For the first time this week, I'm not woken up by the incessant beeping of my alarm clock. It's Sunday, and I've got the whole day to myself. I look to my clock and notice it's just after 9:30. At least I was able to sleep in a little bit. I get up and stretch and make my way over to the window. There is already a good amount of activity outside, which considering it's the Yamaku festival today, doesn't seem too out of the ordinary. After spending the past couple of days helping Shizune and Misha building those stalls I'm glad that I can just relax today, and maybe get the homework we were assigned yesterday done. But first, breakfast.
I change into a plain t-shirt and jeans, and start to head down towards the common room to make myself breakfast, when the tell-tale clacking of locks being undone announces that I won't be having a nice quiet morning. I stop as the last of the locks clicks open, and the door opens.
“Good morning, Kenji.”
“Hisao, I'm glad it's you. I have a proposition for you.”
“I'm not lending you any money. You still haven't paid me back for the last loan.”
“No, it's not that,” he waves his hand dismissively. “With the festival going on today, I was planning on doing some reconnaissance up on the roof, and I was going to ask if you'd like to join in.”
That sounds exactly like the last thing I would want to do today.
“Sorry Kenji, I'll have to decline. I've got a lot of work to catch up on today. This week has been oddly busy, and I don't want to fall behind.”
“That's no good man, these things should be handled in pairs. I understand though. If you change your mind, you can find me on the roof. I'll be camouflaged though. So you may have to look around for me.”
“Noted, talk to you later, Kenji.”
“Later man.”
I wave as I start walking again to the common room, the locks of Kenji's door sealing him back within his room. There are people milling around, discussing their plans for today. I make myself a small bowl of noodles, and then start my way back to my room. No sooner than I round the corner back into the hallway to my room, than I hear that tell-tale...
“Wahahahahahaha~!”
Oh god, I just want to relax today. Hoping they didn't see me, I make a break down the hall, precariously balancing the food in my hands. I push through the emergency exit at the end of the hall, which luckily isn't alarmed and push the door to quickly. I make my way down the half flight of stairs and out into the fresh air of the day. As the door clicks behind me, I realize that to get back in, I'll have to go back around to the front. Well, at the very least I can enjoy my breakfast, then worry about getting back in without being seen.
I take a seat on a small retaining wall, and look out onto the school grounds. Enjoying the sun's warmth and my breakfast. I suppose it was probably a bit rude to dash off like that, but I don't want to get dragged into another project of those two. Of course, they might not even have been looking for me. Then again, I hardly see them dealing with anyone else, apart from berating the other class representatives. I still feel bad about that episode with Lilly. Lilly did seem to appreciate my siding with her, though I haven't talked to her since. Shizune needs to take it easy sometimes. Everything is a competition to her, though I don't know who she's competing with now. It's not like there are people vying for her position.
I finish my noodles and lean back on my hands, looking up towards the sky. It looks like it's going to be a nice day at least. Maybe I'll go look around the festival later on, but for now I should get to work. Before I can get up though, a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind.
“Guess who~!”
I let out a defeated sigh. “Good morning Misha.”
“You always know~,” she pulls her hands back and walks around in front of me, hopping down to the lower level.
“It's kind of hard not to, you know. You have a very distinctive voice. Also, you're the only one who ever does that.”
She beams and crosses her arms. “Yeah~, you're right. So what are you up to out here Hicchan~?”
“I was enjoying my breakfast out here today. Since it's so nice,” I hold up my bowl for emphasis. I then spot Shizune coming around from the opposite side of the building. Divide and conquer, I suppose.
“I see~. Are you sure~ you weren't hiding from us?” she begins to pout.
“Now why would I do such a thing as that?”
Shizune begins signing a reply, as Misha has already started translating.
“That's very disappointing, Hicchan. You're a terrible liar, you know. Whahahahaha~!”
“Well I suppose I'm busted then. Really I was just going to eat breakfast. Though I was hoping to spend the day in peace and quiet. I do have school work to catch up on.”
“That's no fun, Hicchan. You don't want to go to the festival? After you helped build all those stalls? Yeah, Hicchan, it'll be fun~!”
I sigh. “I was thinking about going to the festival. Just later. I'm already behind, with transferring in here mid-year. I just don't want to get too far behind.”
A solemn look washes over Misha's face just for a moment before she goes back to translating.
“Unacceptable. You should come with us today. You can catch up on school work this week. Today is a day to enjoy and have fun. Staying cooped up in your room would be a slight to the spirit of the festival, and to your hard work over the past few days.”
I get up and grab my bowl, looking between the two of them. “Do I at least have some choice in the matter?”
“Of course, Hicchan. As long as your choice involves going with us to the festival! Whahahahaha~!”
I brush my messy hair back and put on a incredibly fake smile. “Can I at least have a few minutes to get cleaned up?”
Shizune smiles and nods.
“Of course. We couldn't be escorted around by a slob, now could we. He's not a slob, Shicchan~! He just has messy hair!”
I shake my head. “I'll meet you two out front in twenty minutes?”
“We'll see you then, Hicchan~!” Misha and Shizune wave as they make their way back around to the front of the building.
Those two can really be insufferable sometimes.
I make my way back into the dorm, and to my room. I guess I'll change into my uniform, as it's what they were wearing. I suppose for them it's official student council business. It only takes me a few minutes to get ready, but I decide to wait out the twenty minute deadline, just to make a point.
As I make my way back out, there is already an increased amount of traffic. The wall in front of the girls dorm with Rin's mural on it doesn't seem to be garnering much attention though. I notice Rin apparently asleep against the wall. She must have stayed up all night to finish it.
Before I can get too distracted though, Shizune and Misha spot me and make their way over.
“Are you ready, Hicchan~! There's all kinds of games, and food, and games, and food to try! Whahahahaha~!”
“Well, I did just finish breakfast, so let's walk around a bit first. We can get some food later on.”
“Okay!” she beams as the two of them flank me.
We make our way through the rows of stalls, and the crowds of people. We play a few games, but don't win anything. There are a few musical acts going on, the school's music club doing one. We take a few minutes to talk with Molly, mainly discussing what other acts they have planned for the day. This is really starting to feel more and more like a student council activity. It's almost like we're just checking up on everything.
“So Hicchan~. Are you having fun~?”
“I guess. This does seem kind of like work though. Like we have to be making these rounds.”
“Well~, you're not completely wrong about that. Shicchan wanted to check up on everything. To make sure it's all running smoothly. That doesn't mean it can't be fun though. You could try and win me another prize~!”
I chuckle slightly. “Just as I thought, another plot to get me to do student council work.”
Shizune, then stops and turns to me, signing furiously.
“Hichhan, not everything we do is to try and get you to join the student council. Maybe~ we just wanted to spend the day with you,” Misha looks away shyly and mumbles, a first for her. “While doing student council work.”
I smile and fold my arms in front of me. “Is that so, and here I thought I was the one being escorted around today. When in fact I'm escorting you two. Who knew you were both so enamored with me.”
Shizune turns away, a blush starting to form on her face, while Misha lets into boisterous laugh.
“Whahahahahaha~! Hicchan, you're full of yourself.”
“Perhaps.”
I look around, waiting for the situation to calm down a bit. I then catch sight of a food stall.
“So, are you two hungry yet?”
“Ooh~, yeah Hicchan! I'm ready for some lunch!”
Shizune nods then starts making her way towards the food stalls. I grab her arm and shake my head. “My treat, and a surprise.”
Misha's face lights up as she signs this to Shizune. Who then pulls her arm away to reply.
“Very well, but nothing too strange. Aww~, I like strange things.”
I nod. “Nothing too strange, but then again, I don't have to get the same thing for everyone,” I say, winking to Misha.
“Whahahahahaha~! Don't take too long~, Hicchan. We'll find a place to sit by the front of the auxiliary building.”
“Okay, I'll be back as quickly as I can.”
I make my way through the food stalls, looking for something interesting to have for lunch. I then spot something that I haven't had in quite awhile, okonomiyaki. I order three okonomiyaki, a fairly plain one with mochi for Shizune, one with pork belly for myself, and one with squid, shrimp, and cheese for Misha. I make my way back to the auxiliary building, balancing the three plates of food precariously on my arms. As I approach the two, sitting on a bench along the main path, I'm nearly bowled over by group of children. I manage to keep everything upright, and then continue on towards the girls.
“Are you okay, Hicchan~?”
I nod. “Yeah, I'm fine. Almost dropped the food though.” I hand them their plates and then sit down beside them. “So? Did I do alright?”
Misha has already dug into her plate of food, before I can even finish asking, but she nods enthusiastically, so I'll take that as a good sign. Shizune smiles and nods, then begins eating her lunch as well. We're all quiet while we eat, which even with the din from the crowds gathering around us, is quite nice. There hasn't seemed to be enough of these moments since I've been here. Always being pulled one way or another. Hopefully what Shizune said earlier rings true. That this upcoming week will leave me with more free time. I don't think I'll be able to keep up at this level. Just walking around and playing some of the festival games is starting to wear me out.
We finish our meals and then throw our refuse away. Before we can even set off from the auxiliary building, though, another student comes running up to us.
“Misha! Thank goodness I found you. We have a problem.”
A look of consternation comes over Shizune's face as she takes control of the situation.
“What's the matter, Kami-san?”
“Our second shipment of ice-cream hasn't come yet, and we're completely out already.”
A flurry of short, sharp movements from Shizune indicates she is not pleased by what she is hearing.
“This is not good, Kami-san. Did you try calling the delivery company?”
“I did, but they said they weren't sure when their driver would get here.”
“Then we'll have to do something about that then. I think the school may have some in the kitchens for the mean time. Come on, let's go grab some cartons. Wait, all of us, Shicchan~?”
She nods, and then what could only be described as a sign language war breaks out between Shizune and Misha. It ends by Shizune giving a dismissive wave, and grabbing the other students hand and dragging him away.
“Hicchan, you go have fun. We'll take care of this.”
“Are you sure, Misha. I could help carry things.”
“No, 'we' think it's better if you just have fun. We did say that we weren't dragging you along for student council work.”
Misha's face doesn't have the same happiness to it that it usually does. Maybe there's something she's not telling me.
“If you're sure, then okay. But really, I wouldn't mind helping with this.”
“It's your day to have fun, Hicchan. This is for us to handle.”
With that she pats my shoulder, then turns to follow Shizune.
Part 2
