/
Title: Decorating
As the festival drew closer and closer, the school was becoming more energetic at an alarming rate. Since I was a helper, I felt a bit tired from all of the enthusiasm. But I knew I couldn’t get weak.
Arina’s health had already recovered and the past few days have been as abusive as ever. However, she took her student council work seriously and I was aware that she had the integrity to finish what she decided to do.
In the end, the truth about her memory loss wasn’t black or white. It wasn’t clear cut. I didn’t even mention it, so my eyes just ended up darting around. However, now that I think about it, there was a chance Arina wanted me to care a little.
Perhaps people would think I was being conceited. But would she bother with telling people that she had no memory for two days? After all, it’s Arina we’re talking about. But that Arina, who didn’t want people to stick their noses in her business, went out of her way to phrase it in a manner that would arouse people’s interest.
I was loosely thinking about this as I decorated the classroom.
Our class was doing a cafĂ© mainly focused on costumes. You could wear whatever you wanted. Be it kimonos, armor, or whatever. As long as it wasn’t too far outside the norm, it was fair game. I refrained from wearing a costume since Arina and I would be going around. All hail the student council. I’m glad I didn’t want to wear a single millimeter of costume.
“Sui, what are you going to dress up as?”, Takane Makoto asked.
“It’s unfortunate but I won’t be dressing up. I have another job.”
“Eh, I wanted to see Sui cosplay.”
“Bullshit. I can’t wait to see what you’re gonna wear.”
“I’m just gonna buy a mask and call it a day.”
“That’s safe.”
While we talked about such nonsense, Tsuru, who had a paper ring on her shoulder, came over.”
“Sui, you aren’t going to cosplay?!”
“It’s a disappointment to end all disappointments. I’ve been given a mission to protect the security of the school.”
“I’m sure Arina-san was looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, no way.”
“She was looking forward to it. She was laughing when talking to me.”
“I’m sure she was laughing at me. I’ll have a great time watching the year 2 class 3 fashion show.”
“Hmm. You’re going to see it.”
“It seems interesting.”
In fact, Arina would be a sight to behold. I’d like to catch a glimpse of her face when she does it. Will her expression be smug, embarrassed, or maybe even twisted in anger? It’ll be interesting to see.
“Sui, you’re making a sinister face.”
“My bad, my bad. I’ll get plastic surgery.”
“Maybe you’ll come across an interesting sight at the festival.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Tsuru returned to her work with a meaningful smile. She looked like a modest gal, but her brain is, without a doubt, at the top of the grade. Whatever she was thinking, she’s about ten steps ahead of me. At least tell me if it’s related to my personal safety.
After school, I immediately headed over to the student council. Often times, I wonder why I had to stay here when I was supposed to be a member of the Going Home Club. But then, Arina’s presence came to mind and I sighed.
If you ask about whether or not Arina has changed, I think she’s become a little softer to the point where I would answer “slightly”. It seems like she’s able to talk with Tsuru frequently, and I’m sure the frequency will keep increasing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Arina is opening up a little to me[1]. If I tell her, though, I’m pretty damn sure she’ll stab me, so I’ll keep quiet.
“Hello.”
Tsuru and Arina had already arrived at the student council. The order of the student council members went like this— not Seki Jun, Saeki Shiho, the school festival officer, and other mob characters. (I couldn’t remember their names since we didn’t interact.)
Apparently they were waiting on me, so the student council president urged me to sit down.
Student council president Seki Jun stood up.
“The festival is only three days away. It’s steadily taking shape according to our original plan. Thanks to the student council, we’ve been able to keep up with our plans and have plenty of time to spare. Let’s not waste any of it, and put our hearts and souls into building the festival in the remaining time we have until the big day!”
The president’s words signaled the start of the project and our work began. Everyone was full of motivation and unity. It was the kind of unity that people in a club or committee have.
It was like an energetic fever for someone in the Going Home Club. It wasn’t bad to just take classes every day and relax at home after, and that’s what I prefer, but sometimes, this so-called “youth” wasn’t so bad. I especially wanted Arina to feel it.
We moved on to the work, and as the president had said, there was plenty of time. The events and plans were already past the point where they needed the intervention of the student council, and each group was working on the nuances.
Even though it was three days before the event, everyone was working early in order to correct mistakes they noticed. Busy, busy, and busy.
Arina and I decided to confirm the original purpose of being a “temporary student council member and guide”.
“Do you have a general idea of what the festival will entail?”
“Yes.”
“Shiho said that we could basically do whatever. But that doesn’t mean we can slack off. There’s no particular patrol times or shifts or anything like that.”
“I see.”
“I’m basically thinking that we should go around together, is that alright?”
“


.Why do I have to hang out with you?”
“Cause I’m afraid you might ignore something that happens and be in a bad mood.”
“
..Well, I get it.”
She was self-aware. It was quite humourous.
“Oh, by the way, leave the time during the fashion show to me. I’ll be doing the rounds by myself.”
“I see.”
Although she replied in a very flat tone, Arina’s mouth twitched ever so slightly. I didn’t miss it. Shame for you. I’m gonna see the fashion show. In the meantime, you can remove your armband. I’ll take a closer look. Hehe.
“I just felt a chill.”
“Are you feeling sick? Is it bad?”
“No. I thought it was a vile, inhuman man staring at me like a subway pervert.”
Yes, yes, that’s me. That’s Sakaki Sui.
I’m definitely gonna see it.
[1] In the first draft of this chapter, the original sentence was “but I think Arina is opening herself to me”. And then I realized what it sounded like.