Kei had sotis imagined what it'd be like to walk around the school festival with Rinji.
Today, that wish had co true, just by chance.
The festive atmosphere was perfect for deepening bonds. Walking the festival together could definitely bring people closer.
As Moeha temporarily took over Kei's post so she could show Rinji around, her cheeks turned slightly red.
She was about to enjoy the festival with him.
Or so she thought...
"President, this cotton candy is pretty good."
"Yeah, not bad. Do we have this at our festival?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
"Too bad. Hey Rinji, try this candy apple, it's delicious."
"Ah~"
Kei: "..."
She had forgotten sothing crucial—Rinji hadn't co alone. Shirogane had brought him here, aning she couldn't walk around with him by herself.
The result: Rinji and Shirogane happily tagged along behind Kei, fully enjoying the Middle school festival.
Many girls watched enviously as Kei walked with these two handso senpai, unaware of her inner frustration.
Being a responsible person, Kei couldn't just kick her own brother out for her own sake.
"...Big bro, why did you insist on bringing Rinji-nii to our school's festival?" she asked.
"Because I won't be able to join him at our high school's festival," Shirogane replied. "I've got other stuff going on, and Rinji has to perform with Secretary Fujiwara. We probably won't even see each other."
"That's not really what I ant..."
She was wondering why both of them had to co to the Middle School Section. Couldn't just one have handled the scouting?
But then she seed to realize sothing.
With a light sigh, she turned and stood in front of Rinji.
"Rinji-nii... Are you free the afternoon of the second day of the Hoshin Festival?"
"The second day?"
He thought back. On the first morning, he was scheduled to perform with Fujiwara. That afternoon, he'd promised to et Hayasaka. The second day was mostly open.
"I'm free."
"Then, would you walk around with during the Hoshin Festival?"
"Of course. I'm on the Culture Festival committee, after all. I know all the fun spots."
"Then it's a promise."
Kei smiled, checked the ti on her phone, and said, "I better get back. Big bro, you take Rinji-nii around, and don't get lost."
"Relax, I'm not that bad with directions."
Kei ran off, leaving the two behind amid the bustling booths and visitors.
With nothing else planned, the two of them continued exploring.
---
"Phew, school festivals really do have a lot of stuff..."
"That's one of the charms of Japanese schools."
On the rooftop, Rinji leaned on the railing, watching the people below. Shirogane stood beside him, sipping a canned coffee.
After a sip, he smiled and said, "Kei probably wanted to walk around with you today. With here, she probably felt awkward."
"It's her rebellious phase, I get it."
Rinji smiled.
"But she's still pretty mature, huh?"
"That's what I appreciate about her," Shirogane said, handing Rinji another can from his shoulder bag.
Rinji took it, popped it open, and smiled warmly.
"I'm only a first-year. I've got two more years of school left. Kei will be in high school by then too. I'll still have ti with her. But you... not so much."
"Yeah."
There was no sadness in Shirogane's eyes, but a quiet sense of longing.
Soon he would be heading to Stanford University in the US. There would be no third year of high school for him. This Hoshin Festival would be his last.
He planned to confess his feelings to Kaguya during that festival. There would be no room for anything else.
That's why he invited Rinji to the middle school festival.
He said it was for scouting. In truth, it was just the two of them spending ti together.
As the person Shirogane trusted most, Rinji deserved a proper festival mory too. Since the Hoshin Festival was already "claid" by Kaguya, they'd use this one instead.
"High school life shouldn't be all about love. Friendship should be just as important."
Leaning on the railing, Shirogane swirled his coffee and listened to the noise of the festival below.
"At least today, we got to enjoy the festival together. That'll be a nice mory for our friendship."
"You say that like you're never coming back from Arica," Rinji said with a laugh.
"If I could, I'd want you and Shinomiya to co too. Maybe even Ishigami, Fujiwara, and Iino. But I know that's unlikely."
"Try asking Shinomiya. She might just go with you. But ? I'm not a fan of the US."
"Fair enough."
Shirogane turned, raised his can.
"This is the first and last ti we'll enjoy a school festival together. Let's toast to that mory."
"Sure. But I'm not going to say so cheesy line like 'may your future be bright.' You've got backing you, you'll be fine."
"Haha, then let's just toast to friendship."
"To friendship."
Clink.
Their cans bumped, and they downed the drinks in one go.
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