After delivering all the instruments needed for the performance to the backstage area of the auditorium—
"Here are the instruments for Class 1-F. We'll be counting on you seniors to keep an eye on them for us."
Kotomi Izumi set down her guitar, then took out the cold drinks she'd bought earlier and handed them to the upperclassmen in charge of managing the backstage area.
"Don't worry, leave it to us! Izumi, you're way too polite—no need to buy us anything next time. Managing the backstage is part of our job."
"Even if a horde of cockroaches the size of adults suddenly appeared and tried to steal your instruments, I'd grab the bug spray and fight them to the death to protect everything!"
"What—?! There are cockroaches backstage?! Ah, I'm gonna faint! When I was asked to join the backstage team, I specifically asked if there were any cockroaches here!"
"Hahaha, relax! He's exaggerating. There aren't any cockroaches—it's almost winter."
"Phew... Winter or summer, iced Pepsi always hits the spot! To repay Izumi for the cold drinks, I'll personally guard her guitar. No one will get within a single step of it!"
"Once that ice-cold drink hits the stomach, I feel instantly refreshed! Izumi, go enjoy the festival—you and your friends have fun. Leave the instruments to us!"
"Even if the discipline officer comes to confiscate them, I'll raise this Mirinda bottle and fight to the death!"
"Oh God, if the discipline officer really does come, I'll take this bottle—sturdy as Grandma George's honey jar—and bash him on the head! That'll purify the ugly soul that's haunted me ever since he confiscated my phone back in first year! I swear I'll do it!"
"Oh, my dear friend, if you keep talking in that ridiculous mock-translator accent, I'll use my brand-new leather shoes to kick your uniform until the seams burst."
"Well, whole wheat bread tastes a bit better when toasted anyway."
"Haha, hearing you guys, I feel even more reassured. Thank you all for your help," Kotomi said with a gentle smile before leaving the hall.
It hadn't cost much—just a few drinks—but buying something small that people appreciated made everything go smoother. That was one of the many social tricks her father, Kaneyoshi Izumi, had taught her.
Even though Kotomi had been a bit slow and clumsy as a child, she'd learned her father's lessons in dealing with people astonishingly fast. Maybe it was because of her naturally high emotional intelligence—or perhaps she was just born good at interacting with others.
"Should we head to the food stalls and grab breakfast first?"
"I want to wait by the gate for my family."
"I'll wait for my mom and sister too."
"Alright then, what do you two want to eat? I'll go buy it for you," Yukino Yukinoshita offered tactfully. Since both Kotomi and Yui had invited their families to the festival, it would've been awkward for her to stand around waiting with them. She hadn't invited anyone herself, so she might as well make herself useful.
"One bowl of fried noodles and a cup of fruit milk, please!" Yui said cheerfully.
"I'll have three Mega Burgers and a large serving of fish and chips. Oh, and for the burgers, add an extra slice or two of pickles—too many makes it weird, but too few feels unsatisfying. For the fish and chips, I want both Thousand Island and ketchup."
Kotomi had discovered that particular burger stall during the test tastings a few days earlier. Their patties were grilled to perfection—the taste easily rivaled McDonald's Big Macs, maybe even surpassed them.
"Fried noodles for breakfast is fine, but Kotomi... who eats burgers and fries this early in the morning?" Yukino asked helplessly. To her, burgers were more of a lunch or dinner thing.
"It's fine! Who says you can't have burgers for breakfast? KFC, McDonald's, Burger King—they all serve breakfast, right? I love the sausage and egg burger—it's the perfect combination of sausage and cheese. Besides, the wrapper doesn't say how many calories it has. No label means no calories! And since it's cold today, that means even fewer calories. Hmm... I should probably add a serving of mashed potatoes too. The burgers and fries don't have any calories, so I'll eat the mashed potatoes to make up for it."
Kotomi Izumi said this with absolute confidence. If a fitness trainer or diet coach heard her logic, they'd probably die on the spot from anger.
Yukino Yukinoshita twitched her lips slightly. She hadn't expected Kotomi to be able to come up with such an elaborate, completely nonsensical theory just to justify eating burgers and fries for breakfast.
But since Kotomi clearly wanted them, Yukino just sighed and nodded in agreement, deciding to go buy them for her.
When someone helps you buy breakfast, of course you should pay yourself. Yukino originally planned to let Kotomi pay her back afterward, but Kotomi knew she'd ordered more food, so she sent the money right away—for both herself and Yui.
"I'll transfer mine and Yui's share to you now," Kotomi said as she made the payment on her phone.
"Alright," Yukino replied. She was already used to Kotomi's habit of always paying for Yui's portion as well whenever they ate together.
After Yukino left—
"Kotomi, here. These bills have been in my pocket for a while, so they're a little crumpled. If... if you don't like them, I can check my wallet at home later. I think I still have some newer ones..." Yui Yuigahama said softly, carefully holding out the money to Kotomi. Her voice carried a faint trace of instinctive self-consciousness.
Standing before Kotomi Izumi, who seemed so graceful and radiant, Yui couldn't help feeling a quiet sense of inferiority.
She liked Kotomi. But deep down, she couldn't stop wondering—was she really worthy of her?
Can a poor girl truly love a wealthy family's daughter?
Would the white doves on a church roof ever kiss the black crows in the fields?
"Who'd be dumb enough to dislike money? You, honestly..."
Kotomi looked at Yui helplessly. She hadn't even planned to ask for the money—it wasn't much, after all—but since the silly dumpling insisted on giving it to her, refusing would probably hurt her feelings.
Sighing softly, Kotomi took the bills, then reached out and gave Yui a light smack on the head, pretending to be angry as she said in mock annoyance:
"You silly dumpling. Sometimes I really want to knock some sense into you! When will you finally learn to just rely on me without feeling guilty about it?"
"Hehehe..."
After being lightly hit, Yui stood in front of Kotomi with a shy blush on her cheeks, lowering her head with a goofy little smile.
The truth was—she wasn't dumb at all. Hardly anyone truly is.
It's just that, when a girl is around the person she likes, she's perfectly happy to play the fool—to become a little airheaded, a little clumsy, and a little too sweet for her own good.
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