"Hahaha! Didn't expect it, did you? After going back and forth, we still ended up choosing this program!"
"Yakamashi!"
"Urusai!"
The classroom suddenly regained its vitality, and nobody mentioned the interlude from the last class anymore.
"Akira, you must take time off then!" Shouko gripped his arm tightly.
"Mm." Akira nodded without hesitation.
"Shouko! It'll be troublesome, but you'll be in charge of making the omurice then." At this moment, Atsuya Ayumi walked down from the podium and hugged Shouko from behind.
She originally wanted to say heart-shaped omurice, but the words got stuck in her throat—afraid she'd be beaten to death by someone. Still, it was her selfish thought, considering Shouko's hearing problem. Telling her in advance was better. Besides, Shouko already made bento boxes for Akira and herself every morning.
Everyone should have no objections.
"Me…?" Shouko blinked.
"That's right." Atsuya Ayumi released her, nodded, and said, "When we assign tasks tomorrow, I'll explain the reason to everyone. I believe everyone will understand. So… can you not take time off then?"
As soon as she finished, she started acting spoiled toward Shouko.
"This…" Shouko wanted to agree but hesitated when she thought of Akira. Finally, she asked, "What about Akira?"
"Miyamura…"
Atsuya Ayumi stared at his face, thinking. Finally, Shouko raised her hand to block her own eyes, and Ayumi continued:
"How about having Akira wear a butler uniform and attract customers at the entrance?"
That face would definitely charm many girls… meaning, they could make a fortune.
"…" Shouko, who wanted to refuse.
At this point, Akira, who couldn't stand it any longer, spoke up:
"How about I go and be Shouko's assistant? I can still help a lot."
If Shouko wasn't taking time off, then it would be boring for him to stay home alone. His mom might even come to school to look around. Staying home would be even worse.
"Haha…" Atsuya Ayumi rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. "Let's see tomorrow's arrangements. I can't make too big of a decision myself, haha…"
As soon as she finished, she caught Shouko's glare-that-could-eat-someone and scurried away.
Seeing this, Shouko turned back and started chatting with Takagi. Meanwhile, Nishikata beside them had already sunk into his thoughts, ignoring Akira's attempt to talk.
This kid was hopeless—already overthinking again.
The night wrapped in thin frost over the mountain path.
"Is that so? They changed the program again."
"Mm-hmm. I already promised Atsuya-chan. I'll be in charge of making omurice in the back kitchen."
At that moment, Akira, wiping his hair, came out of the bathroom and overheard Shouko talking with Miyamura Shizuka in the living room.
"Then I'll have to properly taste the heart-shaped omurice my Shouko makes."
"Auntie, it's just regular omurice. The heart on top will be drawn by other students."
Hearing this, Miyamura Shizuka silently gave Ayumi a thumbs-up in her heart. This decision was good.
"Oh right, what about that brat? What's his job?" Shizuka asked curiously, glancing at Akira.
"They haven't said yet. We'll only know tomorrow," Akira replied.
Shouko walked over, gently took the towel from his hand, and began wiping his hair.
Unless he was helping her in the back kitchen, she wished Akira would take time off.
"Tsk tsk tsk…" Miyamura Shizuka smacked her lips, watching the two like an old married couple. "I'm going to take a bath. You two chat."
"Akira…"
Shouko waited until Shizuka disappeared into the bathroom before whispering.
"Don't worry. If you really don't like it, I'll take time off," Akira said softly, already guessing her thoughts.
"Mm-hmm."
Shouko nodded, no longer pursuing the topic, returned the towel, and fetched the hairdryer.
The next day.
"Dong… dong… dong…!"
"Alright students, class dismissed. Go eat."
The elderly teacher left, and Atsuya Ayumi immediately marched onto the podium, clapping her hands.
"Alright everyone, let's assign the tasks now! Let's all work hard together!"
She erased the blackboard and began writing.
Manager, Assistant Manager, Maids/Butlers, Greeters, Chefs, Poster Designers, Props Team…
Akira watched as the roles filled the board. Ayumi's preparation was thorough.
In the end, Shouko was placed in the back kitchen—no objections, given her hearing problem.
Nishikata and Takagi became a butler and maid, both looking forward to it.
When it came to Akira, there was pushback. Ayumi wanted him as a poster designer, but most wanted him as a greeter or butler—his looks would bring in crowds.
Ayumi, however, won them over with logic and his Art Club background, leaving Akira with Poster Design.
Shouko, meanwhile, kept in mind those who had wanted him as a butler.
Finally, Ayumi was unanimously decided as the Manager.
"Atsuya-chan is getting more and more like Nobe," Shouko praised after the meeting. She especially liked Akira's assigned role.
The next day, it was time for the festival preparations to truly begin.
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