Chapter 2392: Selected sses


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    To decide who would pass, Tachibana-sensei called for two teachers sitting at the panel to join her in evaluating each ss''s outline. They split into three directions.


    The other two teachers went to evaluate the second and third years while Tachibana-sensei walked toward our area.


    As our table was the closest to her, she approached us with an air of undeniable curiosity, her clipboard held tightly against her chest.


    She stopped just short of us offering a weing smile as she gestured for our group to give her our outline.


    "Alright, Year 1 ss 1, let me see what you''ve prepared." She began with a jubnt tone as though she was expecting something great from us.


    I don''t know. She was probably watching us too closely during our discussions.


    Nami confidently handed over our outline, her arms trembling slightly from excitement.


    "Here it is, Tachibana-sensei. We''ve outlined the concept, logistics, and even included a safety n."


    Tachibana-sensei took the paper, her eyes scanning the document quickly but thoroughly. As she read, her expression shifted a few times. First curiosity there was curiosity, then amusement, and finally a slight nod of approval.


    "A haunted house with a mystery twist," she mused aloud, tapping her pen against her clipboard. "Clever. The idea of offering different difficulty levels and a time limit is a nice touch. It''ll keep the flow steady and ensure participants have a tailored experience. However, you have to be very thorough on that. Won''t your ssmatesin about having to switch gears depending on the visitor''s preference?"


    She raised a question and looked at us one by one, her eyes lingered on me quite a bit longer than the others. If it was a secondter, I would''ve thought she was waiting for me to answer her question.


    I thought my charm had already subsided weeks after the haircut but it seems to still have been working.


    Nami eventually answered, "That''s the thing, sensei. It''s still an outline for now. When we present thister or if ever our ss chooses this n for our cultural festival booth, we''ll make adjustments."


    Tachibana-sensei nodded in approval, satisfied by Nami''s answer,


    "Fair enough. I can also see that you''ve considered safety. That''s an excellent move. Events like these can sometimes overlook practical concerns in favor of excitement."


    "Thank you, Sensei," Nami calmly replied but her voice carried a hint of pride.


    Tachibana-sensei''s gaze shifted to Chii. "I heard your voice earlier. This is your suggestion. Great creativity and you have a good group around you to build on that. I''m looking forward to hearing screamsing from the ssroom if ever your ss adopted this."


    Chii grinned. "Hehe, you''re right sensei, it won''t be possible with only my idea. And if visitors don''t scream at least once, it shouldn''t be called a haunted house at all!"


    Tachibana-sensei chuckled. "Just make sure you don''t scare anyone too much. A bnce between fun and fright is key."


    After that, she turned to Ogawa and praised him too on his part.


    Then turning to Shimura, Tachibana-sensei also nodded approvingly. "The logistics section is clear and well-thought-out. Assigning a reset crew to keep things running smoothly was a great idea."


    Shimura blushed at the praise, mumbling a soft "thank you" under her breath. She then looked at me, possibly expecting me to praise her as well. And so I did, I stretched my arm from behind Chii, squeezing Shimura''s hand softly.


    Yep. I couldn''t stop myself from showing my appreciation again.


    In any case, Tachibana-sensei''s eyes finallynded back on me, "And you, Onoda-kun. You seem like the linchpin of this group. What''s your role in all of this?"


    My role, huh? She already got the answer. I''m nothing more than the glue binding our group, ensuring that everything will run smoothly.


    I shrugged with a yful smile. "I''m just here to make sure everything ties together, Sensei. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all."


    "Is that so?" Tachibana-sensei''s eyes twinkled and she made a note on her clipboard. "Well, you all did an excellent job. Your outline is detailed and creative. Apart from the few things I mentioned, I can say that you''ve clearly put a lot of thought into this. The other sses will have to show something better than this."


    With that, she moved on to the next group, leaving us to exhale collectively.


    "She seemed impressed," Nami said as she leaned her head on my shoulder, findingfort in me again.


    Likewise, Chii pumped her fist in the air before taking my other shoulder. "Of course she was! We nailed it!"


    Shimura simply nodded. Her face was still slightly pink from the praise and perhaps the sensation of my hand on hers.


    Ogawa was still reluctant to say something so he just nodded at his side. The guy had been so traumatized to be talked down by Nami again he was turning to mute.


    And even if they''re still in the same club, Nami and the others had collectively stopped talking to him, or at least, only when necessary. It was only Arisa, the most considerate of them all, who would not exclude anyone from their club''s activity.


    "Well, we can''t be too rxed just yet," I said, tapping the table lightly. "There are a lot of other good ideas floating around this room. Let''s hope ours stands out."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Although I said that, I was confident that we could pass this round wlessly.


    The next ten minutes felt like an eternity as we waited for Tachibana-sensei and the others to finish evaluating all the outlines.


    I looked around the room and it was easy to tell who among those who were already evaluated did great. Some were smiling while others were depressed. Still, some never lost confidence in


    what they made.


    Finally, after bringing their clipboards - most likely filled with notes and scores for each ss - to the panel of teachers presiding over this workshop, Tachibana-sensei returned to the front of the room. She pped her hands to get everyone''s attention.


    "Alright, everyone! The results are in. First, I want tomend all of you for your creativity and hard work. We had a tough time deciding, but we''ve selected two outlines from each year level that stood out for their innovation, practicality, and engagement potential to move to the next round."


    The room grew tense as everyone leaned forward, waiting for the announcement.


    "But before announcing the winners, as I said earlier, you will have to present your ideas to us better than just bullet points on a paper. We want to hear the bits that you can''t write and the vision you want to realize with these creative outlines.


    Tachibana-sensei let the anticipation linger for a moment, her sharp gaze scanning the room. She''s clearly enjoying the suspense, her clipboard resting lightly against her curvy hips. "Now, for the selected outlines from the first-years," She began, her voice resonating through the room. "The first group moving on is... Year 1 ss 3, with their ''Grand Ball Cafe'' concept!"


    A table not far from us erupted in cheers. Naturally, I heard the familiar jubnt voice of Misaki along with Umeda and the other two from their ss. Only Maaya remained calm as if she was already expecting their outline to be chosen. Or maybe, she''s just so mindful of her public image that she couldn''t fully lose herposure like that.


    I don''t know what exactly Grand Ball Cafe means but it''s probably inspired by those medieval


    balls where royalty or prominent nobles will invite guests for a huge party.


    It didn''t necessarily have to open a dance floor as it was a socializing event but if they''re


    turning it into a cafe, they must''ve included that too.


    Maybe Maaya will be ying the Queen who invited everyone to the ball? How will it be a cafe


    though? A lot of them have to act like nobles too.


    Alright. Let''s stop overthinking that. We''ll hear their presentationter anyway.


    "And the second group..." Tachibana-sensei nced at her clipboard again, a slight smile


    ying on her lips. "Year 1 ss 1, with your ''Haunted Mystery Room''!"


    Our table collectively exhaled in relief before Chiiunched into an excited cheer. "YES! We''re


    in, Kii!"


    Nami smiled with restrained excitement,


    "We did it," she said softly, her hand finding mine under the table.


    Shimura pped her hands together with a soft but satisfied smile. Even Ogawa looked slightly relieved, though he remained his usual quiet self.


    Unfortunately, ss 2 and 4 had been eliminated, Watanabe and Komoe weren''t depressed but they sure were disappointed for failing to pass the first round. As for Rae and Sachi... I could see Rae looking unbothered. She''s also a little pissed. Most likely, some of her ideas weren''t adapted to their outline. I mean, even though she already warmed up to us, her ssmates must''ve still only known her as the knowledge girl.


    Tachibana-sensei continued to announce the selected groups from the second and third years. Arisa and Marika''s sses are both selected for the next round. "Congrattions to both groups. You''ll be presenting your ideas in front of the panel and your peers after a short break. You can discuss it with your group again. Be prepared to expand


    on your concept, showcase your creativity, and answer any questions that maye up. For now, great work!"