Part 1
Hachikuji wakes up from her nap exactly in the middle of Homeroom.
Normally, at this precise time, Hiratsuka-sensei rouses her from her slumber with the infamous Iron Fist of Justice. If Hiratsuka-sensei does not perform this act of violence, she must be taking advantage of Hachikuji's lack of consciousness to do something questionable. Conditioned by this logical train of thought, Hachikuji always makes it a point to wake up at this exact time regardless of what happens.
And for the very first time, it pays off. On the blackboard, beneath the huge underlined phrase 'Culture Festival Class representatives', are the names 'Yuigahama Yuichi' and 'Hikigaya Hachikuji'.
"...Sensei, what is the meaning of this?"
Said sensei whirls around in shock. "Hikigaya? I thought you were asl- nevermind. As you can see, there's no way you can weasel your way out of this one!" The look of shock quickly morphs into triumph. Are you a teacher or a Shounen manga villain?
"I don't recall volunteering to represent the class on the Culture Festival Committee."
"I nominated you." Without any sense of shame, she flashes a smug grin. The entire class holds back a collective sigh. "And you didn't exactly object, so..."
"Well I'm objecting now."
"DENIED!" Hiratsuka-sensei yells gleefully, as if she waited the whole of Homeroom just to say that line. Knowing Hiratsuka-sensei, she probably did. "We've got no other volunteers, so it's the end of the line for you!"
From across the classroom, Yuigahama flashes Hachikuji a sympathetic smile. She scowls back. Well I guess it's better to do it with him than some guy I'm not acquainted with; he's probably the second most favourable option, right behind Totsuka. Then, a miracle happens.
"Um, excuse me, Sensei? I'd like to volunteer." All eyes turn towards a girl sitting in the corner. Hachikuji immediately recognises her as leader of Class 2-E's second most influential clique and narrows her eyes. What was her name again... Sashimi?
Hiratsuka-sensei watches in horrified disbelief as her heinous plan starts to crumble. "Sagami? Why're you volunteering? Being on the committee is a lot of work, you know?" And that's why you made me do it, right? Revoke it! Revoke your teaching license!
"Well... I just thought I'm not very good at this sort of leadership stuff... so maybe I wanted a bit of experience? I'm not too sure if I can do it, though..." Bullshit, Hachikuji immediately realises. Even the lack of certainty you're showing everyone is fake; you just want everyone to affirm your decision and make you feel good about yourself.
Evidently, Hiratsuka-sensei is thinking the same thing. "Are you sure? If you want to take on the responsibility, you'll have to take it seriously."
"Ah! S-Sorry, I didn't mean to sound insincere. But come to think of it, I'm not too sure if I can do it... maybe I should forget it after all..." Stop acting already, geez. We all know you're gonna take the role no matter what we say. But Hiratsuka-sensei looks pleased with herself, and Hachikuji realises she's letting her one and only chance slip away. Desperately, she narrows her dead fish eyes at Yuigahama, praying that he'll take the hint.
Yuigahama starts at her sudden glare, then turns around to whisper something in Hayama Hayato's ear. The class is dead silent; Sagami isn't getting the votes of confidence she was aiming for. At this rate she'll be forced to withdraw her initiative for fear of humiliation and Hachikuji will be representing the class in a committee designed to plan a social event. Who would have thought this was a good idea?
The modern Literature teacher who wears a labcoat to class, that's who. Hachikuji groans and slumps onto her desk, and at the exact moment when all hope seems lost, Hayama speaks up.
"Sagami-san, I think you should give it a shot. In my opinion, you've certainly got the capability to do so." The entire class turns to look at him quizzically, but because this is the Hayama Hayato, they subconsciously find themselves agreeing. If Hayama told the class to jump out the window, they would probably do it. Hachikuji found herself thinking with a cynical smile.
"M'yeah, I guess..."
"Well, she is pretty capable..."
Such is the power of the Riajuu, Hachikuji thinks. But true power lies with the individual that can bend the Riajuu to his will. Well played, Yuigahama. I would never have thought you were this cunning. As if sensing her gratitude, Yuigahama turns towards her and flashes a thumbs up.
The one most affected by Hayama's bold statement is, of course, Sagami herself. "Re-really? Well, it absolutely won't do to let you down, Hayama-kun! Sensei, I'll do it."
Even though they are on opposite sides of the classroom, Hachikuji can feel Miura Yumiko's menacing aura spike noticeably. Looks like Hayama will be in quite a bit of trouble later on. How altruistic. Hachikuji momentarily sets aside her hate for the top of the social ladder and thanks him inwardly.
At any rate, Hachikuji thinks, staring at Hiratsuka-sensei's dejected face as she erases Hachikuji's name from the board. Depending on the Riajuu was well worth it.
...
"Yuigahama called in sick," announces Hiratsuka-sensei the next day, before a malicious grin spawns on her face. "Hikigaya, you'll be replacing him on the Culture Festival Committee. No objections."
...I want my money back.
Part 2
Hachikuji finds herself walking to the student council room after school. Why she actually bothers showing up is a mystery to herself; little to no progress is going to be made in the very first meeting, she just knows it. She tells herself it's because of a certain teacher who would kill her if she did otherwise.
When she steps in, a familiar face greets her.
"Why, hello, Hikigaya-san. What brings you here today? I thought for sure that you would never be the type to organise a school event such as this one." Says Yukinoshita with a blatant smirk on his smug face. The bespectacled girl beside him is already furiously typing away on her laptop despite the fact that there is literally nothing to do yet. What's with these 2-J students? They're too elite for their own good!
"Ask that slave driver of a teacher," grumbles Hachikuji in response, as she takes the seat closest to the door for convenience. (It also happens to be at the corner of the table, which is a plus.) Her ire intensifies when she realises that it's the seat right next to sashi- Sagami and her group of friends, who have decided to tag along for no good reason.
The room is filled with a number of big-shots even Hachikuji has heard about. Most of them are well known for their grades or popularity (or both), and obviously recognise each other, talking amiably among themselves. Yukinoshita, however, is left alone in another corner of a room. Hachikuji doesn't need to wonder why.
School festivals, huh.
Hachikuji can vaguely recall one of the school festivals in middle school. At the end, the students were made to dance in pairs around a massive bonfire. With Hachikuji's class having exactly 25 people, she was naturally the lone student left to dance by herself, so she spent that period of time in the washroom instead. The memory makes Hachikuji shiver.
While she was lost in thought, the student council members have made their way into the room, and everyone else has taken their seats.
Student council president Shiromeguri Meguri stands up to speak. "Hi everyone, thanks for volunteering to come today! I'm looking forward to working with you guys, let's make this culture festival a fun one!" She drifts off and gives a cheerful smile.
Hachikuji lets out a bitter laugh internally. Volunteering, my ass.
"If you don't already know, I am Shiromeguri Meguri, the current student council president. While it is the job of the student council to organise events for the student body, we third years are currently busy with our final exams. As a result, we need an Executive Committee for the Cultural Festival. Any volunteers?"
Hachikuji can already feel herself instinctively shrink back into her seat. Thankfully, there isn't a certain teacher present who would call her out for doing so. She takes a glance at Yukinoshita, who is… not raising his hand? Well, that's a surprise. Hachikuji thought that Yukinoshita was the kind of person who would volunteer in an instant for the leadership position; from his point of view, the best way to get things done is to do them yourself. Instead, he has folded his arms, leaned back and his eyes are closed.
As a loner, Hachikuji has mastered the art of detecting energy spikes in the auras of others. Caused by extreme emotions of excitement or anger, this phenomenon tends to indicate that the person is about to say or do something incredibly stupid, hence indicating that contact with said person should be limited. Right now, Hachikuji abruptly feels one such spike from her left.
"I-If anyone else doesn't mind, I guess I could try." Sagami stands up and glances tentatively at the room. Hachikuji shrinks further into her seat. Show-off.
The room is silent, and Shiromeguri-senpai decides to take this as consent, nodding towards Sagami. "Sagami… Minami-san, right? Since there aren't any other volunteers, welcome to the team! Does anyone want to volunteer themselves as second-in-charge?"
This time, Yukinoshita begins to raise his hand, but puts it down almost instantly. Hachikuji raises her eyebrows in surprise, and Yukinoshita immediately averts his gaze when their eyes meet. The room is silent once again.
"Well, since there aren't any volunteers, we'll put this off till the next meeting..." Shiromeguri-senpai grins awkwardly and laughs in the deadly silent room.
What is he doing?
Part 3
The next meeting is two days later, so with nothing better to do, Hachikuji goes to the clubroom after school the next day. The clubroom is empty without Yuigahama's blinding presence. Come to think of it, I always took him for granted. You can get crippling depression from just sitting next to Yukinoshita by yourself for an afternoon.
Should I pay him a visit? Hachikuji wonders for a moment, but brushes that thought aside as she takes a seat. Moments after Hachikuji has taken out her book to read, Yukinoshita walks into the clubroom as well.
"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-san." Yukinoshita doesn't bother to glance at her before taking his usual seat next to the window.
Soon, without Yuigahama to start any conversation, the clubroom is deadly silent once again. Note to self: Ensure that Yuigahama never calls in sick again.
"...you do know that staring at me will not achieve anything, right?"
Hachikuji skilfully averts her gaze to the floor; it's a skill she's picked up thanks to her nature as a loner. "W-Well, I was wondering what was with you yesterday. I thought you'd be the kind of person who would volunteer for leadership positions in an instant."
Yukinoshita looks surprised for a moment, before turning back to his own book. "Well, there are a few… circumstances. You see-"
The clubroom door slides open loudly, interrupting Yukinoshita's sentence. With the door open, Hachikuji can hear the loud chattering outside.
"Nah, you shouldn't ask for help from, you know, someone like him!"
"Shh! He can, like, hear you!"
Yukinoshita scowls and Hachikuji winces. This meeting is not looking good, and it has yet to start.
Sagami Minami strides into the room. Two of her lackeys tail behind, having the decency to look somewhat sheepish. Sagami, on the other hand, is confidently beaming from ear to ear.
"Hey, guys!" Sagami's overly friendly tone makes Hachikuji wince, not bothering to hide that fact from Sagami. Yukinoshita wordlessly stares at the three who are now standing in front of the clubroom. He's improving, Hachikuji realises; a few months ago he wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face.
"This is the Service Club, right? Actually, I have a request for you, if you don't mind listening to it..." Sagami stares at the ground under the pretension of being bashful, directing her sentence toward Yukinoshita.
What's the point of acting all embarrassed and vulnerable when you burst into the clubroom so casually just now? And besides, could you try not to disregard me so easily? What's the point of saying it's "a request for the Service Club" when it's actually for Yukinoshita? As much as I hate to admit it, this one's way worse than Hayama.
"The aim of the Service Club is to provide assistance to the student body. Speak your request, and we shall act accordingly." Yukinoshita mechanically states. As if sensing Hachikuji's unease, his tone is gradually getting icier.
Sagami ignores the blatantly cold tone of Yukinoshita's reply and grins back. "I knew I could count on you!"
Another problem has appeared. Being the head of the second most influential clique in class 2-E means that Sagami is positionally considered second to Hayama in terms of campus popularity. However, this is not the case. Lacking charisma and a large-enough fanbase like the top Riajuu himself, Sagami is actually a fairly insignificant individual where the student body is concerned. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to recognise this fact, her lackeys can't afford to break it to her and the other students couldn't care less. She's under the impression that we absolutely can't refuse her because she's popular enough to crush us socially, Hachikuji realises, dread settling in her stomach. Yukinoshita hates that kind of attitude.
Sagami continues, "Well, you see, I'm the head of the Cultural Festival organising team right now, and there's obviously a lot of work that I have to do, and still a lot of things I don't understand..."
Figure them out yourself, thinks Hachikuji in a moment of defiance. But she can already see where this is going.
"So I was wondering if you, one of the students with a great reputation, could help me with my job. Basically, my request is for you to become the vice head for the Cultural Festival organising team and help me out in my leadership duties, if that's fine with you..."
What kind of request is that? And how much are you going to use that annoying tone? Hachikuji glances at Yukinoshita. He's obviously annoyed by Sagami's style of speech, and is starting to look increasingly displeased.
"Sagami-san, I believe such a request is not legitimate. Also-"
"Well, ya see, I thought I could get the help of someone really capable, since you're Yukinoshita Haruno's younger brother, and the Cultural Festival during the year that she organised it was really splendid..." Sagami interrupts Yukinoshita, scratching the back of her head to provide the image of a shy girl as she explains.
Crap. Hachikuji opens her mouth to interject, but stops when she notices that Yukinoshita has paused too.
"Well, I guess I don't mind. Your request is accepted. I will assume the role of vice-head executive and assist your role as head from there."
...
Eh?
What's with that sudden change of heart? Hachikuji stares at Yukinoshita in bemusement, who has closed his book and is now standing up, an unreadable look on his face.
"I'll look for Shiromeguri-senpai now to sign up for the post." Yukinoshita picks up his bag and makes his way out of the clubroom, followed by a smug Sagami and her overjoyed lackeys. When the door shuts, Hachikuji is left alone in the clubroom save for her thoughts.
...The hell is he doing? Well, it's none of my business anyway.
Hachikuji picks up her bag and makes for the door as well, trying and failing to quash the feeling of dread that has arisen in her heart.
...
"I see," muses Yuigahama when Hachikuji calls to inform him of the club's latest request. "I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Yeah. It's not hard to see why."
The two fall into silence.
"...Hikigaya-san."
"Yeah?"
"Take care of Yukinon in my stead, alright? I'm counting on you."
Trust, huh... Hachikuji swallows. There seems to be a lump in her throat. "Alright."
Part 4
"Advertising Team, report on your status." Yukinoshita orders without looking up from the papers on his desk. Beside him, Sagami plays around with her revolving chair. Is it just me, or does this look like an accurate representation of a corporate chain of command? This world is a truly rotten place.
"Y-Yes, Advertising Team here, we've begun drafting the webpages to be put on the school website."
"Already?" Sagami pauses her gyrations in a feeble attempt to show some semblance of professionalism for the first time in the past fifteen minutes. "That's pretty fast! Keep up the good wor-"
"-No. That will not do. I've already mentioned several times that the webpage should be up and running by this week. Hurry up with the development. What about the progress with our sponsors?" Sagami opens her mouth to speak, but shuts it almost immediately after. Hachikuji smirks. That's your end of the Faustian bargain, Sagami. If you hire a work demon, prepare to be outdone.
One by one, teams are called up, and they dutifully report their progress, which perpetually seems to be behind Yukinoshita's incredibly strict schedule. Once or twice Sagami tries to point out that getting everything done two weeks before the festival is a bit too tight, but Yukinoshita dismisses her arguments magnificently.
...okay, maybe Hachikuji is a little biased, but who can blame her?
Hachikuji looks around the room, and she can practically sense the energy fluctuations in the students' respective auras. Some of them have already begun to whisper among themselves, and Hachikuji catches a glimpse of the occasional finger pointing at Yukinoshita.
"Wow, Yukinoshita-san is really capable, isn't he."
"Of course! He's the Yukinoshita Haruno's younger brother, after all."
Energy is best used when not spent. Sighing, she waits for her turn to be called up.
"Historian Team, report your status."
"We've recorded copies of emails and interactions with our sponsors, and other groups involved with the festival. We've also taken down the planning and progress of our organisation team for the past 2 weeks."
A pause.
"Good pace. Keep it up. Concert team..." Yukinoshita continues with the roll call, and Hachikuji heaves a sigh of relief.
It could well be her imagination, but the glances thrown her way seem to have a little more animosity in them.
…...
"Sorry I'm late!" Sagami bursts into the Student Council Room, interrupting Yukinoshita's roll call for the third meeting this week. Behind her are her usual two lackeys. With a perfectly synchronised casual wave, they dreamily exit the clubroom immediately after entering. Sagami flashes them a smile and takes her time to wave them off.
Hachikuji glances at the clock at the front of the room, and nearly laughs out loud. I'm sure you don't want to do your job either, but isn't turning up an hour late pushing it a little? By the feel of the negative energy that has started to simmer in the meeting room, the other members of the committee don't seem to be taking it as lightly as she is.
"I'm sorry, my class meeting overran! I'll sit down now!" Sagami ignores the stares of the rest of the committee as she takes a seat next to Yukinoshita at the front of the room.
"Sagami-san, I understand your enthusiasm for your class's role in the festival, but please tell them that you have to be punctual for the committee meetings." Hachikuji cringes upon hearing the sharpness of Yukinoshita's voice. His displeasure is justifiable, though. Whoever heard of a chief executive who skips half of all the meetings?
Sagami laughs sheepishly and replies, "Yeah, I understand, but my class is really important to me too, ya kno-"
"Anyways, here are the documents that require your approval. Please use your stamp." Yukinoshita, interrupting Sagami's meaningless ramble, takes a stack of papers off his own work pile and dumps it onto Sagami's section of the table (which was previously completely empty).
Hachikuji glances at the stack of documents in front of Yukinoshita and smiles bitterly. Even with the thick stack of papers handed to Sagami, who is now going through the papers and stamping them without bothering to read the contents, Yukinoshita's workload remains massive; the stack of papers on her desk more than twice the height of that of any of the other committee members. Not to mention that most of the documents he handles are stored in his laptop. Hachikuji would call in sick just to avoid taking up that amount of work.
...come to think of it, she could have done that this whole time. Why didn't she think of it earlier?
Yukinoshita turns back to the rest of the committee. "Advertising Team, report your sta-"
"Oh by the way, Yukinoshita-san, I thought that this year's cultural festival might need some help, so I got someone who's really experienced to come next week!" Sagami doesn't bother to look up from her paper-stamping, and can't catch the look of frustration on Yukinoshita's face. Or maybe she has and is obviously ignoring it.
He sighs and replies. "Who is it?"
Sagami flashes another smile. "Surprise! It's your sister, Yukinoshita Haruno-senpai!"
"...Is that so."
Yukinoshita pauses for a moment before continuing his roll call, and Hachikuji can clearly see that he's much more shaken than before.
What a pain. Hachikuji is faintly aware that the committee is approaching the ground at terminal velocity, and has no idea where to find a parachute.
Part 5
"Hikigaya-san, keep up the good work." Hachikuji turns to look at the speaker, but before she can, another pile of papers is dumped next to her computer.
So it begins, huh.
Just like how the ideal form of communism can never be achieved, there will always be inequality regarding workload and rewards where a large group of workers is concerned, driven by a lack of incentive to work and compete. For this particular event, Hachikuji notices, this phenomenon has surfaced earlier than usual.
During the planning stages of most class projects and the like, it is not uncommon for the workpiles of the more popular students to be pushed to the less popular ones. This eventually results in the lackeys at the bottom of the social caste ending up 'sick' or 'unfit for work'. Usually, due to Hachikuji's unapproachability, and the unreasonable ideals known as gender stereotypes, she wouldn't be asked to do the menial work, and was usually left alone as long as she did her share. If inequality in terms of workloads did occur, Hachikuji would probably be one of the lazier individuals. However, perhaps it was due to Yukinoshita's efficiency and work ethic that she did not notice how much the people around her were slacking off. Now, she has found herself on the receiving end of this unfair social behaviour.
The stack of papers next to her desk is now much taller than before, and the harder she works, the more it seems to grow. And I thought being an assistant historian would be an easy job. Sighing, she takes a look at the front of the room, where Yukinoshita is seated, busy arguing with one of the other committee members.
...Looking at Yukinoshita's simply terrifying workload, she's suddenly almost feels relieved looking at her own pile. Only that Yukinoshita's well-being is part of her responsibility too...
"As I said, at the pace your team is going, we won't be able to secure our resources in time to make adequate preparations for the event." Yukinoshita's calm but sharp voice, like the eye of a hurricane, sends chills down Hachikuji's spine. She listens on in spite of herself.
"Yukinoshita-san, our team is already going as fast as we can. We need an extension."
Bullshit. Hachikuji vaguely remembers one of the members from that team passing off his workload to her.
"Then work harder. If not, we won't be able to-"
"Wow, everybody's working hard! How wonderful!" A familiar voice suddenly issues from the door as it slides open, interrupting Yukinoshita's sentence. Yukinoshita Haruno strides into the classroom, with a beaming Sagami tailing right behind her, followed by… Hiratsuka-sensei? Seated a few spaces away from Hachikuji, Shiromeguri-senpai makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a frightful squeak and an apprehensive groan.
Even the student council president is worried now why oh why is everyone making my work so HARD.
Hachikuji groans audibly. She forgot that Yukinoshita Haruno would be coming today. It's almost like a truckload of problems have just driven through the door. However, the rest of the committee seems to think otherwise. Some of them gaze at Yukinoshita Haruno with deep respect, while others simply seem relieved. Only Hiratsuka-sensei seems to be wary of her, and keeps her distance while smiling at the rest of the committee members.
"Oh, don't mind me, I'm just here to help out!~" Haruno waves at everyone before taking a seat at one of the desks at the front. The committee members pause for a brief moment, before continuing to mill around.
"...As I was saying, it's necessary that your team manages to secure sponsorship from the companies mentioned by the end of this week. That's the bare minimu-"
"Oh don't be so uptight, Yukio-chan! I'm sure that we can have a bit of leeway with the sponsorships." Haruno reclines back in her chair, sifts through documents (where did she get them from?), and interrupts her younger brother cheerfully.
Yukinoshita looks at his older sister and blinks several times, surprised. "Nee-san! When did you… nevermind. You're not in the committee, aren't you? Don't interfere where you are not needed. We cannot afford any more time, we're already behind schedule-"
"Sagami-chan!" Haruno tearfully clings onto the chief executive's sleeve. "Yukio-chan won't let me join the committee!"
Faced with this improbably childish attack, Yukinoshita stands rooted to the spot. "What... I never-"
But Sagami's expression has changed into something ugly and complacent. She probably thinks it looks cunning, but Hachikuji feels nauseous just by looking at her. "My, Yukinoshita-san! You can't disregard your sister like that, not after she came all the way here to help us! Here, Haruno-san, I'll register you as a committee member, alright?"
"Yay!" Haruno squeals. "Thanks a bunch, Sagami-chan!" Both of them flash visibly malicious smiles, but for completely different reasons. It's more than slightly unpleasant to watch.
Hiratsuka-sensei sighs. Hachikuji silently agrees.
Meanwhile, Yukinoshita appears to have just recovered from his sister's attack. "I-I do suppose that factoring in the two weeks I set aside as buffer time, we can afford for the sponsorships to be secured next week, but no later than that. You have an extension of three days."
The committee member looks relieved. He moves to return to his seat with a sigh, and as he passes by, he mumbles his appreciation to Haruno. On the other hand, Yukinoshita silently starts typing on his laptop again. Hachikuji wonders what expression he's wearing, but a curious glance from Haruno snaps her out of it, and she gets back to grinding documents. That's how she gets people to stop slacking off? Just stare at them until they start working? Man, I need those demonic eyes.
...
"Keep up the hard work, Hikigaya-san." The girl seems relieved, shrugging her shoulders repeatedly while walking off. The papers she has just dumped on Hachikuji's table are evidently extremely heavy.
Is this a thing now? Is this gonna be a thing from now on? This is pissing me off.
Hachikuji sighs, but still picks up the documents to look through them. The meeting hasn't even started, and people are already pushing work to her.
The door slides open smoothly, and the room that was previously lively with idle chatter falls into dead silence as Yukinoshita strides into the room with his sister cheerily entering behind him. Everyone hurries to their seats and prepares for the meeting. Haruno sits right next to Yukinoshita, on Chief Executive Sagami's seat. No one stops her.
"Good afternoon, everyone. We'll begin the today's meeting today. However, today, before the roll call, we have something more important to discuss." Yukinoshita looks around the room for a response, but gets nothing.
"A-As most of you already know, our school has a tradition of setting a slogan for every Cultural Festival. Since this slogan is of traditional and historic value, it's very important to set a good one for each year. Any ideas?" Yukinoshita once again checks the room for some sort of response, but this time Hachikuji can tell his demeanour is a lot more resigned. Ah, so he knows too.
As expected the room is completely silent.
"A fun festival, a festival of colours, or..." Yukinoshita trails off.
Hachikuji can feel the silence pressing on her ears. I really don't want to do this.
"A festival to remember, a school of harmony...something along those lines." Hachikuji is looking down at her feet, but she can hear how strained Yukinoshita's voice is becoming. She can't help but also feel some annoyance towards the other committee members. Can't you guys contribute something for once?
Hachikuji looks up, and she notices that Haruno is also about to speak.
Hey, this is bad.
If Haruno speaks, Yukinoshita would obviously go along with it, but still…
This is really bad.
Hachikuji recalls Yukinoshita's oddly melancholic figure, typing away at his laptop, ever the hardworking servant while his older sister made the Chief Executive's decisions on his behalf.
Do I really have to do this?
Haruno finally opens her mouth to speak.
"How about-"
"A school of me (俺)." Hachikuji interrupts Haruno with her own suggestion. The silence in the room seems to thicken.
"Not 'watashi' or 'boku' (私 or 僕, the general pronouns), but 'ore' (俺), used more commonly for teenage guys? Explain, Hikigaya-san." Yukinoshita seems oddly interested. Hiratsuka-sensei, sitting in the corner, readies her legendary Fist of Justice.
Hachikuji smiles bitterly. Self depreciation, start!
"Well, you see, 'Ore' is an informal form of address, used by boys instead of the usual pronouns to create a stronger sense of self. I'm a great fan of irony, so forgive me for saying that this slogan is a direct contrast to the state of this committee. As a group we have no identity, no goal, and are certainly lacking in terms of team effort. Just as expected of the representatives of this school."
The expressions of the other committee members slowly turn into surprise, then anger. Hiratsuka-sensei sighs. Haruno looks vaguely amused. Hachikuji drinks it all in like a cocktail. "But at the same time, this slogan beautifully represents the individual sense of self that all the members of this committee possess. I mean, just look at the selfishness of everyone here!" She twists her mouth into a bitter smile, raises her hands and gestures at the members present.
"Everyone's only caring about themselves, and not realising the formality of the event they're organising, selfishly pushing all the work to me..." The committee members around her, who have been doing exactly that, now whip around and stare at her with shell-shocked faces. Defensive stammers and protests begin to gather.
"Oi, you-"
"Besides, imagine what it would be like when people find out the theme for such a traditional event. 'Ore? Are they serious?' Maybe it'd lower their expectations of this school to realit- oof!"
Hachikuji's brief moment of infamy is interrupted when Hiratsuka-sensei strolls over from the other side of the room and delivers a brutal punch to her stomach. She collapses, sprawled out on the table, but she grins while gritting her teeth; a villain must play the part. Besides, that was worth it.
"The hell were you thinking?" Hiratsuka hisses angrily from behind her. The other students have also started whispering furiously.
"Wasn't that, like, so uncalled for?"
"What's her problem? I just wanted her to help out a little bit..."
The whisperings cease abruptly when Haruno bangs her fist on her table. Everyone glances at her. She's standing up but is nearly doubled over, her face is hidden, and she seems to be trembling uncontrollably. The students around her subconsciously begin to back off. Despite the pain in her solar plexus, Hachikuji strains to look up. Let's see how the legendary Yukinoshita Haruno attempts to get this mess back under control...
But contrary to everyone's expectations, Haruno suddenly rolls back into her chair and begins to laugh uncontrollably. Shock? That can't even begin to express what the rest of the committee members are feeling.
"Hikigaya-chan, you are HILARIOUS!" Haruno continues roaring with laughter, continually pounding the table for emphasis.
"Haruno, stop laughing. This is serious."
"I ca- I can't! You're so uptight, Shizuka-chan... haha..." Haruno forces her laughter to a barely audible giggle. Hachikuji is surprised herself. Heh… so she got the joke.
Then another burst of muffled laughter erupts from the front of the table, and the committee members realise that Haruno is not the only Yukinoshita who is laughing.
"Hikigaya-san," Hachikuji turns her head, and sees Yukinoshita Yukio blatantly smirking for the first time in a few weeks, all the colour returned to his face. He takes a deep breath.
"Rejected."
"Ah, is that so..." Hachikuji takes her seat, and she can feel the now penetrating glares of hate from the rest of the committee. This is the most I can do, I guess. Whether they will actually stop slacking and work together after all this is completely outside of my control.
"Sorry I'm late!" Sagami gasps for breath as the meeting room door slides open. Nobody seems to pay her any heed; the two Yukinoshitas are still busy giggling and the remaining committee members are still glaring at Hachikuji. Hiratsuka-sensei and Shiromeguri-senpai open their mouths to chastise the errant chief executive, but read the mood just in time to realise that this would put Hachikuji's effort to waste, and stop themselves.
Heh, mission accomplished.
For the next few days, the committee members, enraged by Hachikuji's outrageous insults, begin to work more diligently. While they seem to pile more work onto her out of spite, Hachikuji also notices that the stack of documents on Yukinoshita's side of the table has visibly lessened. It certainly isn't a permanent measure, and the members are bound to resume slacking sooner or later, but Hachikuji feels somewhat relieved to see the stress on Yukinoshita's face lessen a little.
Why am I feeling relieved? Because I've accomplished the task Yuigahama asked me to do? Somehow it feels like it's more than that. Hachikuji doesn't know, but she has certainly learned to stop caring.
…..
"Good afternoon everyone, let's get to work today!" Sagami claps her hands and begins the meeting (half an hour late). Standing beside her, Hiratsuka-sensei looks mildly displeased.
"...Wait a second, where's Yukinoshita? Don't we need him to get anything productive done?"
Sagami stares back at Hachikuji, and her eyes narrow. "What about him?" Are you implying that my presence is not sufficient? her eyes seem to say.
Damn right I am, Hachikuji wants to scream. How could you still give that face despite everything you've done? I even had to fill in our class's booth registration in your place! Instead she says "Well we can't just start the meeting without him, right?"
Hiratsuka-sensei sighs."Yukinoshita called in sick today. You'll have to make do without him."
END OF CHAPTER 6