Before I knew it, the lingering summer heat had vanished.
The temperatures, which had recently felt comfortable, were gradually becoming cooler in the mornings. The winter uniforms I had thought were still a bit premature were starting to feel appropriate for the morning and evening chills, and the flowerbeds I tended daily were now overflowing with autumn blossoms.
The season was in full swing, and it was in the midst of this clear autumn weather that today finally arrived. Blessed with a beautiful blue sky, it was the perfect start for a festival.
Yes, today was the start of the main event of the fall season.
The School Festival was finally beginning!
When I thought of standard autumn events, the Cultural Festival and the Sports Festival always came to mind. I wondered when exactly they had started holding the Sports Festival so early in the year? Well, that wasn't really relevant to today.
In any case, the day had finally come. It was a massive, school-wide event held over two days, today and tomorrow.
Since we didn't have anything like this back in middle school, I felt a surge of excitement. I supposed it was only natural to look forward to a festival like this. Over the past two or three days, the sight of the decorations inside the building and the school gate object outside had been enough to lift my spirits. I found myself even more excited than I had expected.
Currently, Sara-san was in the middle of preparing our lunch bento. Since the volume was quite large, it was taking her longer than usual. This was because today’s lunch was going to be a potluck where everyone brought something to share. I could tell Sara-san was looking forward to it as well, mostly because I could hear her humming a happy tune.
"Sara-san, how's the bento comin—"
"Kazunari-san, say aah♪"
When I spoke to her, Sara-san gently pinched a piece of fried chicken from a plate and held it up to my lips. I didn't hesitate.
Nom.
Munch, munch...
Haa... it was delicious. Way too delicious!
"Fufu, thank you very much."
"Wait, did I say that out loud?"
"No, I can tell just by looking at your face."
"I-I see..."
I was a simple man. But Sara-san always said she loved that about me, so I didn't mind it so much.
"It will be finished in just a moment. I’m sorry, but please wait just a little longer."
"Don't worry about rushing. We still have plenty of time."
"Fufu... thank you. Here, say aah again♪"
With a smile, Sara-san picked up another piece—this time my favorite, a rolled egg—and held it to my mouth.
Nom.
Munch, munch...
Aah, it was so good. I was definitely looking forward to lunch today!
"Good morning, you two!"
"Morning."
When we arrived at the usual convenience store, Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san were there to greet us with smiles. Both of them looked even more excited than usual, their smiles practically glowing with anticipation. Their bags were also noticeably larger, and Hanako-san in particular seemed to be struggling a bit with hers.
"Hanako-san, that bag looks heavy. Are you okay? I can carry it for you."
"It's fine. I really want to carry this myself, so I'll just take the thought. Thanks, Kazunari."
"Oh, okay."
Hanako-san glanced at her bag and offered a happy smile. If that was how she felt, I wouldn't push the issue. Still, I was curious why she was so insistent on carrying it.
"This contains today's bento. I've been practicing my cooking all this time, and I finally managed to make a proper one. That’s why I want to be the one to carry it."
"I see. That makes sense."
She had a strong emotional attachment to it. I understood completely, so I decided not to be tactless about it.
"It’s the first bento Big Sister ever made. I want Kazunari to eat it."
"Yeah, thanks."
I had already discussed this with Sara-san. Since it was a potluck, it was only natural to eat a little of everything, and Sara-san understood that. In fact, she had smiled and told me she was happy I had consulted her about it. So, there was no problem.
"Also... I want to try feeding you. You know, 'aah'..."
"Eh!?"
When she said that while looking up at me bashfully, my heart skipped a beat. What was I supposed to do? But seeing how much she was looking forward to it, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. Besides, I didn't exactly dislike the idea.
"...Well, that's a rare sight," Natsumi-senpai muttered.
"...What is?" Sara-san asked.
"I mean, you didn't jump in and say 'Kazunari-san is mine'."
"I have no intention of being a woman who constrains him that much. Besides, our relationship isn't that shallow anymore."
"My, how composed."
"Fufu, we are fiancés, after all♪"
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the PDA."
"Is it... no good?" Hanako-san asked, staring into my eyes with an adorable, pleading look. Honestly, it was unfair.
I glanced at Sara-san, who was smiling at me. She seemed to be signaling that it was fine with her. I'd just have to make it up to her in some other way later.
"A-All right."
"I’m happy... I’ll tell the wife myself, so you don't have to worry," Hanako-san said.
"...Ah."
So she had noticed after all. Well, it was Hanako-san, so it wasn't exactly a surprise.
"It really is fine with me. Don't worry," Sara-san added.
"You sure?"
"Yes. It sounds like Kazunari-san plans to make it up to me later anyway♪"
"Eeeh..."
And Sara-san had noticed too. Seriously, how did these two always know what I was thinking?
"Well, it's a special occasion, so why not?" Natsumi-senpai said. "I made one too, and I’ve been practicing. I might not be able to beat Sara, but I’ve got some confidence."
"There's no need to compare, is there?" Sara-san noted. "Everyone has different tastes and preferences. Isn't that right, Kazunari-san?"
"Yeah. In my case, Sara-san's cooking is the gold standard, so there’s no point in comparing in the first place."
"Fufu... Oh, Kazunari-san♪"
It wasn't that I was being mean; it was just a fact that Sara-san's food was at the top of the list for me. It wasn't a competition at a restaurant, so I wasn't going to sit there and rank the bentos from Hanako-san and Natsumi-senpai.
"...These two are hopeless," Natsumi-senpai sighed.
"I'm just happy if Kazunari eats it, so I don't care," Hanako-san said.
"Oh, I see."
I was looking forward to everyone's bentos. Today and tomorrow were shaping up to be great... and we hadn't even reached the school yet!
We passed through the gate with the massive school festival sign and headed toward the classroom, passing the headquarters tent. Even though morning homeroom hadn't started yet, classes and clubs were already busy setting up their stalls. Everyone was clearly hyped.
Our class was the same. Menu boards and chairs for people waiting in line were already set up outside the classroom. It seemed a bit early for that, but I understood the enthusiasm.
Rattle!
"Good morning."
"Morning~!"
"Yo!"
When we walked in, several people were already finished changing into their costumes. Girls were dressed in maid outfits like you’d see in a maid cafe, while boys were wearing butler outfits—basically black suits with bow ties. They were busy taking photos with their smartphones.
Hey now, homeroom is about to start. If the homeroom teacher catches them, they're going to get an earful.
"Morning, Takanashi-kun! Look, look! Does this suit me?"
"Eh!? A-Ah, yeah, I think it looks good."
One of the girls struck a pose to show off. She looked cute enough, but that was really the only thing I could say.
"Hmm, you should probably say something a bit more flattering in a moment like this..."
"It’s Takanashi-kun we’re talking about. He’s got Satsukawa-senpai, so girls like us don't stand a chance, right?"
"True. If Satsukawa-senpai wore a maid outfit, he’d probably be tripping over himself to praise her."
"No way. If Satsukawa-senpai wore a maid outfit, it wouldn't just be praise—it would be a disaster because every guy in school would swarm this room."
They were having this whole conversation about me without me. Still, Sara-san in a maid outfit... Not that I had a maid fetish or anything. I wasn't even particularly interested in maid cafes.
But... it did sound... really, really good.
Pinnnnch!
"Owowowow!?"
Hanako-san, standing right beside me, had suddenly pinched the back of my hand!
"Kazunari... you're making a lecherous face."
"Hanako-san, that hurts! It really hurts!?"
I signaled my pain twice before she finally let go. I wasn't exaggerating; that really stung.
"Sorry... I went too far..."
With a dejected look, Hanako-san took my hand in hers. She began to gently stroke the pinched area with her fingers as if to soothe it. Now it just felt ticklish.
"Pain, pain, go away..."
For some reason, she started blowing on the spot to cool it down, rubbing it gently over and over. It was a strange sensation—not quite ticklish, but something that made me feel a different kind of restless anxiety.
"...Whoaa..."
"...Gulp."
"H-Hanasaki-san is giving Satsukawa-senpai a run for her money..."
"Gwaah! Why is it always Takanashi!?"
"That guy already has Satsukawa-senpai! Why does Hanasaki-san have to pamper him all the time too!?"
The boys in the class were losing it.
"Does Kazunari like maid outfits?" Hanako-san asked.
"N-No, not particularly..."
"If you like them, Big Sister can wear one for you."
"Eeeeh!?"
Hanako-san in a maid outfit... that didn't sound bad at all. She would probably look great in gothic lolita styles, too. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, though—I definitely didn't have a fetish. None at all. I was saying it twice because it was important.
"H-Hanasaki-san! If you're willing, please wear a maid outfit for the shop!"
"If you do it, our customer count will skyrocket!"
"A flat-chested twin-tailed tsundere loli maid... the sin is too deep..."
Misinterpreting the situation, the boys swarmed her.
"I only intend to show it to Kazunari. Go back to sleep and keep dreaming, you idiots."
"""Dammit!!!"""
They hung their heads and stomped their feet in frustration. Were these guys actually children? I felt like I had been having that same thought a lot lately.
"H-H-Hanasaki-san in a maid outfit..."
"Yamakawa... if you don't want to be hated, you'd better stay quiet."
Seriously... today was as peaceful as ever.
After morning homeroom ended, the classmates began the official shop setup. They used blackout curtains to partition the kitchen from the floor and rearranged the desks into tables. They set up portable gas stoves and a simple sink for washing up. I couldn't just stand around watching.
"Kazunari, it's time to head to the student council room."
"Right, let’s go."
Following Hanako-san’s lead, I gathered my things. I wouldn't be coming back here until the day was over, so I was taking everything with me to the student council room.
"Alright, we're heading out. Good luck with the shop, everyone!"
"Yeah! We're gonna rack up the sales and have a killer celebration party!"
"Hell yeah, I'm fired up!"
"Takanashi, you and Hanasaki-san can make it to the party, right?"
"Probably... I think we can."
"Me too."
To be honest, I didn't know exactly when we’d finish our duties, but I really wanted to join in. Since I couldn't help out with the shop, it would be lonely to have no memories of the festival with my classmates.
"Good luck with the student council, you two!"
"We're counting on you, Vice President!"
"You got it!"
"We're off."
Nodding to their cheers, I left my seat. Hanako-san took my hand as she always did and started leading the way. The opening time was finally approaching. I was excited and looking forward to it, but I had to stay focused on my role in the student council!
"Good morning!"
"Good morning..."
""Good morning~""
When we entered the student council room, not everyone was there yet. Neither Sara-san nor the former President had arrived. However, preparations were already underway. A whiteboard was set up with the time schedules for everyone's assignments, and the distribution of check sheets was complete.
"I’m sure everyone will be here soon," someone remarked.
As we chatted, the officers arrived one by one.
"Morning."
"Good morning. Thanks for the hard work."
Once the former President and Sara-san arrived, we started our meeting. All the major decisions were already made, so this was just a final confirmation of the plan.
Our main job as the student council was patrol duty. We also had to handle guest relations and guidance at the headquarters tent and remain on standby in case of emergencies. We went over the schedule to see who would be where and when, while double-checking the important points of caution.
"Man, it really helps having so many people this time," Uesaka-senpai said.
"I’m just glad all the seniors are participating. This way, we can actually take some free time."
"Well, patrol duty is basically free time anyway. We just call it 'monitoring the interior' while we enjoy the festival."
"Ehehe, I know it's work, but I’m so excited I can hardly sit still."
"Me too," I said. "But while it’s easy now because the seniors are here, it might be better to pay attention to the key points this year so we’re ready for next year. We should take advantage of the extra breathing room to learn the ropes."
I wanted to have fun too, but...
The fact that things were easy now because the seniors were helping meant that if they weren't around next year, it would be a struggle. There was no guarantee that next year’s third-years would be as available to help as this year’s group. I thought we should keep next year in mind so we wouldn't be caught off guard.
"..."
"Hm? Something wrong?"
"No," Marina Todo said, "I just thought Takanashi-kun was right. You're already thinking about next year, aren't you?"
"Well, I mean..."
"Ehehe, I really respect how serious you are, Takanashi-kun. I think it’s wonderful."
"Ueh!?"
I knew she was just being nice, but being told I was "wonderful" with such a pure, innocent smile was a bit much. If it were any other guy, they’d probably get the wrong idea instantly. I guess the title Angel of Purity wasn't just for show.
"Big Sister already knows Kazunari is a good boy," Hanako-san said.
"Fufu... but I am the one who knows that best. After all, I am his fiancée," Sara-san added.
"No, wait, guys..."
Why was the meeting suddenly about me? I liked being praised, but this was a bit overboard.
"...Damn. A trio of a top-tier beauty, a doting 'big sister' figure, and a perfect, transcendent beauty of a fiancée..."
"Don't say it out loud... please don't say it... ugh."
The male officers were weeping.
"Ahem. Sorry to interrupt the fun, but it's about time," the former President said.
"Right. Well then, everyone..."
Following the former President's lead, Sara-san shifted the mood. She gathered everyone's attention, looking slowly around the room. Finally, she caught my eye and gave a small, encouraging smile.
Man... that was embarrassing.
"Everyone... the day has finally arrived. This is the first major stage we face under our new administration. It will be a busy two days, but we have prepared thoroughly for this moment. We have planned for every situation we expect to face. So, it will be all right. We can definitely pull this off. But... let’s make sure we enjoy ourselves, too. If the student body is going to have fun, that should include us as well. Now then, everyone, let’s do our best."
"""Yes!"""
Sara-san's speech was motivating, but the fact that she told everyone to "enjoy themselves" was what really struck home. The seniors who knew the old Sara-san all looked surprised.
It was proof of how much she had grown. Even if someone called it conceit, I believed Sara-san had changed for the better because she met me. Thinking that made me happy.
All right, it was time. Thanks to Sara-san, I was more fired up than ever.
Let's make these two days count!