Int. Classroom - S.T. Academy - Same day

The class is already fully assembled. Jason and Masanori are sitting in the last row.

Suddenly, a young, good-looking woman enters the classroom. “Hello, I’m Ms. Watanabe, I’ll be your class teacher for the next three years.”

The class stands up and shouts in unison. “Good afternoon Ms. Watanabe, here’s to good cooperation!”

Jason turns to Masanori “Ey Mori.”

Masanori doesn’t react at first, as he wants to concentrate on the lesson.

Jason keeps talking anyway. “What’s it actually like in Japan with student-teacher relationsh-?”

Masanori interrupts him and coldly says. “Illegal.”

Jason shrugs his shoulders and then looks ahead.

Ms. Watanabe stands in front of the class. “Dear students, our annual summer tournament is coming up soon!”

There is whispering in the class. “It shows who is one of the best in the new year and who has the potential to join the student council.”

Ms. Watanabe continues. “For this reason, it is important that you choose the representatives of your class who you think will be able to participate.”

The class cheers. “I’m going to take part and win!” “I’m going to get first place!” “Shalom!”

Jason looks at Masanori. “And Mori? are you looking forward to the tournament?”.

Masanori beams with anticipation. “If it means I can officially challenge Haruki and win, of course!”

Jason returns Masanori’s energy. “I’ll take part too! This is my chance to make a good impression on the ladies!”

Ms. Watanabe takes the floor again. “Since we have 4 classes every year, only 4 students from each class can participate, and this year we have decided that the top 3 students and only 1 majority vote can advance. So you’d better try hard to be able to take part.”

There is whispering in the class. “By a vote?” “Majority vote?”

Jason laughs. “Sorry Mori, but you’ll have to make the effort then. I’m going with the fan-favorite strategy.”

Another student jumps into the conversation. “That´s some terrible attitude of yours! You make me feel like you’re not taking any of this seriously!”

Jason is shocked. He looks at the front row “And you are?”.

The student strikes a polite pose to introduce himself. “My name is Aitou Saitou, I’m 16 years old, I’m from Tokyo Talk Middle School and while I’m at it, I’d like to stand for class president.”

Another pupil reacts indignantly. “Why should YOU of all people be class president?”

Aitou looks at him. “Of course I’m ready for a democratic vote. Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?”

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The student stands up. “My name is Yumiko Ishida, 16 years old, from Small Speak Middle School.”

The class is shocked. “Someone from Small Speak?” “There are calibers like that here, too.”

Another student stands up. “Then I’d like to join in. My name is Ishi Ozawa, 15 years old, from Chatter Chiba Middle School.”

The class is thrilled. “ONE OF THE CHIBA?”

Ms. Watanabe takes the floor again. “Anyone else interested in the title of class president?”

She waits quickly. “No one? Good, then we have our three candidates:

Aitou Saitou, from Tokyo Talk Middle School;

Yumiko Ishida, from the Small Speak Middle School

and Ishi Ozawa from Chatter Chiba Middle School.”

Jason looks at Masanori. “Whoa this is getting really serious here.”

Ms. Watanabe speaks to the candidates. “Convince your class of your qualifications and earn their votes. The class president will receive special privileges and special certifications with graduation. So take this seriously!”

The class cheers “WOW THIS IS SO INTENE!” “I’M ABOUT TO FAINT!”.

Ishi steps forward. “I’ll take the liberty.”

He smiles provocatively at Aitou and Yumiko. “As the youngest and best graduate of Chiba, it only makes sense to elect me as class president. With my expertise and my social battery, I will protect our class and always present it in a good light.”

Some of the class agree with him. “That’s an important point. Our class could gain prestige through him and we wouldn’t be under constant fire.”

Yumiko steps forward. “Mere strength will get us nowhere in the long run. I, Yumiko Ishida, prefer the way of gathering information. It’s important to always be one step ahead of the enemy. They should rather underestimate us so that they make mistakes. We gather information in the background in advance so that we have an advantage over them.”

The class also agrees with this. “Yes, that’s true again. Having an information advantage is also a very important point in small talk. It allows you to ask precise questions that upset your opponent.”

Aitou Saitou now enters the foreground. “I Aitou Saitou don’t think much of arrogance and intrigue. I prefer to build a good relationship with the other classes. To have a healthy relationship with each other in order to constantly improve our internal and external relationships in the long term.

This reduces the risk of conflict and increases the likelihood of support should it occur.

My goal is peaceful coexistence.”

The class is silent, but thinking.

Ms. Watanabe jumps in again. “Those were the candidates. It’s time to vote.”

Jason and Masanori nod to each other.

Each pupil fills in a piece of paper with their vote. Ms. Watanabe collects them and keeps a tally on the blackboard. “So far we have 5 votes for Yumiko, 6 votes for Ishi and surprisingly 5 votes for Aitou. There are still 2 votes left.”

Jason looks at Masanori. “Who are they from, I wonder?”

Ms. Watanabe opens the first piece of paper. “Another vote for Aitou.”

The class is shocked “WHAT NOW IT’S A HEAD TO HEAD RACE BETWEEN AITOU AND ISHI! THE LAST VOTE DECIDES EVERYTHING”

Ms. Watanabe opens the last piece of paper. She looks at the class. “The last vote… Belongs to AITOU SAITOU”

Ishi and Yumiko are disappointed. Ishi falls to the ground defeated. “All my power, useless…”

The class cheers. Aitou steps to the front. With a tear-streaked face, he says to the class. “Thank you for your votes, I will wear this title with honor.”

Jason looks at Masanori. “Who did you actually vote for?”

Masanori smiles. “Well, for the winner, who else?”

Jason laughs. “Me too.”

Suddenly the principal enters the class. Everyone falls silent.

He steps forward. “I’m here to inform you that Class 1-B has already named its participants for the summer tournament.”

The class is shocked. “What already?”.

The principal looks at the class with a serious expression. “One student has challenged the entire class and won. His name is Katsu Sakamoto.”