The Culture Festival was closing in fast, and the entire school had turned into a construction site. Every hallway buzzed with frantic energy—paper flowers littered the floor, paint fumes lingered in the air, and someone somewhere kept yelling about missing wires.
For once, I wasn't drifting on the sidelines.I had a role. A place.
"Alright, Class 1-S1, we're going with a Karaoke Battle Room!" the class rep announced, waving a poster that looked like it was drawn in a moving train.
Half the class cheered, the other half groaned.
I sighed internally. Karaoke wasn't my thing, but anything was better than being trapped in a maid café.
And then—knock knock.
The room settled. The sliding door opened.
And Rina walked in.
Serious. Sharp-eyed. Aura set to maximum intimidation.Beside her was Miyu, smiling like she'd come here to stir up chaos on purpose.
The class rep raised a brow. "Second-years? Whatcha need?"
Rina stepped forward, folding her arms. "Our class is performing Snow White for the festival. We need to inspect the gym stage and tech setup."
Miyu chimed in, "And since our class is running a maid café, I'm checking hallway decorations~!"
Haruki—who had been asleep at a 45-degree angle—snapped upright."M-Maid café?"
Miyu's grin sharpened. "Yup."
"Are you—"
"Wearing a maid outfit?" She winked. "Maybe."
Haruki turned away dramatically, ears burning. I didn't even bother hiding my smirk.
Rina ignored everything. "We need two first-years to help us coordinate. One for stage tech. One for hallway design."
The class rep didn't hesitate."Yuuto, go help Rina with the stage."
"…Huh?"
"And Haruki—you're on decoration duty. With Miyu."
"WHAT?!"
Too late. Decisions had been made.
Miyu clapped. "Perfect! Teamwork!"
I stood and headed toward the door. Haruki looked at me like he was being drafted into war.
Rina walked out first. Didn't look back.But I noticed her pace slow—just a little.
The gym was quieter than usual, only a few students tinkering with lights and wiring. Props were stacked everywhere, and half the curtains still hung from incomplete rails.
Rina stepped to the stage, hands on her hips, eyes scanning everything with military precision.
"We need to adjust the lighting grid," she murmured. "And install a full curtain for costume changes."
I nodded. "I'll talk to the first-year tech club."
She didn't answer right away.
Then, softly—"…Why did you change?"
I froze.
She still wasn't looking at me. Arms crossed, eyes fixed on the empty stage.
"Why did you start acting different?" Her voice was calm, but fragile around the edges. "Was it… because of me?"
The words hit sharper than they should have.
"…Yeah," I said quietly. "It was you."
Her posture stiffened.
"You probably don't remember what you said back then," I continued. "But I do. You called me out. Said I couldn't stand up for myself. That I was weak."
My gaze drifted toward the empty gym seats.
"And you were right. I hated that version of me. I didn't want to stay that guy—not after you saw me like that."
Silence settled between us, deep and heavy.
"I changed… because of you."
When I looked back at her, she wasn't cold. She wasn't angry. She was… trying not to show something.
Then she turned away, clicking her tongue lightly.
"…Tch."A whisper."You're such an idiot."
She walked off.
I didn't stop her.
But just before she disappeared through the doors, she paused for half a second.
Then kept going.
Somehow… being called an idiot didn't feel like rejection.
Meanwhile, far away from emotional self-realization…
Haruki followed Miyu down the hallway, trying to look normal and failing miserably.
"So," she said playfully, "you really perked up when I mentioned the maid café."
He coughed. "S-Surprised. I was surprised."
"Right. Totally not excited," she teased. "Anyway—think I'd look good in a maid outfit?"
Haruki froze.
Miyu smirked. "That hesitation tells me everything."
He groaned. "Stop messing with me."
"You didn't say no~."
He looked away, ears bright red. She noticed, but didn't say anything.
"Anyway," she added, spinning lightly, "you're on decoration duty. Which means you're stuck with me all week."
"H-Huh? Wait—"
"Bye~!" she sang, bouncing down the hall.
Haruki stared after her.
Then sighed, defeated.
"…I'm seriously screwed."