Chapter 110 - Cogs in the Wheel

Philip was beyond pleased, he was ecstatic. Danny was still slightly worried. The team preparations were progressing smoothly and a week had gone by. The study notes created by Team Scarlet helped a lot and Philip asked permission from the creators to distribute the notes to the rest of the cohort.

The scientist proudly agreed only if they would be credited. He didn't want names to be included but he wanted it to be a joint effort of the E.C. Class and the Special Class much to everyone's elation. Philip agreed the administrative department became busy.

Danny often heard Elfie working on something on his laptop. For the first time, it was not a project or a hunt. This was something private and the counsellor allowed his son to do whatever he liked until it was time for bed.

Before he knew it, Elfie announced the completion of the very first encrypted chatroom app and web version. He invited everyone from the Special Class and the E.C. Class to join and extended the invisible moderator powers to his father. Danny wondered why Elfie would do such a thing. Isn't keeping contact using the phone's group chat good enough? Then he remembered how his son would often change phones. For him, it was merely a tool for his work and didn't have any personal contacts apart from Danny's number that was already memorised in his head.

The third and fourth announcements shocked Danny even more. When Team Dreamer was caught taking photographs and buying art materials, Danny stepped in to investigate. It turned out that the team wanted to prepare a class collage scrapbook to give the principal, thanking him for allowing them to create such wonderful memories. Danny couldn't deny them their wish. However, he knew that Philip was going to cry when he saw the gift. Knowing the principal, the old man would probably display it in a glass cabinet in his office and brag to anyone who visits it for a year.

Team Action First had the boldest idea of all teams. They decided to take the afternoon before the exams to throw a party and was asking for permission to cater food to the school. The students were so meticulous with the plan that a detailed budget plan and menu had already been plotted out together with the decorations they wanted and the guest of honours which included the principal and Danny.

Danny wanted to ask about the dietary restrictions and reject it but Rebecca was one step faster. She had already confirmed everyone's food allergies and preferences. Fried chicken, vegetable chowder and pasta for thirty-five people from Kim's catering. Apparently, it was a recommendation from Si-Han himself and Danny found himself unable to approve of it. For now, he sent the girl back after telling her he would check with the principal but there was a high chance the plan wouldn't be approved. It was simply too expensive.

With heavy footsteps, Danny walked to the principal's office. Monica smiled at him and informed him that Philip had been waiting for him ever since that email. Danny smiled tiredly and thanked the diligent secretary. If Philip didn't approve, Danny would have to call Wilmer to act as the children's sponsor. He knew that was a dirty trick to use his precious daughters as bargaining ch.i.p.s but Danny couldn't possibly fork out over six hundred dollars for the party.

Danny knocked on the door twice and Philip told him to come in.

"Danny! It's nice to see you again. Tell me, how are the students? I know you sent regular reports but nothing beats hearing it in person and seeing it with my own eyes. Monica has been rather strict with me lately, I can't patrol anymore because she said it would distract the students who were studying hard for the exams."

Danny gave a strained smile. "They are doing well. However, I received a proposal for an after study party from them. Please take a look at it and let me know if it is alright to proceed. The cost is rather pricey."

Philip received the thin file with interest. The students made a proposal? That sounded like very good news indeed.

As the principal read through the proposal, Danny saw the smile on his face growing wider and wider. From the cover letter to the details, the proposal was brilliant. It spoke of someone who had experience in the corporate world. In fact, Philip was very impressed with how much better it was compared to the crappy proposals he normally received from the vendors he received. This was truly worthy of an applause but Philip was curious to know if Danny had a hand in crafting it.

"Did you give them tips?"

Dany shook his head. "They did it all on their own. I heard them researching how to draft a convincing proposal. The girls were even enthusiastic enough to simulate a formal presentation. Rowan helped them out there but I don't think we need that, do we?"

Philip sulked a little. He would have loved to listen to the presentation. These children were really growing quickly.

"How is their study progress? Anyone still failing? We only have one more week."

Danny grinned. "I think they'll make it. If anything, they're working even harder than before. You can expect a miracle although I don't know if this lucky streak will continue after the Special Class scatter again."

Both men immediately fell into a pensive silence at that. After the exams, it would be the year-end break. Most of the Special Class students won't meet up with each other or have sleepovers like other kids. Due to their special circ.u.mstances, most of them would have to return to their old lives. Some of the Special Class students might not even be here next year. Some have already applied for a half year break from school while others have the intention to move abroad for good.

Philip sighed and reached for the chop. Danny saw the red stamp of approval on the proposal as the principal handed the file back to him.

"Since it's going to be the first and last time for some of them, might as well make this extra special so that they'll never forget it."

Danny was moved almost to tears but held his emotions back. "Thank you, the children will be very happy."

Philip laughed. "I expect that fried chicken to be good. It's way too expensive even for a homemade speciality!"

Danny laughed and assured the principal that he should find Si-Han if it didn't live up to his expectations. Philip grinned and sighed when Danny left. It was nice to be young. If it was possible, he wanted to go back in time and join these kids himself.