"This feels so troublesome..."
The few people took their heated bento boxes back to their seats, and before they had eaten a few bites, Atsuya Ayumi couldn't help but sigh.
Takagi next to her nodded: "Indeed, we'll have to arrange this and that at that time—costumes, props, and the script."
Akira, who was opposite the two of them, swallowed the food in his mouth and echoed:
"The most important thing is rehearsals. We only have a few days left. This is almost impossible, and we still have classes."
"Ugh..." Atsuya Ayumi looked troubled. "I forgot about this. I was just too excited at the time..."
Their words were undeniable. Props and costumes could be managed within a week, but writing a script alone would take at least two or three more days.
After the script was finished, rehearsing well in the remaining few days without messing up was theoretically possible—but the probability was close to zero.
At this moment, Shouko didn't know how to comfort her.
Nishikata, who was at the very edge, couldn't even get a word in.
"Class Monitor, you haven't told Nobe-sensei about our class choosing to put on a play, have you?" In the quiet atmosphere, Akira suddenly spoke up.
Atsuya Ayumi slowly shook her head. "No, I plan to go tell Nobe-sensei after I finish eating my bento."
After speaking, she asked again: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. When you go tell Nobe-sensei about our class's chosen program, she should help you."
As Akira finished speaking, the eyes of the few people involuntarily fell on him, hoping he could explain what he meant.
"Really?" Atsuya Ayumi was a little doubtful.
Because yesterday Nobe-sensei had clearly stated that she wouldn't interfere with the School Festival matter.
"Really."
Akira nodded, ignoring the others' gazes, and finally gave Shouko a look that said he would talk to her later.
Only then did Shouko withdraw her gaze. Seeing this, the other three also stopped looking at him.
And Atsuya Ayumi, hearing this, sped up her eating.
"I'm full!" Atsuya Ayumi closed her bento box, stood up, and said: "I'll go find Nobe-sensei first."
After speaking, she left the classroom through the back door.
Shouko wanted to go with her, but seeing that she had only eaten half of her bento, she could only silently put a piece of broccoli into the bento box of the person next to her, hoping he could help her share it.
Now she could get up early to prepare her and Akira's bento boxes, and even bento boxes for the whole family were no problem.
But because Grandma was worried, and the elderly slept early and woke up early, she would prepare bento and breakfast with her every day.
This broccoli was also put into her bento box to reassure Grandma...
Akira ate the broccoli she gave him, saying, "Then eat more meat."
Just after she put the broccoli over, several untouched meat patties appeared in her bento box.
Shouko thought this was a good deal, and without hesitation, she picked up another piece of broccoli and put it in his bento box.
But this time, it didn't result in meat patties, only a flick on the head, although it didn't hurt...
Nishikata and Takagi watched the interaction between the two opposite them. Nishikata subtly glanced at Takagi beside him with his peripheral vision.
The moment his eyes met hers, he quickly looked away and silently sped up his eating.
"Atsuya-chan, how did it go? What did Nobe-sensei say?"
Seeing her return, Shouko in her seat couldn't wait to ask.
She pulled over an empty chair and sat down, shaking her head and saying: "Nobe-sensei didn't say anything, she just told me to come back first."
"What was her expression then?" Shouko pressed.
Atsuya Ayumi recalled, "Very bland, very bland." After speaking, she shifted the topic to Akira, who was preparing to take a nap nearby:
"Miyamura, will Nobe-sensei really help us?"
"She will help, but maybe not in the way you're thinking." Akira lay on the desk.
"There are about 30 minutes left. You'll know when Nobe-sensei comes. And what I tell you now might not be accurate."
After his words fell, he no longer paid attention to the chatting people, faced the desk, and closed his eyes.
Atsuya Ayumi thought that made sense, and both she and Shouko lowered their voices while chatting.
"Dong... dong...!"
As the bell for the first class in the afternoon rang, Akira, who had been lying on the desk, was woken up by Shouko.
"Akira, drink some water to wake up."
"Okay." Akira didn't take the water cup she offered, but reached into the desk drawer and took out his thermos.
Heh... 'tricky' Shouko.
Seeing this, Shouko glared at him with her beautiful eyes and no longer paid attention to him.
At this time, Nobe-sensei also walked into the classroom from the front door.
"Class is starting. Get yourselves together, okay? If you're really sleepy, go wash your face and come back to class."
Hearing this, a few students who were usually more mischievous raised their left hands high, indicating they wanted to go.
But within a few seconds, they were rejected by Nobe-sensei on the podium.
Once the small interlude passed, Nobe-sensei went straight to the point: "I've heard that our class has chosen to put on a play for the School Festival, right?"
"That's right, Nobe-sensei. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Will you participate with us?"
"I still want to hold a Maid Café."
"Can you just go die somewhere?"
As soon as these words came out, the students below nodded one after another, and the quiet classroom suddenly became noisy.
"Clap clap clap..." Nobe-sensei suddenly clapped the podium loudly and said seriously: "This program is not approved. Choose again."
As her words fell, the originally noisy classroom suddenly fell silent. After a while, a student asked in confusion:
"Why, Nobeko-sensei? Didn't you say you wouldn't participate in our decision?"
"Let's put that question aside for now. I'll just ask you a few questions."
Nobe-sensei scanned the expressions of the students below. Most of them looked confused and disappointed, with only a few scattered ones appearing indifferent.
"Director, actors, props team, sound and lighting, publicity and reception, stagehands—can you guarantee that these will be ready within the next few days?
Even if you can get these ready, how many days will you need to prepare the script and lines?
Suppose you are capable and finish the script in two days—can you rehearse well in the remaining four days? It's not like you don't have classes and can rehearse all day.
Also, how much will the tickets sell for at that time? If the performance fails and other students complain to me asking for refunds, will you feel good about it?
While there's still time, wouldn't it be better to do something simple, and then prepare for a play two or three months in advance when you're in the second year?"
"..." The silent students.
After her words fell, Nobeko-sensei picked up the water cup next to her and took a sip. Seeing that none of the students below wanted to refute, she opened the Japanese language textbook and started teaching.
When class ended, Nobe-sensei left the classroom, and Atsuya Ayumi quickly followed, intercepting her halfway.
She said "Thank you" to her and ran back to the classroom without looking back.
Afterwards, Atsuya Ayumi returned to the classroom, comforted and encouraged the students below a few words, and initiated another vote.
And this time, the option with the most votes was "Maid and Butler Café."
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A/N: I'm really sorry for posting late, everyone. Our house needed some repairs, and I've been busy helping with that. Thank you so much for understanding and for continuing to support me—it really means a lot!
Support me at patréon com/Lukas25