Heading to the Student Council

Now that they had settled on a plan, Hoshino began putting it into action, except...

"Where's the account registration page?" "Should I check this box?" "I can't find the backend for sending messages!"

After a whole afternoon of this, Sotomura was at a loss. Was this guy computer illiterate?

After going through countless trials and tribulations, Hoshino had finally figured out how to use the accounts on both platforms. He'd already posted the basic messages; now all that remained was to see how many people would read them.

"What about the electronic bulletin board?" With the accounts taken care of, Sotomura slumped into his chair, looking utterly defeated.

"I'll ask the Student Council about that. It should be under their jurisdiction." Hoshino was still fiddling with his phone and replied without looking up.

"Good... We should get started on this as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the less likely people are to spend their points carelessly."

Hoshino looked up in surprise. Sotomura had thought of that, too? It seemed that even students in Class D couldn't be underestimated.

"I'll help spread the word, too. Just call me anytime you need me to run an errand." As he spoke, Sotomura picked up his schoolbag and straightened his clothes.

"Huh? You're leaving?"

"...Why don't you check the time?" Sotomura stood up and gave Hoshino an exasperated look.

"Uh, right! I'll pay!" Hoshino got up and followed him. Seeing the streetlights glowing outside, he felt a little awkward. When had the lights in the café come on?

"..." Sotomura waved a hand and headed out without looking back.

"Wait, check your phone. Did you get it?"

As soon as Sotomura stepped out of the café, Hoshino hurried after him.

"Hm? Get what?" Sotomura glanced back at Hoshino and instinctively took out his phone.

"You've received personal points." The notification on his phone left Sotomura rooted to the spot.

"I'll leave the rest to you." Hoshino came over, glanced at Sotomura's phone to make sure he'd received the points, then stepped away.

"Got it! You can count on me!" Coming back to his senses, Sotomura thumped his chest and agreed, his face alight with excitement.

The next day, after school.

"Knock, knock, knock..." Hoshino stood outside the Student Council Room, feeling a little nervous.

He'd already met the school's Student Council President, Manabu Horikita, during the opening ceremony.

His presence was a little intimidating. He seemed like the particularly serious type, Hoshino thought.

"Come in!" a stern voice called.

Hoshino pushed open the door to the Student Council Room. Student Council President Manabu Horikita was seated behind the desk across from him, with a "small mountain" of documents piled in front of him. It seemed there was quite a lot to handle at this school! Then again, that made sense. Everything from events to clubs had to be approved by the Student Council, and there were even rumors that it had the power to influence exam content.

Students at this school had a great deal of autonomy. In some respects, the Student Council even seemed to outrank the homeroom teachers!

"Is there something you need?" the stern voice asked again.

When there was no reply for a while, Hoshino remained lost in thought.

The purple-haired upperclassman with her hair in two buns beside the Student Council President began to lose patience and raised her voice. "...Hey! Underclassman! ...Is there something you need?"

"Uh... Sorry, sorry. I got distracted! I didn't realize the Student Council would be this busy!"

"Enough with the nonsense. What do you want?" the purple-haired upperclassman asked impatiently. Hoshino felt awkward. Was this upperclassman always so short-tempered?

"Secretary Tachibana, that's enough." The president gently reproached her, then turned to Hoshino. "Sorry. We're rather busy at the moment. So, what brings you to the Student Council?"

"Right, sorry, sorry! I wanted to ask how to apply to use the electronic bulletin board near the athletic field." Hoshino bowed slightly in apology, then made his request.

"To use it, you'll need to pay the Student Council fifty thousand personal points, and the message you want to post will need to be reviewed by the Student Council. As for how much space you'll get, the Student Council will decide that at random." The president seemed puzzled, but answered Hoshino's question seriously. "By the way, what are you planning to do? Unreasonable requests won't pass the Student Council's review, so please keep that in mind."

"Um... This is what I want to post." Hoshino showed the president the message he'd already prepared on his phone.

The president took Hoshino's phone and scrolled through the message, checking its contents. After confirming that there was nothing inappropriate, he returned the phone to Hoshino.

"Oh? You're planning to set up a secondhand goods exchange?" The president gave him a sharp look.

"Yes." Though he wasn't quite sure what to make of the question, Hoshino met his gaze firmly.

"All right, approved. I'll arrange the details as soon as possible. You should have an answer by tomorrow." After a moment, the president was the first to look away. Hoshino really didn't understand what the Student Council President was getting at.

"All right, thank you." Though still baffled, he'd gotten what he wanted! After thanking him, Hoshino turned to leave.

"Secretary Tachibana, please find out which class that student is in." The president watched Hoshino leave thoughtfully, then turned to the purple-haired upperclassman beside him and gave her instructions.

"Oh... All right..."

"Hey, Sotomura? It's all taken care of. What should I do next?"

Back in his dorm room, Hoshino called Sotomura right away.

"Oh, good! In that case, all we can do now is wait for customers to come to us." Sotomura's reply was muffled, and there was some noise in the background.

"...Where are you right now? Why is it so noisy?"

"Eating. I'm eating." Sotomura struggled to swallow his food, and his voice finally returned to its usual clarity.

"...What time is it?"

"Ever heard of a midnight snack? Life without midnight snacks is incomplete! Midnight snacks are a programmer's romance!"

"..." All right! Hoshino didn't understand at all, but it was Sotomura's personal business, so he didn't ask any more questions.

"How are things on your end?"

"Everything's going smoothly! I've already gotten in touch with a few people..." Sotomura's tone grew more serious.

...After confirming that everything was going smoothly, the two chatted briefly about this and that before hanging up.