Chapter 22 – Final Round Begins
The gymnasium had been rearranged into something almost theatrical. Sunlight was blocked out by thick curtains. Lights fixed above the stage shone white and clinical. Rows of students filled the floor seats like a school assembly, but the atmosphere was different—too still. Too focused.
This wasn't a festival anymore. This was the Final.
The motion hung across the digital board in massive black text:
This House would make volunteering for national service a high school graduation requirement.
Kotarō sat with Haruka and Watanabe at the right table. The Government side. Across from them, Class 3-C. Ayumu Kurosawa at the center.
The student MC stepped up to the podium with a nervous smile.
"To reflect national standards," she read from a script, "we will follow the World Schools Debating Championship format for today's final round! Each team has three speakers. Each constructive speech is five minutes. Points of Information are allowed after the first minute and before the final minute. Summary speeches will be three minutes each. There will be no reply speeches. The match will be judged by a three-person panel."
Murmurs erupted across the room. Even some judges exchanged glances.
"Wait... that means live interjections. POIs. Timing pressure.
This isn't school-level anymore. This is a real tournament rulebook."
Kotarō glanced at Haruka. She gave the smallest nod. Watanabe was less subtle. "Uhh... what does 'POI' stand for again?"
The MC stepped off. One of the judges stood up and called clearly:
"Prime Minister, please begin."
Haruka rose. Calmly. She adjusted her uniform sleeves, stepped forward, and placed her palm on the edge of the podium.
"I've seen her speak.
But this isn't the Haruka I knew. This is something sharper. More still.
Like a drawn line."
"Good morning. Today, we support the motion that volunteering for national service should be a high school graduation requirement."
She began clearly.
Defined "national service" as structured, supervised programs: disaster relief, elderly care, environmental cleanup.Emphasized non-military nature.Framed it as a moral and educational investment.
"This motion does not impose punishment.
It provides structure.
It gives students the opportunity to connect with the society they are about to enter."
She then presented three points:
Civic Unity — Equal contribution builds trust. Educational Expansion — Learning through service teaches practical empathy. Equity in Access — Making service optional favors only those with time and wealth.
At minute two, Ayumu stood.
"Point of Information?"
Haruka turned slightly. "Declined."
"She didn't flinch.
She didn't break rhythm. She didn't even blink."
She continued, preempting counter-models:
Why incentives alone fail (they reward those already advantaged).Why opt-outs weaken shared experience.
She closed with a pause. A held breath.
"We do not fear asking our youth to serve.
We fear raising them to believe they owe nothing to anyone."
Applause. Even students who barely understood debate looked startled.
Haruka bowed slightly and returned to her seat. Kotarō could barely look at her.
"She didn't just speak.
She turned the motion into a creed. And now I have to follow that."
Across the floor, Ayumu stood. No notes. Just smooth motion. He walked to the podium with a smirk like he'd been waiting for this moment.
"He walks like he owns the stage. But it doesn't feel arrogant. It feels... inevitable."
"Opposition opposes this motion."
His voice was calm. Controlled. His pacing perfect.
Reframed the motion: "This policy doesn't invite contribution. It commands it."Said forced service is not service—it's labor with a smiley face.Cited youth burnout, inequality of emotional burden.Compared compulsory service to hollow ritual.
At minute two, Kotarō rose.
"Point of Information?"
Ayumu looked at him. Paused. Then:
"I welcome it."
Kotarō: "Would you say the same about compulsory education? Isn't that a forced structure that provides societal benefit?"
Ayumu grinned.
"The difference, Nozomi, is that education provides tools.
Service demands gratitude in return."
Gasps. Small ones. But audible.
_"He parried. Spun it. Made my question part of his case. He knew I'd ask that."
Ayumu continued.
Accused the Government team of emotional idealism.Mocked the framing: "We're not building unity. We're building uniformity."
His closing was low. Measured.
"Service is beautiful.
Which is why it must remain chosen.
Not assigned."
He returned to his seat without a glance.
"My hands were still raised.
But my voice...
I need it steady. Because my turn is next."
Chapter End