Chapter 124 Cultural Festival ①

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Translator: Soafp

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“Huh? Yuna…?”

“Yes.”

Kokoa looked completely caught off guard.

There was even a hint of fear in her eyes.

She was probably worried that Yuna had changed for the worse, just like Nagasawa-senpai had.

“How can I meet only Yu-chan…?”

“To put it simply, we’re going to lure them with money. It’s not exactly the most admirable method.”

I explained the plan in detail.

In short, we’d go through the hospital supporting Yuna and arrange an interview under the supervision of a neutral third party to select recipients for financial assistance.

According to the detective’s investigation, Yuna’s legal guardian on paper was a distant relative of Nagasawa-senpai.

“If we do it through the new Japanese corporation we’ve just established, Nagasawa-senpai shouldn’t realize I’m the one behind it.”

Even if he somehow figured it out, if he truly cared about his little sister, he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

…I had to admit, it was a rather underhanded approach.

“So you’re going to pay for Yu-chan’s medical treatment?”

“That’s the plan.”

To avoid raising unnecessary suspicion, I intended to support not only Yuna but also other patients in similar situations.

If I thought of it as a charitable donation, it didn’t feel so bad.

More importantly, these were people who genuinely needed help.

“Then how about this? We could perform a live concert at the hospital!”

“Huh? You and your group?”

“Yep! You know, as a kind of community service!”

It wasn’t a bad idea.

It would give Kokoa a perfectly natural reason to visit the hospital while also improving the group’s public image.

It was killing two birds with one stone.

“All right. I’ll let your manager know.”

“Okay! Then let’s actually go shopping now.”

Kokoa smiled brightly and stepped away from my embrace.

She took the lead and started walking again.

Yui and I followed behind her without a second thought.

—Then she suddenly came to an abrupt stop.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah… well…”

She kept glancing nervously at my face.

After a moment, she flashed an awkward, customer-service smile.

“Hehe… I forgot how to get out of here!”

“…”

I’d completely forgotten that she was the type to charge ahead without thinking about what came next.

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A few days later, the day of the school festival arrived.

The atmosphere around the school was completely different from usual, and I couldn’t help feeling excited.

Compared to middle school, a high school festival felt like an entirely different experience.

“All right then, Fukagawa-kun. I’m counting on you.”

“Yeah.”

Our class was running a butler café.

My job was simple: whenever an order came in, I’d pour the drinks and plate the desserts.

Everything was prepackaged, so there was nothing difficult about it.

“Ren, which one’s for Table 2?”

“This one.”

“Thanks.”

Dressed in a butler uniform, Nodoka placed the plate and glass onto a serving tray.

Not only the boys, but several girls were also playing the role of butlers.

As I watched her pick up the tray, she noticed me staring and blushed.

“W-What?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking it really suits you.”

“R-Really?”

“You look cool.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Of course.”

Today, Nodoka had tied her hair back into a short ponytail.

It gave her an air that almost resembled a handsome movie star.

“I wanted you to call me cute.”

“This look is refreshing too. I like it.”

“Really? Well… if you say so.”

Trying to hide her satisfaction, Nodoka headed toward Table 2.

As she left, Yui entered, also dressed in a butler uniform.

“Which order is for Table 1?”

“This one.”

“Thank you.”

Unlike Nodoka, Yui had let her ponytail down today.

She was clearly trying to look masculine, but there was no hiding the fact that her generous ch*st still stood out.

Looking embarrassed, she partially hid her face behind the serving tray.

“I’m used to maid outfits, but somehow this butler uniform feels strange.”

“Y-Yeah. It suits you too.”

“Really…? But… you still like me better in a maid outfit, don’t you?”

“Well… if we’re talking about cuteness, then yeah.”

Ever since I’d hugged Yui in that alley the other day, even if it had happened naturally, an awkward atmosphere had lingered between us.

Considering that we’d once been close enough to go all the way when we were dating…

Maybe it was because I’d started seeing her as Yui rather than Yuzuki.

Yui stepped closer and rose onto her tiptoes, whispering into my ear.

“I ordered an even bolder maid outfit online this time.”

So she was finally retiring that Don Quijote maid costume.

Truthfully, there was no longer any need for her to dress as a maid just for my sake.

But I chose not to say that aloud.

If I was being honest…

Part of me was looking forward to seeing it.

After placing the order for Table 1 onto her tray, Yui practically fled from in front of me.

(…I’m starting to think I’ve become more selfish.)

The only reason I was able to maintain a relationship with both Nodoka and Airi at the same time was because the two of them had worked hard to accept each other.

They’d even told me that if I truly wanted to, they wouldn’t object to expanding my “harem” further.

But that only worked if I was prepared to take full responsibility.

It didn’t mean I could recklessly add more girls.

(Besides, expanding it any further would just be shameless.)

I knew my own limits.

Honestly, having two girlfriends was already more than enough.

Three?

People would definitely look at me with contempt.

…My mom most of all.

At first I’d been nervous and made a few mistakes, but once I got used to the repetitive work, my mind began to wander.

(My shift’s almost over.)

I’d deliberately arranged my schedule so I’d have the same free period as Nodoka and Yui.

That way we could walk around the festival together.

Once my shift ended, I’d probably check out Airi’s class first.

I wanted to see how she was doing.

Besides, I was curious how they’d managed to make something like human chess actually work.

(I absolutely have to get a picture of Airi’s costume.)

Just imagining what she’d be wearing made me smile.

Knowing Airi, she’d probably be carrying herself with the confidence of a professional model as usual.

I was busy filling orders while thinking about that when—

“E-Eh!? Is that really her!?”

“Wooow, she’s so cute!!”

Suddenly, the entrance to the classroom erupted into chaos.

Even those of us working in the back peeked out to see what was happening.

“Hey, isn’t that the idol who’s been getting really popular lately?”

“No way! Seriously? Why’s she here?”

“How should I know? I’m going to get her autograph!”

Both the boys and girls abandoned their work and rushed toward the entrance.

…Seriously? You’re just going to leave your stations?

Meanwhile, a strange sense of unease crept over me.

A popular idol…

Don’t tell me…

A bad feeling welled up inside me, and I unconsciously swallowed.

Just then, Takagi came running over.

“Hey, Fukagawa.”

“What?”

“Kokoa-chan’s here. Did you invite her?”

I knew it.