"You want me to come and stay in the student council's dorm? Why didn't I know there was one?" It seemed like there was more than one thing I didn't know even as the student council president.
"Well, it is actually owned by the family of the vice-president, but the current student council has been living in it for several years now. I've been notified that a room for you has been arranged and you may move in at any time." The voice on the other side of the phone gave me an address and then hung up abruptly.
The idea was quite appealing to me. After all, my goal was to get close to the student council and bend them to my will. Living in the same dorm would mean many more chances to interact with them. I quickly made up my mind and started packing.
I didn't have that much stuff to pack just yet: Five fairy tutus for school, maid costume for work, a bunch of books and school supplies, a notebook filled with secret sketches and plans, my laptop, and one more bag with my...secret stash. It practically all fit into one suitcase, so soon I was out the door and on the way to my new home. At the address I was given was an enormous mansion, and I wasn't sure if this was the right place.
It was secluded at the end of a long driveway, but the carefully managed gardens and hedges along the road made it clear that this place had its own gardener, or maybe even a team. Surrounding all the way around the house was an ornate iron fence and the gate was especially fancy, arching over the entrance with enough space for even a truck to pull through.
Throwing caution to the wind, I went up to the door to knock, but just as I got close I heard a familiar voice from inside the house. "You took it, I know you did!" "You have no proof I took it." "The wrapper is on top of the garbage and you were the last one in the kitchen, I know it was you!" "Hmph, how will we settle this dispute then?"
I pulled the door open to see Hinari pointing at someone I couldn't quite see, but who I assumed was Asami based on the voice. They were apparently fighting over some kind of snack, but their disagreement was interrupted by Matsuko jumping down off the table she was sitting on. "She's here, cut it out ladies."
As I entered the foyer, someone broke into a run down the hall to the first floor rooms. I couldn't help but get a single glimpse of a black and white outfit going around the corner before it was gone. My attention was pulled away before I could think about it further by Matsuko's greeting. A smile and a hug. "Welcome, this is where we all stay, and now you will stay here too."
"What did I walk in on? It seemed heated." I looked over at Hinari, who was now sitting on a couch looking satisfied.
"A little mouse took my last ice cream bar and won't even own up to it. Just wait till she gets back and I'll force her to cough up repayment." She looked back at her phone and started scrolling.
"Asami-chan went to go change her clothes, she'll be back soon." Matsuko smiled and reached for my suitcase. "In the meantime, shall we put your stuff in your room? It's on the second floor." She lifted the suitcase in one hand and headed for the stairs.
"Ah, wait up!" I ran after her as she climbed up the stairs. Behind me Hinari looked up from her phone, mumbling to herself. "She really does that arm thing even outside school. What a strange habit she's formed. Well, it does give me a good idea for later." Hinari smiled as she drifted back to her phone.
* * *
My room was the second door on the right at the top of the stairs. It only had a bed, desk and a few dressers inside, but they were made of ornate carved wood and looked very expensive. "You can do anything you want with the room, consider it yours for as long as you live here. If you want anything rearranged or need something, just mention it and I'll have someone do it for you. Now, let's leave the unpacking for later or else we'll miss the show downstairs." She laughed and headed back downstairs to the foyer where the disagreement had reignited.
Asami was back in the foyer, and I could see that she was in casual clothing. Hinari was facing her down from mere inches away. "Now then, how will we settle this? Do you dare accept my challenge?" "Of course. You won't leave me alone until I make you suffer a bit, it seems."
As soon as the challenge was set, the chandelier hanging in the middle of the room flashed suddenly. I didn't notice it initially, but now that I looked, it was made of clear blue crystal and had strange patterns engraved all over it. It was currently glowing faintly and projecting fluorescent lines into the air around Hinari and Asami.
"The wager will be... the loser must make dinner for the winner. As for the medium... is rock-paper-scissors good enough?" Hinari narrated the terms of engagement, and when Asami agreed, the glowing lines in the air assembled into magic circles that encircled each girl's throat.
My mind swirled with questions, but Matsuko snapped me out of my daze by pulling me backwards onto her lap. "Don't get involved, just watch. Agreements and promises made under the light of the crystal are enforced by magic, and you won't be able to escape your words, so be careful what you agree to while in the foyer."
I couldn't stop my curiosity from leaking out. "Is this magic!? How can this be real? Why didn't I hear that the student council had magic?"
Matsuko smiled. "This is our little secret here at the dorm. The outside world doesn't know anything about it, so don't go spilling the beans, okay? Now, let's watch the game."
I sat silently while a fierce game of rock-paper-scissors was played, and ended in defeat for Asami. When the victor was decided, the magic circle around Hinari's neck shattered into specks of light then disappeared, while Asami's shrank until it met her neck, where it turned into a glowing collar-like tattoo. She growled and trembled, but after a minute stomped off to the kitchen without a word. Hinari sat down on the couch with a satisfied grin. She leaned over to me and whispered into my ear, "She always makes her choice as she's raising her hand, it's easy to match or defeat her with perfect accuracy. Just don't beat her too easily or she'll catch on that something's up."
Some minutes later, Asami returned from the kitchen with a plate of reheated food in her hand. After placing the plate in front of Hinari, the tattoo around her neck flickered and disappeared. "Hmm, next time I'll have to specify what it is so I don't just get leftovers." Hinari seemed a little disappointed, but still started eating the meal in front of her.
"Next time, I'll make you do it naked, just you wait." Asami spat out the words and then stomped off down the hall. She didn't look at me once the whole time, and it's probably a good thing too, considering her mood.
"Ooh, that's a good idea. I should get more creative with my forfeit ideas." Hinari smirked as she swallowed what was in her mouth. "So do you understand, Ko-chan? This kind of challenge and battle goes on a lot around here, but there are limits. You can't wager things like life and death or eternal servitude or anything like that. Just in case you were letting your imagination get too wild."
I couldn't say the thought didn't cross my mind, but I suppose it is nice that things couldn't get too out of hand. "It's a little scary, I guess. I'll try to avoid challenges for a while." It was at this point that my stomach made its presence known quite loudly.
"Oh, are you hungry Ko-chan? You can have the rest of this stir fry, I'm not particularly hungry right now." She offered me the plate she had only taken a few bites from, and I took it gratefully. After the meal, I excused myself and went back to my room. Even though it wasn't that late, I felt unnaturally exhausted from everything I had seen today. It was the weekend anyhow, so I had nowhere I had to go, and no obligations to take care of tomorrow.