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==============
This time of year has come again.
"Welcome!"
"How about a 100% Wagyu burger?!"
"Hot dogs! Various hot sauces available!"
It was about a year ago.
A festival for the "normies," where boisterous party-goers swarmed like demons and goblins. I experienced the true essence of our university's school festival, which is said to be the most exciting in the region, and I swore I'd never come again.
"Senpai, where should we go first?"
Yes, I swore I'd never come again.
But, as if on cue, I was being dragged to the school festival by Iroha Isshiki...
"Anywhere is fine..."
"Seriously, why are you so unmotivated from the start...?"
Isshiki seemed put off by my response, but I wanted her to think it was progress that I didn't say "home."
The university campus, seen as we slowly walked, was as lively as last year. I often saw groups of students, probably from seminars or labs, having a great time among themselves.
"Well, let's eat something first. I'm hungry."
"Yeah."
As we chatted, we looked over the rows of food stalls lined up in the outdoor space.
Food stalls are outside, exhibitions inside. It's our university's custom for stage events to be held in the courtyard, and that arrangement hadn't changed this year.
"Oh! Hey! Iroha-chan! Hachiman!"
Called from quite a distance, I turned to the source of the voice.
Nene-san, waving enthusiastically as she approached, and Tetsuya-san, quietly walking towards us. When they came into view, Isshiki, noticing them, waved back.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
As Isshiki and Nene-san chattered excitedly, I spoke to Tetsuya-san. He seemed busy lately; I hadn't seen him much at university, and opportunities to play games together had decreased.
"Yeah. I don't have many lectures to take anymore."
Hearing his reply, I realized the big difference between a fourth-year and a second-year student. If you attend diligently, you can earn credits in your third year, and I've heard of students who earn almost all their credits as early as their second year. After that, they only need to attend lectures that are only available in later years.
I'd like to aim for that course too, but with part-time jobs and everything, it feels completely impossible. And even if I finish earning credits, what awaits me after that is the war called job hunting. Oh, I hate it, I don't want to work...
"Where are you two going now?"
The lively reunion chat seemed to have ended, and Nene-san asked us.
"We're getting hungry, so we're thinking of buying something to eat."
"I see, I see. We just bought and ate various things too."
After some back-and-forth like "Well then, see you," Nene-san said to Isshiki:
"Good luck, Iroha-chan."
"Okay."
That conversation was quite mysterious. I didn't think there was anything for us to "try hard" at, since we weren't exhibiting anything at the school festival.
Thinking about it, I guess I worked hard enough in high school because I was on the cultural festival committee. That's why I decided I'd enjoy the university festival from the sidelines... (just kidding).
"Come on, let's go."
As I was thinking such leisurely thoughts, Isshiki said that and tugged at my sleeve. She seemed determined enough to hold my hand in public if I didn't follow her willingly.
Prompted to walk, I soon encountered an enticing aroma. Drifting from beyond the smoke rising from a griddle was a sweet and spicy scent. Everyone's favorite okonomi sauce.
"Welcome!"
Startled by the familiar voice and words, I looked into the stall and saw that the person there was also looking at us.
"So, you two really came."
"No, we just happened to be passing by..."
It was Amane Sakura who called out from inside the stall. It seemed she was indeed running a stall with her seminar group, just as she'd mentioned before.
In her hand was a boat filled with takoyaki and the source of the savory scent. Her figure, with a hand towel tied around her head, was quite fresh.
"But you'll eat something, right?"
When Sakura said that, Isshiki looked at me as if to ask, "What should we do?"
"Well, since we're here."
"Coming right up! I'll cook them for you!"
Sakura called out to the male student who was pouring batter on the griddle in front of her, then rolled up her sleeves and took over. She skillfully cut the bubbling batter with a skewer and flipped the takoyaki.
"Thanks for waiting!"
In exchange for coins, we received freshly made, piping hot takoyaki. The contrast of dancing bonito flakes and green nori was incredibly appetizing.
"Well, good luck."
"Okay!"
When I said that, Sakura waved at us. Isshiki, in turn, gave a small wave back to Sakura.
We temporarily left the food stall area and sat down on a conveniently empty bench. The bonito flakes on the takoyaki were still dancing.
"Sakura-chan's, handmade..."
Isshiki picked up a takoyaki with a toothpick, her face smiling but the corners of her mouth twitching.
Then, with an incredibly displeased expression, she brought the takoyaki to my mouth.
"Senpai. A-ah-ahn..."
"What's with that tone? Are you forcing yourself quite a bit?"
"Not at all. I just thought it would be better if I fed you than if you ate it with your own hand."
"Hot!"
As if my concern was unnecessary, Isshiki pressed the takoyaki against me. No, it's embarrassing to be fed outside, and I almost burned myself again! If this continues, I'll get a burn on my heart too.
"I-I'll eat it myself..."
"No, you won't."
She bundled the remaining toothpicks together, skewered a takoyaki, blew on it to cool it, and then brought it to her own mouth. Then, she immediately skewered a third one and offered it to me without hesitation.
"Here, please."
...I wasn't doing anything wrong today, was I?
Thinking that, I pondered how to delay the moment the takoyaki was brought to my mouth.
—------
After that, time flew by as we walked around, visiting stalls and looking at the campus exhibits.
And for some reason, I found myself right in front of the stage set up in the courtyard. Sitting in the front row, I looked up at the person holding the microphone.
"Thanks for waiting! Who is the most beautiful woman?! The Miss Contest is about to begin!"
Responding to that hype, the venue erupted in excitement.
Yes, a school festival means a Miss Contest. Well, I think most universities don't have one, but let's go with that.
Of course, I didn't come to see it willingly. A few tens of minutes ago, Isshiki told me, "I'm going to participate in the Miss Contest now, so please watch from the front row."
"What's going on with this...?"
"Hehehe. You'll see if you watch."
It was Nene-san, sitting next to me, who gave that fearless smile.
It seemed she had conspired with Isshiki and secured a seat for me. Tetsuya-san, who seemed to have been dragged into it, was holding two fans that read 'Iroha Isshiki'. No, really, I'm sorry...
"Well, I guess I'll know the result if I watch..."
The problem was, why did she hide the fact that she was participating in the Miss Contest from me?
I didn't think it was something to hide, but I couldn't understand why she decided to enter the Miss Contest without telling me until the last minute. Given Isshiki's recent behavior, I could only think she was plotting something.
"It's about to start."
Tetsuya-san, who had been silently watching the stage, told me that while waving his homemade Iroha Isshiki cheering fan. That outfit is starting to look more and more melancholic...
I wondered if I should get a fan too and wave it, when the Miss Contest participants, including Isshiki, ascended the stage at the MC's signal.
"I heard there were quite a few applicants this year. Just being up there is amazing."
"...It's that popular an event, huh?"
"Well, it's a regular event, you know~"
That means they probably did it last year too, but last year I was overwhelmed by the energy of the party-goers and didn't even try to go near the stage.
As I mulled over Nene-san's words in my mind, a sudden question arose.
"Nene-san, have you ever thought about participating?"
"Yes. In fact, I did participate."
No, she participated?! I couldn't help but inwardly exclaim.
Nene-san looked at Tetsuya-san with a meaningful "right?" and the leader of the Iroha Isshiki cheering squad nodded.
"Nene won in her first year. That's why she can't enter the Miss Contest anymore."
"Huh, seriously?"
When I expressed my genuine surprise and admiration, Nene-san puffed out her chest with a "hmph."
I'd thought she was beautiful since I first met her, but I never imagined she'd been crowned the most beautiful at the university. It made me seriously doubt if she was truly related to Zaimokuza.
"That's surprising. You don't seem like the type to be interested in this."
"I wasn't at first. But there's a jinx."
Saying that, Nene-san looked at Isshiki, who was waving on stage.
It was with a very dazzling, nostalgic look.
"They say if you win the Miss Contest, you'll get a boyfriend. And sure enough, after I won the Miss Contest, I started dating Tetsu-chan!"
"How about that!" Nene-san seemed to be saying, but I just thought, "Well, of course, if you're good-looking enough to win a Miss Contest, you'll get a boyfriend." That's the kind of thing about you, Hachiman.
"And now, entry number one—"
From there, the development was quite orthodox.
Self-introductions and talent shows. One person played the saxophone with a captivating allure, while another performed a sharp, energetic dance.
"Everyone's amazing~"
Nene-san said calmly, but I was on tenterhooks.
It might be rude to say, but did Iroha Isshiki have any outstanding talents?
I don't remember ever asking about her hobbies, nor do I recall her showing off any hidden talents. I knew she was resourceful, but that wasn't a particularly remarkable trait on this stage.
"And now, for our grand finale! Entry number ten, Iroha Isshiki!"
Despite my worries.
As if simply pushed forward by the enthusiasm of the crowd.
============
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