Monday brought a return to the usual routine for Ryo and his friends, but there was an underlying excitement that carried over from their weekend at the amusement park. With the cultural festival slowly approaching, the entire school seemed to buzz with anticipation, and for Ryo, his council duties felt a little less mundane.
The council room was busier than usual that afternoon as Takashi gathered everyone to finalize the festival layout. With each passing day, the plans grew more intricate, and Ryo was realizing just how massive an event it would be. He hadn't thought much about the scale before, but seeing Takashi's and Rina's dedication to pulling off a festival that would impress everyone left him with a sense of responsibility.
Takashi cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, this week, we're finalizing booth placements and coordinating student performances. Ryo, Rina, I'd like your help in reviewing the layouts and ensuring there are no overlaps."
Ryo looked over the maps, trying to focus amidst the hum of discussions around him. He noticed Rina shooting him an encouraging smile, and though he felt somewhat out of place, her nod of approval helped him settle into the task.
They worked late into the evening, well after most students had left for the day. When they finally wrapped up, Takashi offered Ryo a grateful handshake. "Thanks for sticking around. I know you didn't sign up for this, but you've really helped us out."
Ryo nodded, still not quite used to the council president's warm acknowledgment. "It's fine. I guess… it's been more interesting than I thought."
As Ryo left the school, he noticed Hana, Alice, and Saki waiting at the gate, chatting animatedly. He approached, only to find himself in the center of their conversation.
"Ryo! We were just talking about you," Hana said, grinning. "It's rare to see you stick around for council stuff so late."
Alice chimed in, her voice softer but equally enthusiastic. "Are you finally enjoying it?"
He shrugged, not wanting to admit that he was beginning to feel more involved. "Maybe. Takashi's been dragging me into everything."
Saki smirked. "Sounds like someone's getting comfortable in his new role."
They walked together toward the train station, and Hana threw an arm around Ryo's shoulders, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Hey, you're the one who said you wanted to help with the festival. No backing out now!"
Alice and Saki laughed as Ryo tried to avoid looking too flustered. Their friendship had grown into an easy, teasing camaraderie that he found himself strangely grateful for. Amelia and Mei were also a constant presence, though they each had their own ways of interacting with the group. Ryo couldn't deny that he'd grown fond of each of them in different ways, and that thought left him feeling both curious and a little apprehensive.
---
The days leading up to the festival flew by, and before they knew it, the halls were filled with students preparing their booths and rehearsing performances. On Wednesday, the council called an emergency meeting to finalize schedules, and Ryo found himself in the thick of it once again.
Rina assigned him the task of checking each booth's setup, making sure everything complied with the festival's rules. With a checklist in hand, he wandered through the bustling hallways, occasionally waving to familiar faces or offering advice to students struggling with last-minute touches.
In the midst of his rounds, he ran into Amelia, who was helping her class set up a café. She greeted him with a smile, a tray of decorative pastries in her hands.
"Hey, Ryo! Didn't expect to see you here," she said cheerfully, balancing the tray with ease.
"Just making sure no one's violating the booth policies," he replied, eyeing the decorations. "Looks like you're all set, though."
She nodded, glancing around at her classmates. "We put in a lot of effort. I think it'll turn out pretty well."
As they continued chatting, Amelia glanced at him, an amused expression on her face. "So… since you're on council duty, does that mean you'll be free after the festival? I was thinking it'd be nice if we could all hang out afterward."
Ryo was taken aback, not expecting an invitation from her, though he quickly nodded. "Yeah, sounds good. I'm sure everyone will be exhausted, though."
Amelia smiled, her eyes glinting with excitement. "That's okay. Sometimes, those are the best times to hang out."
---
The day of the festival finally arrived. The entire school was transformed into a lively, colorful space filled with booths, decorations, and endless displays of creativity. Students, teachers, and visitors roamed the grounds, enjoying games, food, and performances.
Ryo had spent most of the morning with Takashi and Rina, making last-minute adjustments and ensuring each booth adhered to the guidelines. By noon, they were finally able to take a break, and Takashi patted him on the back.
"Thanks for everything, Ryo. Go enjoy yourself—you've earned it."
Relieved, Ryo joined his friends, who had gathered near Hana's class booth. She spotted him first, waving him over excitedly. "Ryo! Finally, you're free! We've been waiting for you."
As the afternoon wore on, they explored each other's booths, played games, and tried all kinds of food. Hana and Saki dragged Ryo to nearly every stall, challenging him to a series of games that had him laughing and competitive in ways he hadn't expected.
Alice, who had been quiet for most of the day, handed him a cup of homemade lemonade from her class's stand. "Here, Ryo. It's really refreshing."
He thanked her, surprised by the gesture. Her shyness had always made her interactions more reserved, but today she seemed particularly thoughtful. Nearby, Amelia waved him over, holding a small plush toy she'd won from a shooting game.
"Look, Ryo! I got it for you!" she said proudly, handing him the plush.
He blinked, not sure what to say. "Uh, thanks, Amelia. You didn't have to."
She shrugged, smiling brightly. "I know. But I wanted to."
The day continued in a blur of laughter and friendly banter, with each of them growing more comfortable in each other's presence. Ryo found himself appreciating the simplicity of the day—the joy of just being together, away from school responsibilities and council meetings.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the festival, they gathered on the school rooftop for a final moment of quiet. Hana leaned against the railing, sighing contentedly. "Today was amazing. I wish every day could be like this."
Saki smirked. "You say that now, but you'd get bored after a week."
Hana pouted. "Maybe. But still, it was nice."
Ryo listened, a small smile on his face. He couldn't deny the truth in Hana's words; today had felt like a glimpse into a simpler, happier world. But as he looked around, he felt a strange warmth—a sense of belonging that he hadn't expected when this year began.