Chapter 170: Don't Be So Quick to Refuse (Long Chapter)
The seats to the left, right, and back were quickly filled, leaving only a few key positions at the very head of the table. Akishin and Shizuka sat in separate spots just outside the main circle.
Initially, everyone was a bit stiff, as this was the first time most of them had attended a School Anniversary Executive meeting. However, curiosity and nerves soon took over, and they began whispering to the people next to them.
Amidst the low hum of chatter, the meeting room doors opened once more. A group of students carrying large stacks of documents, clearly from the same organization, filed in.
The group gathered at the front of the room, first acknowledging Akishin and Shizuka. "Chishima-sensei, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Akishin took the documents from them, carefully reading the 'Table of Contents' on the first page. He handed them back and gave a warm smile. "Start the meeting. We're just here to supervise for a bit. Don't be too tense; just relax and do things your way..."
He tried his best to look welcoming, projecting a sense of charm and friendliness. Yet these students were far too tense in his presence; the hand that had held out the documents was practically trembling. He had completely suppressed his pressure and was trying to look like a kind older brother figure. Was it really necessary to be that afraid of him?
"Yes! Thank you, Sensei. In that case, we'll start distributing the documents..."
Hearing those words, several students let out sighs of relief. They nodded happily and looked toward a female student who gave off a warm vibe.
The girl nodded back.
Two students, who looked like first-years, received their instructions and began handing out documents to everyone in the room. The girl made sure everyone had a copy before standing up to announce:
"Alright, the School Anniversary Executive Committee meeting is now in session."
She had long black hair that reached her shoulders, and her bangs were clipped back with a cute pink hairpin. Her smooth, beautiful forehead was flawless. Her uniform was worn perfectly, fully complying with school regulations. The collar pins on her blazer and the colorful hair tie around her wrist added to her overall 'cuteness' factor.
Shiromeguri Meguri squinted her eyes gently, looking around at everyone with a soft smile. She announced the start of the meeting in a gentle voice, and everyone instinctively straightened their posture.
"I am the Student Council President, Shiromeguri Meguri. You've likely all seen me around. I'm very happy to have your help so that the School Anniversary can be a success! Um... so, let's all work hard together! Oh~!"
Shiromeguri Meguri greeted everyone, raising her hand in an 'Oh~' cheer. She was bursting with positive energy. The Student Council members immediately followed up with applause, and after a moment of stunned silence, the rest of the meeting participants joined in.
She nodded gently in satisfaction. "Thank you all so much. Now then, we will immediately decide on the candidate for the position of Chairperson~"
Hearing this, everyone began to whisper. Their surprise was justified, as everyone had assumed the Chairperson position would naturally be held by the Student Council President.
Hachiman stared at Shiromeguri Meguri, twirling a pen in his hand before looking down at his documents. He had met Shiromeguri Meguri before; during the Gyokuryu-ki, she had brought some people to the venue to document and watch the matches—including a junior who was trying far too hard to be 'cute.'
He had been interviewed by her back then. That senpai, who looked like she had been raised entirely on sweets, had left a deep impression. He could tell that her persona wasn't an act. She really was just that kind of person—energetic on the outside, energetic on the inside, possessing a unique kind of personal charisma.
Unless her acting skills were so legendary that even he couldn't see through them, but...
That seemed impossible.
The thing Hachiman was most proud of wasn't his Kendo skills, but the "outsider sees clearer than those involved" observation skill he had honed during his years of solitude.
She was the Student Council President. She should have a serious, authoritative image, barking out orders. She should be the type of person who looked difficult to approach at first glance!
How could she be this cheerful?!
Hachiman failed to notice that while he was staring at Shiromeguri Meguri, the two girls beside him were giving him very unfriendly looks.
Shiromeguri Meguri saw the reaction in the room and gave a slightly bitter smile. "I think many of you probably understand. Based on the tradition of previous years, the Chairperson of the School Anniversary Executive Committee is always a second-year student, whereas I am already a third-year..."
That was the reality. After moving to the third year, Sobu High students began focusing on university entrance exams—honestly, even second-years were starting to think about it—and since it was already autumn, there really wasn't any spare time to get bogged down in these affairs.
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"In that case, are there any volunteers?" Meguri-senpai asked gently, clasping her hands.
Silence.
Not a single hand went up.
"It's always like this, isn't it~"
This reaction didn't surprise Shizuka at all.
It wasn't that the students lacked interest in the School Anniversary. In fact, many were happily preparing to put on a good show. However, they preferred to exert their efforts and show off in different areas—specifically, everyone wanted to contribute to their own class or club, not for the whole school. It felt like thankless labor.
They wanted to work with their best friends or spend the emotional time of the School Anniversary with a secret crush.
This was human nature. It was understood, but not approved of. The problem now was how to get the various parties gathered here to actually use their skills!
That required a leader. And this leader likely wouldn't be able to help their own class much, would have to sacrifice themselves for the School Anniversary, and most importantly, would be the one to bear the brunt of the blame 'if the School Anniversary didn't go well.'
Being a leader isn't that easy. Along with rights and status comes an equivalent amount of risk.
The majority of students here didn't have the guts. They lacked confidence and couldn't handle the consequences of a potential failure.
"Are there really no volunteers?"
Meguri-senpai asked again, her tone suggesting she was at a loss.
Silence.
The meeting room remained draped in quiet.
Hachiman twirled his pen and couldn't help but look toward Akishin, only to find that Akishin was already looking at him.
That wide, beaming smile made Hachiman shudder. Akishin basically always wore that expression when he was planning to beat him up.
No way. Does Sensei want me to be the Executive Committee Chairperson?!
"Ahem! Ahem!"
At that moment, Shizuka, who finally couldn't stand the situation anymore, stood up and cleared her throat gallantly. She commanded everyone's attention and spoke in a loud, slightly irritated voice:
"Hey, what's with this? Can't you show a little spirit? Why are you all so lifeless! You have to realize the School Anniversary is your own event. Can't you be a little more enthusiastic..."
She looked around. Not many people dared to make eye contact. Finally, with a smile, she looked deeply at Hachiman. After giving Hachiman one last chill down his spine, her gaze landed on Yukinoshita Yukino, and she asked directly: "Yukinoshita, how about you become the Executive Committee Chairperson?"
"Sensei, I..."
"Don't be so quick to refuse." Shizuka wore an expression that said she already had the answer. "Yukino, do you want to surpass Haruno? She also served as Chairperson three years ago. That year's School Anniversary was a massive success..."
"Hiratsuka-sensei." Yukino let out a short sigh and stood up, cutting Shizuka off. She lifted her head to look at her seriously and said in a calm, steady voice: "I'm not refusing. I am willing to be the Executive Committee Chairperson. You also don't need to use my sister to provoke me. I'm taking the position not because I want to surpass her, but because I simply want to do the job well..."
Yukino's expression was full of confidence—so much so that there wasn't a trace of fear. It was so confident that even Shizuka was momentarily taken aback. She nodded, somewhat stunned, and gave her affirmation.
Shiromeguri Meguri finally noticed Yukino's presence—mostly because she had been blocked by an 'expert' sitting in front of her. She clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Ah! It's Yukinoshita-san! We met at the Gyokuryu-ki venue. Haruno-senpai often praises you in front of me..."
Once the candidate was set, Shiromeguri Meguri cried "Wonderful!" happily. She snatched a pen from the meeting recorder's hand and wrote on the whiteboard: [Chairperson: Yukinoshita Yukino.]
She acted as if she were afraid Yukino might try to run away.
She then tossed the pen back to the recorder and turned to face everyone, her skirt fluttering as she did. She announced in a soft voice, "Right! Next, we'll divide the various tasks. I've written brief explanations in the documents provided. Please use them as a reference. We'll start assigning the workgroups in five minutes..."
After Yukino officially took over as Chairperson, she immediately gathered her things and walked to the head of the table. She then directly appointed Hachiman and Yui as her Vice Chairpersons to assist her. She didn't care about anyone else's opinion. Did it even matter?
If it weren't for Shizuka's recommendation, she would have stayed quiet in the back. But since she had stepped up, she was going to see the job through properly.
As for Hachiman and Yui—firstly, they were close to her. Secondly, she had to admit Hachiman was quite capable—not in Kendo, but in his way of thinking. That wasn't something Akishin had taught him; she had seen it for herself. As for Yuigahama Yui... she was mostly there to make up the numbers.
In truth, everyone else thought it was natural. In fact, many had initially felt Hachiman was suited for the Chairperson role himself. Currently, at Sobu High, no one was more popular than Hachiman; he was at the peak of his status.
They just hadn't dared to suggest it.
What if Hachiman didn't want to do it? That would mean offending him!
They didn't dare offend Hachiman, and they were even more wary of Akishin, who stood behind him.
Hachiman walked behind Yukino, with Yui beside him, who was wearing a nervous, awkward smile. She wasn't used to being the center of attention.
Hachiman and Yui sat on either side of Yukino, looking through the meeting documents they had received: Media Publicity, Personnel Coordination, Logistics Management, Health and Hygiene, Accounting Audit, Administrative Records...
What is this?! Why is it so complicated?!
The long list of terms made Hachiman's eyelids twitch. On the other side, Yui's eyes were literally spinning in circles.
Hachiman gave Yukino a resentful look. Komachi was a Student Council officer in middle school, but he was pretty sure they didn't make things this ridiculous!
Yukino seemed to know Hachiman would look her way. She kept her eyes on her documents without blinking and said confidently, "These things aren't actually that difficult. We can solve them by looking at past records for comparison. I've dealt with things far harder than this. I believe in you. Remember, you are Chishima-sensei's student..."
Despite her serious tone, Hachiman saw the corner of her lip curl up slightly in a hidden way—like a child trying hard to hide their triumph after a successful prank.
She's actually using Sensei's name to force my hand!!
Hachiman opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. Yukino then leaned toward Yui and began discussing things with her. "Yuigahama-san, you'll be in charge of Health and Hygiene. It's the most relaxed role. Aside from coordinating food-related applications, you basically just have to sit there. The main responsibility lies with the school nurse, but you'll need to prepare a few things..."
"..."
"It's nice, isn't it? Seeing those three leading the way gives me a lot of hope for this year's School Anniversary." Shizuka watched Hachiman's group with a smile, her eyes full of peace. "Yukino's ability isn't weaker than Haruno's at all. In some areas, she even surpasses her sister. It's just that she lacks Haruno's experience and hasn't really dealt with society yet. She's a bit stubborn when facing people and problems, lacking flexibility. But she seems to have changed a lot now..."
She was talking to herself, expressing her feelings while speaking to Akishin.
Akishin stole a glance, nodded, and added, "She has changed a lot, but in reality, she's still not independent enough. She's still trapped in that little place called the Service Club. This afternoon, I plan to have her and Hachiman talk everything out clearly."
"..."
Shizuka fell silent for a moment, watching Yukino interact with Yui, then asked in a low voice, "Is it about that car accident?"
"Yes. I've already discussed it with Yukino's father."
"That wasn't Yukino's fault..."
"I know." Akishin cut her off. "Shizuka, you've said that more than once. I understand. No one is at fault in this situation. Yuigahama's dog suddenly ran into the road, Hikigaya saved the dog and got hit by the car Yukinoshita was in... It was just an accident. That's exactly why it has to be spoken of clearly."
"But they're working together right now..."
"Precisely because they're working together, it must be explained more openly. While I believe they won't leave each other even after the truth comes out, I can't guarantee it. The human heart is a complex thing. If their relationship becomes strained and they stop going to that little club, at least while they're working here together, they'll still have contact. It gives them a better chance to melt the conflict..."
"Actually, Hachiman already knows..."
"All three of them know. They just don't want to expose it. They're all protecting that 'fake' relationship. But they don't realize that the 'falseness' suppressed in their hearts will only grow larger."
"You're quite the literary melancholic yourself. Why haven't I ever heard you say these things to me?"
"Shizuka-chan, you're too mature. With you, I can only use tenderness to slowly melt you down..."
"Everyone has finished reading, right?"
Shiromeguri Meguri's voice rang out—incredibly clear and soft, as if your ears might melt. It was like an electronic tone that was easy to get addicted to, easily embedding itself into a corner of one's consciousness.
She didn't need to raise her voice or shout. People naturally followed her instructions, turning their faces toward her.
This didn't rely on any technique; it was based purely on her personality. She wasn't suited to be Student Council President, yet based on her unique charisma, she had performed the role exceptionally well.
"You should all have a decision in your hearts by now. Well then, Yukinoshita-san, I'll leave the leadership to you. Do your best! Oh~!"
She raised her small fist again and puffed out her lips with an 'Oh~,' looking very satisfied that Yukino had accepted the Chairperson role.
Yukino nodded. With a slightly serious expression, she stood up and said, "From here on, the Chairperson takes over. We will now determine the positions. Each of you state the role you want based on your strengths, clubs, and classes. Discuss and allocate them..."
Amidst the attentive atmosphere, Yukino spoke fluently. Her serious, clear voice made it hard to question her. People unconsciously accepted her as a leader, momentarily forgetting that she too was still just a student.
Soon, the division of roles was complete without any fuss. Everyone began working in an orderly fashion, with some leaving the meeting room to conduct actual field inspections.
Hachiman suddenly received a text from Akishin. After reading it, he looked up to see that Akishin and Shizuka had already left together...
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