LemonTea

During running for Student Council President, Kasumi helped Reiichi in campaigning. Even though she's new in Akademi, she was able to instantly make a bunch of connections by the first week. She found friends to help her in poster making and handing out pins. While Reiichi was mainly focused on the speeches, promises, and Q&A sessions. They had to be at the top of their games since Reiichi was going against Ichiko Saikou. Most students were just impressed that Reiichi had the guts to go against her. In her previous year no one wanted to run against her.

Kasumi and Reiichi would meet up at the library to discuss about the campaign and prepare his speeches. As usual, Kasumi would prevent him from feeling too pressured from the competition and tried to remind him that there will always be next year or even another position in the Student Council.

After a month of campaigning, it's time for the day of voting! After their final debate, students voted through paper and those paper are collected in boxes. A teacher announces each vote as another teacher compiles the votes. The students sat in the gymnasium where the assemblies are held. The tension in the air was thick as the teacher shouted each vote.

But in the end, Ichiko won by a landslide. Students would much rather have a nice but dependable girl rather than some random cold and scary first year. Kasumi looked at Reiichi as Ichiko went up the stage to receive the Student Council uniform and the red armband of leadership. When she looked at him, he looked as calm as ever, as if his lost didn't affect him. She looked back to the stage where Ichiko was standing. 

After the assembly, students started going home. Kasumi followed behind Reiichi as he walked to the shoe lockers.

"Hey, Tanaami. I need to go to the bathroom first. You can go home first, okay?" Kasumi said to Reiichi. She didn't wait for his reply and headed straight to the bathroom.

Kasumi went into one of the toilet stalls. Once she was done, she came out and washed her hands.

Goodness, I've been holding it in since the middle of the assembly. I did not want to miss anything important.

After washing her hands, she grabbed a few pieces of tissue to dry her hands. That's when she felt someone walking behind her. She turned around to see who it was.

"Ah, Shimokari!" Ichiko called out when she saw her.

"Saikou-senpai! Ah- Congratulations on your win!!" Kasumi said as she threw the tissue in the trash can.

Ichiko grinned. "Thank you, Shimokari. I must say your campaigning skills are quite good! You were able to get the word out in less than a week. Even the students in my class were talking about you two."

"Really?" Kasumi asked as she scratched the back of her head nervously. "Thanks, it's not a big deal. It was really fun though!"

"A lot of students were actually surprised that someone like Reiichi would ask you for help. Oh, and about that, I hope Reiichi didn't take the lost too harshly. There's always next year! I do applaud his excellent speeches and debate skills." 

"I'm sure he didn't take the lost too harshly. He isn't known to be a sore lose but I'm sure he'll come back again next year." Kasumi said reassuringly.

"That's good to hear! You two really are a power couple!" Ichiko said in a cheery tone.

"... Eh?" Kasumi furrowed her eyebrows when she heard the word 'couple'. "Couple... as in friends... right?"

"Ah?" Ichiko responded confusingly

The two looked at each other in silence before Ichiko spoke up. "You two aren't together? Hm, I guess my classmates' assumptions were wrong."

People thought we were together?

"They must've been mistaken! We're just friends! Best friends! I understand how people would think we're a couple, though. A girl and a boy being that close must've made them think that." Kasumi responded. Kasumi was sort of used to it, almost every student in middle school assumed that they were dating but she thought that high schoolers wouldn't think like that.

"Ah, well sorry the rumors got to me. I should've checked with you two first." Ichiko said in a worrying tone.

"It's fine! I would believe those rumors too if I were you!" Kasumi said.

"Well, alright then. I'll see you next week, Shimokari! I think Tanaami's still waiting for you outside." Ichiko gently placed her hand on her shoulder before leaving to one of the toilet stalls.

Kasumi looked at the closed toilet stall door for a few seconds before coming out of the female toilets. She went to the shoe lockers and saw Reiichi still waiting there.

"Tanaami?? I told you that you could go home first!" Kasumi said in shock.

Reiichi looked at her with his straight face. "It's fine. I didn't wait long."

"Hehe, you're the best, Tanaamiii!!" Kasumi said with a big grin while putting on her shoes.

Once she was done, she skipped over to Reiichi. The two started heading towards the main gate. The afternoon light shone on them, casting a shadow behind them

"I met Saikou-senpai in the bathrooms today. She said we did a really good job! Especially your speech and debate skills." Kasumi brought up as they head out the gates.

"Mm. I appreciate her compliment. And..." Reiichi took a short pause, trying to find the right words, "Thank you, Shimokari. It wouldn't have went this smoothly without you."

"Aww, no need to thank me! Anything for my best friend! Hopefully we'll do better next year."

Reiichi gave the faintest smile he could let out, "Yes, maybe next time."

Chapter 1 - Cheerful Kid

https://www.tumblr.com/fflemon-soda/804702944767492096/the-sweet-smile-on-your-face-reiichi-tanaami-x?source=share

Chapter 2 - First Day of High School

https://www.tumblr.com/fflemon-soda/804703664797351936/the-sweet-smile-on-your-face-reiichi-tanaami-x?source=share

Chapter 3 - Lose

"Tanaami!!!" Kasumi yelled out as she ran towards him.

Today was their first day in Akademi, a prestigious high school academy. Reiichi's father had always planned for him to go there due to it being founded by Saisho Saikou. While Kasumi's parents allowed for her to go just because she said she wanted to.

Reiichi turned to look at Kasumi as she matched his pace when she caught up to him. They've been friends for roughly 10 years which little Reiichi would never have believed to happen. Despite being close friends for 10 years, Reiichi still refuses to call each other by their first names which Kasumi has questioned at first but she didn't mind.

Reiichi spoke no words as they continued walking to the school's gates. As usual, the first years will have an assembly in the gymnasium. Everyone looked at Reiichi and Kasumi. Reiichi Tanaami, the cold son and heir of the Tanaami family business who looked and acted as if he had no human emotions. And beside him, quite the opposite. Kasumi Shimokari, the firstborn of Mr. Shimokari - a decently famous businessman who owns a scientific research company - with a very cheerful and happy face, waving at everyone around her. Her dyed pink hair and the keychains on her bag has definitely earned a lot of people's attention.

After the assembly they went to their class. Luckily, they both got into the same class. For the first day, teachers haven't started teaching yet and only did introductions.

The class bell rang, signaling lunch time. Kasumi took her bag and walked over to Reiichi who was waiting by the door. Ever since elementary school, they've been eating lunch together.

"Let's goooo. I'm so hungry right now. Do you think the canteen here has better food than our previous school? I really hope so just so I don't have to wake up so early to make lunch." Kasumi kept on rambling as she always does while they're heading towards the canteen. 

That's until Reiichi stopped walking. Kasumi stopped as soon as she realized he did, he was looking at something. On the wall was a bulletin board, showing a lot of flyers and posters of club invitations, school news, etc. But the one thing that caught his eye was a poster invitation to run for the position of student council president.

"Are... you going to try to join?" Kasumi asked. She instantly knew his answer since he always strives to achieve the highest position that he can earn. 

"... Yeah." He briefly answered. It would hopefully be something his father praised him for. The only thing that could make him the happiest is his father's praise. 

Kasumi looked at the poster again. "You definitely should, Tanaami! I think you can do it. You absolutely look like someone who would be fit to be president of the Student Council."

"Hey." A sweet voice was heard behind them. "You both are first years, right?"

They both turned back and saw a periwinkle silver haired girl and silver eyes- Oh. It's Ichiko Saikou. Anyone can recognize the family's signature periwinkle silver hair and eyes. They both gave a small polite bow in respect.

"Ah, yes we are, Saikou-san. Am I correct?" Kasumi asked politely.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. How's Akademi? Is it to your liking?" Ichiko asked.

"It's pleasant. The school lives up to its reputation, I would expect no less from the Saikou family." Reiichi answered.

"What's your names?" She asked, wanting to get to know these new students.

"Tanaami Reiichi." He introduced himself. He then raised his hand at Kasumi. "Shimokari Kasumi."

"Ah, I've heard of you both. I hope you both will enjoy your time in Akademi. Say, are you two interested in running for student council president?" Her hands gestured to the both of them.

"No, it's just Tanaami who's interested." Kasumi scratched the back of her neck. Reiichi nodded at her answer.

"If that's so, please feel free to meet with the guidance counselor to sign up. Enjoy your lunch!" Ichiko waved but before leaving, "love your hair color choice by the way."

Kasumi slightly froze at that. And gave an awkward laugh before waving and saying thank you. 

"I feel insanely embarrassed." Kasumi said with her hands on her head in panic.

"You chose to dye your hair." Reiichi replied in a flat tone.

"But I didn't know I would talk directly with our senior and daughter of Saikou Saisho, Saikou Ichiko!"

The two continued walking to the canteen. It wasn't that packed with students, surprisingly. Since students are allowed to eat anywhere even if it isn't in the canteen. Reiichi walked over to a table while Kasumi followed as she looked at the food options.

They sat at a table decently far from other students, which Reiichi had always chosen for the other of them. Kasumi brought her usual bento with cute designs of cat shaped onigiris, tiny tomatoes, lettuce, and octopus sausages. With chopsticks in hand, she was about to take one of the sausages.

"Shimokari."

Kasumi looked up from her food. "Huh?"

"As I was saying earlier, I'm planning to run for Student Council President. So I need...-"

Kasumi cut him off, "So you need someone to help with campaign! Don't worry I can and will help you in getting word out."

Reiichi Tanaami, heir to the Tanaami family business.  His parents were strict on him and always expects the best from their son and nothing less than perfection from the day he was old enough to read and speak.

His father had the biggest influence in his life. His father idolized Saisho Saikou, one of the most influential man in Japan. Mr. Tanaami raised Reiichi based off of Saikou's advice to raising a child with the intention of stripping them of all emotions, and conditioning them to possess all of the traits that would transform them into the "Perfect CEO". Most normal people would see this as a form of abuse but Mr. Tanaami was instead fascinated by what he was hearing.

His mother has similar values to his father but a bit more lenient compared to him. She sometimes would cook his favorite food for him. She tries to encourage him to make friends despite it being quite a slow and hard process. Despite being a rich trophy wife that bathes in her husband's fortune in exchange for being pretty, she attends a lot of school events with him and gets along well with other mothers.

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He was in elementary, 6 years old, standing by himself in the corner of the playground while watching all his other classmates play. His school was having it's first week meet up where students go to school with their parents and get to know other kids while their parents talk with the teachers and discuss about the upcoming school year and what's to be expected. He just stood there, quietly observing everyone else. He wasn't exactly interested in talking with these people. They were all either playing tag or playing throw and catch. He didn't understand why he had to come with his mother. He should be in his room studying but his mother made him come. All the kids around him were so... annoying. Especially the girl with the orange eyes. She switches talking from person to person. She was so... loud too and too cheerful. What's so exciting about throwing and catching a ball. 

It was almost lunchtime. The school has provided food for the children and adults. The parents and guardians finished their discussion early. Reiichi's mother noticed how her son was just standing there instead of playing or interacting with other kids. She went up to him asking him why he wasn't playing with everyone else.

"Why should I? Father told me to not waste my time and energy with these unnecessary activities."

His mother sighed at that question. She said that it's okay to interact with other students and that not only will it give him a break from studying but it will be a great benefit for his future so he wouldn't be alone. She then pointed at the girl with orange eyes. Exactly the person Reiichi was judging a few minutes ago.

"How about you talk to that girl? It seems like she gets along well with everyone here."

Reiichi looked at the orange eyed girl. Her? Really? 

The teachers then went over to children announcing that it is now lunch time. All the children went to grab their lunchboxes from their bags in class. Kasumi ran to the schoolbag cabinets to grab her lunch.

Reiichi watched her run past him. He calmly walked to the cabinets with the others. He took out his lunchbox from his bag. Everyone else had already sat down in their chairs surrounding the round tables. He was unsure where to eat. He didn't want to sit with these people but he didn't want his mom to worry again. 

"Hey!" A voice called out to him.

He turned to where the call was from and see the orange eyed girl running towards him. "Snowflake boy!! Do you want to eat lunch with me? There's an empty seat." She said with the brightest smile he has ever seen

Oh, great. Now this weirdo is asking him to sit with her. He was hoping to sit with more sophisticated people. He took a second look at her. ... What other option is there. Reiichi reluctantly agreed with a nod.

Kasumi held the end of his uniform's long sleeve as she excitedly took him to her table. A few other kids were sitting there. Reiichi silently sat in his seat and placed his lunchbox in front of him.

"I forgot to ask, what's your name??" Kasumi asked after taking a bite of her food.

"Tanaami Reiichi." Reiichi answered as he opened his lunchbox. He thought to himself, is this girl actually 6 years old? She acts like she's still in kindergarten...

"Oooh, Tanaami. Nice to meet you!! I'm Shimokari Kasumi." Kasumi shared her name. "You're so quiet. But I can tell we're going to be best friends!!"