I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School! - chapter 19

TL: Netori
ED: Anima

Culture Festival, with you

It was the day of the cultural festival.

Because the festival was open to the public, the school was crowded with a large number of people.

Both visitors and students walked around happily with grilled skewers and crepes in their hands, wondering where to go next.The shouts of the people advertising their stalls echoed here and there.

The atmosphere was very lively, just like a real festival.

“Even so, … it becomes even more impressive…”

When I looked at my class from the hallway, the most noticeable thing was the signboard.

 The wood, which is nearly two meters long, consists of several pieces of wood stapled together, and had been varnished and polished so that it would not be obvious at first glance.

And the words “Japanese Takoyaki Cafe Okutopasu” was written in an imposing handwriting.

The handwriting was absurdly skillful.

 “Isn’t the store name too generic…?”

“Oh, that? I heard that Akasaki-kun decided the name of the store before we even had a chance to discuss it.”

The one who responded to my muttering was a girl with a short-cut and my classmate, Fumihashi.

We didn’t used to talk that much, but during this festival, I’ve become more or less friendly with her. I guess I can understand why she’s so popular with the boys, because she has a friendly attitude.

“Not only Akasaki-kun, but everyone worked pretty hard, didn’t they? Thanks to you, it became a great success, and I’m really impressed!”

“Yeah, you’re right, everyone did a great job. ……”

I didn’t intend to put that much effort into setting up the store, but when the topic was decided, my classmates enthusiastically went ahead and made it into something that I wouldn’t be ashamed to show anywhere.

At the entrance, customers are greeted not only by a magnificent signboard, but also by tiled eaves, curtains, and a red carpet laid out on the floor.

The interior is decorated in the style of a Japanese folk house with wooden pillars, shoji screens, and bamboo screens. Small accessories such as paper balloons and origami cranes are arranged carefully around the room.

“But it’s a big success… Thank you so much!”

Dressed in happi coats and twisted headbands, the cooks are busily making takoyaki, while girls in yukata and boys in kimonos are busily serving customers. It seems that there is no time to take a breather because the customers keep coming in.

“Yes, just as Nihama-kun said, the other classes don’t sell the same products as us, and the Russian Takoyaki that contains a jackpot of wasabi seems to be selling very well. I guess that kind of game is very popular at festivals.”

“But it seems like they add a lot of wasabi into the jackpot. …… Well, maybe it’s a good thing.”

“Yes, yes, it’s a good thing! By the way, I have two things I have to tell you. The first thing is that Tsukamoto-kun rushed to the infirmary because his girlfriend fell and scraped her knee, so Yamahira-kun is working his shift.”

“Got it. Well, I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough, I hope it won’t affect his date.”

Tsukamoto has been worried about his date ever since we started planning for the festival, and as an adult I want him to have beautiful memories of his youth.

“I envy those who get to  have a cultural festival date…. It’s a rare event that only a handful of  high school students get to experience.”

“It’s okay. …… He is just experiencing his youth to the fullest..”

For most people, it would be a dream come true if they were able to go around  the cultural festival while having a wonderful time with the girl of your dreams.

“Oh, and secondly, a work-related message! Kazamihara-san wants to ask you to work outside during your shift from now on.”

“Does that mean… working outside my shift …? What are you talking about?”

“I also asked her, “What’s that?” but she answered with something I didn’t understand, she said, “Well, in a nutshell, it is a token of gratitude.”  ….Anyway, if you go to the entrance hall, there’s a classmate who’s asking for help, you should head on over there.”

“I haven’t heard about it, but …… well, if that’s the case, I’ll be going there now.”

“Yes, she said something about it being the most important mission for Nihama-kun.”

I have no clue of what’s going on, but I can’t keep my classmate waiting forever, so I left Fumihashi and headed towards the first floor.

But… what the hell is…?

“Ah! Nihama-kun! This way, this way!”

“What? Shijoin-san. —-“

　I was rendered speechless when I was about to respond to that familiar voice.

Because the one who greeted me when I arrived at the entrance hall, was an angel dressed in a Japanese outfit.

(Yukata ….Shijoin-san in yukata…. !)

I suppressed the shock that almost knocked me unconscious. I was mesmerized by her charming appearance.

The pink yukata with a cherry blossom pattern adds a feminine touch of elegance, and the navy blue sash with white cherry blossom patterns on it provides a wonderful accent.

Her long black hair is tied up in a bun, and the pure white nape which is usually hidden, was too dazzling. The hairpin that resembles a wisteria flower made of glass beads in her hair is also very attractive and gives her a mature vibe.

(Beautiful… she’s so beautiful… )

She was so beautiful that she looked like Ono no Komachi, a Japanese beauty, that fascinated me in every way.

An intense emotion floods my heart and tears seem to overflow.

“When I told my mother that I was going to wear a yukata for the cultural festival, she said, ‘Then why don’t you wear this?’ She lent me one that she had at home. … What do you think?”

“Ah, beautiful. …”

“Eh, ….

“You look so great, so beautiful. ……… Huh?”

I turned pale as I realised that my brain turned pink with fascination and that my thoughts were leaking out of my mouth. 

But, she’s so beautiful that my thoughts had become stupid.

“Um, that …… uh, thank you …….”

Embarrassed by my creepy line in front of the public, Shijoin-san’s cheeks turned redder than the pink yukata she was wearing.

I’m sorry, Shijoin-san, … I can’t stop thinking about how cute your blushing face is…

“Yes, well, I came here because Kazamihara asked me to, is that also the case with you, Shijoin-san?”

“Yes, yes! That’s right! She asked the two of us to walk around and advertise the Takoyaki Cafe, carrying one of these!”

When I asked her a question in an attempt to conceal my embarrassment, she showed me the placard that she had been holding since a while ago.

“2-B Japanese style takoyaki cafe! Six different flavors! Take-out available!” was written out as a simple advertisement.

(I see. …… The overwhelming number of customers was because of Shijoin-san’s advertising. ……)

Since a while ago, the number of gazes gathering around the overly attractive Shijoin-san from both men and women were tremendous.

Beautiful women, babies, and animals are the foundation of commercials, but when you’re this good looking, the effect is still going to be enormous. ……

“Hmm? Just the two of us advertising ……?”

“Yes! It’s a job for the two of us to walk around the school with placards! We were asked to actively go into classrooms where there are events being held and advertise!”

………… Huh?　

The two of us, Shijoin and I, walk around the festival, checking out the various events. ……?

No, no, that sounds like ……!

“Oh, and Kazamihara-san asked me to give this to Nihama-kun.”

“Eh, ……?”

What Shijoin-san handed me was a simple letter.

I received it and unfolded it, while holding the confused and turbulent feelings in my heart.

『Were you able to meet up with Shijoin-san? Yes, as you may have guessed, it’s a date during the cultural festival. It’s my small way of repaying you for your help in saving the class, which was supposed to end in disaster due to my incompetence. Please ignore the need to advertise our stall and just flirt with her.』

　What the hell, Oi!

　How did you know that I like Shijoin-san!? 

『Why do I know that Nihama-kun likes Shijoin-san? Well, I’ve been watching Nihama-kun for a while now and it may sound like I’m a sub heroine when I say this, but I witnessed the normal study session between the two of them.』

　You’ve been watching me …!?

　That study session between me and Shijoin-san?

『I’m not a big fan of romance, but I can tell from the love aura that Nihama-kun exuded at that study session. Therefore, I will give you a pretext in order to let you flirt with her, so please go enjoy yourself. I’m a executive committee member, but as a cupid, I’m too talented, aren’t I?』

That’s where the letter ended.

Well, I mean, what the hell, …… there are a few things I want to say, but …….

(Thank you! thank you Kazamihara! You are seriously talented ……!)

She may have said, “I’m really grateful to have someone who can do a better job than me, thanks to you, I can stay in a clerical position,” and left the responsibility of leading the class to me with a smile. … But I will forgive you …… for everything!

“What were the contents of the letter from Kazamihara-san? I was told that only Nihama-kun was allowed to read it, so I didn’t take a look at it….”

“Ah, yeah! In order to attract as many customers as possible to our store, we were told to take these placards and storm the other events as a representative of our class!”　

“Wow, that’s an important job! Fufu, I’ll do my best!”

The innocent Shijoin-san immediately believed my words and her excitement was raised.

Well, she’s too pure.

“Then let’s get going! I’d like to visit and enjoy all the different events! Oh, I’ll definitely try the yakisoba!”

The beautiful girl in her yukata smiled as if she was blooming with excitement over the festival, while I was so fascinated by her that I couldn’t hear the noise around me.

“Ah, yes. …… Let’s have some fun while we’re at it.”

Just like that, we walked off together.

I used the placard as an excuse to enjoy the cultural festival.

Ah, this day – unlike my previous life – is going to be one to remember.

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