When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade. - Chapter 43

Starting today, it’s five days before the cultural festival, so all school classes will now be dedicated to preparing for the festival.

In response to this, the students are very excited.

“Alrighty then! Let’s do this!”

To get everyone pumped up, Mimura’s booming voice echoes through the classroom.

The members of the play are gathered in front of the chalkboard. It seems they’re checking if everyone has practiced their acting and memorized their lines.

“Now, let’s start with the Chairperson, who’s playing Cinderella!”

In this manner, they’re going through line rehearsals.

“Chairperson, you might need to raise your voice volume a bit more, or else we won’t hear you at all…”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Not only are they checking if lines are memorized, but they’re also providing feedback. It’s only natural, considering the cultural festival is just five days away.

The stage sets and costumes are already prepared; only props are left, it seems.

“Alright, next is Kuroda!”

“Y-Yeah.”

At times like these, I wish someone could teach me how not to get nervous.

Mimura listens to my acting and nods in approval.

“Good, you’ve got your lines memorized.”

“Well, yeah.”

“But you’re not putting any heart into it at all! Are you a robot? Is your battery charged?”

“W-Was it really that bad?”

I feel a bit shocked. I watched a vocal training video yesterday and thought I could do it myself.

The results seem to have been far from satisfactory.

“Think about your scene partner properly.”

“Y-Yeah, I got it.”

“Alright, next!”

My check is done. Mimura probably had more to say, but he looks at my face and decides to leave it at that with a somewhat resigned expression.

Thinking about it, however, “just that” is quite challenging.

***

“Hey, everyone~ Make sure you get home safely, okay?”

After the end of the homeroom session, those who have club activities head to their clubs, while those who don’t have activities prepare to go to their part-time jobs or head home.

I head towards the shoe lockers a bit ahead of the others, intending to run home. The reason for this is that Mimura mentioned something about leaving the drama club, so I dashed away.

“What’s with the Commander’s order!”

I give a firm kick to a pebble that was lying on the roadside. It rolls away and disappears into the grass.

“Are you feeling frustrated?”

When I look back, Ayano is standing there, smiling.

“N-No, not really…”

“By the way, I heard you’re playing the prince role?”

Ayano enthusiastically says, “That’s amazing!” while smiling brightly beside me.

“It’s not really that amazing. It was more like being forced into it.”

“But everyone thought you were a good fit and didn’t oppose it, right? That’s really something!”

“I-Is that so?”

“Just say ‘thank you’ honestly in situations like this.”

“Thank you.”

Ayano laughs and says, “You’re welcome.” I was taken aback by the sudden praise, but I don’t feel uncomfortable at all.

“What’s your class doing for the cultural festival?”

I finally get to ask the question that’s been on my mind for a while.

“In my class, we’re doing a haunted house!”

A haunted house, huh? It feels so fitting for a cultural festival, and it sounds like a lot of fun.

“Ahh, you playing a snow woman?”

“Huh?! How did you know…”

“Well, it just seems like it would suit you.”

“Yay! … Wait, you’re not actually complimenting me, are you?”

“No, I am, I am.”

“I don’t know if I should be happy or not…”

Ayano makes a contemplative expression. Our conversation shifts to the topic of the cultural festival, and before we know it, we’re discussing my performance as the prince.

“Heartfelt, huh… It’s difficult.”

“That Mimura guy really says outrageous things.”

“Maybe Mimura-kun said that because he believes Yusei-kun can do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mimura-kun probably thinks that if it were Yusei-kun, he could do it!”

“Really?” Ayano emphasizes, saying “Absolutely!” She leans in close, and her scent gently tickles my nose.

“S-So close…”

“Oh, s-sorry…”

“I-It’s okay…”

Both of us avert our gaze. It’s kind of awkward. I remember something else I want to ask, or rather, something I want to say.

“Hey, Ayano…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Do you have a partner for the evening festival dance?”

“I haven’t decided yet. How about you, Yuusei-kun?”

“I already have someone in mind, but I’m not sure if she’d want to dance with me.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Well, Ayano! Would you dance with me?”

Upon hearing that, Ayano freezes in place. I said it so suddenly, there’s no atmosphere or anything.

What am I doing?! I scold myself in my mind.

“S-Sure! That sounds nice!”

Ayano smiles and looks at me, her expression a bit flushed.

Her cheeks are red, even up to her ears.

“Well, then! I’ll be here!”

“Huh?! Uh, yeah…”

“Do your best as the prince!!”

“Ayano, you too…”

Saying that, she seemed to rush off, but I had decided to dance with Ayano at the evening festival.

I think I could probably sell tickets to dance with Ayano for around ten thousand yen.

However, I still can’t believe it’s not a dream. My face gradually heats up.

When I pinch my heated cheeks, it hurts normally.

I’m relieved. It’s not some awful dream twist or anything.

Once I get home, I check the script. After that, I practiced in my room, focusing on the adjustments Mimura pointed out about putting more heart into it.

While practicing, I also rehearse Cinderella’s lines myself. It’s easier to imagine the scenes that way and it allows me to practice even the gaps between my lines.

With all this happening, there’s not much time left until the cultural festival. These are the thoughts swirling around in my head as I sit in my room.