A Proposal for Order and a Faint Smile

“The ignorant are the least free, for they face a world utterly shrouded in darkness.” – Hegel

After stepping out of the bathroom, I surveyed the bedroom, my gaze landing on a set of keys strung together with a small business card on the bedside table.

Upon closer inspection, I discerned the Romanization ‘kamimura kyoko’ etched onto the card, which I presumed to be my name.

It was undoubtedly time for the gathering in the dining hall, so I resolved to hurry and join everyone, picking up the keys and preparing to tuck them away…

Wait, did my sailor uniform even have pockets?

My hands frantically searched for a place to stow them, yet found none.

Ah, right! I recalled the JK skirt (TL Note: A common Japanese term referring to a high school girl’s uniform skirt) having a pocket, somewhere around… there!

I found it!

Nestled near the zipper, the pocket was rather small… but it would suffice for the keys.

From the narrow gap beneath the main door, the enticing aroma of various dishes wafted in, signaling that dinner was indeed ready.

“Arisumi, don’t be so quick to start eating! Not everyone’s here yet.”

“Don’t worry… I’ll just have one bite, just one, hehehe.”

“You’re hopeless…”

“Alright, just let her have a taste.”

“Takahashi-san, you spoil her too much.”

“Kamimura-san? You’ve arrived, it seems everyone’s finally here.”

Everyone was gathered around the grand dining table, some seated, others standing, and I found an empty spot to settle into.

“Before we partake in dinner, please allow me to take a few moments to discuss our future plans with you all,” Habara announced politely, addressing us.

“I propose that we all gather in the dining hall before breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day to take attendance.

What are your thoughts on this?”

“Morning, noon, and night? That’s far too troublesome, isn’t it?

I, for one, will not agree to such an unreasonable demand; every second of my time is precious,” Amemiya declared bluntly.

“Even so… gathering in the dining hall three times a day is simply too much hassle, isn’t it?”

“Indeed… whether I eat or not is my personal freedom, and such a demand makes me quite uncomfortable.”

“E-everyone…” Faced with the objections and doubts of some, Habara’s resolve visibly deflated.

“Listen, Habara,” Suzuki began, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he placed his index and middle fingers against his forehead, “I understand your intentions.

After all, as the Ultimate Disciplinary Committee Member, you naturally feel compelled to prioritize everyone’s safety.

However, when proposing suggestions, shouldn’t you consider things more from everyone’s perspective?

Everyone’s time is valuable; it’s not something you alone can dictate.”

“I…” Habara’s face had gone utterly pale.

“Enough,” I interjected, cutting through the anxious atmosphere.

“Habara’s proposal certainly has significant flaws, yet his intentions are commendable.

How about this: everyone only needs to gather in the dining hall once each day, at eight in the morning.

For the remaining hours, you can all attend to your own affairs without interference.

What do you say?”

The previously tense atmosphere abruptly subsided, succeeded by a stifling silence.

‘Oh no, why has everyone gone quiet?

I feel incredibly awkward being the only one talking…’

“I agree with Kamimura-san’s suggestion,” Takagi stated, breaking the stillness from his seat beside me.

“What are everyone else’s thoughts?” Takagi prompted, ceding the floor to the others.

“I… I agree,” Nanase whispered in response to Takagi.

“Hmm… well, there’s no helping it.

Since it’s Anko’s suggestion, I suppose I have no choice but to agree,” Suzuki conceded, reluctantly accepting my proposal.

‘Bro, why are you calling me by my first name so intimately?!

Are you a homo?!… Well, I’m not a guy anymore either…’

“I agree!”

“I agree as well.”

One by one, the others affirmed my proposal, leaving only one holdout…

“Why are you all staring at me?

It’s not my fault I’m utterly captivating and simply cannot control my radiant charm.”

…

“Alright, alright, I get it!

Honestly, with all of you staring at me so intently, it’s rather embarrassing…”

A faint blush crept across Amemiya’s face, and I had to admit, it was rather endearing.

Was this the allure of a tsundere?

“Alright! Since there are no more objections, let’s eat!

The food will get cold if we don’t start now!” Yuusuke’s buoyant spirit infused the entire atmosphere, which gradually lightened and grew cheerful.

“Ah… Arisumi, you scoundrel, how could you take my portion too!”

“I couldn’t help it, it was too delicious, I couldn’t control myself.”

“You… that’s enough already… Hey, hey, that was my last serving!!!”

“Hahahaha! You two are hilarious! Wait, wait a minute! Don’t come over here! I haven’t finished eating yet!” Ishii exclaimed, frantically shielding her food.

Amidst laughter and cheerful chatter, everyone exchanged glances, a silent wish passing through them: how wonderful it would be if this precious moment could last forever… No, it *would* last forever, wouldn’t it?

“Thank you for your timely assistance just now,” I conveyed my gratitude to Takagi.

“Indeed, but I should be thanking Kamimura-san even more.”

“You’re thanking me?”

“Yes.

Had it not been for your initial critique, Kamimura-san, I might still be stubbornly mistaken.”

“Is that so…” Unbeknownst to me, a faint smile began to grace my lips.

“Oh? Kamimura-san, you’re smiling.”

“Am I?

You must be mistaken,” I feigned innocence, gazing at him.

“Huh? But I clearly saw…”

“Eat.”

“W-wait a mi—”

“Eat your—dinner—”

The delightful dinner passed by, unnoticed by me as time seemed to slip away.

With several hours remaining until bedtime, I decided I could still investigate the first floor.

****

Takagi Masahiko’s Perspective

Kamimura-san’s smile was so adorable, why did she not smile more often?

I yearned to see her smile again… Though it was merely an ordinary smile, why did it feel so incredibly healing?

My emotions felt so peculiar that even I couldn’t fully comprehend them.

I wondered how Habara-san was feeling right now… I should go check on him.

“Habara, are you alright?”

“…Ah, Takagi…” He still seemed utterly disheartened.

“Tell me, do you think… I’m not really suited for this position?”

“Before, no matter what disciplinary requests I made, no one would ever contradict my views.

But now…”

“Rather than questioning your suitability, shouldn’t we say that only *you* can be the Disciplinary Committee Member?

After all, you’re the Ultimate Disciplinary Committee Member!

The sense of order and security in everyone’s lives rests solely in your hands!”

“Takagi…”

“Still, you shouldn’t be too rigid or humorless.

Everyone needs to get along happily, and that’s also part of maintaining order in life, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Haha… you’re right.

I can’t afford to be so dejected right now… Alright! I need to pull myself together! Thank you for the encouragement, Takagi.”

“It’s nothing.

Your resolve to pull yourself together is all the thanks I need.”

“Well then, I should be going now.”

“Oh! Go on, then!”

Feeling reassured, I left the dining hall.

A quick glance around revealed Kamimura-san heading towards the dormitory exit, likely to investigate the mysteries of this sealed academy.

My desire to assist Kamimura-san was undeniable, yet I worried that if I were to become a nuisance, I might only trouble her further…

Go, Takagi Masahiko, take decisive action.

With a sense of conviction, I followed her, reasoning that facing Kamimura-san’s reproach or scolding was far preferable to remaining stagnant.