Chapter 43 Cultural Festival Ending and New Beginning
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Prefectural Jingao Gymnasium.
"Then, I declare: the 42nd Tianjin University Cultural Festival has concluded -"
The petite Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Cultural Festival bowed deeply to the audience, and she received cheers and applause that soared into the sky.
Shangzi stood in the team of Class C and kept applauding.
It's finally over...
Naruse, who was standing nearby, clapped and turned to look at her, "Thank you for your hard work."
"Haru Hai too, thank you for your hard work."
The closing ceremony is over, and the cultural festival has come to an end. However, the disbanded students cannot leave the school just like this, because the finishing work of this celebration has just begun.
The school must be restored to the way it was before the cultural festival by tomorrow at the latest.
After leaving the gymnasium, Naoko separated from Naruse and returned to the club room of the handicraft club to help clean and tidy up the decorations for the cultural festival and restore the layout of the club room to its original state.
It’s troublesome to set up, and cleaning is not as easy as expected.
The closing ceremony ended around 3:50, and by the time it was almost done, it was already close to 5:00.
"Thank you for your hard work——"
Tomoyo Takahashi, who had been haggard all day, suddenly became energetic, "The celebration is coming next, so you can't miss it."
She looked at Shangzi, "Especially this flower."
Shangzi nodded and said nothing.
Except for those who couldn't come due to something else, twenty or thirty members of the handicraft club left the school together and went to an izakaya near the central station.
Although drinking is not allowed, the izakaya also provides a wide variety of drinks, and the food is relatively cheap, not to mention that you can make as much noise as you want. For this large group of high school students, there is no more suitable place to have a meal than here.
The members of the handicraft club were not the only ones who had the same idea. When they arrived, there were already several tables of Jingao students sitting inside.
Spotting Naruse's back, Naoko had no time to go over and say hello, so she was pulled to the dining table on the other side.
"I'm so lucky. I found a table at a restaurant. There were so many of us, so we were divided into two tables."
Takahashi, who was inexplicably excited, suddenly transformed into a minister and assigned positions to the members who came to the celebration party.
The real minister, Ritsuko Sugiyama, didn't say anything and sat directly in the middle.
"This flower, come here."
Takahashi greeted Naoko, "Sit next to Ritsuko. You should be able to chat easily."
Shangzi didn't say anything and sat over.
And she sat across from the two of them, and those sitting on the left and right were her "own people".
As for the remaining members, she waved her hand and dismissed them casually.
"You should go back and rest early." Ritsuko Sugiyama looked at Takahashi and said.
"It's okay."
The latter's face was haggard, but his gaze remained on Shang Zi's face, "The impact of that incident on me was actually just that... not to mention today's occasion, how could I be absent?"
Ritsuko Sugiyama was silent for a few seconds and lowered her voice: "This is outside the school, don't make it too ugly."
"What are you worried about, Ritsuko?"
Takahashi suddenly laughed, "Are you worried about what I will do to this flower?"
Ritsuko Sugiyama glanced at her silently, acquiescing.
"I admit that some unpleasant things happened before...but that happened when did it happen."
Takahashi's eyes wandered back and forth on the faces of the two people opposite.
"I figured it out, the cultural festival is over, and it's time to establish a good relationship with the lovely first graders. After all, they are the future of the craft club. What do you think, my flower?"
Naoko's eyes were calm, "This is the freedom of Senior Sister Takahashi."
Takahashi immediately smiled happily.
Suzuki Kazumi, who was sitting at another table, couldn't help but whisper to her companion: "Have you been sick for a day and your mind has become abnormal?"
"——First grader, what are you mumbling about?"
"Nothing!"
Takahashi glanced at her sideways and complained loudly.
"Why hasn't the juice been delivered yet?"
After all, there are too many young customers suddenly coming to the door.
After a while, the drinks for the two tables in the handicraft club were delivered one after another.
"So——"
Ritsuko Sugiyama stood up, raised his glass, and glanced at the members sitting at two wine tables one by one.
"Although some accidents occurred, the performance of the handicraft club at the cultural festival is still worthy of celebration.
As the director of the Handicraft Club, I am also very happy to lead everyone to continue to work hard to maintain the honor of being the largest club in Tianjin.
Cheers!"
"Cheers——"
The clinking glasses made a muffled sound and the drinks spilled on the table were proof of passion.
The cold drink was refreshing, and not long after, the food was also served.
Drinking drinks and eating delicious meat skewers, the originally strange atmosphere gradually became relaxed and pleasant.
Amidst the conversation and laughter, it finally looked like a celebration party.
And just when Naoko also showed a relaxed smile, Takahashi suddenly stood up.
"Cheers, Ritsuko."
Ritsuko Sugiyama was talking to a girl at another table, glanced at her, raised her glass and touched it.
"By the way, the cultural festival is over, so it's time to think about the future," Takahashi said.
"This matter will be discussed at the club meeting next week."
"No, no, I'm not talking about such a specific thing."
Takahashi waved his hand again, "No, I can't say it's not specific. I mean, it's time for us second-year old guys to think about what will happen after we retire."
"..."
Sugiyama Ritsuko stared into her eyes suddenly, trying to stop her from continuing with his eyes, but it didn't have much effect.
"For example, does Ritsuko have any plans for the next minister?"
The excitement at the wine table froze for an instant, with most of the eyes focused on Ritsuko Sugiyama's face, and the other half looking at Naoko beside her.
"I said, the next minister will be selected by..."
"——Don't talk nonsense, which new minister was not appointed by the previous old minister, and then everyone swarmed to support him?"
Sugiyama Ritsuko's face suddenly turned ugly.
"I know it's still a bit early to talk about this now, but we have to let everyone know early."
Takahashi looked at her, "Don't worry, if you say it now, it won't shake Ritsuko's position. After all, everyone still has to listen to the current minister."
Her frankness made Ritsuko Sugiyama's expression become even colder and she was even more reluctant to speak.
"Ah, it's really troublesome."
Takahashi also darkened his face, "Let me tell you straight, Ritsuko intends to support Koka to become the next minister, right?"
She looked at Shangzi, who had been silent, and said, "Don't be nervous, I think so too."
Shangzi said nothing.
"Are Ritsuko going to deny it? You gave her a clear guarantee at that time, and Chika heard it, right?"
"Yes." Qianjia on the boat next to her immediately responded, "Boss, I was in the bathroom stall at the time."
"..."
Sugiyama Ritsuko took a deep breath, and her face suddenly turned pale.
More and more eyes were focused on her face, and accompanied by whispers, she could no longer remain silent.
"That's right..."
She kept her calm as much as possible, "This flower is serious and reliable. After she reaches the third grade, I will support her to become the next director of the handicraft club, only in my own name."
Although she was somewhat reluctant, this was also the first time she publicly supported Shangzi.
A smile of victory appeared on Takahashi's face, he stood up again and raised his glass again.
"Have you all heard this? Let's toast to the next minister——"
Except for the minister and the next minister, the other members looked at each other and slowly raised their glasses.
"Also, I have one more thing to announce."
Takahashi raised his glass and looked around, then looked at Shangzi.
"Although this flower is very reliable and reassuring, it is still a bit young and occasionally makes some small mistakes inherent to young people."
She paused intentionally.
"In order to provide assistance to the lovely school girls at any time, we senior second-year students have decided to stay in the club even after we enter the third grade!"
"..."
The atmosphere solidified again.
Jingao is a prestigious school, and it is customary to withdraw from the club after entering the third grade, but it is not mandatory.
That ghost-like senior and her fellow ghosts actually chose to stay in the department?
For a moment, Kazumi Suzuki at the other table felt her heart skip a few beats.
Just looking at Naoko and Ogawa Rina beside her, she quickly calmed down again.
At this time, Takahashi only had eyes for Naoko, but the latter's expression remained unchanged, which made her very uncomfortable.
She deliberately left this "surprise" to be announced at this time, just because she wanted to see Naoka's embarrassed and panic expression, even if there was only a trace of it, it would make her feel much better.
——Why did she have to burn her own work with her own hands, yet Naoka Naoko, who threatened her with that incident, was able to survive the cultural festival peacefully, and even become the director of the largest club in Tsugao in the future, with unlimited glory? p>
Remaining in the ministry is only the first step in all her plans. Even if Naoka Naoka successfully becomes the minister next year, she and several of her companions, as club seniors, will not make it easy for her.
"Please give me more advice in the coming year, new minister. However, even if you become the minister of the handicraft club, I must not forget to respect your seniors..."
"——I'm sorry, Takahashi-senpai, I didn't have this plan."
Naoko suddenly spoke, and Takahashi was stunned for several seconds before his color suddenly changed.
"What did you say? You don't take seniors seriously now, do you?"
"That's not what I meant."
Shangzi shook his head, "I mean, I can't take over as the director of the Handicraft Club."
"Huh?"
Not only her, but also Sugiyama Ritsuko was surprised.
"Jihua, don't make such a joke. Do you want to disappoint everyone?"
Although she didn't want to lose her central position in the club too early, she never changed her plan to let Naoko take over next year.
"Sorry, Minister..."
Shangzi has always been gentle and polite. Now she frowns and smiles, which can make people fully feel her embarrassment.
"Jingao has clear regulations on societies: a student can join up to two societies at the same time, but is not allowed to serve as the director of two societies at the same time."
"Two societies..."
Ritsuko Sugiyama frowned, "When did this flower join another club?"
"No, a new society has been established. With everyone's recommendation, I am now the minister," Shangzi said.
Others at the table looked at each other in surprise, while Takahashi was a little dumbfounded.
"What club?"
"All Things Restoration Department. I am quite good at repairing stuffed animals and other things. In order to help more people, I established a special club with friends who have the same aspirations."
"Friends..."
Sugiyama Ritsuko kept staring at her, suddenly having a bad feeling.
"Who are the members of this flower's all-things restoration department?"
Without looking at her, Shangzi took a sip of the juice, pursed his lips, and then said after putting it down:
"Because it was just established at noon today, there are currently only eleven official members recognized by the student union:
Every time she named a name, Sugiyama Ritsuko's face became more surprised, and she couldn't bear it before she finished.
"No! You can't take them away!"
Without exception, the names mentioned by Shangzi are all key members of the handicraft society in various fields.
"No, the minister misunderstood."
Shangzi put down the juice and cast a calm gaze at her as usual.
"We did not withdraw from the handicraft club, we just joined a new club at the same time. We will still continue our activities as members of the handicraft club..."
She showed a slightly apologetic smile.
"It's just that when the association is first established, the focus will shift slightly to the restoration department."
"..."
Ritsuko Sugiyama still couldn't accept it, so she turned to look at the members at another table, and met the eyes of one of them.
"Yamamoto, do you also want to join this flower's new club?"
Yamamoto Haruka looked at her coldly, "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Takahashi is really noisy a little too much, which makes me tired.
I'm too lazy to care about your disputes, but as a sophomore, bullying a first-year student is always a surprise. I can't stand such an environment...it's so noisy."
Takahashi Tomoyo's face suddenly turned ugly, and he stared coldly at Yamamoto Haruka, who didn't even bother to look at her.
"The flower said that it would be quieter over there and she could do her own thing as she pleased before, so I agreed."
After Yamamoto Haruka said that, he didn't care about Sugiyama Ritsuko's reaction and started eating on his own.
"..."
Ritsuko Sugiyama was speechless for a moment, but she couldn't help but recall the scene in her mind where Takahashi and the others had become increasingly arrogant and irritable in the club recently, and the senior members frowned in response.
She suddenly thought of something and looked at Naoko: "During the previous period, you were deliberately irritating Tomoyo."
Shangzi frowned and smiled, seemingly confused, "What is the minister talking about?"
Sugiyama Ritsuko looked at her coldly.
"Minister——"
Ogawa Rina at the other table suddenly said hello, "It's not very comfortable over there, so you might as well come over here."
Ritsuko Sugiyama looked at the "traitor" over there with an expressionless look and ignored him, but Naoko beside him stood up and responded.
"Minister, I'm going over there."
"..."
She finally recovered from the shock and grabbed Shangzi's arm.
"My flower, if you do this, you will destroy the handicraft society. Do you understand? The balance has been broken!"
"Minister..."
Shangzi looked down at the grabbed arm, suddenly smiled, and then leaned over to her ear.
"Yes, this is what I expected."
"..."
Sugiyama Ritsuko had an expression of disbelief on her face.
"Just kidding."
Shangzi smiled softly, took the hand on his arm and spread the fingers one by one.
"I believe in the minister's determination to want me to take over, but I really have no interest in the balancing game that the minister has always been keen on.
Shouldn’t the so-called community be a place where like-minded people gather together to create happiness?
As a minister, rather than the so-called balance and the overall situation of the society, I think the personal feelings of the members are also very important.
Since the summer vacation, what Takahashi-senpai and the others have done to me is undoubtedly bullying, right?
But the minister is always indifferent, and even a little partial to Takahashi-senpai - you always stand up when the situation is not good for her.
Is it because she is a friend of the minister, or is it because there are more people on my side or on the right side, and we need to 'balance'?
Although I really didn’t take them seriously.
Do you have to stay in the Ministry of Education for the third grade? I don’t care.
But now even my Harumi is involved...
I don't want him to worry...I'm not a troublesome person.
If you can only choose to endure to stay in this place——"
Shangzi held the last finger and opened it gently.
"Then just like you said, destroy it."
Ritsuko Sugiyama was forced to let go of her hand and froze in mid-air, with all kinds of emotions filling her chest, looking at her speechless.
Shangzi stood up straight, held the stiff hand again, and shook it gently twice.
"The Department of Restoration of All Creatures was born out of the Handicraft Society. From now on, I will also ask Sister Sugiyama for your guidance."
......
After nightfall, the izakaya becomes more and more lively as more customers flock in.
The boys were so noisy that Naruse decided to go out to take a breather, but met Naoko outside.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"Come out and take a breath."
"Me too."
As night falls, the lights rise.
Naoko looked at the night sky, and Naruse also raised his head.
"The cultural festival is over."
"Yeah."
"Chunhai has been investigating for so long, has he found any club that he plans to join?"
"At present, there is still no such thing."
"Then...do you want to join my newly established club?"
"Hmm? When did it happen?"
"Today at noon..."
"No wonder it's late."
"Well..."
"What club?"
"The Department of Restoration, the full name is the Department of Restoration of All Things. Do you want to join?"