1.3

For the next two weeks, our school life went on as usual. We were preparing for the school festival and the sports festival at the same time, and working hard on our schoolwork. It was a precious time when we could say that we were repeating the same routine as in a normal school. Surprisingly, the relationship between Kei and I did not spread from Sudō, and there was no sign of anyone new knowing about us.

It was the third Wednesday after school in the middle of September. I was seated at the back of the class, and I caught the sight of an unsual encounter. Someone was approaching Horikita who was sitting in the center of the front row.

"Hey, Horikita-san I wanted to ask you something."

It was Satō, who was a bit reserved. She was one of the girls that Horikita never got involved with.

"I have an errand to run to the student council in an hour, so as long as it doesn't take that long, I don't mind. What is it?"

She didn't show any suspicious expression, but I guess she didn't have much experience being approached by Satō. When she asked her back curiously, she continued in a slightly whispered voice.

"We've been thinking a lot about what we're going to do for the festival right? You asked us to let you know if we had any ideas."

"Yes. I'd love to hear your pitch, but-"

"That's it, let me make a pitch, I've come up with an idea that will really win this festival."

Satō's confidence peeked through, but Horikita didn't look easily impressed. That's because in the past ten days or so, many students have been coming to Horikita with their ideas. Both boys and girls have repeatedly proposed ideas to Horikita, as there is a reward if they are accepted.

The proposals range from the traditional to the bizarre, but one thing they all have in common is that Horikita won't even take them seriously if all they have is a name for the exhibit. On the same day that the reward for the proposal was announced, Hondō immediately proposed that we sell fried chicken because it was delicious. However, Horikita shut him down, telling him to come up with an actual pitch. She didn't even show any interest in accepting the idea.

The next day, undaunted, Hondō submitted a proposal for making fried chicken, but all it contained was a recipe for fried chicken that he must have picked up from the Internet and an impassioned speech about how much he would sell it for and how tasty it would be.

Looking at the low-level proposal, Horikita reiterated the importance of a proposal. If you were to open a fried food shop, how much would the cost be, where would the store be located, how many human resources would be needed, how much would the fixed price be, how many customers would be expected, and what would be the basis for that? After that, Horikita announced that she would only listen to the ideas of those who had put them together properly.

After that, it seemed that the number of people who simply approached Horikita with proposals would decrease, but surprisingly, the number of students who brought in well-developed proposals increased every day. Some of the proposals were actually put on Horikita's list for consideration.

However, none of the proposals had been adopted yet because they lacked a definitive message.

"Well then, let's see what you have."

"Oh, yes. Of course, I've prepared something but... this isn't the best place for it. Can you give me some time to show you what I mean?"

"If you say so. Where do you want me to go?"

"Let's see, an empty classroom in half an hour. I've got permission from the teacher."

"An empty classroom?"

Horikita asked back curiously, and after saying goodbye to her, Satō

turned away and looked towards me. My eyes met hers and she started to approach me.

"Hey, Ayanokōji-kun. Do you have some time later...?"

"Me? I don't have any particular plans today."

"You heard what I said earlier, right? I'd like you to come with me and Horikita-san in half an hour."

"Why me too?"

"That's a secret for now. You'll know when you get here."

Just like his attitude towards Horikita earlier, Satō's face was full of confidence. Since I had no reason to deny her request, I agreed.

"I'll be waiting for you then!"

After checking the time on her phone, Satō hurried out of the classroom.

"What's with her? She seemed so confident."

"Doesn't that mean she's thought of a good idea?"

"Even if she did, why did she bother to call me?"

I don't know what the big deal was, but I'll find out in half an hour.

Horikita and I decided to kill some time in the classroom before heading to the special building.