The day started suspiciously normal.
Which, in my experience, meant it will probably be extra chaotic.
I sat at my desk, minding my own business and not thinking about Airi, or Usagi, or the fact that I now apparently had to navigate a relationship with two versions of the same girl. Nope. I was trying to enjoy the peace.
Naturally, peace exploded the moment our homeroom teacher entered.
"Class 1-B! Congratulations! You've been selected to lead the planning committee for this year's Seiryou High School Cultural Festival!"
A collective groan filled the classroom.
Daiki leaned over and whispered, "We’re doomed."
I agreed.
---
Turns out, doom meant getting grouped with Airi (Usagi today), Hina, Kenta, and Mika for the committee. Daiki somehow escaped by pretending to have chronic nosebleeds. I suspect he bribed the nurse.
We all gathered in the student council room after class. Usagi was already there, smiling nervously. She had her hairpin on, of course.
"Let's do our best," she said with a soft clap.
Kenta immediately raised his hand. "I vote for a host cafe where the guys wear butler outfits."
"Denied," said Hina flatly.
Mika timidly suggested a crepe stand, but Kenta was still sulking.
Somehow, this chaotic meeting went on for nearly an hour. Usagi scribbled notes the whole time while I tried to be helpful without making eye contact with anyone.
Eventually, we settled on three options to propose to the class: haunted house, crepe stand, or a themed game booth.
It was a minor miracle.
---
That night, our group got permission to hold a casual overnight prep session in the school library. The plan was to brainstorm ideas, snack, and maybe even sleep in shifts to simulate festival night security duties.
Which sounded fun until I realized I’d be sleeping in the same room as Airi.
Scratch that, both Airis.
---
By 9 p.m., we’d laid out blankets and sleeping bags between the bookshelves. Hina was already sipping tea like she was at a hotel, and Mika fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow. Kenta was banned from snacks for sneaking five pudding cups.
Usagi sat beside me, legs folded neatly under her.
She looked up from her notebook. “Yuuji-kun… can I ask you something?”
My stomach did a flip in slow motion. “Sure.”
She twisted the ends of her sleeves. “If someone… liked you… a long time ago… but didn’t know how to say it… would it be too late now?”
I blinked. Hard.
“Wait, are you—”
“YUUJIIIII!”
Kenta’s voice shattered the moment like a wrecking ball. “Do we have more pudding? I think I saw one behind the encyclopedias.”
I sighed, Usagi's face was beet red.
Hina calmly tossed a pillow at Kenta’s head.
---
By midnight, most of the group was asleep.
I stayed up, quietly flipping through festival idea sketches. Usagi had dozed off beside me, head resting against a stack of mystery novels.
I debated whether I should move or let her sleep.
And then I saw her shift.
The hairpin slid out.
She sat up slowly, eyes still half opened.
“…Huh?” she mumbled, then looked at me.
“…Did I fall asleep on you?”
Airi.
She cracked her neck, then smirked. “Great. You got the cute one and the cool one in one night."
“More like the confusing one and the terrifying one,” I muttered.
She chuckled and leaned closer. “I feel like she almost confessed. Should I finish it for her?”
“Don’t you dare.”
She only grinned wider.
---
We ended up sitting side by side, watching the stars outside the library window. Everyone else was asleep. The school felt strangely calm.
“…You like her, don’t you?” she asked.
I looked at her. “You are her.”
“Not the same,” she said, tapping her temple. “You don’t look at me like that.”
I stayed quiet.
“…But it’s okay,” she added. “I don’t hate it. Watching her fumble around is kinda cute.”
She stood up, stretching. “Anyway. You better answer her properly next time. Or I’ll kick you.”
And with that, she curled up in a different corner, pulled a blanket over herself, and dozed off again.
The hairpin sat beside her on the floor.
---
Yuuji's Mental Diary: Day ???
Cultural festival: initiated.
Confession attempt??? : interrupted by pudding addict.
Sleepover: had both versions of Airi in one room.
Progress: unclear.
But maybe…
Just maybe…
I didn’t mind the confusion anymore.
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