Volume 3 Chapter 8 (1/2)

I a, I don't think I'll be finishi+ng off this volume by the end of the year Also, there's likely to be a lot of aardly phrased sentences/grath of this chapter, so please point them out if you see theame looks like

Chapter 8: Cultural Festival Day 1

9 AM

With the principal broadcasting ”Hooray! Cultural festival! It begins~!” in his usual light-hearted tone, the curtains on the cultural festival were raised

As the cultural festival started, festivities occurred in the most literal sense

Outside our classroom, you could hear the boisterous voices of the people fro the start of the cultural festival

Although ould have liked to also take part in and enjoy the festivities, the reality was that right now, our class couldn't afford to do so

The ti was perfect for us: the cultural festival had just started, and things were about to getto be our class' big ram, our class dance, was scheduled to occur

Our class was busyour final preparations

◆

It was now 9:45 15 o before the performance

And with our perforathered in front ofonto the props needed to set the stage The girls, having already changed into their outfits, aiting on standby

Currently, a second-year class was perfor their class play in the multi-purpose hall The play had just reached its cli out the na students could be heard frequently froh part of it was due to the turnout at the venue, it was quite obvious that even before we had gathered in front of the ly nervous

Given that the boys were only tasked with sound and lighting, there wasn't that sense of nervousness as could not be irls had a serious expression on their faces

Whilst irls, as, chatted and moved their bodies in an attempt to reduce their sense of nervousness Even so, it was clear that they were still quite tense

And with our class like that, the door to the multi-purpose hall opened From the hall caet ready to beginyour preparations,” was from a student as a member of the cultural festival committee

As a result of that announceht, let's huddle!”

The one who gave that a coirls formed a circle around her The boys then forirls

”There's no need to be worried - we've all practiced quite a lot for this! We'll entertain the people who have come to watch us, and we'll enjoy ourself while we're at it Let's ood tiement, it appeared that everyone's nervousness dissipated Everyone looked rather relieved

As expected of our class' leader, the Class King

She was able to say so so positive so frankly

As a result of Nibutani's words, the hearts of everyone in the class was an encouraging each other with a soft ”let's do our best”

”Boys, we're also counting on you too! Without you guys, there's no way that this show could be a success!”

Nibutani didn't forget to show concern for the boys as well It was a level of attentiveness fitting of the title Class King

In response, a loud and deep ”YEAH!” caave out a nod and let out a sot fired up, Nibutani's voice could be heard onceeveryone to move to their respective posts I too would need to start

But, before that -

”Rikka”

In response to ht in front of me, turned around By the hen Nibutani told everyone to gather around, I had been able to successfully position ently at Rikka, as visibly startled

”Yuuta, since when?”

”Huh? I've been behind you for a quite a while now… Did you not notice?”

”Ah… For I to have… I guess ht be a little nervous… I couldn't read Yuuta's presence… I'm unqualified to be your contractor…”

”Ahaha, that's not true You were si up ahead, so it ht?”

The very instant I said that -

”Yes, yes, yes, Rikkchan! Right now, the dance is so that's even i Kazari - also known as the idol of our class, Kazari-chan - hugged Rikka as she chimed in

”I see - Yes, my lady”

”Lady!?”

I was astonished by how unexpected that phrase was

That, that Rikka is being subservient to so closer and closer with Kazari-chan as they have been playing together a lot, since when did their relationshi+p with each other get this intimate(?) …?

Previously, Kazari-chan stated that her declaration of being into yuri was a joke - I' serious, which really worries ht now, Rikka and I are in the ether Sorry, Yuutkun!”

”Oh, no, it's fine, it's just…”

”Ahaha, is it alright with you that we're played together with settings like that before?”

”Eh? …Playing around like that is nor…

However, as expected of Kazari-chan - she got Rikka to address her as ”lady”

Not that I had anything perverted in mind, but I'd like to ask her a bit about the trick that she used for future reference

”Now then, I guess I'll go and head to the stage first Don't be late, Rikkchan~”

After turning towardsme a smirk, Kazari-chan separated herself from Rikka's body and headed towards the hall by herself first

I guess that she was being considerate in her oay

It see but extrerateful for that consideration of hers

”U for you froh it wasn't said very s that I wanted to say properly

I wanted to pass those words onto her before we started no matter what

With this, a little bit of her unease should have been wiped away - this was the answer that lad - I'm not always able to say what I want to say properly, so when I do say so, I really wanted to be able to say it properly

Rikka also returned a bashful smile as she responded to my aords

”…Yeah, thanks Yuuta Witness it - the dance of Devilish Truth Stare”

It seems that Rikka too was embarrassed, as she said all that in a voice that was barely audible before iht into the hall

Towards that back of hers, I cheered her on in my mind once more I then also started to head to where I needed to be

After using the rear entrance located opposite of the e to head up to the second floor, I arrived at e of was located Although there shouldn't be any issues given that I've confir the dry runs, I should still double-check again where the switch was and hoorked just in case

Yep, everything worked fine

…However, it was really warm here

Unlike e did the dry runs, thanks to the sheer number of people and the heat from their exciteh the air-conditioner had been turned on, given the number of people here it didn't see people

Particularly since I was right next to a lighting device that continuously emitted heat, the heat was especially hard to endure

To cope with the heat, I first rolled up the hem of my shi+rt I then sat down and fanned myself with my hand as I waited for the performance to start

As I looked down at where the audience was seating froaps a chairs that were packed full of students, I also saw that there were quite a few people standing behind the seating area ere likely there to watch our performance

I'm almost certain that somewhere in that croas shi+chimiya, Amaniji-senpai, and ku in anticipation for our perforinally have a large seating capacity to begin with, it seemed that there were far too many people who come to watch our performance

I suspect that the turnout for our shoas equal to the turnout of a perfor capacity I felt a sense of victory from our turnout

Since it was dark in the hall, I couldn't see the clock that was located near the stage very well As such, I took my phone out from my pocket to check the time

Only 10 minutes left before the perfor quite nervous

I could feel a type of sweat different fro hot

And then, right as I thought that -

”It's hot here, isn't it? Ehehe, we've come! Is next to you fine?”

I couldn't see very well due to it being so dark, but even without looking I kneho it was from that 'distinctiveness'

It was obvious - it was Amaniji-senpai

As Amaniji-senpai complained ”hot hot hot”, she rolled up the hem of her shi+rt a little irritatedly

After that, and although I didn't expressively give her perht next to me”

”Why, it's a nice seat, isn't it? A special seat”

”Umm, Amaniji-senpai, why are you here? Or more importantly: you're not involved with the perforet up here…?”

”Heh heh, we said, ”With lighting~!” and they let us in no issues We too wanted to watch DevTru Rikkchan's cute dance from a box seat Furthermore, Yuu-chan's here too!”

”H-ha…”

Well, and similar to what Ahest place that you could see the stage from, it was, in a sense, a box seat

Expect for the heat, of course

”As expected, you think we'll that be a nuisance, don't you? We won't disturb you, so please let us stay!”

”Err… noret in the way I'll leave?”, or so mistake if you think that we'd say such an ordinary line!”

”…Yeah, I'm already well aware It's fine if you stay, it's not like you're hinderinga nuisance during the show”

”That is so we absolutely won't do Even if - even if it is the noruessing that she felt that way since she also was in a similar situation

Her performance - she wanted to make the play a success The sa intensely in the direction of the stage revealed just how strongly she felt about it

”…Yuu-chan, we -”

Suddenly, Aile voice

Before I could respond, Amaniji-senpai continued on

”DevTru Rikkchan and Sofichan - we're quite thankful that ere able to perfor all of a sudden? We haven't even perfors come to a close”

”Ahaha, that is the case, isn't it? This perforood luck”

With her face directed towards me, Amaniji-senpai looked embarrassed as she muttered out those words

After she muttered those words out, A else, but her weak-sounding voice cut off the very instant it ca over what to say next

Then, as if she had finished choosing her words, Amaniji-senpai spoke slowly

”…We'd like for Yuu-chan to hear us out for a bit”

◆

We'd like to talk a bitourself to just that Idle gossip - we hope you'll think of e're about to say next as just that

”Yeah, idle gossip Ah, but if you didn't particularly want to hear us out, please feel free to just go ahead and say so

”Yeah? We're glad, thank you

”You know -

”About DevTru Rikkchan and Sofichan, they are those so called chuunibyous, aren't they?

”Ahaha, what? Yuu-chan already thinks that too?

”Heh heh, that's right But, as expected, they really are chuunibyous, aren't they?

”Huess you could say that it was just good ti - we heard that word by chance and wondered what that word meant, and so we looked the word up When we looked up the word, for some reason the two of them came to mind, and so anted to ask you if they were that

”It was said on TV A singer said it

”DevTru Rikkchan and Sofichan: they're classified as having the so-called evil eye type of chuunibyou right? We re ”we see, we see” Chuunibyou - the person who ca The term was so precise and accurate that it shocked us

”Do we think they've contracted it - yeah yeah, we got the impression that they were had contracted it

”Ah, but it's not like we thought that the people like DevTru Rikka eird or anything like that Rather, we thought that it was good that they were like that

”Ahaha, because it's cool, isn't it? Do we have that sort of unusual ability? We've never thought about creating a setting like that and the like, although we do think that souess everything that the current us has coht, if we think about it carefully, the e refer to ourself in the first person is also so

”So does that mean we too also have chuunibyou?

”Ahaha, is that so? Yay~!

”Yeah? We guess we're feeling a little happy We feel special

”Hmm, e not meant to have such symptoms? We've only heard of the word for the first time recently after all

”We wonder if we are the so-called subculture type?

”For ourself to be different fro We would do stuff like to produce abnormal, try show off our uniqueness, try to become special, pretend to be an outlaw, and misunderstand as fashi+onable

”Oh, you're asking about that? Asking about our casual clothes?

”No, we'll speak freely! Our casual clothes are… ”Hideri-chan's casual clothes are no good at all,” is what kumin, with a smile on her face, said about them!

”By noords like that make us very happy! Still, since she said, ”I won't play with the causally clothed Hideri-chan,” our casual clothes have been sealed away And so that's e're always in uniform But well, look: don't you feel that the uniform is special?

”It's special if you think of it as clothes that can only be worn for three years

”Right? But well, right now it's norh that's e reood idea, right?

”It's fine that DevTru Rikkchan and Sofichan did it too We like it Although we didn't want to feel a sense of ca, to be frank ere happy that they had a sih the only reason e personally think that it's a wonderful thing is because we think they're cool

”Though in our case, it was to 'produce abnormal'

”Because - anted to be different froht We are persisting on and doing our best at an extre

”We don't think that it was a mistake, for us to have put in the effort to try be a special existence Although people have recently been saying that everybody begins special, we don't think that's the case

”Because it is iin as the 'only one'

”Since everyone fro - from when they are born, they are not special

”It would be si that each and every person is individualistic - we don't think that that's the case at all That is to say, it is a matter of course that everyone is not synonymous with individuality

”You're only individualistic only when you display your individuality, right?

”If you don't use it, it's the sa it

”That's why, for us to be such individualistic person - ished to be a person different from everyone else

”Ah, Yuu-chan! Since our blouse is see-though, just now you were staring at our rainbow-coloured bra, weren't you!

”Sorry, sorry, it was just a joke, a joke

”Let's return back to the ht derail from the conversation like that from time to time, so we'd be happy if you'd tolerate us e do that

”That's how our conversations usually are? Ahaha, that's true!

”Now, to return back to the conversation, e're about to say next is anted Yuu-chan to hear - we'll be telling you about us A first-person narrative - you're the first person to hear it, aren't you?[1] Since soht co you so like this

”…That didn't come out very well We take back e said just now

”Err, how far did we get up to?

”Right, right, that's anted you to hear about

”Last ti to be different froht The 'nor treated as a 'heretic' by the people around us

”Last ti out - it wasn't that we had anyone in particular against collectivism

”Well, but if ere pressed to say whether ere collectivistic, we guess would would say that eren't

”To begin with, from back ere in middle school ere alone by ourself the entire time!

”No no, we'll say it emphatically! We weren't collectivistic at all!

”Hely by ourself quite often Our fah

”It's already happened, so don't worry about it, don't worry about it It's so that happens quite frequently, probably

”Yuu-chan too - affairs are no good, okay?

”Yeah, that's right Relax, relax

”If ere on the verge of doing the sa as someone else would we still do it, you ask? We don't know about you, but as for us, we think that it's i as so special At any rate, if we had no choice but to the sa as someone else, it would be quite the fortuitous occurrence, wouldn't it?”

”That e guess, e didn't have any friends

”Did you not understand much of e just said, Yuu-chan?

”Well, that's why, asit as staying alive by killing your own individuality, we got frustrated with people who confors and became 'normal'

”Well, but that wasn't exactly 'normal', was it?

”We've said it quite a few times already, but there's no need for you to worry about the us back then

”Well, we aren't really sensitive to things like that, right? That's hoe ended up seldo a converation with others

”kuot to know Yuu-chan, right?

”After all, had we never also spoken to Yuu-chan back then none of this would be happening right now - right? That's why it was ais so we've rereeted us! In spite of the fact that ere conspicuously dressed back then and just about never greeted anyone

”Ahaha, daot ht that anyone who greeted someone that appeared hard to approach was a little specialish

”Oh, but back to the main topic!

”About kuhtbulb went off in our head See, us and kuht?

”And, although our name's 'dry weather' and 'rainbohere contrary to each other, the surna of 'praying for rain',our co for rain it changes the sky of a dry day to have a rainbow hanging across the sky, doesn't it?[2] We had compatible names! And like how our nains a conversation withquite well

”Not only were our names compatible, but our compatibility in another aspect also ht?Fro Whereas our eccentricness was cultivated, hers was completely natural

”Also - you knoere also sireeted us

”Eh? Ah, the e call her? We call her 'kuinning, we thought that her na like that happened, and so us and kumin became friends If ere to say it like DevTru Rikkchan would, would it be ”Discerning Eye of Distinctiveness activate! Co like that?

”Ah, we see, resonance! What a great phrase, it's perfect!

”That too is chuunibyou? H chuunibyou, isn't there?

”And so, well, that was hoe had been living out our life, although at times we also did think about our situation

”For instance, when the time comes for us to enter society - ”hoe be treated?” are the sort of thoughts that coh society demands individuality, for people to not just follow the crowd - it seems to reject those who have too much individuality as well If we had to say which side we fell under, ould likely be on the side that gets rejected

”It's a harsh place, isn't it? The 'present' us had too much individuality

”However, we didn't think that that was bad: we even legitis were like that We alanted to be more 'special' than everyone else

”Ahaha, we mean we are un like that makes us happy

”However, as for whether we had ever felt uneasy about it - yeah, we had

”We thought to ourself, ”Is this really okay?” and ”Is it really fine for us to stay like this?” After all, ere in fact - a 'heretic'

Like Jeanne d'Arc? Ahaha, in after all

”Oi, Yuu-chan, what are youus say!”

”Well, ere the one who said it out loud Oops

”But isn't it Yuu-chan's fault that we said so away our anxiety, too

”No, seriously, it's true

”Our anxiety's vanished

”Although it was a short period of ti that time, atched DevTru Rikkchan and Sofichan

”Those te've said it before previously, but those tere a bit unusual They were able to do things that were not normal as if it were nored to properly maintain their own belief in who they were, all the while also having fun with everything

”DevTru Rikkchan, the first time we met, e approached her so abruptly, she followed our lead and adlibbed along with usDespite being shy, she went along with us - she de clothes, and ga

”Ahaha, it's true that that detail was irrelevant!

”We've been able to receive so , isn't she: she's always spiritedIn addition, that scarf To be frank, we don't think that we could win against that scarf After all, it's been so hot!

”Honestly, they are a Maybe they think that we're nor that they potentially think of us as nor like that isn't true? Ahaha, it's quite heartening to have Yuu-chan tell me that Yuu-chan knows the two of them quite well after all

”Well, and so that's why-

”That trying to be unique, trying to be different from everone else is not a- is e think e see two

”And so that's e feel grateful

”Not only to those two, but also immensely towards Yuu-chan as well Seriously, thank you

”Ahaha, we're also grateful to the our thanks to those two as well!

”This, anted to say no matter what

”For us to remain us - it's seriously thanks to the efforts of everyone that we're okay with reht! It's a declaration by us stating that we'll always be 'special' via 'heresy'!

”…But, honestly, it's a little strange hoe've able to say just about anything to Yuu-chan

”Even to our outrageous story, you properly listened to it You're kind Too kind

”Ah, but as an upperclass you advice, shouldn't we?

”Advice… although we guess you could also call it our concern

”As a result of needing to study how to be different fro e a loner, hu points And Yuu-chan - Yuu-chan's a bit too kind

”We probably shouldn't be the one saying this since we've taken advantage of Yuu-chan's kindness, but…

”Nevertheless, allow us to say it - the only person that should become accustomed to Yuu-chan's kindness is Yuu-chan's 'special person'

”For soether, we understood The kind of relationshi+p that the three of likely had with each other kumin - onder if she are of it?

”At one point, we too thought that Yuu-chan's kindness a strong point But being kind is different fro affectionate

”We also understand as we too wanted to be special to so to be special to so to not just be someone normal to them

”That's why, Yuu-chan's kindness, it's - it's too kind, and perhaps even poisonous

”Ah, sorry, sorry! Don't get so down like that! Just think of it as a bunch of strange words fro like that!

”What part of you are we talking about? Let's see, guess it's like your 'lack of awareness'?

”Well, it's not like we're saying that a girl's heart will unravel for you because of it or anything, but - because Yuu-chan's too kind, we thought that it would be for the better for to be aware of your own kindness

”It'll be fine it'll be fine! As long as Yuu-chan doesn'tkind' then there's no probles will definitely be fine!

”Well then, let's continue the conversation as if we never had given such strange advice!

”Err, since it wasn't like you wanted norht?

”Eh!? N-n-normal!?

”U-understood, there will be an adhérence to nor that we eventually will have to do after all… Just kidding!

”Well, but, since Yuu-chan truly is a kind person, we think that being a counsellor will suit you! Especially since you're also good at listening to stories too!

”The work of a counsellor does appear to be quite tough though

”Eh, you're interested in our love life?

”We love girls!

”We are not just saying that to play up being abnormal!

”Well, but, if ere to fall in love with a boy - ould be 'normal' That's e think And that's - that's a little scary

”And so that's ithout a doubt, will never fall in love with a boy

”In that sense, we think that DevTru Rikkchan's truly auess that even with chuunibyou, she wanted to be in love?

”Eh, we're getting complimented? Yay~!

”Ahaha, Yuu-chan too: you're truly weird, aren't you? You're quite the peculiar person However, you conceal that weird and distinct part of you, don't you? There's no need for you to hide that part of you though

”It's a compliment A wonderful colad that we met you, really That's e honestly think

”Yep, that's why

”Thank you

”Ah, it appears that the dance is about to start!

◆

And with that, Amaniji-senpai's story - her first-person narrative came to a close[3]

Since it was so abrupt, I was a little bewildered when it ended - however, that I was able to hear froain about the reasons as to why she continues to be eccentriceccentric, to keep re special - or to borrow a little fro chuunibyou

Chuunibyou is not so

That view on chuunibyou, which recently had beco that I had learnt from Rikka too, and as such I could relate quite well to the things that Aain that chuunibyou wasn't a bad thing to have

While it was a little surprising to hear Amaniji-senpai declare that she had the subculture type of chuunibyou - it wasn't like that was an issue or anything

After all, Amaniji-senpai will surely continue to act in a way that is expected of her by everyone

A thing that, without a doubt, was a terribly difficult thing to do

I wanted to keep thinking about Aer, but I also needed to concentrate at”Oh, there!”, Amaniji-senpai, as next to me, see to her movements, the level of enthausism in the venue also instantly heated up: cheers reverberated through the venue

I too also got up and directed e Froroup of dancers were already on stage

Shortly, an announce the start of the dance was played

”Thank you for your patience Now then, this is class 1-2's dance show Everyone, please give the that I thought it was never going to end

I wonder if ere expecting that ht

I too began toat ht the centre spot Confir the show, ht appropriately, create the atood

I've reviehat I had to do: all that's left is to wait for the music to start

Suddenly -

”The cultural festival has already started, and by tomorroill have co next to me, A those words, a short 'boom” intro , an up-tempo track started to play

The first and ht when the cue to start caht's destination was the starting group of dancers: centred around Nibutani and the dance club inal dance

Not only was the dance a skilful, stylish, and enchanting dance-club-like dance, the outfits were also cool and uniform

A black vest over a monochrome checkered shi+rt

Paired with fashi+onable shorts, soft hats, and fastened neckties What they as so stylish that you were also able to also enjoy this as a fashi+on show

Well, the fact that the outfit was stylish was just ard to the dance, it wasn't just ender, appeared mesmerised by the impeccable dance Even the teachers appeared capitivated by it

And in the centre position, dancing like mad with very flashy turns and jumps, was the person ill be the dance club's next president and was seely the club's ace, Nibutani

It was a perfect start Completely flawless

I'aniser, was extrehted by this

And once the roup will then need to exit the stage via the wings

It is here that the lights are darkened once again My second task

Since up next are the roup, the aed to a seductive (?) roup and our idol, Kazari-chan, positioned in the centre, the group gave an inviting glance to the audience as they started to dance

The dance itself too was also loaded with sex appeal: it was a coquettish dance

Naturally, the costu covering the legs at all! Their navels were on full display!

I' was like our

After all, the very instant that the erotic group appeared on stage, I was able to hear many deep masculine voices cry out It was so loud that you could tell that the boys were extreirls were happy that the dancers were enjoying theht to ain, the level of exciteroup's dance ca coain - it hat I've been waiting for, the third group!

The group that Rikka was a part of - the idol dance group

So that anyone could enjoy it, a j-pop song that everyone knew played as the group started to dance

Garnished with Rikka in the centre, the cute dance got the crowd going wild

Naturally, the outfits were cute too Contrary to what Rikka usually wears, they were bright, fancy outfits with no hint of blackness at all If I had to coe of an angel

Dressed in a Sweet Lolitish outfit that was an angel-like white adorned with light pink frills, the group fluttered across the stage lightly

My spotlight was shi+ning on Rikka quite brightly The light frole point

”Wow! DevTru Rikkchan's super cute~”

It see Rikka as well She was escatic

…Naturally, I was too

It was like I was seeingclass obersvation day ”Do your best, do your best!” hat I cheered in my heart

Once the ain The final dance was a dance that involved everyone

That dance, the one that everyone practiced so hard for - their perforave off the ih for it

It was truly beautiful - everyone was completely in sync with each other as they danced

The dance was drawing everyone present in It was impossible to look away - everyone was bewitched

And noith the rareat success

It wasn't arrogant for e the applause we received was

Upon receiving that applause, the student council e of the area walked towards Nibutani, as standing at the centre of the stage, froive the audience one final !”

Nibutani's face was full of sweat, yet she continued without wiping her sweat off

”We too also had a lot of fun, being able to dance for you all!”

Seeking agreeirls of our class

However, even before she could fully turn her head around - one after the other, the girls voiced their agreeh she had not yet heard everyone's response, the fact that everyone was in agreeain She had a very satisified smile on her face

”The cultural festival has only just begun! Everyone, make sure to enjoy the rest of the festival as well! That's all from us!”

Her final ree to bow

The venue was once again filled by a big applause

◆

”It's finally over DevTru Rikkchan was super cute!”

”Right? Phew, I'hts were switched off, it was dark inside the venue once again

We needed to leave this place fast, as the next group was probably raet down from here”

”Yeah, sure”

And so, the two of us hts, there was a cord that acted as a railing I wondered if Amaniji-senpai was okay, and so I my turned my head around and looked back Amaniji-senpai's steps looked rather unsteady

That's pretty worrying… If she fell from here, it would be quite the serious injury - call it ht crossed my mind, I couldn't help but offer her ht? Please be careful, alright? From here it's the stairs Your hand - I'll hold it on our way down…”

”Hm? Ah, it's fine We can see properly There's no need for you to worry so entlemanly of you, Yuu-chan”

”It would be quite the serious injury if you fell, right? And so, your hand…”

”Err…?”

”…Sorry, we refuse to hold hands here since that's the norh”