CH#325
ďź325
The reactions of the students, filled with astonishment, confusion, and a hint of anger, as they raised their voices, stood up, and approached, need not be described.
However, not a single student on their side dared to step over to our side of the desks.
The first to intervene and stop their words and actions was Koizumi.
âIâll explain for those who havenât stepped forward as an executive committee member. This activity started with Shinra-kun alone gathering people. Iâd appreciate it if you refrain from voicing changes based on personal feelings.â
He said with a cold stare and tone that one wouldnât expect from his serious and gentle demeanour, causing several students to fall silent. Itâs surprisingly intimidating when kind people occasionally show a strong attitude.
Even the nonchalant athletes seemed affected.
Next to speak up were Miura and Shiraishi.
Their words were more straightforward than emotional.
âYou donât have the authority to appoint or change the executive committee leader. Even elementary school students would understand that if they think about it properly.â
âMoreover, the seniors who should be setting an example for their teammates as club leaders causing disruption to school events based on the evaluations of those around them or their personal impressions is the real problem here. Whether the Student Council made the right choice is an issue that cannot be ignored.â
Miura, who voiced the criticism I wanted to express, and Shiraishi, who couldnât engage in a back-and-forth conversation over the phone, demonstrated remarkable adaptability in observing the flow of conversation in person. Itâs characteristic of Shiraishi to emphasize and exert pressure by mentioning the Student Council. I admire that.
As for Hino-kun, I had expected him to remain silent, but he also clearly expressed his rejection. The reason was his self-centered words that slipped out of his mouth.
âHe has red hair and a striking character, butâŚâ
âSo, you were thinking about thatâŚâ
The barely audible murmur would only reach those nearby. Therefore, no one could blame Koizumi or Miura, who were visibly shaken. Even if someone could, I couldnât.
Indeed, Maeda has red hair, heâs a male student, and heâs also physically fit, likely because of being in the sports club. Apart from having many friends, he fits the bill perfectly.
However, what surprised me was that Nakayama also reached the same conclusion.
She belongs to the other side, if asked to choose between the two.
The three castes existing in the school: the sports clubs, committees, and social circles. Nakayama is a student in the upper echelon of the social circle caste based on friendship relations.
The conditions I offered for joining the executive committee also included sweet words about spending time with Yuuto. I assumed she wouldnât deny or confirm, but she caught my gaze and casually waved her hand.
âI mean, we donât have enough time to start from scratch now, you know? Weâve just barely got a clear outlook, so itâs not joke.â
ââŚMore importantly,â
Maintaining an attitude of not probing into the other partyâs feelings is because she belongs to a different caste from them.
While Maeda and Iida may have wide circles of friends, thereâs still a bias. The community among those who do sports.
On the other hand, Nakayama belongs to the entire school community. There was never a need to hesitate from the beginning.
Many male students find it difficult to show a strong stance to female students. However, considering that there are also many female students on the other side.
The moment they incurred resentment, but before speaking, they would fall silent.
âMaeda and Iida seem to have misunderstood, but Iâm just helping out because Minato said heâs going to be the executive committee leader. I donât intend to cooperate if youâre going to take over and execute it.â
She said with a smile. A smile, even to the point of being thorough, can sometimes instill fear in the opponent. Behind that expression, there might be a sense that she incurred great anger.
If the opponent is a prince charming whom many female students admire, there were even students who turned pale and began to explain.
Yuuto is not the prince charming that female students idealize.
Heâs a high school boy around the same age.
If they misunderstand him as someone who bets everything on selfless service, then itâs no wonder they say love is blind.
I donât know the ratio of those who support Shizuku and Kirasaka among the male students, but Kirasaka, who sees the whole picture, dismissed it like this.
âThis is a gathering by Shinra Minato to send off the seniors, and those who are in a flirtatious mood like at a mixer are not welcome.â
She calmly and dispassionately stated the fact, and many male students shrunk back and fell silent under her icy, prickly gaze and atmosphere, which she hadnât directed intentionally for quite some time.
The Ice Queenâshe used to be called that by many students.
Certainly, her demeanour has softened, and her smile has increased. However, thereâs no doubt that the blade within her hasnât dulled.
The last one to maintain his opposing stance until the end was Maeda.
He stood up, slammed his hand on the table, looked at all of us, and finally stopped at Shizuku.
âSomeone who doesnât even have friends, let alone seniors theyâve been indebted to, being the executive committee leader? Shizuku-chan might be helping out because sheâs childhood friends with someone, but nobodyâs going to celebrate or be happy for this guyââ
âMaeda-san?â
Maedaâs words were cut off by Shizukuâs soft voice.
The students sitting behind him closed their mouths, seeming to realize something.
However, Maeda, who was getting heated up in his soliloquy, didnât notice it in that instant.
He crushed the possibility of becoming close to them again during his remaining year of school with his slip of the tongue.
Shizuku remained unchanged, as always.
With her calm and elegant demeanour, and her voice like a bell that captured the hearts of many male students.
She showed merciless rejection.
âI find you very unpleasant.â
âHuhâŚ?â
âBeing called by name by someone Iâm not close to, the lingering gaze, and the imposition of values⌠everything is unpleasant. Please leave.â
The words that came out of Shizukuâs mouth were far from what I had expected. Maeda seemed like he wanted to say something, but his expression seemed to say otherwise.
However, there was not a hint of joke on her face.
It was genuinely, truly her words.
Understanding the situation, I called out to Maeda, who seemed unaware even now, almost as if hitting him with my words.
âAs Maeda said, I donât have senior friends, and few students even know me. But, there are people Iâve been indebted to. It wouldnât sit right with me if those people left for their new lives without any thought for their juniors when they graduate from high school. Thatâs all.â
In the stagnant time, Shizuku was the first to try to move time forward somehow.
The encounter with Kirasaka, who filled the missing cogwheel of coincidence as she sat next to me.
And Hiiragi Akane, who brought change to my unchanging daily life after that encounter.
Standing dignified at the school gate, welcoming the students, although at the time I thought it was a symbol of disaster, looking back, it was a turning point in life.
A busy and responsibility-laden organization for what seems like just a student activity.
The sense of being out of place was beyond words.
But, it was not a bad time. At home, at school, in those days where I felt like I had no place. The one who provided a definite place for me, even if by chance, was that senior.
Only one senior, but a senior to be sent off.
So, whether I want to do something to be pleased or not, I will create a farewell party that will satisfy her.
In that process, I denied the repeated simple task of the formula, because there is a condition that will satisfy her and satisfy many students.
âEven if Maeda and others had prepared, assuming there was more time, it would probably end up being something that is less appreciated than what we can provide.â
âThatâs why! Why do you always act so high and mightyâŚ?â
Eyes containing various emotions glared at me with the strongest intensity of the day. Thereâs no basis for it, but I have confidence in stating it.
The condition to please Hiiragi Akane is to make the farewell party one that many students will enjoy.
Their farewell party is a celebration that we can enjoy as well as honour the seniors weâve been indebted to.
Thatâs why there are about three essential members in the group.
Sharing the same time, sharing the same struggles, and ultimately relying on them.
Thatâs why I canât agree.
We donât need to enjoy the process.
Feeling satisfaction and joy can wait until everything is over.
An organization that requires the greatest satisfaction and happiness from the process has already lost sight of its purpose.
âThe executive committee that includes Shizuku, Kirasaka, and Yuuto.â
The word spread, and people gathered for the executive committee. Itâs like theyâre the main attraction.
The events they plan end up being exclusive affairs. Theyâre full of energy and cheer, typical of sports clubs, and many students find them incompatible.
Their eyes donât see the quiet students who quietly go about their school life. They affirm that itâs right to spend time cheerfully and loudly in bright places.
Thereâs no right or wrong way to spend school life. But itâs the top-ranking students who dismiss spending time quietly as gloomy and boring.
âIf you want to have a fun farewell party with your friends, do it at the after-party. Then thereâs no way I, who you hate, would participate.â
Thatâs the end of the discussion.
With that meaning, I stood up, opened the door at the front of the room, and stood next to it.
The students sitting opposite me realized what my actions meant, and it didnât take them long to realize that they were being asked to leave.
With spiteful expressions, sighs, and a few casual foot taps, I graciously accepted their warm farewell greetings and continued to stand in front of the door until the last student left.
Finally, looking into Maedaâs eyes as he left, itâs safe to say that their groupâs likability further decreased.
Whether it would escalate into childish bullying or not, letâs leave it to their mental age. Indirectly, this issue may have been caused by the impression Iâve created among those around me.
So, I took on the task of fixing the desks in the classroom, organizing the documents, locking up, and cleaning up, while allowing other students to do as they please outside the classroom.
Most of the student council members are probably back in the student council room, continuing their work.
Shizuku, Kirasaka, and Yuuto might be waiting outside the classroom.
Meanwhile, only Nakayama remained in the classroom, helping me clean up my PC and the rest of the mess.
There arenât many words exchanged, but the atmosphere isnât particularly tense either.
In that silence, Nakayama asked a question that seemed to have been bothering her since our previous conversation.
âWhy did you say it like that in the end? You could have found a better way to phrase it and avoid ending on a sour note, couldnât you?â
ââŚâ
Her body and eyes turned towards me, and our gaze met without wavering.
Why did I phrase it like that�
It felt like that was the usual way I spoke, but it certainly ended up leaving words that would sow discord.
The answer is already within me.
âBecause today, almost everyone who came to this sewing room⌠well, except for Machida, was wrong.â
To call it a mistake⌠thereâs no definitive right answer to this issue.
Thatâs why people end up making mistakes.
They canât recognize whatâs right, and they canât admit it.
As Nakayama looked at me with interest, I sighed and looked up at the ceiling, almost as if it were a habit.