Class 2-F was performing a world-famous musical—"Adler".
On the surface, it was a musical, but due to various unmet requirements, they compromised by changing the script into a regular play and making it more lively and interesting.
After tense and enthusiastic busyness, the stage equipment was ready, all actors were on standby, everything was prepared according to yesterday's rehearsal, ready to open to the public at any time.
"Those in charge of collecting tickets, guard the cash box carefully, don't let even one yen go missing!"
"What about those handing out flyers? Have they left? But the flyers are still on the table!"
"Whose instant noodles are these on the table? What time is it already... Uh, Hiratsuka-sensei's? Then pretend I said nothing..."
"Improvise! Just improvise, I want to see two handsome guys getting close on stage—Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"
"Hina, your tasks are done. Now just watch the others from the side with a warm gaze... So get rid of that overly rotten gaze of yours!"
Amidst such noise and chaos, Yuigahama quietly sighed and put the threaded needle back into its box.
"This should hold for two days. As long as you don't make too large movements, remember to remove it after leaving the stage..."
"I told you we should have spent more on the fabric. That stingy class president... He should be the one made to wear such easily torn clothes!" Female Student A grumbled complainingly, then twirled the long white dress on her body, unable to hold back a satisfied smile.
"Yuigahama-san, your sewing skills are really great! You can't see any stitch marks at all."
"My mom taught me, I'm not as good as her." Yuigahama laughed lightly. She had often heard similar praise and was so used to it that she forgot to feel shy or proud.
Moreover, right now she had something more important to do.
Glancing around, after confirming no one else needed her help, Yuigahama bid farewell to Female Student A, handed the needle and thread box to the general logistics staff, and asked the personnel manager next to her, "Ahem, I'm almost done here, may I step out for a bit?"
"Of course, thank you for your hard work, Yuigahama-san." Female Student B, in charge of personnel, smiled slightly, "Leave the rest to us, we'll definitely make sure the audience is packed!"
"Okay, let's make this the most popular program of this year's Culture Festival!" Yuigahama pumped her fist enthusiastically, turned around, "Then I'll be off now. If you need help, you can contact me anytime~"
"Okay... Wait, Yuigahama-san!"
Suddenly remembering something, Female Student B hurriedly called out to Yuigahama who was about to leave the classroom: "You must know, right? The others secretly arranged an improv performance for him..."
"Huh? Of course I know. After all, it was Yumiko's suggestion, I was there too at the time..."
Remembering this, Yuigahama couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
Whether it was because they wanted to see the acting skills of her boyfriend, whom Yumiko claimed were professional-level, or just wanted to mess with her boyfriend, Yumiko had pulled the scriptwriter and all the actors together to discuss an improv performance—only Yuu would be improvising, while they were responsible for supporting and completing the show—and begged Yuigahama to keep it a secret, to give the all-rounder guy a little surprise.
Of course, Yuigahama, like the others initially, strongly opposed such a prank-ish improv performance and had considered leaking the information...
However, Yumiko managed to convince everyone, including her, with just a few words:
"You don't trust his ability? Even if it's an improv performance, that guy can definitely handle it perfectly, even giving reactions beyond our expectations, right? Don't you want to see just how far his abilities go in a situation like this? Hah, really? Is there really someone who thinks this could mess him up?"
At that time, everyone fell silent, and many even immediately switched to supporting it after hearing that, agreeing to hold an improv performance targeted at Yuu.
Yuigahama's feelings were indescribable.
Frankly, Yumiko saying those words didn't seem like her usual self who treated Yuu as a thorn in her side. Although it sounded just like a very obvious provocation, the unshakable belief and natural tone of agreement made one inevitably suspicious.
(Outwardly hostile to Yuu-kun for my sake, could it be that Yumiko is actually...)
(A fan of Yuu-kun?)
"Is it really okay? If Tenkuji-kun refuses to go on stage, or if he gets nervous on stage and just freezes..."
Facing Female Student B's worried gaze, Yuigahama just smiled wryly: "It's useless to talk about this now, they've already thought through the whole plan, just waiting for Yuu-kun to come watch the show... But don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it from the side!"
Her eyes sparkled, she said with full confidence: "If Yuu-kun doesn't want to, I'll replace him. If he's willing to go on stage, then there's nothing to worry about—after all, he's the star of our club!"
Female Student B felt relieved and smiled along: "If you have a plan, then it should be fine. Honestly, I want to see Tenkuji-kun's performance soon..."
A mischievous smile, like a cunning merchant, immediately appeared at the corner of Yuigahama's mouth. She rubbed her fingers together pretending to be greedy: "Hehehe, come to the A/V room during the break later! Remember to bring two hundred yen for the ticket~"
Female Student B said helplessly: "Truly Tenkuji-kun's girlfriend, so business-savvy."
"Flattery, flattery~"
Leaving the classroom in a cheerful mood, Yuigahama took out her phone, about to send a message asking where they were, when suddenly a call came in.
It was from her mother.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she hurriedly answered the call: "Mom, you're already here?"
The Culture Festival just started, why is this housewife here already? How eager she is to come to the high school!
"Yes, Mom is at the school gate~" Mama Yuigahama giggled like a young girl, seeming very happy.
But Yuigahama, as her daughter, only heard a strong sense of forced youthfulness.
She looked outside the corridor. The school gate wasn't visible from here, so she decisively walked briskly towards the stairs, speaking into the phone as she went down: "Wait a moment, I just finished, I'll come get you and take you to find Yuu-kun."
Mama Yuigahama said obediently: "Okay, hurry up. Lots of young studs are hitting on me, Mom can barely resist going along with them~"
Yui couldn't help but shout: "Resist it, middle-aged woman!"
"...Huh? Dare you say that again?"
"I mean the young housewife who makes middle-aged women jealous, please don't do anything that will cause trouble for your daughter!"
"Just kidding~ Although there really were people hitting on me, Mom turned them all down, you know~"
"So there really were... No, never mind, I'm almost there!"
By the time Yuigahama arrived at the school gate without stopping, the XX-year-old married woman who somewhat resembled her, but exuded a mature and gentle aura, turned around. She pulled her gaze back from staring into the distance at the bustling campus and showed a cheerful, active smile.
"Really need to interact more with young people besides you. Just stepping into the high school, Mom feels three or four years younger~"
Yuigahama walked over without a word: "That's just an illusion..."
She looked around. Although there were no men flirting with her mother as claimed, many passing male high school students glanced at her mother once or twice. It was hard to say exactly where their gazes were directed.
Both mother and daughter had good figures, especially the mother. Even wearing closed winter clothes, the large waves on her chest were still unstoppable, plus her pretty, mature face and the gentle aura characteristic of a housewife, of course held great appeal for males of this age. It was natural they were interested.
"Such a shallow bunch..." Sneering in disgust, Yuigahama herded her mother towards the school building, muttering, "Guys without ill intentions like Yuu-kun are truly a minority..."
"Indeed, Yuu-kun doesn't even dare to sneak a glance when in front of me. He even avoids me like the plague..." Mama Yuigahama sighed slightly anxiously while pressing her palm to the side of her face, "Even I can't attract his attention... Yui, don't tell me he's only interested in men?"
"Impossible! He just has integrity!" Seeing her boyfriend's sexual orientation doubted by her mother, Yuigahama immediately grew anxious to explain, "He keeps his distance from women he's not interested in, doesn't look at or interact with them much. Even if someone chases him, he can firmly reject them—a man like that is an ideal partner."
"That's true, but the points above at most only prove he's a gentleman." Mama Yuigahama frowned and retorted sharply, "Are you sure he can really react to women? What proof do you have?"
Yuigahama met her gaze unflinchingly: "Of course I have! When we kissed before—"
Her words halted mid-sentence due to instinctive embarrassment. Just from that pause, she realized something was wrong, couldn't help but widen her eyes, and asked incredulously:
"Mom, don't tell me you..."
The aggressive expression vanished from her face as fast as turning a page. Mama Yuigahama shook her head regretfully, looking very disappointed.
"Only up to kissing? Yui, you're so useless! Known each other for years, still stuck in the same place. Mom didn't give you a curfew, you go to and from school with him every day, yet still can't get his weak point..."
"Mom, you tricked me!"
"What do you mean tricked you? Who told you to make me worry like this!" Facing her daughter's angry and embarrassed gaze, Mama Yuigahama stretched out her finger annoyedly and poked her forehead.
"I kept waiting for you to bring him home to officially confirm the relationship, but days have passed, dates always end on time, visiting his house never involves staying over—you silly girl, are you dating a boyfriend or a male friend!"
"W-we only officially started dating a month ago!" Retorting in a small voice with a red face, her fingers fidgeting together, Yuigahama for some reason felt a bit less confident, "We just haven't reached the final step. I gave hints before, and he agreed too. Why rush..."
Folding her arms under her chest to support it, Mama Yuigahama sneered: "Not rushing? Don't you know high school couples these days sleep together after seven days of dating?"
Yuigahama was stunned: "Really?! Don't tell me Mom knows someone who..."
Mama Yuigahama put her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest confidently.
"I don't know, I saw it online! Data from expert analysis, you know!"
"Don't scare me..." Yuigahama's face was instantly covered in black lines, then she let out a long sigh as if drained of energy, turned her face away, and lazily snorted twice.
"Besides, even if it's seven days, their relationships are like fast food. Yuu-kun and I want to head towards the future, live together until old age, so there's no need to rush!"
Mama Yuigahama rolled her eyes: "Yeah yeah yeah, you're building the purest love... Then, do you still want to hear the secret from me?"
"...What secret?" Yuigahama quietly returned to her mother's side, puffing out her cheeks slightly reluctantly.
Leaning her shoulder against hers gently, Mama Yuigahama showed a mysterious smile.
"It's a secret that, if done once, can make a man never able to leave you."
Watching her mother's finger make a lewd gesture in the dim place incredulously, Yuigahama muttered somewhat dazedly: "Mom, so you're this kind of open person..."
Mama Yuigahama took a deep breath, gazing into the distance: "What can I do, for my daughter's happiness, I'm willing to sacrifice."
Yuigahama couldn't help but hug her mother's arm emotionally, rubbing her head against it a little like a puppy: "Mom, I'm sorry. Even though you're always thinking of me, I just said so many bad things about you..."
"Silly child, it's okay, I'm your mother."
Stroking her daughter's hair affectionately, Mama Yuigahama's eyes narrowed into a smile, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve into a very pleased smile.
"Besides, doing this is clearly more exciting~"
Yui looked up confused: "Did you say something?"
"No! Come on, I'll tell you the important premise first—" Mama Yuigahama's expression quickly turned serious, raising one finger, "First, it must be done in your room! I've already put a box of Mr. Condom in my room. Make sure you prioritize safety!"
"I know that... Wait? When did you put something like that in my room?!"
"That's not important. Next is the second point, I'll start from the Forty-Eight Techniques of Ōedo..."
And so, on the way to the A/V room, through her mother's careful guidance, Yuigahama gradually stepped onto the staircase of maturity.
...Ahem, in theory.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Phew~ It's been a long time since I watched a movie this funny."
Exiting the dark A/V room, Sora wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her face still held a smile she hadn't had time to hide. She was limp from laughing. She couldn't even walk straight, hugging Yuu's arm.
"Originally I thought seeing my own big brother act would be very awkward, but it turned out to be twice as funny..."
The corner of Yuu's mouth twitched slightly, his laugh a bit strained.
"Hearing your evaluation, I really don't know whether to be happy or sad..."
"Just be happy!" Sora patted his shoulder, trying to hold back laughter, saying with a serious face, "If this gets recorded onto a BD, I'm willing to buy three copies to collect at home!"
Then, seeing his slightly helpless face, and remembering the various famous scenes from the film earlier, she couldn't hold back a small laugh, lowering her head and giggling.
"Hehe, well then, thank you for your support..."
Being teased by his little sister for his acting, although from an actor's perspective he should be proud, and from a big brother's perspective he should be happy for his sister's smile.
But from Yuu's own perspective, a strange sense of embarrassment filled his heart, making him almost instantly make a decision—after the Culture Festival ends, he must delete all the original files!
He would use the hacker skills he possessed, at a physical level, to bury this film in everyone's memories!
"Anyway, this is a work we made together, it's natural it's engaging. But I also hope the audience can understand the deeper things."
Yukino smiled slightly with pride, her small chest unconsciously puffing out. It seemed she wanted to pass by Yuu and chat more about the film's content with Sora.
However, her phone suddenly vibrated. She turned off the alarm she had set earlier, sighed softly with a hint of regret, and quickly returned to her strict work demeanor.
Looking at the two of them, she gently brushed aside the long hair on her shoulder, her eyes showing a bit of warmth.
"The time has come, let's part ways here for now. I have to go to work."