After Class A, Class B held a riddle contest, Classes C and D jointly created a haunted house, and Class E sold on-site crafted shaped balloons.
Together with three women of different sizes, Yuu visited each stall and enjoyed them—in the riddle contest, Sora and Yuigahama went on stage and, as expected, came back with consolation prizes. Since the next round would still take time, he had to abandon his plan for revenge.
In the haunted house, Yuu was pushed to the front, walking to the end like a mother hen leading her chicks. During that, of course, there were screams, curses, pushes, tight hugs, and various other chaotic situations. In the dark and narrow space, he didn't know whose softness was pressing against his arm. When they exited, his body carried their scents.
As they were escorted out by the staff with envious gazes, before Yuu could say anything, Mama Yuigahama observed him from head to toe with a meaningful look.
Then she raised her hand and patted his shoulder, smiling as if satisfied:
"Young man, you have a good build."
...Got it. The culprit who secretly groped his biceps and abs amid the chaos was right in front of him, confessing without a shred of shame.
Besides showing helplessness toward Mama Yuigahama's cheerful nature, Yuu didn't know what else to say.
After that was Class E's handmade balloons. Since they could buy balloons themselves and make some simple shapes under staff guidance, the four of them occupied one table and started working. Then boom, boom, boom...
After three predictable consecutive balloon pops, Yuu took the initiative to fold three small animals for them. His technique was so skilled that the Class E students couldn't help asking:
"Tenkuji-kun, you can do this too?"
Tying the tail of a small dog and handing it to Yuigahama beside him, Yuu replied casually: "Yeah, I learned a lot of skills while working part-time everywhere... All to make a living, nothing special."
Then Mama Yuigahama asked him to share his part-time work experiences.
There was nothing wrong with telling it. Though exhausting, it was a part of his life he was proud of as an older brother, with no complaints, regrets, or inferiority.
However, for some reason, even though he only told it briefly, more and more people gathered around him. After he roughly finished recounting his life before summer vacation, the women, led by the Yuigahama mother and daughter, some wiped tears, some lamented, and even many men looked at him with pitying gazes.
What the heck is this?!
Yuu felt like he had become one of Japan's Top Ten Most Inspirational Figures, goosebumps nearly popping out all over his body. He almost dug out and summoned a Blue-Eyes White Dragon worth fourteen billion yen on the spot with his toe because it was too awkward.
Too lazy to care what storm it would cause next, Yuu immediately pulled the teary-eyed Sora out of Class E, waiting for the Yuigahama mother and daughter to catch up in the hallway outside Class F.
"Next, let's watch the play in our class. I'm really looking forward to what Totsuka will be like in the official performance later."
Though Totsuka never made him change his orientation, Yuu had to admit that this friend was even prettier than most girls in the class without makeup or dressing up. If he really cross-dressed on stage, what would happen? Basically, he would captivate everyone, men and women alike.
"Yeah, the next performance time is almost here..." Yuigahama glanced at her watch, then lifted her face, showing a hesitant expression to Yuu.
"What's up?" Yuu asked strangely.
"Uh..." Yuigahama seemed to be racking her brain for words, her gaze frequently darting between the classroom door and Yuu's face.
However, before Yuigahama could figure out how to tell him about the improv performance, someone inside the class spotted them and immediately rushed over, as if afraid their secret would be accidentally exposed, and forcibly took over the conversation rhythm.
"Yui, you guys finally came."
"...Finally?"
Yuu frowned slightly, staring at Yumiko's side profile with a suspicious gaze, thinking hard.
Yumiko wasn't intimidated. She stared back with sharp eyes and raised her eyebrows: "So what? Yui told me beforehand she'd bring you all to watch the performance. What's wrong with me waiting in the class for a long time?"
Yuu sneered: "Did I ask you anything? Why are you so eager, it looks like you're hiding something?"
"Tch... No point talking to you."
It seemed Yumiko considered there was an adult standing beside them, and a silver-haired girl tugging at Yuu's shirt hem, her gaze gradually becoming unfriendly.
Rarely did she suppress her anger. The double golden drill-haired girl didn't argue to the end as usual, but after clicking her tongue in annoyance, she shifted her gaze to Mama Yuigahama, greeting her politely.
"You're Yui's older sister, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Miura Yumiko..."
Yuu thought, perhaps only in moments like this could he see this girl's stiff and polite attitude.
Unfortunately, there was no cute contrast at all.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After Mama Yuigahama happily explained her identity, the four of them, under Yumiko's guidance, walked in a line into Class F.
In front was the stage area with closed curtains and dim lighting. In the back was the seating area already filled with many audience members. Between them, a red line was drawn to separate them, as if trying to create a real theater atmosphere.
Soft classical music flowed from the speakers, not too loud, not too soft, not too light, not too heavy, extending like vines to every corner of the class. The air seemed to become calm and solemn because of it, making the audience in the seats unconsciously lower their chatter, waiting for the curtains to open with hopeful and peaceful moods.
After escorting the four to their seats, Yumiko hurried back backstage to help.
Unlike them who still had time to date and play, she had been busy in the class all morning. She was tired to the point of not wanting to complain about anything, only hoping the improv performance later would be interesting enough to slightly relieve the accumulated fatigue from the work.
The prey had entered the trap, even if Yuigahama secretly warned him, what difference would it make? In the end, Yuu still had to act without a script in front of everyone!
With a cold grin, Yumiko signaled the actors backstage. They immediately understood her meaning, nodding slightly nervously, slightly excitedly, and slightly enthusiastically. They used this last preparation time to review the previously altered script.
Seating area.
"Yuu, I feel that golden drill-haired girl has a problem with you."
"Your feeling is correct." Yuu shrugged, saying indifferently, "It's been like this since I started dating Yui. She hates me for stealing her friend, and I hate her unclear attitude... But her ability isn't enough to be my opponent, so I usually can't be bothered with her, to avoid being called a girl bully, and also so Yui doesn't have a hard time between us."
"So there's a girl who hates Yuu..." Sora muttered in a voice as if saying the anime No Game No Life finally has a second season, her face full of shock, "Isn't that the type who pretends to annoy you on the surface, but secretly likes you a lot, just acting fierce on purpose because you're her friend's boyfriend?"
"I told you, cut down on watching those deviant trashy dramas." Yuu sneered silently, "Even if it's true, it just means she's asking for trouble herself... Not just her. I'm not interested in other girls right now, it's useless even if they like me a lot."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you're loyal~" Sora swung her small legs, smiling mockingly.
Since Mama Yuigahama was beside them and listening to the two without awkwardness, she didn't continue this topic. Instead, she observed Class 2-F, and suddenly spoke again:
"Yuu, where do you usually sit?"
"Second row from the left, third column from the top." Yuu pointed to his seat position, though it was currently occupied by the red separating line.
Sora was a bit surprised: "So in the middle? I thought you'd sit in a special protagonist position."
"I, your brother, am just an ordinary person who's a bit unusual, still far from a protagonist." Yuu stroked her head, saying with a smile.
Sora narrowed her eyes enjoying it for a moment, then pushed his big hand to her lap, playing with his fingers: "With all the things you've experienced, no one in this world resembles a protagonist more than you... Forget it, tell me more about school-related things."
Yuu looked at her in surprise.
As if suddenly understanding something, he hid his smile deep in his eyes, holding back the curve of his lips as if nothing happened, and in a soft and pleasant tone, he slowly told his sister various things related to Sōbu and what students experience at school.
Until the theater sound effects played, and the lights in the class suddenly went out, only then did the two fall silent like the other audience, staring at the stage in front that was gradually illuminated by strong spotlights.
In this brief silence, a sudden poke from a finger was felt on his back.
Yuu didn't turn around, just leaned his body back: "What's up?"
Yuigahama answered in a whisper: "You have to be careful..."
"She wants to prank me, right? I can feel it. Relax."
With Yumiko's poor disguise and acting skills, Yuu could sense something was off even with his eyes closed and nose plugged. After a bit of observation, analysis, and connection, he could roughly guess what she wanted to do. There was absolutely no chance he'd be pranked.
However, considering this Double Golden Drill-Haired Miss had sacrificed a lot for the Cultural Festival preparations; plus the premise that pranking him in class couldn't be done without other students' approval.
Yuu just sighed in resignation, treating this as participation in class activities... Unless they overdid it, he planned to fully cooperate in this performance.
After telling Yuigahama his thoughts, he felt a relieved breath on his neck.
"Yeah, it's good if everyone can be happy... I'll tell you later about what happened in the class earlier."
A small laugh in his ear, just when Yuu thought she would pull her body back, that hot breath suddenly shortened the distance.
In the darkness, wet teeth gently bit his earlobe. Before he could feel the ticklish sensation like an electric shock, those soft lips enveloped his skin and nerves, bringing a different pleasurable feeling.
"Ham~"
The sound of saliva and tongue intimately sticking was heard in his ear. Heat and breath mixed, accompanied by her small embarrassed yet naughty laugh: "Hehe, don't move carelessly, be careful or Sora will notice..."
"I already know."
The girl's low voice sounded faint: "Perverted dango, what gave you the illusion that nothing would be noticed if the lights are off?"
Beside them, Mama Yuigahama also leaned her face closer, whispering with a laugh: "Yeah, I thought you were just whispering to him, but it turns out to be such bold whispering~ Mom has slightly changed her opinion of you, you know."
Yuigahama: "..."
Like an innocent girl caught cheating, she was too embarrassed to speak. She could only quietly pull her body back and reject her mom's encouraging pat.
Unconsciously, Yuu touched his still slightly wet earlobe. The same heat as his face hadn't subsided, making him a bit restless.
In short, he was a bit excited.
Thinking of Yukino who was still working at the moment, Yuu thought with a strange expression:
Is this contagious, or did they plan it privately... Why do they all love attacking from behind so much?
"Why, do you like being teased like this?" Cutting off his thoughts, his sister's slightly jealous voice sounded beside him, "I thought Yuu was a total gentleman, but it turns out you're a pervert who likes this kind of play. I'm so disappointed in you!"
Hearing this, Yuu felt the need to explain himself: "Pervert where? The pervert is Yui, got it! I was just sitting still..."
Halfway through, his chair was kicked, and familiar fingers were placed on his soft waist, pinched, twisted, a gesture full of threat.
Yuu stopped speaking, the corners of his mouth twitching twice.
...As expected, all girlfriends have this in common.
Before he finished sighing, soft and natural music played from the front speakers, completely drowning out all sounds in the class.
At the same time, the spotlight moved, fully illuminating the silver-haired girl slowly appearing at the edge of the stage. The student in charge of narration slowly opened their mouth in the darkness, with a warm voice and clear articulation, drawing the audience into the story world.
"That girl had once heard that the edge of the forest was the dwelling place of the Death God Adler..."
Under the focus of many gazes, Class 2-F's stage play, "Adler"—began.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"If you need to be picked up, please let me know twenty minutes in advance."
"Okay. Thank you, Sata-san."
"Please stay safe."
After bidding farewell to her driver, Asuna came alone to Sōbu High. She looked up, seeing the decorated school nameplate in front of her.
"Luckily Mom suddenly had business and couldn't come, otherwise wherever I go she'd ask questions, troublesome and blocking me from finding people..."
Though muttering, she couldn't hold back the smile on her face.
She stretched vigorously, rotating her wrists and ankles, relaxing all her body joints. She felt her physical condition was excellent!
Then, like a general preparing to win a battle, the girl stepped her long legs, entering the unfamiliar school gate with high spirits and sparkling eyes.
"Well then, let's search their class first! If I really can't find them, I'll call and ask them to pick me up. Though a bit sudden, they shouldn't refuse to welcome a friend who's transferring schools, right?"
Her long chestnut-brown hair fluttered like a cape, blown by the wind behind her.
Asuna didn't hesitate. After matching with the map, she directly walked toward the bustling school building.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Audio-Visual Room.
"They came about an hour ago, now who knows where they went?"
Getting such information from the staff, Haruno couldn't help slapping her forehead, grimacing: "As expected, I came too late. Better forget the surprise, just take Mom to search for them directly..."
Saori glanced at her vaguely, too lazy to care about this overthinking and useless daughter. She walked to the staff and gently confirmed the next film's schedule.
After paying four hundred yen for entry tickets, she directly entered the pitch-dark audio-visual room, only leaving an undeniable order for Haruno.
"After watching the film, call Yukino and ask what she's doing now, we'll go find her."
"Hngg, alright~"
Though a bit reluctant, Haruno dropped her shoulders as if surrendering, and followed her mother into the audio-visual room listlessly.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Like many small streams that will flow into the sea.
Beneath the seemingly calm sea surface, the undercurrents had begun to surge.