6.3
It was getting close to 3:00 pm. I left the maid cafe to prepare for my final move. No one knew exactly how much we needed to sell in order to win first place.
Of course, it would be possible to win first place for sure if one could sell more than half of the private points in circulation, but that was almost impossible due to the way the system worked. In other words, it was important to earn as much money as possible until the moment the festival was over.
The students' concept cafes were well received by both Horikita and Ryūen’s classes.
The one-on-one competition stunned many of the guests, and they were able to visit one or both classes to take part in the battle.
What seemed to be a deadlocked and competitive situation took a new turn when the guests came to the Japanese concept café to see how the other side was doing. A long line of customers were waiting to enter the cafe.
“This one is just as busy as the other one.”
The place was even busier than I had imagined, and I didn't have time to talk to the students in Ryūen’s class.
I couldn't judge everything just from observing the scene, but I suspected there was little difference in the amount of points they were earning. It was formidable enough to aim for the top, but still, there was no absolute guarantee.
“Sorry for calling you all the way here, Chabashira-sensei.”
I called Chabashira-sensei, who would have been using her points for a non-second year class on campus.
“Have you finished using your private points?”
“Hmm? Ah, there are 80 points left. I'd say I've used them up. What about it?”
There wasn’t much time left, and she seemed to have firmly finished her contribution to the festival as a teacher.
“In other words, you’re free for the rest of the day?”
“Yes, that's right. Now all we have to do is wait for the end of the cultural festival... What the hell is this?”
She showed her confusion, not understanding why she was summoned here.
The kimono café was just a backdrop. I will not say that it was thriving or that Horikita’s class could lose.
I left it up to Chabashira-sensei to see the momentum and interpret it as she saw fit.
“Actually, I'd like to ask Chabashira-sensei for her cooperation for the next hour or so.”
“No no no, wait, Ayanokōji, cooperation? I don't understand what you’re talking about.”
Teachers were to contribute to the festival by spending points in the school.
That was the only role they had been given today.
“We want Chabashira-sensei to be our maid in order to make sales at the maid cafe.”
I told her the strategy to make it to the victory board, but...
“What...?”
This may have been the dumbest strategy I had ever come up with in my life.
“You want me to turn into a maid? I want you to listen very carefully to what you’re saying right now.”
“Did I not just tell you? I'm just going to do what I can to win.”
“Why should I be the maid!? I’m the homeroom teacher. I can't be obligated to one particular class.”
“That's not true. The rule this time is that school teachers are to be treated as if they were guests of honor. Homeroom teachers are not allowed to use points in their grade level. Those are the only two rules that have been imposed. There is also no rule that only students may participate in the presentation. In extreme cases, they should be free to have guests of honor serve them. It would be unusual, but that problem could be resolved if the guest consents.”
This was not a prohibited activity under the rules. It would be a clear violation if the person were to purchase goods from a convenience store, Keyaki Mall, or any other place other than the points of sale available at the festival, using personal expenses.
However, in terms of “human resources,” there was no need to apply for such a permit, and it was free. Chabashira-sensei seemed to be at a loss for words, as if her mind was not fully comprehensive of what she needed to do.
“Shall I explain it more clearly? Assuming there was a student carrying a heavy load, they are dizzy. A guest passing by offered to help and carried the luggage on his shoulders to the desired location. Is this a violation?”
“It's not a violation…”
“Exactly. Other people can be substituted for the students: 2nd year class A asks 2nd year class D for help, and class D readily agrees. Would there be a problem if we loaned the students out?”
The reasons for loaning them out were varied. To provide support out of genuine concern, to plot a plan to cause problems within, or to exchange labour and compensation for something in return.
Whatever the reason, as long as it was within the rules, the school won't blame you for it. In fact, just walking around the school, I saw a few students supporting other classes.
“I don't see the problem.”
“It's the same thing. A teacher's willingness to cooperate isn’t, in itself, a violation of the rules.”
“No, it doesn't. It's still considered lending a hand for the class you're in.”
“That's right. Even if it is broadly allowed, you can't be sure that such an opinion won't be expressed.”
That's why clear rules need to be utilized and legitimate.
“We will pay for any private points that would be incurred when renting teachers. I'm sure the school is looking at that possibility in anticipation of this festival.”
“No way, no, but... I don’t know if I'm... enough to be considered...”
I've hit the bull's-eye. She showed such an expression. Chabashira-sensei was also a teacher at this school, and in the past had been in charge of other classes. It was only natural that the school made various assumptions for a cultural festival that had never been held in the past.
In principle, private points at this school were a powerful weapon. No wonder it could be used not only for routine shopping, but also to secure personnel if necessary.
“There is nothing in this school that cannot be bought with private points. Is there a difference?”
To deny this was to deny the school.
And it was like admitting that you were a disqualified teacher.
Chabashira-sensei had no right to refuse, even if it was far from her intention. In a panic, Chabashira-sensei began reading the rules about the festival on her cell phone.
“Pay 100,000 private points for every hour students ask for a teacher's help.”
“It seems that you are well prepared for the behind-the-scenes rules that only this school has. That's the option.”
This was the same thing that happened when private points were used to buy test scores.
“That's 100,000 points per hour. It's not a cheap deal. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Of course I'm sure.”
Asking teachers to cooperate inherently doesn't help much. Whether you have them cook or serve, if they didn't practice beforehand, it would be a waste of private points to have them on your side for an hour or so.
It was difficult for them to perform the job on the spot if they had to go out to the restaurant to serve the customers. But if you used them in a different way than usual, you could get the effect you paid for.
“Are you really, really sure?”
“I’m sorry, Chabashira-sensei, but now I'm going to ask you to cooperate even if you don't want to. I don't have a lot of time to spare right now.”
After 3:00 p.m., we wouldn't be able to get a full hour's help, which would make us less efficient.
“Well, wait. Yes, why don't you ask Chie? She does this kind of thing better. She’d be ready to do it even for a rival class.”
“I'm sure she would. But what I'm looking for now is not someone who can do this dexterously, but rather someone who is clumsy. Because I believe that the more clumsy you are, or the more effective you are at the margins, the more effective you will be.”
“I have no idea what your logic is.”
It must have been true that deep down she didn't like it and that she didn't understand. It was because she didn’t understand that Chabashira-sensei functioned a certain “way” that could be appealable to a certain audience.
“There’s no more time. Please take care of it.”
I forced her to accept my private points as I took my phone and paid Chabashira-sensei.
“We have a deal.”
“That's not fair, Ayanokōji, using the school rules.”
That's not cowardly, it's a really straightforward way to fight.
“I have no idea how to act in a maid cafe. I don't know what's going to happen to me.”
“That's fine. I don't expect anything from the teacher.”
Chabashira-sensei staying inside the classroom in a maid outfit; that fact alone was enough to win.
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