SCPK 57

Chapter 57.

School Festival Preparations ~Underclassmen~

So, that’s how I ended up in the first-year classroom.
At this point, there’s no room left for hesitation.
If I fail, Mizusato-san will torment me to death. That woman… she’s surprisingly ruthless when she decides to be.

Still… even if they’re underclassmen, it’s hard to just stroll into another class.
And the person I came here for — Kaminagi Tsukiyo — was surrounded by an overwhelming number of classmates, making it hard to approach.
She’s as popular as ever.
But… when she’s not with Sera-san or Urihara-san, Tsukiyo never really looks all that happy, does she?

“Yamada-senpai?”
“Oh, Amatsu! Hey!”

Yusa Amatsu — a first-year boy I got close to around the end of summer break.
He’s been pretty busy as one of the student council officers.
A well-featured, slightly boyish face that makes him overwhelmingly popular among first-years…

“Got ourselves a butler candidate!”
“Huh?”

Using Amatsu’s help, I called over Tsukiyo, Sera-san, and Urihara-san.

“I see, so your class is doing a play?”
“Yes. It’s about two knights and one princess. Kinori-san wrote the script.”

Introduced by Amatsu, Urihara Kinori blushed and nodded.
Apparently, since that whole “confession play” incident, Amatsu and Kinori have been getting along quite well.
They’re even on a first-name basis now… as expected, handsome guys have it way too easy.

“Faaahhh~ So, senpai, you want us to help out, right?”
“Yeah. The play’s on day two, and our maid café’s on day one. There won’t be any overlap, so I’d really appreciate your help!”

Sera Umika yawned loudly as she spoke.

“In that case, can I propose one condition in exchange for accepting? If your class agrees to it, I’m fine with helping.”
Amatsu said seriously, raising one finger.

“One of the two knights in our play got injured, so we’re looking for a replacement. Seiya-senpai fits the role perfectly. Could we borrow him?”
“Sure thing!”
“You can’t just decide that on your own, you’ll get scolded by your brother.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

Tsukiyo scolded me, of course.
I pulled out my phone and called Seiya.

The line connected immediately.

‘What.’
“I’ll treat you to food on both days of the festival. Just do me this favor.”
‘Got it.’

The call ended.

“He said it’s fine.”

Tsukiyo sighed and held her head.
I wasn’t sure if she was frustrated at me or at her brother.
But that’s how it is with close friends — you just kind of know what the other’s thinking.
(Though in Seiya’s case, he’s my only close friend, really.)

Anyway, some extra spending is worth it.
If that’s what it takes to recruit this group to the café, I’ll go all in.

By the way, Seiya’s been helping the student council thanks to Kudo-san’s recommendation.
This school might as well be the Kudohara Kingdom at this point — no one dares oppose her.

“I’m not the lead in the play anyway, so I’ve got time. I can help too.”
“You’re a lifesaver!”

With that, I got a “yes” from Amatsu and Sera-san.
I wanted Urihara-san too, but Amatsu shot that down.
What a possessive boyfriend. Damn him.

I turned to Tsukiyo.

“I don’t really mind either.”
“Eh? But you’re playing the princess, right? You’ll be busy.”
“Umi-chan?”
“If you really want her to help, you’ll have to make an offer that sweeps Tsukiyo off her feet.”
“Wait—hey!”

Wha… so I can’t just ask for her help normally?
Come on, Tsukiyo, you were on board a moment ago!

“Yeah, you’ll have to ask me properly.”
“Whaaa?”

Tsukiyo folded her arms and looked away — adorable. No, focus!
She was totally ready to say yes earlier!
But if she insists… then fine.
Even if it’s embarrassing, I’ll do what I have to.
Every time I’ve been serious, Tsukiyo has answered me sincerely.
So this time, too, I’ll go all out.

I made sure that only Amatsu, Sera, and Urihara were nearby.

“Tsukiyo,” I said, placing both hands on her shoulders.
I stared straight into her soft, dual-colored eyes, and before she could get embarrassed, I spoke my mind.

“Hyah—”
“Please. I… I want to see you in a maid outfit. I know you’ll be the cutest one of all. So please, show me that side of you.”

“…Okay, that was kinda creepy.”
“Kinori, no! Don’t say that out loud!”

I could hear two uneasy girls muttering behind me, but I think my feelings got across.
I still had my hands on Tsukiyo’s slender shoulders.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she looked away from me.

“W-well… if you put it that way… fine.”
“Thank you!”
“Seriously!? That was super cringe, and you’re okay with that, Tsukiyo!?”

Sera-san, please, don’t say it like that.
I know I’m not exactly the cool type, and saying cheesy stuff like that with this face probably looked pathetic.
But it’s true — I really wanted to see Tsukiyo in a maid uniform.

So now I had two maids and one butler secured.
Looks like I’ll survive without getting killed by Mizusato-san.

And thus, the school festival was just around the corner.

“Amatsu… was my way of asking really that gross?”
“Uh… ahahaha…”
“Guess I’ll go ask Urihara-san which was worse — my line or your ‘sock’ story.”
“Please, no! Anything but that!!”