Chapter Text
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. It was the very first game of the Zelda franchise that Fuyu has ever played. It is what drew her in and even gave her the motivation to understand the timeline of the games. Whenever she's feeling down or overworked, it was one of the games she plays to escape reality, even for just a moment.
"Where can I find another blue kinstone?" Fuyu wondered aloud.
She continued to scour the virtual maps for her coveted item until her eyes were drawn up towards Rei. They subtly followed her from their bedroom door all the way to her dresser. On top was a single lotus flower that she had received from her recent summer trip. After silently staring at it for an entire minute, Rei walked to her bed, sat down and gazed out the window like she does every night.
"Hey, Rei?" just like every other time she turned around with her usual blank look, Fuyu had no idea what to actually say once she got her attention. "You going to bed soon?"
The only reply she got from her foster sister was a simple blink of the eye before she returned to gazing out the window. 30 seconds later, Rei slipped under her covers, her eye still fixated on their window.
With her question answered, Fuyu grabbed her headphones, plugged them into her game and continued playing. "Good night, Rei."
The silent girl turned towards her sister before returning to the window.
The next morning, Fuyu walked down the steps to find her mother, Kori, drinking a cup of hot chocolate.
"Fuyu," she suddenly said.
"Yeah, mom?"
"I've been meaning to ask; have you noticed that Rei has been waving hello and goodbye at people lately?"
Fuyu shot her mother a confused stare. She was sure that her mother already noticed that fact for herself. "Mom, what are you getting at?"
"It seems like she's picking up on social behaviors," Kori continued.
"Yeah?"
"I just thought it was interesting to remember that."
A small smile crossed Fuyu's face. As expected from someone in her profession, she had a roundabout way of saying what she really meant. "I know, Mom. I know."
As if on cue, Rei walked downstairs. After climbing down the last step, her gaze was immediately drawn to Kori. The two simply stared into each other's eyes, unknowingly creating an awkward atmosphere for Fuyu.
"So…" feeling like she was literally caught in the middle of something she couldn't understand, the bespectacled youth desperately looked for a reason to end the moment. She glanced at her mother then at her foster sister. Ready to go, Rei?"
The silent girl blankly stared at her foster sibling.
"Alright, let's go," adjusting her glasses, Fuyu led Rei out of the house and embarked on another silent journey to school.
Once at school, the two went their separate way. As Fuyu walked through the halls of the school she helps manage…
"Fuyu?"
The student president turned as she adjusted her glasses; her steely gaze landing on a 3rd-year student. "Yes?"
Her icy gaze filled the student with discomfort as they presented a form to her. "I-I have to give you the-."
"Right. Thank you," Fuyu interjected as she accepted the form.
She soon took her leave, leaving the student to breathe a sigh of relief. But that would not be the only document she would receive. Throughout the morning, she would receive several visitors with more forms to deliver that she felt it was becoming the running gag of her life.
Eventually, Fuyu heard the sound of the lunch bell rung throughout the school building for all to hear. While the familiar sound caused joy to in her fellow student, it prompted the student president's head to drop on her desk like a rock.
A potluck of emotions swirled in her as she laid there. But she did not even have the luxury of time to indulge in them as she soon heard a knock on the door.
She let out a subtle groan as she slowly raised her head and adjusted her glasses. "Come in."
The door opened. A slight giggle escaped her recent guest lips as they walked in.
"I didn't expect a "President-Mode" response," Monika said.
"Oh," Fuyu clutched her chest as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, Monika. What brings you here?"
"Well, I know you've been really busy lately so," a bright smile formed on Monika's lips as she suddenly revealed a lunch box behind her back. "Want to eat lunch together?"
Fuyu glanced at the lunchbox, then back up at Monika. "…Yes."
Though her face didn't show it, she was immediately filled with happiness. It was like she was given the opportunity for a quick reprieve, one she could not bring herself to deny.
Moments later, the two sat along one of the couches, eating their lunch.
"So, how's club life been since the start of the second semester?" Fuyu asked.
"Pretty much the same since the end of the first," Monika casually answered. "What about you? How's life as Student President been so far this semester?"
"Terrible. The sudden schedule change gave me a bunch of work during the summer and now I have a bunch of work now that it's officially enacted. Not to mention the background chaos such a change would have on the staff and higher ups. Also, I may have made some miscalculations regarding our budget, but I'm not sure whether or not it’s the good kind of mistake or the bad kind."
Fuyu stretched her arms. Just explaining what she had to go through made her already aching arms ache even more.
"Plus, Mali's chaos has put me behind due to me trying to find out who was pulling all those pranks." she continued. "I don't know how he did it, but I'm really grateful to Shujinkou for the peace of mind while I try to catch up to me trying catching up on my work."
"Have you been taking breaks?" Monika asked.
"Here and there. Why?"
"It's just good to take as many breaks as you need. Just get away from the stress and lose yourself I your favorite activity. Trust me, if I didn't take breaks from reality, I'd probably go insane."
Fuyu sighed. It's advice she has heard of before. "I know breaks are important. But important documents are important too and sometimes life just drops important documents after important documents and wow, I feel old saying that."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find the balance you need soon. Who knows, it may in fact just happen." Monika assured her with a smile.
"Can't come any sooner…" she mumbled.
The two continued to eat their meal in silence.
"Hey, Fuyu, can I ask you a question?" Monika suddenly asked.
"What is it?" Fuyu's eyes slightly widened as a look of uncertainly filled her guest's face. It was a look she wasn't used to Monika displaying.
"Do you think I'm holding back the Literature Club from growing?" Monika asked.
Surprise enveloped Fuyu further upon hearing such a question. She slowly, awkwardly adjusted her glasses as she questioned, "Where'd that come from?"
"Well, I've actually been thinking about this for a while. Sorry if it's a weird question but I needed to ask someone who could give me an objective answer," Monika explained.
"Okay… But why would you think that in the first place?"
"Well, the other day I told the others that I pretty much didn't want anyone to know beforehand that I was involved in the club. Honestly, I hated having to say that. It sounded so vain. I don't really want to think that I have that kind of power to just attract people to the club at the snap of my fingers but…"
"It's a high possibility?"
"Yeah…"
"I can't blame you for thinking that. You have in fact singlehandedly created more interest in the Debate Team, increased attendance in the debates and brought the entire Cultural Festival to a halt just by wearing a maid's outfit."
"Please don't remind of that last one…" Monika weakly chuckled. "But yeah. When I decided to create the Literature Club, it was in hopes that I could find some people to bond with over something we all liked. It was a rocky start at first sure, but I eventually was able to obtain that goal."
"So what's the issue?" Fuyu queried.
"Sayori always says the club is a fun place and I agree. It's something that we both want to make available to anyone interested. But it's hard to sell a club about literature and I'm also afraid of it becoming known as Monika's club. If that were to happen, it would really ruin things for the others."
"Yeah, that's quite the dilemma. But from a strictly objective point of view, it doesn't sound like you're holding back the club, but instead trying to protect it."
Surprise quickly switched hosts as Monika looked up at Fuyu. "It does?"
"Indeed. You're worried about a problem that may affect you're club and the members in it and you're taking steps to keep that problem at bay. Sounds like you're doing your job as club president."
"Huh. That's a more positive way to look at it."
"Well, I am the daughter of a therapist. I've seen her turn people's doubts and problem on their heads a lot over the years."
"Well, thanks for turning it on its head."
"It's part of my job."
Fuyu looked down and realized that all her food was gone. "All right, time to get back to work."
"Alright, let's get to it." Surprise once again switched hosts as Fuyu watched Monika walked to her desk.
"You coming?" she asked.
"Monika…"
"I don't mind," Monika interjected with a smile. "Besides it's not like there's only one student in the school willing to help you out."
From then on, the two began to tackle the mountain of paper work that awaited them. Working in sync, the two went through document after document until they heard the ringing of the final school bell.
"There really are so many aspects of school life students don't know about…" Monika said, slightly astonished by what she has read. She glanced up at Fuyu, observing the serious look on her face as reviewed the documents on her desk. "Fuyu?"
"Hm?" the bespectacled youth glanced up as Monika approached her desk. "What's up?"
"I finished organizing the club info," her guest said as she placed the files on her desk.
"Thanks," accepting the files, Fuyu wasted no time placing them in a folder and storing them in one of her cabinet drawers. "Why don't you head to your club now? I'll handle what's left."
"You sure? I could help you with the rest."
"Believe me, you helped enough. I wouldn't want to burden you or the others with more stuff. Besides, all clubs need they're president around."
"Mmm. I'm actually pretty sure that they could survive without me around, but okay, if that's what you want. See ya, Fuyu."
"See ya."
Monika waved goodbye as walked out of office, leaving Fuyu alone with her thoughts. A solemn sigh brushed past her lips as she returned to work.