It's a Trap

Seriously? Is this really happening right now? Is God finally getting tired of me wasting my life away and punishing me? Because what the hell is this?!

Out of all the places Chihara could've gone after school, it was here. In the Student Building. In the Festival Committee's room. At the very front of the damn room, where she could very easily see me right when I walk in.

Chihara tilted her head, then blinked twice, as if she were still trying to figure out whether or not it was really me. The moment it clicked, she grew the widest smile and ran up to me.

"Kinoshita! It is you!"

This is just too much...

"Ah... Hello, Chihara. I didn't... know you were a part of the Festival Committee."

"Yeah! I've been here since the start of the Fall term. Yoshida-Senpai was actually the one who pitched it to me. Getting to prepare for a beautiful festival full of fun and joy — it sounded so cool!"

"It does sound... appealing."

"Speaking of which, when you told me that you'd be preoccupied today..."—she gasped while clasping her hands together—"Are you joining the Festival Committee, Kinoshita?"

Nope. At least, that's what I wanted to say, but just like last time and the time before that, I'm left with no choice but to keep it in.

"S-something like that..." I mumbled.

"Really? Then I guess we'll be seeing each other more often."

That smile... It's too bright. I might actually go blind one of these days.

"By the way, Chihara," Haruto said. "I actually have a special mission for you. Can you go into the other room and grab my clipboard? It should be somewhere on the desk."

"On it, President!" she replied, giving him a salute, before rushing off into the other room.

Finally, I get to breathe, but not for long.

"Kinoshita-san...?" Kanon muttered. "Not 'senpai'? Chihara is my kohai, yet this is the first time I've heard anything about the two of you. Since when did you get so close to her, Kazuha?"

"Don't misunderstand. We're not close."

"I'd sooner believe we'll get flying cars within the year."

Haruto nodded along, saying, "My thoughts exactly."

"You don't get to opine on this," I grumbled, pointing at him. "Haruto... You're the president of the Festival Committee?"

"Yeah."

"So that means you knew Chihara was gonna be here today?"

"Yeah."

"And you decided to drag me here anyway?"

"Yeah."

"Why the fuck?"

"Yeah."

"...That one wasn't a yes or no question, you asshole."

"Oh, huh. Oops."

From behind, Kanon snickered.

"You messed up, dude. I'm assuming you wanted to get away from little Chihara. Can't see why, though. She's such a sweet girl. And she refers to you informally, which I've never seen her do for any guy. I'm sure you have your reasons, so I won't question it. But honestly... You should've thought twice before trusting Haruto with something like that. You know he lives for the chaos, don't you?"

"Well... It's not like I'm trying to avoid her entirely, but then this clown over here decided to pull this stunt off."

"Relax, man!" Haruto grinned. "Just think of this as a club meeting and nothing more. If you really want, you can just hang out with Kanon and avoid—"

"I'm back, President!"

He jumped, letting out something between a horrific scream and a dying goat. Slowly, his head twisted around, only to get flashbanged by that same smile.

"Oops. Sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"I-it's nothing, Chihara," he sighed, taking the clipboard. "Thanks."

"Mhm! I'm gonna get back to work now, but if you need anything else, just call for me."

"Will do."

"And... Kinoshita?"

I flinched.

"Yeah?"

"Let me know if you want a tour or something. I'd be happy to show you around the Festival Committee and what we do."

"...Sure thing."

She skipped off someplace, somewhere, I wasn't sure. Couldn't bring myself to pay attention now that my social battery was fully drained.

"Kazuha..." Kanon mumbled. "Are you two...?"

"N-no! Absolutely not!"

"Haha! See?" Haruto chuckled. "Even she thinks so."

"Shut up, Haruto! I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place if you didn't go and be the slimy bastard you are!"

"Ouch! Hurtful words, man!"

Despite her, Kanon scoffed, wearing a rare smile. Nothing ever amuses her, so her resting face makes up ninety percent of her expressions. The other ten percent was watching me suffer, I guess.

"Well, Kazuha? Now that you know what you're gonna have to deal with from now on, what do you think? Still wanna stick around?"

I sighed.

"Might as well. Between this and a club full of strangers, I'll settle for this. Besides, it sounds kind of fun."

"That's the spirit. Come on, I'll find somewhere to put you. And if you don't wanna be with little Chihara, then I'll keep that in mind."

"Huh? No, you don't have to— I mean... I-it's not like..."

Kanon was never one to interrupt someone when they were talking. That could either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the situation. In this case, it was a bad thing because I was just digging myself into a deeper hole while she stood there, arms crossed, watching me with a raised brow.

"Smooth~ Kazuha," Haruto snickered.

"Shut. Up. You goddam rat."

"Wha—?! First, I'm an asshole, then a clown, then a slimy bastard, and now I'm at a rat?!"

"Not at all. You're so much more."

"...Is that a good thing?"

"Up to your interpretation. Anyway, lead the way, Kanon."

"Mhm," she hummed. "Come along, Kazuha."

I followed Kanon around, helping with small things like carrying boxes, listening in on the plans, and providing feedback whenever I was asked.

It was interesting, just like I thought it'd be, but it was kind of overstimulating.

After half an hour, Haruto called everyone into the main room for a meeting.

"Alright, everyone! Glad to see you guys working hard and passionately. As you know, we have three weeks left until the Fall Festival. Still a good bit away, but don't get too comfortable. By next week, we should have all of the groundwork sorted out. Then, it'll be a final stretch to grab all the materials we'll need to make this festival better than any that has come before it!"

The committee cheered and shared a round of applause.

"But, you guys know me!" Haruto said. "I like to plan ahead of time. Sai. How far along are you guys with building the stalls?"

"We've got a decent bit done," someone replied from the back, "but we're not even halfway to the quota just yet."

"Hmm... We might need more builders. Who's up for some manual labor?"

After a brief discussion between a group of guys, they raised their hands and shouted, "Over here, Haruto!"

"Perfect! So, Minato, Sai, and the gang are responsible for building the rest of the stalls. If you need more materials, let me know. The university has provided us with some spare parts to make them. Planning team, make sure you guys submit the rest of your ideas to them as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir!"

"And now, we'll need some people to do a bit of shopping. Paper crafts, lanterns, lantern wires, extension cords, cups, plates — all the little essential things. I have a list that I'll be handing out, but since there is so much we need, I'll split it amongst different teams. Any volunteers for the tribute?"

In the front, a hand raised.

"I'll join in, President," Chihara said.

"Oho~ You sure you're up for it? It'll most likely take a few trips unless you wanna haul ass and get it all sorted out in a single day. Plus, you'll have to pull some funds from your own pocket, but don't worry. You'll get reimbursed."

"I can handle it!"

"Well, if you say so, then who am I to stop you? But I want you and all the other shoppers to be in teams of at least two. Can't have you guys doing all the heavy lifting alone. Let's see if I can find someone for Chihara..."

Right in front of me, a group of boys whispered amongst each other.

"I don't even know why he's bothering with that. Isn't Chihara like... super against receiving help?"

"Yeah... She wouldn't even accept my hand when I offered to help her off the floor."

"I blame those fourth-year guys who tried to ask her out at the same time. Ever since then, she's been avoiding the simplest gestures like the plague."

It looks like even Chihara's first-year peers have taken notice of her, and it's pretty much in line with what Haruto told me. Now, I can't help but wonder... Why is she being so open with me? What does she have to—?!

My thoughts came to a halt when Haruto, who was standing before a sea of students, locked eyes with me. It was at that moment that I knew... I was fucked.

"How about dragging Kazuha along, Chihara? You two seem cordial enough. And I bet he'd be willing to give you the extra hand."

As if someone flipped a switch, every single person in the crowd broke their necks to look at me, and just behind them, Chihara's lips curved into a grin.

"Sure!"