As evening drew near, the campfire was finally lit.
The announcement signaling the end of the Cultural Festival echoed across the grounds, making me realize that this hectic day was finally over.
We had decided to finish off the food Miyama and Kuroki had bought before the main campfire event started. While I spent my time nibbling on a single frankfurter, Miyama devoured more yakisoba, more frankfurters, and three whole packs of takoyaki. Even Kuroki was mindlessly polishing off her third pack of yakisoba while snacking on takoyaki.
(Man, what is with a girl’s stomach? I mean, Miyama is one thing, but I didn't expect Kuroki to pack it away like that.)
Yuria, on the other hand, had only eaten two or three pieces of takoyaki before stopping entirely, as if she were on some kind of mini-fast.
What was up with her? Was she feeling sick?
"Yuri—I mean, Ichinose, aren't you going to eat more like those two? There's still fried chicken and tamasen left."
"Geez, Ryouta-kun, you have as much delicacy as an old uncle. Yuria’s been on a d—"
"Shut up, Rui! Don't say it! You're the one who lacks delicacy for bringing that up!"
Panicking, Yuria shoved a tamasen into Kuroki's mouth, forcibly silencing her.
"Mmmph, this tamasen is actually really good."
"Ah, Rui-chan, no fair! Airi wants some tamasen too. Ryouta, get one for me!"
The paper-wrapped tamasen was in the plastic bag right in front of me, so I reached in to hand it to Miyama... but then it happened.
"Ryouta, say 'aahn' for Airi!"
"Wh-What!?"
By the time I had the tamasen in my hand, Miyama already had her small mouth open, waiting for me.
She was literally in "aahn" mode... No, wait, that’s not right!
"There's no way I'm doing something that embarrassing!"
"It's not embarrassing at all! Yuria was just doing it for Rui-chan, right?"
That was only to shut her up, though.
"Hey, Airi, seriously, stop it. Making Ryouta feed you... it seems kind of dangerous."
"That’s a pretty hollow reason for a rejection, Ichinose."
"Airi? Ryouta-kun’s hands are filthy because he touches all sorts of things, so let’s not do that, okay?"
"Don't say something so needlessly hurtful in a tone like you're lecturing a toddler!"
With cold glares coming from the other two, I found myself facing the ultimate choice.
"Come on, Ryouta, hurry, hurry!"
Ugh... I might never get another chance to shove a tamasen into Miyama's mouth again...
"F-Fine, I get it..."
I pulled the tamasen from its paper wrapping. It was still warm—a fried egg sandwiched between a folded shrimp cracker. The savory scent of the soy sauce and mirin seasoning on the cracker mixed with the aroma of the egg to create an incredibly whetting smell.
I brought it to Miyama's lips. Even though her eyes were closed, she must have sensed it approaching by the smell, because she suddenly lunged forward and took a massive bite.
"Mmmph~! This tamasen is delicious!"
What was with that reaction speed? Is she a dog?
"Thanks, Ryouta. It probably tasted even better because you fed it to me."
"E-Eh, is that so?"
As I sat there blushing and grinning, I felt the heavy weight of Kuroki and Yuria’s gazes boring into me. It made me so nervous that I couldn't relax until the campfire actually started.
The finale of the Cultural Festival began. Around the massive fire, dozens of flirtatious couples gathered to enjoy the folk dance, an event seemingly reserved only for the normies of the school.
Meanwhile, up on the rooftop where the non-normies and anti-normies had congregated, jeers and insults were being hurled down toward the fire.
(This is the literal definition of heaven and hell...)
Even in this chaotic atmosphere, the Beautiful Girl Trio of Kuroki, Yuria, and Miyama stood apart. They weren't consumed by jealousy like the others; they simply stood in silence, staring at the blazing flames.
"This year's Cultural Festival is... over. We only have one more left, huh?"
Kuroki murmured, her voice laced with a hint of loneliness.
She was right. We only had one more year of this left. Previously, I would have wanted it to be over as quickly as possible, but I’d actually enjoyed myself this year. Realizing there was only one left made me feel a bit sentimental.
"Airi thinks... choosing the play instead of a cafe was the right move this year! Preparing for it and memorizing the script was super hard, but acting was surprisingly fun. Plus, I got to see Yuria and Rui-chan as princes, and Ryouta’s girl form was so, so cute, so I'm happy!"
As Miyama reflected on the past few days, both Kuroki and Yuria nodded in agreement.
Wait a second. That last part about my cross-dressing was definitely uncalled for.
"Yeah. I feel the same as Airi. We really have to thank Rui for suggesting the play in the first place."
"Me? I was busy with the Track and Field Club, so I couldn't help with the prep as much as I wanted. I even made things harder for Yuria with the double cast situation, so I don't think I deserve any thanks... If anything, Yuria and Airi worked so hard that I'm the one who should be grateful. And Ryouta-kun, too."
"Rui..."
"Rui-chan..."
The three of them naturally reached out to hold each other's hands, smiling shyly as they exchanged thanks. It was a beautiful display of female friendship, free of any drama. Watching them from the side made me feel a bit warm inside.
(They really are close... Their relationship is almost like three sisters.)
But perhaps because they were so close, they felt the need to keep their secrets hidden. Miyama’s reason for working her part-time job, Yuria’s hidden otaku side, Kuroki’s perfectionism and her darker, calculating nature... they all kept those things to themselves just to maintain this bond.
"Anyway, don't you think there are way more couples around the fire this year than usual?"
"Ahhh. Airi wants a boyfriend too~"
"Don't you already have one, Airi?"
"Ah! Um, I mean a boyfriend at this school! So we can flirt at the Cultural Festival like that!"
Miyama was still frantically clinging to the "boyfriend" persona she'd invented for the sake of her part-time job.
(I'm amazed she hasn't been caught yet... unless Kuroki already knows...?)
I stole a glance at Kuroki, only to find her staring intently back at me. Our eyes met unexpectedly.
"Wh-What is it?"
"...Hehe, it's nothing."
Kuroki let out a soft laugh and turned back toward the wire mesh fence, looking down at the campfire.
"Next year... I was thinking maybe one of us will be down there."
"Oh? Does Rui-chan have someone she likes?"
"Hehe, who knows? By the way, Yuria, do you have a crush?"
"Me? I've already told you, I don't really want anything to do with guys."
"Ehhh? But you talk to Ryouta all the time!"
"Huh? No! That’s... Ryouta is... Airi and Rui were already talking to him, so I only talk to him because I have no choice!"
She said that, but I knew she’d pull me aside later and tell me it was a lie. Honestly, this girl is the best. Her thighs, too.
"What are you grinning for, Ryouta? It's gross."
"No... I just thought this was all very wonderful."
"What is!? That’s seriously creepy, so cut it out!"
Red-faced, Yuria refused to speak another word to me until the campfire finally burned out.