The sight of the teacher bowing his head in a plea cast a heavy pall over the classroom. Certainly, the situation the faculty feared wasn't outside the realm of possibility. Festivals, by their very nature, tended to heighten people’s spirits and loosen their inhibitions. If both students and visitors were swept up in the mood, there was a high risk of minor friction escalating into a major uproar. Conversely, if even one side handled things calmly, it might end as a mere discussion or a small squabble.
Even if it meant dampening the students' excitement right before the opening, delivering this warning now was effective—provided one didn't mind the blow to the students' morale.
"…All right! Enough with the gloomy talk. Let's discuss the schedule from here on out."
The teacher clapped his hands in a sharp kashiwade to clear the air, beginning to speak in an intentionally bright tone to shift the mood. We weren’t exactly eager to dwell on the subject either, so we followed his lead. No one wanted to start the festivities with a heavy heart.
Once the teacher confirmed our spirits had shifted, he began detailing the plan.
"First, we’ll conduct the final checks before opening. This includes changing into uniforms, moving personnel to their stations, and preparing to receive guests. Once everything is ready, the school festival will officially begin with an opening declaration broadcast by the Culture Festival Executive Committee Chair. After the declaration, the front gates will open to admit the public. Please welcome them politely and with a smile."
"Teacher, are guests not allowed on campus before the declaration?"
"If people started wandering in while we were still setting up, it would lead to chaos, wouldn't it? It could become a source of trouble, so we’re asking the guests to be patient. On that note, those of you in the free-time group shouldn't go peeking at other classes' attractions until the declaration is made. You'll only get in the way of their preparations."
"Understood. We'll wait until the scheduled time."
The teacher answered the question, scanned the room for any more hands, and then continued.
"After the closing, we’ll move straight into cleanup. Those who are free should return to the classroom immediately. We have to finish in a short window of time, so we need all hands on deck. Our class is handling perishables, so we’ll be in trouble later if we don't clean up thoroughly. Also, if you have cleanup duties for your club attractions, make sure you notify the executive committee in advance. You might be asked to help out unexpectedly at your club, but do not skip class cleanup without permission."
"Teacher, I’ve already heard from everyone scheduled for club cleanup, so we’re all set there," Azuma-san added.
"I see. But as I said, if anyone ends up helping out unexpectedly, don't forget to let us know."
Azuma-san confirmed she had the list. Even setting aside those known in advance, it was always frustrating when someone disappeared without a word. Proper communication—reporting, informing, and consulting—was essential.
"The school schedule allows for about an hour of cleanup, but the classes that set up elaborate decorations or equipment probably won't finish in that time. However, the school will officially end the day at the usual hour. Even those who went to clean their club attractions should return to the classroom once by then. You can head back out to finish after school if necessary, but make sure you don't stay too late."
"Teacher, does that mean even if we finish our cleanup early, we have to stay until that time?"
"Correct. This is a school event, after all. Do not go home on your own before the dismissal time."
Our class attraction had a fairly simple interior, so cleanup likely wouldn't take long, but the first-years who had gone all-out would probably be there for a while. Last year, we had been just as fired up, and we didn't finish until quite late into the evening.
Yuji and the others had mentioned slipping away for a bit, but maybe it would be better if we handled the club room cleanup ourselves. It wasn't a massive amount of work, so I decided to consult with the two of them later.
"Regular classes resume Monday, so we plan to finish everything today. If it’s absolutely impossible to finish, we’ve secured some time tomorrow morning. Specifically, the waste disposal company is coming to collect the festival trash tomorrow afternoon, so you have until then. However, this is not recommended. Finish today if you can."
"Teacher, are we using the normal trash classifications?"
"Yes. However, the Culture Festival Executive Committee will distribute special bags for the disposal company. Azuma, please go and collect them."
"I was notified about that, so I'll go get them after I estimate the trash volume before we start cleaning."
"I'll leave it to you."
Having finished his explanation, the teacher looked around the room, nodded a few times, and moved to conclude.
"Now, while there are many points of caution and concern, this is a school festival you all planned and prepared for together. Don't just focus on entertaining the guests; make sure you enjoy the festival to the fullest yourselves. That’s all from me. Let's give it our all today!"
"Yes!"
We gave a spirited response to the teacher's encouragement.
Once morning homeroom ended, we began our final preparations. Those participating in club attractions left after a quick word, while the rest of us—the morning group and the free-time group—started the final setup for the class cafe.
"Azuma-san, are these the aprons for the boys?"
"Yes. The black ones are for the boys, and the khaki ones are for the girls. The design is the same."
"Got it. I'll hand these out to the guys."
"Please."
After confirming with Azuma-san, I took the black aprons out of the paper bag and distributed them to the boys on the hall staff in the morning group. They unfolded them and began putting them on. I followed suit once I was done.
...It was that look—the chic cafe waiter aesthetic. As we finished tying our aprons, the girls in the free-time group let out sighs of admiration. Wait, hadn't they seen these beforehand?
"Mhm, mhm. Everyone looks pretty sharp in matching aprons."
"You totally see waiters who look like this in real shops."
"It’s just a classroom, but it actually feels like a trendy cafe now."
Having a good reputation was certainly better than a bad one, but for some reason, the attention made me feel a bit itchy. While we were talking, the preparations continued. Once the girls in the morning group had finished changing, it was time for the food and drink prep.
"I want to get the water boiling in the electric pot. Could someone fill it up?"
"Oh, I'll go."
"Thanks, I'll leave it to you."
I took the large 5L electric pot and headed to the wash area at the end of the hallway. On the way, I passed several other classrooms where everyone was busily making final preparations. However, there was a faint undercurrent of gloom here and there—likely because the other students were still dwelling on their teachers' warnings. It was hard to shake that concern when it had been dropped on us right as the fun was supposed to start.
"Still, it's not like we can cancel now. We just have to do it."
It weighed on my mind, but the situation was what it was. The school must have taken some countermeasures, so the best we could do was behave ourselves. If every individual took care not to cause trouble, nothing major would happen... I had to believe that.
"Right, that's full."
I finished filling the pot and headed back. As time ticked away, the atmosphere in the building grew into a mix of excitement and tension. By the time I got back to the classroom, most of the setup was complete.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s the water."
"Thanks, Kokonoe-kun. Everything on this side is pretty much ready too."
I placed the pot in the preparation corner—which was partitioned off with screens—and plugged it in. It would take a while to boil. Once that was done, I stepped out to find the morning group lined up in their aprons in front of Azuma-san. The free-time group was lined up behind them.
"Ah, Kokonoe-kun, you too."
"Eh? Oh, right."
"Now that everyone’s here, let's do a vocal drill before we open. Everyone in the back, join in too. It’ll be a problem if you can't find your voice once the main event starts."
I joined the line, watching Azuma-san intently as she took the lead. After a light clear of her throat, she began the practice.
"Let's go over the basic service lines....Welcome!"
"Welcome!"
Following Azuma-san’s lead, we raised our voices, though we were clearly a bit shy. the free-time group behind us was even more hesitant, their voices thin and uneven.
"Everyone, I can't hear you! Be more energetic for the guests....Welcome!"
"WELCOME!"
Chastised by Azuma-san’s frown, we shouted from the bottom of our lungs this time. The free-time group followed suit.
"Better! I can hear you now. Have you decided on your order?"
"Have you decided on your order!"
"Certainly. Please wait a moment."
"Certainly. Please wait a moment!"
"Thank you for waiting. Please relax and enjoy your stay!"
"Please relax and enjoy your stay!"
Azuma-san rattled off the lines we would likely use, and we repeated them in unison. The initial embarrassment faded as we found our rhythm, our voices growing stronger with every repetition. Finally satisfied, Azuma-san brought the drill to a close.
"Thank you very much!"
"Thank you very much!"
With that final line, the practice ended.
Feeling a gaze from the hallway, I glanced over and saw students from the neighboring class staring at us with bewildered expressions. I suppose if a sudden roar like that echoed out, anyone would be curious enough to peek.
"All right, everyone. Let’s do our best today!"
"Oh!"
We raised our hands and gave a spirited shout in response to Azuma-san's encouragement. It was a bit awkward being watched by the neighbors, but caught up in the heat of the moment, I found myself raising my arm and shouting along with the rest. Momentum is a scary thing.
"Oh? Sorry for the noise!" Azuma-san called out to the watchers. They gave wry smiles and quickly retreated. Once they realized what we were doing, they couldn't exactly linger.
A short while later, similar shouts began to echo from the neighboring class and all across the building.
"Sounds like the other classes are doing drills too."
"Seems so."
While we were finishing up, the minutes ticked away until it was time for the opening declaration.
It was finally happening.
The classroom speakers crackled to life, and every eye in the room turned toward them. The voice of the chair began to resonate through the school.
"Good morning, everyone! This is Hoshino, the Culture Festival Executive Committee Chair. The day we have all been waiting for is finally here. Today is the day to showcase the fruits of your ideas, your cooperation, and your ingenuity. Whether it's the attractions you've built as a class or the results of your daily club activities, I know everyone has put their heart into this. Let’s bring all that passion together and make this the greatest school festival ever! Today, we also welcome guests from outside our community. Let’s show them with pride what we have learned and built during our school lives."
So the chair’s name was Hoshino-san... I felt a surge of tension as his words sank in. The festival was really starting.
"If I keep talking any longer, I’m sure I’ll start hearing people telling me to hurry up and start, so I’ll wrap this up. Now then, everyone..."
Hoshino-san took a breath, paused for a moment, and then spoke with a voice full of emotion.
"The school festival is now open!"
At the same moment the declaration rang through the halls, a roar of pure joy—almost like a war cry—erupted from the students, drowning out Hoshino-san’s voice.