Time gradually approached the days before the school festival.
People in Japan place great importance on a sense of ceremony, so festivals of all kinds are made as grand as possible, and the school festival is no exception. At the same time, it is also the most anticipated time for students.
After all, there are no classes for these few days.
Preparations for the school festival begin on Thursday, but it officially opens on Saturday.
During Saturday's open period, the school allows members of the public to enter.
In today's era of declining birthrates, the school festival is not only a celebration of the school's founding but also serves as a form of external promotion. The school hopes to attract more interest through the students' performances and recruit more students in the coming year.
...
Class 1-A.
Compared to the lively atmosphere of other classes, Sato's class was excessively calm.
Everyone sat in their seats, chatting idly.
"By the way, how exactly did this project get decided?"
Sato sat in his seat with his arms crossed, staring seriously at the words written on the blackboard. After speaking, he raised an eyebrow.
He had just gone out to use the restroom, and when he came back, he saw something rather strange written on the board.
Maid Kendo Experience Hall!
What the hell is that?
"Ah, that…"
Kirigaya Kazuto looked a bit troubled and said, "Everyone wasn't very interested in the school festival, so the class rep randomly called on people to give suggestions. When it was my turn, I suggested a kendo experience hall."
Sato nodded in understanding.
There were many high-achieving students in their class, and most of them focused on getting into higher education, so they weren't enthusiastic about the festival.
In Japan, the best way to achieve upward social mobility is to get into a prestigious university, which is also the goal of many people. Once you get into one, you essentially join the so-called group of life winners. If you get into the University of Tokyo, then you are a life winner among life winners.
How obvious is that leap?
For example, if you graduate from the University of Tokyo and become a police officer, you would start at least as an assistant inspector, and after just a couple of years, you could easily become an inspector.
Many people might not have a clear concept of what an inspector level is, but if you've watched Detective Conan, you'd know that Inspector Megure holds that rank. Comparing their ages shows just how powerful the advantage of a prestigious university is.
Japan's police system, from top to bottom, consists of Superintendent General, Senior Commissioner, Commissioner, Chief Superintendent, Superintendent, Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Sergeant, and Patrol Officer. Reaching inspector level already means stepping into middle management.
And above Chief Superintendent, at least ninety percent are monopolized by graduates of the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
Japan's police system roughly has two major factions, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Osaka Prefectural Police. The reason for their rivalry is largely historical resentment, as Japan's center shifted from Osaka to Edo, now Tokyo, after the Meiji Restoration.
Thus, high-ranking officers in Osaka are usually graduates of Kyoto University, while those in Tokyo are typically from the University of Tokyo.
In other words, achieving upward mobility in Japan not only requires getting into a prestigious university, but the right one as well.
For example, if you want to become a diplomat, you should go to Sophia University's English department.
If you want to enter politics, the University of Tokyo is your best choice.
If you want to become a wealthy housewife, you should attend Keio University's literature department.
Of course, the last one also requires that you are a young lady with the qualifications for an arranged marriage.
...
Coming back to the point, Sato was still a bit confused.
Wasn't it supposed to be a kendo experience hall? How did it turn into a maid kendo experience hall?
What even is that?
Doing kendo while dressed as maids?
Facing Sato's questioning look, Kirigaya Kazuto shrugged and sighed. "It's pretty much what you think. The whole class wears maid outfits. The boys teach kendo in maid outfits, and after the experience, the girls serve coffee in maid outfits."
"Hiss… whose idea was this?!"
Sato couldn't help but suck in a breath. This was way too outrageous.
Kirigaya Kazuto suddenly stopped talking and gestured with his eyes for Sato to look behind him.
Sato raised an eyebrow, turned around, and saw Isshiki Iroha standing behind him with a smile.
"Your idea?"
"Hehe, what do you think?"
Isshiki Iroha casually sat down in Saiki Kusuo's seat. No one knew where Saiki Kusuo had gone.
"That's really cruel. Didn't any of the boys in our class resist?"
Sato asked Kirigaya Kazuto.
Kirigaya Kazuto sighed helplessly. "Our class has more girls than boys."
Sato: "..."
"Alright, are you done talking? If you are, let's go."
Isshiki Iroha was tidying up her freshly done nails. After hearing them finish, she looked up at Sato and asked.
"Huh?"
Sato looked at her, completely confused. Are you talking to me?
"Well…"
Kirigaya Kazuto cautiously tapped Sato on the shoulder and whispered, "You were selected as a cultural festival executive committee member, together with Isshiki."
"Huh? Me?!"
Sato pointed at himself with a blank expression. Why did it feel like the world had completely changed just from going to the restroom?
"That's right, it's you!"
Isshiki Iroha giggled, clearly pleased.
"Wait, I got chosen as an executive member without even knowing?"
"Could this be… the legendary bullying?"
Swish!
As soon as Sato said that, the surroundings suddenly went quiet. He noticed his classmates looking at him with strange expressions, as if thinking, who would dare bully you, you damn normie?
Isshiki Iroha quickly tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "I was the one who suggested it."
Sato immediately felt a bit embarrassed and gave an apologetic smile to his classmates.
Soon, the chatter resumed.
Sato then looked at Isshiki Iroha speechlessly. "Why didn't you discuss this with me first? This sounds like a thankless job."
Isshiki Iroha blinked at him, then said one sentence.
"Since executive members have to report to the committee at all times, they only need to coordinate and don't have to participate directly. Are you sure you don't want it?"
"You mean…"
"You don't have to wear a maid outfit!"
"I will do my duty to serve everyone without hesitation!"
Sato said with a solemn expression.