Naomi carefully shuts the door behind her, turning the knob to prevent the latch from snapping into place. While it's technically against the rules, the administration looks the other way for unapproved after-hours club work. However, they expect students to make an effort not to be caught.
What she's about to do, though, is definitely against the rules. She picks up the triangular name plate on her desk and turns it. The plate reading 'INOUE Naomi, Writer, Yamaku Chronicle' is now lying on the desktop. Facing forward is 'INOUE Naomi, Writer, Cripple Confidential.'
She boots up the computer, pulls the notebook out of her bag, and gets to work on the newspaper club's secret and unofficial sister periodical. Or half the newspaper club, rather. Natsume is a stick in the mud.
 
Today's story is a juicy one. Misha Mikado hasn't left her room in two days. The student council president has been camped outside the door for as long, leaving only to go to class, the bathroom, her own bedroom, and the cafeteria. She did her homework and student council work there. She wouldn't talk to anyone, just signing dismissive answers.
 
Most of Naomi's investigation consisted of sitting in on a big gathering on the subject in the 3rd floor common room.
The deaf students mostly keep to themselves. Housing even puts them together in their own wings. Naomi can't remember anything that animated the deaf and the hearing kids like this, much less brought them together as a group.
A very chaotic group, as it turned out. There were only two girls who could hear and sign and they were responsible for going between twenty others.
Naomi got a lot out of it, though. She skims through her notes again.
 
The deaf girls have a different impression of Shizune than ours. While we think of her as domineering and a little predatory, someone to avoid lest you get volunteered for her latest project, they see her as standoffish. A few of them have tried to talk to her, but got nowhere.
A third year girl who was on student council first year said that Shizune was an unremarkable member until Misha joined. After that she was constantly pushing forward new plans.
Ritsu gave a similar anecdote. Shizune had a school-assigned translator in class for three months, then Misha filled that role. She was only our Shizune after that. Naomi tried to think back to that time but couldn't imagine it. Shizune was always Shizune, wasn't she?
Miki said a week ago they saw Misha looking worried and signing something to herself outside. At the urging of the deaf faction she tried to remember some of the gestures but it was hopeless. One hand and bad memory.
Someone mentioned off-hand that they saw them both asleep in the student council room early one morning in January. Everyone spoke up or signed at once. The translators were totally overwhelmed. She had to clarify that they were dressed and there were takeout Chinese boxes all over the table, to universal disappointment.
Emi said she didn't think Misha and Shizune were in a relationship, but couldn't explain why. She seemed certain.
 
Naomi ran her fingers through her hair. It's an easy scene to imagine. The two of them in the student council room together, the light from the sunset illuminating Misha's face. They hold hands, facing opposite directions, Shizune finishing up some paperwork while Misha looks out the window. Misha finally says they have to break up. Her parents don't approve, society doesn't approve, she can't do it. Shizune won't let her. She won't let herself lose when the stakes are irrelevant, how could she when they're this important? A short argument, Misha running off in tears, Shizune giving chase only to find herself in front of a locked door.
Natsume would laugh at her for such a story. 'Reading too many trashy novels, love,' Naomi could hear her say. And she can't print speculation like that, not even on Cripple Confidential.
The article's got to give what we know without too much embellishment. She isn't sure how to frame it. Possible lovers' quarrel? A student council of one? Natsume has a better ear for this, but she won't have anything to do with the gossip rag besides giving it her blessing. She said it was something she herself wasn't comfortable doing but it was fine if Naomi did it.
That was definitely a lie, though. Typical Natsume, never willing to admit that anything she does makes her unhappy or disappointed. Naomi wished she was here now. She'd even tell her that dumb story she made up.
 
Naomi drums her fingers on the desk. She doesn't have enough to go on. If she can talk to Shizune, maybe she can get enough of an impression off her to know what to write. Computer off, notebook back in the bag, nameplate facing the right way, lights off, door carefully closed and locked. She has a long day ahead of her. Locking horns with Shizune is tough normally. Who knows what this is going to be like?
 
~~~
 
She had thought carefully about what to say. Normally giving Shizune a challenge is the last thing you want to do, but in these circumstances it might be the only way to draw something out of her.
 
Naomi and the interpreter she had recruited slowly approach Shizune, sitting on the floor, hunched over some papers.
 
"Good morning, President. Is this the new student council office?"
 
Shizune's head rises, she watches the interpreter's hands, then turns to Naomi and regards her carefully. Naomi doesn't feel any eagerness or ill-humor in those eyes. She doesn't feel anything in them.
This was a mistake. Naomi glances over at the interpreter then back to Shizune. There wasn't a story here. Just a sad girl.
 
"Umm...she says...she asks if you have any council business or if you're just here to gawk."
 
She shouldn't be here. She's not Shizune's friend, there isn't anything she can say, but she can't walk away. Even though she has half a mind to, to just leave and go be with Natsume.
She glances at the interpreter again, who is as uncomfortable as she is. She has to say something, even if it's pointless.
 
"Shizune, I've heard a lot about you two over the past few days. Things will work out."
 
Shizune looks at Naomi before the interpreter is finished. A small, forced smile is on her face.
 
"She says she knows."