A True LOVE [ Yandere-kun X Male Rivals ]

[23] Preparations for the Festival

The school festival.

The yearly event takes place within the school grounds, and all students and clubs are invited to participate in various activities.

Clubs organise contests and performances while students set up food stalls and game booths. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement as everyone eagerly anticipates the festivities.

As lunch break neared, Ayato sighed in relief when he could finally take a break from their classmates' constant chattering and laughing, feeling a headache coming up.

Rubbing his forehead, he breathed out before noticing Osano walking towards him from the corner of his eye. This prompted him to lower his hand and glance over at him.

Osano approached his friends with a smile, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I guess once the gaming club's absence gets filled, we can start preparing for the school festival. I bet it's gonna be more fun now that we can go together!"

"Won't you be busy with the club preparations, though?" Taro asked as the three of them began walking to their usual lunch spot, eyeing him with a curious look.

Noticing Ayato's wondering look, Taro explained. "The sports club always organises a contest with participants from all over the school. Last year, there was a soccer competition with multiple teams joining." He gestured towards Osano. "Most of the time, those contests take up the entire day with preparations and stuff."

"It'll be fine!" Osano chimed in, brushing his comment off with a grin. "It's not like the club's gonna have me work all day. I'll have a break in between. Besides, this year, it's going to be a running track from what I've heard."

"Running?" Taro asked in amusement, barely hiding his disbelief and causing Osano to flush.

"Yes! Running! I'm going to practice." Osano rolled his eyes, but despite his embarrassment, he had a hint of a smile. 

Ayato glanced between the two, watching their interaction with a neutral look. 

As they reached the rooftop, Taro faced Ayato. "What about you? Did the drama club tell you what the plan is this year?"

"I haven't talked to them about it," Ayato answered, recalling the few times he had spoken to the club's leader, Kizano, which was barely any. 

"Will it be a play? That's what they did last time." Osano wondered, resting his chin in his hand, to which Taro shook his head. "Didn't they pair up with the cooking club back then to do a cafe? I remember the actors serving as the maids and butlers while the cooking club provided the food."

"Really?" Osano asked in surprise. "I thought that was two years ago. Hey, Ayato, what do you remember?"

Ayato stilled, not expecting to be pulled into the conversation. He pondered momentarily before admitting earnestly. "I don't know. I never went to the school festivals."

"You didn't?!" Osano loudly exclaimed, catching the attention of several people on the rooftop before muttering an apology. With flushed cheeks, he murmured. "Really? That's the one time a year when school is actually fun, and teachers don't breathe down your back all the time. You have to go!"

"I wasn't saying I'm not going." Ayato shrugged with a casual look. "I just wasn't interested before."

"But you'll come this year? Right?" Osano eagerly asked, leaning in excitedly.

It threw Ayato off for a moment, wondering what got him all sunny and bright.

"I guess. I can go with you guys, right?" 

"Of course," Taro calmly said with a smile. "But you should talk to Sunobu-san first in case your agendas don't match."

"Sunobu-san?" Osano murmured his name in thought, his brows furrowing as he tried to recall the familiar name. Oh. Right. That was the guy on the rooftop.