Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 291: The Day of the School Festival.

The Day of the School Festival.

The lingering summer heat had slipped away unnoticed at some point…

The comfortable warmth of recent days had begun to carry a crisp coolness in the mornings.

Even the winter uniforms, which had seemed premature not long ago, now felt perfectly suited to the chill of dawn and dusk. The flower beds I tended every day had bloomed full with autumn flowers.

In this season that unmistakably declared itself autumn, today had finally arrived.

A perfect clear autumn sky stretched overhead—an ideal day for a festival.

Yes. Today marked the beginning of the school’s main autumn event.

The school festival was starting!!

Though when I think of classic autumn events, my mind always goes to the cultural festival and sports day… I wonder when sports day shifted to an earlier slot? Not that it has anything to do with today.

Anyway—setting that aside—the long-awaited day had finally come.

A grand, school-wide event spanning two full days.

Since there was no such thing back in middle school, the sheer novelty made my heart race with excitement. Or perhaps it was simply the festive atmosphere that made it so enjoyable.

Especially over the past two or three days, the school had been transformed: decorations everywhere, elaborate structures at the main gate… just looking at it all filled me with more anticipation than I’d expected.

Right now, Sara-san was in the middle of preparing our lunch boxes.

Because the portions were generous, it was taking longer than usual today.

Of course—that was only natural. Today’s lunch was a group potluck: everyone bringing their own bento to share. Even Sara-san must have been looking forward to it… I could tell from the cheerful little hum drifting from the kitchen.

“Sara-san, how’s the bento coming…?”

“Kazu-nari-san, ahh~♪”

The moment I spoke, Sara-san gently pinched a piece of karaage from the plate with her fingers and held it to my lips.

Well then… no need to hold back.

Chomp.

Chew chew…

Haa… delicious. Too delicious!!

“Fufu, thank you very much.”

“Huh? Did I say that out loud?”

“No, but your face tells me everything.”

“I-I see…”

Ahh… I really am simple, aren’t I?

But Sara-san has told me she loves even that part of me. So strangely enough, I don’t hate this side of myself either.

“It will be finished shortly. I’m very sorry, but could you wait just a little longer?”

“No rush at all. We still have plenty of time.”

“Fufu… thank you. Here, ahh~♪”

With that same gentle smile, Sara-san once again lifted something—this time my absolute favorite, tamagoyaki—and brought it softly to my mouth with her fingertips.

Chomp.

Chew chew…

Aaaah, so good.

Yeah. Today’s lunch is going to be amazing!!

***

“Good morning, you two!!”

“Morning.”

When we arrived at our usual convenience store, Natsumi-senpai and Hanako greeted us with bright smiles.

Both of them looked even happier than usual—practically sparkling with excitement. Their smiles seemed about twenty percent wider than normal.

Their bags were noticeably larger today, too. Hanako in particular looked like she was struggling just a bit.

“Hanako, that bag looks heavy. Want me to carry it?”

“No, it’s fine. I really want to carry this one myself. I’ll just take the sentiment. Thanks, Kazunari.”

“I see.”

Hanako glanced briefly at her own bag and smiled happily.

If she insisted, I wouldn’t force the issue.

Still… the way she said she really wanted to carry it herself piqued my curiosity.

“This one has today’s bento inside. I’ve been practicing cooking all this time, but this is the first time I managed to make a proper bento. So no matter what, I want to be the one to carry it.”

“Oh… I get it now.”

That explained the attachment. Fair enough. In that case, I wouldn’t say anything unnecessary.

“My big sister’s very first bento. I want Kazunari to eat it.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

I’d already discussed this with Sara-san. Since it was a potluck, it was only natural to sample a little of everyone’s. Sara-san understood that perfectly.

When I’d consulted her about it, she’d simply smiled and said she was happy I’d talked to her.

So it was fine.

“Also… I want to try ‘ahh~’ too.”

“Eh!?”

When she said it so shyly, glancing up at me through her lashes… what was I supposed to do?

But if Hanako was looking forward to it that much, I couldn’t exactly refuse outright. And honestly… I didn’t mind at all.

“…That’s unusual for you.”

“…What is?”

“…Well, normally when it’s ‘my ~’ moment, you don’t butt in.”

“…I have no intention of becoming the kind of woman who binds anyone like that. Besides, we’re already far beyond such a shallow relationship.”

“…You’re really confident, huh.”

“…Fufu. We’re engaged, after all♪”

“…Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the meal.”

“…Is that no good?”

Hanako stared straight into my eyes, pleading cutely—no, this was unfair.

When I glanced toward Sara-san, she was looking this way with a gentle smile, as if quietly saying, It’s fine with me.

Right. I’d make it up to Sara-san some other way.

“O-Okay.”

“I’m so happy… I’ll explain it to my wife beforehand, so don’t worry.”

“…Ah.”

Of course she’d noticed that part too.

Well, with Hanako, it wasn’t surprising. Nothing new there.

“It’s fine with me. Please don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It seems Kazunari-san will make it up to me later, after all♪”

“Ehh…”

And naturally, Sara-san had picked up on everything…

Just what was with these two?

“Well, it’s that kind of occasion, so why not? I practiced a lot too, even after that. I know I can’t beat Sara, but I’m reasonably confident in mine.”

“There’s no need to compare, is there? Everyone’s different, and it depends on the person eating, too. Right, Kazunari-san?”

“Yeah. For me, Sara-san’s cooking is absolute. There’s no point in comparing.”

“Fufu… Kazunari-san♪”

This wasn’t about ranking or anything. It was simply that Sara-san’s food sat at the very top for me—no question.

We weren’t a restaurant or anything. Comparing Hanako’s or Natsumi-senpai’s bentos to hers in some competition? I had zero intention of doing that.

“…These two are hopeless.”

“…I’m just happy Kazunari will eat mine. That’s enough for me.”

“…Oh. I see.”

Everyone’s bentos were exciting in their own way. Today and tomorrow were really shaping up to be fun…

We hadn’t even reached school yet, and the anticipation was already unstoppable!

***

Passing beneath the huge gate emblazoned with “School Festival,” I ignored the main headquarters tent and headed straight for the classroom.

Even though homeroom hadn’t started yet, stalls and club preparations were already underway all over. Everyone was clearly bursting with excitement for the festival.

Our class was no exception. The entrance was already lined with menu boards, waiting chairs… wasn’t this a bit early?

I got the enthusiasm, though.

Slide—

“Morning.”

“Morning~!”

“Yo!”

The moment we stepped inside, several people were already in costume—already changed!?

Girls in classic maid-cafe outfits, boys in black suits with bow ties playing butlers—exactly the kind you saw on TV or online—were snapping photos nonstop with their phones.

Hey, hey—homeroom’s about to start. If the teacher gets mad, don’t look at me.

“Morning, Takanashi-kun! So? How is it? Does it suit me!?”

“Eh!? Uh, y-yeah, I think it suits you.”

One of them struck a pose and directed some mysterious appeal my way.

Well… she looked cute, objectively speaking. That was about all I could say.

“Hmm, I feel like I need one more clever line here…”

“Takanashi-kun already has Satsukawa-senpai, so we don’t stand a chance, right?”

“Yeahhh. If Satsukawa-senpai wore a maid outfit, Takanashi-kun would probably lose his mind praising her.”

“No, no—if Sara-san wore one, it wouldn’t just be praise. The boys would swarm in droves and cause a total disaster.”

They were talking about me like I wasn’t even there…

More importantly—Sara-san in a maid outfit… No, I’m not the type who’s especially into maid cafes or anything.

I don’t have a maid fetish.

But… it would probably look… really, really good.

Squeeze—

“Ow ow ow ow ow!?”

Suddenly Hanako, standing beside me, clamped down hard on the back of my hand!

“Kazunari… your face is all slack.”

“Hanako, it hurts—it hurts!”

Only after I yelped twice did Hanako finally loosen her grip.

I wasn’t exaggerating; it really hurt…

“Sorry… I overdid it…”

With a slightly dejected expression, Hanako lifted my hand. She began gently stroking the pinched spot with her fingertips, soothing it…

Now it was kind of ticklish.

“Pain, pain, fly away…”

For some reason she even puffed cool breath on it—“fuu fuu”—and kept softly rubbing with her fingers.

The sensation wasn’t just ticklish; it stirred something strange, something that made my pulse race in a way I couldn’t quite name…

“…Fuaah…”

“…Gulp.”

“…Hanasaki-san is… on par with Satsukawa-senpai in her own way…”

“…Guoooh, why is it always Takanashi!?”

“…He’s got Satsukawa-senpai already!! And now even Hanasaki-san, always always always!!”

“Kazunari, do you like maid outfits?”

“N-No, it’s not really like that…”

“If Kazunari likes them, should big sister wear one for you?”

“Ehhhhh!?”

Hanako in a maid outfit… not bad at all.

She’d probably look amazing in gothic lolita styles too, so yeah, it would suit her.

But I didn’t want any misunderstandings—I absolutely did not have that kind of fetish.

None at all.

Important, so I’ll say it twice.

“H-Hanasaki-san!! If it’s okay, please wear the maid outfit!!”

“If Hanasaki-san does it, customers will flood in for sure!!”

“…Flat-chested twin-tailed tsundere loli maid… the sin runs too deepppp…”

For whatever reason, the boys instantly swarmed Hanako.

“I only plan to show it to Kazunari. Save the sleep-talking for when you’re actually asleep, idiots.”

“““Goddammittttttttt!!”””

They stomped their feet and hung their heads… were these guys children?

Lately it felt like everyone was thinking the exact same things over and over… seriously…

“H-Hanasaki-san’s maid figure…”

“Yamakawa… if you don’t want to be hated, shut up.”

Seriously… today was peaceful as ever.

***

Morning homeroom ended, and the classmates dove straight into full-on stall preparations like they’d been waiting for this moment.

Black curtains divided the kitchen from the floor area; desks were rearranged for table settings.

Cassette stoves were set up, makeshift sinks prepared for washing… anyway, I couldn’t just stand around watching.

“Kazunari, time to head to the student council room soon.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

At Hanako’s call, I gathered my things and prepared to leave the classroom.

Since I wouldn’t be coming back here until the day was over, everything was heading to the student council room.

“We’re heading out, then. Good luck with the stall!”

“Got it! Let’s rake in sales and make the after-party epic!”

“Hell yeah, now I’m pumped!!”

“Takanashi and Hanasaki can join the after-party, right?”

“Probably… should be fine.”

“Me too.”

Honestly, I had no idea how the day would end, but I still wanted to join at least a little. Since I couldn’t help with the class stall at all, it would feel lonely to have zero memories with everyone…

“Good luck with the student council, you two!”

“Counting on you, Vice President!”

“Yeah!”

“Heading out.”

Nodding at the encouragement from our classmates, I stood—and Hanako gently took my hand as usual, leading the way forward.

The opening time was approaching fast.

I was excited too, buzzing with anticipation… but as part of the student council, I had to stay focused!!

***

“Good morning!”

“Good morning…”

““Good morninggg~””

When we entered the student council room, not everyone had arrived yet. Sara-san and the former president weren’t here either.

But preparations were already underway: a whiteboard listed everyone’s shift schedule, and check sheets had been distributed.

“Everyone should be gathering soon~”

Even as we spoke, officers trickled in one after another.

“Morning.”

“Good morning. Thank you for your hard work.”

Once the former president and Sara-san arrived, we immediately began the meeting—or rather, the final confirmation, since all decisions had already been made.

Our main duties as the student council were patrols, guest reception and guidance at the headquarters tent, and standing by in case anything came up.

We reviewed the timetable—who would handle what, when—and double-checked all precautions.

“Man, having so many people this time is a huge help.”

“Thanks to all the seniors participating. Now we can actually get some free time too.”

“Well, patrols are basically free time in disguise anyway. We just call it ‘duty’ while secretly enjoying ourselves.”

“Ehehe, I know it’s work, but I’m still so excited!”

“Yeah. But even though it’s fun now, during actual duty we should pay close attention to the key points—think of it as practice for next year. Especially since the seniors are helping and we have some leeway.”

I wanted to let loose and enjoy it too, but…

The fact that the seniors’ help made things easier also meant that if next year they didn’t help, it would be tough.

There was no guarantee the current second-years would all pitch in like this year’s third-years just because they weren’t busy with entrance exams.

To avoid trouble later, I figured we should at least keep next year in mind and act with that awareness.

“………”

“Hm? Something wrong?”

“No, I was just thinking… you’re already considering next year, huh, Takanashi-kun?”

“Well, sort of…”

“Ehehe, I really respect that serious side of you, Takanashi-kun. It’s wonderful.”

“Ehh!?”

I knew Todou-san was just giving honest praise, but hearing “wonderful” with that carefree, angelic smile… even if it didn’t affect me much, any other guy would probably fall for it instantly.

But the fact that she could say something like that so naturally proved she really was the “pure-hearted angel.”

“I know best just how good Kazunari is.”

“Fufu… and the one who knows that most of all is me. Because I’m his fiancée.”

“Uh, well…”

We were just having a meeting—why did it turn into a conversation about me?

I was happy to be praised, but this was getting a little over-the-top.

“…Kuhhh, the perfect lineup: the orthodox beautiful girl who gets along great with him, the pampering beautiful little-sister type, and the flawless ultra-beauty fiancée…”

“…Don’t say it… don’t you dare say it… ughhh.”

“Um, sorry to interrupt while you’re having fun, but it’s almost time.”

“Yes. Everyone…”

At the former president’s slightly apologetic voice, Sara-san gently took control of the room.

She drew all eyes to herself, slowly swept her gaze across everyone… and finally looked at me, offering a soft smile.

Ugh… don’t make me blush…

“Everyone… the day has finally come. For the next two days, this will be our first major event under the new administration. It’s sure to be demanding, but we have prepared thoroughly for this moment. We’ve considered every possible situation and how to respond. So it will be all right. We will absolutely see it through. And… while we do, let us enjoy ourselves as well. If the entire school is going to have fun, then that applies to us too. Everyone—please do your best.”

“““Yes!!!”””

It wasn’t just the encouraging words Sara-san gave—it was the way she included “enjoy ourselves” that struck everyone.

The seniors who had known the old Sara-san all showed looks of quiet surprise. That was the proof.

But that only meant Sara-san had grown.

No matter if someone called it conceited—even if it was just my opinion—Sara-san had changed for the better precisely because she met me.

Thinking that made me happy.

All right. Here we go.

Thanks to Sara-san, my motivation was burning even brighter!

For these two days starting today—let’s give it everything!