I heard this call from my homeroom teacher an hour before the festival was to begin. The homeroom teacher was sincerely happy for me, but I could only return an affectionate smile. How could I have any feelings for Mai now after seeing that scene? But now I have to hide it, and I have mixed feelings about it.
「Senpai, are you alright?」
「Ah, ahh, Karen. Yeah, I’m alright.」
「It doesn’t look very much like that. I knew it, so you are concerned about Hidaka-senpai waking up?」
「…Well, yeah.」
With the start time almost over, I was waiting in the club room and was eventually spotted by Karen. I’m starting to think that Karen can see everything about me.
「Don’t worry, those people can’t say that it was me.」
「B–But… You don’t know that, you know?」
「It’s going to be okay. I have a good idea when the time comes. But more importantly, today is the cultural festival, let’s enjoy it to the fullest, shall we? You have worked so hard for this day, haven’t you?」
Although the person whom she had harmed had just woken up, Karen was nonchalant, showing no signs of agitation at all. If she’s so confident, maybe I don’t have anything to worry about. Yes, Karen is right, I’ve worked hard on a lot of things for today. I shouldn’t mess it up by worrying about Mai.
「Thank you, Karen. Yeah, we’re going to have all the fun we can handle!」
「Yeah!」
A few minutes later, the cultural festival opens and the whole school is filled with people, from current students to outside guests. In the midst of the bustling and lively atmosphere, our club room, which is part of the Literary Club, was so quiet that visitors read the novels we had written.
「This was so interesting!」
「T–Thank you very much!」
Suddenly, a middle-school-aged boy in plain clothes complimented me on my novel. Ahh, this is the most gratifying moment for me when people praise my novels like this…!
「Senpai, the wide angle is loose.」
「S–shut up! You know how nice it is to get a compliment!」
「Well, that’s true too. But I miss it. Because I, too, read a Senpai’s novel at this school’s cultural festival when I was in junior high school.」
「Ahh, you talked about it back then. Karen told me you came last year. I remember that too.」
「Was it true?」
「Karen came last year, too, I remember that. Besides, at that time, Karen was reading my novel as if she was devouring it.」
「Because it was very interesting. It was a good opportunity for me to join this club when I entered this school.」
「Was that so? Then it was worth the effort of writing last year. I’m able to be in club activities with Karen like this.」
「…You’re right. Well, senpai, why don’t we close the club room and go somewhere? I’d like to eat a crepe or something.」
「Oh, then let’s do that. I wanted something to eat, too.」
So we decided to go around together. I was worried that I might look suspicious, but no one was in a good mood or cared about me, and we were able to enjoy ourselves to the fullest.
「Ah, Karen. There’s a cream on you, look.」
「…Thank you very much.」
「Karen, I got it right!」
「You’re very good, Senpai.」
「T–That was scary… That haunted house.」
「I didn’t mind at all, Senpai’s screams were so cute.」
「Yeah.」
Time passed quickly and before I knew it, it was evening. The festival had come to an end and everyone was busy cleaning up.
「Ah— I’m tired. I’d love to go to an onsen or something.」
「Is that right? Then, would you like to go to a mixed bath or something together?」
「I’m not ready for that yet…」
「…I, was expecting for some though.」
「Eh?」
In the middle of cleaning up, Karen came to my side to stick close to me.
「I, through today, have been convinced once again. I knew it, because I love my Senpai. That’s why, I’m trying to develop more of a relationship. S–So… a–after that…」
I understood what those words meant… Karen might be a good choice. No, it’s Karen, so it’s fine. I should reciprocate that feeling for Karen, who has really done a lot for me——
「LINE…!?」
Suddenly, a LINE notification sounds. When I looked, it was from…… Mai.
【Akihiko, I want to see you… Come to the hospital quickly.】