Author's note
Okay, first my apologies for the late update. I was planning to upload one chapter every half a month but the proverbial crap hits the fan and I had to put it on hold. To make up for it I will be uploading the other chapter in the next few days. Again, any review will be greatly welcomed and thank you for those who have gave their review thus far.
Well enough of my rambling here's Chapter 2. Enjoy.
Chapter 2
The next day~~~
"To sum it up, all of your punishments will be waved off for your full participation. Heck if this goes as expected, your image towards the other students, staff and the school itself would be greatly improved." I surmised to the crowd gathered in the meeting room. "You wouldn't be a celebrity in this school but you would have a relatively normal student life after all is settled. Any questions?"
"So let me get this straight. If we want to improve all our current situation, we would have to learn Senshado, which is a girl's sport by the way, then fight five matches with some of the best high school practitioners in the sport. I am sorry but the idea of guys participating in a girl's sport still puzzles me. Aren't guys not allowed to participate?" Ryoji asked skeptically.
"Traditionally, only girls are allowed to participate in Senshado, that much is true. Just like how SurCom is believed to be a men's sport until recently. If women can participate in SurCom why can't men participate in Senshado?"
"I am all for gender equality but me and my friends have no intention to bring anymore victory to this school." Fukuda declared bitterly. "The students here are all addicted to victory and I don't see the point of feeding that addiction."
"I am sorry Keiji, but I can't see the logic behind this." Ryoji added to his earlier question. "To change an entire sport in such a short period.
"I understand all your concerns but just hear me out. This concerns everyone here so listen up." I replied before taking a deep breath. " All of us here are slated to be expelled from this school for our misconducts by officials in the board of education. They consider it unbecoming that one of the best schools have this much problematic students."
There was a mix of reactions from the student present. Some nodded in acknowledgement while others discussed the matter with those next to them. All knew that they had serious disciplinary problems but no one had expected to have the attention of the country's board of education. Some were visibly worried while others remained stoic to the information presented to them.
"I don't really care at this point Shinamura." Fukuda declared unmoved together with his four other friends. "The school has already lost its identity, I might as well go to another school and start over."
"What the hell? Can they actually expel us like this?" Someone asked. There was now more chatter as more of the students in room got more restless. Seeing that all of those present has processed the information given, I raised my hands and motioned everyone to settle down.
"Now I understand this is difficult to process but bear with me." I said once everyone has settled down. "This 'initiative' is only for all of us in this room. On that note, I think you are all entitled to the reason behind me proposing this. First is to ensure that everyone here would be able to stay in this school. I am sure that all of you know that being kicked out would leave a blackmark on your record. My second reason is because I like tanks. I grew up with them and I want to ride them. And I believe that some of you here have the same feelings as I have. We have been looking in through the windows long enough. I have always been thinking of starting a movement to let men participate in Senshado and I'd say this is a good time to start. And I wouldn't want to do it with any other people."
"If you think you are going to win me over with that-"
"No I am not thinking that Fukuda." I countered looking at him as he got up trying to leave. "My last reason for doing this is because I have come to the same realisation as you."
Now standing at the entrance with his friends, he crossed his arms as he showed that I have caught his attention.
"Spartan students used to believed in trying your best and never surrendering. Results are second as long as you give it your best. That is the principle upon which this school is founded. Winning is never a factor here. That is why I joined this school and knowing most of you, that is also your reason for joining. By following this principle, the school has had many accomplishments to its name. That led to the students being drunk on victory and abandoned those principle in favour of just winning. I am sure everyone here realised this. That is why some of us acted the way we did." I said looking around to see the signs of agreement from everyone present. "Well I am going to remedy that. I aim to bring the back that value to this school. Gentlemen, everyone in this room has always taken pride in what they do. Even facing punishments or being pariahs we still take pride in it. We, as Sparta High School students, have always taken pride in our resolve have we not?"
Earning some agreements, I continued.
"I am going to bring back the stubborn resolve that a Spartan High School students are known for. But to do so, we need something that is difficult and was never done by a Spartan student. Somthing that would ignite the flames of this school's resolve once again. Senshado fits that condition. So would you all join me in my selfish endeavor to open up Senshado to boys? And that in doing so we will show the entire school that it is not victory that make a Spartan student, but it is our stubborn resolve against all odds that makes us Spartan boys! We will show them and the world what is the true Spartan student value!" I declared slamming my fist on to the desk in front of me before holding out both my hands. "You all now stand on a cross roads! Will you finally submit to fate and leave this school or will you hold onto your resolve and follow me and bring back the soul of Sparta High School!?"
The room fell into silence. Everyone was quietly going through their personal hell as they all re-lived the day that they decided to go against the school. The mockery from their fellow schoolmates and even friends. The look of disappointment from some of the staff just because their remained loyal to the school's founding principles. Are they going to give up on their resolve now? It would mean that they would be able to start over again in a new school with a new image to make of themselves. If they stay they would still have to endure disgusted stares from the school and not to mention, the impossible odds of pulling off what was suggested. Why would they want to continue to endure it for a school that has no more love for them? But then, isn't that why they come to this school in the first place? Isn't it because this school used to take pride in that stubborn resolve that still burns within all the students present in this room? With his mind made up, the first student stood up with a defiant smile on his face.
"You've always looked out for me when we were kids. I think it's time I repay you for it. Me and my gang will help you with your selfish wish." Satou, my childhood friend, declared with his group agreeing with him.
"Well, it would be something more interesting than going to a new school I guess. You can count us in." Ryoji said after conferring with his group.
"As long as you don't put the war machines in a damn display room, you got yourself the school's best gear head with you." Tetsuo say smiling at the prospect of manning several tonnes of war machine.
"So Fukuda, will you and your friends join us?" I asked Fukuda who was by the door.
"Since it's for the sake of the school we can't really back down now can we?" Fukuda replied with determination in his voice. "We will gladly raise hell with you."
"If that is the case then I hereby welcome all of you to the school's newly established Senshado team." I announced. "Soujiro, Satoshi, Kyoji and Takashi will help you guys with the member's registration and a run down on Senshado itself. I will be making a move now."
"Hey man, you're just going to leave after that fiery speech of yours? It's kind of a let down don't you think bud?" Satou asked, earning some playful jeers of agreements with the crowd in the room.
"Now now guys. Calm down. I have to leave because there is a meeting with some big shots from Senshado. They are here to discuss whether or not to let us participate in Senshado." I answered with a chuckle.
"Hey hey hey. Isn't that a bit dangerous? Offering us a deal that may not even be approved." Ryoji pointed out. "Shouldn't you settle that first before coming to us?"
"All I need to do is to convince the old man that this would work. The rest of it is kid's work." I replied nonchalantly. "Relax, I got it in the bag."
"Remember he did help carry the debating team to first place last year." Someone reminded.
"Oh yeah. That actually happen." Ryoji commented. "I still can't believe how much that cost me." Ryoji shivered as he was reminded of the bet he lost while a few in the room chuckled at his expense.
Leaving Soujiro to continue where I left off, I exited the room and head towards the principal's office in the next building.
5 minutes later~~~
"I just have to forget those of all things." I mumbled to myself as I hurried myself to the principal's office while I sorted through the files in my arms with a pissed off facial expression. Rounding a corner, I bumped into a girl, dropping my files in the process. Before I can respond, I was quickly offered an apology and she quickly got down on her knees to pick up the files I dropped. Realizing that she may have misunderstood due to the look on my face, I joined her on the floor. "No, I should be the one apologising. I was in a hurry and I wasn't looking at where I was going."
As we got up to our feet, I noticed that the uniform she was wearing was not that of our sister school but I somehow have the feeling that I have seen it before. Handing me my files, I got a good look at who she is and figured out why the uniform was so familiar.
"That uniform, Kuromorimine Girls High School?" I asked without thinking.
"Yes. I am Nishizumi Maho." the girls answered extending her hand to greet me.
"I am Shinamura Keiji. Nice to meet you. I have seen quite a few of your matches." I replied shaking her hand. "They're quite something,"
"Thank you. I don't want to bother you but do you know how to get to the waiting room? I came from there earlier but…" Maho trailed off slightly embarrass by her predicament.
"Don't worry about it. This place is a maze anyways." I replied casually before offering her to come with me as I would be passing by the waiting room. "Your match with Oorai High school is quite impressive. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Especially the dual with your sister at the end there. It was a fine match. Congratulations."
"Thank you for your praises but it was my sister and Oorai that won. I am sorry." Maho said after some thought. He must have heard wrongly.
"I know the match's outcome but that's not what I am congratulating you for. You put up an incredible fight at the end. That is what I am congratulating you for." I explained."You see, the students here used to have the quality a stubborn resolve. To never surrender and to put up a fight till the end. To see that quality being shown on screen is refreshing." I said in response to the confusion she was wearing.
"And you are saying that I have that quality?"
"Yeah. A normal strategist would have went on the defense and waited for reinforcements, not that it really matters since you will be caged with the enemy regardless of which ever you choose. To go on the offense shows your fighting spirit. I like the spirit you showed."
"Ah...uh...thank you." Maho replied unsure of how to react.
"Something I said?"
"No...it's just that no one ever told me that. I was surprised. Sorry." Maho explained and quickly turned away as she felt her cheeks heating up. "Y-You that the students here used to have that quality?" She inquired to quickly change the topic.
"Yeah. That value lost it's meaning recently. They only care for victory at this point. Only me and a few others still cling onto that belief though." I replied and the both of us fell into an awkward silence as we walked to the waiting room.
"Is something the matter?" I asked after I noticed Maho sneaking a few glance at me.
"Sorry. You looked familiar. Have we met before?"
"Nope. This is the first time. I would have remember meeting you if we did." I answered as we reach the waiting room. "Well, here's the waiting room. I gotta go, Bye." I said and hurried off to my original destination.