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Chapter 12 - Love at First Mishap (Chapter 12)

‎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.

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