Chapter 2: Cultural Festival With Eina (1) |
“Any other thoughts?”
The class representative called from in front of the teacher’s desk.
Things like cafe, play, haunted house, and arcade were written on the board.
The cultural festival was approaching. Once it came to light that our class may not decide in time, this half-hearted meeting was called right after homeroom.
I was quietly watching over the proceedings. Members of humanities clubs at our school weren’t deeply concerned with the classes’ offerings because they were far busier with those of their club.
Some schools would have offerings from sports clubs, but ours didn’t. Inevitably, the classes’ offerings focused on the sports club members and the going home club’s. Of course, us humanities clubs would help, but the main focus, and thus the students that were busiest were from those two categories.
“I’ll take the final vote from these, raise your hand for the one you want to do most.”
I raised my hand at the cafe, but the class as a whole voted for the play.
“A play, huh?”
“It’ll be fun though.”
“I’ll be villager A.”
My classmates began chattering about the play.
“Next then, we’ll decide what play we’re doing.”
Normally, something would be used for inspiration, like Cinderella, Snow White, or some fairy tale because it made things rather quick to arrange. The students were amateurs and would struggle to memorise the lines too, so I thought a full play would too difficult.
With my mind occupied with various thoughts, I didn’t open my mouth. I would have a minor role in the end, and everyone chose the best ways they could help.
However—
“It’d be nice to have an original script.”
At the girl’s suggestion, the class’ focus shifted to an original script. I guess they were all getting excited about the cultural festival because it only happens once a year. But I worried if this would be okay. I thought a completely original script would be difficult. In the first place, what would we do about making the entire story?
But of course, I didn’t say a word. This was an opportunity for everyone to give their opinions, I didn’t want to rain on their parade before we decided anything.
“Who’ll write it though?”
“I’ve never written.”
“We have anyone in the drama club?”
“We don’t.”
“Who’ll do it then…”
What’s this?
The students were all looking back. I had a feeling they were looking at me…
“That’s right, we’ve got Yagi-kun!”
A girl that had spoken to me maybe three times pointed at me.
“Me? I can’t write you know?”
“Why, you’re in the literature club right?”
“Being in the literature club doesn’t mean I can write.”
The class started booing at me and Sakai started cackling in a corner because he knew that I couldn’t write stories.
I glanced at the seat next to me and President Minekawa was glaring at me with a frown. What, even she thought I should be writing it.
“It’s something I can’t do.”
I refused to write it, so we ended the day just having decided to do a play and with the understanding that each of us would think over what kind of story we wanted. It was a rather grim outlook.
＊
Eina: Good evening, Shuu-san. How are things going?
Shuu: I’m editing.
Eina: Ah, for the cultural festival edition? You managed to get submissions this time.
Shuu: It’s the third years’ last chance, so they always contribute.
Eina: Huh, Shuu-san, you seem down today.
I was taken aback. My feelings were in the writing? Was that a thing?
Shuu: There’s just an annoyance. It’s nothing big though.
I told her about the class meeting after school.
Eina: They booed you for not writing a script? That’s awful!
Shuu: I shouldn’t have given them expectations.
Eina: You didn’t do anything wrong.
Shuu: Thanks. I wonder what we should do. If we go with an original and get ideas from everyone, I don’t think we’ll make it in time…
Writing it itself was hard enough, but the problem was after that. The lines would need to be memorised and rehearsed. We’d have to make props and costumes…
Eina: Shuu-san, this is just a suggestion, but…
Shuu: What?
Eina: Shall… I write… the script.
Shuu: …Would you?
Eina: Yes, I’ll give it a go!
Shuu: You must be busy though, right?
I said that, but I realised then that I knew nothing about her everyday life.
Eina: I’m not. I don’t go to cram school and I’m not in a club. I’m free every day, so I think writing would be much more useful.
Shuu: Really!? That’s great!
＊
“Everyone listen.”
The next day after school, I stood in front of the teacher’s desk.
“Oh, Yagi, decided to write the script?”
One of the boys said to me.
“I’m not, but I know someone who will. Eina, the one that wrote that story for the literature club.”
When I said that, the classroom filled with noise.
“I read that, it was interesting.”
“The person that wrote that should be able to write us something good, right?”
“Okay then, everyone who approves of having Eina-san write the script…”
The class representative took a vote, the majority of the class voting to do so.
“Thanks. So, what does everyone want from it? Requirements will make it easier to write, so give me any ideas you have,” I asked.
“I want romance!”
“A happy end!”
“A bit of mystery!”
I took notes of what everyone was saying.
“I wonder what kind of story it’ll be!?”
“I hope it’s an interesting one!”
I could tell the class was getting their hopes up. In honesty, so was I.
I would be able to read Eina’s next work. I was looking forward to that on its own, but it’d be made into a play for the class, I couldn’t help but get my hopes up for that.
I guess I am helping the class a lot this year, I thought.
The literature club had more members than me, when they gave me the materials, I could focus on the class’ offerings. The third years were also studying for exams, so all of them would pull together for their classes, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.
And because of that, I had sole discretion over how the literature club’s preparation was done. The club would need to print the booklet, bind it and place them for distribution. It was okay, I could do the editing at home. I could do the binding after the classwork was done in the clubroom. And if I did my best the day before, I could get the decoration done too.
“Shuu, come here,” Sakai whispered into my ear, “Is Eina-san in our class?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I mean, people wouldn’t write a script for another class, right?”
Sakai puffed up his chest at his insight.
“I wonder about that,” I dodged the question.
With that kind of questioning, you couldn’t answer with a yes or a no. That itself would give him information. A no would at least let him know that she wasn’t in our class.
“Kuh, you won’t fall for it, huh?”
“Of course not.”
Sakai tutted in annoyance.
“You’re really tight-lipped, Shuu. Too tight-lipped to have your best mate in the newspaper club.”
“It’d be dangerous to be your friend if I was loose-lipped, you’d be able to write about anything.
“I know what I should and shouldn’t write about.”
He was glancing my way, but I had no intention of talking about Eina.
Besides, I didn’t know anything about her to tell him.
Suddenly, my heart twinged. What’s this feeling…