Vol. 9 - Ch. 476 - Beginning of Summer Festival! Spellbound by yukata!

It was August 30th. Starting today, tacademy's annual two-day long summer festival kicks off.The intent behind the festival was to fill the students with a newfound zeal, hoping they use it as a driving force to take new strides in their about-to-resume academy life. Essentially, it's the last hurrah of summer vacation.

The venue chosen this year to hold the summer festival was the school building of <Combat Department Year 1>---the same building we frequent. A huge remodelling was currently ongoing there to give it the definitive festive place shape.

A wooden tower---yagura, for the bon dance, was built on the heart of the building, decorated with red and white stripes. It was strange, wasn't it? How just one thing immediately puts you in 'ah, it's the festival time~' mood.

The yagura looked endearing with the decoration. I would go as far to say it was like a piece of art or a work of craftsmanship.

Was that the work of <Craftsman>? They really did sick work. From the look, the <Artisan> must have been burning in enthusiasm. I guess because it was the main stage for the festival. Still, and again, skills were really something. To think that after the festival, everything will be restored to its original state was also mind-blowing.

Meanwhile, the schoolyard was packed with rows and rows of stalls. For the record, every single stall was operated by students, just as you would imagine from a vast academy.

The start of the festival was signalled by the academy-wide announcement at 10 AM. I headed for the venue in long strides as the announcement echoed, yet, the place was already bustling with lots of students.

A lot of visitors were dressed in kimono-esque or hanten-like equipment, prepared just for this day. As for me, I wore a white and blue yukata, styled slightly loosely for easier movement.

I stood up in front of the building, tall, waiting for a certain person. And soon, she finally arrived.

"Hope I didn't draw in the wait, Zephyr!"

"You're here, Lana... oh, that dress looks absolutely fabulous. It truly gleam your beauty"

"Heehee...... beauty. It's the first time you have said that......"

The person I was waiting for was Lana, who appeared wearing a white-theme yukata, printed with pink flowers of varied sizes, and hair all collected behind the nape.

She was gleaming with a different shine than usual today. And the way she took a pose, perhaps to show off her yukata, as she greeted was like a set with her. Yukata on her petite figure and silvery hair was also perfectly fitting her, like a glove, drawing out her latent charm. I wonder if it was my imagination, but she was showing a ladylike elegance today. Honestly, had I not known better, I might have passed her as a totally different person.

Unwittingly, my true remarks escaped from my mouth at the surprise attack that her appearance was, which brought a red glow on her face as her eyes darted around.

"W-Well, you look handsome too, Zephyr."

".....Ah, umm. Thanks."

......Was I going crazy? I truly couldn't believe she was the same Lana I know. Especially, that uncharacteristically bashful appearance, my words, was something I had never expected to see on her.

For a moment, a cryptic silence flowed between us.

"------Shhh!"

Lana took the initiative to break the ice.

She twirled on her heel, hid her lower face with the uchiwa (round fan) she was holding, and beckoned someone.

I trailed after her gaze and spotted...her three attendants, taking cover in the shadow of the festival board. Apparently they were secretly taking note of the situation here.

"Good grief, what's with that antic, you girls."

In my words, they come out of their hiding spot and begin their conversation so naturally if they weren't acting any bit suspicious earlier.

"It went as you wished, Lana-sama. It was worth going through the effort."

"But then again, I may or may not have taken a shot at Zephyr-dono should his words have been dry, devoid of praise."

"Woah, Shizu sometimes says some scary stuff-desu."

"Ignoring, huh?"

The three attendants---Ester, Shizu and Pamela---showed no sign of acknowledging their earlier action.

But I guess it's better to have their company. I feel like I would be forever stuck in awkward limbo with today's Lana.

They, too, were dressed in yukata.

Ester, relinquishing her knight equipment for once, was wearing a pink coloured yukata. Her chest was, well, lacking the usual dominance, perhaps held back by something.

Nevertheless, it worked in emphasising the reserved nature of Ester. She had even done her hairstyle in a ponytail today. You know what, I think her ponytail appearance was even rarer than a rare monster.

Shizu was, as the fanatic maid she was, dressed in maid-esque dress. It's just today's dress was slightly tailored in yukata fashion---a white apron over navy blue yukata with short skirt. Hmm, it was like the japanese maid dress.

Shizu was also pretty, so it quite matches here...... It kind of gave her cosplayer-ish vibe in absence of her usual equipment.

Pamela's was the unmodified classic Japanese yukata with deep orange theme, and patterns of round fan and fireworks depicting on it. She also had her sword fastened to the obi---a very Pamela-ish move, as it radiated her usual liveliness. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Though she was wearing wooden sandals, and with how restrictive her yukata looks, I don't think she would be able to use that sword even if the need ever arose. She had also tied her hair up, adding to the traditional look and giving her a very polished appearance.

I praised them on their choices, too, to which Ester turned red and fumbled with her hair to hide it away. Shizu muttered 'thank you' in a nonchalant tone, and Pamela cheerfully spun around in a circle, exclaiming 'yahoo!'

Honestly, their presence had helped in dissipating the earlier awkwardness. Once the greetings were over, Lana then chimed in.

"Phew......my heart was honestly stuck on my throat until we got our yukatas, you know, Zephyr."

"True. We were nearly about to lose the moment."

As Lana mentioned, I barely managed to get the yukata made on time, actually, quite last-minute. It was totally my fault though, I completely forgot that there would obviously be orders about yukata piled up.

I mean, the game always had the one-tap instant result function, so what sooner or what later hardly affected it. Though my gaming mindset had earned a scolding from Marie-senpai precisely for that.

I must agree as well. It was reality, so the situation would obviously move in a real world pattern. I fumbled at the wrong step huh.

Lana took a good look at me once again, scanning me from top-down, and with a nod, pointed at the school courtyard.

"Let's go, everyone. First stop is Hannah's shop."

"Yeah. Hannah and others are also putting in their effort."

"Hannah's cooking skill is really impressive, I would say there might already be rows lining up."

"What are you saying? Festival has just started, there should still be a moment before things get heated for them."

I said, but then realised, wasn't it the typical 'raising the flag' statement?

We reached Hannah's shop and...it was wrapped in an air of hecticness.

"Yes, I have taken your order. Five plates of yakisoba, 10 grilled onigiri and 5 plates each of pork miso soup and curry."

"Noted. And thank you for your huge order! Yakisoba should be ready in a few moments."

"Grilled onigiri, coming up!"

"Thank you, Hannah-san. ---Alright, Lulu. Now carry it carefully so as not to spill anything."

"Roger!"

Hannah's shop was fashioned like a stall, however it was no less huge than a B-class gourmet venue. Though the boarding says 'Eden' for some reason, with no menu put up outside. It seemed like they had prepared a separate menu.

In the shop, we could see members, wearing an apron over a happi coat, brisking from one place to another.

Lulu and Hannah were scurrying around with trays in their hands like nimble bunnies, and lined up the ordered menu items in the sideline of the shop.

Alulu and Kairi were preparing yakisoba on the iron plate, a headband tied to their forehead which added to their appearance. It was the same scene as our camp session.

Celia was handling serving soup from the pot, while Maria was taking charge of reception. It seemed they had not a single moment to take a breather.

Well, of course I guess, with rows that had already lined up in front of the shop. It wasn't even half an hour since the festival started, you know.

Was the word about their shop already spread out? It's kinda strange when they have just started. I don't even want to imagine the state they would be in at lunch time.

A major headache had been solved with the <Item Bag> but the onslaught of order was nevertheless staggering. Oh, they have actually added the upper limit of menu items? I bet it must have been the advice of our capable <Helper>.

Either way, I could safely conclude their shops were booming.

"Well, I don't feel like calling them now...with this crowd."

"True. Well, it would be strange actually if it wasn't. Even I had been left smacking my lips from the rich taste when I recieved their dish for taste testing."

Lana nodded to my murmur with a smile. She was beaming as if it was her own making. But I guess I felt that too as a seam open in my expression.

I thought I should greet them, but, sounds like we would be on for a long ride.

Hannah seemed to have noticed us as well, as she waved her hand, but swiftly returned to handle her task. She had just as big of a broad smile, so maybe there wasn't much to worry about shop.