When a High School Sophomore Girl Linked with a Black-Crowned Night Heron, the World Moved by 1mm [Episode 26] Slander

I never expected Kimie-san to be so down. Oh, she's letting out another big sigh.

I happened to see her while walking through the courtyard after finishing lunch at the school cafeteria.

She was sitting alone on a bench, so I approached her to talk, but I hesitated.

Even when she's reading, she usually exudes a dignified atmosphere, but now she's slumped over and has no aura at all.

After observing her for a while, it seems she's troubled by something while looking at her smartphone. I'm worried about leaving her like this.

“Tachibanadera-senpai, is it okay if I sit here?”

“Oh, Odabun, sure.”

She answered me, but she still has no energy. She probably doesn't even have the strength to deal with me. She just keeps sighing.

I am Bungo Oda, a first-year student in Class A at Ramonshu High School. Tachibanadera-senpai calls me “Odabun.”

I met her when I encountered her classmate, Suzakuzaka-senpai, trying to jump into the courtyard pond to eat the carp. I stopped Suzakuzaka-senpai, and that's how she remembered me.

If not for that, I probably would have gone through my entire school life without ever having a chance to talk to “Kimie Tachibanadera,” who is known for her beauty and intelligence.

The other day, the four of us—including Suzakuzaka-senpai and her father—went birdwatching at Mount Kora. I felt like I just tagged along, preparing the fish and insects for feeding as Tachibanadera-senpai told me to, but it was still a memorable day. Since Tachibanadera-senpai is troubled, I want to help her somehow.

“Tachibanadera-senpai, did something happen?”

“Oh, Odabun, long time no see.”

Even when I gathered the courage to speak to her, that was her response.

“Um, if you're in trouble, would you mind telling me about it, if I'm someone you can talk to?”

I tried asking without giving up.

“You know about the online petition, right?”

She finally spoke to me properly.

“Yes. Of course, I signed it too. Could it be because everyone found out that ‘Summer and You’ from the Society to Protect the Black-Crowned Night Heron Great Deity is actually Suzakuzaka Nanatsuhime-senpai and Tachibanadera Kimie-senpai...”

“No, you’ve got it wrong. Oda-bun, do you use social media often?”

“Well, I’ve been using X since the days of the blue bird, Twitter, and while I don’t use Instagram much, I do have an account.”

“I hardly ever use social media. But because of this Night Heron Great Deity business, I’ve been forced to check it every day, and there are some people who say such awful things.”

“So, it’s slander, then.”

I answered, having a vague idea of what was bothering her.

“I’m encouraged and happy to hear the voices of those who support me. But there are people who criticize and argue without knowing the facts, and it makes me so angry. Just look at this.”

The smartphone Kimie-san turned toward me was filled with various posts.

“It’s amazing that a high school student is voluntarily organizing a petition. As a fellow high school girl, I support you!”
“I also agree with protecting the nature of Mt. Takara. Thinking about the animals, cutting down the forest is like an invasion.”
“I signed the online petition! I’ll spread the word and help increase the number of supporters.”

Glancing through them, about 80 percent were positive posts like these. However...

“Isn’t that Night Heron Great Deity thing the one that supposedly appeared overnight? It seems suspicious.”
“Does the ‘Association to Protect the Night Heron Great Deity’ (High School Sophomores Natsu and Kimi), the initiator of the petition, actually exist?”
“I suspect the old man who owns the land where the Night Heron Great Deity is located is the mastermind.”

Critical voices like these could be seen here and there.

Since Kimie-san had never experienced being slandered on social media before, she must have been quite shocked.

She grumbled again while looking at her smartphone.

“I don’t deny that people in the public are suspicious of the Night Heron Great Deity. But the point of the petition is that we don’t want the mountain ruined, right? They’re missing the point.”

“I understand how you feel. But it seems like most people are supporting you, including the Night Heron Great Deity, so maybe you shouldn’t worry about it so much.”

I tried to cheer her up, but her dissatisfaction didn’t subside.

“What makes me the angriest are the types who act like experts and offer their opinions. They sound logical, but they’re completely off the mark.”

According to Kimie-san, there were several cases where people argued against the petition with the following line of reasoning:

“You say not to ruin the mountain by logging, but perhaps you aren’t aware of the current situation in Japan. About two-thirds of the land is forest, making it one of the world’s leading forest nations. Conversely, it is said that if you don’t log and maintain the forests, it leads to environmental destruction and disasters. I cannot understand why you would oppose logging.”

I had heard that with slander on social media becoming a problem, replying to such criticism only heats things up and leads to a massive flame war, so it’s better to ignore it and let it slide.

It seems it's better not to engage with those types of people.

I know! I know that much myself! But it's frustrating, isn't it! What am I supposed to do with this uneasy feeling!

I was at a loss, standing before Kimie-san as her heart was in turmoil. In that sense, I regretted my own helplessness.

Kimie and Odabun, it's not like you. What's wrong?

Just as the two of us were feeling down, I heard a familiar voice and felt a sense of relief.

The owner of the voice was Natsuhime Suzakuzaka-senpai.

Eh, Kimie, are you crying by any chance? Hey, Odabun. What did you do!

N-no, that's not it. Please don't misunderstand, I was just trying to cheer up Tachibandera-senpai.

I panicked and made an excuse when Natsuki-senpai said that to me.

I'm joking. Knowing you, Kimie, you must have found some slander on social media and are angry about it, right?

As expected of someone who is a 'High School Sophomore Girl, Summer and You', is this what they call telepathy?

Natsuki. Enough with the small talk, please do something. I don't want to leave this slander as it is.

Yeah. Maybe it's good timing. I was just called by Amazoness earlier.

I couldn't be of help to Kimie-san, but thanks to Natsuki-senpai, the situation seems likely to take a turn for the better.

Meeting with the City Council Member

I was called by Amazoness just 10 minutes before I encountered Kimie and Odabun in the courtyard.

Suzakuzaka-san, how is the online petition going? It seems like the medical colleagues I reached out to are cooperating quite a bit.

Thank you very much. It's very reassuring to have so much help from Dr. Nanjo. However...

Is there something on your mind?

Amazoness read my expression and asked.

“Because it’s an online petition, it’s getting a lot of buzz on the internet. While there are people supporting us on social media, there are also quite a few critical voices.”

“I imagine so. I think online slander is a serious social issue. The government probably thinks they’ve taken measures by making it a legal matter, but just like bullying, the roots run deep.”

Perhaps Amazones had been concerned about it ever since she learned about the online petition initiative.

“They say it’s best to ignore slander, but I want to explain my true intentions as much as possible. Otherwise, I’m afraid people will misunderstand and think I have no room for rebuttal.”

After listening to my plea, Amazones brought up the main topic.

“Actually, the city council has approached us about holding an opinion exchange meeting with high school students. It’s scheduled for two weeks from now, which is sudden, but would you like to participate?”

“That means talking with the city council members, right? I’ve never even thought about municipal administration before.”

As I felt the hurdle was quite high, Amazones seemed to see right through me.

“Then why don’t you have Kimie Tachibandera join you? It seems like when the two of you are together, you perform better than your actual capabilities.”

“That’s true. I’ll consult with Kimie.”

“Good. The purpose is to promote the online petition and to convey your frank opinions regarding slander.”

“I see! Understood.”

“Alright, I’ll recommend you to the principal.”

“Thank you very much.”

..................................................

Having left the infirmary for that reason, I happened to run into Kimie at just the right time.

When I told her what I had discussed with Amazones, Kimie nodded as if she had read my mind.

“First, we need to research what kind of content the opinion exchange meeting with the city council will involve.”

Kimie had suddenly become motivated. She looks more like herself when her eyes are sparkling like a scholar who has discovered something new, rather than when she is hanging her head.

Initiatives like "Opinion Exchange Meetings between City Councils and High School Students" vary in content depending on the municipality. Primarily, they recruit 20 to 40 students from local high schools to interact with 10 to 20 city council members.

Starting with self-introductions by the participants, they sometimes learn about the city council through a quiz format. After touring the facilities, they finally split into several groups for the exchange meeting. The opinion exchange is often in a free discussion format.

"At this time, you see. According to past records, while there have been statements about traffic safety awareness activities, free school lunches, and SDGs initiatives, there have also been voices saying that tanuki are often run over on public roads."

Hearing Kimie's words, Odabun seemed to understand the strategy.

"I see, if it's something that benefits the citizens, I can say almost anything. So the plan is to touch upon the online petition in connection with protecting the natural environment."

"You're a quick learner. Well, something like that. It's a shame you can't go to the exchange meeting even though you understand that much..."

Seeing Odabun's shoulders slump after being told that by Kimie, I felt a bit sorry for him.

"Should I ask Mr. Nanjo if Odabun can participate too?"

"Really! Please, please, please!"

I only meant to be considerate, but he was completely enthusiastic about it.

......................................................

The "Opinion Exchange Meeting between City Council Members and High School Students" was held at the city hall on a weekday.

Six people from Ramonshu High School participated, including me, Kimie, and Odabun. In total, 30 people gathered from five schools, including the well-known college preparatory school, Bincho-kan High School, and our rival school, Seichikuhara High School.

First, we received an explanation about the city council overview in the spacious assembly hall. After that, we toured council-related facilities such as the chairman's office, and then we sat at tables divided into three groups in a large conference room. The three of us were separated. Five city council members joined each group, and the opinion exchange meeting began.

A facilitator was chosen from among the high school students, but the flow naturally turned into speaking in order. Eventually, it was my turn.

"I'm Nanatsuhime Suzakuzaka, a second-year student at Ramonshu High. I am also the sender of the petition request, 'Don't destroy the animals' mountain. The Black-crowned Night Heron Great Deity is angry,' and a member of the Society to Protect the Black-crowned Night Heron Great Deity (High School Sophomores, Summer and Kimi)."

When I introduced myself, the people around me were a little stirred.

"To speak frankly, I want you to create an ordinance to protect a corner of Mt. Takara so that it cannot be deforested for development reasons."

Then, one of the council members replied.

"Mt. Takara is designated as one of the 'areas with an excellent ecosystem.' It is also designated as a wildlife protection area, so you don't need to worry."

There it was, the non-committal adult response. But if I backed down now, there would be no point in having come here.

I know the landowner of the mountain where the Black-Crowned Night Heron Shrine stands, and they were having trouble with harassment aimed at forcing them to sell the land. Are you aware of these facts?

The room became quite noisy, and the assembly member's expression changed.

I have no information regarding that matter, so I will investigate and provide an answer at a later date.

Thank you. Also, the purpose of the online petition is to request the enactment of an ordinance so that people cannot pull strings behind the scenes to develop the mountain.

As I asserted this, the opinion exchange meeting, which had been proceeding calmly until then, began to heat up.

A boy from Seitakehara High School raised his hand and countered.

Regarding the Black-Crowned Night Heron Shrine, the landowner said it was built overnight after a divine revelation, right? Isn't it the landowner who is plotting something behind the scenes?

Here it comes. It's the same kind of criticism I often see on social media.

I have met the landowner, Mr. Kusano, many times, and I felt he was a trustworthy person. Have you met Mr. Kusano? Please provide a reason for suspecting he is plotting something when you haven't even met him.

Well, things like divine revelations and buildings appearing overnight are obviously suspicious, aren't they?

Well, generally speaking, that's a reasonable argument. I decided not to drag it out here and changed the subject.

Please, try meeting the landowner, Mr. Kusano. Since time is limited today, I will leave it at that. More importantly, what do you think about the necessity of an ordinance that clearly states that Mount Takara should not be ruined?

At that point, the moderator intervened.

The purpose of this opinion exchange meeting is not to debate and reach a conclusion, so we will record this as one opinion. May we move on?

Understood. Please proceed.

I also put away my sword, as debating any further might lead to a negative impression. Now, I wonder how Kimie and Odabun are doing.

..................................................

Tachibana-dera, you say that deforestation ruins the mountain, but forests need to be thinned and maintained once they grow to a certain point.

The one who countered my opinion head-on was a third-year girl rumored to be the brightest student at Bincho-kan. Exactly as planned. I had been waiting for an opinion similar to the slander on social media.

“It seems there is a bit of a misunderstanding. In Japan, while the total forest area has hardly changed due to the planting of cedar and cypress for forestry, the area covered by natural mixed forests is actually decreasing. Aren't you talking about the forests that were planted when you mention logging and maintenance? What we are seeking with this online petition is an ordinance to protect the mixed forests of Mount Kora.”

“If that’s the case, I have no objections. I will also cooperate with the petition.”

Since they’re a brilliant student, they understand once it’s explained. It didn’t end up as complicated as I thought it would.

..................................................

I really should have gone to the Night Heron Shrine at least once. I feel like my appeals for the online petition lack persuasiveness.

“I’m sorry I can’t remember your name since this is our first time meeting, but you’re Bungo Oda, right?”

The one who addressed me by name was the male moderator. Of course, since it was our first time meeting, I hadn't managed to remember his name either.

“I saw it on the online petition, but doesn't the history of the Night Heron Shrine say, ‘So that no one may disturb this land...’? Isn't it a contradiction, given that animals have recently been appearing in town, ruining fields, and harming humans?”

It’s exactly because of people like this that Kimie-san has to hold her head in her hands. I couldn't help but get angry.

“If you read the request for cooperation with the petition carefully, I think you’ll understand that the animals have been living on Mount Kora since long ago. Isn't it because humans are logging forests under the guise of development that they have less food and are coming down into town? Where is the contradiction in that?”

“I see. Well, don't get so heated. I'll read it carefully again. Now, the next person...”

..................................................

And so, the opinion exchange meeting ended. Not only did we appeal to the participants about the online petition, but since it will be introduced as a record of the proceedings, we can fully expect it to attract attention. The greatest achievement, however, was probably that Kimie was able to vent the frustration she had built up from the slander on social media here.

By increasing the number of collaborators, the response to the online petition was excellent.

However, another strange incident occurs at the crucial Night Heron Shrine.

To the next [Final Episode]

← [To Episode 25]

All episodes of 'When a High School Sophomore Linked with a Night Heron, the World Moved by 1mm' are collected in this magazine.

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