Cultural Festival

***

"The Cultural Festival starts now!!" An unusual energy overflowed through the students as these words echoed throughout the school from the broadcast system.

Different kinds of stalls and events were laid out throughout the whole school. Every class or club was doing its own thing—Maid Cafe, Haunted House, Stage Plays, Games, Foods, and stuff. The whole school was bustling with laughs as all students were enjoying the festival. We were also ready with our unusual setup. Now that I think about it, it's pretty embarrassing.

"I still can't believe you managed to think about doing something like this," Jiro said.

"Me too."

We were doing sort of a 'Gaming Challenge'. Yeah, I agree the name is weird but we couldn't think of anything else. We were doing a challenge in which others will have to beat me in one of the three fighting games WEKKEN 7, Immortal Combat 11, and Zump Fight. I had enough confidence in my skills that I won't lose to anyone.

The fee was 300 yen and the prize was 1000 yen. Tempting enough in my opinion. We were using a ticket system. We hand a ticket to them with the approximate time of their turn on it. The waiting time would get too long if we used the line system. This way the students would be able to enjoy the festival too.

The play time for one person was selected to be 10 minutes. The computers that we used for this were mine and Fujimura's. The internet was the school's. Low expense, high return model. But still risky because if I lose then there is no point. There was still a problem. I had no doubts that we will have no shortage of boys trying to beat me but there was nothing for the girls.

For this, we were not doing only this gaming thing. Once we all went to a karaoke and found out that Jiro was really good at singing. We were going to exploit his good looks. That is why he was going to sing on the stage provided by the school for this stuff once all three days taking care of the girls too. Fujimura was handling the ticket system. Kayo was working as a maid in the class. Weird setup but this was what we came up with.

"So, when is your song?"

"In 3 hours. I haven't sung in front of the whole school ever. You sure about this?"

"Yeah. You have a good singing voice, good looks, and some unparalleled confidence. You will be fine."

"You are putting too much faith in me." Right then, our first challenger was here.

"Alright then, I will be back after doing my thing. Don't lose."

"I won't." He then left.

"Alright then. Let's get ourselves an onsen trip." I said to myself and proceeded to start my winning streak.

I stopped at 4 PM on the first day with a total earning of 8,600 yen. Pretty good if I say so. Each day ends at 5 PM and I promised Kayo I would visit the cafe so I thought I will visit her.

"Alright, I am going now then," Fujimura said to me. We don't really talk that much but she doesn't act like a tsundere towards me anymore.

"Yeah, it's fine now. Also sorry, you probably wanted to watch Jiro singing."

"I won't say I didn't want to go but you were here too all the time. It just makes sense that I do my part too. Besides I can watch the recording or even make him sing just for myself. We are dating now after all."

"Yeah, that's true. Alright, have fun for the time that's left."

"Also, it feels weird that only you call me by my last name. You can call me Yoko."

"Alright, Yoko-san."

"That's better. Alright, see ya." I shut off the computers and left too.

I walked down the hallway as I saw all the stuff that was going on in school. Frankly, I never thought I will ever go to any school festival. For all my middle school festivals, I never went to them. I also never worked on anything with class because no one really wanted me there. Things were different now. I was having fun now. After some time, I was in front of our classroom. I prepared myself and entered.

"Ah, Kazuki-kun. You are here." She called out to me as soon as she noticed. The maid uniform was looking really good on her.

"How does this look on me?"

"Yeah, It looks really good on you."

"Hehe! Sit here." I went and sat.

"What would you like to order, Master." I wasn't expecting the 'Master' part so it got me off guard.

"A-a coffee please."

"I will make a special one for you myself, Master!" I was gonna get diabetes from her cuteness.

After some time she came back with the coffee.

"Do you need any milk or sugar, Master?"

"Sure, my cute maid-chan."

"H-huh?!" Her face got red.

"Did you think only you can tease me?"

"Stupid!" After a while, she came back with sugar and milk. Can't slack on her duties after all.

"Hmph!" She handed me the milk and sugar while looking away.

"What kind of attitude is this, my cute maid-chan." Looked like she got even more embarrassed. I wanted to laugh at her reactions but that would attract a lot of attention so I refrained.

"Hey, this is really good," I said as I tried it. " I didn't knew you were good at cooking."

"Uhh... I am not, actually. I learned to make this from Yoko. She is really good at cooking and I am learning from her now."

"I see. Maid-chan is trying her best, huh?"

"This is getting old now."

"I see. Then your red face must be an illusion."

"R-red face?! Wonder what you are talking about." She tried to play dumb.

"That aside, Can you get your shift finished by 2:30 PM on the third day?"

"Yeah, I am pretty sure I can. But why?"

"Well, I was thinking I will close our club early on the third day. I feel bad since Yoko-san probably wants to see Jiro singing so we can all go together. After that, we can also enjoy the remaining time in the festival."

"That's a great idea. Yeah, we should definitely do it."

"Alright then, I will go now. Take care my cute maid-chan."

"S-stupid!" I laughed a little as I left.

It was fun teasing her. I don't get the chance that often, after all.