ON MONDAY 8 NOVEMBER, we were surprised by Ryūen and his friends' entry into the concept café. We had to deal with various issues, but the tasks to be done alongside our friends, who are determined to fight, remains the same.
In response to the bet proposed by Ryūen, Horikita countered with a one-million-private-point match with the agreement of the classes. The agreement was that the class with more sales from the festival would receive that number of points from the other class.
Don't mess around, fight head-on and win.
The fact that many of my classmates had such a positive attitude would be a big advantage.
After school, when Chabashira-sensei left the classroom, I took out my mobile phone.
"I have some time. Head to the designated place."
Apparently, they are open to meeting now.
Did the preface I gave the other day about the future help?
"Hey, Kiyotaka. Come home with me."
"Sorry, I've got plans later today."
"Oh, really? I see.... Well then, Maya-chan, go home with me!"
After a quick switchover, Kei turned to Satō, who was still in the classroom.
"You're not going with Ayanokōji-kun?"
"Come on, come on, don't say that. See?"
Satō rushed in, but didn't show any disapproval at all, but rather accepted Kei's proposal with a smile. She then invited a few other girls to join her and happily left the classroom.
Among them is Shinohara, who not so long ago had a rough relationship with Kei.
After getting closer to Satō, Kei seemed to have grown even more mature than before.
Anyway, I was grateful she was there to accompany Kei.
I decided to leave the classroom and head to the special wing to meet Kanzaki, who had called me over.
Because this time it couldn't be by phone, chat, or in public.
On the way there, I saw the teacher in charge of 2nd year Class A, Mashima-sensei, and teachers for the other grades, standing around in the corridor talking.
The unusual sight attracted my gaze, but I didn't stop walking.
"Chabashira-sensei has changed recently."
As I passed by, such talk could be heard from teachers' conversations.
"She's become more chirpy, or rather, she seems to be laughing more often."
"Mashima-sensei, you and Chabashira-sensei were schoolmates, weren't you? Well, I'd like to ask you a few questions..."
Apparently the topic of conversation was Chabashira-sensei.
I thought they could stand around and talk in the staff room as much as they wanted, but if the topic is about a particular teacher, much less a teacher of the opposite sex, it might be a no-brainer to go somewhere quiet. It goes without saying that the change in Chabashira-sensei the teachers were talking about had been triggered by the unanimous voting special exam.
No doubt they had the impression that she had come out of her shell, not only as a homeroom teacher but also as a school teacher.
Mashima-sensei then noticed my presence and interrupted the conversation.
I believe this is because they decided that it would be unwise to allow pupils to hear needless remarks.
"Ayanokōji, what are you doing here in the special building?"
This is a natural question, as students rarely pass through this corridor after school for no reason.
"I have a short meeting. There are some things I want to talk about that I don't want to be accidentally overheard."
When I replied, the teachers, with the exception of Mashima-sensei, looked somewhat dismayed and walked away, perhaps deciding to disperse.
I could have walked away immediately, but I also had a bit of time before the rendezvous.
"Mashima-sensei, perfect timing. I would like to ask you a few questions."
The presence of Mashima-sensei, who stayed until the end, must have meant something.
"Me? What do you want to ask me?"
"This is in respect of rules that are not explicitly stated in the festival"
Although he looked slightly skeptical, Mashima-sensei immediately faced me head-on as a teacher.
The school is built on a special set of rules that are very different from those of ordinary high schools.
You're well aware that each student may have a different point of view.
However, this will inevitably lead to some concerns.
"I don't know what you want to ask, but shouldn't you first check with your homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei?"
He didn't hesitate to ask me this to ensure that the underlying assumption is
correct. Indeed, it would normally make sense to ask your homeroom teacher to explain the rules.
"Sometimes, depending on the occasion, it is more expedient not to approach Chabashira-sensei."
"Teachers are supposed to be fair to all pupils. But still, when it comes to other classes in the same grade, it doesn't mean that there won't be any problems at all. I hope you realise that."
He reminded me that some things are better late than never once you've heard them.
"I judge that Mashima-sensei isn't the kind of person who would fail a student."
"If that's what you think, then let's not go any further."
His tone portrayed more of an "ask what you want if you're going to trust me", rather than a "you can trust me" response.
"So what is it that you want to know regarding unstated rules?"
I asked Mashima-sensei, who gave his permission here, for advice on a particular case.
He didn't seem surprised to hear this at all, but rightly so.
Schools also have unstated backroom rules to accommodate various wishes from students.
That's why I don't wonder about the existence of students who think like me.
"Surely you're right. It isn't impossible to exercise it, if necessary."
"I knew it."
This is in no way outlandish.
Cases will emerge where the class is in such a situation, or where it is sought in the event of a major inconvenience.
"However, it begs the question if it is efficient. As you know, if it were between pupils, no problems would arise. No, it would be precisely to have their own discussions so that they don't arise. You know what I mean, don't you?"
"Yes. I thought it was something that didn't need to be specified in the rules and could be done independently."
"Yes. Of course the risks will be different for each, but for whatever reason we will look at that option."
"I suppose it's only natural to be prepared for contingencies."
When I replied, Mashima-sensei nodded his head thoughtfully.
"Whether you exercise it or not - or...? Well, it certainly wouldn't hurt to understand."
Although Mashima-sensei didn't mention it, he may have had a vague idea of the sales strategy based on what I said.
"It was good to get confirmation. Thank you."
"It's no problem."
This's one less thing to check for the festival. It would be an unexpected benefit.
After exiting the conversation, I tried to leave, but was stopped by Mashima-sensei.
"Ayanokōji, you heard a little of what Chabashira-sensei said… What happened at the unanimous special exam?"
"You haven't heard? Not from Chabashira-sensei?"
The results were naturally known to Mashima-sensei, but there seemed to be a lack of understanding about Chabashira-sensei's change of heart.
"With or without the expulsions, she started to look forward and smile. In other words, there was an influential event in that special exam that changed her mind, right?"
As I recall, Mashima-sensei and Chabashira-sensei were originally from the same year when they attended Advanced Nurturing High School.
He was knowledgeable about various aspects of the past and was understandably surprised.
"That wasn't the right thing to ask a pupil. Please forget I asked such a thing."
"I understand. Excuse me."
After briefly nodding to Mashima-sensei, I decided to go to the special building where we were to meet.