“Um... sorry. I caused everyone a lot of trouble.”
Now that my stomach had finally settled, I figured I should start by apologizing to everyone.
It wasn't that we were running behind schedule, but it was a fact that the whole group had been stuck waiting for me to recover.
“Kazunari is not to blame. I should have been the one to bring a smaller amount.”
“No, if we are going that far, then it was I who failed to properly regulate Kazunari-san’s pace.”
“Um, the cause was really just me overdoing it, so you two don't need to...”
In fact, if it had only been the two of their bentos, I probably could have managed. The problem boiled down to the single fact that I had pushed myself too hard during that final rush.
It was absolutely not the fault of Sara-san or Hanako-san.
“Yes, yes. If we start down that road, then we’re also responsible for letting Takanashi-san overdo it. So, let’s just agree that no one is at fault.”
“I agree~!”
“That’s right. Takanashi-kun, I’m sorry...”
“I understand. But as Kazunari’s big sister, my responsibility is greater than anyone else’s.”
“If you are saying that, then as Kazunari-san’s fiancé, I am the one who...”
“Daaah, stop bringing it back up!!”
““We’re sorry...””
The sight of Sara-san and Hanako-san getting dejected in unison wasn't exactly rare.
But in this case, no matter what anyone said, I was the one most at fault. I didn't want Sara-san and Hanako-san making faces like that.
“Look, if you two make faces like that, Takanashi-san will just end up blaming himself, won’t he?”
“—!? Kazunari-san, I am so sorry. For me to have done such a thing...”
“Kazunari, sorry. I won’t say it anymore.”
“Yeah. Like Nishikawa-san said, let’s just go with the idea that no one is at fault.”
If the two of them were satisfied with that, I’d leave it at that for now. It wasn't that I didn't still feel guilty, but pursuing the matter of responsibility indefinitely was a conversation where no one gained anything.
“Kazunari-san...”
However, Sara-san wore a slightly meaningful expression as she gently took my right hand. She squeezed it softly, enveloping it within both of her hands.
In the end... she might have read my mind after all.
“Alright, alright, we know you two are close, so let’s get moving. Daichi, what are you going to do?”
“My duties are elsewhere, so I’ll take my leave here.”
He looked a little... well, quite a bit?
He seemed reluctant to leave, but unfortunately, there was no longer any justification for him to stay with us. Uesaka-san had merely been a special guest for lunch, and this was ultimately part of his official duties. It couldn't be helped.
“Nishikawa-san, it was truly a pleasure being able to talk about so many things for the first time in a while.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you.”
Was Nishikawa-san’s thanks for his support earlier, the follow-up that helped her in Avoiding Falling into Darkness?
But as far as I could see, she at least wasn’t giving him the polite, manufactured smile she’d use for a complete stranger, like she had when they first met at the tent.
I hope your evaluation has gone up even a little... Uesaka-san.
“It’s not like this is the end, right? We might be able to meet up later, and besides, there’s always tomorrow. Right... Daichi~?”
Natsumi-senpai cut into their conversation with a slimy, teasing smirk. Despite being weak when it came to her own business, she was as proactive as ever when it came to other people’s romances.
“That’s true. If the opportunity arises... and if it’s not a bother, I’d be happy to join you again.”
But Uesaka-san’s response actually showed a hint of composure. He looked like a different person compared to the flustered guy from the start of the day. Plus, he was casting frequent glances toward Nishikawa-san.
“Yes. If our schedules align tomorrow as well, shall we have lunch together?”
“Thank you. I’m happy to hear you say that.”
“We were so busy today that we didn't get to talk much, so next time, I’d like to hear some stories about Natsumi-san.”
“Haha, that’s right. I’d also like to talk with Tachibana-kun. About various things concerning Natsumi...”
“Ah—geez, you guys are so noisy!! Just hurry up and go already!!!”
In the end, she became the target of their teasing, and Natsumi-senpai snapped. When these two ganged up on her, even the mighty Natsumi-senpai was no match.
But... for my part, I wanted to get along with Uesaka-san for various reasons, so I sincerely welcomed this kind of opportunity.
“Well then, I’ll retreat before Natsumi gets any louder. If the timing works out, I'll see you later.”
Leaving those words behind, Uesaka-san moved away while waving his hand to us. When I tentatively checked on Nishikawa-san’s state...
Hmm... she still seemed normal.
“Now then, excuse me, but before we head out...”
“Yes. The plants will surely be happy if Eri takes care of them.”
“I hope so. Well then...”
Of course, we hadn't forgotten what Nishikawa-san was about to do. This was one of her important daily routines.
And so...
Along with a happily smiling Nishikawa-san, we decided to take care of the flowerbed even more carefully than usual until the very last second of our scheduled time.
………………
“Now, let’s go!!”
“You’re really pumped up, Marina.”
“Ehehe, I mean, we get to go around the school festival together, right? I was so excited last night that I stayed up a little late.”
“I was the same way.”
“Right? We really are the same, aren't we!?”
“Yeah.”
Hayato and Todo-san laughed happily as they looked at each other. Their exchange was so heartwarming that I couldn't help but smile myself.
“Natsumi-san, if you’d like...”
“No, I refuse!”
“...I haven't even said anything yet.”
“I know what you're going to say, so I’m refusing! I mean, that kind of thing should be... when it's just the two of us.”
“Fufu... understood.”
“Kugh, that smug look of yours is so annoying!!”
They seemed to be the same as always over there.
But... to be honest, it seemed like an unexpectedly different dynamic had formed, with Yuji taking the upper hand. Considering how he looked when the four of us went to the pool, I could only imagine him being jerked around by her.
I suppose the causes were Natsumi-senpai being more of a maiden than imagined, and Yuji being more of an 'S' than expected.
“Now then, shall we get going?”
“Right. For now, Sara, you lead the way.”
“No, I have decided that I will walk beside Kazunari-san.”
“Hah... I see.”
I mean, you don't have to say it with such an exhausted tone.
But walking beside me, huh?
When I thought back on it, Sara-san used to always position herself a little bit behind me. I had her move to my side because it was hard to talk, but looking back now, I wondered what that was all about.
“Then the solution is simple. We just need to put Kazunari at the front.”
“That’s right, let’s just go with that~”
“The leader goes first~!”
“Yeah, Takanashi-kun, do your best.”
“Kazunari, please.”
“Takanashi-kun, let’s head out with high spirits.”
“I’m counting on you, Kazunari.”
I couldn't help but think they were making a big deal out of just the walking order. It felt like they were putting unnecessary pressure on me, though it was likely they were just teasing.
However, it wasn't about being the leader or anything like that; I couldn't put it into words well, but I was just truly happy to be able to laugh with everyone like this.
So...
“Now, Kazunari-san, it’s time for work♪”
“Kazunari, let’s go.”
“Well then... everyone, shall we?”
“““Ohhh~!!”””
Alright... let’s do this!
The time had finally come; it was finally time for everyone to storm the school festival!
………………
………
…
“...Wait, wh-what is up with this group!?”
“...The President and Vice President, the Double Angels, and...”
“...Yokogawa from the tennis club, and Yuzuki-senpai...”
“...Who is that person? She’s a match for Satsukawa-senpai...”
“...Whoaaa, the Three Princesses are here!!!”
“...Hello!! Hurry up and get down to the first floor!! Even Nishikawa-san is here!!”
Hmm... this is a bit, how should I put it...
“E-Er...”
“This is certainly...”
“It’s a bit restless... this is.”
I had expected it, of course, but as we moved forward, the commotion seemed to be growing... No, it wasn't just "seeming," it was clearly getting louder. The general guests looked blankly at us, probably because they didn't understand the reason for the stir.
“Ah—... I really am the only plain one here, aren't I?”
“No, I’m in a similar boat. Besides, it can't be helped since I’m not a student of this school, right?”
“When you put it that way, I guess so. But this is incredible... and Marina, are you really being called an Angel?”
“I-I don’t know anything about that...”
The shy Todo-san was already turning bright red and was slightly hiding behind Hayato’s shadow. Watching her like that, Hayato looked... incredibly happy.
“Man, it’s been a while since we’ve caused such a stir.”
“Does ‘a while’ mean this has happened before?”
“Well, yeah. The festival that Sara, Eririn, and I went to together was just like this.”
I had heard that story before, but considering the situation where we were causing such a commotion even at our own school festival... I suspected it might have been an even bigger uproar than I’d heard.
“Hah... how noisy. At this rate, I won't be able to enjoy the school festival with Kazunari-san.”
“Wife, don’t forget your work.”
“I know that. But that is that. Kazunari-san, which classroom shall we start with?”
“Since we also have to check the empty classrooms, let's just go into them one after another. If we find an interesting place, we’ll just stop by.”
“No objections~!”
“Considering the time distribution, it might be better to be selective.”
“Personally, I would like to meet with my former classmates.”
Certainly, for Nishikawa-san, who originally attended this school, it was natural for her to have old friends and former classmates. In that case, we should consider spending a little time there.
……………
………
…
Whenever I walked around the school with Sara-san, attracting attention was business as usual. It was something I had already gotten used to (though I didn't want to), but the current situation was on a whole other level.
We were currently in the third-floor area of the school building, where the third-years' classrooms were lined up. And speaking of third-years, they were the students who had been at this school the longest—which meant they "knew" a lot of things.
“...Whoa, no way, Nishikawa-san has become so much more adult-like.”
“...For real. A beauty ranking fluctuation is coming.”
“...When she stands next to Satsukawa-san, it’s no joke...”
“...Phew... I never thought I’d see the Three Princesses together again...”
“...But what’s with the other guys? I can understand the Vice President, but who's the other one?”
It seemed word had already spread that Nishikawa-san had come to the school for the first time in a while. As soon as we started walking down the third-floor hallway, the bast—I mean, the seniors (mostly guys) jumped out of their classroom doors. There were many others opening windows to check on us, making it look a bit like a scene from a horror movie.
“Hah... this seems like it’s going to be more troublesome than I thought.”
“Yes... it’s a bit beyond my imagination.”
Even Sara-san, who usually paid no mind to the masses no matter how many gathered, seemed fed up with this. As usual, she was looking at the disgusting sight unfolding before her with eyes that looked as if she were viewing garbage.
“Why are there so many idiots...”
Hanako-san, who muttered that right behind me, probably had the same look in her eyes as Sara-san.
“Kazunari-san, let's just quickly finish the places where we only need to check. I’m prepared for some trouble.”
“You’re right. Everyone, let's go all at once.”
“““Roger~!”””
Calling out to everyone, I purposely adjusted my armband to make it visible, emphasizing that we were here as part of our work. It was meant to be a deterrent, saying, "We’re on Student Council business, so don't talk to us about unnecessary things," but I wondered if it would actually get through.
Glancing to the side, I saw Sara-san was also adjusting her armband just like me, and the rustling sound from behind was surely Hanako-san doing the same.
Now, I wonder how this will turn out.
……………
“This plushie is cute.”
“Right? We made them by hand.”
“Ugh, I might feel bad about shooting this.”
“Ahaha, I’m happy to hear that, but it’s also complicated.”
As long as we didn't mind the crowds, the patrol was proceeding more or less without a hitch. Perhaps because we were emphasizing "Student Council" more than necessary, we were fortunate that no one had called out to us with strange comments so far.
Currently, we had stopped at one classroom.
“Would you like to try it? We’ll give you a Student Council hard-work discount.”
“I’ll take care of Satsukawa-san’s turn...”
“Wait, it’s my turn now!?”
“Nishikawa-san, p-please, come this way...”
“““…………”””
“Hey, you guys, go over there!!”
A combined attack from Sara-san, Nishikawa-san, and Hanako-san!
The Cold Gaze Stream Attack exploded!
The panicked female students shoved all the idiots back.
“S-Sorry. Would you like to try it again... or rather, I definitely want you to try it!!”
For some reason, she said it as if she were praying, almost at the level of a plea, causing me to exchange looks with everyone. I thought she was being a bit dramatic... but when I followed the senior’s gaze, I understood. For better or worse, the crowd was incredible, and she clearly wanted to use this opportunity for publicity.
“I want to try!”
“Right, it looks interesting, so I will too.”
When Natsumi-senpai showed her willingness to participate, Nishikawa-san also volunteered as if drawn in by her. But I knew; Nishikawa-san had wanted to do this from the start. After all, Nishikawa-san was the first one to stop here.
“I...”
And then Sara-san sent me a confirming look as if to ask, “May I also try?” so I nodded. We were technically working, but in my mind, I had created a justification by saying we were “cooperating with attracting customers,” so it was fine.
“Then, I shall as well.”
“Whoa, Satsukawa-san is going to do it too!?”
“Yes! I’ll take a photo and post the advertisement immediately!!”
“...Hey, the Three Princesses are all going to do it!”
“...Wait, move out of the way, I can't see!!”
“...You guys in the front, lower your heads!!!”
“...Shut up!!”
The moment it was decided that Sara-san and the others would take the challenge, shouts mixed with cheers and roars began to fly from the hallway. At this rate, the general guests wouldn't even be able to get close. But looking closely, there were also students in uniforms from other schools mixed in.
“Then, each of the three of you, please take a gun from the table.”
“Okaaay.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
The activity Sara-san and the others were about to challenge was the shooting gallery. Shelves prepared inside the classroom were lined with prizes that everyone had probably brought in, including the handmade plushies the girls had mentioned. And in front of us, a long table was placed, with three Cork Guns on top.
“You get five shots. Good luck~”
The senior at the reception let out a line that sounded like something I might have heard at a real festival, and then small plates with Cork Bullets were placed in front of each person. It felt surprisingly authentic.
“Alright, I’m definitely going to get something!”
The first one to move was Natsumi-senpai. With a practiced hand, she picked up the gun and first... pulled the lever. She knows what she's doing. As one of the tricks for a shooting gallery, you shouldn't load the cork first. Pulling the lever comes first.
“Then I shall also...”
Nishikawa-san also seemed to know what she was doing, and she started preparing the gun but... unfortunately, she loaded the cork first. But since this part was also part of the fun, I wouldn't do something as boorish as speaking up to correct her.
And as for the crucial Sara-san...
“Um...”
She was holding the gun, but she seemed to be at a loss, doing nothing. Could it be that she had never played at a shooting gallery before?
“S-Satsukawa-san, you don't know how to—”
“I’ll teach you—”
“Wait, I’ll do it—”
“No thank you.”
The seniors who had been waiting for their turn by the side jumped out happily... but they couldn't even finish their sentences before they were all flatly rejected. Moreover, Sara-san didn't even look at their faces, as if she had no interest in them at all.
“Kazunari-san...”
Then, completely ignoring the three people who were frozen in front of her, she turned toward me and called my name in a small voice with a slightly troubled expression. Showing a face like that is a little unfair because it’s just too cute.
“...Hm? Kazunari-san?”
I felt like the Receptionist Lady muttered something, but more importantly, my focus was on Sara-san. I moved to Sara-san’s side and temporarily took the gun she was holding.
“It’s not difficult. First, pull this lever, and once you hear a click, take this Cork Bullet...”
While explaining to Sara-san with the movements, I casually checked the Cork Bullets. They seemed to be brand new, and there were no chips in them. There was nothing to worry about.
“After that, hold it like this... and aim with one eye.”
“Eh, is it alright to lean over that much?”
“It’s fine. As long as your feet are behind the counter, there’s no problem.”
“I-I understand. I’ll do my best!”
Changing completely from before, Sara-san showed a happy smile. To be honest, she could have leaned in a little more, but despite being tall, Sara-san was wearing a skirt. Besides, there were nothing but guys behind us, and I didn't want to leave even a shred of opportunity for them.
“...S-Satsukawa-san smiled!?”
“...Whoaaa, she’s too cute!!”
“...Wait, w-wait, isn't she too close to the Vice President!?”
“...Hey, hey, that rumor isn't for real, is it?”
“...I heard they’re together in the Student Council, so they’re closer than others... or something like that?”
“Yes... and then, here, pull this...”
As if confirming what I had taught her, Sara-san went through the preparations one by one while speaking aloud. Please forgive me for watching her with bated breath.
Just as she finished loading the Cork Bullet and was about to take aim, Sara-san seemed to notice the three guys who were still frozen across the counter.
“You’re in the way. Move.”
“““Y-Yes!!!”””
Told off in such a dismissive manner, the three of them backed away, looking dejected. Sara-san ignored them and aimed the gun. It seemed she was checking the aim while adjusting her posture.
“Sara, Eririn, are you ready?”
“I’m fine.”
“I am ready as well.”
The three of them looked at each other as if to signal and nodded. Seeing that, cheers erupted from the spectators in the hallway.
“Satsukawa-san, good luck!!”
“N-Nishikawa-san, I’m rooting for you!!”
“Goddess~!!”
“Yuzuki-san!!”
“Natsumi-chan, fight!”
I knew they were just cheering, and they probably didn't mean any harm. But to put it bluntly, they were just noisy and, honestly, a nuisance. Besides, at this rate, the three of them wouldn't be able to concentrate. So, I should...
“Excuse me, please be quiet—”
“You’re noisy! Can’t you even watch in silence!?”
Suddenly, silence fell.
Sharp... Sara-san’s words were far too sharp, and they simultaneously silenced all the idiots in the hallway. In addition, it seemed she had even silenced the seniors inside the classroom, leaving only a strange stillness in the air.
And once again... I was unable to be of use.
“Uhihi, Sara, you’re quite fired up.”
“Of course. Now that I have been taught by Kazunari-san, I will go all out no matter what it is.”
There was no longer a smile or composure on Sara-san’s face as she aimed the gun. Like a professional sniper thinking only of shooting through the target... she didn't look like an amateur at all.
But... she was still cute!!
“...H-Hey... just now...”
“...Shh!”
“...No, I know, but just now...”
“...Just keep quiet. You’ll be in the way.”
“...That’s right, it’s not a big deal just because she called him by name...”
“““……………Ehhhh???”””
“Alright, let’s try again... on the count of three.”
“Understood.”
“I understand.”
The three of them nodded and pointed their guns at their chosen targets. Sara-san didn't aim for the big prizes as I’d suggested; the tip of her extended gun barrel was pointed at a small mascot... it was a cat.
“Here we go—”
“““Ready, go!!”””
The sound of air compressed by springs rang out as the Cork Bullets flew out all at once. Unfortunately, it seemed none of the three were able to hit anything, but this was only the first shot. Besides, the distance from the counter to the prizes at this shooting gallery seemed a bit long; it might be a little difficult for them.
“Hmm... a little higher, maybe.”
“The force of the bullet was weak... Come to think of it, Takanashi-san said earlier...”
“I see. Based on that feeling, I should aim for that area... which means, next time...”
It seemed Sara-san and the others were calculating their next corrections based on the results of the first shot. They were getting serious.
“Um... are the seniors getting serious?”
“Y-Yeah, looks like it.”
“It’s just a shooting gallery, right?”
“If you’re going to shoot, you have to be ready to be shot—”
“Stop, Hanako-san, you shouldn't go any further than that.”
Hmm... why was it that I couldn't help but interject? Well, my own mysterious actions didn't matter; more importantly, I had to keep an eye on Sara-san and the others.