The next day, the lively atmosphere continued in class. However, as the school day began, Ryo noticed a subtle shift in the teachers' approach. They were starting to hint at upcoming projects, group work, and activities that would lead into the second half of the school term.
Takashi, as student council president, visited their class during homeroom with Rina, the vice president, to give an update on student council activities. "We'll have a few new initiatives coming up," he said, adjusting his glasses. "And we're planning a school-wide event where students can contribute their ideas. If anyone is interested in helping out, let Rina or me know."
Hana immediately raised her hand. "Does that mean we get to decorate the hallways again? Because I am all in!"
Takashi chuckled. "It might include that, but there will be more organizing and planning involved."
Saki muttered under her breath, "Leave it to Hana to volunteer us all for work."
Amelia leaned over, whispering to Ryo with a grin, "I like her spirit. She keeps things lively."
After homeroom, Ryo found himself recruited by Takashi to help prepare for a presentation. Together with Yuto, he joined Takashi and Rina in the student council room, where they brainstormed ideas and organized the logistics of the event. Rina was calm and efficient, and it was clear she and Takashi made an effective team.
As they worked, Yuto elbowed Ryo. "Looks like you're practically on the council now, huh?"
Ryo laughed. "I guess I can't escape it. But honestly, it's fun to help out."
Later, he rejoined his friends, who were eager to hear about the plans. They listened as he explained the council's idea of involving students in more activities, nodding along with interest.
"So, what are we doing, exactly?" Mei asked, her voice soft but curious.
"Probably a mix of planning, decorating, and maybe even running some activities," Ryo said. "It's meant to be a school-wide thing, so I think it'll be pretty interactive."
Saki sighed dramatically, but her eyes held a spark of interest. "Alright, count me in… just as long as we don't end up cleaning up afterward."
The group laughed, and with each conversation, each shared task, Ryo felt a growing sense of unity and excitement. The school year stretched ahead, filled with possibility, and for the first time, he was looking forward to what each new day would bring.
The following week, a new project was introduced that would stir up some healthy competition in the class. Their homeroom teacher, Mrs. Nakamura, stood before the room with an enthusiastic smile. "Alright, everyone! This semester, we'll be doing a unique project that allows you to work in groups and showcase your creativity," she announced, holding up a stack of papers. "Each group will create a presentation on a topic of your choice. It could be anything from history, science, art, to pop culture. Just make it engaging!"
This immediately caught everyone's attention, and murmurs of excitement spread throughout the class. Ryo could feel the energy picking up, as everyone started throwing out ideas for topics and partners. Saki leaned over to him, "So, Ryo, are we teaming up?"
Just as he nodded, Hana bounded over, eyes sparkling. "I'm joining too! Think of all the fun things we could cover! Maybe something about adventure or mysteries?"
Saki crossed her arms, smiling. "Oh, please. Let's not get too carried away. Let's aim for something interesting and easy to present."
Amelia and Alice joined them, clearly eager to participate. "Mind if I jump in too?" Amelia asked, grinning. "We'll make a dynamic team."
Alice nodded, speaking softly but with determination, "I'd like to help too, if there's space."
The group was set: Ryo, Saki, Hana, Amelia, and Alice. Their enthusiasm only grew as they began brainstorming ideas. After a few suggestions, they settled on a topic that combined both Hana's sense of adventure and Saki's preference for simplicity: "The Wonders of Japan's Natural and Historical Sites."
After school, they headed to the library, eager to dive into their topic. Hana immediately started pulling out books on historical temples, lush forests, and ancient ruins, practically burying the table with her selections. Ryo couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
"This is way too much!" Saki protested, but there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.
Amelia and Alice brought laptops to start researching, and before long, they were lost in discussions, flipping through pages and jotting down notes.
Yuto, who had been working with his group at a nearby table, walked over with a smirk. "Looks like you guys are gearing up for a major presentation. Think you can top ours?"
Ryo grinned back. "Oh, is that a challenge, Yuto?"
"Definitely!" Yuto replied, winking at Amelia, who shot him a competitive smile in return. "May the best team win!"
Their friendly rivalry added a new layer of excitement to the project, and before they knew it, hours had passed, and they had assembled a solid outline for their presentation. Alice sketched some ideas for visuals, while Amelia put together a list of sites they could focus on, from the ancient capital of Kyoto to the iconic Mount Fuji.