The next morning, there was one fewer line on the registration sheet on the blackboard.
The note that read, "Public events temporarily not accepted," was tucked into Horikita's folder and never made it onto the list.
Hirata recopied the three physical event applicants and two logistics applicants onto a large sheet of paper.
"We're still short one public event coordinator."
Sudo pointed at his own name. "I can handle it for now."
"You signed up for a physical event, not as a coordinator," Horikita said.
"Someone has to be the coordinator too."
"That's why we ask who's willing, not just see who raises their hand first."
Sudo's hand froze in midair before dropping back onto the desk.
Gu Heng saw him force down his urge to fight for a spot in the spotlight and turn it into waiting.
He did not add, "I can do it," on Sudo's behalf.
Kushida entered through the back door of the classroom, holding a new schedule.
"Someone withdrew. We can pick someone from the alternates."
"Who withdrew?" Hirata asked.
Kushida placed the paper on the desk. No name was written on it.
"I only know she didn't want to hand over her personal terminal status."
"Is that the reason she withdrew, or your interpretation of the note?" Gu Heng asked.
Kushida pressed a fingertip against the corner of the paper. "She said it herself."
"Did she agree to let you bring those words back to the class?"
Kushida's fingers paused.
"She agreed to let me say that she withdrew."
"But she didn't agree to give up the reason?"
"No."
Gu Heng pushed the new schedule back in front of her.
"Then the class deals only with the withdrawal, not the reason."
Kushida looked at him, but the smile did not return to her face.