Chapter 41: Cultural Festival Booth
With the sports festival over, each class was now shifting into cultural festival mode.
This time of year, packed with back-to-back events, is both busy and fun.
There was a huge buzz about what each class would do.
Naturally, our class—Class 3—was hyped up about it too.
In homeroom, the class rep led the meeting to recruit volunteers for the cultural festival committee, but no one stepped up, so the rep's best friend, Nagase-san, got nominated.
But isn't Nagase-san already super busy? The basketball club is doing a booth, and she's also on the student council, right?
Class Rep: "How about the vice committee chair? Any volunteers?"
""""Yes!!""""
Four people raised their hands! Wouldn't it be easier for Nagase-san if they just picked the committee chair and vice chair from those four?
Yamamoto: "Me! Nagase-san, let's do it together!!"
""No, me!""
Especially Yamamoto was noisy. If he's that eager, why didn't he volunteer from the start...!
Or maybe it's because it's Nagase-san that he's suddenly motivated.
!!
Ah, I just realized.
If this were a romantic comedy, I'd be getting dragged in right about now.
I'm actually pretty close with Nagase-san, so I feel like I'm in danger.
When I glance to the side, Nagase-san is looking at me.
As she smiles brightly at me, I say—
"...I'm kind of busy, so... I can't be the vice committee chair."
Feeling bad, I add an apology and turn her down first.
Nagase-san looks displeased,
Nagase: "You figured it out?! As expected of strategist Kousuke-kun, huh?"
Please stop, that's embarrassing.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a strategist.
Since I realized this was the tipping point, I said—
"...I've got Tomonaga-san's documentary, basketball club, film club... I'm kind of swamped, you know?"
Nagase-san looked disappointed, her face a little sad,
Nagase: "...Hmm, I get it. Fine, Kousuke-kun, you meanie. Geez!"
Sorry, Nagase-san.
I genuinely felt bad about it.
Class Rep: "Alright, Aya? Can you pick from these four?"
Called up to the podium, Nagase Aya touches her shapely white chin with a finger, thinking hard as she looks over the four volunteers, going "Hmm."
Nagase: "Kousuke-kun! I choose you!"
Ignoring the four volunteers, she points right at me with a snap and, smiling brightly, nominates me!
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
Shou, I end up using your catchphrase a lot.
Nagase-san is all smiles and in a great mood!
Nagase: "Oh, come on! I'm just as busy as you! Let's cry, laugh, and make memories together!"
The jealous stares from the other guys around us are scary...!
Some students are even giving me murderous looks!
...But Yamamoto, you of all people have no right to glare at me, okay?
I glare right back at Yamamoto!
Back in middle school, I'd organized the sports and cultural festivals before.
But this is my first time doing a food booth.
Fortunately, the class rep, Nagase-san, and the other top girls are all super capable and always say, "Just tell us what to do!"—but honestly, I wish you top girls would handle it all yourselves...
According to Nagase-san, a lot of the top girls aren't good at this kind of stuff.
So, everyone was asked to think about it, and in two days we're supposed to bring ideas for what kind of booth to do.
After school, when club activities were done.
Tomonaga: "Huh? You're gonna be on the committee?"
"...Yeah, so I might get really busy. Sorry."
Tomonaga: "Can't be helped, right? We're putting in an application for a maid café! But there's a lot of competition, so who knows if we'll get approved!"
"...I kinda want to see Yukari-san in a maid outfit."
Tomonaga: "Hehe! All the more reason for me to work hard on my diet! Still, if you're busy, I might get a little lonely."
I tell her I'll text her later and we part ways. Yukari-san heads to film club, while I go back to the classroom to join Nagase-san and the others for a strategy meeting.
In the end, in the classroom, it was me, the top girls, Kouji, and Hiroshi talking, asking if anyone had any restaurant connections.
Turns out one girl works at a donut shop! Another at a convenience store!
As for my own contacts...
My best friend, Shou, works at a curry and hamburg steak place!
(See Chapter 18: Visiting My Best Friend's Workplace)
I went there with Yukari-san a while back too... I wonder if it'll work?
Nagase-san's face lights up instantly,
Nagase: "That sounds great! I want to go after school tomorrow!"
Tomorrow's Wednesday, so there's no club activities... Looks like we're going.
☆ ☆ ☆
Good thing Shou is on shift that day!
He said he'll talk to his boss and give them a heads-up for us.
We'll head over early so we're out of the way before it gets busy at 18:00.
16:30, in front of My Curry and Hamburg Steak.
Nagase: "So this is where Kousuke-kun's best friend works..."
Nagase-san seems a little nervous. She keeps fixing her bangs and checking in the mirror? Why?
I talk about Shou a lot, so my friends always want to meet him.
What I'm thinking is—
Hamburgers
Pancakes
Curry
If we could get any of those at a good price, it would be a huge help.
But honestly, I have no idea about the prices, or even if they'll sell to us at all.
So we'll need to split up and figure out the estimated costs and if it's even doable.
The three of us walk into the restaurant.
"Herasshuu!"
A wild voice echoes through the shop.
Nagase: "What did he say?"
I tilt my head, pretending not to get it.
(Seriously, what is with that greeting?)
It throws me off every time, but none of the other customers react at all.
...Maybe I'm the weird one?