Chapter 8: The Visitor

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Translator: Soafp

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The second semester of high school is busy.

Along with the usual regular exams, there's the sports festival, and depending on the grade, events like school trips and field studies are lined up one after another.

Now that summer vacation is over and it's already late September, the school has a bit of a festive atmosphere.

“Alright, let's decide on this class's event for the cultural festival.”

In October, the whole school gets excited for the cultural festival, and many people from outside the school are invited.

Classmates raised their hands, suggesting various ideas for the event.

We had to consider what could be done within the budget allocated to each class, avoiding overlaps with other classes, and finally decide on the event.

“We will also distribute invitation tickets. Each student can invite up to 10 outsiders.”

Sadly, I don't have a single family member or friend to invite.

Lunchtime came. Recently, someone has been appearing in front of me at this time and talking to me.

“Asano-kun. Want to eat lunch together?”

“Shiraki… there's no particular benefit for you hanging out with me, you know.”

This guy seems to have a crush on Endo but doesn't have the courage to talk to her directly.

So he turned to me, who's close with Endo.

“Don't say it like that. I want to be friends with you too, Asano-kun.”

Honestly, it's nice to hear that since I have almost no friends.

“Well, I do have the ulterior motive of wanting to get closer to Endo…”

That's probably the real reason, after all.

“Sorry, I'm meeting Endo. See ya.”

“H-Hey, take me with you!”

“That… Endo would probably hate that.”

“W-Why would you say that… Asano-kun! You're just worried about bad guys bothering Endo, aren't you!?”

Shiraki grabbed my shoulder and spoke to me.

H-His face is really close…

“C-Could it be… Asano-kun, you like Endo too…?”

It's not just Shiraki; a lot of people who want to get closer to Endo come to me for help.

Seriously… they're aiming for the wrong person.

“Alright. I'll casually tell Endo about you. Is that okay?”

“Ah, thanks! Asano-kun!”

He thanked me excitedly, but I hope he's not expecting too much.

I parted ways with Shiraki and headed to the empty classroom where I was meeting Endo.

“Hey, what's your class doing for the cultural festival?”

“Not decided yet, but a haunted house is the leading idea. What about yours?”

“A café.”

I took a bite of the lunch Endo made for me.

“How is it?”

“Delicious. You're good at everything, huh.”

Endo's family employs cooks, and apparently she's been taught by them since she was little.

If you learn from pros, your skills grow. But it's not just that.

This is her talent…

“Hey, Endo. About Shiraki…”

“Hm? Who's that?”

Even though we went to the same middle school, she doesn't seem to remember him.

I can't say much since I barely remember Shiraki myself…

“Shiraki wants to hang out with you.”

“Oh. Did he ask you to say that?”

She looked at me with sharp eyes like she could see right through me.

“Well… Shiraki's a decent guy. Maybe you could hang out with him once?”

“Huh? No way.”

That faint hope was dashed.

Poor Shiraki.

“Hey… don't do that at school.”

“It's therapy.”

Endo smiled cheerfully while holding my hand.

Is she enjoying my condition or something…?

“Let go.”

I roughly shook off her hand.

Even though the classroom was empty, it would be troublesome if someone saw us.

“Asano… lately, haven't you been a little cold to me?”

“No, not really.”

Maybe it was wrong to shake off her hand.

Right now, she was holding it for my sake.

“For the cultural festival… let's walk around together.”

“Yeah… sure.”

We made that casual promise while eating lunch.

“It's lively, huh. As expected from the famous Kaisei cultural festival in the area. Asano-kun's really into it.”

“Not really. It's just this outfit that's a bit…”

On the day of the cultural festival, which lasts two days.

On the first day, Saturday, invited outsiders can enter.

On the second day, Sunday, only students and teachers are allowed.

“It's totally fine. It suits you well.”

Right now, I'm playing the role of the angry spirit of a boy who committed suicide at school.

“No… if it suits me well, that'd be a problem.”

My class is running the haunted house, and I was chosen as one of the actors.

Many classmates recommended me because of my fierce gaze, and I couldn't refuse.

My face was made pale with foundation, and my simple costume and headpiece were smeared thickly with fake blood (red paint).

“I handed out the invitation tickets randomly to some of my middle school classmates. I might see some familiar faces.”

Back then, when I was isolated in middle school, I probably wouldn't feel anything nostalgic even if I met my former classmates now.

“Shiraki… you gave away all ten invitation tickets?”

“Yeah. Strictly speaking, I just asked the people I was close to, to hand them out randomly.”

That means the tickets might have even reached Fukase, who was one of the key figures in our grade.

“Hey! Asano!”

“Huh, Endo!? What are you wearing!?”

Endo came running up to me, catching the attention of the boys in the hallway with her maid outfit.

“Isn't your class running a café?”

“Yeah. A maid café.”

“Where did you get that outfit?”

“The drama club had a ton, so I borrowed one.”

She smiled proudly, as if saying, “Doesn't it suit me?” Well… it really does.

“Y-You look really good! Endo-san!”

“Huh? Who are you?”

I guess Shiraki, who was beside me, mustered up the courage to say something, but Endo's reply was way too cold…

“This guy is Shiraki, from the same middle school. I told you about him before, right?”

“Oh, was that so?”

She didn't even bother to look at Shiraki, showing she wasn't interested. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

“Well… it's about time… I'll get back to my post.”

Shiraki's figure as he walked away looked lonely.

“Endo, can't you be a little more friendly?”

“Shiraki, right? I don't really care.”

“He's a good guy.”

“Oh, whatever… Anyway, don't forget our plan for tomorrow.”

We're both busy today, so the plan is to go around the festival together tomorrow.

Tomorrow is an internal-only event, so fewer people will be around, making it easier to enjoy.

“Good luck, you ghost.”

“You too, maid.”

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“Ahhh!!!”

A visitor's scream echoed through the room.

“That ghost is way too scary!”

“Yeah, especially those eyes! It must be some amazing special makeup!”

Those eyes are natural though…

I felt a bit disappointed overhearing visitors leaving the haunted house.

“Asano-kun, you just have to stand there. Thanks.”

To meet my classmates' requests, I just stood near the exit of the haunted house.

It's ironic that I, just standing there, get more attention than the many complicated tricks my classmates worked hard to create over several days.

The dimly lit room is chilled with air conditioning, creating an abstract sense of fear.

For a student project, the setup is impressively well done.

“It's cold…”

I've been standing like this for over an hour, but hardly anyone comes by.

At first, a few groups came one after another, so things were going smoothly…

(What time is it now?)

Checking my phone, it's just past 11 a.m.

My shift ends in the morning, so I'll be free soon.

Checking notifications, there was a message from Endo.

Along with the text “Thank you for your hard work, Master,” was a selfie of Endo in her maid outfit.

Sending a picture like that shows she's pretty confident in her looks.

Well… I do think she's cute…

“Uh, um…”

A voice came from behind.

I hadn't noticed someone approaching because I was focused on my phone.

“Don't turn around!”

I hurried to turn back, but the person placed a hand on my back to stop me.

A gentle, familiar voice I hadn't heard in a long time.

“Don't turn around… Haruki.”

When that voice called me “Haruki,” I immediately knew who it was.