Pink lighting danced wildly to the rhythm of some familiar pop music as the monitors on stage flickered to life.
The "KOETSU FASHION COLLECTION" logo pulsed on the screen. They must have poured a ridiculous amount of money into this. From the perspective of someone who had been through the wringer during festival preparations, it was almost scary to think there might be some absurdly powerful backer on the management side.
"Whoa...!"
"Amazing!"
Natsukawa and Ashida both looked genuinely excited by the professional-level production. Well... as long as everyone was enjoying themselves, I supposed it wasn't my place to worry. I decided to just applaud the Fashion Club’s dedication.
A female senior I recognized emerged from the wings wearing a bowtie and holding a microphone decorated with sparkling glitter. She was a total party person. If I recalled correctly, she was from the Broadcasting and Drama Club and often appeared as one of the MCs during school ceremonies. I wouldn't be surprised to see her on TV as an announcer in a few years.
The BGM shifted to a crisp, steady beat, and the lighting returned to a neutral tone, focusing on her.
"‘Fashion sense is decided by your face.’ Let’s put an end to that old jinx. Hello, everyone. I’m MC Kurahashi from Kouetsu High School’s Broadcasting Club."
So cool. She sounded just like a radio personality.
Kurahashi-paisen maintained a perfectly expressionless face despite her flashy attire. Her popularity probably stemmed from that exact gap. I wondered if she was being forced into this, but the way she held the microphone—angled like a professional introducing a classic pop song—made me think she was actually really into it deep down...
"The Fashion Club of our school has been tossed around by ever-changing trends. With autumn upon us once again, we wake up, turn on the TV, and see a completely different trend being featured compared to last year. But what does that matter? We JKs are the ones who create the trends. Adults, can you keep up—with our speed?"
That was incredibly rock...
The venue erupted. To my left, a girl standing a short distance away jumped up and shouted, "Yeah!!" I flinched, startled by her arm flying up. This place felt like the girls' home turf; if I joined in the excitement like that, I’d probably stick out in the worst way... I’d better just watch quietly.
After a call-and-response from MC Kurahashi, there was a brief explanation of the voting app, and the BGM changed again. The runway walk was finally beginning.
"First up, representing the third-years. Last year, she made a bold statement with bright hair and a china dress. Takemoto Megumi-san! Shifting completely from last year’s attempt at maturity, she has returned with a valiant look—short black hair and a military-style long coat!"
Wait, is this a cosplay show!?
The senior appeared with a shameless smile and struck a pose for the crowd. Her dignified presence suggested she was a veteran of the stage. She must have walked this runway last year, too. A clip of what appeared to be her from the previous festival played on the monitor for a few seconds. Oh man, a china dress! A china dress!
"Oh, so that’s the kind of vibe they're going for..."
"Halloween is right around the corner, after all. Right, Sajocchi?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah, I guess so."
"..."
Natsukawa dropped her gaze to the floor and fell silent. It was definitely because Ashida had emphasized Halloween—Natsukawa's birthday. It was always a little complicated when a birthday overlapped with a holiday... I knew that feeling all too well myself.
Several more cosplay-style outfits followed, but in the second half, a more "authentic" fashion show began under the title "Get a Head Start on College! Private Clothes Feature." I had an image of student events using cheap materials for their costumes, but these didn't look like that at all. The Fashion Club's serious commitment was on full display.
"..."
"..."
When I glanced to my right, both Natsukawa and Ashida were staring at the stage with sparkling eyes. Unlike during the cosplay segment, they seemed genuinely interested in a different way. I had seen Natsukawa’s and Ashida’s private clothes before, but they weren't quite like those. Maybe they were still in the middle of studying up on fashion. Not that I, a guy who just bought whatever looked trendy at the time, had any right to judge.
While I was staring at Natsukawa’s profile, trying not to get caught, MC Kurahashi began introducing the next model.
"Next up, from the first-year class, Shinonome Claudine Marika-san! Harnessing her natural French heritage, she’s here to throw down the gauntlet to her seniors! Will her true value be displayed here today!?"
"Oh, here she comes."
That name, with its mix of foreign phonetics, sounded familiar. The sensation of realization—"Ah...! That’s right, that was her name!"—confirmed it was the Young Lady. I knew she was mixed-race, but I hadn't known she was French until now.
"Is that the girl Sajocchi is supporting?"
"Well... yeah. It’s not like we’re strangers. I’m curious to see how she does."
"...Hmph."
We had only met a few times. So far, my impression of her was that of a disappointing, arrogant young lady who was somehow a bit clumsy, but her appearance was certainly perfect for modeling. Even though she had been trying to rig the vote, she probably would have done quite well even without the cheating.
"Now then, let's see—"
I turned my eyes toward the stage and lost my words.
What caught my eye first was that shimmering, radiant blonde hair.
It seemed to pulse with an aura, swaying with her majestic stride and leaving particles of light in her wake. I rubbed my eyes, wondering if this mystical sight was an illusion, but I realized it wasn't a mistake.
"...Whoa..."
A beat later, logic began to surface in my mind. That shimmer was just the reflection of the stage lights, and those "particles of light" were just dust motes dancing in the air. Realizing the unglamorous truth, I chided myself for being such a buzzkill.
Still, her bearing—transforming every element around her into her own charm—was something worthy of unreserved praise.
She wore a long-sleeved, off-white turtle knit that peeked out slightly at the shoulders. The heels of her brown boots accentuated the length of her slender legs. While the splash of red in her loose-fitting short pants and casquette was striking, her shining blonde hair radiated a presence that refused to be outdone by anything else.
The moment when "cute" transformed into "beautiful"—I felt like I had just glimpsed it.
"Wow..."
"Amazing..."
Both Ashida and Natsukawa seemed overwhelmed by the sight; she wouldn't have been out of place on a professional runway. I was curious about the crowd's reaction, but my gaze was strangely drawn back to the mass of light on the stage.
—You really went all out, Young Lady.
I was impressed enough to think that. My heart was racing, just like the first time I experienced Natsukawa’s kindness. If I had to name the difference between the two heartbeats, this one wasn't a reaction to kindness, but to the violence of pure charm. She had demonstrated a difference in caliber with an undeniable presence. To make just walking feel like a performance was truly incredible.
"...Ah, she's number 21."
"She doesn't really need that tag, does she?"
"Well, without it, we wouldn't know her number..."
A small object slightly dampened the Young Lady's serious charm: a round tag with a black "21" written on it was dangling from her waist. Well, it couldn't be helped; people couldn't vote if they didn't know the number. All the seniors were under the same condition.
The Young Lady turned around, her waist-length blonde hair sweeping across the front, and returned to the back of the stage with a majestic walk. That was seriously impressive. Given those natural features, there was probably nothing that wouldn't look good on her if she put her mind to it. Even as a guy, I felt envious.
Once the seniors and the Young Lady had finished their walks, the venue's lighting and BGM shifted to something more subdued. It seemed the performances were over.
"The boys in the audience must have had their eyes glued to these charming girls. I have some unfortunate news for you. From among these thirty people, you must choose only one as your favorite. Now, don't run away. The time of destiny has begun."
You were the best, MC Kurahashi.
As I gave a thumbs-up toward the stage in a gesture of satisfied gratitude, the performers appeared from both wings to line up. It was finally voting time. You were beyond reproach, Young Lady. You’re number one.
"As expected of Sajocchi's pick. I’m actually moved."
"Right? I’m the one who raised her. Also, she’s not my 'pick.'"
"You didn't raise her at all."
I let out a grunt at Natsukawa’s accurate retort and pulled out my smartphone. I launched the designated app, and the screen switched to the voting page. The models' names weren't displayed... Let's see. I was pretty sure the Young Lady was number 21. She’d probably be mad if I got it wrong. Not that she could actually tell who voted for whom.
I honestly voted for number 21. Regardless of her asking me, the result was beyond question. You can do it when you try, Young Lady.
When I asked Natsukawa and Ashida, it turned out they had both voted for her as well. It seemed they also wanted to support a fellow first-year. I wish I’d been born half-Western, too... someone like Sajou Bouillabaisse Wataru. Something about that name sounds savory... Wait, what was bouillabaisse again?
"The voting period is now closed! We are currently tallying the results, so please wait a moment!"
"I didn't really know anyone else... I wish Rin-sama had been in it."
"She definitely would have crossdressed. In a butler suit. I can already hear the high-pitched screams..."
"Stop it, that just makes me want to see it even more."
"I'll try asking her next time."
"Really!?"
"Sure. She's probably a pushover."
"Just what do you think of her..."
While we were talking, the BGM grew louder, and the lighting focused on the stage intensified. The performers emerged from the wings in order and lined up. Even among them, the blonde, half-Japanese Young Lady radiated a unique presence. Perhaps because she was deeply satisfied with her performance, she had a smug look on her face with her hands on her hips. You should have kept that mature expression until the very end.
Then, the Young Lady began looking around the audience, searching for someone.
"Is she... looking for me!?"
"No way."
"No way."
Hey, let me have my hopes!
While the two of them were giving me cold stares, we must have stood out, because my eyes actually met the Young Lady's. Since we weren't total strangers, I gave her a cool-looking thumbs-up.
"She has a look on her face like, 'It’s definitely not you,'" Ashida noted.
"No, that’s just her hiding her embarrassment. I can tell."
"No way."
"Come to think of it... she did seem like a rather prickly girl..." Natsukawa added.
My desperate bravado was completely shut down, and the Young Lady seemingly gave up on looking for whoever it was and stood still like a mannequin, staring straight ahead.
"The tallying of the votes is now complete. And now! For the results!"
The surrounding crowd began to buzz. Everyone was curious about who had given the best performance. Men and women have different evaluation criteria, after all; unlike me, who was simply captivated, the votes might actually be quite spread out. Well, Young Lady... will you take first place?
"Kouetsu High School 49th Cultural Festival—Kouetsu Fashion Collection! Who is the girl who will claim this year's Grand Prize! Now! The result is!"
The entire venue went dark, and a drumroll echoed throughout the gym. Above us, the lighting crew was working hard to move the lights in a figure-eight pattern. My corporate slave nature, which made me notice the behind-the-scenes workers, made me a little sad...
"The Grand Prize winner is—this person!"
With a loud bang of a drum stroke, all the lights converged into a single beam, pointing at one spot. Standing there was—
"Entry No. 21! A first-time winner from the first-year class! Shinonome Claudine Marika-san!"
"Ohh...!"
Cheers and applause erupted. Whistles and hooting could be heard from everywhere. It seemed everyone in the audience agreed with the result. I found myself clapping naturally, feeling happy for her.
"That was amazing. Regardless of any rigging, she was a clear first place."
"She must have worked hard."
"Are you going to enter next year, Natsukawa?"
"Eh, that’s a bit much... Aichi, you do it."
"Ehh...!? But my height... and I'm not good in front of people..."
"I'll put in a hundred votes for you."
"That’s voter fraud...!"
On stage, the Young Lady was being congratulated by the seniors on either side of her. Normally, you’d expect a "how dare a first-year act so smug" vibe, but she must have shown how hard she was working. Surely there was a process I didn't see, not just the result.
The Fashion Club president appeared from the wings and handed a glass trophy to the Young Lady. I thought I saw her tearing up a little. I didn't know the background, but I’d have to go say "congratulations" to her later. Though she’d probably brag about it with a smug face.
"Man... I thought she was just a pitiful, disappointing young lady, but—wait, what?"
"Eh, what happened!?"
At that moment, the lights in the venue cut out. The sudden darkness caused a wave of confusion to spread through the crowd. Someone gripped my right arm tightly. Given the direction, it could only be Natsukawa. I mentally vowed to protect her, even at the cost of my life. Come at me, whoever you are.
"Whoa, a sudden blackout! Could this be a mishap!? It seems the God of Kouetsu is throwing a tantrum because they don't want this to end yet!"
Are you serious?
We were enveloped in darkness due to a divine prank. Apparently, we were trapped in the venue. A death game was about to begin. I decided to offer up my life to protect Natsukawa. Let's meet again in the next life.
Jokes aside, judging by MC Kurahashi’s obviously staged tone, this blackout was planned from the start. It appeared something like a live concert encore was waiting for us. I wondered what a surprise at a fashion show would even be... a celebrity appearance? A real model showing up? Or maybe an actress?
"The lights have come on over the stage! A black curtain is covering something! Just what could be on the other side!?"
What an incredible production. The performers lined up on the stage hurried away from the front of the curtain. Someone big must be waiting behind it. They were being quite cruel, not even showing a silhouette. Is it okay to raise the bar this high? I really hope it’s not some middle-aged guy in a yellow suit doing a gag where he points his hands like pistols.
"The grand reveal! The ones closing out today's event are...!"
A popular comedian? Or Akibazaka46!? Is a full-blown concert about to start? This Cultural Festival is insane! This is where the real show begins!
My excitement was at its absolute peak!
"————The Student Council members!!"
Give me a break, you bastards!!
I knew it.