Determined to save the garden, Ryo, Aiko, and Haruka met in the old music room after school the next day. The dusty space was now their headquarters for Operation Garden Save. Haruka showed them the hidden room she had discovered, its door cleverly concealed behind a shelf of old sheet music.
"This is where I found the documents," Haruka explained, leading them inside. The room was cramped, filled with old filing cabinets and stacks of yellowed papers. Aiko and Ryo exchanged a determined glance before diving into the piles of documents.
For hours, they sifted through files, their fingers becoming grimy with dust. Haruka found an old school map that confirmed the garden's location was indeed targeted for demolition to make way for a new building.
Ryo held up a thick stack of papers. "These are the plans for the new building. Looks like they've been approved without much consideration for what's here now."
Aiko sighed. "We need to find something that shows the importance of our garden or proves they didn't follow proper procedures. There has to be a way to stop this."
Just as Aiko's spirits began to wane, Haruka gasped. "Look at this!" She held up an old, faded photograph of the garden from decades ago. "This shows the garden has been here for a long time. It's part of our school's history."
Ryo nodded. "This is good, but we need more. We need testimonies or documents that prove its historical significance."
The trio continued their search, uncovering a few more photos and an old newspaper clipping about a famous botanist who had once worked on the garden's design. It was a start, but they knew they needed stronger evidence.
As they packed up for the day, Ryo turned to Aiko with a mischievous glint in his eye. "How about we ask some of the older teachers or alumni? They might have stories or even more documents."
Aiko grinned. "That's a great idea. And it's another adventure for us."
Haruka looked relieved. "I'll talk to my parents. They're alumni and might know something."
The next day, Ryo and Aiko decided to visit Mrs. Yoshikawa, the oldest teacher in the school. She had been teaching history for over 40 years and was known for her love of the school's heritage. They found her in the staff room, her eyes twinkling with curiosity as they explained their mission.
"The garden?" Mrs. Yoshikawa mused, tapping her chin. "I remember when it was first planted. It was a project initiated by our former principal, who believed in the importance of nature in education. I might have some old records in my personal collection."
She led them to her office, where she rummaged through a cabinet, finally pulling out a thick binder. "Here you go. These are old meeting minutes and plans from when the garden was first established. I hope they help."
Ryo and Aiko thanked her profusely before heading back to the old music room. There, they spread out the new documents, excitement bubbling between them.
"These are perfect," Aiko said, her eyes scanning the pages. "This shows the garden's importance and how it was meant to be a permanent part of the school."
Ryo nodded, his hand brushing against Aiko's as they worked side by side. "We've got a solid case now. Let's compile everything and prepare to present it to the student council."
As they worked late into the night, their laughter and teasing filled the room, lightening the seriousness of their task. At one point, Ryo leaned closer to Aiko, his voice soft. "You know, I never thought our teasing and adventures would lead to something this important."
Aiko smiled, her heart warming at his words. "Me neither, but I'm glad it did. We make a great team."
With their evidence ready and their spirits high, Ryo and Aiko prepared for the next phase of their mission, confident that they could save their beloved garden and, in the process, strengthen their growing bond.