The After-Festival Celebration (1)
Once everything had been tidied up and the classroom restored to its original state—
“It’s over, huh.”
A quiet melancholy settled over me—that wistful loneliness that lingers after a festival ends.
At the same time, as class representative, I felt the weight on my shoulders finally, completely lift.
“Yeah, it’s over. Shuhei-kun, you worked so hard, from the preparations all the way to the very end. Thank you.”
Sitting beside me, Hasumin stretched with a satisfied sigh, a look of contentment on her face.
“Thanks. Everything went smoothly thanks to everyone pitching in, from setup to execution. And you did great too, Hasumin, as vice-rep.”
“Still, I had to skip out a few times for band practice. I probably didn’t contribute as much as I should have.”
“No way. That live show was what sealed the deal for our class. The final stretch was brutal, though—every time we finished making a pancake, another order came in right away.”
“Yeah, the crowd was insane~”
“Not surprising. Most of them were probably here for you. As expected from Class 1-5’s very own ‘Most Popular’ girl.”
“Ahaha, what even is that? Who’s been saying that?”
“…Well, either way, it’s all part of the memories. This was, hands down, the best cultural festival of my life.”
“Hey, Shuhei-kun, you totally dodged the question just now, didn’t you? So, who exactly is calling me ‘Most Popular’?”
“Ah… who was it again…? Can’t seem to remember.”
“Liar.”
“Well, hey, we had fun, and that’s what matters. Our class project and the live show were both a huge success—seriously, it was the perfect day.”
“Yeah, I had so much fun. Now, all that’s left is the student council’s after-festival celebration.”
“Yep. But this time, I’m just a spectator. No responsibilities—just pure fun.”
That’s right.
As the grand finale of the cultural festival, the student council had arranged a campfire event for the after-festival celebration.
“Shall we head over? Mei and Honoka said they’d be there soon.”
“Got it.”
Hasumin and I had already promised to go together with Nitta-san and the rest of the band members.
At first, though—
“I think I’ll pass. I mean, wouldn’t it be weird for an outsider like me to crash a close-knit girl group?”
That’s what I said when they invited me.
“What are you talking about? If anything, today’s main star is you, Oda-kun.”
“Seriously! You were our savior.”
“Oda-cchi, your guitar skills were insane! Are you secretly a pro or something?”
“Shuhei-kun, you’re ridiculously talented.”
“We only pulled off the concert because of you, Oda-kun.”
“Exactly! Today wouldn’t have happened without you.”
“Or… could it be that you just don’t want to hang out with us?”
“Shuhei-kun, come to the after-festival with us?”
“…Well, if you’re all going to insist like that, I guess I can’t say no.”
Honestly, with them inviting me so earnestly, turning them down would’ve just made me look bad.
And so, by the time we gathered on the school field, the sky had already deepened into twilight.
At the center of the grounds, the neatly stacked bonfire was already burning bright, its flames crackling vividly.
“Ah, they’ve already lit it.”
“Guess we took too long hanging out with the class.”
“Should we go a little closer?”
“Maybe… but it’s packed up there. I don’t think we’d find a spot big enough for all five of us.”
Just as Hasumin and I were talking—
“Oh, right! I just remembered—I have something to do. Sorry, but I’ll have to split for a bit.”
Out of nowhere, Nitta-san suddenly said that.
Almost as if on cue—
“Ah—me too! I totally forgot my class needed me for something!”
“Oh, uh, same here! I, uh… just remembered something I need to take care of!”
“Come on, we talked about this—at least make up better excuses.”
With that, Kusunoki-san and Akamatsu-san exchanged knowing glances before slipping away, leaving just Hasumin and me standing there.