Afternoon sun entered Seika Academy's old corridor through the carved window frames, casting long patterns across the waxed hardwood. Dust motes were visible in the light.
"Satsuki-chan," Amy said, walking beside her. She stopped and pressed the small, hard object in her skirt pocket through the fabric.
"What is it?" Satsuki asked, tilting her head.
"I was considering whether I could take out property insurance, name myself as beneficiary, then 'accidentally' drop this and file a claim," Amy said, adjusting her glasses. Her expression was amused. "Given the Argyle Pink Diamond premium index, I could retire and purchase an island in Hawaii."
"You could attempt it," Satsuki replied, smiling.
"Though compared to an island in Hawaii, I suspect you would prefer the latest Cray-2 Supercomputer."
"You know me too well," Amy said, shrugging. Her finger tapped the diamond in her pocket. "I was joking. Besides, this stone is secure with me. No one has ever taken anything from my person."
She caught up. Her leather shoes made distinct sounds on the floor.
"Are we meeting the renowned Iron-Faced President? I want to see the person who requires your personal attention."
"That depends on your conduct," Satsuki said, turning and continuing to walk.
At the end of the corridor were heavy double oak doors with a polished brass plaque:
Student Council Office
Satsuki knocked twice, lightly.
"Come in," a male voice said. It was calm and steady.
Satsuki opened the door.
The Student Council office was large and bright. Filing cabinets lined the walls. A conference table occupied the center. At the desk near the back, a boy was reading.
He wore the Seika uniform. His tie was properly fastened and the top button was closed. His hair was short and neat. He wore rimless glasses. He looked up from his paperwork at the two girls.
Kudo Kei.
President of Seika Academy High School Student Council. Second-year student.
"Good afternoon. Saionji-san. Suzuki-san," Kudo Kei said. He set his fountain pen down, stood, and nodded politely.
"You are rare visitors. It is one month into the term, and this is my first time meeting the year's top student."
"Family obligations delayed me in America," Satsuki said. She walked to the desk and placed her prepared forms on it: a make-up class application and a club formation application.
"This is the make-up application and the new club registration."
Kudo Kei took them. He reviewed the pages quickly. The sound of paper turning was audible in the quiet room.
"'Society Observation Club'?" His gaze paused on the club name. He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Activity purpose: 'research underlying logic of modern socioeconomic forms and capital flow'?"
He looked up and met Satsuki's eyes through his glasses.
"At Seika, female students typically register tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or equestrian clubs. Saionji-san's interests are atypical."
"Tea and flowers are elegant, but as a member of the old kazoku, I am already proficient," Satsuki replied with a smile. "President Kudo, is there an issue with the application?"
"Regarding procedure, no." Kudo Kei took a red pen from the holder. He signed cleanly and stamped the student council seal.
"Approved." He returned the papers. "The old building's wiring is outdated. If you intend to use high-power appliances, notify General Affairs first."
"Thank you for the notice," Satsuki said. She took the documents and turned to leave.
Her eyes then noticed the desk.
Beside the neat document stacks was a check.
It was a brightly colored bank draft. The amount was visible.
5,000,000 Yen.
Under it was a pink perfumed letter in delicate, slightly childish handwriting.
Signature: Class 1-A, Ezaki Mariko.
Satsuki stopped.
"You appear to be popular, President Kudo, as the rumors indicate."
Kudo Kei followed her gaze. Disgust crossed his composed expression. He reached toward the check as if to discard it, then stopped and pushed it away with irritation.
"This is not admiration. It is an insult," Kudo Kei said. His voice became cold.
"That transfer is from Ezaki-san. She sent it this morning. She stated it is five million yen to 'improve the student council office environment.'"
"Is that not beneficial?" Satsuki asked, feigning ignorance. "The budget is limited. Five million could replace the malfunctioning copier or purchase new library books."
"If it were only a donation, I would accept it," Kudo Kei said with a sneer. He tapped the pink letter.
"But her letter implies she expects to join the upcoming Culture Festival Executive Committee as vice-chair."
"Five million to purchase a title. That is her 'donation.'"
He looked up at Satsuki directly.
"Saionji-san, I understand the conventions of your social circle. But during my term in the Seika Student Council, I do not permit improper transactions."
"I will return this money."
His position was clear and absolute.
Amy, standing beside them, adjusted her glasses. She looked at the president, then at the check, and remained silent.
Satsuki laughed softly.
"Improper?"
She stepped forward, placed her hands on the edge of the desk, and leaned slightly toward Kudo Kei.
"President Kudo, your father is a prosecutor, correct?"
Kudo Kei frowned. "This is unrelated to my family."
"It is related," Satsuki said, looking into his eyes.
"Because you inherited that binary system. Your framework divides the world into legal and illegal, clean and unclean."
"But the actual world?"
She extended one finger, pressed the check, and slid it gently back to the center of the desk.
"Five million yen. To the Ezaki family and Apex Group, it is negligible. If you return it, Ezaki Mariko will not feel ashamed. She will conclude you considered it insufficient or that you are inflexible."
"Then she will use the money to influence others. The Club Federation head. A school board member with greater authority. She will obtain the position regardless. And you will gain an adversary. Nothing else."
Kudo Kei's expression became rigid.
"So you suggest I accept it?"
"No," Satsuki said, shaking her head.
"I am saying that accepting private donations is part of social operations. The issue is how you manage it. Which funds you accept. Which you reject."
She picked up the check and flicked it. The paper made a crisp sound.
"This paper is not culpable. 'Impropriety' only occurs when the transaction is completed."
"If she provides money and you provide the position, that constitutes bribery. That is improper."
"But," Satsuki continued, changing her tone.
"If she provides money, and you deposit it into the public account and use it for new air conditioning in the library or for club equipment. Then, when selecting the executive committee, you follow regulations and disqualify her for 'insufficient qualifications'…"
"Then this money is no longer a bribe."
"It is an 'unconditional donation from an enthusiastic student.'"
Kudo Kei stared at her.
"This is fraud," he said with difficulty. "It violates the spirit of the agreement."
"Did she sign a contract with you?" Satsuki pointed at the pink letter. "Does it state, 'If not appointed vice-chair, refund the amount'? It does not."
"Without a written contract, it is her assumption."
Satsuki placed the check into Kudo Kei's hand.
"President Kudo, politics involves converting private interest into public benefit."
"Ezaki Mariko desires recognition. Provide recognition through a thank-you notice in the school paper praising her generosity."
"Regarding authority…" Satsuki straightened and clapped her hands lightly.
"Authority is not for sale. You are correct to maintain that boundary."
"Accept the resource, reject the condition. That is competent administration."
The office became silent.
Kudo Kei held the check. His fingers trembled slightly.
Five million yen.
It could repair the old gymnasium's leaking roof. Or fund scholarships for students with financial need. He took a deep breath and looked up at Satsuki.
"Saionji-san," Kudo Kei said, his voice dry.
"Are you actually a high school student?"
"Of course," Satsuki said, tilting her head. She pointed at the emerald ribbon on her collar.
"An authentic first-year student."
She picked up her bag and moved toward the door.
"We will not occupy more of your time, President. The Society Observation Club room requires cleaning."
Amy followed. She bowed slightly as she passed Kudo Kei.
At the door, Satsuki stopped.
She did not turn around. She spoke with her back to him:
"President Kudo."
"Regarding Apex Group, which supports Ezaki… there have been negative reports recently."
"That company's stock, like this check, appears attractive. But if mishandled, it creates liability."
"Consider this a return courtesy for approving our club."
She opened the door and stepped into the sunlit corridor.
The heavy oak door closed behind her with a muffled sound.
Kudo Kei remained alone at the desk.
He looked at the check. He looked at the perfumed letter.
After some time, he opened a drawer and removed a ledger stamped "Finance Use Only."
He picked up his fountain pen and wrote neatly in the income column:
Source: Class 1-A, Ezaki Mariko. Purpose: TBD (recommend library air conditioning upgrade).