With a heavy rain, the intense summer heat was extinguished, and the season entered autumn.
It had been almost a week since school started, and the students gradually detached from the vacation state and found the rhythm of school days.
In the homeroom class, Shizuka, wearing her familiar white lab coat and stepping in black flat sneakers, walked up to the podium and wrote the theme of today's homeroom on the blackboard.
—School Festival Project.
Every year at the start of the autumn semester, the school festival is an unavoidable topic.
The school festival, also known as the culture festival, is a campus open day event held annually by schools of all levels in Japan. Usually organized by classes or activity clubs, the students plan it independently. The activities cover diverse forms such as theatrical performances, haunted house explorations, and maid cafes.
On the day of the festival, the school also invites well-known alumni, local celebrities, and surrounding residents to observe the ceremony, thereby showcasing the school's discipline and spirit and laying a good foundation for the coming year's enrollment work.
For students, as long as they don't have to attend classes, doing anything seems interesting. Not to mention that the act of uniting with friends and classmates to hold a festival is inherently fun and has considerable commemorative significance.
It belongs to the kind of memory that brings a smile to one's lips when recalled in old age.
Of course, this thing is like chocolate: humans are fine eating it, but dogs might die if they do.
For those solitary people without any bonds, such lively activities seem exceptionally boring, even somewhat torturous.
Shinra looked at Hachiman, whose whole body had 'boring', 'whatever', and 'just end quickly' written all over it, and knew that he definitely wasn't the target audience for such activities.
Sigh, having no motivation like this won't do. Shizuka-sensei is watching. If you don't perk up, who will make up for my missing wish-power points?
He hadn't forgotten the initial blue wish-power commission that had turned into a long-term task.
A trace of electric light flashed on Shinra's fingertip. In an instant, Hachiman looked as if he had been struck by lightning (literally). His originally loose sitting posture immediately became upright, and his eternally hunched back miraculously straightened up.
What a divine doctor!
Due to the excessive magnitude of the movement, some noise was inevitably made. Although the miscellaneous discussion sounds in the class were loud, it couldn't stop someone from constantly paying attention to the movement on Hachiman's side.
"Oh oh oh, Hachiman, I didn't expect you to be so motivated. It seems you must have ideas for the class festival activity?"
Taking advantage of the gap in the class discussion, Shizuka walked to Hachiman's side and covertly gave him a superb elbow strike.
Hachiman only felt his finger being 'bitten' by something unknown, and he faintly heard a subtle 'crackling' sound, like an electric arc piercing the air during a short circuit, instantly electrifying him.
Then, before he could recover, he took an elbow from Shizuka, adding frost to the snow.
"No ideas at all." Hachiman replied while warily looking at the desk, seemingly afraid to continue lying on it to slack off.
It's only just turned autumn; why is there static electricity already?
"And even if I really had ideas, setting aside whether anyone in the class would support them, they wouldn't pass the public order and morals check."
Shizuka was a bit speechless. It seems that's true. Given Hachiman's usually gloomy personality, the programs he comes up with definitely won't fit the festive atmosphere of the celebration. They would likely be a powerful critique of riajuus, society, and the employment environment.
She, Hiratsuka Shizuka, was just a teacher. Her delicate shoulders couldn't bear such a heavy responsibility.
Thinking of this, Shizuka awkwardly withdrew the iron hand resting on Hachiman's shoulder and said, "True..."
Why did she admit it directly?
Hachiman was both relieved and inexplicably depressed.
Relieved because he had escaped the possibility of being targeted by the Great Demon King Shizuka. Depressed because the Great Demon King Shizuka gave up too quickly. That avoidance behavior somewhat touched his fragile and sensitive nerves.
Too hurtful.
Hachiman supported his dead-fish eyes and looked elsewhere, finding his 'good brother' Shinra also spacing out, and their gazes met.
Since their eyes had met...
"Shizuka-sensei, regarding the school festival activity, why don't you ask Shinra?"
Based on the idea that shared joy is better than solitary joy, Hachiman naturally couldn't stand being entangled by Shizuka while Shinra watched the show from the side.
Good brothers share hardships together; we'll talk about blessings later!
"Him? He can't."
"Why? Discrimination?"
"Because he's going to be an executive committee member and is also responsible for speaking as the student representative at the school festival. His burden is already heavy. It's not impossible to trouble him again, but the executive committee work would probably fall on you then."
"That definitely won't do."
Upon hearing he might become a school festival executive committee member, Hachiman immediately shut his mouth. That wasn't a good job.
Not only was it laborious, but even if done well, others would only happily enjoy the wonderful school festival time, completely blind to the committee members' contributions to the event.
It was simply like being a grassroots clerk.
Wait, speaking of which, shouldn't executive committee members like this be decided by a class vote? Is it really okay to decide like this now?
Regarding Hachiman's doubt, Shizuka asked back, "Do you think anyone will compete with him?"
Indeed, if it were some coveted position, everyone might compete with each other. But for this obviously thankless job, let alone competing, people couldn't avoid it fast enough!
This is the inherent bad nature of humanity!
Although I'm not qualified to say that either.
Hachiman sighed, lamenting the evil of human nature, while also quietly breathing a sigh of relief. At least he didn't have to worry about being drafted.
...Really won't be drafted?
Hachiman immediately became alert and looked up at Shinra, finding the other party smiling at him. That look seemed to say, 'Don't even think about escaping.'
Damn it!
Hachiman felt his scalp tingle, even having the illusion that his hair was standing on end.
Wait, that doesn't seem to be an illusion!
Damn it, it's not even autumn yet; why is there so much static electricity?
Shinra only withdrew his power after seeing Hachiman's hair explode like a hedgehog. Did he really think Shinra didn't hear his attempt to drag him down just now?
After half a summer vacation of persistent 'lightning body tempering', Shinra's physique had reached 19 points. His body's five senses were almost approaching the limit of the human species. With focused attention, Shinra could even hear the sound of Yukino turning pages in Class J on the other side of the teaching building.
Moreover, it had always been him dragging others down; no one dared to drag him down.
Really need to give you a good shock.
As for why he rarely took the initiative to take on the executive committee job, Haruno's instigation was naturally indispensable in the middle.
Otherwise, with Shinra's lazy nature, he definitely wouldn't get involved in such troublesome matters.
Of course, although he took on the executive committee job, it didn't mean he would do the work. Otherwise, what was the meaning of Hachiman's existence?
This was also part of labor reform!
Shinra revealed a kind smile to Hachiman, but to Hachiman, this smile was no different from a devil's.
No, that's not right, not that kind!
While Hachiman was suspicious and uncertain, the class gradually discussed a general idea for this school festival activity.
But rather than saying they discussed a general idea, it was actually because Ebina had made ample preparations in advance. While everyone was still discussing, she had already taken out a thick project proposal. Just looking at it gave people a feeling of impressiveness, forming a sharp contrast with those activities that only stayed verbal.
Thus, the suspense regarding the class festival activity plan disappeared.
...
"Fortunately, I became an executive committee member."
After reading Ebina's activity proposal, Shinra actually felt a gladness of escaping death.
This activity proposal titled [Musical "The Little Prince"] was born from the famous novel "The Little Prince" by French writer Saint-Exupéry. But after Ebina's modifications, it gave off a flavor that only a genuine old Londoner could write.
Rotten to the core! (Referring to 'fujoshi'/'rotten girl' culture)
Especially after seeing words like [There are one hundred and eight planets I've been to] and [A certain pilot and the perverted prince] appear in the script, Shinra seriously suspected Ebina's mental state.
The original author would turn into a plaintiff upon seeing this.
Eh, not necessarily. Considering the public opinion in that world, maybe Ebina's script fits the market environment there better. If the other party really dares to sue, it's hard to say who would win or lose.
Maybe a considerate grand justice wearing white socks, having a beard, biologically male but psychologically gender-neutral would enforce the law impartially.
They might even have to march on the streets, criticizing the original author for not being free and democratic enough.
Fortunately, because he held an important position and couldn't divide himself, he couldn't join in and participate in the grand event. What a pity. (Secretly delighted)
Compared to Shinra's detachment, Hayama couldn't sit still.
After most people finished reading the proposal, he looked around and said, "Should be about it, right? Um... so, what do you think? Are there any problems, or areas that can be improved..."
This should have been the class monitor's job, but the class monitor himself, being a rather delicate boy, temporarily lost his language ability because he couldn't accept such advanced ideology for a moment.
Hayama could only do it for him.
As for any problems...
There are, brother, there are. This is simply a proposal within a problem. Everywhere the eye sees is shock.
Anyone who doesn't act like a desperate illiterate after seeing this gets a thumbs up.
After Hayama asked, a girl in the class quickly responded.
She raised her hand and said, "Are there no girls among the actors?"
Regarding the speech of this female student who was biologically female and psychologically female, Ebina pushed her glasses, reflecting a strange light.
She asked in confusion:
"What do we need girls for?"
Where are the feminists? Come save us!
Hachiman shouted in his heart.
Although no female characters indeed appeared in the original work, the rose was obviously narrating in a female image, right?
Maybe consider performing in an anthropomorphic way?
Hachiman hoped for more female characters in the play because then, not only would the male characters' screen time be reduced, but the acting roles would also decrease. In this way, the probability of him being selected to perform would be greatly reduced.
If he was still unfortunately elected in the end, Hachiman could only choose to 'sell' himself to the devil.
He would rather feed himself to the devil than lose his lifelong reputation.
"Is this okay in terms of public order and morals?"
Another male classmate stood up and began to struggle.
Can this kind of play really be presented on stage? Probably... can't be broadcast, right?
However, Ebina had obviously considered this issue long ago. Regarding relevant sensitive topics, she showed the sophistication of an old author who had written borderline content for a long time.
"This is a general rating suitable for all ages, absolutely no problem!"
Ebina's words were extraordinarily confident, having the momentum that only a famous writer would have.
Just as everyone looked troubled, another brave boy stood up!
"Me me me!"
"I think it's not bad."
Damn, it's an enemy!
Hachiman looked closely and found it was Tobe. He immediately understood.
Sacrificing yourself for extra points, Tobe, you guy...
Sure enough, once adolescents fall in love, they easily lose their brains. Or maybe not; perhaps this guy had no brain even without falling in love?
In a sense, he was immune to the love debuff.
Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Tobe decided to add fuel to the fire.
"Don't you think it's interesting? Compared to ordinary plays, this might be more brilliant, you know?"
Hearing Tobe's idea, the classmates looked at each other and fell into contemplation.
Indeed, as Tobe said, compared to those plays that were tired of being performed, this unconventional play might be easier to catch people's eyes. Not to mention brilliant, at least in terms of leaving a deep impression, it was definitely unparalleled.
Just as everyone was wavering, the main writer of the play spoke again.
"That's right. Too serious themes at the school festival won't attract many guests. I know this very well."
Ebina's agreement gave Tobe great encouragement. Then he looked at his good brother Hayama, hoping he could come out and help a brother.
Seeing this, Hayama had to give a compromise suggestion: "Then... ignore the character settings for now and find a way to strengthen the comedy points in the story, how about that?"
Rather than seriously performing a serious drama full of points to complain about, it would be better to stage a comedy. In this way, even if the performance wasn't successful, they could muddle through with 'anyway, we were acting a comedy'.
As for BL... it could also be considered part of the comedy.
After figuring this out, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, stopped objecting, and echoed one after another.
"Okay, okay."
"This feels about right."
"I choose Hachiman as the lead actor. He is what everyone expects!"
Hachiman was startled. Who is harming me?!
Looking towards the voice, he met Shinra's eyes again.
Hachiman smiled with relief.