Most schools typically hold events like cultural festivals and sports days in the second semester, after summer vacation.
Even in the shoujo manga he frequently read, though fictional, cultural festivals were a staple of the autumn season.
And yet, our school’s Eika Festival was to be held at the end of the first semester.
…Yeah, why?
(Am I the only one wondering about this?)
After the homeroom Sensei left, the classroom was filled with chatter about the Eika Festival.
While Haruya’s questions remained unanswered,
he felt a tap on his shoulder from behind.
As he turned around, lifting his heavy body,
“…You’re wondering why the Eika Festival is held at this time of year? It’s because Eika High School was founded around this time. In other words… it’s tradition. Also, though this might be an afterthought, I’ve heard it’s considerate to the third-years.”
The occupant of the seat behind him — Kazamiya — spoke up.
It was as if he had read Haruya’s mind.
(C-Can Kazamiya… read my thoughts?)
While trying to calm his racing heart, Haruya responded as coolly as he could.
“I didn’t ask anything, you know? …But I see. So it’s timed to match the school’s founding day.”
“That’s right. Apparently, this timing is also appreciated by third-years busy with entrance exam studies.”
Indeed, summer break is often called the crucial period for entrance exam preparation.
For third-year students, there probably wouldn’t be much room to focus on school events after summer ends.
I see. It certainly helps the third-years.
Though for Haruya, it wasn’t helpful at all…
Even knowing the background, Haruya’s opinion that this timing was too early remained unchanged…
“Akasaki, what are you planning for the Eika Festival?”
“What do you mean, ‘what am I planning’?”
“Well, the Eika Festival is a turning point when relationships change, right? So I was wondering if you might be plotting something.”
Kazamiya puffs out his chest and gives Haruya an expectant look.
That gaze was seeking romance.
Haruya narrows his eyes deliberately before answering.
“I think that kind of thing is a world apart from me…”
The Eika Festival.
Relationships changing… no, it’s the perfect event to change relationships.
But that’s a world apart from background characters. No matter what events come or how the surrounding environment changes, it has nothing to do with background characters.
“Even as you say that… you have connections with the S-class beauties, Akasaki.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t.”
Haruya responds listlessly, and Kazamiya yanks his neck with his arm.
(Ouch, ouch… my neck’s going to come off.)
“Hey, what kind of tricks did you use, Akasaki? Not just Himekawa-san, but recently it seems Takamori-san has been paying attention to you too.”
“I’ve told you, it’s just a coincidence.”
Recently, Kazamiya seems to have noticed Sara and Yuuna’s gazes.
And he’s convinced that those gazes are directed at Haruya’s seat.
The two beauties of the class, the unattainable flowers, paying attention to a background character.
Faced with such an unusual sight, he can’t help but question it.
Perhaps that’s why…
Haruya has been asked about this matter by Kazamiya almost every day.
“You say it’s a coincidence, but…”
Kazamiya doesn’t seem entirely convinced.
He continues to stare with suspicious eyes.
Not just Sara, but maybe because Yuuna has also become friends (exchanged contact information), their gazes occasionally, albeit briefly, turn towards Haruya’s seat.
Trying to appear calm, Haruya speaks up to clear the suspicion.
“Isn’t it your seat they’re looking at, not mine?”
“Huh, really?! Those two are looking at me…”
For a brief moment, Kazamiya’s eyes light up and he looks embarrassed. Seizing this opportunity, Haruya turns to face forward.
Then, he buries his face in his desk.
“As if that would happen!”
A voice of protest rises from the seat behind, but Haruya ignores it.
At that moment, Haruya glances diagonally to his right.
In his line of sight, three beautiful girls are engrossed in conversation.
“The Eika Festival is such an exciting event, isn’t it, you two!”
Kohinata Rin says, her eyes sparkling.
“…We’ve just joined the club. And we just had exams until recently… It’s quite hectic, isn’t it?”
Takamori Yuuna continues, her black hair swaying.
“That’s true! But the Eika Festival… I’m honestly looking forward to it.”
Himekawa Sara murmurs with a slightly mature expression.
Many other students can be seen getting excited about the Eika Festival topic, and it seems the S-class beauties, the unattainable flowers of the class, are no exception.
“Sara-chin, Yuuna-rin… I’m thinking of breaking out of my shell at the Eika Festival!”
Rin clenches her fist and looks up at the ceiling.
Seeing her fired-up appearance, Yuuna coolly interjects.
“…Rin. You seem really enthusiastic, but what are you going to do?”
“I’m curious about that too!”
Sara chimes in, agreeing with Yuuna.
Receiving looks from both of them, Rin puts on a thoughtful expression.
“…Hmm,”
She mutters, then breaks into a beaming smile.
“That’s still a secret.”
“Then why did you say it in such a suggestive way?”
“Sorry, sorry.”
While apologizing profusely to Yuuna’s questioning, Rin changes the subject.
“Let’s put my plans aside for now. Don’t Sara-chin and Yuuna-rin have anything they want to do at the Eika Festival?”
After a moment of apparent contemplation, Sara answers.
“I like festivals and admire them, so like Rin-san, I want to do my best at something!”
“What’s that ‘something’?” Yuuna quips lightly before continuing.
“Well, I’d like to do my best at something too.”
“…Geez, in the end, Yuuna-san is just the same as me!”
Feeling teased, Sara leans forward slightly.
“Ahaha, sorry, Sara.”
“Geez, as an apology, please teach me that basketball shot! That three-point shot!”
“…Sara, you’ve really become more assertive, haven’t you? I wonder if having a boyfriend makes such a difference.”
“Wha…”
Sara visibly blushes.
Then, she quickly protests.
“It’s not like I have a boyfriend or anything! If we’re talking about that, then Yuuna-san…”
“Eh, me?”
Yuuna’s shoulders jerk, and her eyes dart around.
“Ever since you joined the basketball club, you’ve become more sensitive to fashion, haven’t you? You even asked me about recommended cosmetics the other day…”
“S-Sara… let’s stop right there. Let’s call it even and keep this between us.”
Yuuna, obviously flustered, holds up her index finger.
A few beads of cold sweat appear on her forehead.
Overhearing the two girls’ love talk, the male students all open their mouths in unison.
[───Himekawa-san and Takamori-san have been really cute lately, haven’t they?]
Perhaps involving the opposite sex increases one’s charm.
“Joining the basketball club, having a guy she’s interested in? Takamori-san has become even more beautiful.”
“Himekawa-san isn’t losing out either. Her expressions have become more animated.”
Such whispered conversations could be heard near Haruya’s seat.
It seems that recently, almost everyone in the class has been drawn to Sara and Yuuna.
While the two are engrossed in conversation, Rin tightly clenches her fist.
With a distant look in her eyes, she gazes at something, seeming somewhat lonely.
The object of her gaze is Sara and Yuuna, who are playfully interacting, but…
Left alone in that spot, perhaps feeling frustrated, Rin hesitantly opens her mouth.
“…I have to do my best too.”
Amidst the classroom filled with talk about Sara and Yuuna, no one heard her murmur.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
As soon as the preparation period for the Eika Festival begins, the class must decide on their exhibit, role assignments, and who will be on the executive committee.
During the fourth period, a battle against hunger pangs,
The homeroom Sensei, Tokoyami Meika, says, “I think we’ll end the class early today to decide on the executive committee members,” and the selection of the executive committee promptly begins.
In addition to having regular meetings for each grade level, the executive committee members will also be in charge of running the Eika Festival for their class.
It’s an important role that can only be entrusted to someone who can demonstrate leadership.
Haruya, thinking “This has nothing to do with me,” listens to the homeroom Sensei standing at the podium.
“So, I thought we’d decide by volunteers, starting with the boys.”
The homeroom Sensei, acting as the initial moderator, looks around the classroom.
However, there’s no sign of anyone raising their hand.
Usually, there would be one or two proactive students eager to do it, but it seems that’s not the case in Haruya’s class.
Most of the boys are glancing around, conscious of their surroundings.
…Though Haruya keeps his gaze down, trying to blend into the background.
When he suddenly looks up, Haruya’s eyes meet with the Sensei’s.
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