Chapter 72The Goddess Remembers
(TL Note: You will know whose POV is this when you read it.)
"Natsukawa-san, and Sasaki-kun too. Would you like to help me as a guide for the school visit trial?"
"Eh...?"
It was right after the summer vacation. During the activities of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, our homeroom teacher, Ootsuki-sensei, went to the North Building and called Sasaki-kun and I while bowing to us. We couldn't help but ask her back about the unfamiliar words she suddenly said to us.
"August 6th. At Kōetsu High School, only third-year students attend school on that day. It is the day when students from various middle schools come to visit and tour our high school. I want you two to be their guides."
"Heh, I didn't know there was such a thing either. But why me and Natsukawa? We've only been here for four months."
I nodded my head as a sign that I agreed with Sasaki-kun's reasonable words. Third-year students who are more familiar with this high school should indeed be more suitable as guides for middle school students, instead of first-year students. I was also wondering why it had to be us, who still didn't know anything about this high school very well.
"That's how it is. That's why I don't want to say this out loud, but this high school usually asks handsome and beautiful students to be guides so that we could be advertised at the same time. So, during a teacher's meeting, I showed them pictures of the first-year student ID cards. Then you two were chosen."
"What does it look like, Sensei?"
I couldn't hide my surprise at the unthinkable assessment requirements of an ordinary high school. It was hard for me to say anything about my appearance, but I felt happy when I was described as "beautiful". On the other hand, I felt very uncomfortable with the fact that this high school was "discussing my appearance" with me directly.
"You're members of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, so you come to this school often. I know you're busy, but please help me!"
'Pang!', Sasaki-kun and I accidentally looked at each other as Sensei asked us while putting our hands together. Regardless of the assessment requirements, I felt proud of the fact that I would be guiding middle school students who would probably be my kouhai-s next year. However, at the same time, I could imagine a future where I would be unable to speak well because I was too nervous.
"Natsukawa, why don't we just accept this school visit trial? Maybe next year's kouhai candidates will remember our faces?"
"Eh? Yeah..."
Sasaki-kun seems to be thinking positively. Probably because I didn't have time to think about it, I answered while being led. After a while, I regretted that I was a bit careless. But there was still a positive feeling somewhere inside me.
"Really? Thank you, you two! Then, I'll tell Matsumoto-sensei who's in charge of this!"
"Alright! Please contact us for more information!"
"Leave it to me!"
"Hmm..."
The conversation went smoothly, and Ootsuki-sensei left early. We were assigned to guide the middle school students in the School Visit Trial. Although there was a bitter smile on my face, I tried not to think about it at the moment, thinking that I would be attending school twice a week, so I tried not to be nervous.
"With the Cultural Festival, the School Visit Trial, and also my club activities... ...I feel like my schedule is full these days..."
"Yeah... I guess, that's right."
During the time I served as a member of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, Sasaki-kun talked to me more and more. Although I had invited him to my house before, I don't think we were on good terms from the start. Perhaps because of that, he seemed to notice me.
I replied with a faint nod and returned to the Cultural Festival Executive Committee Conference Room. I felt sorry for Sasaki-kun, but I was in a bad mood lately, and there were so many things I couldn't discuss. That's why I didn't want to cut corners in my duty, but I felt sorry that I couldn't find the words to continue this conversation.
♦
"─ The slogan for this year's Cultural Festival is 'Brand New World — Toward a New Era'. So, we need to think about what new ideas we can do at the Cultural Festival."
I think most members of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee decided with a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, but perhaps because it was a preparatory high school, the general framework of the Cultural Festival was thoroughly discussed. Perhaps, since last year's Culture Festival was based on the theme of "tradition", this year's Culture Festival seems to be focusing on new ideas.
"As tenth graders know, if you came to our high school's Cultural Festival last year, it was spectacular. There are so many volunteers and benefactors that we have to respond to, and honestly, this could be an event that involves the whole city, so we need to go into it with a lot of enthusiasm."
It may be a student-led School Cultural Festival to foster independence, but Hasegawa-senpai, the President of the Organizing Committee, is a very capable person. She actively led us first-year students, and I could feel her strong desire to make this Cultural Festival even better.
"We need to explain how much budget we'll have during the summer vacation in preparation. The success of this year's Cultural Festival depends on how much support we get from the City Government, the alumni, and the local community. For now, we need to confirm the estimated number of benefactors from last year's list."
"Therefore we need to recruit new benefactors for the next three years. We need to negotiate with municipalities and community centers so that we can advertise to recruit benefactors."
"But the Cultural Festival will be big enough with the existing donors. Therefore, I think we should focus on interviewing the list of benefactors from last year to see if they will support us again this year."
"Then, let's divide the third-year students into two groups, and the second-year students will talk to the current benefactors. The first-year students can compile a list of names and a tentative budget for this year."
The third-year students led a quick exchange of opinions, and we first-year students were left to decide our roles halfway through. The content was so dizzying that all the first-year students, including myself, could only tilt our heads. However, the senpai-s were solid and reliable, so I was sure we would be fine.
At the first meeting, the general framework — the slogan — was decided, at the second meeting, the outline of the Cultural Festival was decided, and this time, the contents of our tasks were decided. Right now, we're just mostly sitting here. I wonder if it's okay to keep going like this.
In a daze, my "today" was over.
"Um, you see... ...Natsukawa. Why don't you come watch over the Soccer Club in exchange?"
"Eh?"
"No, you see, for some reason you seem a bit unfocused."
It seems that I've made Sasaki-kun worried again. It might be fun, but I'm sorry if I'm interrupting the Soccer Club. Besides, it's not like I'm bored either.
"Thank you. But I must take care of Airi..."
"I-I see. It couldn't be helped, then. I'm sorry that I suddenly invited you."
"No, don't worry about it."
Sasaki-kun is a member of the Soccer Club, has good reflexes, and is a considerate boy. I think he's amazing. I could understand why the girls in my class were always excited about how cool and handsome he was. When I think of the fact that he also invited me to come to the club activity like this, I feel a bit regretful.
♦
I was the only person in front of the school entrance, probably because most of the students went straight to their respective club activities after 3 p.m. As I heard the hustle and bustle of the club students from afar, I felt a strange sense of isolation, wondering why I left earlier than the others. As if I wasn't normal...
"...?"
I felt uncomfortable with myself looking back. As if I was denying my normal life. My beloved little sis should have been waiting for me at home.
"...That's not it."
Taking care of Airi was a normal part of my life. Being a member of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee was rewarding, but I couldn't put into words whether it was fun or not. For ten days or so, my unforgivable feelings were reborn inside me. I apologized to Airi for admitting this kind of thing.
"..."
This vague feeling that I felt had happened before. It was like an indescribable feeling of déjà vu. Suddenly I couldn't forgive myself, and it was like a reminder that I should hold back. What is it?
Until this moment... -Wataru was beside me. Last year, the year before, and the year before that too, Wataru was there, and every time he appeared in front of me, I was stunned and said "Again?", and I remember being overwhelmed by Wataru's ability to take action, and when he came, he would bring my groceries halfway. When I got home, Mom and Airi were already there, and Dad had also come home with souvenirs...
Oh, that's why I never felt bored. Back then, I didn't have time to see anyone but my family. Whenever I had free time, Wataru and my classmates would invite me to hang out, and I remember it being quite satisfying.
So then — What's with this frustration? Why do I feel "nostalgic" with these tangled feelings?
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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