Vol. 2 — Chapter 12: One Day Before the Festival
The classroom buzzed with noise and energy.
"Cut more streamers!"
"Where's the paintbrush?!"
"Who ate the sample cupcakes?!"
It was the last day before the school's Cultural Festival, and Class 2-B was a whirlwind of motion.
Desks had been moved to the corners. Posters were taped to the walls. A small curtain was set up to separate the "kitchen" space from the dining area.
Yuto stood in the middle of it all, holding a roll of twine and trying not to get in the way.
"You! Tie this banner up high!" Daiki pointed.
"I'm not tall enough!" Yuto replied.
"I'll lift you!" Souta grinned, crouching.
"No way!"
But eventually, after some wobbling and near-death balancing, Yuto managed to hang the "Welcome to Café 2-B!" banner across the doorway.
"Perfect!" Yuna said, clapping her hands. "It's starting to feel real."
Yuto smiled faintly, then stepped back to take in the view.
Everything was coming together.
But the nerves in his stomach were growing.
---
Later in the afternoon, everyone took a short break. Students flopped on desks and chairs, drinking water and fanning themselves with papers.
Yuto sat by the window, sipping from a juice box.
"Hey," a voice said behind him.
He turned.
Rika stood there, holding a small box filled with paintbrushes.
"Oh… hey," he said.
"Busy?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Just resting."
Rika sat beside him and placed the box on the floor.
They stared out the window together for a bit.
"You've changed a little," Rika said quietly.
Yuto blinked. "Huh?"
"You talk more. You show your face more. It's good."
He didn't know how to respond. So he just said, "Thanks."
Rika continued, "Do you… like Yuna?"
Yuto nearly dropped his juice box.
"I—uh—I don't know—why are you asking me that?"
She smiled softly. "Just curious."
There was a pause. Then Rika said, "She likes you."
Yuto's heart thumped.
"Really…?"
"She looks at you like you're something special," Rika said, her tone calm. "And maybe… that's okay."
Yuto glanced at her. "Rika…"
"I'm not mad or anything," she said quickly, smiling again. "I just wanted to tell you before the festival. Before… things move forward."
Yuto didn't know what to say. He felt like he should apologize, but also that he didn't fully understand his own feelings yet.
"I still don't know how I feel," he admitted. "But… I'm glad you told me."
Rika nodded. "Let's just enjoy the festival. No pressure."
"Okay."
The air between them felt lighter now. Not quite like before—but maybe a new kind of peaceful.
---
As evening approached, Teacher Uehara returned to the classroom.
"Alright, everyone! Let's clean up and head home. Get some rest tonight! Tomorrow's the big day!"
Cheers and groans echoed.
Students began putting away paint, supplies, and decorations. Costumes were carefully folded and stacked on desks. Posters were checked one last time.
Yuto helped Yuna pack up the leftover decorations.
"You did a lot today," she told him. "Thanks."
"You too," he said. "You kind of led the whole thing."
Yuna laughed. "Not really. I just wanted it to turn out great."
"It will," Yuto said.
She looked at him with a gentle smile.
"I hope you'll be my first customer tomorrow."
Yuto blinked. "Me?"
"Yep. Come early. I'll greet you in full maid mode."
"Uhh… I-I'll try…"
She laughed again. "It's a promise!"
---
As they left school, the sky was already dark. Street lamps lit the sidewalk as Yuto walked home with his friends.
Daiki swung his bag around. "Tomorrow's gonna be awesome!"
Souta nodded. "I'm gonna pour tea like a pro."
Ren stretched. "I bet we forget something important."
"Don't jinx it!" Yuto said.
But even he couldn't deny the excitement brewing in his chest.
Despite the chaos and the nerves, it was fun.
It felt like high school memories in the making.
And somewhere in all of it—between decorations, rehearsals, and awkward conversations—Yuto felt something inside him quietly starting to change.
He wasn't sure if it was love, or just growth.
But whatever it was, he was ready for tomorrow.
The festival.
The café.
And the feelings that might finally come out in the open.
End of Chapter 12.