Happy Life
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Having waited for her moment, Futta steps onto the hall's stage, places a sheet of speech on the podium, and surveys the gathered crowd with a heavy gaze.
Clearing her throat lightly, she begins:
- Sekuhara Futaba, same class as Hachiora Lawrence. Some of you may have never seen me. Some might have heard something. Based on the results of the last exam, I am rank 13—exactly in the middle. In case anyone wonders why a pathetic rank 13 dares to propose anything, my answer is: because I believe this makes me closer to the broader student body.
Beyond that, let me say right away: I will not feed you revolutionary projects that turn everything upside down; far from everyone loves abrupt changes in their habitual life, revisions of established rules, and the flopping of a fish thrown onto the shore. What I am advocating for are realistically achievable things capable of bringing tangible benefit.
- First! - an index finger shot up. - The proposal of our comrade... - out of the corner of her eye, fortunately, she quickly and discreetly caught the name from the paper so that the pause didn't look like one where Futta doesn't know her peers' names. - Iori Valles. Tripling the duel tournaments every quarter—and without spending SP. I consider this initiative useful and interesting. Our wonderful teachers... - a sidelong glance toward the grandfather dozing in the corner. - Love to say that "one cannot choose the conditions in war." And therefore, in physical education classes, poorly prepared students are thrown into the general meat grinder, where "God knows His own." I consider this an ill-conceived approach. The more a person practices, the better they hone their skills and understanding of the process so as not to panic when faced with a real situation. Hard in training—easy in battle. And if someone thinks they won't end up in a fight—yes, perhaps that will be the case. Or maybe not—different things happen, not only in war but in ordinary life. And unlike a failed exam or a job interview, or a bankrupt business, here you won't return to the start and your last thought will be "just don't kill me."
Having painted such a grim picture, Futaba lightly cleared her throat again.
- In short, I see only benefit in this policy, - she concluded in a calmer tone. - Not to mention that a healthy spirit of rivalry should spur people toward improvement. However, not everyone among us feels a pull toward such things, therefore my proposal is to make such tournaments optional, by choice. Those who don't want to will not attend them and will only come to the mandatory school ones. But do not forget that each of you has a personal weapon that you know how to use to some extent, more than half of your stats are combat-based, and we live in a world full of injustice and evil, for which it is better to be prepared. Know the saying "might makes right"? In my view, it's an excellent one because it addresses the most basic nature of things that remains after all the chaff is discarded. From your own ideas about the imperfection of the world, try to estimate in your head the ratio of people in Lafrenia and other regions who are guided by this principle to protect something good, compared to those who use it to justify injustice and cruelty imposed on the weak. Even if the former are more numerous, the latter, unlike them, inevitably spread waves of violence. So do not neglect training, which will increase your chance of getting away from future troubles with only a scratch.
- Second! - her palm rose into the air again, depicting a V. - My personal proposal, which complements the first. Give the losing side of a duel the opportunity to request up to two additional rounds—until one of the participants achieves two victories. Of course, this once again goes against the "rules of war," - with a strained smile, Futaba pointed her thumb toward the part of the hall where Duncan was seated. - But it reduces the impact of random factors and, moreover, gives the loser a chance to get back on their feet in the face of a stronger opponent, demonstrate an unyielding will, and try again. It develops a quality generally useful for life—not giving up after the first difficulties. And again—additional rounds will be at the discretion of the losing party. If both opponents agree to the original result of the duel, they will not be forced to drag it out.
- Third! Vita Pleona's proposal about creating a "disciplinary committee"... - Futaba glanced at the sheet but could not decipher her own handwriting. Frowning, she sighed and demonstratively crumpled the paper.
- I'll tell you this, - she said, leaning on the podium with both hands on its sides and bending toward the gathered crowd. - The name sounds unpleasant, and personally, I do not welcome the imposition of discipline in trifles. Any sane person of your age will not set traps made of chalk sponges on a door, or eat pencil lead, or put thumbtacks on a chair, or jump over desks like a madman, or any other things for which this committee might be used. Writing an explanation because your blazer is unbuttoned or your tie sits crookedly, or you are walking too fast down the corridor—this is all meaningless bureaucracy serving only to assert oneself at another's expense and turn people into a proper herd of sheep.
Speaking without relying on the measured, thoughtful key positions outlined in the document, Futaba unconsciously increased the pace and intensity of her speech.
- The meaning I assign to this is—a public safety committee. A group of capable students with a worthy reputation who will be ready to react quickly and organizedly in case of an emergency! Who remembers the April events? Surely some feel that it was long ago, as if it never happened at all. I envy you—my memory is not so selective. Only the spontaneously organized forces of students managed to prevent worse developments. Anything can happen anytime, and our teachers, - a sweeping gesture with her hand toward the same grandfather and others. - Physically may not have time to be where and when they are needed!
Futaba menacingly pointed her finger at the audience.
- Neither the teachers in school nor the security forces in the state are capable of protecting you in every necessary moment of time one hundred percent! At the induction ceremony, we were told that we "will shape society with our own hands." If these are not empty words, then we must start with ourselves and our immediate surroundings! Not someday, ten years from now, but right now!
She caught her breath.
- And by emergency, I mean not only such poorly predictable surreal threats. But also banal heated disagreements between students. Certainly, our wonderful multinational Sakuromoriya—point a finger anywhere—is dripping with friendship, mutual aid, and harmony, but this is a very fragile balance that must be tirelessly maintained, because by the very nature of life it is subject to entropy—the simplest thoughtlessness of words or actions can lead representatives of different cultures or even just temperaments to an abyss of misunderstanding and escalation of conflicts over nothing. The tasks of the disciplinary—public safety—committee should include neutralizing such moments. This does not mean that a group of people in uniforms, caps, and armbands, vested with the form of executive power, should impose iron order by all available means—their available powers and circle of duties will be constantly discussed and strictly limited precisely to avoid such scenarios! - as she said this, Futaba held one palm at her heart and the other in the air, inner side of the palm up; an unconscious gesture that came naturally. - The important thing is that the students themselves will have a self-governing structure, unlike the student council—which has a more grounded area of application—with which they can interact in case of some problems without bringing everything to the judgment of teachers who, due to their workload, advanced age, and detachment from student life, will not always be able to get into the problem and offer a fair solution.
- Only we ourselves are capable of helping ourselves, and no one else! - she concluded her speech, raising a clenched fist in a leather glove.
Clearing her throat lightly, she begins:
- Sekuhara Futaba, same class as Hachiora Lawrence. Some of you may have never seen me. Some might have heard something. Based on the results of the last exam, I am rank 13—exactly in the middle. In case anyone wonders why a pathetic rank 13 dares to propose anything, my answer is: because I believe this makes me closer to the broader student body.
Beyond that, let me say right away: I will not feed you revolutionary projects that turn everything upside down; far from everyone loves abrupt changes in their habitual life, revisions of established rules, and the flopping of a fish thrown onto the shore. What I am advocating for are realistically achievable things capable of bringing tangible benefit.
- First! - an index finger shot up. - The proposal of our comrade... - out of the corner of her eye, fortunately, she quickly and discreetly caught the name from the paper so that the pause didn't look like one where Futta doesn't know her peers' names. - Iori Valles. Tripling the duel tournaments every quarter—and without spending SP. I consider this initiative useful and interesting. Our wonderful teachers... - a sidelong glance toward the grandfather dozing in the corner. - Love to say that "one cannot choose the conditions in war." And therefore, in physical education classes, poorly prepared students are thrown into the general meat grinder, where "God knows His own." I consider this an ill-conceived approach. The more a person practices, the better they hone their skills and understanding of the process so as not to panic when faced with a real situation. Hard in training—easy in battle. And if someone thinks they won't end up in a fight—yes, perhaps that will be the case. Or maybe not—different things happen, not only in war but in ordinary life. And unlike a failed exam or a job interview, or a bankrupt business, here you won't return to the start and your last thought will be "just don't kill me."
Having painted such a grim picture, Futaba lightly cleared her throat again.
- In short, I see only benefit in this policy, - she concluded in a calmer tone. - Not to mention that a healthy spirit of rivalry should spur people toward improvement. However, not everyone among us feels a pull toward such things, therefore my proposal is to make such tournaments optional, by choice. Those who don't want to will not attend them and will only come to the mandatory school ones. But do not forget that each of you has a personal weapon that you know how to use to some extent, more than half of your stats are combat-based, and we live in a world full of injustice and evil, for which it is better to be prepared. Know the saying "might makes right"? In my view, it's an excellent one because it addresses the most basic nature of things that remains after all the chaff is discarded. From your own ideas about the imperfection of the world, try to estimate in your head the ratio of people in Lafrenia and other regions who are guided by this principle to protect something good, compared to those who use it to justify injustice and cruelty imposed on the weak. Even if the former are more numerous, the latter, unlike them, inevitably spread waves of violence. So do not neglect training, which will increase your chance of getting away from future troubles with only a scratch.
- Second! - her palm rose into the air again, depicting a V. - My personal proposal, which complements the first. Give the losing side of a duel the opportunity to request up to two additional rounds—until one of the participants achieves two victories. Of course, this once again goes against the "rules of war," - with a strained smile, Futaba pointed her thumb toward the part of the hall where Duncan was seated. - But it reduces the impact of random factors and, moreover, gives the loser a chance to get back on their feet in the face of a stronger opponent, demonstrate an unyielding will, and try again. It develops a quality generally useful for life—not giving up after the first difficulties. And again—additional rounds will be at the discretion of the losing party. If both opponents agree to the original result of the duel, they will not be forced to drag it out.
- Third! Vita Pleona's proposal about creating a "disciplinary committee"... - Futaba glanced at the sheet but could not decipher her own handwriting. Frowning, she sighed and demonstratively crumpled the paper.
- I'll tell you this, - she said, leaning on the podium with both hands on its sides and bending toward the gathered crowd. - The name sounds unpleasant, and personally, I do not welcome the imposition of discipline in trifles. Any sane person of your age will not set traps made of chalk sponges on a door, or eat pencil lead, or put thumbtacks on a chair, or jump over desks like a madman, or any other things for which this committee might be used. Writing an explanation because your blazer is unbuttoned or your tie sits crookedly, or you are walking too fast down the corridor—this is all meaningless bureaucracy serving only to assert oneself at another's expense and turn people into a proper herd of sheep.
Speaking without relying on the measured, thoughtful key positions outlined in the document, Futaba unconsciously increased the pace and intensity of her speech.
- The meaning I assign to this is—a public safety committee. A group of capable students with a worthy reputation who will be ready to react quickly and organizedly in case of an emergency! Who remembers the April events? Surely some feel that it was long ago, as if it never happened at all. I envy you—my memory is not so selective. Only the spontaneously organized forces of students managed to prevent worse developments. Anything can happen anytime, and our teachers, - a sweeping gesture with her hand toward the same grandfather and others. - Physically may not have time to be where and when they are needed!
Futaba menacingly pointed her finger at the audience.
- Neither the teachers in school nor the security forces in the state are capable of protecting you in every necessary moment of time one hundred percent! At the induction ceremony, we were told that we "will shape society with our own hands." If these are not empty words, then we must start with ourselves and our immediate surroundings! Not someday, ten years from now, but right now!
She caught her breath.
- And by emergency, I mean not only such poorly predictable surreal threats. But also banal heated disagreements between students. Certainly, our wonderful multinational Sakuromoriya—point a finger anywhere—is dripping with friendship, mutual aid, and harmony, but this is a very fragile balance that must be tirelessly maintained, because by the very nature of life it is subject to entropy—the simplest thoughtlessness of words or actions can lead representatives of different cultures or even just temperaments to an abyss of misunderstanding and escalation of conflicts over nothing. The tasks of the disciplinary—public safety—committee should include neutralizing such moments. This does not mean that a group of people in uniforms, caps, and armbands, vested with the form of executive power, should impose iron order by all available means—their available powers and circle of duties will be constantly discussed and strictly limited precisely to avoid such scenarios! - as she said this, Futaba held one palm at her heart and the other in the air, inner side of the palm up; an unconscious gesture that came naturally. - The important thing is that the students themselves will have a self-governing structure, unlike the student council—which has a more grounded area of application—with which they can interact in case of some problems without bringing everything to the judgment of teachers who, due to their workload, advanced age, and detachment from student life, will not always be able to get into the problem and offer a fair solution.
- Only we ourselves are capable of helping ourselves, and no one else! - she concluded her speech, raising a clenched fist in a leather glove.
My sword, my trusted ally, unphased by my aspect.
