Chapter Text
She turned around to look at me,
I heard her say over my shoulder,
She sat in a perfectly ladylike posture, just like her mother had taught her - hands clasped together, one leg crossed over the other, back stiff. Her equine ears were consciously kept from twitching in nervousness with her tail likewise laying still, seemingly as if she were unperturbed by the matter at hand. Her eyes scanned the gathering space before her, soaking in the sight of the hundreds of students who had congregated at the end of the school day, currents of excited energy rippling through them via murmurs, idle chatter, and the occasional laugh.
Despite her best efforts and her mother's best instructions, however, anxiety gnawed at Air Groove’s very being.
Months of planning and weeks of campaigning had brought her to that moment. Late nights spent reviewing her speaking points ahead of a debate set for the next morning. Long conversations with members of the student body, inquiring about their needs and wants throughout the school, intended to tailor her platform and spread her message. Liaising with Tracen’s administrative staff and faculty to glean their opinions on the role of the Student Council, and even a few chats over tea with the former President of the Council, Maruzensky.
The cacophony of murmuring in the assembly hall suddenly began to dwindle, and a peek at a movement over her shoulder revealed the culprit - Director Akikawa had finally made her appearance, the short woman gliding across the stage with her head held high, heading for the podium. As Groove’s eyes followed along, they came to settle on the horsegirl seated alongside her on the stage, Symboli Rudolf already looking at Groove.
“Best of luck.” Rudolf said, nodding her head only once before abruptly moving her attention towards the podium. Akikawa was in the process of stepping up onto a small stool to reach the microphone, the short woman clearing her throat.
As the P.A. speaker crackled to life and a hush fell over the hall, a twinge of panic shot through Air Groove, her ears twitching only once in response. Up until that moment, she had never truly considered the prospect of losing the election. Of course, she had thought about it, but not all too deeply, and not in such a visceral way as in that moment.
Clenching her hands tighter, she deliberately shifted her mind away from the panic, choosing to focus on Akikawa instead. It was all out of her hands now.
“Renowned students of Tracen Academy!” The redheaded woman began, holding her trademark folding hand fan high in the air. “Thank you for gathering here today for such a momentous occasion!”
Applause rang through the hall, Air Groove willing herself to join in with a polite golf clap.
“As you are all aware, the past two weeks have been busy busy busy!” With each repetition of the word, the Director smacked her fan against the top of the wooden podium, as if to drive her point home. “And yesterday, the entirety of you exercised your rights as students to cast votes to determine the course of your Student Council! With your selection here today, the newly-elected President will set forth on a one-year term, acting as your voice at Tracen.”
Air Groove had already mapped out her plan, leaning on her foresight to help strengthen her case for being elected as President. It would mean taking a step back from racing, but her Senior Year was already behind her, leaving her poised to accept a new challenge as being the guiding hand for the students at Tracen Academy - Japan’s most prestigious athletics school. Simple things, such as an audit of finances or a review of current regulations were a given, but she had grander plans as well. Plans that would require close coordination with Director Akikawa and the rest of Tracen’s administrative staff, plans that Air Groove hoped would help resolve issues she herself had faced during her time spent competing. All of this in order to make for a more certain tomorrow for all - a phrase she leaned on heavily during her campaign.
A glance into the crowd revealed the students - first-years in the front, wide-eyed and excited, followed by the second-years, third-years, and the various seniors in more distant rows. Her blue eyes narrowed as she caught sight of a peculiar figure on the far left of the first-year row, her pink hair and large placard sign difficult to miss.
‘RUDOGURU 4 CO-PREZ! <3’
…What.
“And without further adieu… And with a big thank you to Tazuna, as well as our outgoing President and Vice President in their ballot-counting efforts, I possess the results of your vote!” Akikiawa cleared her throat, Air Groove’s attention rocketing towards the Director as she opened a white envelope.
“The newly-elected Student Council President of Tracen Academy is…”
The bottom dropped out from underneath Air Groove as Director Akikawa spoke a name that was not hers.