[Serialized Novel] "Honeybee Caprice" Episode 24

The only thing I'm happy about now that rehearsals for "The Wizard of Oz" have resumed is that I get to see Shirayuki's roommate, Mei, for the first time in about a month.
Yuri's suspension hasn't been lifted yet, and Shirayuki hasn't returned either. She is finally the only person in this academy I can truly confide in.
"Mei! I missed you!"
"Oh, Miyu."
When I spotted Mei practicing her lines in the courtyard and impulsively hugged her, she was so startled she almost dropped her glasses.
"Hey now, Miyu. You're wearing a star badge now, so you need to be more composed. You never know who might be watching."
Having matured a little during the time we hadn't met, she made me sit next to her on the bench and straightened my uniform and posture.
"Geez, we haven't seen each other in forever, don't say things like that. But why is this badge so 'special'? Even my classmates and teachers have changed their attitudes so much it's actually scary..."
"Huh? You received that badge from Kaoru-sama, the student council president, didn't you? It's a sign that you've been 'recommended as the next student council president.' The president is decided by a vote of all students, but in reality, everyone casts their vote for the person wearing that badge, so it's practically guaranteed that you'll become president from the start. No one would ever complain about a decision made by Kaoru-sama."
"Whaaaat!?"
"You mean you didn't know?"
"...Yeah."
So that was the true meaning of the "special" status Kaoru had mentioned. Does this badge have the same effect as the gold-embroidered school emblem? I felt a sudden, belated sense of dread at the heavy responsibility packed into such a small badge.
"I heard that the person playing Dorothy was called a 'student council candidate,' but... I only just entered this academy in the spring, you know? Before coming here, I was just a regular middle school student at a public school. So why is there suddenly talk of me being recommended for student council president? That's absolutely impossible!"
"Well... only Kaoru-sama knows that. But I would be happy if you became student council president, Miyu."
"Huh? Why!?"
"Because I'm sure you'll change this academy. I'm sure Shirayuki would agree, too."
"...Hey, did you get a letter from Shirayuki, Mei? Has anything unusual happened during summer vacation? I spent the whole summer cooped up in my room, so there's a lot I don't know."
I asked with a faint hope that she might have heard something, but Mei immediately shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything from Shirayuki either... Oh, but speaking of unusual things, I heard that Hinozaki-san withdrew from school during the summer break."
"Clara withdrew? Wait, don't tell me she was taken by the police?"
"The police? I'm in the same class as her, but I heard from the teacher that it was for 'family reasons.'"
Mei seemed completely unaware that Clara had pressed the switch for the stage equipment, causing the shed to fall. While the news of Yasumi's death had spread among the students, it seemed that to everyone who wasn't there, it was perceived as nothing more than an "unfortunate accident."
It is hard to believe that Clara would withdraw voluntarily, but if someone is convinced that another person died because of them, it might be inevitable that they would drive themselves into a corner. I can't say I like her, given her bullying of Shirayuki and her arrogant attitude, but thinking that "it might not have been her fault" makes me feel sorry for her.
Perhaps Clara really had received a letter from Kaoru. And perhaps the "wicked witch" was defeated not because of Clara, but because of Dorothy...
"Miyu, are you okay? You look pale. Don't you think you should sit out today's rehearsal?"
Mei peered at my face with concern as I suddenly fell silent.
"Oh, no, I'm fine."
"I'm glad to hear that. Today, Hinozaki-san, Kawase-san, and a replacement for Yasumi-sensei will be joining us. I hope they're nice people. Honestly, I'm happy the previous ones are gone because I didn't like them. Let's make a great stage with the new people."
With her eyes shining behind her glasses, Mei walked briskly toward the hall. I couldn't bring myself to respond to her cheerful words.
Another girl had vanished from this academy. Having seen someone leave and regained her freedom, the girl began to flutter her wings as lively as a cabbage butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

(To be continued)

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