[hr][indent]The morning started well all things considered. The faculty had concluded their meeting and gave themselves a small break before convening together for the opening ceremony. The vice-principal, a man by the name of [color=gold]Taniguchi Honda[/color], was exasperated; it was quite the feat considering the day had yet to begin. While word had yet to get out, already he had dealt with a headache. He was all too aware that there was no consoling a grieving mother, but he didn't appreciate that private investigator. For one, he made it clear that he wasn't above harassing students for information. For another, it was yet another reminder of the incident that plagued the school's reputation. Wasn't it enough that they were still dealing with the rampant delinquency?

Fortunately, Principal [color=gold]Wada[/color] had tasked him with keeping the school's reputation intact. He already pulled a few strings to paint the school as optimistic for the media, but he would need to have a word with Natsuhime Haruka himself. For now, he focused on the student file in front of him, already having a plan on how to deal with that particular wrinkle. His solution arrived at the knock of the door, coming in after he gave the word. A lovely girl by the name of Nakano Sakuya let herself in, and Taniguchi had to admit she was definitely a sight for sore eyes. A diligent and obedient third year, he figured she would be a good counterbalance to the violent delinquent.

[color=salmon]"Good morning, Vice Principal,"[/color] She greeted him. [color=salmon]"You asked to see me?"[/color]

[color=gold]"Yes, thank you for coming,"[/color] He sighed, closing the folder. [color=gold]"I'm glad to see you're well. I heard you had quite the break. It's a shame to hear what happened to your father."[/color]

Sakuya frowned at him, though she shook her head. [color=salmon]"I did, but I can promise it won't affect my duties,"[/color] She told him.

[color=gold]"I'm glad to hear it,"[/color] Taniguchi replied. [color=gold]"That said, I had been hoping to count on you in regards to a transfer student by the name of Hoshino Noriaki. He's a second year in Momoji-sensei's class. If it isn't too much to ask for, I'd like you to keep an eye on him."[/color]

[color=salmon]"A transfer student?"[/color] Sakuya asked. [color=salmon]"Well, this year the council wants to focus on repairing the school's reputation. There's also Maeda Takeshi, and--"[/color]

[color=gold]"And we look forward to the council taking care of that problem as well,"[/color] Taniguchi cut her off. [color=gold]"This is just as important as I'd rather not see Hoshino fall into the wrong crowd. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone."[/color]

Sakuya looked uncertain, though she ended up nodding. [color=salmon]"I understand,"[/color] She conceded. [color=salmon]"Was there anything else you needed, sir?"[/color]

[color=gold]"Now that you ask, there is,"[/color] Taniguchi leveled a look on her. [color=gold]"I understand you were personally affected by the disappearances, but I ask that you not draw too much attention to them. It goes without saying, but the school already has enough on its plate."[/color]

Letting out a huff, Sakuya crossed her arms. [color=salmon]"I'm not going to pretend my brother never existed, I hope you understand that,"[/color] She stated cooly. [color=salmon]"Natushime-san and Chousuke-kun were also honorable students, you can't pretend that their disappearances can just be swept under the rug."[/color]

Taniguchi wasn't entirely surprised by her insistence, but as always, the young believed their narrow viewpoints were the only things to consider. He rose from his seat and approached Sakuya, looking down at her. [color=gold]"And I'll remind you that you've already rocked the boat plenty as it is,"[/color] He said. [color=gold]"We're overlooking your father's scandal and allowed you to take Natsuhime's position as president, but I'll remind you that you're already walking on thin ice."[/color]

He already anticipated a response as he placed his hand on her shoulder, gripping it tightly as a warning. She winced, instinctively moving, but he kept her in place and made sure to look directly at her as he continued, [color=gold]"Some of the teachers reconsidered your attendance as well--so I think that keeping your head low and listening to your elders would do you well. I know you find it hard to believe, but I'm doing you a favor, Nakano-san,"[/color] He said, lightly pushing her towards the door. [color=gold]"Now run along, it won't due to be late."[/color]

As expected, the girl turned around and faced the door. She almost responded, but either decided it wasn't worth it or chose to heed his words. Ah, to be young. Someday she'd see that he was right. After taking a glance at the clock, he decided that he would follow suit and head to the auditorium.[/indent][hr][center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjgwLmZmODg4OC5UbUZyWVc1dklGTmhhM1Y1WVEuMA/gloria-beauty-demo.regular.png[/img][/center][hr][indent]

The opening ceremony proceeded as it did every year. A few teachers would speak of Hinotori High School and its many accomplishments, the Principal would give a few words on the expectations every student had, and it was normally capped off with well wishes for everyone. At the very least this year it was accompanied by many boasts of the school's renovations, including a brand new auditorium that had been added. Going forward, all school assemblies would take place there; apparently, this would be the last time any ceremony or event would take place in the gym.

Even so, Nakano Sakuya couldn't quite focus on any of that. She had taken her seat wordlessly, offering a token greeting to her fellow council members before falling into silence. It was hard to admit that she wasn't a fan of the conversation she was just in, her mind buzzing. She couldn't believe what she had been asked--how dare he tell her to just ignore the disappearances? It was bad enough to accept he was gone, but she felt going by the vice principal's words were a disservice to him.

[color=gold]"And now, a few words from this year's student council president, Nakano Sakuya-san."[/color]

Sakuya's head snapped up at her name, getting to her feet as she threw on a polite smile. Stepping onto the platform, the dark-haired girl offered the room a bow of respect, straightening up and placing both of her hands on either side of the podium and looking straight at the students. There wasn't any time to get lost in her thoughts, though the stares of her peers encouraged her to speak.

[color=salmon]"Good morning,"[/color] Sakuya greeted the crowd, her voice sharp. [color=salmon]"No matter where we go or what we do, there are challenges ahead of us. What I'm asking from each of you, and from myself, is to meet those challenges straight on with your head held high and your heart wide open. It's not enough to simply try to get by in life as that doesn't move the world forward. You must try to excel in everything you do; strive for excellence in every task, large or small. Your individual successes benefit society as a whole because when you succeed, you lighten the burden on your fellow man. When you succeed, you are in a position to give rather than take."[/color] 

[color=salmon]"We may not have the power to inspire the entire world to strive for success, but we do have the power to try to achieve it for ourselves. My challenge to each of you, and to myself, is to do all that you can do to reach your full potential. If each student here in Hinotori could put in just a fraction of that effort, imagine the endless possibilities that could happen."[/color]

Coming to a pause, Sakuya's fingers tapped the side of the podium as her eyes briefly flickered over to the adults on her right. Taking in a deep breath, she made a conscious decision as she continued, [color=salmon]"Before we conclude, I would like to take a moment to address something that has also shaken the foundation of Hinotori."[/color]

While her words wouldn't have much of an effect on the students, the adults couldn't quite subdue their reactions, likely knowing what she was already going to say. It didn't stop her. [color=salmon]"Five months ago, tragedy hit Hinotori in the form of a string of missing students and suspected arson. Four of them would have been returning for another year while the last would have graduated,"[/color] Her grip on the podium tightened, though she collected herself as she kept going. [color=salmon]"While the police have closed the case, I believe it's important to remember that regardless of what happened we don't go forgetting their contributions to the school. Natsuhime-san would always say that the future was in our hands, and I think we should keep her words in mind as we proceed through the year."[/color]

Even though she wanted to say more, she figured that much was enough. [color=salmon]"We stand here today on the precipice of the future. It's not a distant reality anymore. It begins here. It begins today. Thank you,"[/color] Sakuya finished her speech, stepping down as the students gave her polite applause. She took her seat with the rest of the student council, keeping her eyes closed and ignoring the glare that the vice principal shot her way.  

[color=gold]"Thank you, Nakano-kun,"[/color] The principal gave off a nervous laugh before turning to the students. [color=gold]"And with that, our ceremony is over. Please head on over to your homerooms. If you've forgotten where to go, there is a board with everyone's names next to the gym as a helpful reminder. Dismissed!"[/color]

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