One of the three major events at my high school, the early summer cultural festival, had finally arrived.
Today was the day it would all happen.
The extroverts were likely buzzing with excitement from the crack of dawn, but for a loner like me, my nerves were so shot I couldn't even force breakfast down.
"S-sorry, Sis. You want the rest of my breakfast?"
"Wait, really? Lucky me!"
After handing the rest of my meal over to my older sister, I retreated to my room to change into my uniform.
(It’s finally here... the cultural festival.)
I’d spent the last two weeks rehearsing for my role as Snow White, and I’d actually started to get the hang of it—not that I was particularly thrilled about the fact.
Kuroki had managed to slash my dialogue to a minimum, so that wasn't the issue, but...
"I’m... just getting really nervous."
Even I couldn't hide my anxiety.
For a loner like me who had spent his whole life avoiding high-pressure situations, performing a play in front of an audience was an immense amount of weight to carry.
(It's a bit late for this, but if the choice was between turning down the role of Snow White and getting ostracized by the class, or cross-dressing to play her in front of everyone, wouldn't being ostracized have been better?)
"No, there’s no point in wallowing now. I just have to get through two performances and then I can scurry home."
Besides, the audience wasn't coming to see a guy in a dress. They were there for the Busty Dwarf Miyama, or to see Kuroki and Yuria in their prince outfits.
I was just the joke character, there to suffer a lifetime’s worth of embarrassment in a single day. There was no reason to be this nervous.
"Sigh... I'm heading out."
I finished getting ready, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the house.
"Wait, huh?"
When I passed through the front door, I saw Kuroki and Yuria standing right there in front of the gate.
It looked like the two of them were chatting while they waited for me.
(Seriously? The play hasn't even started and I’ve already got two princes waiting to escort me?)
"...G-good morning, you two."
"Good morning, Ryouta-kun!"
"Morning, Ryouta. You're a bit late today."
Kuroki was in high spirits for so early in the morning, while Yuria maintained her usual prickly exterior.
"I-it took me some time to get ready."
"Get ready for what? It’s the cultural festival, it’s not like you’ve got textbooks to pack."
"Now, now, Yuria. Ryouta-kun is a boy, after all, so I'm sure he has his own preparations to make."
Kuroki backed me up with a bright smile.
From the way she said it, she definitely thought I’d been up to something indecent this morning... Ignore her. Just ignore her.
"Is it just the two of you? Where's Miyama?"
"Airi overslept. She'll probably show up later."
Oversleeping even on the day of the cultural festival... That was so like Miyama.
"Hey, Ryouta-kun? Can you tell what’s different about me today?"
"W-what’s different...?"
I stared at Kuroki intently, and she offered a bewitching smile as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Her features were as well-defined and beautiful as ever, and her straight black hair looked the same as always, but...
"See? Right here. It's my lipstick."
"Lipstick?"
Kuroki pointed to her own lips.
Ah, now that she mentioned it... they were certainly a bit redder than usual.
"I wore my favorite lipstick since I have a kiss scene with Ryouta-kun today, you see."
"Wha!?" we both shouted.
"Y-you, what are you saying—"
"Wait, Rui! Do you mean you're actually planning to kiss Ryouta for real!?"
"Hehe... I’m joking, I’m joking. The kiss scene will just look like we're kissing, just like in the rehearsals. I just wore the lipstick for a little confidence boost. Honestly, Yuria, you're getting way too worked up."
"R-right, I guess so."
Kuroki spoke with a smirk, clearly enjoying the way she was teasing Yuria.
"Good grief. Rui, you sometimes say things where it's impossible to tell if you're serious or lying. You actually had me believing you. Wait, Ryouta, did you look a little pleased just now?"
"N-no, I didn't!"
"Hehe... Maybe Ryouta-kun secretly wanted me to steal his first kiss?"
"In your dreams! More importantly, let's just get to school already."
"Oka~y."
At my prompting, we finally started walking toward the school.
Still, my first kiss, huh...
Technically, if indirect kisses counted, Miyama had already claimed my first...
But there was no way I could ever say that out loud, so I kept my mouth shut.
"Anyway, I'm actually looking forward to the play. Ryouta's Snow White was surprisingly cute during the rehearsals."
"I know, right! Ryouta-kun, let's take a photo together once you're in your costume, okay?"
"Like hell I will."
Even as we walked to school like this, the moment for the real performance was drawing closer by the second.