Morning arrived, just like any other.
Usually, I loved the time spent bathed in the morning sun. And yet, today, I couldn't bring myself to feel even a spark of excitement.
"...It’s morning already."
I stared at the light filtering through the curtains. A dazzling radiance spilled into the room.
To my eyes, that brilliant glow seemed somehow dull today. It wasn't because of any physical ailment. It was simply that my heart was unable to process the beauty of it.
The final day of the Cultural Festival.
This would be the last day of the festival I’d spend with everyone. While there would be another festival next year, the one happening right now was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I had wanted to enjoy it from the bottom of my heart... or at least, I had until that moment yesterday.
"..."
I rolled out of bed and began my morning routine. Today, I was scheduled to work the kitchen at the Maid Cafe during the morning shift, and then transform into Lily for the afternoon.
Then tonight, on the final night of the festival, the Post-festival Party awaited.
All the preparations were complete. I intended to carry out my duties assisting the Student Council with the utmost diligence.
"Phew..."
I caught my reflection in the mirror.
The same Ray White as always stared back at me.
I placed a hand softly against the glass.
I—we—had discovered the truth. All of it.
I was used to killing my heart. I was well-acquainted with the act of suppressing my own self and enduring in silence. But despite that, some remnant of emotion always managed to linger. No matter how hard I tried to hold myself down, those feelings would rebel.
"Why must I always..."
Why was I only capable of making these kinds of choices?
Could I pull this off?
Could I do what needed to be done?
Would I truly be able to break Rebecca-senpai?
It was a mission—the one task I had been assigned in this entire affair.
I had wanted to save her. That was my prayer. But the situation had escalated far beyond anything I had anticipated.
Bruno Bradley.
Evan Bernstein.
By speaking with those two, I had learned what my role had to be. To save her, I would fulfill my mission. That was all there was to it.
"Ray, what’s up? You’re spacing out over there."
As I stood frozen before the mirror, Evi looked at me with a suspicious expression.
"No, it’s nothing. Evi, today's the final day. Let’s give it everything we’ve got."
"Heh! You bet!"
And so, the curtain finally rose on the final day of the Cultural Festival.
◇
"Heh heh heh... today is the day. I’m definitely going to do it."
Inside a classroom, a lone girl let out a fearless chuckle.
Her golden hair was tied into high twin-tails as always, but they looked even sharper and more deliberate than usual. Clarice, whose trademark was those very twin-tails, had been waiting for this day with bated breath.
"Hey, Elisa."
"What is it, Clarice-chan?"
This went back to the time Clarice had invited Elisa to her class's attraction.
"My class is doing a haunted house."
"Um... well, I’m actually really scared of ghosts and stuff... but I think it’s a great idea! Yeah."
"It’s a masterpiece."
"Y-Yeah..."
At the time, Elisa had been intimidated by the sheer, ghastly intensity with which Clarice had approached her. She was being much more aggressive than usual, which left even Elisa feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"So, I really want you to enjoy it too, Elisa."
"Eh, but... like I said, it’s really scary..."
"It’ll be fine."
"Wait, so it’s not that scary?"
"You can bring Ray with you."
"With Ray-kun?"
Elisa had blinked in surprise.
Of course, this was all part of Clarice’s strategy. She had already cleared it with Ray beforehand, asking him to accompany Elisa to the haunted house on the final day.
In truth, she had wanted the whole group to come, but due to shift schedules, she could only ask Ray. He was incredibly busy himself, but he wasn't the type to coldly refuse a friend's request. He had agreed immediately.
"Yeah. If you’re with Ray, it won’t be scary, right? Elisa, the thing is..."
Clarice had taken Elisa’s hands in hers, squeezing them tight. Her face took on an expression of saintly, motherly affection.
"I just want you to enjoy my class's hard work. After all, we’re friends, aren't we?"
"Clarice-chan..."
Elisa’s eyes had grown misty. However, it was all an act by the great actress Clarice. Everything was a setup to achieve her revenge.
—Heh heh heh... finally, my vengeance will be complete! Heh heh heh...
And so, the day finally came.
Using their break time, Elisa and Ray arrived at Clarice’s classroom. Rumors had already spread that this class's haunted house was on an entirely different level.
While haunted houses were a staple attraction, Clarice’s class had centered theirs around magic, drastically heightening the atmosphere. Blue fireballs, moving skeletons, the Slit-Mouthed Woman—every gimmick was executed to a high standard. They were pulling in nearly as many customers as Ray’s class, a crowd that showed no signs of thinning even on the final day.
"Elisa, are you alright?"
"U-Uh-huh! I’m fine!"
As they stood in line, Elisa was clearly already terrified, clutching the hem of Ray’s uniform as if her life depended on it. Her legs were visibly trembling.
Ray was aware of Clarice’s "ambition." While he wouldn't cooperate with it fully, he felt that as long as the two of them ended up having fun, it would be fine. However, looking at her now, it seemed Elisa’s fear was far outweighing any potential enjoyment.
Concerned that this might be too much for her, Ray spoke up.
"Elisa, if you’re this scared, you don’t have to force yourself."
"I-I’m okay! I’m scared, but Clarice-chan is working so hard! She told me she really wanted me to enjoy it! I-I’ll be brave!"
Elisa balled her fists in front of her chest to show her resolve. Ray watched her and offered a small smile.
"I see. I’ll be right here beside you. So, please, rest easy."
"T-Thank you..."
Elisa looked down, her face flushing crimson.
From inside the classroom, Clarice caught a glimpse of them through a gap.
Heh heh heh... you’ve come, Elisa. I’m going to scare the living daylights out of you... heh heh heh...
As she stood there laughing to herself, a classmate approached her.
"Um... Cleveland-san? Are you okay?"
"Ah! Yes! I-I’m fine! I’m going to give it my all today too!"
"Right. Good luck."
Finally, it was Ray and Elisa’s turn.
Ray remained as stoic as ever, but Elisa was practically glued to his arm. Normally, her embarrassment would have gotten the better of her, but her terror had completely overridden her modesty.
"Table for two? Come right this way."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Please, enjoy the experience!"
After checking in, the two stepped into the classroom.
The interior had been transformed into a graveyard. The temperature was low—so cold they could feel it on their skin. Ray knew it was a magical recreation, but the quality of the space was so high it felt indistinguishable from the real thing.
I see. They must have a Sorcerer specialized in Illusion Magic. This feels like the kind of work Carol would be good at. The quality is exceptional. Impressive...
While Ray was busy calmly analyzing the magical constructs, Elisa was clinging to him so tightly that anyone would have mistaken them for a couple. She pressed herself against him, shivering as they shuffled forward.
Ray had some thoughts about the sensation of her pressing against him, but he held his tongue. He knew she was genuinely terrified.
"U-Ugh... it looks so real..."
"It’s okay. Just stay close to me."
"O-Okay..."
Under normal circumstances, her face would be red, but right now Elisa was as pale as a ghost.
"Ah... someone’s collapsed. Are they okay?"
"Hm? Perhaps it's a medical emergency. I should provide first aid."
They found a figure crouching on the ground, clutching their stomach. Concerned, they approached.
"Excuse me. Are you alright? Do you feel sick?"
When Elisa spoke, the woman turned around. Her face was smeared with blood, and the right side of her head had been reduced to a bare skull.
"Ah... I’m sorry. I seem to have dropped my right eye. Have you seen it anywhere?"
"My apologies. I haven't seen it."
"I see... well then, I’ll be going... heh heh heh..."
Ray watched the figure walk away, emitting a low, eerie chuckle.
That was Clarice. Between the makeup and the voice acting, she’s doing a great job. She really has a talent for this.
While Ray was admiring the performance, Elisa was...
"Elisa?"
"..."
"Are you okay?"
"......"
She was completely frozen. The shock had been so great she hadn't even been able to scream.
Seeing Elisa’s expression, Clarice was absolutely beaming with satisfaction.
After that, Elisa regained some semblance of consciousness, but her legs wouldn't stop shaking. When a piece of wet konjac brushed against the back of her neck, she finally let out a piercing shriek.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"W-Whoaaaa!"
"H-Hieeeeeeeee!"
"Wait, is that—WAAAAAAHHH!"
Every time she jumped, Ray made sure to catch her. Finally, after enduring wave after wave of terror, they emerged from the classroom.
Ray walked out with his usual brisk, upright posture, but Elisa followed behind him with a slumped back, shuffling along like a weary old woman.
"Thank you so much! Please come again!"
Clarice’s satisfied voice rang out from inside the room.
For once, Elisa actually shouted back in anger.
"I’m never coming back! Never!"
Clarice’s plan had been a total success. Elisa had been terrified beyond belief.
However, Ray knew the truth.
He knew that Clarice had actually been trying to make sure Elisa had a good time. Her shadow had been following them the whole way, ensuring Elisa was safe. Furthermore, Ray had noticed that the intensity of the scares was actually lower than the rumors had suggested.
Clarice had operated the attraction within a range she thought Elisa could handle. It was, in its own way, a gift from Clarice.
Looking at Clarice and then at the fuming Elisa beside him, Ray allowed himself to enjoy this small slice of ordinary life at the Academy one more time.
"Ugh! I am definitely going to give Clarice-chan a piece of my mind later!"
"Hahaha... well, try to keep it within reason."
I looked out the window at the sky.
It was a beautiful day. The blue expanse was clear and vast.
But those peaceful moments... were about to come to an end.