After a few days passed, the students still didn't accept Leon as being on the same level as the student council president, Alexia Midgard. They hated him every time they saw him. No one even went near him in his own class. He was now considered worse than scum. Celestine, who had been expelled because of Hiroshi and Kami, spread inappropriate rumors about Leon throughout the whole school using her family's connections to take revenge.
On the other hand, Hiroshi trained every day after being expelled. Kami supported him and increased her skills in swordsmanship. Hiroshi was getting more efficient in magic and mana control. On the day, in the early morning when the sun was still rising, Hiroshi slowly wakes up and looks around and smells something from kitchen. He slowly stands up and folded his futon, streched his body.
Hiroshi slid open the door and stepped into the kitchen. The smell of miso soup and grilled fish hit him right away. Kami was standing by the stove, flipping tamagoyaki with a small smile on her face.
The kitchen was small but warm—wooden floor, low shelves with bowls and plates and a rice cooker humming in the corner. A kettle steamed softly and there were some herbs in little pots by the window. The morning sun lighting up the space. Kami looks at Hiroshi with a smile, "Grandma isn't here today. So I am making the breakfast". Hiroshi smiles, It's good to have a childhood friend like her.
"I'm going to take bath then we will eat together." said Hiroshi with a smile.
"Okay" kami said with a smile before continuing cooking.
After that, Hiroshi walked to the bathroom. He opened the sliding door and stepped onto the cool wooden floor. There was a mirror, a small sink and a bamboo shelf with towels and soap.
He picked up his toothbrush and started brushing his teeth, still a bit sleepy. Behind another door was the bathtub—deep and wooden, not used yet. The air smelled fresh, a little like wood and water.
Hiroshi finished brushing his teeth and stretched a little. Still feeling sleepy, he opened the sliding door to the bath area. Steam drifted up from the deep wooden tub—warm and inviting.
He sat on the small stool near the faucet, grabbed the bucket and poured water over himself. It was cold at first, making him shiver a bit. He grabbed the soap and started washing his body, quietly humming to himself.
After rinsing off, he slowly stepped into the bath. The hot water wrapped around him. He leaned back, eyes half-closed, letting out a relaxed sigh.
"…Man, this is the best part of mornings," he mumbled to himself, smiling slightly.
On the same day, in the student council office, sunlight streamed through the large window, lighting up the room. At the back stood a tall-backed chair behind a wide wooden desk—Leon sat there calmly. Two long tables faced the desk, each with four chairs. Bookshelves lined one wall while a chalkboard and cabinet stood on the other. A lamp stood quietly in the corner beside a potted plant.
From the garden outside, the sound of protests reached their ears—students shouting for Leon to relinquish his position as acting president and demanding he behave properly or face expulsion.
Lucas was already fuming, his eyes locked on Leon sitting casually in Alexia's chair. But Alexia said nothing. She sat quietly at one of the long tables, observing. The rest of the members were seated silently.
"Lucas," Leon said.
Lucas clenched his fists, then forced a composed reply. "Yes… Acting-President."
"Order the School Defence Council to baton charge the protestors," Leon said, his tone cold and detached.
"What?!" Lucas stood up in shock. Even Alexia who was usually composed, looked surprised. The rest of the members stirred in disbelief.
"Why?! This is dictatorship—you're just trying to silence anyone who stands against you!" shouted a girl with pink hair and red glasses. She wore the school uniform with a red badge on his left shoulder signified her position as a Student Council member.
"Shut up. First, stop wasting your parents' money dying that hair of yours, you useless shithead," Leon said coldly without looking at her.
Her voice fell silent. She looked down, tears gathering in her eyes.
"You bastard!" Lucas growled. "How dare you say that to Saera?! Her hair color is genetic… and she's an orphan!"
He looked ready to strike Leon, but Alexia calmly raised her hand.
"Lucas. If you hit him, all you'll gain is expulsion and a permanent ban. His position protects him," she said.
Lucas stopped, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Order the School Defence Council for baton charge," Leon said again, rising from the chair. "And I'm joining it too." His voice was icy.
He then left the council office. After he was gone, Saera started crying from his earlier verbal abuse—his harsh words reminded her of all the bullying she had suffered. The other members tried to calm her down, all of them angry at Leon.
Alexia stayed calm.
What are you planning...
Leon's coat floated with each step he took, moving with the motion of his walk. His eyes were cold.
...Leon?!