The days passed uneventfully, and it was now Thursday. The monthly exam results from the school had come out two days ago, and the bulletin board was crowded with people - joy and sorrow wandering among them.
During lunch break, in the staff office.
"Seventh in the grade..."
Sakata Gintoki held Murakami Yuu's test papers, his expression showing slight surprise, as if finding it hard to believe the facts before his eyes.
"I should have met the standard, right?"
Murakami Yuu looked completely unfazed. Making it into the top ten was already within his expectations, though he hadn't expected his ranking to be somewhat lower. Sure enough, just casually handling things still couldn't match those academic overachievers who buried themselves in books and practice problems.
"Jumping so many ranks at once - did you cheat, kid?"
"It's not a game, there aren't that many cheats available. I've just been working harder lately and got the appropriate reward for it."
After staring at Murakami Yuu for a while longer, Sakata Gintoki looked away.
"Got it, you pass."
"Then I'll head back to the classroom."
Murakami Yuu turned to leave.
"Wait."
Sakata Gintoki stood up and pressed down on Murakami Yuu's shoulder, the corners of his mouth turning up in a meaningful smile.
"You performed so well, let me treat you to a meal."
"Sorry, I already made plans with others..."
Murakami Yuu showed a guarded expression.
"Cancel it, cancel it. Today teacher finally has some free time. Next time you want to get a meal out of me, you won't have the chance. You need to learn to cherish opportunities."
Sakata Gintoki put his arm around Murakami Yuu's shoulders and laughed heartily, secretly using force to prevent him from easily escaping.
"Let's go, let's go. Don't be polite with me."
...
They arrived at a privately-run izakaya near the school. The shop wasn't large, but business was good.
Seated at the counter, Murakami Yuu added another item to his impression of Sakata Gintoki - a naturally curly-haired gorilla with absurdly strong arm strength.
Speaking of which, why was this person's strength so great? On second thought, his profession was originally a PE teacher, so it made sense.
In the time it took to rub his neck, Sakata Gintoki had already shouted to the owner for "the usual, two orders."
"If you're treating someone to a meal, shouldn't you let me order for myself?"
"Once in a while, try your elder's recommended dish. I guarantee you'll like it."
"I doubt it. It's probably something like heavy oil ramen that middle-aged men love."
"That kind of appetite-killing stuff is only liked by that Hiratsuka woman. I wouldn't even look at it."
Sakata Gintoki scoffed, his tone full of superior disdain.
Murakami Yuu glanced at him, now somewhat curious about his so-called recommended dish.
Then after a moment, two orders of "the usual" were placed in front of them.
Sakata Gintoki couldn't wait to grab disposable chopsticks from the basket nearby, break them apart, and shove them into the somewhat petrified Murakami Yuu's hand.
"Try it quickly."
Murakami Yuu's mouth twitched.
Try my ass!
"What is this?"
Murakami Yuu picked up one of the red particles that filled his bowl.
"Soft, sweet red beans."
"Why are soft, sweet red beans poured over rice?"
"Because this is red bean rice bowl."
Sakata Gintoki stated matter-of-factly.
"The owner actually dares to sell such a bizarre dish? Isn't he afraid customers will complain until the shop closes?"
Murakami Yuu's disgusted gaze began to show without concealment.
The owner nearby heard this and chuckled as he chimed in.
"This isn't on the menu - it's a special dish exclusively for Sakata-san."
"I see. I was wondering how there could be such an oddball dish. Having such a customer must be troublesome for you, owner."
"Haha, not at all..."
The owner went back to his work.
Murakami Yuu and Sakata Gintoki looked at each other wordlessly. In the end, Murakami Yuu pushed his portion of "the usual" in front of Sakata Gintoki and ordered a normal set meal for himself.
"Uncultured guy."
"Teacher, you're the one. Taking in sugar like this will kill you eventually. Your hair already turning white and curly is a sign."
"Do you have any complaints about my hairstyle? This is a fashion trendsetter - granny gray perm, understand?"
"Ah, so cool, so cool."
Murakami Yuu said this in a praising tone with an expressionless face, his perfunctory attitude evident.
Sakata Gintoki's forehead twitched, but remembering his purpose, he suppressed his displeasure and spoke slowly, acting as if nothing was wrong.
"Come to think of it, last time I promised you that if you made it into the top ten on the exam, I'd give you a reward..."
"Don't need it, don't want it!"
Murakami Yuu answered without hesitation. He had already anticipated in the staff office that Sakata Gintoki definitely had something waiting for him.
"I'm very grateful for teacher's kind intention, but treating me to a meal is already the greatest reward. I'm very thankful."
Sakata Gintoki didn't react for a moment, but after a brief surprise, he still wouldn't give up and continued persuading, his tone displaying gentleness.
"It's a great reward. Just listen first. Maybe you'll be interested, and this experience will be very helpful for your future development."
"Helpful for future development?"
Murakami Yuu was somewhat puzzled. He had originally thought it would be something like tutoring underperforming students or serving as a study committee member for some subject, but judging from Sakata Gintoki's meaning, it didn't seem to be that.
"See, you are interested after all!"
"What is it?"
"Weren't you just acting like you didn't want it?"
Sakata Gintoki smiled happily, playing hard to get.
"I'm just a bit curious. It's fine if you don't say. I don't have much desire to learn more about it."
He put down his chopsticks and clapped his hands.
"I'm full. I'll head back to school first."
"Hey! Wait, wait, wait! Hear me out."
Sakata Gintoki persuaded Murakami Yuu to sit back down. This time he stopped beating around the bush.
"The position of student council vice president has become vacant. I want you to take it."
"Vice president?"
Murakami Yuu repeated.
"That's right, vice president. The guy who was previously vice president voluntarily stepped down to focus entirely on his studies. Now this position is vacant, and I want you to take it."
"Why me?"
"Because Kinomiya is the student council president, and you two are classmates. You'll be more familiar with each other, so I'm more at ease."
"Oh, I see..."
Murakami Yuu nodded, then looked at Sakata Gintoki.
"Nice try. What's the real reason?"
"You two are both my students. Having both of these positions will give me more face. Plus, this way, maybe the balding principal will give me a Fukuzawa Yukichi reward for teaching students well."
"Teacher, you're surprisingly honest."
"Can't very well lead by example by lying in front of my own student."
"So you can just openly display your greedy nature of loving money?"
"That's called being ambitious."
Sakata Gintoki corrected.
"That's called shameless."
Murakami Yuu said with lowered eyes.
"Ahem! Anyway, being student council vice president has many benefits. If you're willing, you should give it a try."
Murakami Yuu was somewhat tempted. Although taking on the position would come with some necessary troublesome matters, correspondingly, there would also be some convenient powers that could be exercised.
For example, the power of life and death over school clubs...
Murakami Yuu thought for a moment, somewhat puzzled.
"But I remember the vice president needs to be elected by student vote."
Sakata Gintoki had an expression like "are you stupid?"
"Our school has more female students than male students."
He added:
"And our entire class will unconditionally support you."
Murakami Yuu understood and lowered his head to eat.
Ginger is spicier when old. Since he had already thought everything through, what more was there to say?
...