"Shopkeeper, you didn't come yesterday. I thought you were going to run away."
Inside the rabbit dango shop, Kawaragi Momoka, who was sweeping, looked at Asakura, who had appeared in the shop at some point, and said with a hint of complaint, "It feels worse than being chased by the police for playing guitar on the street when someone who has eaten rabbit dango wants to buy pastries, but the shop can't even produce dough."
"Sorry, I had a little something yesterday..." Asakura said with a bright smile devoid of apology, "But after only two days of providing samples, the shop already has customers? That's good news."
Although he no longer had the pressure to make a profit, Asakura had no intention of closing the rabbit dango shop. Anyway, currently, operating this shop didn't require him to pay rent or material costs; he only needed to bear Kawaragi Momoka's salary. Compared to living off his savings, it was a rather cost-effective source of funds.
"Delicious food is popular everywhere..." Kawaragi Momoka also nodded, "Just like good songs will always be discovered."
"Is that the personal insight of the former lead singer of Diamond Dust?"
"My past, like yesterday's kitchen waste, has been classified as non-combustible garbage."
The employee squinted at Asakura. "Now I'm just Kawaragi, an ordinary employee of a dessert shop."
"I didn't expect Miss Kawaragi to be so dedicated. I'm almost moved enough to give you a raise."
Asakura pretended to wipe the corner of his eye. "Hmm, almost... if the shop wasn't officially open yet."
"So there are no pastries to sell today either?"
Kawaragi Momoka ignored Asakura's subtle sarcastic remarks and looked at the empty display cabinet before asking.
"Still the original plan, we'll officially start selling after the Soubu High School Founders' Festival."
Asakura nodded and replied, "But I'll leave some rabbit dango here. If customers come, you can sell them some like before. It's fine if all the sales become your part-time pay."
"Shopkeeper..."
Kawaragi Momoka looked at Asakura.
"What's wrong? Are you moved by me?"
Asakura raised an eyebrow.
"Although I thought the shopkeeper was a good person at first, after getting to know you, I feel you're a bit mischievous. You're a complex type that's hard to read..." Kawaragi Momoka leaned on her broom and teased happily, "But now I've finally thought of a more fitting description... The shopkeeper feels like the type who radiates 'good enough' everywhere."
"I'm not that casual..." Asakura protested righteously, "Please use 'just right' to describe me."
Kawaragi Momoka smiled relaxedly.
Just as Asakura was about to leave, he seemed to remember something, turned around, and threw something at her.
Kawaragi Momoka instinctively reached out and caught it, only to find it was a set of car keys.
"The car for delivering goods to Soubu High School is parked next to the shop. I'll leave it to you then."
Asakura gave her a thumbs-up. "I remember you have a driver's license, right?"
"Just a regular driver's license, and I haven't driven in a long time. Don't expect too much from me."
Kawaragi Momoka gave a warning.
"Don't worry..." Asakura said cheerfully, "Theoretically, my car isn't as expensive as your guitar, let alone you, so it's fine even if you crash it."
"You make it sound like I'm a consumable..."
Kawaragi Momoka grumbled.
Asakura smiled without speaking.
The employee placed the broom in the corner by the door, took the keys, and left the shop, presumably to check out the car Asakura provided.
A moment later, she returned to the shop.
"You're joking with me, right?"
"What?"
"I mean that super old, dilapidated classic car that looks like its front and back bumpers will fall off as soon as it starts! There's no way that car can drive normally!"
"Don't underestimate classic cars. It just makes strange noises when it drives, and occasionally the brakes fail."
"Doesn't that mean the problem is already very serious?!"
"Now it can even go above the clouds, it's definitely not as bad as you think."
"Isn't that heaven?! It really feels like no matter what car we crash into, we're the ones going to heaven!"
Although Kawaragi Momoka seemed to have strong opinions about the old Ford, under Asakura's strong suppression, the employee ultimately had to compromise, agreeing to use this small broken car to deliver the rabbit dango prepared for the haunted house cafe.
Two days later.
The Soubu High School Founders' Festival arrived as scheduled.
Because the previous Founders' Festival was too busy, Asakura originally planned to do nothing for the Founders' Festival, just enjoy the atmosphere like a normal student and have a good time.
After all, even Asagumo Chihaya had already agreed to explore the Founders' Festival with him, and Asakura didn't want to be the one to break the promise.
But shortly after the Founders' Festival began, Amakusa Shino rushed to the Service Club for help.
"I need your help."
The girl said in a very solemn tone.
"I'm sorry I can't help."
Asakura nodded and said.
"Aren't you going to listen to what happened first?"
Amakusa Shino asked.
"Ever since Amakusa Shino entered, my brain has already sounded the highest level of alert."
Asakura struck a pose like a divine being.
"This alarm should be coming from my side. Guess what the situation is like outside right now?"
Amakusa Shino said.
"Uh... a normal Founders' Festival? Although it'll be crowded at first, after being divided by the various class and club stalls, the situation of many people crowded together can be alleviated..."
Seeing him so calm, Amakusa Shino couldn't help but say, "I'm afraid it's not that simple this time."
She walked out of the activity room and waved at Asakura.
Asakura frowned. To be honest, he wasn't very interested in such things, but after a moment of thought, he still went over, following Amakusa Shino to a spot not far from the main gate of Soubu High School.
Just standing to the side and looking from afar at the entrance, Asakura could feel that something was wrong.
There were simply too many people.
Even for a Founders' Festival, the number of people who came to Soubu High School this time was simply too many!
"Were there this many people at past Founders' Festivals?"
Asakura couldn't help but ask.
"No..." Amakusa Shino shook her head. "So the contingency plan I made based on past Founders' Festival records is completely useless."
"But what does that have to do with me?"
Asakura asked in confusion.
"Of course it does..." Amakusa Shino answered without hesitation, "The reason why there are so many people at this Founders' Festival is entirely because of you!"
☰