Appointment of the Chief Coordinator and the Schemed-Against Isolationist

"Special guest?"

"Shiba, aren't all of us already here?"

Hirata Yousuke looked around in confusion.

"Is someone else coming?"

"Didn't they announce this morning during homeroom that the male Class Committee positions would remain vacant for now?"

Karuizawa Kei and Kushida Kikyou also looked at Tatsuya Sakuya curiously.

Tatsuya Sakuya replied,

"The decision-makers of the Class Committee are indeed the people seated here."

"However, to make sure the rest of the class can accept our proposal, I also invited one special student."

"A special student?"

Horikita Suzune frowned.

"Stop keeping us in suspense already."

Karuizawa Kei said impatiently.

Knock, knock, knock...

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears."

Tatsuya Sakuya immediately went to open the door for him.

"Good evening, Shiba."

"Good evening, Ayanokouji. Everyone's been waiting for you."

"Everyone? Didn't you invite me to your place for dinner?"

Tatsuya Sakuya knew that if he directly told Ayanokouji Kiyotaka he was being invited to a Class Committee meeting, or that they wanted to discuss class matters with him,

he would surely use his Isolationist excuse to get out of it. Calling him over for a meal gave them a much better chance of getting him here.

"Come on, we'll talk inside."

Tatsuya Sakuya stepped behind Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and half-pushed, half-guided him into the room.

"Good evening, Ayanokouji."

Kushida Kikyou naturally greeted Ayanokouji Kiyotaka as well.

The others exchanged greetings too.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka stood still and swept his gaze around the room.

Hirata Yousuke, Kushida Kikyou, Karuizawa Kei, Horikita Suzune.

Aside from the newly appointed Class Committee secretary who had invited him, all the other class representatives were crammed into Room 217.

There was no steaming dinner on the table. There wasn't even a cup of instant ramen. This definitely was not an invitation to dinner.

He had been set up.

Inwardly, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka labeled Tatsuya Sakuya's earlier message—"Come to my room quickly for dinner"—as fraud.

"Um... Shiba."

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka took half a step back, trying to shift toward the door.

"Since you all have something important to discuss, an ordinary student like me shouldn't get in your way. I just remembered that I have laundry to do..."

Click.

Tatsuya Sakuya casually locked the door, completely pushing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka into the middle of the room and cutting off every escape route.

"You're already here, so don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Tatsuya Sakuya smiled and patted Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's shoulder, carrying an undeniable pressure.

"Don't worry. Once we're done with business, I'll personally make you a deluxe Shin Ramyun, with two Poached Eggs on top. I guarantee you'll be full."

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka fell silent for a moment. Knowing he could no longer escape, he could only sigh inwardly and quietly sit down on the tatami.

Still, he had no intention of doing anything remarkable. He silently switched into "background character" mode.

Horikita Suzune, seated opposite him, looked back and forth between Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Tatsuya Sakuya, frowning. "What exactly was your intention in calling him here? I don't think someone who never speaks up in class and even explicitly refused a Class Committee position can offer any constructive opinions."

"Horikita, you shouldn't put it that way."

Kushida Kikyou stepped in to smooth things over.

"Although Ayanokouji doesn't talk much normally, he's still an indispensable member of Class 1-D. Another person means another source of strength."

Karuizawa Kei said, "I don't know what you're planning, but since you're the secretary, let's hear your brilliant insight first."

Hirata Yousuke asked, "Shiba, what's the agenda for this Class Committee meeting?"

"Mm."

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka echoed him.

Everyone's gaze instantly gathered on Tatsuya Sakuya in the center.

Tatsuya Sakuya also knew it was time for him to explain everything in detail.

"Calling Ayanokouji here was my idea."

"If Ayanokouji can offer constructive opinions, that would be even better. Even if he can't, as an ordinary student, he can still judge whether there are any problems with our plan."

"If there are flaws, we correct them. If there aren't, we strive to do better. The purpose of creating this Class Committee is to serve the class."

"Today's agenda is to discuss a strategy to guarantee Class 1-D's grades in the upcoming midterms, as well as a plan to improve the class's ranking."

Tatsuya Sakuya looked at everyone present and began laying out the points he had prepared long ago, one by one.

"First, and this is an old issue, the midterms are tied to the class's overall evaluation. At present, Class 1-D's Class Points are not looking good. If we still come in last in this exam, it will directly affect all room for future class activities and ranking advancement.

Second, based on our class's situation, there is a serious divide in academic performance. The gap between top students, average students, and bottom students is enormous. Without a unified exam-prep plan, there will inevitably be polarization after the exams. If that happens, we will have failed completely.

Third, this meeting needs to finalize three resolutions: first, whether to establish a class mutual-support system for exam preparation; second, how to implement targeted plans for students struggling with weak subjects; and third, selecting someone to serve as the overall commander for this effort."

"Past exam papers alone can't solve everything. They might even reduce everyone's motivation to study."

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka spoke up unusually.

Hirata Yousuke nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Since the school hasn't prohibited students from obtaining past exam papers, they presumably won't copy the original questions completely. If we can't address that issue, it may become a hidden danger instead."

Kushida Kikyou said, "Everyone makes a lot of sense."

Tatsuya Sakuya said,

"So, in the time ahead, we must establish a study group system. Everyone fighting alone won't work."

"Those with strong grades, including Horikita, Yukimura, and..."

Tatsuya Sakuya gave the Ayanokouji Kiyotaka sitting at the edge a meaningful glance.

"Will be responsible for helping students with weaker foundations and getting them safely through the midterms."

"Sounds reasonable." x5

"Alright. Next, we need to consider who will oversee the overall situation."

"On the boys' side, Ayanokouji and Hirata will be responsible. On the girls' side, Kushida and Karuizawa will be responsible. Then Horikita will serve as the chief coordinator. Does anyone have anything else to say?"

"I have absolutely no objections." x3

"What about Ayanokouji and Horikita?"

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said, "Let me make this clear in advance: I can only do my best to assist Hirata in getting things done."

"I refuse."