The Cultural Festival had finally arrived.
I woke up at my usual time. It was five in the morning. Since it was the day of the festival, the academy was already buzzing with excitement.
We had finished the interior decorations yesterday, and the main gate was now adorned with grand displays. Stalls were already lined up along the path leading from the gate to the school building; everything was ready.
"Phew... the weather is nice today, too."
I skipped my morning run and went for a walk by myself instead.
I was genuinely curious. This was my first time participating in a festival. I had read about them in books, but experiencing one for the first time made my heart dance with anticipation.
Preparations for both my class and the Student Council were complete.
I had done everything I could. It was fair to say I had given it my all.
My feet naturally led me to a familiar spot. As I made my way through the campus, where the festival was just beginning, I arrived at the small garden I had created during the first semester.
Since it was my turn for watering duty, I had come to tend the plants. I filled the watering can I’d brought from the clubroom and began watering the flowers. The morning sun caught the droplets, making them sparkle with a beautiful brilliance.
However, that sun no longer held the harsh intensity of summer.
It was that gentle light unique to the autumn season. Having finished the watering, I realized I still had some time to spare, so I settled onto a nearby bench and produced a homemade sandwich.
I wasn't entirely sure why, but I’d felt a sudden urge to have breakfast here today.
"Ray-san... why are you here?"
"Rebecca-senpai."
I looked to my right and saw Rebecca-senpai standing there. Her expression was one of pure disbelief. I felt the same way.
I never expected to run into her at this exact time. It was just a whim I had followed after waking up.
This truly was nothing more than a coincidence.
At the same time, however, I remembered how she and I often ate lunch together here. Perhaps, subconsciously, I had been hoping for this.
Hoping that Rebecca-senpai might come here.
"Well, I came for my watering duty and thought I’d have some breakfast while I was at it."
"Eh...? Wasn't today my turn?"
Rebecca-senpai looked blankly at me. However, if my memory served me correctly, today was definitely my turn.
"With all due respect, I'm quite sure today is my day."
"...I-is that so? My apologies. It seems I made a mistake."
She apologized while restlessly fidgeting with her hair. Naturally, I had no intention of blaming her.
"Why don't you sit down, Rebecca-senpai?"
"I suppose I should, since I'm already here. If you'll excuse me."
As she sat down beside me, a faint citrus scent wafted past my nose. It was likely her perfume. It was a very pleasant fragrance.
Because the bench was designed for two, we were quite close. So close, in fact, that our shoulders were almost touching.
I decided to offer a sandwich to the girl beside me. There was no point in eating alone.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"
"No."
"Then please, have this."
"What's this?"
"A sandwich. I made it myself."
It was a sandwich filled with lettuce, cheese, and scrambled eggs. I had toasted the bread until the surface was crisp, so I was sure she would like it.
"...You made this yourself, Ray-san?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No! Well then, thank you for the food."
Our eyes met. Then, Rebecca-senpai broke into a wide smile.
There was no shadow in her expression; it was the same beautiful smile as always. Yet, I couldn't quite grasp what lay beneath it. Given the situation with Maria, there was no doubt that something was weighing on her.
She continued to hide it. If I missed the timing to intervene, or if I made a mistake, everything would be over.
That was why I continued to carefully gauge the distance between us. Besides, I would soon receive information from Carla. I should wait until then to take action.
"...Mmm! This is delicious!"
"Heh. It's one of my specialties. Though it's a bit too simple to really be called 'cooking'."
"No, I think it's wonderful."
"I'm honored."
Sitting side by side, we munched on sandwiches while bathed in the morning sun. It reminded me of the days we’d spent together before.
At the very beginning, I had found Rebecca-senpai sitting here alone, eating. Back then, we had shared fruit sandwiches.
Nearly half a year had passed since then, and here we were again in the same place, spending time the same way. The time spent with Rebecca-senpai was incredibly calm and comfortable.
"The Cultural Festival."
The words escaped her lips. It sounded more like a soliloquy than a comment directed at me.
"I hope it turns out to be fun."
"I'm sure it will be. This is my first time, so I'm looking forward to it."
"Hehe. Is that so? In that case, we absolutely have to make it a success."
"Yes!"
The Cultural Festival. I definitely wanted it to be a success. Everyone in class had cooperated and given their all. I was sure the result would be satisfying.
"My class is running a Maid Cafe, so you definitely have to come."
"You're appearing in that form, aren't you?"
"Yes. It's only for an hour a day, but I'm scheduled to appear in that form."
Rumors of my appearance had already been circulated.
This was done intentionally. According to Amelia, it would be a major draw for customers. Her passion was extraordinary. She truly seemed to want to enjoy this festival from the bottom of her heart.
"Your cross-dressing has ascended to the level of art, Ray-san. I'm looking forward to it too, you know?"
Having finished her sandwich, Rebecca-senpai dusted off her hands and wiped them with a handkerchief.
Then, she gave a smile that was different from her usual gentle one—it was almost a smirk. I felt a slight pang of sentimentality, realizing how many different expressions of hers I had come to see.
"Thank you. It seems Maria is looking forward to it as well."
"Maria... is?"
"Actually..."
I told Rebecca-senpai about what had happened during the Magics Chevalier.
She seemed to understand, murmuring, "Ah... I see. So that was it."
"Maria asked me the other day how Lily-oneesama was doing... So that was why. Fortunately, I managed to give her a vague answer."
"I hope I can find the right time to tell Maria eventually..."
"'Lily-oneesama,' huh? Even though I'm her real big sister... Hehe. You really are an interesting person, Ray-san."
She let out a little giggle.
I felt somewhat apologetic. I already knew about the friction between Maria and Rebecca-senpai.
Maria harbored an inferiority complex toward her older sister. I wondered if that played a part in why she adored 'Lily-oneesama' so much.
"By the way, when did you become so close with Maria?"
Our eyes met once again.
I couldn't tell what she was thinking behind those eyes.
"...It's hard to say exactly when. I suppose I've gotten close to Maria quite recently."
"I see. That girl usually loathes men..."
"Is that so?"
Senpai looked away from me and stared straight ahead. She gazed off into the distance.
"Yes. She's had a lot to deal with in the past because of her appearance."
"...I see."
"But it seems she's opened up to you, Ray-san. I'm glad. It seems her circle of friends is expanding."
"It seems Maria and I get along well. We've become good friends."
Rebecca-senpai stood up and turned around. Her skirt fluttered upward before settling back down.
At that moment, a breeze blew.
Her glossy black hair swayed. Without trying to hold it down, she peered into my eyes, staring at me sharply.
"Please take care of Maria."
"Senpai..."
"I am engaged. Since my older brother will inherit the family, I will be leaving. Because of that, the time I spend with Maria will likely decrease even further. Besides, she seems uncomfortable around me. So, Ray-san, please look after Maria. She's a bit blunt and has a foul mouth, but she's a good girl at heart. She's a very kind child."
"I will. But what about you, Rebecca-senpai...?"
"Don't worry about me. So please, continue to be friends with her."
She turned on her heel.
Senpai gave a slight bow and then walked away, leaving me there.
Why? Why was it?
Why did she say such things with that sorrowful expression? Just what was going on?
Left alone, I couldn't help but see the Rebecca-senpai from the end of that summer overlapping with her current self.
And finally, the Cultural Festival began—