"Alright everyone," Hikari said, looking at the seated members of the student council. "First, I want to congratulate all of you on the tremendous success of our New Year hatsumode activities. The shrine visits had record attendance, and the feedback from both students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. The community service hours initiative worked exactly as planned."
A small murmur of pride rippled through the room. Several representatives exchanged satisfied glances, and even Akira allowed himself a brief smile behind his glasses.
"However," Hikari continued, her tone shifting, "we now face a significant challenge for our upcoming Tanabata Festival. The administration has informed us that due to budget constraints, funding for cultural events has been reduced by thirty percent for this fiscal year. Events Planner, would you please explain the specifics?"
"Thank you," Akira said, standing and pushing up his glasses. "The budget reduction means we're looking at approximately ¥180,000 less than last year's allocation. This affects every aspect of the festival - decorations, food vendors, entertainment, and even basic supplies like bamboo for wish trees. Additionally, the success of our hatsumode activities has raised expectations. Students and faculty are expecting an event of equal or greater quality, but with significantly fewer resources."
He adjusted his papers nervously. "I've run preliminary calculations, and with traditional approaches, we'd have to either cut the festival to two days instead of three, eliminate the evening lantern ceremony, or reduce the number of activity stations by half. None of these options maintain the quality we established with our New Year events."
One of the first year representatives raised his hand tentatively. "Um, I have a question. The first-years don't really seem to care about traditional festivals anyway, and if we're honest about our target audience, we could work within the budget constraints without compromising quality for the students who actually want to participate."
"That wasn't a question, Hideiko-san," Hikari stated coldly.
“Okay” The representative said. “Then I guess my question is, why don’t we go with my plan and reduce the scope of the festival plans?”
Akira turned to Hikari, and Hikari turned to Kari. There seemed to be some sort of psychic communication between them, and Hikari turned back to the representative with a practiced smile.
"One of our core commitments this year was to revitalize cultural festivals and demonstrate their value to the school community. The success of hatsumode proved that students want meaningful cultural experiences when they're properly organized and promoted. Accepting a reduced festival now would undermine everything we've built and send the message that cultural events aren't worth proper investment."
A slight tension went through the air, and everyone shifted uncomfortably. The representative looked frustrated but didn't argue further.
"Even so," Akira said, trying to ease the atmosphere, "we can't ignore the financial reality. We need creative solutions that maintain quality while working within our constraints."
Satoshi watched all of this from his secretary's corner, mechanically recording the discussion. He noted the questions, the concerns, Akira's careful responses to each challenge. It was efficient, well-orchestrated, but he found himself thinking about the conversation with his mother again, about living a life of careful performance. His hand moved automatically across the page while his mind drifted to those damnable stories of the Incursion, to the weight of secrets that made everything feel hollow.
He stopped writing when he realized Kari was looking directly at him. Her granite eyes seemed to see through his careful composure, and he felt the familiar nervousness that everyone experienced under her gaze. They watched each other for a moment of silent assessment.
"Those who won't attend are those who won't see value," Kari said with her smooth leadership voice, timing her comment perfectly. "The budget isn't actually our primary constraint - it's perception. People expect to pay for quality."
Satoshi watched Akira's nervous tick appear, though his focus on Kari remained absolute.
"That being said, reduced funding creates an opportunity," Kari continued, steepling her fingers. "We have two paths: reduce our ambitions to match our budget, or find alternative funding sources that align with our educational mission. I refuse to compromise on quality, so we'll pursue the latter."
She addressed the room with quiet authority. "What if we structured Tanabata as a cultural education partnership? Local businesses and community organizations invest in individual stations or activities, not as sponsors, but as educational partners. They provide funding and expertise, we provide student engagement and community connection."
Several representatives looked intrigued. "Can we do that?" a senior representative asked.
"I believe so," Kari nodded thoughtfully. "But it requires us to frame this properly. We're not asking for charity - we're offering valuable community engagement. Local artisans teach traditional crafts, restaurants provide authentic festival foods, cultural organizations share historical knowledge. Everyone benefits, and the festival becomes self-sustaining."
"Something like this has never been attempted," Akira said, though his tone carried more excitement than concern.
"I know it's ambitious, but we've proven we can execute complex initiatives," Kari replied, glancing briefly at Akira. "Run preliminary outreach to gauge interest, but focus on the educational partnership angle. Frame it as community cultural preservation, not fundraising. We need to create enthusiasm and commitment before we finalize the structure."
She paused, allowing a small smile. "With that approach, Akira, please continue with your planning framework."
Akira, energized by Kari's vision, resumed his presentation with new confidence. The representatives began engaging more positively, and the meeting's momentum shifted toward problem-solving rather than limitation management.
Satoshi observed it all with growing fascination. Kari had transformed a budget crisis into an expansion opportunity, turning constraints into innovation catalysts. She hadn't just solved the immediate problem - she'd elevated the entire concept. It was masterful strategic thinking.
The meeting concluded with clear assignments and renewed purpose. As representatives filed out, discussing partnership possibilities and implementation strategies, Satoshi finished transcribing his notes. When the room had largely emptied, Kari called to him.
"Yes, Madam President?"
"You seemed distant again today," she said, studying him with those penetrating granite eyes. "Even more than last time."
Satoshi felt that familiar flutter of unease. "I was focused on documenting everything accurately."
"Perfect documentation, perfect posture, perfect responses," she observed. "But you looked like you were performing rather than participating."
"I take my responsibilities seriously, Madam President."
"I know you do. That's what concerns me." She leaned back slightly. "You've mastered this role completely, but I wonder if it still offers you anything meaningful."
The directness of her observation caught him off guard.
"When was the last time you chose to do something that genuinely challenged you?" she asked. "Not something you knew you could excel at, but something that actually pushed your boundaries?"
Satoshi opened his mouth to respond and found himself uncertain.
"I've been thinking about your future here," Kari continued. "You'll be a senior next year. Are you planning to continue as Secretary, or are you looking for something more engaging?"
"I... hadn't really considered alternatives."
"That's what I thought," she said with something that might have been sympathy. "You've perfected this position to the point where it requires no real effort from you. That's impressive, but it's also limiting. You're capable of much more than flawless note-taking."
"What are you suggesting, Madam President?"
"I'm suggesting you think about what you actually want to accomplish, not just what you're expected to do well." Her voice carried genuine concern. "This is your final year to take meaningful risks, to find something that actually matters to you personally."
"And if I can't find anything like that?"
"Then you'll spend your senior year sleepwalking through another perfect performance," she said quietly. "And that would be a waste of considerable potential."
Her words settled between them with uncomfortable weight.
"For now, make sure everyone understands the partnership framework we discussed today. But think about what I said. Your senior year should be about more than maintaining perfection."
“I will” He nodded before leaving and considering the judgment that was placed upon him.
He found Hikari and Akira waiting for him outside and he struggled to comprehend what they were still doing here. It was the end of the school day and Satoshi had expected that they would have already put their things away and left, and yet, they remained. They had stayed here for his sake, and Satoshi wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that.
"What did she want?" Hikari asked, her bubbly voice filled with the twinge of nervous energy.
"Just...Questions about my job"
"Huh?" Akira said with a raised eyebrow. "I thought you did perfectly"
"Yeah, that's...slightly the problem. Anyway, let's talk about something else" Satoshi said as he carried on walking.
Hikari and Akira looked at each other, confused, but they dropped it quickly and followed behind him.
"Did either of you hear that we're getting a new English teacher?" Hikari asked with a neat smile on her face. "They say he's pretty handsome" She said with a slight giggle.
"Hikari-san..." Akira frowned. "That's... inappropriate"
"Don't be so serious," She said with a light laugh. "I'm just curious about meeting new people, okay? I already know everything about Cameron-sensei and his predictable lessons. It'll be refreshing to see someone new"
"That is a good point" Satoshi said with a nod. He paused for a moment and considered her words. "Did you think of that reason before you mentioned he was handsome?"
"Eh?" Hikari asked back.
"I mean...did you come up with that explanation just now?"
"Ah, well, maybe?" She thought about it. "Kari-san and the rest of us have been taking this political speech course at the community center and well, they teach us about how most communication is just simplifying complex ideas"
Akira interjected. "Most thoughts are complicated, but when we speak, we have to make them simple so others can understand"
"So...when I said he was handsome, what I was really doing was expressing my larger feelings about wanting to meet someone new, but in a simple way" She giggled a bit. "At least, that's what I do when I'm being casual with friends. Maybe I shouldn't talk like that with you two? I can be more formal and precise, right?" She laughed again at the contradiction. "That would be easier for you, wouldn't it Akira?"
"I just don't think we should talk about sensei that way" Akira shook his head as they passed by a series of lockers and he stopped. "It feels disrespectful"
"Well, I would never say it to his face" Hikari chuckled again. "That would be terrible"
"Yeah...probably" Akira said as he opened his locker and began putting his stuff away. Satoshi and Hikari waited for him but Satoshi's mind was still elsewhere. He was busy answering the question as to why he wasn't taking the class at the Annex. The answer was the exact thing that him and Kari had just been talking about.
"Hey, Akira-kun" Hikari began again. "Did you finish those notes for the Biology exam? I know I should have taken my own, but..."
Like a magician, Akira pulled out a paper and handed it over to her. She scanned the front page and nodded.
"Ah, Thank you Akira-kun. I know I should do this myself, but-"
"You're hopeless at science" Akira said, closing the locker.
"Don't be so harsh" Hikari said with a slight pout. "I just...I can't focus during those classes, you know?"
Satoshi said, looking between them. "You write her notes for her?"
Akira nodded. "It helps me organize my thoughts better too"
"But isn't that kind of like cheating?"
Both Akira and Hikari looked at each other, slightly nervous, but recovered quickly.
"It's not cheating, it's...efficient use of our strengths" Hikari said, switching to her more formal tone. "He's good at this, he doesn't mind doing it, and in exchange I make sure he comes to social events with me"
"Sure, but isn't the point of taking notes to learn the material yourself?"
"Why struggle when I can learn it more effectively this way?" She asked with a shrug.
Satoshi's expression grew troubled and the two of them noticed the change.
“Are you doing okay?" Hikari asked with concern.
"I..." He clenched his fist and sighed. "I've just been thinking about a lot of things lately. Hey..." He looked between them. "Do you think it would be wrong if someone who knew all the answers on a test purposely got some questions wrong?"
"Eh?" Hikari said with a surprised tone.
"Why would someone do that?" Akira asked, adjusting his glasses.
"Maybe because...if they got perfect scores on everything, people would start treating them differently"
"Hmm..." Akira hummed thoughtfully.
"That seems like such a waste" Hikari said immediately.
"Why do you think that?" Satoshi pressed.
"Because, well, if this person can get perfect scores on everything, then they should skip ahead to a more challenging level"
"What if they'd get perfect scores there too?"
"Well, then they should keep advancing until they find an appropriate challenge. That's why I joined student council - I needed something more demanding"
"I understand that" Satoshi nodded. "But what if this person was exceptional at everything? Would it be selfish to hide their abilities from the world?"
"Why are you asking about this, Satoshi-kun?" Akira asked perceptively.
Satoshi paused for a moment, his face switching to one of practiced calm as the lie came up from a natural place within himself. "I have an older cousin back in my hometown who...must have an incredibly high IQ. He breezed through some university courses without even trying hard. Everyone in the family kept pushing him to become a doctor or lawyer, to use his intelligence to help society, but he chose to stay on the family farm, taking care of livestock and working with his hands."
"Wait, your family has a farm?" Hikari asked, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"Oh, um, yes. My cousins family does. It's been in the family for generations," Satoshi said, his mind racing.
"What kind of farm?" Akira asked, adjusting his glasses. "Livestock, you said?"
"Mostly...sheep, Some chickens I think, but nothing industrial." Satoshi hoped he sounded confident.
"That's so cool!" Hikari exclaimed. "I've never met anyone who actually grew up around farms. But wait—he went to university first?"
"Yes, he got accepted to several prestigious programs but..." Satoshi paused, trying to stay on track. "The point is, he says it's more peaceful this way, that people would resent him if he showed his true capabilities. But couldn't he be helping more people if he used his gifts?"
"Hmm," Akira said thoughtfully. "How does your family feel about his choice now?"
"They're...still adjusting," Satoshi said carefully. "But what do you think? Is it selfish to hide exceptional abilities, or is it selfish to show off?"
"That's really hard," Hikari said, finally engaging with the philosophical question. "If I had that kind of intelligence, I think I'd want to use it. Like you said, it could help people, and it would probably bring recognition and success."
"But is that really his choice?" Akira added thoughtfully. "Or just what would benefit everyone else around him?"
"That's really interesting," Hikari said, her expression becoming more animated. "I'd love to talk with this cousin of yours. He sounds like a fascinating person"
"Really?" Satoshi asked, hope creeping into his voice.
"Me too" Akira nodded. "I'd like to hear his perspective on this dilemma before forming my own opinion"
Satoshi felt his mood lift considerably. "I...you don't know how much that means to me"
"Really?" Hikari asked, looking puzzled. "He's just your cousin, right?"
"Yes, but..." Satoshi paused, choosing his words carefully. "We were very close growing up, and I always thought he should pursue something prestigious like medicine, but..." He smiled genuinely at both of them. "It's just good to know there are people who would try to understand his situation rather than judge him immediately."
"Of course" Hikari said warmly. "Everyone deserves to be understood"
"Complex situations need careful thought" Akira added. "Your cousin sounds like he's facing something most people never have to deal with."
Satoshi nodded, feeling relieved. "Thank you both”Satoshi nodded, feeling relieved. As he looked at their genuine expressions of interest and understanding, something began to crystallize in his mind. Here were two people who had just demonstrated exactly what he'd been hoping for - the ability to withhold judgment and seek understanding instead. They hadn't immediately assumed his cousin was wasting his potential or being selfish. They wanted to hear his perspective, to understand the complexity of his situation.
An idea began to form, tentative at first, then growing stronger. What if he could create a space where this kind of understanding could happen? What if there were others like him, living lies of normalcy, who might benefit from knowing they weren't alone? His cousin story had been a test of sorts, and Hikari and Akira had passed it beautifully? But more than that, he realized he genuinely wanted them to meet this fictional cousin - or rather, he wanted to find a way to be honest with them without the crushing weight of revelation. Maybe if he could arrange something, some kind of meeting where the truth could come out naturally.."Actually," he said, his voice carrying a new energy that surprised even him, "I've been thinking about visiting him soon. He lives about three hours away by train. Would you two be interested in coming along for a day trip? I think you'd really enjoy meeting him, and I know he'd appreciate talking with people who understand his situation."
The words felt both terrifying and liberating as they left his mouth. He was taking a step toward something real, something that mattered to him personally rather than just fulfilling expectations.
Hikari's eyes lit up immediately. "A day trip? That sounds wonderful! I love meeting new people, and your cousin sounds like he has such an interesting perspective on life." She clasped her hands together excitedly. "When were you thinking of going?"
Akira pushed his glasses up, considering the proposal more carefully. "That's very generous of you to invite us, Satoshi-kun. I have to admit, I'm curious about someone who would choose such an unconventional path despite having so many options available." He paused, then added with a slight smile, "It would be refreshing to have a philosophical discussion with someone who's actually living through such a complex situation rather than just theorizing about it."
"Plus," Hikari added with a grin, "I bet the countryside is beautiful this time of year. We could make it a proper adventure - maybe pack a lunch and explore the area a bit?"
Satoshi felt a warmth spread through his chest at their enthusiasm. This was exactly the kind of genuine engagement he'd been craving - not the polished responses of student council meetings, but real curiosity and interest.
Satoshi nodded and said with a smile. “I’ll contact him and set something up. I think this will be fun”
“Maybe he can help out with my chemistry homework” Hikari chuckled a bit before shrugging at the dismissive look the two of them gave her. “Either way, let me know and I’ll be happy to come up and see him”
“I think he would like that too” Satoshi said with a genuine smile as he considered the strange possibility appearing in his mind.