Haa... Natsukawa. Oh, Natsukawa...
I couldn't help but look back. She was a sinful woman, one who had snatched my heart and departed in the span of just a few minutes. I felt the tug of my lingering attachment so strongly I thought I might go bald from the tension. I wanted to just abandon Sasaki and chase after her. Oh? That was strange. My feet were moving backward.
I rounded the wing with the Home Economics Room and entered the West Building. Since I rarely set foot over here, even just walking through felt fresh. The classrooms I peeked into from the hallway somehow looked cleaner. Specifically, the window frames and doors showed no signs of aging. It made sense, considering the school’s funds had been poured into this "West Side" until just a few years ago. It gave me a grounded sense of reality—that discrimination really had existed at this school once.
I was an "East Side" student, but I didn't feel much resentment toward this preferential treatment in terms of facilities. It seemed like the people associated with the West Side students had provided a proportional amount of support to the school, and I suspected some of it might have been out of genuine goodwill. Even rich people wouldn’t want to keep providing support if they got nothing in return. In fact, I’d heard the amount of support for this year’s Cultural Festival was lower than last year’s.
If excessive "justice" ended up eliminating even reasonable "preferential measures," then I didn't know what was right anymore. I hadn't been told any specifics, but if the whole school had been involved, I felt it couldn't be helped.
"Oh, Yoshino. What a pathetic sight."
"..."
"Hey, Yoshino! Are you even listening!?"
"...?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I turned around to find a conspicuous, blond, lady-like student. She was a biracial returnee and the fiancée of our Student Council President, Yuuki-senpai. If I recalled correctly, her name was Shinonome something-or-other... something. I only remembered her surname.
As I watched, I locked eyes with Lady Shinonome. Then, to my surprise, she actually flashed a bright smile at me.
However, the person Miss Shinonome had business with was Yoshino—not me. I just gave a nod with a look that said, 'Sup. Long time no see. You been good? Anyway, later.'
"Wait! Where do you think you're going?! Are you actually planning to ignore me, Shinonome Claudine Marika!?"
"O-Oh..."
The blond young lady zipped around to block my path. I felt like she'd done me a favor by politely introducing herself with her full name. Being glared at by a neat, blond beauty was quite intimidating, even with our height difference. Biracial girls are terrifying... Right, I should ask that Yoshino person she called out to for help.
...Wait, huh?
"E-Err... Where's Yoshino-san?"
"Yoshino. What are you talking about?"
The young lady looked straight up into my eyes and called me Yoshino. Oh boy, don't tell me... she thinks I'm Yoshino? Good grief... forgetting someone's name is the absolute worst! My name is Sajou—
"...Wait."
Hold on a second. If I remember correctly, this young lady absolutely despises my Nee-chan, doesn't she? That was close... I almost blurted out my name. Thank goodness I'm dressed as a dog. If I were in my uniform, I'd be wearing a nameplate.
"That's me. Yoshino."
"I know that. Honestly... just like your outfit, you have the intelligence of a dog."
"Mghhh..."
This woman... the things she says. For her information, I've been taking my classes seriously lately because I realized I was in a bad spot! My handwriting when I copy the board into my notebook is unnecessarily elegant! As for the content... well, I'll get to that eventually.
"S-So...? What business do you have with this lowly Yoshino?"
"Nothing in particular. I simply saw a dog walking out of the corner of my eye and decided to speak to it."
"I-I see. Well then—"
"Wait."
"Agh..."
She stopped me with the sheer pressure of her voice. Yoshino’s in a hurry here...
When I turned back, the young lady had her arms crossed, looking displeased. I didn't know what kind of superiority she thought she had to be acting so haughty, but it's a man's nature to stop when a member of the opposite sex holds them back. I found myself instinctively obeying.
"Wh-What might it be?"
"Are you aware of tomorrow's stage event?"
"...Stage event?"
On the second day of the Cultural Festival, there were events restricted to students. It was an occasion where everyone gathered in the Gymnasium to enjoy performances on a special stage. Naturally, since I was involved in the management of the festival, I was aware of its existence. Though since I wasn't in any clubs or committees, I was just going to be a spectator.
"Well... at least what's listed on the program for current students."
"Then you must also know about the Fashion Club's Model Contest."
"Yeah, basically a fashion show, right? I'm looking forward to it."
Once you're a high schooler, autonomy is expected, so I doubted the school would have much to say about the outfits for the event. I'm counting on some skin.
"In that case, make sure you vote for me."
"Eh, you're entering?"
"There is no reason not to enter when I possess such beauty."
Wow... that's totally rigged. Or is it? She was telling me to vote for her without offering anything in return. That felt worse than a bribe. Well... it wasn't like I had a reason to refuse, though.
"I mean, you've got that blond, biracial look going for you, Miss. Can't you aim for the win without even asking for favors?"
"Naturally. However, the seniors have 'friendship votes' and 'popularity votes' on their side, so I cannot win on looks alone. I must make my own moves in my own way. Also, stop calling me 'Miss'."
"I see."
In the first place, aren't those kinds of spotlight events usually dominated by the third-years? Even if first or second-years entered, it felt like the atmosphere made it a given that a third-year would win. I wondered if it was even okay for a first-year to aim for victory.
"Well? Will you vote for me?"
"Yeah, well... sure, why not."
It wasn't like Natsukawa or any of my other acquaintances were entering the Model Contest. While I felt a slight hesitation since I'd intended to vote for whoever was genuinely the best, it wasn't that big a deal. Even if the person was a stuck-up lady, being told "Choose me!" made me not mind casting a vote for her. No need to overthink the details.
"Hmph. That is all, then. You may go."
"Wow..."
She shooed me away like a stray dog. Perhaps because I already had an image of her being haughty, I didn't feel any anger. If anything, I felt a sense of novelty, as if I were experiencing the values of another world. So this is... high society!
I figured showing any defiance here would be like stepping on a landmine, so I decided to retreat quietly. Besides, I was in a hurry.
"...Hmm..."
As I left, once I'd put some distance between us, I remembered something and looked back.
The lady was still standing there with her arms crossed, looking grumpy. I recalled her having a few followers around her before, but I noticed she was alone despite it being the Cultural Festival. Oh my, are you a loner on a day like this? Well, if she were really a loner, she'd probably have a gloomier look on her face.
That slight bit of sympathy vanished as I picked up my pace.
"—Eh, Sasaki-kun? He came back a little while ago."
"What?"
Since then, I'd been running around the school at a jogging pace.
The last place I'd headed was the rooftop. It was managed by the Student Council, and naturally, it wasn't open, but I was able to make it up to the door. I'd peeked in, trembling with anxiety over whether I'd find a couple in a good mood—not just Sasaki—but I didn't find a single pair. It looked like I'd be able to sleep well tonight.
I guess this was the limit for me and my Sasaki Test Grade 5. I'd checked the places he might go based on his personality and behavioral patterns, but I couldn't think of anywhere else. I checked my phone, but there were no messages from Ichinose-san or Sasaki-san. They hadn't found Yuki-chan yet either. I'd also messaged Ashida halfway through, but it hadn't even been marked as read. Don't tell me... have I been blocked?
At this point, I decided to stop relying on my intuition and headed back to the classroom to do some questioning, which was when I easily obtained a sighting from our Class Representative.
"I mean, of course he's back. Sasaki-kun is supposed to be a shill for the Quiz Contest from now on, right? It would be a problem if he didn't come back. Anyway, take that thing off."
"Ah, wait, Iiboshi-san!? We're in the hallway! This is the hallway!"
I managed to stop Iiboshi-san as she tried to fish the zipper out from my collar. She told me to hurry up and change behind the partition inside the classroom. It seemed Sasaki was there too.
"......That's right."
Right, Sasaki still had work left today. I didn't need to search all over the place; if I'd just come back to the classroom, Sasaki would have naturally returned on his own. I'd wasted so much stamina...
But the fact that he came back on time meant he hadn't run into Yuki-chan? Knowing Yuki-chan, I felt like things would have definitely turned loud if he'd been caught. Did that jerk just have a normal, flirtatious time with some girl and then stroll back? A shoulder punch wouldn't be uncalled for, right?
"Hey, Sasaki—huh?"
Two people were looking uncomfortable in crude rat and cow costumes. Yasuda was sitting there in just a black T-shirt, having taken off his dress shirt. And further back, a life-form that looked like Sasaki was sitting in a chair with a dazed expression.
...Wait, what? Didn't that guy go around the Cultural Festival with a girl? Why does he look so depressed? Eh, don't tell me he ran into Yuki-chan? Was it "after"? Like, the "after"? Has he already been confined and escaped?
"......Oh, Sajou. You're back. Take that off, quick."
"O-Oh... huh?"
Wait, hang on. Are you going to wear the one I just took off?
The. One. I. Just. Took. Off.