Chapter 40: Preparations for the Festivals Begin

3 0 0
                                    

The first day back at school after the cruise was filled with a palpable excitement. The classroom buzzed with chatter, curiosity sparking as we awaited Chabashira-sensei's announcement. When she stepped inside, the room fell into a hush.

“As some of you may have heard, we have two significant events coming up next week,” Chabashira-sensei said, her voice commanding attention. “The sports festival and the cultural festival. Both are crucial, so prepare yourselves thoroughly.”

The announcement sparked excitement and determination among us. Koenji, with his signature confident smile, casually flipped his hair. “Ah, another chance to demonstrate my unparalleled magnificence,” he mused aloud, earning a few eye rolls.

Sudo, sitting up with renewed energy, clenched his fists. “I’ll show everyone how much I’ve improved. Count me in, sensei,” he declared with a resolute grin.

Next to him, Onodera being the most athletic girl in our class raised her hand. “I’ll participate too. We’ll need as many strong athletes as possible,” she said, her tone enthusiastic.

The conversation shifted to the cultural festival. Kushida’s eyes lit up as she clapped her hands. “I’ve got an idea! Let’s do a maid café. It’ll be unique and should draw a lot of visitors.”

A wave of agreement swept through the room, especially from the boys. Because why not they would love to see the girls wearing maid uniforms.

With that settled, Ayanokoji and I exchanged glances. As the appointed managers for the events, it was on us to coordinate and supervise. Chabashira-sensei, to my surprise, offered to assist when needed.

As the week kicked off, the afternoons were dedicated to sports training. Sudo and Onodera worked together tirelessly, their sessions on the track full of energy and banter.

“Faster, Sudo-kun! You’re falling behind,” Onodera called, glancing over her shoulder as she sprinted ahead.

Sudo grinned, sweat glistening on his forehead. “I’m just saving my energy for the real competition,” he said before pushing harder to close the gap. Their laughter rang out across the field, a sound that caught the attention of passersby.

During their breaks, Sudo would take deep breaths, sitting on the grass beside Onodera. “You’re tougher than you look, you know,” he admitted, giving her a sideways glance.

She chuckled, nudging him playfully. “And you’re not as gruff as everyone thinks,” she teased. The camaraderie between them grew more noticeable with each day, their casual smiles hinting at a developing connection.

Meanwhile, Ike and Shinohara were busy planning their food stall. Their initial arguments over recipes and decorations gradually turned into something much warmer.

“Ike-kun, that sign looks ridiculous,” Shinohara laughed, pointing at his hastily drawn, overly colorful banner that read ‘Delicious Eats – Come and Get It!’.

“Ridiculous? It’s eye-catching!” Ike defended, a grin spreading across his face.

“Eye-catching doesn’t mean blinding,” Shinohara teased. She stepped forward, their fingers brushing as she reached for a marker. “Here, let me fix it a bit.”

Their hands lingered a moment longer than necessary before they both pulled away, blushing slightly. “Thanks,” Ike muttered, scratching the back of his head.

“Anytime,” Shinohara replied softly, her eyes meeting his for a fleeting second before they both broke into shy laughter. As the days went on, their teamwork became seamless, their conversations punctuated by laughter and shared smiles.

The most entertaining part of was the girls practicing for the maid café. The excitement in the room was contagious as they rehearsed their greetings.

“Okay, let’s try it again. Remember, confidence is key,” I said, standing alongside Chabashira-sensei as we watched the girls practice.

“Welcome, Master!” Haruka said, her tone playful and exaggerated. Matsushita burst out laughing, doubling over as Haruka winked mischievously.

“Haruka, you’re going to scare them off at this rate,” Matsushita teased between giggles.

Kei stepped forward, adjusting the ribbon on her uniform. “Like this?” she asked, looking at me for confirmation.

“Perfect,” I said with a nod. “You’re all doing great.”

At the back, Mii-chan and Sakura exchanged nervous glances. Sakura’s cheeks were flushed as she shifted uncomfortably. “I-I’m not sure I can do this,” she whispered.

Kushida noticed and stepped over, her smile warm and encouraging. “It’s okay, Sakura. Just take it slow. You’ll get the hang of it.”

I joined them, placing a reassuring hand on Mii-chan’s shoulder. “Both of you are doing better than you think. Just breathe and focus on having fun with it.”

Sakura’s eyes met mine, and she managed a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, that helps,” she said, taking a deep breath before trying again.

Practices continued with laughter filling the room. The girls took turns rehearsing different customer interactions, each one adding their unique touch.

“Welcome, Master! Would you like some coffee?” Kei practiced, her tone confident now.

“You’ll charm the entire school at this rate,” Sato joked, giving her a thumbs-up.

Behind them, Chabashira-sensei observed with an amused glint in her eyes. “If you maintain this level of dedication, the café will be a great success,” she said approvingly.

By the end of each day, the girls had perfected their roles, blending elegance and playfulness in a way that promised the maid café would be a hit.

The hard work and long hours of practice brought everyone closer. Sudo and Onodera’s bond strengthened as they pushed each other to new heights on the track, exchanging laughter and challenges.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think we might actually win this thing,” Onodera said, panting as they sat on the bleachers.

Sudo smirked, nudging her shoulder. “With us on the team, we can’t lose.” And both high five each other.

Ike and Shinohara’s partnership on the food stall blossomed into something warmer as they perfected their recipes and decorations.

“Ike, you’re better at this than I thought,” Shinohara admitted, a playful glint in her eyes.

He rubbed his neck, chuckling. “Don’t go spreading that around. I have a reputation, you know.”

The girls’ preparation for the maid café brought laughter and support, with Mii-chan and Sakura overcoming their initial embarrassment with the help of Kushida and me. By the time the week ended, we were more than ready. The atmosphere in the class was one of determination and excitement, bound by newfound connections and a shared goal.

With the festivals on the horizon, we all knew that the coming week would be one to remember.

--Chapter 40 ends--

My New Life As Suzune Horikita (COMPLETED)Where stories live. Discover now