All the delivered dresses were white and had long skirts. They didn’t have any special accessories and the skirts didn’t have much volume. Rather than a fancy gown, they were more like simple one-piece dresses. Although, if you thought about the materials and cost, they were definitely fancy gowns. However, at a glance they looked plain. Just like I wanted.
Well, when Sara saw the dresses, she looked confused. She was comparing the dresses to me, over and over. Although she was smiling, it was obvious that she was troubled.
Yeah, I knew without her saying anything… The garments didn’t suit me.
The clothes themselves were excellent. If Primella wore them, she would look splendidly cute, but I would be the one wearing them. It was rough with my villain-like face. It hurt me how much I understood that.
“Umm… Then, I’ll think about a hair-style and make-up that will fit this dress!”
“Yes, please do.”
Aah, I’m really sorry for asking you to do an absurd task.
Sara was probably thinking that I thought those clothes suited me, so she was trying to be considerate. Don’t worry, I’m aware that they don’t fit my image.
“Can I come here any time?”
“It’s usually open afterschool. The school’s security is flawless, but I don’t think this place is being overseen as strictly.”
“I see… Then, is it okay if I come here alone? I’d like to look at the actual dresses while brainstorming, if possible.”
“That should be fine. Only the participants and related personnel are supposed to come and go as they please. I’ll let them know that Sara-sama is helping me.”
“I see, thank you!”
Fundamentally, this academy was peaceful. There were places that were minefields for me, but that was because of memories I couldn’t forget when I was stuck in automode. For normal students, there wasn’t a place on campus that was dangerous.
Security was always perfect after all. I had never even seen a suspicious person, a mouse, or even that black insect that starts with a “c.”
For a huge event like the culture festival, I’m sure they have strengthened the defenses. This school would spare nothing to protect its students.
That’s probably why I was careless. It wasn’t just me, but the whole school who were only looking out for an attack from the outside. Excessive wealth was tied to self-confidence, so the school was ready for a frontal attack, but not a sneaky person moving in the background. Only one person was wary, at least, I liked to think that.
Actually, if you harm others, then my wariness won’t be deceived.
×　×　×　×
The cultural festival preparations steadily progressed, be fore we realized it, it was only a week before the festival.
Even though my class wasn’t supposed to be busy because we didn’t have a program planned for the festival, my classmates who were a part of a club or committee always seemed so busy running in and out. There weren’t many students who stayed in the classroom.
“Finally caught up~”
“Our class has a lot of especially busy people, huh. Normally, there aren’t a lot of things for first years to do.”
“Is it okay if those two don’t go?”
Until the festival ended, there weren’t any classes in session. There was self-study, but everyone was always running about here and there.
Since I was just a contest participant, I had a lot of free time. If I could, I’d like to switch places with someone. I’d run around as much as you’d like as long as I didn’t have to appear in the contest…
“My club isn’t particularly busy… Our senpai do a lot of work.” (Eru)
“Me too. We just make things on our own.” (Primella)
“Primella’s club is putting on a display… Eru, what is your club doing again?” (Maria)
“… I wonder?”
“At least give me a hint.”
I get how you feel though. When you have no work, you don’t feel like participating. Especially since this school focuses more on supervision rather than physical labor, so there wasn’t much more to do.
It was amazing that hopes and dreams could be turned into reality through the technical prowess of adults reproducing children’s instructions. It was a magical world, but that wasn’t much of a factor this time.
“There aren’t many things for first years to do this year. It seems like this year is especially lacking work for us.” (Primella, I think)
Looking around the classroom, the number of empty seats was more conspicuous. Saashia’s gallery seemed to be very busy. Maybe in other classes, the first years weren’t very busy, but at the very least, ours seemed to be busy.
Keito seemed busy every day too… Although it didn’t seem like a large change, I felt like I shouldn’t bother him. It was a childhood friend’s sixth sense.
“Rather than us, is it okay for Maria to be relaxing?” (Eru)
“Eh?” (Maria)
“Something about contestants having to gether. I was talking to Sara this morning.” (Eru)
“Ah…”
Everyone’s garments have finally arrived, so we have to gather in the waiting room today. Depending on the dress, you may not be able to wear it on your own. Plus, hair and make-up would take time as well. Our order will be decided by taking that into account.
I heard about that this morning from Sara, it was my first time hearing that the order wasn’t decided yet.
My lack of interest in the contest might be too much, even though I was the participant… I couldn’t say anything about Eru.
“Class is almost over.” (Maria)
“Oh my, is it already that late?” (Primella)
“Self-study flies by~” (Eru)
Our fun time ended before we knew it. Getting to chat with your friends during self-study was much more fun than attending class so of course it would feel short. Since you can work at your own pace, even the people who prepare for the next lesson or review the material probably feel like self-study ends quickly.
Well, they will have more time later, the self-study classes right now were only in name. They were just for students to have time to work on festival preparations.
“You two are going to your clubs now, right?” (Maria)
“Yeah, it’s not class prep time anymore, but pre-time now. Even though there’s nothing for me to help with, I just have to go.” (Eru)
“Me too. Even though I’m just working on a personal project, it’s best to be at the club.” (Primella)
“Do your best.” (Maria)
“You too, Maria-chan.” (Primella)
I… Don’t want to work hard though…
My smile became dry from the though, but thanks to the good timing of the bell, the conversation deviated away from me.