Alright, let's begin the meeting.

Okay!

Today, we'll be discussing the volunteer work we do each year.

Volunteer work...?

Oh, that's right. This is going to be your first time, Otori.

Each year, the class representatives assist with local volunteer programs.

Last year, we picked up trash around the city, raised money for charity and helped out at the children's center.

Really?!
That sounds like fun!

Hehe. It actually is very rewarding.

In particular, because the class representatives are essentially in charge of operations. We'll be recruiting other volunteers and coming up with detailed plans for how each program is run.

What?!
We're in charge of operations?!

That's right. Some teachers will also be there, but in general, we have to take the lead.

Are you interested in running something like this, Otori?

Yes! I wanna learn all I can about running these kinds of events in order to make my dream come true!

I see. Then, this should be a good opportunity for you.

Alright, as always, we'll be drawing program names from a box to see who is going to be in charge of what.

Each volunteer program will have two students assigned to it. After we draw names, you'll all break off into your pairs to discuss the details of your activities.

Okay!

(Hehe. I can't wait to see where I get to volunteer.)

(Making the city sparkling clean by picking up trash would put smiles on the faces of everyone who comes to visit...)

(Raising money for charity would also help make lots and lots of people smile!)

(And playing with kids at the children center would be so wonderhoy! No matter what I'm asked to do, I'm gonna do my absolute best!)

Next, Otori. Please draw a name for us.

Okay! Hmm...
This one!

Let's see... Oh!
I'll be pulling weeds!

Oh, that means you're with me.

What?!
You got the same one, Asahina?!

Woohoo!
Let's pull lots and lots of weeds together!

Hehe. I have a feeling that doing this activity with you is going to be very fun.

So, let's do our best.

O-Okay...!

(No, she's smiling but not again...!)

(Wait, actually...)

(Us working together means I have a chance to make her really smile!)

(Which means I'll need to pull lots and lots of weeds and make Operation: Smiley Face a success!)

Alright, please break off into your pairs to discuss your various activities.

Okay, why don't we take a look at what we'll actually be doing first?

According to this printout, we'll be pulling weeds in the area highlighted on this map.

That includes this shrine's grounds and the surrounding neighborhood.

Okay...

Also, the neighborhood association has already set the date, but the time of day seems to be up to us.

Which means we'll need to come up with a schedule and figure out how many volunteers we'll need. There's also...

(Asahina's really organized...!
She's so cool!)

(Alright, I've gotta do my best too!)

Oh, we also need to figure out what the volunteers should bring on the day of, as well as what equipment we'll need!

Yes, we do.
People volunteer for this every year, from what I understand, so we should probably look at last year's records.

Okay!

Okay, this list should include all the equipment we need.

We also decided when and where to meet!

Then, that leaves...

Figuring out how we're actually going to recruit volunteers...

Huh? How we're going to recruit them?

Yes. Since we're being asked to cover quite a large area, I think we're going to need around thirty people...

But students at our school are usually busy with their clubs or studying for exams this time of year. Not to mention that people are unlikely to want to pull weeds in the summer heat. We'll obviously take measures to prevent anyone from getting heatstroke, but even still...

Oh... Right...

Then, we gotta recruit them in a way that'll get them to want to pull weeds with us!

Get them to want to pull weeds with us?
That isn't going to be easy...

We can start by putting up posters and handing out flyers... But we'll probably need to come up with more effective ideas...

Hmmmmmm...

Oh!
What if we put on a show?!

Huh?

If we do a show about how fun it is to pull weeds, then others might decide to sign up!

A show...
Yes, that is one way to advertise this event...

But we'd need to write the script, recruit a cast, secure equipment, make props and find a place to perform. I'm not sure we have the time to do all that...

Oh, right...

Then, I know!
What if the two of us held a parade?!

A parade?

Yes! I could bang a big drum really loudly while you play a recorder!

And we'd shout, “Pulling weeds with everyone is so much fun!”

No, wait...! Making a bunch of noise in a quiet neighborhood is probably a really bad idea...! Hmm...

Hehe. Let's try brainstorming a little longer.

Hmm...!
Then, what if we...?!

Oh...
It's already time to go home.

What?!
No, we still haven't come up with a good idea yet!

But you did come up with quite a lot, Otori. I really appreciate your creativity. I tried, but I couldn't think of anything promising either...

But we still have plenty of time, so let's do our best to keep coming up with ideas.

We can begin by making posters and flyers like we initially discussed.

Oh, I can make those!
I really love to draw!

Okay.
Then, if you don't mind...

And if those don't work, we'll try another method.

Roger dodger!

(Alright...!)

(I've gotta make a poster that's gonna make everyone want to pull weeds with us!)