Chapter 61
School Festival, Day 1 (Part 3)
“Haa…”
“Don’t sigh, Yamada.”
It was 4:30 p.m.
Our Handsome Butler and Beautiful Maid Café had been a huge success, managing to bring in a decent profit in the end.
At this point, we’d dropped the “beautiful” part from the sign out front — it was now just an ordinary butler-and-maid café.
Our classmates, who were originally supposed to wear the butler and maid outfits anyway, were handling customers in those costumes.
Still, we had Hojo-san representing the “handsome butler” side and Yumizaki-san for the “beautiful maid,” so there was no problem at all.
“But I really wanted to see the beauty contest…”
The school’s famous Kochu Academy Mister and Miss Contest had started around 3 p.m.
Half of our café’s “beautiful” and “handsome” workers had been taken away to participate.
The contestants included Seiya, Mizusato-san, Ten, and Tsukiyo.
Sera-san had gone to watch as a helper, and both Kudo-san and Hii-chan were judges.
“Kudo said they hired a professional to film it, so we can just watch the video later, right?”
“It might actually be better than seeing it live.”
I chatted idly with Hojo-san and Yumizaki-san.
“For now, let’s just focus on the work we’ve got.”
“But Hojo-san, I heard you ranked fourth in the preliminary votes for the Miss Contest. You might get to participate next year — shouldn’t you go watch to study it?”
“Really?”
“Yes, Kudo-san said so. Apparently, Sera-san was fifth.”
Hojo-san, embarrassed, refused to go no matter what we said — but honestly, she might rank in the top three next year.
Unless an amazing first-year shows up, next year’s contest might just turn into an internal class showcase.
“Hey!”
A classmate burst into the room.
“The Mister title went to Kaminagi, and the Miss title to Kagaya!”
Well, Seiya winning Mister was expected — but the Miss winner was Mizusato-san, huh? Then that means Tsukiyo…
If I… happen to get first place… will you grant me my wish?
So that wish… won’t come true anymore.
After finishing cleanup for our class’s café, I finally had the whole next day free to just enjoy the festival as a spectator.
The class was still buzzing with excitement, though.
Between the café’s huge success and our class members sweeping both Mister and Miss titles, there was plenty to celebrate.
Seiya and Mizusato-san were the stars of the moment, surrounded by cheering classmates.
The judges — Kudo-san, Hii-chan — and even Hojo and Yumizaki were joining in the fun.
I was supposed to celebrate with them… but instead, I was running.
I redialed the number on my phone — and finally, someone picked up.
“Ah, Taiyo-san?”
“Tsukiyo, where are you right now? Are you with Sera-san or Urihara-san?”
“I’m heading home. Umi-chan and Kinori stayed behind to finish up some work. They told me, as the main performer, to go rest.”
“I see. Then let’s walk home together. Can you wait for me by the shoe lockers?”
“Eh? But isn’t your class celebrating right now? Your brother said he’ll be late, and Mizusato-chan too…”
“Yeah, I know. But it’s fine. I’m coming to see you.”
I slung my school bag over my shoulder, went down the stairs, and stepped out toward the entrance.
There she was — Tsukiyo.
Her chestnut hair shimmered beautifully even in the evening light.
When she spotted me, she raised her hand and waved softly.
“Taiyo-san, good work today. How was the café?”
“We hit our sales goal somehow. It’s all thanks to you guys, really.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
It was late October — evenings were starting to get chilly.
That time of year when you can’t decide whether to bring a light coat or not.
Tsukiyo didn’t seem any different than usual, but she must have been exhausted — between helping at our café and competing in the contest.
“The Miss Contest was close, huh? I heard it was a tight race.”
“Ah, Mizusato-chan was so unfair! She went up with her brother — the new Mister winner — and they did this whole performance together…”
“I see. Well, that’s tough competition. What did you do for your part?”
“We did a short demo of our play for tomorrow. My class’s play is more important to me anyway.”
That’s right — Tsukiyo’s class was performing a play, and she was the princess.
If her world really were a kingdom, I wouldn’t mind living there.
Though if that were the case, I wouldn’t get to walk home beside her like this.
The road to the Kaminagi house was still a bit of a distance.
I noticed her eyelids drooping a few times along the way.
“You must be tired. A lot happened today.”
“Haha, maybe a little.”
“I probably overworked you at the café. Sorry about that.”
“It was fun. Maybe we can do another café next year. If we do, I want you to come as a customer, Taiyo-san.”
“Of course. I’ll come all the time.”
“When that happens, I’ll make you an omelet rice myself, and then feed—”
“Tsukiyo!”
Her legs gave out, and she almost fell — I barely managed to catch her.
Yeah, she was more exhausted than she realized.
Luckily, there was a small park nearby. I guided her to a bench there.
“S-sorry… I tripped.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure you get home safely.”
“You really are kind, Taiyo-san…”
“It’s not kindness. It’s just normal.”
I helped her sit down on the bench. Hopefully she’d recover a little.
She slowly lifted her face toward me.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t win first place.”
“Huh?”
“You cheered for me, and still…”
“I-It’s fine! I didn’t care about first place or anything—”
“I thought so too. I’m happy Mizusato-chan won.”
Her eyes were drowsy, her words coming softly, slowly.
I kept supporting her shoulders, listening.
“I wanted to ask you for something if I won first place.”
So that was it… the thing buried deep inside her heart.
She was happy for everyone — for the contest, for the play, for Mizusato’s victory —
But that wish of hers was still left unresolved.
“Then… tell me now.”
“In that case… please hold me.”
She rose slightly, then sank down onto my lap, leaning her back against me.
Her chestnut hair brushed against my chin, and my breath caught.
Was she half-asleep? Or fully awake? I couldn’t tell.
“Won’t you hold me, Taiyo-san?”
“—!”
Her double-ringed eyes were half-lidded, dazed.
Her cheeks glowed faintly pink as she looked up at me — so beautiful, so cute, it hurt.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her.
She was so delicate, I was afraid she might break if I held her too tightly — but I couldn’t stop myself.
“If I had won first place… I was going to tell you.”
Her voice was gentle, fading softly into the night.
“That I love you, Taiyo-san.”
“…I know.”
