Chapter 37 – Second Strike Incoming
The envelope was thinner than Kotarō expected. Like it held a receipt, not their next battle.
Mikako opened it without fanfare.
"Motion:" she read aloud, "'This House Believes That the Education System Should Prioritize Creativity Over Standardized Testing.'"
Silence.
Then Haruka let out a soft, contemplative hum. Souta scribbled a massive question mark in the corner of the whiteboard.
(Kotarō Internal)
"Ah, a buzzword buffet. Creativity. Standardized testing.
A playground for fake TED Talks and people who think Einstein said everything."
Haruka: "Okay. First, let's define the frame. Prioritize doesn't mean eliminate. We're not abolishing tests—just saying they shouldn't be the focus. Our burden is to prove that creativity leads to better long-term educational outcomes."
Mikako: "We make it future-facing. Society rewards adaptable, innovative thinkers. Standardized testing is about static recall."
Souta: "If tests were so great, half the adult population wouldn't mess up their taxes."
Haruka (without looking up): "Souta, please."
Kotarō leaned forward, tapping his pen against the desk.
Kotarō: "Let's categorize benefits. Creativity fosters problem-solving, collaboration, and original thinking. These are not measurable on scantron sheets. Testing, by contrast, measures rote memory, penalizes neurodivergence, and kills motivation. That contrast is our ground."
Haruka nodded. "We can split it into three core contentions: one, creativity improves real-world readiness; two, testing narrows teaching quality; three, students suffer mentally and emotionally under test-centric pressure."
(Kotarō Internal)
"Not a single mention of art class. Good. The last thing we need is to get boxed in as 'paint advocates.'"
Mikako: "Rebuttal preview. Opposition will say testing ensures fairness and metrics. That without it, grading becomes subjective."
Haruka: "We can counter with portfolio systems, project-based learning, and teacher evaluations. Those exist. They're slower, but more human."
Kotarō: "They'll also say removing focus on tests creates chaos. We say it unlocks potential. Structure doesn't have to be standardization."
Souta was sketching tiny stick figures arguing inside a brain.
(Kotarō Internal)
"I think that one represents my self-confidence in the face of chaos. It's losing."
As they paused to review roles, Kotarō threw a glance toward Haruka.
"So uh… Aizawa," he said casually, "Is he always like that?"
Haruka exhaled, long and fondly annoyed.
"Like what? Bizarrely friendly? Obnoxiously loud?
Yeah. Since middle school."
She took a sip from her strawberry milk.
"He's not a bad person. Just doesn't understand personal volume or social context."
Mikako: "Didn't he once try to run a debate using sock puppets to demonstrate 'constructive argumentation'?"
Haruka nodded without shame. "And he almost won."
(Kotarō Internal)
"Cool. So my rival is a hyperactive border collie with charisma and a full trophy shelf. And now I'm stuck pretending that's not terrifying."
With five minutes left, the team aligned roles:
Haruka would do framing and value-based logic.Kotarō would build the clash on systems, equity, and real-world alignment.Souta would close with strategic emotional punch and counter-narratives.
(Kotarō Internal)
"This round isn't about facts.
It's about future.
And whether they think we deserve better than scantrons."
The prep bell rang. The judges signaled.
Haruka stood, dusted off her sleeves, and turned slightly toward them.
"Let's remind them that creativity isn't chaos," she said. "It's capability."
(Kotarō Internal)
"Please clap."
Chapter End