TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9.
This morning, I ran into Horikita at the elevator on my way to school.
After exchanging a quick hello, we left the lobby and walked together out of the dormitory.
"Have you heard? The day before the cultural festival, the third year students are going to do a rehearsal just like the real thing."
"Yeah, I heard they're inviting first years and second years to participate as well."
This is the information that was posted on the school's bulletin board last night, as if to inform all grades. The source of the information was the student council president, Miyabi Nagumo. This was probably what Nagumo meant last week, when he said that the student council would make a not-so-bad proposal.
The form of participation was for us to choose. It could be an actual food service or just a mock-up. It's just a proposal to make adjustments for the following day's festival altogether.
"The student council has already received participation letters from many classes. I'm sure the classes that have been keeping this under wraps will want to get a third-party evaluation before the festival."
"So you're saying more classes are taking it in a positive light."
"I think the fact that the 3rd year Class A rented the gymnasium and opened their presentation to the public was a big factor."
They announced their performance without concealment, and actually demonstrated it. Additionally, the way they incorporated the improvements that came to light from that process became a well-known fact among the students enrolled in the school. There must have been a certain number of students who wanted to make this festival a success and enjoy it as students, not just as a competition.
"I'm sure the student council's decision to pay for consumable materials and other expenses was also an additional incentive."
Even if you are only going to hold a preliminary festival, it will cost money.
A separate budget from the one provided for the festival would need to be set up, and the source of funds would naturally be in the form of collecting private points from individuals.
It would not be surprising if some classes forgo the event if they had to pay out of their own pocket for the rehearsal, but that was exactly what the student council was for. If the student council covered the expenses, they'd have no reason to refuse. It had already informed them that if they bring in receipts, they would be reimbursed from the student council's budget. Of course, there was no limit, but there was a quota of several tens of thousands of points for each class.
"We're going to join in, aren't we?"
"Of course. The whole school knows it's going to be a maid café. It won't hurt to do it."
"That's true. And with what happened to Ryūen-kun and the others, too."
Horikita gave me a meaningful look, to which I nodded lightly and replied.
"Let's see what they have in store for us."
It was a great opportunity to see how Ryūen would develop the concept.
"You don't think we'll lose?"
"I don't know."
"You look pretty confident."
"I'm not confident. I'm just doing everything I can."
"That's true. Even so, don't you usually feel insecure?"
Apparently, Horikita is concerned that she might lose, even though she is fully prepared.
"Maybe I'm scared about losing."
Defeat doesn't only mean losing class points. But it's just as bad to fail to earn class points. Wanting to avoid stagnating is natural when you're on the momentum of reaching Class A.
"Maybe last year you wouldn't have been so anxious."
"That was just foolhardy. I didn't see anything around me back then."
Now, Horikita was starting to broaden her horizons a little. That's why she couldn't help but think about losing.
"As a class leader, it's not a bad thing to be prepared for both winning and losing patterns. I'm just one of the pawns. I'm just making irresponsible statements."
Well, it's Horikita's shortcoming and strength that she cannot easily dismiss that statement. If it was Sakayanagi or Ryūen, they would've listened and dismissed it; if it was Ichinose, she would've taken it as if it was the only thing that mattered.
Horikita has both of these aspects.
"I know, but... Sometimes."
I patted Horikita on the back with the palm of my hand.
"What are you doing?"
"It's too early to get used to winning."
"I'm not going to..."
She looked a little angry, but she also realized that I hit the nail on the head.
"It was a conceited notion, not the result of anything I've done well myself."
The uninhabited island, unanimous exam, those weren't victories supported solely by straight-up competence.
"You mean…?"
"What?"
"I'm trying not to take everything you say seriously, but you've been very cooperative lately, which is even more annoying. I don't know how to process this in my head."
"Then please don't cooperate with me at all in the future."
I tried to walk quickly away, but she grabbed me by the shoulders.
"That's a no-go."
I tried to break away, but was immediately grabbed and brought back.
"I'd like to stop by the convenience store before going to school, would you like to join me?"
"Convenience store?"
"I'm preparing for the day before the school festival, and I want to make the most of my lunch break today."
"I don't mind joining."
A few minutes in a convenience store wouldn't be a problem. I followed Horikita to the convenience store and stepped inside.
There I ran into Kōenji, who was just about to pay for his items. He had only two things: a bottle of soy milk and a white meat salad. It was a very light meal for lunch, but I wondered if he was going to have it during his morning break. Since Kōenji is rarely seen eating, his private life remains a mystery to us.
"Good morning, Kōenji-kun."
Horikita called out to him, but after paying for his things, Kōenji only smiled lightly and didn't exchange any words.
"I heard that Kōenji is the only one not assigned work for the cultural festival."
"He told me he wouldn't do anything. I'm sure I won't change his mind."
Horikita didn't seem particularly concerned either, and went to the cash register to select a quick meal. She refused the plastic bag offer and tucked it away in her own bag.
"You didn't have anything to buy?"
"They don't have anything I need, and I don't have an abundance of private points."
November warmed my wallet to some extent, but I had plans to cash out soon.
"You're no longer paying contributions to Kushida-san, right?"
"Not really, since I haven't been charged for it."
"Would you really pay if she charged you?"
"Do you think she will charge me?"
Horikita replied to me with distaste, muttering, "No, I don't think so. I don't want her to come back to haunt me."
However distorted, Kushida underwent a profound change. And it's heading in the direction of growth, I have to believe.