While I have yet to start rewriting stuff in this capter, I'd like to say two things that I will definitely add to future chapters. That would be Haruno and Orimoto.
I skipped most of Haruno scenes because I'm not confident I can write her without bad bias, which may lead to bashing. However, by skipping most of her appearance I'm also sacrificing a bunch of potentials in the story. If possible, I will make more of her appearance, but no promises.
For Orimoto, her appearance didn't really matter much until somewhere in chapter 20+ making the whole issue feel dragged on, so I decided to put a limelight much earlier in the rewrite. This one, unlike the above, is very much guaranteed.
Aside from that, from the school festival arc the whole story will be completely rewritten, so updates won't be as fast. But if nothing else, there won't be stupid racing arc that a lot of people completely dislike.
Have fun and enjoy the story!
Though the road was filled again by cars, roughly three hours after the storm subsidize, the sight of a single motorized bicycle was an oddity that stood out. Carefully riding one meter from the roadside, it seems that the rider was completely fearless.
The road was unsurprisingly littered with dangerous trash and other objects, courtesy of the storm. And yet the rider wasn't disturbed or intimidated in the slightest.
That rider was Hikigaya Hachiman.
"The road was blocked, a fallen tree or something?" He muttered and switched his direction.
Yukino said to meet in a family restaurant near Kaihin-Makuhari station, Hachiman knew at least that it's near to her apartment which means she could go on foot.
Still, he decided to come half an hour before the promised time.
As one of the main central economic area outside Chiba Station, shopkeepers in Utase didn't spare even a single second to reopen their shop and clean the road in front of their stores almost immediately.
He decided to get in the restaurant.
Ten minutes later, his eyes meet that of Yukino, who seems to came here early as well and surprised that he was ahead of her. "Ah, Vice Chairman, have you waited for long?"
"Not really, I just feel a little stuffy at home and decided to go ahead of a scheduled meeting."
"I see. I'm sorry I called you even though I told you there won't be any committee meeting this very morning." Yukino bowed slightly, "My apologies."
"No worries, this is just informal meeting after all." Hachiman said, "Besides I didn't eat enough at home. Did you have lunch yet?"
"I haven't, I'd like to order something as well if you don't mind."
"No, it's alright, I actually really like Saizeriya." Hachiman said, "The food is cheap and plentiful. The quality isn't all that bad and you get more than what you pay for."
"I see." Yukino looked confused, of course, she was quite rich so Saize food might taste a little too strong and classless for her. "I only go here occasionally with members of Student Council or Yuigahama-san. The pasta is palatable at least, and I like the pudding served here. What do you recommend?"
"Depends, are you the type that prefers light or heavy meal."
"Something average would be fine."
What the hell is that answer?
"There are some classy lightweight appetizers such as prosciutto and salami, not quite my cup of tea. On the opposite side, you have medium sized pizza, Doria, and even rice. There's also various type of bread and cakes. However, the largest selection would come in form of pasta and hamburg steak."
"The other food sounds too greasy, though " Yukino thoughtfully looked at the menu, "I wonder how the steak taste like?"
"Mediocre, but I can safely say it doesn't taste bad or anything," Hachiman assured her, then he offered Yukino another menu to read. "Since it's still lunchtime, they also offer slightly cheaper lunch set. You may choose one Hamburg steak, spaghetti or Doria set with free salad and soup."
"Oh, and Hamburg steak comes with a free medium serving of rice, reducing or increasing the rice serving subtract or add 30 yen."
"Hmm, I'll take this Hamburg Steak lunch set with small rice then." Yukino nodded and smile, "And the lunch drink bar."
Hachiman still can't get himself accustomed talking with Yukino in a formal and semi-formal conversation like this. It keeps nagging him, but he endures.
They both ordered their own food, which arrived in roughly four minutes. There aren't many patrons yet since it's still raining outside.
Hachiman ended having himself a hefty set of Hamburg steak set with sunny-side egg, sausage, bacon, steamed potato, and corn. 599 yen with tax.
Yukino ordered the much less calorie-intense 470 yen lunch set which served her with mushroom demi-glace sauce on hamburg steak, plain salad, soup, and a small serving of plain rice.
Not to mention, Hachiman got himself an order for drink bar, which provides unlimited refills for 170 yen extra on top of the food order, and in Hachiman's language means unlimited cups of caffeine and sugar.
Yukino was fairly content with a calorie-free cups of tea as her choice of drinks in the bar. If actual Italians ever visit Saizeriya, surely they would be weirded out looking at her now.*
Hachiman wasn't as obsessive enough as his sister to accurately measure energy intakes in a lunch outing. But if that's the only thing Yukino will eat for lunch, no wonder she looked so thin.
They ended up enjoying their lunch quietly without any word said until they finished. Truthfully, Hachiman really enjoyed it.
"You said we're going to met the former president?" Hachiman asked at last when Yukino was done with her soup.
"Yes. You haven't met her I assume?" Yukino nodded, "She said she wanted to consult something about the festival, and if one considers the timing, it might be something important."
"I see."
"She seems excited about it so I couldn't help but agree with her to talk about this matter." Yukino said regretfully, "I hope my selfishness didn't bother you."
"No, she's your predecessor after all."
"Yahallo!" The bubbly former president Shiromeguri waved happily as she came in dressed like someone out of Renaissance England, which made Hachiman and Yukino coughed.
"Good afternoon, Shiromeguri-senpai." Yukino winced, "What's with the weird dress?"
"Ah, it's just a costume we're going to use for our old European tavern-styled cafe." Meguri said, "Did I look bad in it?"
"No, it suits you well," Yukino said, as weird as it may sounds, "What's that costume called again?"
"Barmaid," Hachiman said, taking a sip of his coffee as he answered in accented English. "Also known as tavern wench."
"I see. By the way, I'm pretty sure this is the first time you two meet, this is Hikigaya Hachiman, he transferred to Soubu this semester, and he was chosen as Vice Chairman of the Cultural Festival Committee."
"This is the former Student Council President, Shiromeguri Meguri-senpai."
"Domo." They politely greeted each other, and then, Hachiman almost instinctively changed his seat, and sit beside Yukino to make a room for Meguri to sit, facing them both. "Excuse me."
If it was the old Yukino, she would rudely tease him for doing so. Instead, Yukino treated it like the most natural thing possible.
Which makes sense, since they sit side by side in the committee as well, and they're facing Meguri as committee representation. But it still bothered him a lot.
"Sorry for calling you on such short time after suffering a storm, among other things." Meguri smiled cutely, "I hope I didn't interrupt you two?"
Yukino and Hachiman looked at each other, confused.
"No, we're here just to meet you, Shiromeguri-senpai," Yukino answered.
"I see. Anyway, I'm here for two things, the first is I'm going to replace Takizawa-san in the committee, so starting tomorrow, we can work together."
"I see. Is there any problem?"
"She's pretty important for our class fair you see, and third years don't have much time to prepare to begin with. So I decided to join the committee in her stead, I hope this won't cause much trouble."
"One or two committee member exchange should be fine, I think," Hachiman said.
"That's right. If anything, I'm glad we have a chance to work together, Senpai."
Yukino looks absolutely happy, which Hachiman noticed all too well. Far as Hachiman concerned, the old Yukino didn't have much, if any, interaction with Meguri either. If she did, Hachiman would've noticed or at least heard about it.
Instead, this Yukino seems to have closer, perhaps even personal, ties with Meguri. Yet another checklist entry that makes quite a difference.
"Secondly, it was more a personal request but..."
"Ah, Yukino-chan~!"
Hachiman and Yukino both almost jumped out of their seat, scared shitless, the moment they heard that voice. Neither of them expects nor mentally ready to face her at all.
There, standing a bit over 165 cm, a young woman about nineteen years old waved in their direction as she approached their tables.
Her jet black hair was medium length, almost identical in style to Hachi's, with its wavy tip slightly dyed with a purple hue. Her face wear just the right amount of makeup to make them shine and refreshing but without being unnatural.
It was none other than Yukinoshita Haruno, Yukino's older sister by about three years difference.
One couldn't simply see such beautiful woman anywhere, which made Hachiman all he more terrified.
And annoyed, as he let out an audible, "Tch."
Yukino was too bothered to notice his reaction, nevertheless, she gripped her skirt tight and prepared herself. To face her.
"Hmm? What's with the tense face, Yukino-chan?" Haruno asked, feigned ignorance as she sat down, "Did Meguri-chan not tell you I will be here?"
"I never heard anything about this," Yukino replied calmly.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I thought it would be nice to surprise you." Meguri clapped her hands apologetically, "I'm sorry if I was being rude."
Hachiman could only scream inwardly. Just how fucking clueless was this former president to do something like this?
"Yukino-chan wouldn't say anything at all to me, after that dangerously long storm, of course, I will be worried," Haruno told them, "So please don't blame Meguri-chan because I'm asking her this as a favor."
"I see, then you don't have to worry." Yukino took a sip of her tea, it was very clear that she was putting a strong face despite her anxiety. "Things are going just fine."
"I see, enough that you didn't even tell us that your apartment is leaking huh." Haruno sharpened her eyes, her voice laced with vicious sarcasm.
"Eh?! Something like that happened?" Meguri closed her mouth in shock.
"Like I said, everything is fine. It's going to get fixed soon enough." Yukino looked away, knowing that her lie had been found.
Even so, not like Hachiman can blame her for this.
"So, we're about to talk about Chairman's personal life or we're going to talk about the festival here?" Hachiman asked coldly.
"A-ah, yeah that's right. I said it's more personal request, but I'm very sure the third year students will appreciate it." Meguri said, "I'd like Haruno-san's orchestral band to be included in the list of guest performance of the cultural festival."
What, the actual, fuck.
If Hachiman were anymore impatient, he would've used his right to veto as Vice Chairman easily. However, he decided to stay calm, partly for himself, and partly for Yukino's own sake.
He would want to know how Yukino would react.
"You mean as part of volunteer group?"
"That's right. It's fine right, Yukino-chan? We never work together in something like this before." Haruno begged cheekily, one eye closed. "I promise I'll help as much as I could."
"Nee-san..."
Yukino's voice wavered, it was pretty clear that while she didn't like the idea, she was also unable to reject it properly.
Because Meguri is there, for all intent and purposes, Haruno used her as a bargaining chip, a hostage. Haruno knowingly used that chance so she could get closer to her sister, even if Meguri was the one who asked her first.
She's really crafty as usual, not that much different than he remembers.
Which makes it all the better, because Hachiman wasn't the same spineless bitch he was before.
No bending over backward to accommodate her this time around.
Hachiman grinned wickedly.
"As Vice Chairman I'd like to use my right to veto," Hachiman said, his eyes gleamed in cold fury.
He wanted them to take him seriously.
"Vice Chairman, why?" Yukino actually looked like she was torn, between surprise and relief. Even so... why is she looking at him like that?
Yukino doesn't seem to be entirely pleased by his response.
Ditto with Haruno, who looked absolutely shocked that her usual charm and persuasion didn't affect him in any way that benefits her whatsoever.
"We only have less than three weeks to prepare here, and if you add a guest performance, that means we also have to reconsider all the budget and paperwork needed." Hachiman told Yukino, "Not to mention organizing even more volunteers is not something easy to achieve."
"That may be so, but I believe the addition of Haruno-san's Orchestral Group would be a nice addition and appealing to everyone." Meguri frantically said.
"And what do you mean by 'everyone', Senpai?" Hachiman flicked his glasses as intimidation, "The members of the committee? The third years? Or you?"
"Ha-Haruno-san also the Chairman of Festival committee back then, and it was considered to be one of the best. I'm sure she would be a huge help for the committee as well."
"So relying on the volunteers instead of ourselves, this is the committee as you see it?" Hachiman sharpened his eyes even more, "And now we're one day behind because of the weather."
Meguri flinched.
"I understand, I will consider it." Yukino finally answered, "Vice Chairman, I hope you will also give this serious thought and gauge whether the benefits outweigh the extra work. We can talk about it again tomorrow before or during the meeting."
Hachiman looked at Yukino, wondering if she was trying to be considerate to Meguri and her sister.
However, her gaze was steely and unshakable. It reminded Hachiman strongly of Yukino that he meets the first time. Someone who was cold, calculating, strong, and unflappable.
Hachiman wonder, if this was a sign of strength on her part or Yukino was running away from her own uneasiness and hides it behind an icy mask.
He couldn't really tell for sure. But to be honest, he was really disappointed with Yukino's answer.
So he decided to fold it and stood up. As he said his last piece, his voice was dripping with contempt. "If that's what Chairman want, then I won't argue further. Please excuse me."
Yukino looked at her sister with ambivalent expression, much to her curiosity, and then said. "See you again, tomorrow, Senpai."
Yukino didn't even say a word to her older sister as she paid her bill and left.
"Looks like I was hated." Haruno sighed in defeat, "I wonder why."
"I'm sorry, Haruno-san." Meguri winced, "But this is the first time I meet him, what about you?"
"I dunno, pretty sure this is the first time." Haruno was pondering that as well, since Hachiman's reaction was rather openly hostile, but more than that, Haruno feels that Hachiman reacted as if he knew her personally.
"I once meet a person like that but... what was his name again?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman, he recently transferred, at least that was what President said."
"Hikigaya huh." Haruno widened her eyes, recognizing that family name instantly.
No wonder they resemble each other so much, that strange tall girl with blue hair, who stood up against Haruno to protect Yukino. Maybe this boy too wasn't any different...
Maybe they were related?
It piqued her interest clearly, and she smiled manically in realization. "Hikigaya Hachiman, I see..."
Meguri decided she will try to talk with Hachiman later on. His reaction with Haruno was odd, to say the least, and Meguri wanted to know why.
And not to mention the atmosphere between Yukino and Haruno was decidedly strange, but for this one, Meguri was a little hesitant to ask. After all, it was family matters.
An outsider like Meguri had no right to pry.
Yukino was trying to find Hachiman, feeling that they need to talk, but Hachiman already rode his bike with an irritated face and then revved it hard until he hit maximum legal speed.
Yukino wondered why Hachiman reacted so badly to Haruno's presence, perhaps more than Yukino herself.
やはり, 俺の関係の値はリセットされました
As Expected, My Relationship Values had been Reset
Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru
Chapter 15 - Defeat
Hachiman's mood didn't improve all that much even as of now, it was lunchtime the next day and he still feels like sulking.
Though to be fair, he didn't look any different than usual, just a bit scarier perhaps. Plus, he managed to vent the shit out last night during his usual tennis training with Yumiko and Hachi
"Are you okay? You look stressed out." Yumiko asked, worried, "I am amazed you can pull so much power out of that body, but your form is getting worse."
"Don't worry, I'm just thinking about the committee that's all." Hachiman waved his hand dismissively.
"Well, I hope we can get a good fight this weekend." Saika was really fired up because he also joined Silverwind tournament, meaning there's a chance that they will meet...
"If I somehow reach the final, which is slim chance to say the least." Hachiman scoffed, as he looked at the paper in his hand, revealing the tournament roster. He and Saika were on the entirely opposite side!
"I know Silverwind doesn't give many points for a Grade 4 Tournament, but even then there would still some strong player out there. I'm neither as talented or experience as you guys are."
"Have faith, you can keep up with me and your sister, that means there's still a chance for you." Yumiko winked encouragingly. "Also, I checked the boy's bracket and they're all scrubs...none of them ever won a major tournament. The fact that Sai-chan is the first seed should tell you as much. The girl's bracket is far more competitive."
Seriously? Please don't give me false hope now, Miura-san!
"Well not like I'm not going to come." Hachiman stood up, "Speaking of which, how does the class play come along?"
"It's going well nicely." Saika confidently said, "I think I began to understand the Prince's character a little more than at the beginning."
"Even you say that the director is a bit..." Hachiman looked at the script.
Hentai homo prince? Lustful gaze? Forbidden attraction? Who the fuck wrote this shit.
Oh wait, it's Ebina Hina.
"Ebina." He grunted, "The dialogue is not a problem because it's pretty authentic but what the hell happened with this narration, straight out of a yaoi doujin of all things?"
"Tehe~?" Hina bonked her head with her fist and smiled cutely, pretending to be innocent, "I feel somewhat embarrassed."
"Embarrassed nothing, if Hiratsuka-sensei saw this it might get canceled." He gently slaps Hina's head with the script.
"NOOO! DON'T DO THAT HIKIOGAY-KUN!" Hina yanked his blazer and shook it, completely hysterical. "MY HOPES AND DREAM! MY FANTASY!"
"You know that the copy of the script will be audited for archiving right? What would happen if a teacher reads it?" Hachiman asked with concern, he legitimately worried about it, not just because it offends him.
"I will rewrite it! I will rewrite it! The dialogue is fine right?!" Hina tearfully begged, "Don't let Hiratsuka-sensei see it!"
Hachiman sighed in defeat, "Mail me a digital copy of the script and I'll edit it for you. For the actors, don't worry, there wouldn't be any changes in dialogue and you can use the old script for now. I just want to make it kosher."
A resounding oooh came from the rest of the class, and they decided to ignore the unusually irritated transfer student.
Hayato smiled and patted Hachiman happily, "Thank you, Hikio. Now we have nothing to worry about."
No one in the class had the balls to criticize Hina about it, or maybe because they trusted her talent a bit too much to call her out of her antics.
"The very least I could do." Hachiman huffed, "My bad for not being helpful at all."
"Don't worry, just make sure things are working fine on the committee." Hayato assured him, "I and Sai-chan will do your part as well."
"That's right, we are the protagonist of this story after all." Saika also pumped up, "Hachiman, fight for us in the committee as well."
Hachiman nodded.
After all, he already accepted the responsibility as Vice Chairman of the committee as well. It's not as if he specifically wanted to do it for them.
No, really. Not like they're his friend or anything... not yet anyway.
Hachiman looked at Yui, who sighed weakly. He wonders if something happened to her too.
"Yuigahama."
"Oh, hmm, Hikki what is it?" Yui reacted immediately and hide her bummed face and forced out a smile, "Ah, uh. Are we going to have a lunch here?"
But Hachiman wasn't fooled.
"Wanna go somewhere else?"
"Ah, uh... umm." For a moment, Yui seems to be far more concerned with her own embarrassment than anything else and asked again. "Where?"
"I dunno, the stairs near the bike shed?"
Hachiman wanted to say Service Club room, but that would be incredibly creepy and stupid, even he had a standard damn it!
"Isn't that the place where you often reject the girls who confessed to you?" Yui grinned, for some reason, she looked like she's both amused and happy at the same time.
Yui wondered if Hachiman was trying to show off, so girls would mistake Yui for his girlfriend or something. Not that Yui would really mind if he did...
Hachiman blushed and looked away, "What the hell with that grin? I just like it because it's quiet, and sometimes the wind can be relaxing."
Yui took a deep breath, knowing that she wasn't the only one being anxious. She felt that Hachiman too was a little bit more irritable than usual.
"Sure, Yumiko, I'm going with Hikki for a bit."
"Enjoy your lunch date." Yumiko patted her supportively and raised a thumbs up.
"It's not like that." Yui pouted, and then followed Hachiman as he walked out of the class.
And alongside Yui, they sat on the stairs. Yui used her handkerchief as cover, while Hachiman didn't bother in the slightest.
It was really awkward since neither of them wants to start a conversation, so they end up eating their bento in silence.
"You know..." Yui muttered, "Yesterday I went to visit Yukinon and found out her apartment is being fixed, so I had to drag her to my house instead of going to a hotel."
"Eh, really?"
"Yeah, Yukinon can be stubborn so you really need to be persistent when you approach her." Yui said, "But that's only if you ask her personal problem anyway. Sometimes there are things that even Yukinon can't share."
"I see. She was lucky to have you." Hachiman said understandingly, "Yesterday we have lunch together at Saize."
"Eh really? Doesn't that mean..."
"It still hasn't stopped raining when I came yes, we were supposed to talk about the committee though." Hachiman said coldly, "Still, we ate together quietly like this, then we meet the former president."
"Shiromeguri-senpai?" Yui asked.
"Yes, that's me!" Meguri suddenly popped out from behind them, then realized that she messed up. "Uh, oh, sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
"Deja vu." Hachiman scoffed, "We just finished lunch, feel free to join."
"Ah... I see." Meguri sat beside Hachiman, though there was a more noticeable gap between them compared to him and Yui. of course, it was because they don't know each other well, and then there's also what happened yesterday.
"I'll cut the chase then, you want to talk about what happened yesterday, Senpai?"
"Mmm, more or less yes." Meguri seems hesitated, perhaps because he really looks intimidating, "I'm just wondering if you have to meet Haruno-san before."
"Well no, not her, but I have met someone like her before," Hachiman said, referring to the other Haruno. "Are you good friend with her, Senpai?"
"Yes, we're always been in contact and sometimes meet up, two years after her graduation. I was just a freshman when she was in the third years, she was really amazing."
Hachiman couldn't bear to look at Meguri's innocent, enthralled eyes. She must've looked up at Haruno so much, knowing absolutely nothing about the true personality behind the mask.
Hachiman wasn't heartless enough to say the truth in front of such foolishly pure maiden. Even so, he can't let it go like this.
"Let me ask you something else then." Hachiman smiled, "Are you under impression that Chairman is getting along with her older sister?"
Meguri widened her eyes in shock, same as Yui, though to a lesser degree. Still, what Hachiman said was odd.
Meguri shook her head, "I don't know... I only familiarize myself with Chairman a few months ago. I never heard her talking about Haruno-san. Not even once."
"What about you, Yuigahama? You're practically Chairman's best friend in Soubu." Hachiman turned his face.
"Umm, eh." Yui muttered, "I don't think Yukinon hates her per se, it's just that there seems to be some kind... I don't know, resentment?"
"So-something like that actually exist?!" Meguri's face became pale.
"Yeah, it more than... whenever her parents want something to do with Yukinon, Haruno-san always been the one who carries that message. And I believe Yukinon isn't getting along with her mother, at least." Yui explained to her, "I think that also part of the reason why they have that kind of strained relationship now."
"So you have it, Senpai. Chairman is not getting along with her older sister." Hachiman stood up, "I'm not telling you to change your mind, but at the very least take that fact into your consideration."
"Excuse me." Yui stood up, bowed politely and then followed Hachiman back to the class.
Meguri's feelings were as turbulent as the wind that washed over her confused face.
...
"Now then, we'll begin the regular meeting."
Everyone gave their "best regards" and bowed.
Starting first were the progress reports from every section.
"Okay, public advertising, you're up first."
The head of the section stood up, ready to report their current state of progress.
"We've completed 70% of our posting schedule, and as for the posters, we're about halfway done."
"It's a little late." The interior of the room grew rustled noisily to the voice of the Chairman, Yukinoshita Yukino, who heed no attention to the loud silence, she continued her words. "The Cultural Festival is in three weeks. If we take into consideration that our visitors need time to adjust their schedules, there will be problems if we haven't already completed all of that. Have you finished negotiating for the locations of the posters as well as uploads to the homepage?"
"Not yet…"
"Please hurry. Putting aside the working individuals, middle school students looking to test here and their guardians tend to frequently check the homepage."
"Y-Yes." Pressured by her, the head of advertising sank into his seat.
"Homepage huh." Hachiman muttered, "Chairman, I have a proposal."
"What is it, Vice Chairman?"
"I'd like to take care the Homepage personally if possible. Meanwhile, I'd like the advertisement team to intensify their effort with the physical advertisement side since it would be the one requiring most manpower." Hachiman explained, "If you're willing to entrust the homepage creation to me, then please let me do it."
"That's not possible, it's not within your field of authority."
"We're short on time, consider it again." Hachiman's glasses gleamed, if anything, he looked far more ominous than he was normally without glasses.
Sawako and Makihito certainly looked terrified.
"Fair enough, anything else you want to propose?"
"I'd like to know how many of our committee members have a personal twitter." Hachiman asked, "Please raise your hand."
About 75% of the members raised their hands, it wasn't entirely surprising with how popular Twitter is in Japan compared to the rest of the world at the time. Because Japanese Kanji is far denser and complicated, you can put far more messages in 140 Japanese and Chinese characters than you did with the English alphabet.
"Then we can use that." Hachiman stood up and write on the blackboard, with the sign of the pound (#) before the word SoubuHighBunkasai2009. "Hashtag."
Vice President of the student council, Jun, was the first one to react with an excited face. "Vice Chairman is a genius indeed."
"What do you mean with that, Vice President?"
"Beginning July 2, 2009, Twitter began to hyperlink all hashtags in tweets to Twitter search results for the hashtagged word." Hachiman grinned wickedly as he lifted the bridge of his glasses, "The more people use that hashtag, the more that topic will show up on Twitter and snowball effect will take the rest."
"Viral Marketing?" Yukino raised her eyebrows.
"I'm pretty sure a lot of Soubu students have twitter themselves, so if we can get them to post those Hashtag in their status update..." Jun pointed, "We got an even more promotional value outside the standard promotional method. Rather than relying solely on our Advertisement team effort, we can rely on every student in Soubu as well."
"I mean, preparing for festival means they would also update their twitter status, and they can use that Hashtag in the end." Hachiman shrugged confidently, absolutely shameless and giving no fucks.
"I see, that idea certainly has merit." Yukino nodded, "I approve of it. Put that Hashtag on the poster as well."
"Yes, Ma'am!" The advertisement head nodded firmly.
"Then, volunteer management, please."
"…Yes. At the present, there are ten volunteer organizations." The head of the volunteers reported with reservation.
"Are those only within the school? Have you confirmed with those locally? Please investigate the records from last year and try contacting them."
"As long we're adopting the position of connecting with the local community, we have to avoid seeing a decline in participating organizations. Also, have you finished allocating the stage timeslots? How about the coordination regarding the expectations of the number of visitors and the backstage staff? Please compile everything into a timetable and submit it."
The moment the situation tried to move along, a severe questioning was dished out. By no means would things be allowed to advance half-heartedly.
In that matter, from beginning to end, the meeting proceeded on, going to the health division and the finance accountants. As that happened, Yukinoshita reviewed over the particulars and handed out directions.
"Next, assistant historians."
"There's nothing in particular." The head of the historians answered with brevity. In actuality, assistant historians would see the highest amount of work on the day of the Cultural Festival, so at this stage, there was seldom work to do.
And yet, Yukino wouldn't take that simple reality with a stride.
"Historians, please make sure to submit a time schedule for the day of the event as well as equipment requests. As for video recording, there's a limit to the equipment, so if the volunteer organizations plan to film as well, please take into consideration that there will be possibilities of time conflicts, so please discuss it over with them until the equipment is received."
"Yes…"
Yukinoshita instructed him without reservation despite him being the third year. The atmosphere turned sensitive thanks to that.
But that should've been the last of it. The progress reports from every section were given. Everyone sighed with relief, but the Chairman didn't try to bring it to an end just yet.
For the first time since he came to Soubu, Hachiman finally realized the true strength of Yukino's leadership. Truly an efficient tyrannical ice queen that strike a chord of fear in the hearts of the student body.
Was it ever a question that she's truly the Strongest Student Council President in the history of Soubu Municipal High?
"The Student Council will handle the invited guests. We will, therefore, hand out the compiled list of the guest to the public health committee later for the purpose of reception."
"Yes, Chairman."
Following the regular reports, identifying problematic points and the examinations of their solutions, there was a consensus on the schedule from here on. On the whole, there was nothing else that needed to be discussed today.
"We'll be counting on you all tomorrow as well. Good work." Yukino finally relaxed and smiled.
For the first time since the beginning of the meeting, the committee members let out a sigh of relief. A number of people stretched and groaned.
After giving her closing remarks, the members of the planning committee left their seats mumbling "good work, good work".
"Umm, Chairman." Meguri stood up, "Can we talk just a bit?"
Yukino looked at her, then Hachiman, both with a questioning look, and then Hachiman nodded and said. "Sure."
"What do you want to talk about, Senpai?"
"I'm sorry about what happened yesterday." Meguri bowed multiple times, "I should have informed you beforehand about her, and that's really rude on my part."
"It's fine, my personal feelings on the idea has nothing to do with the well being of the committee. If anything, I'm the immature one here." Yukino told her.
"Even so..." Meguri seems hesitated, which display her conflict of interest in all it's bare.
On one side, she really, really wanted Haruno to participate, and on the other side, she didn't like the idea of adding even more stress on Yukino, who had to do the job of the Chairman and StuCo President at the same time.
Yukino resigned in defeat, "Vice Chairman, I'm sorry to say this, but I'd like to accept her Orchestral Group as one of the volunteers as well."
"You said it yourself." Hachiman folded his glasses and put it in his pocket, "Personal feelings have nothing to do with the well being of the committee, whatever your decision I will support it."
Even so, Hachiman was visibly annoyed, but still, he decided to accept Yukino's answer. And he will find the answer why Yukino would choose that option.
Looking at her, Hachiman saw resolute eyes, one that was willing to accept a challenge. So Hachiman felt like he shouldn't be worried too much.
If anything, the one who seems to be dissatisfied the most was Meguri herself. Because her ignorance hurt Yukino's personal pride as a person.
In her ideal world, Meguri would be able to work together with both Yukinoshita sisters happily, and such experiences would be important since this would be the last year she would attend high school.
Hachiman despised such naivety, but he couldn't condemn Meguri for it. Because Meguri was simply being true to her feelings, even if she accidentally hurt someone important to her.
"I'm not sure what happened but..." Jun told him, "Thank you for supporting our President's decision, Vice Chairman."
Makihito and Sawako bowed simultaneously as well, and Hachiman feels weirded out. He never got this much respect from anyone, period.
Not that he liked the attention or anything!
"Oh, by the way, I have a tennis tournament tomorrow so I wouldn't be able to attend the meeting, is that fine?" Hachiman asked.
"Silverwind tournament?" Yukino raised her eyebrows. "Oh that's right, your sister would also attend it, correct?"
"Yes. The qualification will begin on Saturday afternoon and Sunday will be semifinal and final. Four single set matches and best of two sets respectively."
"I see, then good luck." Yukino said with a smile, "If you were to reach semifinals, I might be able to see your match as well."
"I'm not that confident, so don't get your hopes too high." Hachiman waved his hand and left.
* In Italy, there's no custom for casual tea time, and only sick or stressed out people would drink tea. Even many bars and restaurant didn't stock out tea. And Saizeriya is supposed to specialize in Italian food. Or so they claim lmao.