The following is a story from the time when Masachika served as the
Vice President of the student council during junior high school.
"Now, let's start discussing the gymnasium stage plans."
As Masachika, serving as a member of the school festival organizing
committee, announced the start of the meeting, a tense atmosphere filled
the student council room.
(Oh boy, this is going to be a tough one. Even though it's not my
problem, it's still kinda nerve wrecking.)
While thinking so inwardly, Masachika proceeded with the meeting in
a calm manner as the Chairman.
"Well, um... based on the submitted applications from each club, the
total time requested for the proposed plans currently exceeds the overall
time slot by one hour. Considering there's no room for other stage
performances, I hope we can somehow accommodate and stay within the
allocated time..."
While Masachika was speaking, the representatives of various clubs
gathered in this room had all their gazes focused on one girl. Partly because
she was the reason this meeting was convened.... but more simply, it was
also due to her choice of attire.
(Huh, why is she wearing a cheongsam?)
That thought was likely shared not only by Masachika but also by
everyone present. While other students were dressed in their regular
uniforms, the female student in question was the only one wearing a bright
red cheongsam. Moreover, the slit[1] was incredibly deep. Since she was
sitting on a sofa, it drew even more attention. In addition, the fact that she
was a fairly innocent-looking beauty further played a part. Clearly, some of
the boys couldn't help but sneak glances at her thighs visible through the
slit.
(She's even crossing her legs deliberately.... Is she some kind of
Chinese mafia princess? It would be perfect if there was a tough bodyguard
standing behind her.)
Upon finishing his speech, Masachika turned to the head of the Light
Music Club, who addressed the female student.
"Um, the Handicraft Club, right? As far as I remember, the Handicraft
Club hasn't participated in stage performances in previous years.... So, why
now?"
In the form of a question, which took the shape of criticism, the
female student serving as the head of the Handicraft Club responded with a
smile.
"Well, the idea of trying it out has been floating around in our club for
a while. But somehow, we always felt like we couldn't secure a stage
performance.... However, since we had the chance this time, we decided to
apply."
Upon hearing the words spoken with a smile, the president of the
Light Music Club's face showed a slight expression of embarrassment.
Indeed, in recent years, it had become an implicit understanding that
certain established groups would secure designated time slots for the
gymnasium stage performances during the middle school festival. Among
them, the Drama Club and the Light Music Club were the ones taking a
significant amount of time, using the justification of "it has always been that
way." Objectively speaking, what should have been stage performances
open to anyone had become a situation where a few groups effectively
monopolized them, using tradition as basis for such justifications.
Nevertheless, no one had openly complained about it until now....
until the Handicraft Club boldly brought their about plan. Furthermore, their
proposal was for a significantly long time slot of one hour.
"However, this 'SEIREI Collection' is..."
Upon looking at the copy of the project proposal and confirming its
contents, the president of the Light Music Club frowned. In response, the
president of the Handicrafts Club stood up with a smile on her face.
"Isn't it great? Our club members will walk the runway wearing the
costumes we made!"
She extended her arms grandly, just like a stage actress, and
enthusiastically explained her vision. The cheongsam she wore, on full
display, caught everyone's attention. Especially the slit.
(I see, that's why.)
This attire served as an easy-to-imagine example for the concept. As
the male students in the room looked at her, they likely imagined the sight
of beautiful female students wearing provocative costumes that stimulate
their fetishes, strutting confidently on the runway. It seemed even the Light
Music Club president was not an exception, as he cleared his throat with a
slightly awkward expression before making a composed remark.
"No, there's no way we could have a runway. Do you have any idea
how much time it takes to set up and dismantle it? We have a modular
stage that can be assembled, but adjusting its height takes time and it can
be dangerous, you know?"
The Light Music Club president expressed a reasonable opinion
based on his experience. However, the Handicraft Club president didn't
back down.
"Then we can set it up the day before and dismantle it after the
school festival ends. We can just leave the runway in place the whole time,
right?"
"What? N-No, no way! That would be such a hassle! It will definitely
be in the way! Plus, it will reduce the seating space! Right?"
The Light Music Club president casted his gaze at members of other
clubs. In response, the Drama Club president, who held as much influence
as the Light Music Club in this setting, spoke up.
"I think it's a good idea."
"Eh....?"
The Light Music Club president was taken aback by this unexpected
betrayal. However, Masachika understood.
(Oh, the Drama Club often relies on the Handicraft Club for costumerelated affairs...)
Apparently, the groundwork had been laid in advance.
(This cheongsam wearing president is stronger than I thought.)
As Masachika admired the Handicraft Club president's skill and
expressed his genuine admiration inwardly, the Light Music Club president,
in a state of confusion, raised a question to the Drama Club president.
"A-Are you serious?"
"It's interesting, don't you think? The Light Music Club could also use
it for performances, right? Professional musicians sometimes have vocalists
or guitarists walk the runway to interact with the audience, you know."
"Well, um, that's.... certainly true, but..."
"The Dance Club and Juggling Club could also come up with new
performances if there's a runway, couldn't they?"
Upon hearing the Drama Club president's words, the members of
other clubs start to contemplate with serious expressions. Masachika, too,
initially thought the plan was absurd but now it seemed like it might actually
work. He sincerely admired the skills of the president of the Handicrafts
Club and offered his modest support as a member of the organizing
committee.
"By the way, regarding the runway, if we borrow a modular stage
from the high school, it is technically possible to make it happen."
"But how do we transport it from the high school? It's really heavy,
you know?"
"We can ask the custodian to bring out a light truck. That won't be a
problem."
"Hmm... Well, even before that, you see, the time allocated for the
Handicrafts Club's performance──"
"The Drama Club will give up twenty minutes, allowing the Handicraft
Club to have the time slot."
"What...?"
The Light Music Club president was dumbfounded by the Drama
Club president's second act of betrayal. Then, the Handicraft Club president
replied with a smile.
"Thank you very much. In that case, I will also concede twenty
minutes. The Handicraft Club can work with forty minutes, so I would like to
ask someone else to kindly give up their remaining twenty minutes..."
The gaze of everyone in the room collectively turned on the Light
Music Club president, who had secured the longest time slot. And then──
◇
"No, that was amazing. Your negotiation skills were incredible,"
Masachika directed pure admiration towards the Handicraft Club president,
who stayed behind to discuss specific details about the runway after the
meeting. After all, the Handicraft Club president had successfully secured a
forty-minute time slot for their club through a skillful negotiation that hinted
at even convening a student council meeting if necessary.
"No, it was actually thanks to you, Vice President. Your support
helped a lot"
"Well.... it wasn't a big deal. Your negotiations were truly impressive.
You presented clear benefits to each club while ensuring that you secured
the most advantages..."
"Um, yeah... I guess so."
Slightly embarrassed, the Handicraft Club President scratched their
cheek and stood up. She took off their shoes and propped one leg on the
sofa. With their hand on their hip, they spoke while unabashedly exposing
her white beautiful leg through the slit.
"After all, the bigger the slit, the greater the benefits!"
Masachika was struck by the truth of those words. Before he knew it,
he couldn't stop his tears of admiration. Well, that would be a lie, but he was
genuinely moved to that extent. And trembling with emotion, his lips
involuntarily uttered a certain title.
"S-Slit-Paisen....!"