We're in trouble now...
Damn. It's cold.
Prez. This is serious! If we stay here any longer, the snow trap will us in school!
Meh. That's the least of our problem.
Oh really? What is more important than going home and getting some good sleep?!
We still have so much work to do, Steve. And don't lie... you're going home to play games. Not to sleep. Toughen up, graduation day's just two days away from now. It's natural we'd have to work late.
Prez, this mountain of paperwork wouldn't be so impossible if you hadn't dismissed everyone else!
They were fooling off.
They were going to graduate this week! Of course they're not going to be able to focus! But at least they'll chip in a little bit here and there!
... The duty of the student council is to the students. If they're not going to take their duties seriously, then I have no need for them.
Oi...are you for real?
Hmph.
Prez... you're a smart person. I know that. But you've gotta change that personality of yours! You can dislike people all you want, but it's hard to work when you're all by yourself!
I don't particularly care. Why are you still here anyway, Mr. I am Content with my Life here in Cera. Hence, No Ambitions?
Arghhh. You're always like this... Prez.... I really like you but sometimes-
Ava gets up from her seat.
Hey where are you going?
The vending machine. I need a break. You can go home, Steve. Go. Before the blizzard gets worse.
... No. I'll stay here. I'll sort this mess out...
Do as you like. *walks out of the class*
...with you.
22:15
A security guard just walked past telling us it's closing time. They're going to lock the gates, no students allowed.
I look at the stack of unfinished papers, and turned my gaze to the person I like most in this school...
She sighed. And noticed my gaze, returning it with a frown. I should try to put up a tough act, maybe volunteer to bring the papers home and do it...together?
I want to say the words. But they wouldn't come out.
But I know... every hour. Every minute. Every second I spend with this girl... may be my last chance to tell her how I felt.
Just two days left. I will-
.....??? Prez, what's come over you?
Hey, Steve. Wanna kiss?
Yeah. Let's go home. It's nice that you finally gave up this stupid pap- WHAT DID YOU SAY?!
A kiss, you retard. You don't know what a kiss is? The thing they do in anime when a boy and girl like each other, with their lips?
I...OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT IT IS! But why all the sudden?
Is that a 'no'?
O-oooh. I get it. I get it. This is a joke right? You're just trying to play a prank and see how I'd react! Ha! That's what you're thinking, isn't it? Unfortunately, prez! I already have you all figured out! There's absolutely no way I'm gonna fall for tha-
No way. That's...
If I'm dreaming. I do not want to wake up.
She avoided my gaze. Almost simultaneously, the shame overwhelmed me too. I turned towards the window.
Hey. The snow stopped.
So it did. Time to go?
What about the pa-
She grabbed my hand, and suddenly everything else is unimportant. The whole Steam online game services can shut down, invalidating all my purchases - and not a single hurt on my butt will register. Everything...is right. But - why did she stop so abruptly?
I wasn't ready. Her pace... is too brisk. I don't want to reach home just yet. I need time.
Wow. It's cold isn't it? Don't you just wish our school uniforms have thermal-weave in them? How come we never get any of the good stuff!
I know right? My hand's not any warmer.
She grabbed my hand. It might've been cold. But it was the best kind of cold I ever felt. The. Best. Cold. Ever.
Yeah. I wish I have something to keep us warm. Fuck this weather.
Men who complain too much aren't popular, you know.
Heh. You're right. I... uh. I mildly condemn the below nominal temperature of this season.
You're so absurd sometimes.
Sorry. (I can't help it.)
Damn, I ran out of time.
Well... I hope the teachers won't give us a hard time over the unfinished paperwork tomorrow.
You think they might withhold my diploma for that?
I wouldn't mind. That would mean we're together again for another year.
Hmph... how stupid.
Yeah...like that would ever happen.
I look at my watch. 23:40
Two days. 20 minutes left.
I... I can't say it.
Well. Good luck in space. I hope you can find what you're looking for out there. Let's... keep in touch.
Idiot.
What?
I'm only going there because of my dad.
...Seriously?
Listen, Steve. When there's a trillion of us, each one of us doesn't matter much. My dreams. They're worth nothing. Just one out of many. Remember that, when you're sitting in the President's chair next year.
But you are... important to me. Is what I should say. But the words won't escape my mouth.
I am ... so lame.
I won't forget you, Prez. And your words of wisdom. Good night.
23:51
I turned around. I felt something on my shoulder.
Was it my imagination?
I eked out the tiniest of effort to step forward, but found the icy grip unwilling to budge.
It's real.
Prez? I want to say that I-
W-what? Did you say?
It's too quiet in my place... all the time.
Want me to come over...to make...some noise?
My brain was deep fried. The last thing I remembered was the two clicks of her apartment room door locks disengaging and re-engaging. I wonder what my sis would say if she sees us like this.
(Big Bro! Good luck!)