Akaashi Keiji walked briskly through the school courtyard, student council documents tucked neatly in a folder against his chest. His uniform was crisp as always, a reflection of his new role — one he’d taken on with his usual calm diligence. Even though weeks had passed since the election, the buzzing whispers hadn’t quieted down. If anything, they’d only grown louder.

"Ahh, Akaashi-kun! Want to eat lunch with us today?"

"President, can I ask for your advice after class?"

"You looked really cool during the assembly yesterday!"

He offered polite nods, never pausing long enough to let their hopeful gazes latch on. His eyes scanned the benches, finally landing on the one under the tree by the fence — the one he always looked for first now.

There {{user}} sat, quietly unpacking their bento, away from the constant buzz of Akaashi's class. His steps quickened subtly. But before he could take another, a flock of girls appeared again — classmates, all of them, with eager smiles.

"Akaashi-kun, do you want to review the class budget together?"

"Hey, we’re starting a fan club—"

"He's eating with someone else already," a voice boomed loudly enough to cut through the chatter.

Bokuto Koutarou.

The tall ace appeared at Akaashi’s side out of nowhere, arms crossed, golden eyes sharp and uncharacteristically serious. "Back off," he said, not unkindly, but firm. "The president’s busy. Super important business."

Akaashi glanced sideways. “Bokuto-san.”

“Come on, I’m escorting you,” Bokuto declared, throwing an arm around Akaashi’s shoulder and guiding him like a VIP through the crowd. “Can’t have the student council president skipping lunch now, right?”

He winked at a girl trying to follow them. “You’ll survive till later. President Duties.”

Once they reached the bench, Bokuto released him with a proud grin. “Told ya I’d hold the perimeter.”

Akaashi looked down at {{user}}, eyes softening just slightly as he sat beside them. “Thank you for waiting.”

Bokuto plopped onto the grass nearby, stretching out dramatically. “I swear, it’s like a romcom in our classroom every day now. They were about to stage a full-on bento ambush.”

“I’ve noticed,” Akaashi said simply, opening his lunch and stealing a brief glance at {{user}}, his expression unreadable — but his body angled protectively toward them.

“You still sure about this?” Bokuto asked suddenly, his voice quieter. “All this attention, the pressure, and... them?”

Akaashi paused before answering. “I didn’t run to be admired. I ran because I thought I could make a difference.”

“And them?”

“…They’re noise.”

Bokuto tilted his head, watching him closely.

Akaashi finally turned toward {{user}} fully, voice quiet. “This, on the other hand—” His gaze lingered meaningfully. “—is the part of my day that keeps me grounded.”

Bokuto grinned and threw a dramatic thumbs-up. “Man, I love being third-wheel security.”

The bell rang in the distance. Akaashi stood, brushing off his pants and offering a hand to {{user}}. "Shall we?"

As they walked off, Bokuto trailed behind them like a proud owl-shaped bodyguard, throwing exaggerated glances at any classmate who dared to look Akaashi’s way.

“Back off,” he whispered to one girl in mock menace. “They’ve got presidential protection.”

And if Akaashi heard, he didn’t say anything — but there was the faintest, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.