109. Then, the Cultural Festival with resolute determination. (13)

October 31, Saturday.
The first day of the Kamizakura High School Cultural Festival.

Exiting Nakameguro Station, the crowds felt even denser than usual. Tsukigami Jinguji looked up at the sky; it was another brilliantly clear day. The autumn breeze blowing against him carried the scent of youth, nearly scattering the barrier of solitude that usually surrounded the young man.

Walking along the long, sloping road, laughter and chatter filled the air. First-year boys darted past him in playful scuffles, occasionally greeting him as they went.

Arriving at the school gate, the cold, familiar entrance was adorned with ribbons and bouquets that didn't quite suit its austere character. Beside it stood a life-sized PVC board printed with a poster designed by Jinguji himself.

The giant archway was painted with colorful pigments, the three kanji characters for "Kamizakura Festival" written in a rounded, adorable font that made the place feel more like a kindergarten entrance ceremony.

Students lingered at the gate, pulling out their phones to take pictures. To avoid blocking the flow of traffic, Jinguji walked quickly into the school grounds, where all sorts of stalls were neatly lined up.

The crowd was a mix of students and parents, bustling with life. The high-pitched, enthusiastic calls of vendors almost made him feel as if he had wandered into a summer festival.

Though he had worried that such a large crowd might cause safety issues, the atmosphere was lively and stable. He could see members of the order management team wearing armbands, patrolling the grounds, so Jinguji stepped into the school building, his mind at ease.

Just as he changed into his indoor shoes and prepared to head upstairs, a ghost collided with his chest. With a soft "oops," the ghost fell to the floor.

She wore a pure white robe that looked no different from a hospital bedsheet, a triangular hood on her head, and her face was covered in blood... well, fake blood.

Where did this land-bound spirit come from?

"No running in the hallways," Jinguji said.

It wasn't long ago that Jinguji himself was the one being scolded by the Student Council President for running in the halls; the dragon slayer had truly become the dragon.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

The young lady ghost scrambled to her feet clutching her head. If one didn't know better, they would think her blood-stained face was the result of a collision with Jinguji.

"Ah, Senior..."

Hearing the girl's voice, Jinguji finally recognized which "spirit" this was.

"Tell me, little animal, what is this outfit? Halloween was yesterday."

"Our class is doing a haunted house! This is a costume!" The "little animal" spread her arms, the oversized white sheet flapping back and forth with a rustling sound, making her look like a mutant white bat.

"Even so, you have way too much fake blood on your face. Go wash it off."

"Eh~~~ but then it won't be scary anymore."

"You look like a tomato. Who would be scared of a tomato?"

He picked her up with one hand and brought her to the hallway sink. Only after watching her reluctantly wash her face clean did Jinguji head up to the second floor, satisfied.

"Senior, remember to come to our class, okay~" Yaomiya Yo shouted from behind.

Jinguji waved a hand without looking back.

"I'll come if I have time."

When he arrived at the classroom for Class 2-A and stepped inside, he was immediately stunned by a deafening chorus of welcomes.

"Welcome back, Master!"

Stunned at the classroom door, Jinguji was momentarily bewildered. This was the first time he had ever been so popular in Class 2-A.

"What is it? It's just Jinguji."

"Tch!"

Hey! Who just clicked their tongue?! Step out!

Jinguji wanted to protest, but he knew that would only make him look foolish; as a student council member, he shouldn't lower himself to the level of ordinary students.

Stay calm.

He looked at the line of girls standing before him and couldn't help but ask, "What is this outfit?"

"Cosplay, can't you tell?"

The one who answered was Tsuchiya. A Shibuya-style gal is truly a formidable presence; that striking bunny girl outfit required a level of courage that was absolutely unmatched.

Jinguji had only ever seen people wear bunny girl outfits at school cultural festivals in light novels, usually while singing on stage.

Jinguji didn't dare to look too long, fearing that Tsuchiya would spout something shocking in the next second. He immediately averted his eyes to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

"Hey! You boys, stop staring!"

Sure enough, the moment he looked away, several boys nearby met their doom and were subjected to a stern reprimand.

"How is it?"

"What?"

Hanamori suddenly spoke up from the side. Jinguji paused for a few seconds, confirming she was indeed talking to him.

She was wearing a costume of some anime character today—a pink princess dress, her hair in twin tails, and a white stuffed rabbit toy fixed to her shoulder with tape.

"It's nice," Jinguji said.

Hanamori didn't reply; she simply nodded and walked away.

"Everyone, sorry I'm late~"

Sakurakoji Sakura stumbled into the classroom, greeting her classmates.

"Is anyone in the changing room?"

"No, Sakura, you can use it."

"Got it."

Sakurakoji Sakura giggled as she pulled back the curtain and ducked into the cramped changing room. The other girls stood guard around the curtain like temple guardians, wary of the other boys in the class.

"Hey! You boys! No peeking!"

"Who... who would peek?!"

"When Tsuchiya went in to change earlier, you guys snuck over to listen to her changing, didn't you!"

"Listening isn't against the law!"

"That's right!"

"Just listening to the sound of her changing is enough to make me eat three bowls of rice."

"…Someone get these boys out of here!"

Jinguji didn't want to get involved in this joyful farce. After putting his bag away, he took out some manuscripts and left the classroom, heading for the school auditorium.

When he arrived at the auditorium, the chairs had already been set up. With some time left before the opening ceremony, Jinguji went backstage to re-confirm the schedule.

To his surprise, Hoshinomori Hoshino was already there, talking with a few students. When she saw Jinguji, she broke into a bright smile and waved at him.

"Oh, the great contributor is here, my dear deputy."

"Vice President, good morning."

"Good morning, Senior Jinguji."

Jinguji greeted them one by one, then looked at Hoshinomori. Her complexion was excellent, and her smile was exceptionally beautiful; he wondered what good news she had encountered.

He handed the manuscripts to Hoshinomori, and the girl blinked at him.

"What's this?"

"What could it be? The opening ceremony speech."

"So why are you giving it to me?" Hoshinomori asked with an air of "isn't it obvious?"

"What else would I do with it?"

Hoshinomori let out a sly chuckle. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I want to say."

Jinguji was speechless. Facing her gentle smile, the young man tightened his grip on the speech, sighing softly.

"President, you really are..."

"Really what?" she pressed, teasingly.

The young man didn't say anything more, casting a helpless look in her direction. Perhaps he had anticipated this turn of events long ago.

"Nothing."

Putting on his communication headset and finishing the equipment check, the young man began to issue orders: "This is Jinguji. All teams, pay attention. Maintain order in the auditorium. Once the time comes, allow the students to enter in an orderly fashion."