Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Ep. 12: Solution Oriented

Then...

LET US BEGIN OUR 28TH MEETING TO "RESTORE GLORY TO GEHENNA"!

Twenty-eight already? We've really been working hard.

Most of them were small talk.

I should know. I've been the one writing our inconsequential meeting notes.

Hey, Shouko! You're already opening your second round of snacks? I didn't get any yet.

That's because they're all for me. This is my right as a secretary.

But didn't you say secretaries are just powerless flunkies who get pushed around?

When it comes to procuring snacks, secretaries are unstoppable. You can think of them as strong scissors capable of PULVERIZING rocks.

Oh, you want to put that theory to the test?

Now, now! Order!

Yes! Order!

Ord...nunn...

Swallow before you speak.

As President, I propose that today's agenda focuses on...

...the path we must take!

Grand thinking, as always.

Yeah! See, our problem is that our meetings sometimes get off track. We need to hone in.

At present, our programs are proceeding smoothly.

Heritage League awareness is at an all-time high. Numerous students are happily participating in our projects.

Sounds like everyone's doing a good job.

And I agree! This is all a "good thing."

But a thought suddenly crossed my mind. Is "good" really enough? Aren't we aiming for "glorious"?

You're sounding rather corporate...

Everything we've done has been part of the grand plan to fundamentally change Gehenna...

But what if we're neglecting the small details?

"Small details"?

So... Hear me out!

A lot of our peers are plagued with angst, with worry! They're sensitive, much like Sensei!

Yup! But Gehenna doesn't have any facility or organization to reach out to these poor students.

The Pandemonium Society doesn't care, and the Prefect Team just runs security.

So who should step up? Who shall fill this emotional void?

We will, naturally!

So...

Are you suggesting we solve the students' problems?

You're interested in peer counseling.

Exactly! It might seem trivial, but we can show that the glorious Gehenna will care about even the small things! What do you think?

It's not unreasonable. Ultimately, order is encompassed by the sum of minor rules. Managing small, controllable units is essential to effective administration.

I'm in. Anything's worth trying once, right?

This is already your expertise, Sensei, so you can sit it out. We'll show YOU what WE'RE capable of!

To cheer us on! Watch over us and get a rally going!

You're essentially a lucky charm.

Yeah, you're just helping by existing and...vibing! Yaha!

"Concerns" I've had lately...?

Yeah! Like if you're going through something, or if you're not happy...

Or even if you're uneasy or restless for no reason! We can counsel that too!

I think I'm fine.

No! Think hard and dig deep! There's got to be something! Isn't there anything that's stressing you out?

Um... This current conversation...?

Ah, okay... You know what? I'm glad you're doing...just fine.

Y-Yeah, me too. Bye.

We've asked so many students, but none of them seem to be in distress!

Gehenna students aren't known for opening up.

Perhaps our recent programs have successfully reduced student anxiety.

Tch, so now we're suffering from success?

What do you mean, President? It's good that everyone's content.

She was so consumed by her crusade of resolving the students' problems that she's lost her sense of judgment. How piteously unfortunate.

Ugh, I need some sugar. Shouko, pass me a snack.

No, this is all I brought.

I could pay you back later. Double!

What're you dragging your heels for? You want me to suffer that badly?

But I want to eat it right now!

And yet, the pain I am currently enduring could be repaid twofold as joy in the future...

Ah, this is just like the "marshmallow experiment."

Precisely... I understand. You may have it, President.

Hmm...

I said I COULD pay you back... Or not.

Um, are you still offering counseling services? Or am I too late?

Mmph! Were shdill owen!

But you said you'll pay me back! Double!

Don't mind them.

We ARE still open. Is something going on?

Oh, perfect.

Um... Some kids in our class said they heard a strange noise.

Huh? Like what?

It's a bit of a spooky story...

Class ended? Everyone just left without me? They didn't even think to wake me up?

Urgh. I guess I'll pack up...

...or.

...

Huh? Is someone here?

...der.

Wh-What?! Who's there?

But I'm all alone...!

A-Aah! What the hell?!

...That's what happened.

Oh, a ghost problem? We can give it a try!

No way, she probably misheard something. Maybe it's sleep paralysis...

That's not it! Look, I'm not the only one who's been hearing things!

Is that so? Where did this happen?

Ah, it's...

So this is the classroom...

Nothing seems out of place...

...

What's that, Shouko?

An EMF meter. It measures ambient electromagnetic waves.

Huh? Why do you need that?

If strange sounds have been repeatedly heard here, then they're likely coming from malfunctioning equipment.

Ugh, how boring. I thought we were looking for ghosts.

We don't need ghosts in our one united Gehenna. Also, they're not real.

Huh? If that's true, then how have I seen one before?

...You're lying.

I'm serious! I really saw one! Shouko, you've seriously never seen a ghost?

Th-There's no way... They're not real. Look, just let me work.

Ahaha, Shouko, are you scared of ghosts and ghoulies?

Shut...up. And pay me back for those snacks. Double!

...The signal is stronger over here.

President, you know what they say. Electronics always get busted when there's a ghost in the room!

Aha, you mean like how lights flicker or static suddenly crackles in the speakers?

Yeah. Just like right now...

Hmph, enough of your childish pranks. There's no way...

BOO!!!

Yahaha! Did I get you, Shouko?! You're scared stiff!

Seriously?! Grow up!

Oh, wow. Shouko's actually mad...

Yaha! Oh, I think it's cute. Shouko's scared of ghosts!

I'm not scared, got it? You just STARTLED me with your screaming!

Yeah, yeah! I'm sure that's it.

Ugh...

...se.

Did everyone hear that? Just now...

Me too...

But we're the only ones here... If it wasn't us... Was it actually a ghost?

...

I'm detecting more intense electromagnetic waves over here...

Shouko...isn't afraid at all?

Yeah. Not like before.

Shh. Hush.

There's a strong signal on the other side of this wall...

...And that word I heard... It was definitely...

Hey! Where're you going?

I think Shouko's onto something!

This noise... I'm so close...

This is...

...The broadcasting room.

...

Hasn't the broadcasting room been closed down for a while?

Yeah. They stopped making announcements on the school PA system too.

I know there's something in here...

But we can't get in.

This is where that weird noise came from, isn't it?

Then we can't give up now!

How...?

Simple. We grab a pillar and ram...

Absolutely not. Since force might damage the broadcasting equipment, we must refrain.

...Fine.

...We cannot afford to compromise the clue that we worked so hard to find. You never know.

Caren, did you forget what our club is about?

Students must not recklessly destroy things or engage in disorderly actions. We, especially, need to set a good example.

Ugh, you're right... Whoops. I was...confused.

Sorry you had to see that, Sensei... Yahaha...

Well, if we can't get in, then what should we do?

Are we just going to tell that girl that we gave up on her case? On our first student outreach assignment?!

Let's just tell her it was some technical difficulty from the broadcasting room.

It may not be a solution, but it should put her at ease. More importantly, we've found a lead.

"Now that I think about it..."

"This isn't the first weird noise coming from a broadcast..."

Eh, really? What do you mean?