Chapter 6 Meaning of SCT
It was already five o'clock. They were able to do some significant work that day. More than half of the project was complete. A lot of the plants were already replanted and the water was already running. There were still a lot of tiling to do and replanting, not to mention one more bonsai tree to be done. But on the dot, Narumi came and ushered them to head home. He allowed them to change into something clean before they headed home. He still hadn't explained what it all meant or if it really had something to do with leadership training.
"Do you guys want to grab a bite before we head home?" Ryu suggested.
All nodded. It had been a long day's work and it would be nice to have some early dinner and hit the sac once they got home and freshened up.
When they already ordered and were waiting for food to arrive, Kenishiro couldn't help but comment, "No matter what angle I look at it, I still don't know what it all means. I've been thinking about it the entire day and I still don't get why we have to do some gardening and landscaping."
"Yeah. I thought we were to have leadership training? I can't believe I just took a crash course of gardening 101." Shiho replied as she pouted and crossed her arms. She then laid back in her chair.
Ryu smirked and Sakura laughed. Sakura started to fiddle with the straw in her drink and said, "I'm as confused as you but you know, I don't think Yamaguchi-sensei would agree to this if we weren't to benefit of some sort."
"What? Get gardening skills?" Shiho replied, still pouting. Sakura laughed again.
Ryu leaned at the table and said, "I have to go with Sakura on this one. Yamaguchi-sensei went the extra mile to get Seiji-san as our mentor for this. He's even working that he'd be the one to conduct our next leadership training with the class and club officers."
"What? Then we have to go through this all over again?" Shiho commented. Her face sank with horror.
"I have no idea if we are going to have the same thing but I think we will be more like facilitators then." Sakura replied as she smiled at her across the table. The girls were seated by the window while the guys sat next to them towards the aisles. Ryu and Sakura were seated next to each other while Shiho and Kenishiro were sitting across the table from them. Shiho took pleasure in taking pictures of them again.
"I think I can handle that. I wonder if we are going to make them do what Seiji-san had us do." Shiho replied thoughtfully.
"I doubt that." Kenishiro answered.
"Yeah. I think we're heading off to Miyagi prefecture for it and I really doubt that he's going to make us do this stuff all over again." Ryu said. Sakura nodded.
"Well, either way I'm happy to take on the part of facilitator this time." Shiho answered as their food arrived.
As they were eating, Sakura's phone began to ring. Sakura took it when she saw Eriol's name pop up. "Hey Eriol. What's up?"
"I've got a problem."
Sakura's face registered concern as she asked, "What?"
"Shinzo Mizuhara is being asked to perform at the school's foundation day in a couple of months." When Sakura realized his predicament, she tried not to react too much since she might give off Eriol's secret.
"That is a problem. I have to come clean with you know because I can't make this decision alone. You'll need the support of all of us. Well, at least two of us. What do you want to do?" Sakura said.
"I had a feeling you were going to say that. You can tell Watanabe-san if you must. It will be your discretion if you want to tell the rest of the student council." Eriol said.
"Ok. I'll call you back." Sakura said as she hung up. "Sorry about that guys." Sakura said.
"Eriol. Isn't he that Shinzo Mizuhara look alike new student?" Shiho commented. Sakura just smiled and nodded.
"Yeah I've heard of him. He's your classmate?" Kenishiro asked.
"Yeah. He is." Sakura answered. Sakura typed a message in her phone and pressed the sent button to Ryu. Sakura continued typing as to not draw attention and sent a message to Eriol telling him that she would be talking to Ryu after dinner. Ryu got his phone and was surprised to see the message was from Sakura. It read, '…can I talk to you later? It's really important…' Ryu and Sakura's eyes met and he gave a small nod.
Then, as they were wrapping up dinner, Shiho's phone rang. Shiho took it and upon realizing who was calling, she quickly got a piece of paper and pen from her bag and started to jolt down what was being dictated to her. After the call, she quickly showed them what was written on the paper.
"We have problems with some of the university schedules. Some will be having exams on these dates while some on these dates. We have to figure out something that will do a compromise with all of them." Shiho said.
"We can't postpone the fair to next month so we have to think of something to make it work this month. How about we make break it into two parts? Universities that can attend on that day will and then the week after, all the universities that weren't able to come to first time. Kenishiro, would that be more expensive?" Ryu said.
"Well technically, it will be the same since we are just going to split the budget on that into two." Kenishiro answered.
"But what about our teachers? I mean, the seniors will be missing two meetings of their classes." Shiho pointed out. All seemed to reflect.
"That is if we don't put it on weekdays…what if we schedule it on a Saturday? We don't have classes then." Sakura proposed.
"Saturday? I doubt that a lot of the seniors is going to like that." Kenishito commented.
"Yeah I know but it's not like there is still much of a choice. The schedule conflicts and we can't push this off. You guys are already required anyway." Sakura said.
"She's right. It's not like we have any other choice than this one unless we really put it off 'til next month." Shiho said.
Ryu became reflective. "I suppose that this is the only way to go. But I am thinking about the leadership training of club and class officers. It will fall on a weekend too. That part is still indefinite."
"Can we push that off until the first weekend of next month? Plans are still not final yet. We have to make a choice before Yamaguchi-sensei fixes the date." Sakura said.
Ryu said, "I suppose we can push that off. This is more pressing than the leadership training since universities will start holding entrance examinations soon."
Ryu then addressed Shiho, "I'll leave that to you. Advise them of our plan and call me as soon as they have decided already. I'll relay the information to Yamaguchi-sensei as soon as possible. I'm sure he'll understand." They all nodded in response. After paying up, Kenishiro and Shiho went their separate ways as Sakura and Ryu started walking.
"So? What's up? What seems to be Eriol's problem?" Ryu asked.
"Well you must have heard that Eriol is the Shinzo look-alike in school right?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Well the thing is…Eriol is…really Shinzo. It's his stage name and he doesn't want it to be leaked out in school. He just likes to be one of us, you know, a normal student. Promise you won't tell anyone, ok?" Sakura said.
Ryu seemed really surprised with the revelation. "Of course, of course. I won't tell anyone. I promise. Damn. I didn't see this one coming." Ryu said.
Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "I know what you mean. I just met him last weekend at his concert and then I meet him the next day only to find out he's my new classmate. Yeah, I share the sentiments." Sakura said. Ryu grinned.
"I'm guessing that's not the problem." Ryu then said.
Sakura shook her head and said, "The school seems to have invited him as Shinzo to perform for our foundation day. He's really apprehensive in accepting. What do you think?"
"Can't he say that his schedule is booked or something?"
"I was thinking about that myself. But I was also thinking why not just go through with it and him as Eriol call in sick that day. But either way, he will need our help. I can't do this alone." Sakura said.
"In the end, it will be his decision. You have my support in the event that he will need our help in trying to cover up his other, very popular self." Ryu commented. Sakura smiled at him and thanked him. Ryu walked Sakura home.
By the door, "Thanks, Ryu-san, for walking me home and for your help." Sakura smiled at him which Ryu returned.
"It's no problem at all. I'll see you tomorrow then? I'll meet you at the corner by the park, like this morning."
Sakura nodded and replied, "It will be cool to figure out why he made us do the things we're doing tomorrow."
"Yeah. It would. I was never good at plumbing but it looks like I took a crash course like you guys."
Sakura laughed and said, "We all took a crash course. Well at any rate, we're just amateurs at this and if anyone asks, we're all in it together."
Ryu smirked. "Well, good night, Sakura. See you tomorrow."
"Good night, Ryu-san."
Ryu then went on his way and Sakura went inside. It was only 7 in the evening so she knew that her brother still wasn't home. She was really surprised to she that the lights were on when she entered the house.
"Took you long enough. I told you to call me if something was up." Touya called out from the kitchen when Sakura passed the living room. Yukito was there too. It seemed that they were doing some project.
"I thought that you'd be at work 'til 9? Hey, Yukito-san." Sakura said as she entered the living room. Touya was clearing some stuff up at the cupboard.
"We were given a day off. You had dinner yet?" Touya said as Sakura nodded.
"How was your day, Sakura?" Yukito asked as he smiled at her.
Sakura smiled back and replied, "Tiring is all I can say. Listen, I'll go and take a bath and start with my math homework. I got to get up early again tomorrow for the last day of the leadership training. In case I fall asleep, good night."
As Sakura made her way upstairs, Touya said, "Doesn't Li usually help you with math?"
Sakura stopped and didn't look back but replied, "He can't now. Besides, it's about time I face my problem in math alone. I can't always depend on him." Sakura made her way to her room.
Touya and Yukito looked at each other. "Is it really 'can't' or 'shouldn't'?" Yukito said.
"I don't know." Touya replied. They continued to work but both really found Sakura's answer odd.
The next day, Ryu waited for Sakura at the spot where they met the day before. He didn't have to wait long as Sakura greeted him with a warm smile. They headed to school together and were soon joined by Shiho and Kenishiro. They greeted Narumi and the Principal first before finally getting back to work.
With Ryu done with his job and Kenishiro doing final applications of the tiles, all was left was the replanting. Ryu started to help Shiho to plant all that was left. When Kenishiro finished applying the last of the tiles, he too started helping her. Sakura finished the last of the bonsai trees that she had to do and replanted them as well. Before noon, they stood there looking at their work.
Ryu was about to turn on the faucet to start the fountain. "Well, here goes." He said as he turned the knob. Every single one of them had their fingers crossed. They were really hopeful that their hard work wasn't a flop. It was their first time to take on such a project and they didn't want to fail in it.
They stood there admiring what they had done. It was beautiful. They were able to execute the plan perfectly. It was like a true water fall, a miniature-scale model of one of Japan's beautiful waterfalls. They couldn't help but smile as they saw that all their hard work brought presentable results. Narumi then made his way towards them and smiled.
"Well done, young ones. Well done." Narumi said as he stood beside them. All turned their attention to him. They were so relieved that they were able to finish with time to spare that they hadn't noticed the old man approach them. Narumi knew that they wanted answers. He smiled.
"Young ones, I know that you wish to understand the reason behind this task I've presented to you. You may think that I have completely lost my mind and have forgotten that I'm here to give you leadership training. On the contrary, this is leadership training at the highest sense." Narumi said.
"Um, I don't mean to oppose but…um…how does gardening have anything to do with leadership training? None of us are experts in the tasks you have presented us, Seiji-san. We all have been thinking about it since yesterday and we don't understand how this has anything to do with the office that we hold." Shiho said. The others said nothing as they looked to Narumi for answers. The old man smiled again.
"Watanabe-kun." Narumi said as he turned to Ryu.
"Yes, Seiji-san?" Ryu answered, not quite sure why he was called.
"What was the task given to you in this project?" Narumi asked.
"I was assigned to the water mechanics, Seiji-san. You have tasked me to make sure that the water runs through the fountain, to fix the plumbing and help establish the foundation." Ryu answered.
"Kinomoto-chan, what was assigned to you?"
"Um, I was tasked to create bonsai and replant them, Seiji-san."
"Morimoto-san, what about you?"
"I was tasked to replant the plants and flowers according to the plan, Seiji-san."
Narumi then turned to Kenishiro and asked him the same "I was given the task of tiling the borders, Seiji-san. I was assigned to make sure that the fencing of the fountain was strong as well as appeal aesthetically without overbearing the beauty of the fountain."
Narumi smiled. He turned to Ryu first and said, "President, you have been tasked with the water mechanics because like water, you help give life to the student council. You are the source of leadership and direction for the other members. You have been entrusted by the student body to lead them with much dignity and trust as you help lay the foundation of student affairs."
He then turned to Sakura and said, "Vice president, you are the President's right hand. I gave you the task of bonsai. It is a very delicate work that people often overlook. But it is a very important job where you are also entrusted with great responsibilities as much like the life of the student body and the student council. You make sure that the roots absorb the continued flow of water to give life to the entire plant. You are entrusted with power of silent guidance that helps protect the dignity and the beauty of the whole. Even if you do changes together with your fellow officers, the end result will still be alive and beautiful."
He turned to Shiho and explained, "Secretary, you are charged with replanting because as the secretary you are the one who makes sure that everything is well documented and in accord to the general plan. You take all those things that were discussed and approved by the student council and you help relay that to your fellow students. Like replanting, you carefully see that the process is done so that problems could be anticipated and relayed to your fellow officers."
Lastly, he turned to Kenishiro and said, "Treasurer, like the tiling of the fountain, you are trusted with monetary matters of the entire student body. Your actions reflect the image of the student council because you have been given a position that requires much trust, integrity and honesty. You work closely with the President and the other officers to make sure that every penny is accounted for, for the benefit of the whole."
"Together, you make the success of the student body affairs of the year. You have been entrusted individually with your distinctive tasks but if you cannot work together, it will not work. Like building this fountain, every one has to work together in accordance to the plan, working together to achieve a common goal. As the student council, you must strive for the development and benefit of the entire student body, whom have given you the power to lead them. Do this well, and just like the fountain that you have built from scratch, you will be able to give honor to your positions and set an example for the rest of the students." Narumi explained.
Narumi then took out a plastic bag full of Japanese carps and placed then at the base of the fountain for luck. "This is my gift for all your hard work. Now, it is complete. Well done, young ones."
Upon hearing his explanation, it seemed that they found themselves speechless. It hadn't even crossed their minds that it meant all that. They knew that they held positions that demanded a lot from them and they knew the responsibilities that they held but having Narumi putting it in those terms, it brought a new prospective in all of them. They couldn't help but reflect on them.
"You have until 12:30 for break. Then we will resume with the training. Don't worry, young ones. This time it will be lectures until our time ends at 5." Narumi said and smiled. He then started to head back towards the campus building.
They looked at each other. No one seemed to know the appropriate words to say at the moment. They were still recovering from the shock of realization that Narumi gave all of them. From his office inside the building, the Principal couldn't help but smile as he looked out the window at them. It surely was an incredible feat. Just like a father who had seen his children triumph, he was overjoyed that they survived Narumi's challenge.
(to be continued…)
SCT is, by the way, student council training. Hehe. Anyway, this is part of the storyline where there are still no fluffy moments because things are still building up. I do hope that you guys continue to have interest in this. Thanks to those who sent in their reviews and read until this chapter. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. Please continue to send in what you think. Thanks again.
Michiko