Registration had started and the participants began to gather at the venue.
Looking at them, I could tell that most of the people here were part of the 'upper caste' of their respective school. They were well dressed and from the way they carried themselves, it was obvious that they were used to this kind of event.
"Please gather at each school's reception desks first since the representative's speech is about to start."
The students from each school gathered at their respective school's desks, following Prez' instructions. Since it would be a standing buffet, we provided no chairs for them.
We were working on the reception, but since Umi and Amami-san were helping us out, no major issues came up during the process so far.
"…Um…"
As I was guiding someone, probably a senior, someone else poked me in the back.
"Yes, what's the prob— Nitta-san?"
"…Hello…"
Nitta-san was the one who approached me. She looked unusually gloomy.
"Huh, Ninacchi? What's wrong? Didn't you say that you'll be coming with your boyfriend?"
"Ah~ Yeah~ That was the plan… But things happened, y'see…"
I didn't know what happened to her after the things at the restaurant, but it seemed like they broke up. He was cheating on her, so I expected this would happen.
Amami-san seemed to understand what was going on after she saw Nitta-san's reaction.
"…Can I help you guys out ? It would help me get my mind off some things…"
That would be better than spending her time moping alone at least.
"Mm, of course! We'll have less workload if more people were to join us~ Also, it'll be more fun if you're here, Ninacchi! Right, everyone?"
"I don't mind."
"Sure, but, let me ask my sister first…"
"Well, do that then."
After hearing about everything, Tomoo-senpai gave us her OK. She said that the more hands we could get the better.
And so it was decided that the five of us will work together.
After Nitta-san was added to the roster, our work went smoothly to the point that we were able to help the other desks that were comparatively busier.
"But, man, there are a lot more people than I thought. As expected, they're thirsty for the Tachibana High's students, huh?"
Nozomu said that casually while staring at the venue.
The event hadn't started yet, so I expected the participants would be hanging around at their respective school's tables, but instead they were gathering at a certain school's tables.
At that table, there were around 20-30 girls wearing white blazers, the uniform of the Tachibana All-Girls High.
"Ah~ I missed wearing those uniforms~"
"Same. I didn't pay much attention to it when I wore it, but now that I think about it, that uniform really stands out…"
The reason why the number of participants from Tachibana was smaller compared to the other schools was because there were only around 200 students attending the high school. (Source: Amami)
It was because most of the students had been attending the school since grade school and they rarely accepted any new students from outside the school. It wasn't like they rejected new students, it was because they only accepted girls that had either good grades, amazing performance in their extracurricular activities or filthy rich.
Hearing this, a question popped in my mind.
"Umi… Uh, I don't know if I should ask you this, but…"
"Are you curious about Yuu? Well, her mom is a former entertainer, though she's just a regular housewife now."
"…I see."
That explained a lot of things. It was one of the characteristics of the school that the students who attended it were rich young ladies.
Amami-san said that her family was ordinary, but considering her mom's background… Yeah, no way that they would be an ordinary family.
As I was listlessly staring at the girls at that table, my eyes met two particular students among the crowd. Not long after that, they came out of the crowd and approached us.
Of course they weren't coming to talk with me, but with the two girls next to me.
"…Umi, Yuu-chan, long time no see…"
"The last time we met was the school festival, huh?"
"Sana-chan… Mana-chan…"
There were Nitori-san and Houjou-san, Umi's classmates back at the middle school.
"…You two are going to talk with Umi?"
""…""
They silently nodded.
After what happened back at the festival, they probably came here to apologize.
The two of them were looking at Umi, who was hiding behind me.
"…What are you going to do, Umi?"
"…"
Amami-san asked her that, but Umi didn't answer and instead, her gaze remained downcast.
If it were up to me, I would just chase those girls away, but this wasn't about me, but Umi.
I knew that she was unsure about her feelings toward those two. Yes, they deceived her before, but they had been friends for years before that. It would be impossible for her to not have any lingering feelings for them.
The kind Umi was torn between two options.
Should she accept their apologies and make up with them? Or should she chase them away and cut off their relationship?
"…Umi, come here for a second."
"Eh? Ah… B-But…"
"It won't take long, don't worry… Amami-san, I'll borrow her for a second, okay?"
After seeing Amami-san's nod, I pulled Umi away to the side of the venue. This would be where the backstage staff work, but since the event hasn't started yet, this place was pretty much empty.
"Umi, do you want to make up with them?"
"…Mm…"
She nodded. Now that we were alone, she became more honest with her feelings.
"…Thinking back, I regret lashing out at them back at the graduation ceremony… After I became friends with you and worked things out with Yuu, I could finally think more clearly about everything… I can't even bring myself to be angry at them anymore… They were my precious friends after all…"
As expected, she had her regrets. Their deception made her feel depressed, but in the end they apologized to her and Umi knew more than anyone that those two weren't bad girls.
Some would call Umi naive, but rather than being naive, she was just too kind for her own good.
But even so, I couldn't bring myself to hate this side of her.
After all, it was this Umi that I fell in love with.
"Sorry, Maki… I'm a selfish person, aren't I? …Not only those two, I've been leaving you hanging as well…"
"…It's fine. A certain someone told me that since we're still children, it's fine for us to be a little selfish."
I think that was why Daichi-san and Sora-san accepted Umi's decision on transferring schools.
"Come here, Umi."
"Mm…"
In the middle of the mess that was backstage, we hugged each other.
She was always there for me and it was time for me to be there for her and give her all the courage she needed.
"Make up with them, Umi… It will be alright, you can do it."
Even if they made up, no one could ensure that they wouldn't deceive her again.
But even so, I think it's still better than living with regret deep inside her heart.
"…Idiot… Maki, you're an idiot… Just a few days ago you were crying on my tits but now you dare to act like a showoff in front of me…"
"Manners, young lady… Well, I'll probably cry again later, so let me have this one."
Mom texted me a while ago, saying that she would arrive soon and I'm sure that Dad would be coming soon too.
"You should go back, Umi. I'm going to meet the Prez now."
"Maki… Are you going to be okay on your own?"
"Nah, won't you be coming after you're done with your problems?"
"…Right… Then, see you in a bit, Maki."
After hugging each other one more time, we walked in separate directions.
This would be the beginning of my last selfishness.