Chapter 58
Home Economics Club
When the first day of the school festival was just two days away, I was summoned—not so much by Seiya personally, but by the Home Economics Club.
Led by Seiya, I walked through the school building. Rather than being concerned about the call from the Home Ec Club, I was more worried about how pale he looked.
“Seiya… you look exhausted.”
“I’ve been doing errands for my senpai, helping with other clubs’ performances… and on top of that, I’m acting in the first-years’ play. Of course I’m busy.”
“Rough. You didn’t have to take on so much.”
“And whose idea do you think that last one was?”
…Right, that was me. Sorry.
Kaminagi Seiya might have a bad personality, but he’s a good guy. If you ask him to lend a hand for an event, he’ll help unless he’s working a part-time job.
He doesn’t show it, but I bet he’s looking forward to the festival too.
Seiya and I stepped into the Home Economics room.
“Oh! You’re here!”
That was Sato-senpai, the third-year president of the Home Ec Club—one of the rare people who could toy with Seiya.
“Ah.”
Inside were three familiar faces: Tsukiyo, Sera-san, and Urihara-san—the trio of underclass girls.
What was this all about?
“Seiya…”
“This goes back to the upcoming sports festival. It concerns you too, so listen.”
“Huh?”
The sports festival takes place two weeks after the cultural festival. The committees have already been chosen, and they start working right after the festival ends.
Our class’s representative was Hojo-san, I think. The cheer squad for that one’s always intense.
As I listened, I gathered that Tsukiyo’s class had asked the Home Ec Club to make their costumes. In exchange, they’d appear in one of the sports festival’s events—the Cultural Clubs’ Relay Race.
Basically, we’d be running in a relay while wearing special costumes designed by the Home Ec Club. It sounded like a wild idea—joining the club just for that—but since the “Club Relay” was always more about fun and humor than competition, it made sense.
If I remembered right, each team had five runners.
“Wait, so that means I’m running too?”
“Exactly.”
Seiya showed me a drawing.
It seemed to be a design sketch for our outfit… but, what the heck, is this armor?!
Apparently it was a bulky coat designed to look like armor, complete with a helmet-style hood.
The eye area had openings, so running was possible—technically.
“This is like the Home Ec Club’s last big project before graduation. We’d really appreciate your help.”
I didn’t have a reason to refuse, and since it was framed that way, I was happy to help… though honestly, if our heads are covered, couldn’t anyone wear it?
The other members’ costumes would be revealed the day of the event, though they’d already been measured for fitting.
“So, why exactly was I called here?”
“No idea.”
“What?”
Strange that Seiya didn’t know—but then again, the third-years were handling this, and he was already tied up with the festival.
The club president, Sato-senpai, walked over.
“Ah, you were actually recommended by Tsukiyo-chan. We wanted an all-beautiful, all-handsome lineup, but she insisted it had to be you.”
“Uh… huh.”
“If you’re curious about the reason, ask her yourself.”
I approached the trio chatting together. Tsukiyo was the first to notice me.
“Taiyo-san, thank you for agreeing to help.”
“Tsukiyo, why did you call me for this?”
“Eh! W-well… my role and yours are apparently kind of important, and… I just really wanted it to be you!”
I didn’t quite understand. What kind of “important role” was there in a relay race?
“Uh-huh, and then…?”
“That’s it.”
“That’s it!?”
No matter how I asked, she wouldn’t elaborate—her face went red, and she abruptly shouted that the conversation was over. I couldn’t push it further.
“The knight armor’s ready!”
A third-year club member called out to Sato-senpai.
“Perfect timing—why don’t you try it on?”
Before I could refuse, I was ushered into the changing room and dressed in a jet-black mock armor suit, complete with a helmet-style mask.
It was a full-body outfit, impossible to take off quickly. The helmet was fixed from the inside so it wouldn’t fall off while running.
Basically, I couldn’t remove the mask without undressing completely. That meant my identity would stay hidden—which was nice—but I wouldn’t be able to scratch my nose if it itched.
When I stepped out, everyone gasped in awe.
“Wow, that looks great!”
“Whoa, senpai, you look awesome! Like a real knight!”
Seiya and Sera-san both praised me.
Looking in the full-length mirror, I did sort of resemble a certain Slayer. Not bad. They told me it was supposed to be an “evil knight’s armor,” though… did that mean I was the villain?
The design itself was good enough that it’d look great on anyone with a solid build.
But one person didn’t seem pleased.
“Uh, Tsukiyo? Does it not suit me?”
Tsukiyo was frowning—a rare and, honestly, cute expression on her.
“I don’t like it because I can’t see Taiyo-san’s face.”
“Ngh!”
She whispered it softly enough that only I could hear.
Good thing my face was hidden under the mask—because I was definitely blushing.
“Your costume’s probably something cool too, huh, Seiya?”
“It’s supposed to be flashy. Well, it’s the least I can do for the seniors after all they’ve done.”
On the way back to our classroom, we kept chatting about the costumes.
I was curious about Seiya’s outfit, sure—but honestly, I was more excited to see what the three girls’ costumes would look like. They were all cute; it was bound to look great.
Especially Tsukiyo’s—I had to get a photo of her somehow. Maybe I could sneak a camera in.
Later, I’d hear that the relay and the costumes were part of some kind of performance. Maybe that’s why Tsukiyo specifically picked me.
Apparently, the script wasn’t even finished yet—so I’d just look forward to it later. For now, the school festival came first.
“Huh… what’s that?”
Up ahead, a small crowd had gathered near the bulletin board. Seiya and I joined the group to look.
“Ah, it’s the announcement for the Mr. and Miss Contest nominees.”
The boys’ ranking had Seiya in first place, Ten in second, and a third-year in third.
“Wow, you’ve got like 60% of the total votes. That’s crazy. Ten’s got maybe 20%. Probably all the first-years voting for him.”
Then we checked the girls’ side. As expected—first place was Tsukiyo.
“She’s got 70%? That’s insane. Second is a third-year, same as last year’s contestant. Only 10%, though—Tsukiyo totally dominated.”
And third place—
“Oh! Mizusato-san made it! That’s great—probably got most of the second-year votes. Good for you, Seiya.”
“It’s… not like it matters.”
He said that, but he looked secretly pleased. I wondered who he had voted for. I, of course, voted for Tsukiyo.
The Miss Contest would be held in the gym on the first day of the festival, as the final event.
“I’ll be on cleanup duty at the café then, so I can’t watch—but good luck.”
Since Seiya and Mizusato-san would both be gone during that time, someone had to cover for them.
“Hmph. For the free meal coupons, I’ll give it my best.”
And with that…
the first day of the school festival began.