The cultural festival was just a few days away. Ryuichi and Shizuna were actively participating and sharing their opinions about the class exhibit, namely the butler and maid cafe, along with its setup and operation.
It seemed that the whole class working together on a single event had inspired the other classes as well, and it was clear that the whole school was trying to make the coming festival a good one.
Muu.
In the meantime, Shizuna, who was leading a fulfilling life both in school and in her personal life, was pondering something in her living room at home. She was intently staring at the TV while thinking about Ryuichi and the box that he had been desperate to get back.
Ive never seen Ryuichi-kun so desperate to get something back like that. He clearly didnt want me to see what was inside.
Ryuichi was usually very open and upfront a person, something shed learnt from having dated him until now, but she had never seen him hide something to that extent. It didnt seem like he was hiding anything serious, but it really made her a little concerned about his behavior.
Whats wrong?
You see
Shizuna proceeded to explain her thoughts to Sakie.
Hmm, so Ryuichi-kun did that, huh.
Im definitely reading too much into this. Phew, Im all right now.
It wasnt like she didnt trust him, but Shizuna thought it would be better to wait for Ryuichi to tell her before jumping to conclusions. It was a pretty strange thought to come to, but it didnt bother her too much, and it was almost as if all the worrying shed done earlier was a lie.
Fufu, you know, Shizuna, itisyour birthday next month, so maybe it has something to do with that.
Fufu, you know, Shizuna, it
is
your birthday next month, so maybe it has something to do with that.
Ah.
Indeed, Shizunas birthday was coming up next month. If it was related to that, as Sakie said, and he had prepared the box for her as a surprise, it was understandable that hed tried so hard to get it back.
I still cant say for sure, but maybe youre right.
Although the thought warmed her heart, at the same time she laughed at the fact that she was a troublesome woman for having worried so much over it. But speaking of which, Shizuna wanted to know when Ryuichis birthday was, too.
Normally, she would have known this information a little earlier, but shed been so happy spending her days with Ryuichi that it had completely slipped her mind.
I might as well ask Chisa-san, since it would be a bad idea to ask Ryuichi-kun himself in this situation.
With this objective in mind, Shizuna returned to her room in a pleasant, relieved mood. Once she got to her room, she climbed into her bed and, with her back against the wall, operated her phone and opened a folder of photos.
Fufu.
Shed recently gotten to looking at her pictures with Ryuichi like this before going to bed. By preserving the days she had spent with Ryuichi in the form of photographs, she would always be able to remember everything they did through each individual picture.
Of course, there was still that certain embarrassing photo from way back, butnow, she could laugh at them as one of her memories.
I feel so fulfilled. I never wouldve imagined that just by having a boyfriend, my days would become so much more enjoyable.
To Shizuna, everything she felt now was all thanks to Ryuichi being there with her. She had never really loved a person as much as she did now, and could have never imagined that she would love someone so much that even if she gave her entire being to them, it would still not be enough.
I wonder what Ryuichi-kun is doing now?
Apparently, hed had dinner with Satsuki today and won a voucher for a stay at an inn then. When he asked Shizuna if she wanted to go to the hot spring inn together with him, she immediately said yes.
Of course I want to go. Its a trip with just you and me, Ryuichi-kun!
That was fast. Well, timing-wise, the tripll happen in winter, so itll be a while until we go.
No matter how long she had to wait, from Shizunas point of view, she felt no other emotion than joy. It would be even more fun if Chisa, Satsuki, and Sakie were there with them, but alas, the voucher was only good for two people, so that was not an option.
Lets take some other opportunity and go on a trip with everyone together. I want to have fun with everyone, too.
Right. I feel the same way, too.
But for now, Shizuna was excited that she and Ryuichi would be having fun together. After that, she and Ryuichi talked about a variety of topics, and before she knew it, the clock hands showed 12:00 AM In other words, the moment the date changed.
We were really immersed in our conversation, huh?
Yeah. I cant stop listening to your voice I love you, Shizuna.
Ah I love you too.
While she wished he would stop with his abrupt blows, it was also in her nature as a woman to wish for him to say more to her.
They do say staying up late is the skins natural enemy. Lets call it a day.
Alright. See you tomorrow, Ryuichi-kun.
Yeah. Gnight.
Good night.
Thus, their call ended there. Shizuna felt sadness at no longer being able to hear his voice, but smiled bitterly because, just as shed said with her own mouth, shed be able to see him again when she went to school, so all she had to do was be patient for a little bit.
Good night Ryuichi-kun.
With his words still lingering in her head, Shizuna drifted off to sleep. Then, that night, she dreamt about traveling with Ryuichi as quickly as possible.
Ryuichi-kun! Lets go to the hot springs!
Slow down. The hot springs not gonna go anywhere.
But my time together with you is slipping away!!
Shizuna tugged on Ryuichis arm as if she were a child, perhaps a sign that she couldnt wait for the planned trip.
There were many other guests besides Ryuichi and Shizuna, including three women who were so beautiful that Ryuichi turned his attention to them, even if only for a moment That was the kind of dream she had.
But, nevertheless, their trip to the hot springs would still be a long ways away. The first event they had to face was the cultural festival, for which preparations steadily progressed until finally, the day of the festival arrived.
Lookin good, you two!
Man, you look cool, Ryuichi.
Ryuichi was dressed in a butlers uniform with his hair swept back. Meanwhile, Shizuna, dressed in a mini-skirted maids outfit, monopolized the gazes of their surroundings.
I wanna go home.
No can do, Ryuichi-kun.
And so, with their classmates gathered around them, the curtains raised on their cultural festival as second-year students.