The Sainan High School Festival was a riot of colour, noise, and teen spirit. The hallways were jammed with students, parents, and visitors navigating a maze of haunted houses, yakisoba stands, and cosplay cafes.
But the epicenter of the chaos, at least for the female demographic, was undoubtedly Class 2-A.
The classroom had been transformed into a jungle. Green streamers hung from the ceiling lights like vines, cardboard trees lined the walls, and the desks had been rearranged into rustic tables covered in leaf-patterned cloths.
"Welcome to the Animal Café!"
Yuuki Rito bowed deeply at the entrance, welcoming a group of giggling girls from a neighbouring school.
He was wearing the class costume: a crisp, black butler's vest that was tailored just a little too tight, hugging his broad chest and tapering at his waist to show off the V-taper he had developed. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing veiny forearms as he held a tray of drinks. On his head sat a pair of fluffy, grey wolf ears that twitched slightly whenever he moved due to Lala's grace.
He straightened up, flashing a nervous, shy smile. His cheeks were dusted pink.
"Please... right this way." Rito stammered, his natural shyness making him look less like a confident host and more like a blushing animal to prey on, and the girls melted at that.
"Kyaaa! He's so cute!"
"Look at his arms! And he's blushing!"
"Is that the Harem King?"
"Rather than a bad wolf, he looks more like an adorable puppy!"
"Can I order him?"
Rito flinched, his ears burning. "U-Um... we serve tea and cakes..."
He led them to a table, conscious of the dozens of eyes following him. Since the broadcast and the word about his physique spread, he had become a local celebrity. Women of all ages, from high schoolers to visiting moms, were finding excuses to visit Class 2-A just to see the "Wolf Butler".
"Here you go," Rito said, placing the tea down with shaky hands. As he leaned over, his vest tightened across his back, outlining the dense muscle underneath.
"Oh my," a middle-aged woman at the next table whispered to her friend, fanning herself. "High school boys these days are... robust."
From the kitchen corner, a partitioned area with a hot plate, Saruyama watched the scenes with dead eyes. He was wearing a monkey costume that looked more like a brown potato sack.
"It's not fair," Saruyama muttered, aggressively stirring a pot of tea. "I'm a monkey, and he's a wolf. We both are animals, monkey being the more popular one. So, why does only the wolf get the girls? It's against biology and everything the animal documentaries ever shown!"
"Quit whining and stir," a male classmate in a giraffe suit grumbled. "We lost the lottery. Yuuki is the face of the operation… And we're just the zoo exhibits."
"But look at him!" Saruyama pointed a ladle. "He's just standing there blushing, and they're throwing tips at him! I tried to smile at a girl earlier and she asked if I was the mascot for a constipation commercial!"
Rito retreated to the service station, wiping sweat from his brow. "This is exhausting." he sighed.
"You're doing great, Rito-kun!"
Sairenji Haruna appeared at his side, holding a fresh pot of coffee. She was wearing the costume she had shown him yesterday, the French Maid outfit with black cat ears and a tail. The skirt was short, fluttering around her thighs added with her stocking, and the apron cinched her waist perfectly.
She smiled at him, her eyes shining with pride and possession.
"The customers love you," Haruna whispered, leaning in close so her shoulder brushed his arm. "And... you look really handsome. The ears suit you."
Rito's heart did a flip. He looked at her, his wife, his sanctuary. "You also look... perfect, Haruna. I'm having trouble focusing on the customers when you're walking around like that."
Haruna blushed, looking down at her tray. "I... I wore the garter belt you like. Underneath."
Rito choked on air. "Haruna...!"
"Rito! Order up for Table 4!"
Lala bounced over, tray balanced on one hand. She was wearing a "Space Tiger" outfit, basically a bikini made of tiger-striped fur and very little else. Her real tail was wrapped in faux-fur to match.
"This is so fun!" Lala cheered. "Everyone wants to take pictures with me! But I told them I only take pictures with my husband!"
She hugged Rito's arm, pressing her fur-clad chest against him. "Right, Rito?"
"Lala! Not in front of the customers!" Rito hissed, though he didn't pull away.
"Oh! Run-chan is here too!" Lala pointed.
Run stood in the doorway, striking a pose for a crowd of fans. She was wearing a glittery bunny suit, her idol aura blinding. She spotted Rito and blew him a kiss that virtually knocked him backward.
"Manager-san! I need a special service after this!" Run called out, winking.
The classroom erupted in cheers and jealous groans.
Rito put his head in his hands. "I'm never going to survive this day, the guys in the room are practically oozing out killing intent."
"Excuse me!"
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the noise, and the temperature in the café seemed to drop.
Standing at the entrance, clipboard in hand, armband gleaming, was Kotegawa Yui. She looked stressed, tired, and ready to shut the whole festival down.
"This café is exceeding capacity!" Yui barked, marching toward Rito. "Yuuki Rito! Explain what is going on here!"
Yui marched through the Animal Café like a general inspecting a disorderly barracks. Her armband, marked "Public Morals Committee", gleamed under the fluorescent lights, a beacon of order in the chaos of cat ears and maid skirts.
"This is unacceptable!" Yui snapped, stopping in front of Rito. She pointed her pen at Lala, who was currently hanging upside down from a decorative branch, her tiger bikini barely clinging to her curves. "That outfit violates the dress code by at least three parameters! And Run-san is causing a fire hazard by blocking the exit with her fan club!"
Rito straightened up, adjusting his wolf ears which were drooping slightly. "Kotegawa, relax. It's a festival. Everyone's just having fun."
"Fun must be regulated!" Yui countered, though her eyes betrayed her. She glanced at Rito's vest, at the way the fabric strained across his chest as he crossed his arms, and a faint flush crept up her neck. She looked away quickly, focusing on his tray. "And you! Flirting with customers while on duty! Is this a café or a... a host club?!"
"I'm just serving tea!" Rito protested, his face turning pink. "They ask me questions, I answer! I can't help it if they think the ears are cute!"
"They are cute, I mean, they are distracting!" Yui stammered, correcting herself furiously. "And Sairenji-san! Why is your skirt so short?!"
Haruna, who was refilling water glasses nearby, jumped. "I-It's the standard maid length, Yui-chan! It's for the theme!"
"The theme is 'Jungle', not 'Shameless'!" Yui huffed, rubbing her temples, looking exhausted. Her hair was slightly askew, and there were dark circles under her eyes. Managing the general insanity of the school had clearly taken its toll.
Rito noticed the tremble in her hand as she held the clipboard.
"Kotegawa," Rito said, his voice softening. He set his tray down on a nearby table. "You look tired. Have you taken a break today?"
*****
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