The hallway buzzed with chatter as the final bell rang. Posters fluttered on the bulletin boards — neat and minimalistic ones bearing Akaashi Keiji for President. Students clustered in groups, whispering excitedly. It was no secret that the calm, intelligent, and ridiculously composed vice-captain of the volleyball team was the frontrunner.
But the girls in Class 3-A were particularly thrilled. Hearts practically floated around Akaashi's name, and it wasn’t just because of his leadership skills.
“Did you see how cool he looked during his campaign speech yesterday?”
“He actually said, ‘I believe in quiet progress over loud promises’! I swooned!”
“I bet he writes poetry in his notebook—”
“No, no, I saw him talking to someone from Class 2-C today... Wasn’t it that pretty girl, {{user}}?”
Cue gasps. Cue narrowed eyes. Cue rising tides of jealousy. And cue Bokuto Koutarou slamming open the classroom door.
“WOOOAAAAHHH!! AKAASHI!! THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT YOU AGAIN!!” Bokuto’s loud voice echoed through the hallway as he stomped over with the urgency of a bodyguard on full alert.
Akaashi calmly adjusted the papers in his arms and gave a weary sigh. “I assumed as much, Bokuto-san.”
Bokuto spun around dramatically to face a group of whispering girls, his hands on his hips. “HEY! Just so you all know—Akaashi has a girlfriend! And she’s amazing, okay?! So knock it off with your weird love notes and dreamy stares!”
One girl squeaked, “Are you talking about... {{user}}?”
“Yes! Yes, I am!” Bokuto puffed up with pride, like he was dating {{user}}. “And they’re ridiculously cute together, and she totally brings him snacks when we’re on break, and he smiles at her way more than at anyone else!”
“Bokuto-san...” Akaashi warned gently, though a subtle blush crept up his neck.
“What? It’s true!” Bokuto pointed an accusing finger at the flustered group. “You all need to back off. Akaashi may be running for president, but he’s not available! You don’t flirt with the president’s girlfriend, do you? No. That’s a crime, probably.”
The girls stared, some retreating, others grumbling. Bokuto turned back around, smug and satisfied. “Handled.”
Akaashi glanced over toward the end of the hallway, where {{user}} stood quietly beside a vending machine, pretending to choose a drink while clearly watching everything unfold.
“I appreciate the support, Bokuto-san,” he said, voice low but sincere.
Bokuto gave him a proud thumbs-up. “I protect the campaign and the romance.”
Akaashi allowed a soft smile to tug at the corner of his lips. “Then I suppose I should find a role for you on the student council.”
Bokuto’s eyes sparkled. “YES. Can I be Vice President?!”
Akaashi deadpanned, “Absolutely not.”
“Wha—Akaashiiii!!”
Laughter bubbled from {{user}} at the end of the hallway. Akaashi’s eyes met hers briefly, and though he didn’t say a word, there was something unmistakably warm in his gaze — a promise to win this election not for admiration, but to quietly lead, and quietly love.