had a chance, though, the door swayed open and Fushigi appeared. Shigenori attempted to slink down his seat and away from view.
"Morning, all."
It's... almost evening.
"I have some news I'm sure you're all looking forward to."
"Hm, yeah what is it?" munched Yuuna. Even Shigenori rose somewhat from under the table in reaction.
"A request."
"A request?" asked Tsugumi.
"Like, from a person? Or is this some sort of 'pick an internet hoax and see if it works' kind of thing," rebuked Yuuna.
"Or maybe a urban legend from 2chan," joined in Tsugumi.
"No, actually, this time it's quite, how you say, high profile."
Fushigi slid the door open an increment more and another figure approached from the hallway. They breezed into the room, a solid posture and composed air about them. When she was visible, everyone in the room except Shintaro stiffened up without a word.
"Council Pres..." mumbled Yuuna.
"Hello everyone," she greeted. "I have a little trouble I'd like you to get to the bottom of for me." She clapped her hands together and tilted her head to the side. "I wasn't sure if you did consultations, so I asked Fushigi directly about it. Honestly, I hadn't been sure if the club had survived the year, but it looks like some fresh faces came just in time." The girl's speech register was measured and calm, with a strong yet soft presence, like a falling feather.
"Sorry to, uh, speak out of line in any way, Susuki-senpai, but what is it that the occult club could solve that the student council can't manage?" inquired Tsugumi.
"Excellent question, Tsugumi-kun," she assured. "Why, it would be something supernatural, of course." She twirled a lock of her hair, which resembled black thread and rested at shoulder length, with the parts hanging in front of her ears forming into loose bunches with ties toward the end.
Something... supernatural? I'd happily write this off as another delusion if this were anyone else, but to have the student council president come here over something like this...
"Which reminds me, what incident brought you to this humble abode?" asked Fushigi.
"Ah yes, I'll get on to the matter at hand, before I take much more of your club time. Earlier today I was returning from kendo club practise and went to change back into my uniform when I found that it had disappeared. I left the room for a few minutes to see if I had misplaced it, but found nothing and came back to see it there, as if nothing had happened. Now I wouldn't find this weird if someone had been in the room. But I didn't see anyone enter the room where my bag was in the few minutes I went outside. I could, of course, also have just missed the fact that they were there the whole time, but I can't help but shake the feeling that the disappearance was not a coincidence. I'm... not much of a believer of such things, but I thought, as a matter of curiosity, and getting to know the clubs better as the new president this year, I might ask you all to look into it for me."
...
Oh crap.
"Was this in any way inspired by the recent influx of rumours in the school?" Shigenori spoke up, although when everyone turned to acknowledge him, especially Susuki, Shigenori shrunk back into his seat. "U-Uh, I... was just wondering if you might have heard."
"I admit, my opinion was coloured a little bit by what people have been saying lately. Talks of vengeful spirits are always vogue in the spring, so it's time to see if this investigation will lend those rumours any credibility. Not that I'd be able to understand why any sort of spirit would want my uniform..."
You don't wanna know, sister.
"I already took the liberty of accepting the request," mentioned Fushigi, presenting a hastily prepared 'request log' booklet with a graphic writing style similar to that of the sign on the door, and a signed statement from Susuki herself. The statement read: 'I, Student Council President and supporter of the Occult Club, Ayame Susuki, hearby officially submit this request', in handwriting much neater and lighter than anything around it.
Who knew club management was such a shrewd business...
Urgh... It was just my luck that the time I chose to return the uniform, when I thought it was safe, was only a few minute gap when the owner of said clothes was outside the room looking for them. Admittedly my fault for not being more thorough, but the situation hardly gave me time for it. The worst part was that it was the student council president herself. I was planning on borrowing that uniform again, too...
But wait... the student council president... didn't Shintaro, the original Shintaro, say something about maybe wanting to join the student council in his third year? It's still a way away yet, but if he gets in the president's good books this early and they get on speaking terms, then that might open some doors later.
Looks like this might turn into a stroke of good luck, after all. Well done, me. Time to snag Shintaro another of his protagonist goals.
"I'd like to accompany you as well, if possible," interjected Susuki. There was something wrapped in cloth under her arm as well but I couldn't get a good look to see what it might be.
"Hmm, this task is ordained unto us, so if a guest is to join we must let the fates decide," uttered Fushigi.
As if from nowhere, she summoned a small, round table and a set of tarot cards. She was wearing a veil over her head now, tinged a light purple, and she beckoned Susuki over to her with a single finger. Susuki glanced around the room, searching for someone to explain the situation, but she was met with equal confusion and a shrug from Yuuna. So, she sat before the table on a miniature stool, her knees jutting up toward her chin.
Fushigi swept back the veil from obstructing her face, making the whole charade of putting it on immediately pointless.
"Welcome, querent. Select four cards and we shall see what path lies ahead for you today," she said, shuffling a deck of cards between her hands before placing them face down on the table.
As asked, Susuki pinched four cards from the top of the deck and awaited what to do next. Tsugumi and Yuuna watched on in irreverent awe.
"I can't believe the pres has the patience to deal with Fushigi's... y'know, Fushigi-ness," whispered Yuuna.
"I think being able to deal with the whims of students is part and parcel of taking the role," Tsugumi noted. "Which is why you'd never be suited for it."
"Hey! ...Wait, I shouldn't be annoyed by that, I'd hate being student council president."
Shigenori was ignoring the muttering and had fully extracted himself from his hiding place, enamoured by the theatrics. Fushigi was... checking her phone.
"Huh? Oh, ahem, reveal your cards!"
Why are you losing focus? This was your idea.
Placing them down on the table one at a time, Susuki's cards were... hold on, Shigenori's in the way... the table's too small, I need to get closer. What is that? Oh, they have names written on them.
Susuki's cards were The Moon, The Ace of Swords, The Hierophant, and The Chariot.
"And what do these tell you, Fushigi?"
"Mmmm..." she pondered. "Not sure, to be honest."
"Not sure?" questioned Susuki, her demeanour cracking for a moment.
"Yeah. I just wanted to have a go at divination. I was going to let you come anyway," Fushigi said, flashing her tongue.
Just as quickly as they were summoned, Fushigi tidied away the table and cards into whatever hammerspace she had found them. She then clapped her hands together, which caused Shigenori to jolt up from his seat.
"Since there's a few rumours to investigate, let's split up. But how to separate, I wonder..."
Fushigi perused the room, leaving her spot next to Susuki. Tsugumi and Yuuna sat beside one another as always, and Shigenori had taken the seat beside Shintaro.
"It's a mystery. Let's just go with this."
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