Student Council Trainee

[Class Point rankings after the VIP Special Exam]

Class A: 990

Class B: 825

Class C: 590

Class D: 207

Looking at Class D's pitiful score, I couldn't help thinking of a saying: "Oh no, Class D's so broke there's nothing left to squeeze out of them."

Japan's school year is generally divided into either three terms or two semesters.

The three-term system is usually used in elementary, middle, and high schools. The two-semester system is used at universities.

First term: April to June, the spring term. Two months of vacation.

Second term: September to December, the fall term. Two weeks of vacation.

Third term: January to March, the winter term. Two weeks of vacation.

All in all, students still get close to three months off.

After enduring two months of Class D starting the school year with zero points, then receiving 40,000 points over summer vacation, Nagami had managed to scrape together 700,000 points—about 31,000 RMB.

After returning from three weeks of summer vacation, Nagami didn't have much time left. Apart from going to the gym early in the morning, he spent his time cooped up in his dorm, surfing the internet.

Life going back and forth between those two places passed quickly, and the first day of school soon arrived.

After taking several Special Exams, he'd gotten a feel for how this school operated. He had a hunch that they'd be up to something again once classes resumed.

He'd promised the Student Council President that Class D would place first in the Special Exam, but he hadn't delivered. Not only had he lost his 50,000-point deposit, he'd also have to sell himself into hard labor for the Student Council.

Honami, you'd better take responsibility for me. This is all your fault.

Muttering to himself, Nagami slowly drifted off to sleep.

On a September morning, the lingering dampness of summer still hung over the campus. Sunlight spilled through scattered clouds onto the sports field, golden patches of light swaying in the breeze. A few butterflies flitted by now and then, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

The pace of life on campus began to pick up. Beside the running track, students in gym uniforms called out slogans as they warmed up to the rhythm.

A sense of nervousness and anticipation filled the air at the start of the new term. Untidy piles of schoolbags and textbooks sat outside many classrooms. Inside, students whispered among themselves, reminiscing about the two Special Exams over summer vacation.

Every so often, someone would say, "If we'd done this, then that, we could've earned tons of points. We'd never have to worry about points again."

Others sighed, lamenting, "How could I have been so stupid back then?"

Knock, knock!

"Come in. The door's unlocked," Horikita reminded them.

"Hello, Horikita-senpai. Hello, Secretary Tachibana-senpai," Nagami greeted them politely.

"You're quite capable, Nagami. I've heard all about the Special Exam on the Uninhabited Island. Class A ending up with zero points was a first in the school's history," Horikita Manabu said bluntly, praising him.

"I never expected Class D, which started the year with zero points, to manage such a comeback," Secretary Tachibana added.

"It was my first time taking a Special Exam, so I went a little overboard. I'll be more careful next time," Nagami said, making no attempt to be modest.

"I didn't misjudge you. With your ability, perhaps you really can lead Class D to Class A," Horikita Manabu said, looking at Nagami with admiration.

You siscon. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking.

"My two and a half years on the Student Council are nearly over. The Student Council at this school is different from those at ordinary schools. Each president is chosen by the previous president."

Horikita revealed the unspoken rule governing the transfer of power between Student Councils over the years.

"Are you saying you want to choose me, President?" Nagami joked as usual.

"That's quite a joke. I may have a little authority, but I can't just appoint any trainee as president. I have to consider the opinions of most students. Miyabi Nagumo, the vice president, has already united the second-years. He's the most likely candidate for the next Student Council President."

Horikita smiled faintly. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken so casually to him.

"Still, before I step down, I can offer you some help. But whether you succeed in becoming president will ultimately depend on your own efforts and performance."

Horikita Manabu dangled a tempting prospect before him, but Nagami wasn't the sort to fall for that.

"Oh, I see. A trainee!" Nagami realized the key detail: he was only a temporary worker.

"First-years don't meet the requirements for joining the Student Council. Ichinose from Class B is still a trainee as well."

Horikita Manabu explained why the Student Council was recruiting members now.

You siscon. You're deliberately looking after Class D, aren't you? Are the requirements really that strict just to join the Student Council? It's not exactly a Fortune 500 company.

"Any objections, junior?" Horikita Manabu asked.

"No. I'd be delighted," Nagami said against his will.

"I'll let you keep the deposit. After third-years graduate, the school buys back points at one-tenth their value, so they become much less useful. Students make private agreements to transfer points among themselves."

"But large transfers of points draw the school's attention. The school also has to control inflation and keep points from becoming worthless. A transfer of 50,000 points is within acceptable limits. Starting tomorrow, you'll be a Student Council trainee. You're required to show up after school unless you have a valid reason."

Horikita Manabu explained why he was giving Nagami the points.

"Got it."

Nagami managed to force a smile. He looked at the Student Council President, ready to leave and enjoy his last bit of freedom after school.

When he opened the door, he saw Ichinose holding a stack of documents, about to come in.

"Oh, Kagami. Did you come to the Student Council on purpose because you got into some kind of trouble?"

"No. Honami, I'm a Student Council trainee now too."

"Wow! I had no idea you wanted to join the Student Council, Kagami. You never gave that impression. You always seemed like some hermit in a TV drama, detached from the world."

I only joined because I lost a bet. Who'd want to join such a troublesome organization?

The documents Ichinose was holding were titled "Sports Festival Planning."

Looks like the school's going to put us through the wringer with a Sports Festival again.

"I've got something to take care of, so I'll head in. See you tomorrow. Bye!"

Ichinose waved goodbye to Nagami.

"See you tomorrow, huh?"

"If I get to see Honami every day, it's not so bad."

Nagami's mood improved a little. He put on his latest AirPods to soothe his restless emotions and breathed in the air, which smelled faintly of damp earth.

As "Fireworks" played, Nagami hummed a tune on his way back to the dorm. On the way, he ran into several upperclassmen discussing the upcoming Sports Festival.

"We've got to do our best this time and earn more points."

"Yeah. Our class finally started to turn things around after the last exam."

Listening to them, Nagami quietly considered what he could do at the Sports Festival.

The functions of the Advanced Nurturing High School Student Council included:

1. Managing school affairs: The Student Council handled the day-to-day minutiae of campus life, such as arranging class schedules and organizing holiday events.

2. Maintaining campus order: It ensured harmony and order on campus. For instance, the Student Council could intervene in incidents like Sudo's fights.

3. Organizing major events: The Student Council organized—or took on requests from the Student Council Board to organize—various student events, such as cultural festivals and Sports Festivals, to enrich students' lives outside the classroom.

4. Representing students' interests: The Student Council served as a channel of communication between students and the Student Council Board, conveying students' thoughts and requests.