Now then, I would like to begin our fifth meeting concerning the club introductions.

The school idol club president is not in attendance?

We're sorry. She was busy and couldn't reschedule, so the two of us came in her place.

Th-Thank you for having us.

Very well. Now then, everyone, please take a look at the document in front of you.

In this latest version, all of the issues brought up in our previous meeting have been amended.

Yes, does the head of the basketball club have something to say?

We have to read even more papers?

…Yes. I've not only made changes to the previous version, but included a number of improvements as well.

I will now go over them.

New points of improvement? When will we have a final copy of this thing? I don't think we normally have five whole meetings about this. We should really be practicing instead.

I know you're giving up valuable time by being here. I'm sorry. But I ask that you cooperate a little longer so we can make this event as helpful as possible for the students.

You always have amendments and new points of improvement, but I don't think our wishes are getting through to you.

You could cut the tension in here with a knife.

It is true that matters like this are usually settled in one or two meetings, so everyone may just be tired.

I see.

For now, let's look over this document. We were late to join, so we should read everything carefully.

Yeah, I'm looking at it. It's really informative.

Yes. However, it isn't at all complicated. It is very easy to read and understand.

This is my first time seeing it, but everything makes perfect sense. Did Mifune write this by herself? That would be really amazing.

Yes, it is wonderfully written and truly shows her excellence. It is no wonder I was unable to beat her in the election.

I don't know about that. I think you were just as good as Mifune!

*Chuckle* Thank you, Ayumu.

But after taking a calm look at everything, I cannot deny that she is a step above me. It is frustrating, of course, but even I know that about myself.

I-I'm sorry.

Don't be. Your words made me very happy. You said them because you care about me, after all.

Is everyone ready? Now then, some of you are joining us today for the first time, so I would like to once again go over the important points for the club introductions.

First and foremost, I would like for the incoming students to be able to find a clear path to their future at this school.

In order to do that, we must foster an environment that makes it easy for them to discover what they are suited for and where their skills lie.

They are likely interested in Nijigasaki High School in the first place because they know of our specialty courses, and are already thinking about their futures.

That is why I would like each club introduced in a way that makes it easy for students to choose the one that suits their individual needs.

This is what I would like to request from each club.

Please provide a clear display of your club's strengths via data and graphs for all of the middle school students who will be attending the school tour.

I would also like detailed explanations of what your club tournaments are like, how those results can affect their futures, and what postgraduate options your club may unlock.

Th-This sounds nothing like the club introductions I was imagining. Is it like this every year?

N-No. As far as I know, it isn't…

This is not how we usually do it, but it does seem like it could get more students interested in joining our club.

Everyone has to think about what they want to do after high school, after all.

It sounds informative and parents will like it, but it's not fun. I want students genuinely interested in softball joining our club, not students worried about achievements.

Can't you just leave it up to each club to decide? Honestly, I don't see why the student council has any say in how my club handles its own introduction.

I know you've put a lot of thought into this, President Mifune, but we'd at least like to decide our club introduction on our own.

I-I also agree. Our club is very fun, so I want to encourage students to join and have fun with us.

President Mifune, it sounds like this decision would be best left to each club. I think your method would be perfect for some clubs, but for others…

I cannot allow that.

Huh?

The introductions would be unequal if the clubs did not adhere to the same format. The students would not be able to make a fair judgment.

Furthermore, you stated earlier that you wanted students genuinely interested to join your club, but I am afraid that is also not possible.

What do you mean?

Students will be required to try out for clubs. Only those who pass may join the club.

What?! So if they fail, they can't join?!

Correct. If someone clearly lacking in talent joined, neither that student nor the club would benefit.

But rest assured, the student council will support those students and guide them to the club best suited for them.

If you announce something like that, no one will want to join the clubs! Can you not see that?

I don't want students to have to try out. I doubt students will even want to enroll at such a controlling school in the first place!

Do you think so? I disagree. Everyone needs a path free of failures that will lead them to their future.

I think mandatory tryouts would be taking it too far. You can't decide that they'll fail before they even try.

That's right. I don't think clubs should be like that. What's most important is to have fun!

I do not understand. Who would dislike being shown the path that is most likely to lead to their success?

[Fade in/out.]

We had such a long discussion, but couldn't settle on anything in the end.

Both sides… Well, the heads of the clubs at least, were getting emotional. I was feeling quite heated myself.

I really don't want interested students to have to try out. No one has the right to stop them from doing what they want to do.

But based on that document, I can tell that Mifune doesn't have bad intentions when suggesting these things.

Yes. She has no doubts that what she is proposing is best for everyone.

It doesn't seem like this is going to go well.

No…

[Fade in/out.]

…Yes. I am aware of the school board's goal of attracting 300 applicants during the tour. There is no need to worry. I will take care of things on my end.

Yes. Yes, I understand. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Three hundred… I need to devise a counterplan as quickly as possible. I knew that reformation would be no easy undertaking, but I didn't think everyone would be so against it.

But I can't give up. For the sake of Nijigasaki High School's ideals… And to save its students from feeling regret over their school lives further down the road, I absolutely cannot compromise.

Do they really think having fun is all that matters? I could not disagree more.

I don't want to see anyone else go through what my sister did.