「Eh... wait, um...!」
And so, in a somewhat forceful manner, Rebecca-senpai was ushered to the center of the stage.
From the looks of it, there had been no prior arrangement. Rebecca-senpai glanced around in confusion, a bewildered expression on her face.
「Now then, it’s time for our traditional question round!」
『Oooooohhhh!』
As Dina-senpai made the announcement, the boys in the front row erupted. I had no idea when so many male students had gathered there, but they were displaying an extraordinary level of excitement.
「Now then, Rebecca-sama. What is your hobby?」
「My—my hobby...?」
Rebecca-senpai seemed to have accepted the situation, as she appeared ready to answer.
When it came to her hobbies... that was a difficult question. Dina-senpai likely knew as well, but her true hobby was drawing manga.
However, Rebecca-senpai surely wouldn’t want to make that public. I knew that much from the time we spent together this past summer. I wondered how she would respond... and then, she timidly opened her mouth.
「Um... gardening, eating sweets, and artistic activities... I suppose. I enjoy things like drawing pictures.」
There was something heart-wrenching about the way she answered while looking slightly downward.
As I watched Rebecca-senpai on the stage, I felt strangely anxious—as if I wanted to jump in and save her. It was a new feeling for me, and I was a little perplexed by it.
「You heard her! Rebecca-sama’s hobbies are sophisticated!」
『Oh, ooooooooooooooohhh!』
The boys erupted even further. At this point, I wasn't sure if this was a Miss Contest or a personal fan event. It felt more like Rebecca-senpai’s own special stage.
But the area was overflowing with smiles. Dina-senpai proceeded with the event while smiling, and the surrounding students were laughing as well. Though there were some over-enthusiastic fans, the scene was enveloped in a warm atmosphere.
And Rebecca-senpai, standing in the center, was also faintly smiling even as her face turned red.
Perhaps this was a gift from Dina-senpai—a wish for her friend to enjoy this Cultural Festival, even if just a little.
No, I was sure of it. There was no doubt. I knew Dina-senpai’s feelings. That was precisely why she had involved Rebecca-senpai in such a surprise fashion. She wanted her friend to be part of the festival instead of just watching it from afar.
From there, the questioning continued as before... until finally, the last question arrived. This one was bound to be a minefield. That was because the question was about her romantic interests.
「Now then, Rebecca-sama. This will be the final question.」
「Y-Yes!」
Rebecca-senpai seemed to have grown accustomed to the spotlight, as her responses had become more firm.
「Do you currently have someone you like? In a romantic sense, that is...」
「Ah... u-um... well...」
She looked down again. At the same time, she cast a quick glance from the stage toward our side. It was surely a coincidence, but I felt our eyes meet for a moment.
「...Of course, I am engaged, so I hope I can grow to love Evan-sama from here on out.」
Rebecca-senpai declared this with a resolute attitude.
The male students who had been cheering until now fell silent for once. And with that, Rebecca-senpai’s turn finally ended, leading into the winner announcement for the Miss Contest.
Each student placed a slip of paper into the ballot box, and the organizers counted them. The process was handled so efficiently that it was over in the blink of an eye.
Then, as Rebecca-senpai stepped back onto the stage and gave a small bow, the announcement was finally made.
「Now, I will announce the winner of this year's Miss Contest. The winner is...」
When she opened the folded piece of paper, Rebecca-senpai began to tremble right then and there. She hid her face behind the paper, so I couldn't see her expression from here.
However, her reaction made it obvious who had won.
While she stood frozen, Dina-senpai came from the wings of the stage and swiftly snatched the paper from her.
「Yes! Well, I think you already know, but this year's winner is Rebecca-sama! Be happy!」
『Uooooooooooooooooh!』
『Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!』
This time, deep cheers were joined by high-pitched screams of delight. I realized once again that Rebecca-senpai had just as many female fans as male ones.
Well... I had voted for her this time too.
「Hey, Ray.」
「What is it, Amelia?」
Amelia was staring intently at Rebecca-senpai with a gentle expression. She likely had her own thoughts while watching her friend.
「Rebecca-senpai...」
「Yeah.」
「She looks like she’s having fun.」
「No doubt about it.」
Bathed in everyone's congratulations, Rebecca-senpai was still red-faced and acting shy. 「Goodness, everyone, please stop! I’ll get angry!」 she protested, but even that was charming in its own way. Every student in the auditorium seemed captivated by her.
That's right. Rebecca-senpai really was a charming person. She was a kind soul who drew people in and was beloved by them. I found myself realizing the depth of her charm once again.
In this way, the second day of the Cultural Festival came to an end. Though it had its share of turbulent moments, I was sure it had become a wonderful memory for Rebecca-senpai.
◇
Evening passed, and night began to fall.
I submitted an off-campus pass and headed out into the city. My official reason was to restock some supplies for the Maid Cafe. That wasn't a lie, but it was merely secondary.
My true goal was to reach Abby-san’s house.
I walked down the slope from the Academy and headed toward the city’s Central District. On a whim, I looked up at the night sky. Like many nights recently, a beautiful expanse stretched out above me. The stars twinkled brilliantly, illuminating the world with their light.
Nights like this weren't bad at all.
Lost in thought, I continued alone until I reached Abby-san’s residence. I struck the bird-shaped door knocker three times, and Carla-san soon appeared.
「Ray-sama. Everyone has already gathered. Please, come inside.」
「Excuse me.」
After a light bow, I entered to find a familiar group.
Master, Abby-san, Carol, and Carla-san were there, along with the Club President. In the corner, I also saw the Club President’s family members, whom I had met during the Magics Chevalier, standing at attention.
「Ray. You've come.」
「Master, you were here as well.」
「Of course. This whole affair is quite fishy, after all...」
The room was thick with tension. Usually, Carol would find some excuse to initiate physical contact when she saw me, but she didn't do that tonight. She just sat quietly on the sofa, sipping her tea.
I thought to myself that Carol would be a fine woman if she just stayed quiet... but there was no point dwelling on that.
As I took an empty seat, Carla-san stepped forward to address the main topic.
「I have completed the investigation Ray-sama requested. The true identity of Evan Bernstein has been uncovered.」
From her tone, I knew for certain that he had a hidden side.
「——He is a famous Magic Eye Collector who has been illegally gathering Magic Eyes behind the scenes.」
「Which means his target is Rebecca-senpai’s Magic Eye...?」
I interjected immediately. Given the context, that was the only logical conclusion. However, Carla-san’s expression clouded slightly.
「...It is only natural to think so. However, there are far too many inexplicable points regarding this case.」
「Meaning...?」
Carla-san continued in her characteristically flat tone.
「Obtaining this information was far too easy. It was almost as if he wanted us to find out quickly.」
「...」
He wasn't trying to keep the information hidden?
But this was information that should have been kept secret at all costs. Not only would it be a massive scandal, but he would undoubtedly be detained and the engagement annulled. The probability of Evan being imprisoned was extremely high.
And yet, he made no effort to hide it? What did that mean?
Was it because Rebecca-senpai knew this that she was unable to act?
The situation was growing more convoluted. We were gradually approaching the truth, but we would later learn that it was something completely unexpected.
The will writhing in the shadows of this Kingdom continued to swell.