When we arrived at the headquarters tent set up near the school gate, a fair number of people had already gathered, including teachers and members of the Newspaper Club.
But more than that...
Even more than that...!?
"Wh-what is with that line!?"
"...It’s even longer than I heard."
"Whoa... there are definitely more people than last year."
"You’re kidding... we’ve hit a snag right from the start."
I was honestly surprised as well, and it was no wonder everyone was crying out in shock. There was no need to ask what that line was for—the front of it was right at the gate. Naturally, it was the admission standby line for the school festival.
But the sheer number of people!
I had been told that a significant line would form, but this was beyond "significant."
"Uesaka-san, this is..."
"Hmm. This is my third year seeing this, but there are clearly more people this year. The numbers have been increasing annually, and last year was a record high, but this... this is something else."
I couldn't compare it myself since I hadn't seen the line last year, but it was certain that the turnout had far exceeded our expectations. Furthermore, today was only Saturday. The peak for visitors was expected to be Sunday. That meant tomorrow would be even more crowded.
"T-Takanashi-kun, what should we..."
"Give me a second..."
Everyone seemed a bit bewildered, myself included. However, there wasn't much time to hesitate. Since Sara-san wasn't here, I had to step up!
"There are a lot of people, but our duties haven't changed. Let’s stay calm. If this many people rush in all at once, there's a high risk of a bottleneck near the entrance. So... right, let's regulate the admission flow."
The school gate was one thing, but there were several displays made by the Art Club near the entrance. If the crowd surged in, the area would become dangerously congested. That spot had already been flagged as a point of caution for patrols, so we couldn't be too careful.
"Y-you’re right."
"Let’s set up all the spare traffic cones and bars to keep the line from spreading out!"
"Um, we’ll help too!"
"We’re short on time, so let’s get it done at once."
"Thank you, we appreciate the help."
The Newspaper Club members who had been listening nearby joined in, and we all split up to create a controlled pathway. We used traffic cones to narrow the path from the gate and set up tables on both sides where the Newspaper Club could provide guidance and distribute their special festival edition papers. This should slow the entry pace just enough.
After that, we lightly restricted the area in front of the entrance. Once the standby line settled down, we could clear the barriers. I also made sure to station personnel for line organization. It might have seemed like an exaggeration, but it was better to nip potential trouble in the bud.
"Takanashi-kun, you were surprisingly composed."
"Indeed. I was ready to step in if you looked lost, but you had it handled."
"No... if I let something like this rattle me, I wouldn't be able to look Sara-san in the face."
I offered a humble shrug, playing it down. In truth, I had only noticed because I’d spent time checking the cautionary points near the headquarters tent before we arrived. My ability to act calmly was simply the result of the mental preparation I’d been doing since early morning.
And... it was because of Sara-san, after all.
"If the person in command is calm, the people following will move calmly too. You did a brilliant job, Takanashi-kun. At this rate, we won't need to intervene at all..."
"In that case, are you going to retire right now, Uesaka-kun? I’m sticking around to help until the very end, though."
"Same here! To be honest, things have been way more fun since Takanashi-kun joined the student council."
Speaking for the new members, we were grateful to have the seniors around until we were fully settled. I specifically still had a lot I wanted to learn from Uesaka-san. However, I knew that was a selfish request, so I didn't let myself plead for it. It was merely a wish.
"No, I’m enjoying myself too, so I’d like to help as long as I can. Besides, when I recommended Satsukawa-san for President, I made it a condition that I would help until the festival was over."
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered him saying something about that reciprocal agreement. If that was the case, it was a massive help for us.
"Takanashi-kun, you were so cool. If Satsukawa-senpai were here, she would have praised you!"
"No, if Sara-san were here, she would have given those orders before I even had the chance to move."
I thought I could have taken the same actions regardless of her presence, but I had no doubt that Sara-san would have been much faster.
"Even if that’s true, the one who actually stepped up was Kazunari. There's no need for modesty. Right now, in place of your wife, your big sister will praise you."
Hanako-san tugged lightly at my sleeve as she spoke. Wait, if she patted my head here, in front of the teachers and within full view of the people lining up outside...
"Muu~"
When I didn't lower my head, Hanako-san stood on her tiptoes and stretched out her arm, trying to forcibly reach my hair. The contrast between the curious onlookers and the smirking student council members who knew exactly what was going on was quite the sight.
Keeeee-nnn!
Just as we were having that heartwarming—or perhaps awkward—exchange, a high-pitched feedback sound suddenly rang out from the school’s outdoor speakers.
"Ah—ah—... test, test... mic test!!"
Immediately following that was a familiar, high-tension voice.
"Haaaay, sorry to keep you waiting~! We're going to kick things off with a bang today-yooon!! The Broadcasting Club Presents!! The school broadcast, Rinka Festival Pre-Opening Special Versionnnnnn!! And the host is, of course, me—the idol of the Broadcasting Club, everyone's 'Minamin'-yooon!!!"
"""Minamin!!!"""
"""........."""
The sheer difference in energy was staggering. You could practically see the mood drop among those of us in the tent. The "intense" cheers of the guys inside the school building echoed out, invading our area in a somewhat unpleasant way. The stiff, displeased expressions on the teachers' faces only added to the awkward atmosphere.
"Ah, Fukazawa-san is as energetic as ever."
"But it’s the school festival, shouldn't it be fine?"
"Well, Fukazawa-san does act serious when she needs to..."
"Heyyyyy! Don't call me Fukazawaaaaa!!"
"""!? """
How did she even hear that? Everyone reacted instantly to Fukazawa-san's perfectly timed shout. The seniors even started reflexively checking under the tables and chairs. No, surely she wasn't hiding here... probably.
"Fukazawa-san, if you are going to waste time, I shall proceed on my own."
"Wait!? I told you, it’s not Fukazawa... and hey, it's too early for you to start!"
The messy, bickering conversation leaked through the speakers. I could never mistake that second voice. It belonged to the person I loved most, who was currently missing from our group.
"Then please move things along. I want to see Kazu—"
"Daaaaah!!! You can't say that name yettttt!!!!"
Man... this was turning into a disaster. Sara-san had clearly been about to say my name just now.
"Fukazawa-san, for a woman to shout like that—"
"Mi-na-mi-n!!!"
"Since you insist, Minamin-san, then."
"I said it's Minamin!"
Clunk!!
With a sharp noise like a microphone power switch being flipped, the broadcast suddenly cut out. A heavy silence descended over the school, making the previous chaos feel like a fever dream.
I knew Sara-san wasn't doing it with ill intent, nor was she doing it on purpose. It was just her being herself. A cute, slightly airheaded side of her had simply slipped out. And that was exactly why she was so adorable.
Keeeee-nnn...
The microphone clicked back on.
"M-my apologies. Resuming the broadcast. Phew... I’m sure everyone listening has already figured it out by now. There’s no point in being mysterious, and I’m probably going to get scolded later anyway, so let’s get right to it! For this Rinka Festival Pre-Opening Special Broadcast, we have a very special guest with us today!! Ta-da! She’s rumored to have mellowed out and become more approachable lately, yet she continues to set new records for the number of boys she shoots down—the super heroine. She’s become even more calculatedly cute now that she’s Student Council President! Yes, as you all know, our school's pride, the Aloof Goddess, Sara Satsukawa-sannnn!!"
"Um... Fukazawa-san, that introduction is a bit..."
"...Listen, Satsukawa-san... I’m trying to build the hype here. Reacting so seriously is just cruel! Also, call me Minamin!"
Laughter erupted from every corner of the school at their comedy-duo routine. Even the visitors at the gate were chuckling.
"Pfft... that is so like Satsukawa-san."
"I never thought I’d hear her doing a manzai routine."
"She’s usually so stoic, but she’s actually quite the airhead, isn't she?"
It certainly looked that way to others, but I knew better. It was just because Sara-san was so serious that she took every joke at face value, which resulted in her looking airheaded. But I suppose that’s exactly what being an airhead meant.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to be rude. However, time is short, so I shall proceed. Hello, everyone. I am the Student Council President, Sara Satsukawa."
"""Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"""
A roar that far exceeded the reaction to Minamin's introduction erupted—a deep, visceral shout that seemed to carry a dark, slightly creepy energy. It felt like a minor earthquake vibrating through the entire school.
Yeah... definitely creepy.
"In less than five minutes, the first day of the Rinka Festival will officially begin. For this day, all of you have also..."
"Satsukawa-san has really changed, hasn't she?"
"Yeah. Compared to her greeting at the Student General Meeting last year, this is night and day."
"You can actually hear the emotion in her voice... it feels warm."
"Man, women really do change when they’re in love. Right... Takanashi-kun?"
"No... well..."
The female officers turned their smirking gazes toward me, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. As for the indescribable glares from the boys...
"What? If you have something to say to Kazunari, I'll be the one to hear it," Hanako interjected.
"""It's nothing at all."""
Their gazes snapped away instantly. My "big sister's" voice might have sounded blunt, but it certainly carried a lot of emotion—even if that emotion was a bone-chilling frost.
"Whether this school festival is a success or a failure depends on the actions and mindset of each and every member of the student body. Please ensure that you do not get swept away by the excitement and lose your self-control..."
As she spoke, I and everyone else in the tent found ourselves mesmerized by Sara-san's voice. The speech itself wasn't particularly revolutionary; she was simply reinforcing the basic expectations for behavior. Yet, we couldn't stop listening. It wasn't just what she was saying, but the way she said it—something about her made you truly want to listen. It was the power of her natural charisma.
"That concludes the address from me and the student council. Thank you for your attention. Now, let's put the formalities aside. Everyone, let's enjoy these next two days to the fullest. I look forward to seeing the wonderful events you have prepared."
Clap...
Clap clap clap...
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!!!
From inside the school, outside the gate, and even from those around me, a thunderous wave of applause broke out. It felt as if every single person who had heard her was giving a standing ovation. The cheers enveloped the entire academy. I felt a shiver of emotion run through my body.
...Sara-san.
"Nooooow—let's start the countdown! Goooooooo!!!!"
"""Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"""
It wasn't just the boys responding to Minamin's call. The girls, the teachers, the visitors... and us, too! There was no way we were going to miss out on this!
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five—"
"""Four, three, two, one..."""
............
"""Zerooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!"""
"The Rinka Festival is now opennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!"
Amidst the roaring applause and jubilant cheers, our school festival had finally begun!
............
......
...
"Hehe... you worked very hard, Kazunari-san..."
"No, well, Sara-san..."
Pat pat...
With a gentle smile, Sara-san reached out and patted my head repeatedly. I was happy, of course, but...
"W-what... is that..."
"Wait, are you... serious... I thought the rumors were fake..."
"C-can we make this a front-page article!?"
"Uwaaaaaa! God is deeeaaaad!"
Doing this in such a public place... We were tucked away in the tent, and the others were forming a "human wall" to shield us, but if anyone looked closely, it was obvious what was happening.
As for why this was happening so suddenly—well, it was my reward.
"So suddenly!?"
"Who reported to Satsukawa-san while we were out here!?"
"Uu... I-I'm so sorry—!!"
"I'm just glad the B-shift made it in time..."
Was the "B-shift" this human wall? And there were other shifts!?
True to form, the moment Sara-san had shown the slightest intent to pat my head, I’d been pushed into a chair, and a line of people had immediately blocked the view from the visitors' side.
However... it was wide open from behind. The Newspaper Club guys were currently slumped over, muttering in despair. And Todo-san was apologizing profusely; apparently, she was the one who had excitedly reported my "heroics" to Sara-san.
But I couldn't just sit here forever. We had work to do.
"Sara-san, thank you. Let's stop here for now."
"Yes. I shall give you more 'there, there' pats later, then."
"You’re still going to do it?"
"It’s just an excuse to flirt, isn't it?"
"As expected, you can't let your guard down around these two."
"Takanashi-kun is also surprisingly bold about flirting in public."
It’s not that I’m bold... it’s just that when I weigh my embarrassment against how happy Sara-san looks when she pampers me, her happiness always wins.
"Wife, it's about time... wait, what are you doing?"
Hanako-san and the others returned from checking the admission line, looking at us with flat, exasperated eyes. Sara-san obediently pulled her hand away and immediately turned her focus toward the school gate, signaling everyone with a sharp look.
"The line has settled, so let's lift the admission restrictions. Everyone, please head to your assigned stations and begin your patrols as scheduled."
"""Yes!"""
To think she could switch from that doting mode to a commanding President in an instant... Sara-san really was amazing. Everyone quickly split into their pairs and began coordinating.
As for me, I was scheduled to stay at the tent with Uesaka-san for a while to handle visitor inquiries.
Finally, the student council was in full swing!