Once again, I wonder why I became a member of the organizing committee of the cultural event… Preparation is troublesome.

But I have no choice but to do what I have to do.

But still, everyone… They seem to be in a state of excitement. Well, that’s true. A TV show, a nationwide variety show, is coming to our festival. Even the Jennys are coming. That’s a bit exciting, isn’t it?

But isn’t it impossible for all the applicants to enter?　　　

I don’t have anything to do with it because I have another role to play, but there is already a line at the registration desk on the first day, even though it is after school…

The line is full of stand-out and cheerful people. In short, the number of people is far beyond what I expected.

Well, in general, the cultural festival is a big event in student life. An event that will be a memory for a lifetime. How could they miss it?

It may be a word that doesn’t suit me, but for them, it will surely be engraved on a page of their great youth.

As expected, I can still painfully see them, especially that guy who is so noisy and excited.

As usual, I think.

Renya Todo.

Was I really able to be that guy, even for only a few months? Well, I guess I haven’t become him after all.

I think again, seeing that feeling, it’s a miracle that I could go back to the way I was without any problems because everything is so different from before.

However, there is one more thing that I am thinking about…

I don’t know why I think like this, but I wonder how I would have spent the school festival if I had been ‘him’ at this time.

What would I be doing with whom, and what would I be… thinking at this time. This me.

Well, it doesn’t matter to me at all now.

In fact, I would be fine if I could spend the festival quietly and uneventfully this year, just waiting for the time to pass with those two idiots while swearing at each other.

That’s fine, and that’s what suits my nature best.

I am Sota Kazama and he is Renya Todo. Whatever happened in the past is nothing more or less than that. That’s the truth.

Uh, this is not the time to think about such a thing. The committee chairman is very strict about slacking off. Sayaka will get mad at me if I don’t get back to my post soon.

Let’s get out of here for now.

”Huh, you. What are you doing here?”

Suddenly someone says…

”What? Saionji, why are you here?”

”Fufu, just because. How about you?”

”No, that’s what I’d like to ask you…”

Sayaka is in a different field than me. And obviously, she has more work than me.

What is it? Is this some kind of patrol? Well, I guess everyone is wondering how many people will enter this event.

”Anyway, you’d better get back to your post.”

”Ah, you don’t have to tell me.”

I really don’t need to be told. With those words, I leave the place as quickly as I can.

Why is this year’s festival so extravagant all of a sudden? Who applied for the program in the first place? The school? Or students? Well, it doesn’t matter.

”Kyaa!”

”Ah, I’m sorry… oh, Kanna…”

”Sō-chan!”

I thought I had turned a corner in the hallway when suddenly, my childhood friend was in front of me.

”Hey, what’s up? Don’t you have practice today?”

”No, no, just for a little while. I’ve got some things to do today.”

”Some things?”

I don’t know what it is. Kanna looks very agitated…

What’s going on? She’s not even a member of the festival committee…

”Well, then… I’ll go… Kya!”

She just started running and suddenly fell?

”Hey! Kanna! Are you okay, Kanna?”

And then she runs somewhere…

Hmm? Are you okay? That girl…

What the heck is she doing?

Well, I’ll just go.

”Well, I guess so.”

I heard a familiar voice from behind me this time.

And sure enough, I turned around, and there was a certain woman.

Yes, Karen Otsuka was there.

”Be prepared for this, okay? Sota, I will never lose.”

What? Prepared? You won’t lose?　

At any rate, she says something like that.

She is right in front of me with a dazzlingly beautiful smile.

Really beautiful…

But what do you mean? I don’t understand it because it’s so sudden.

And then Karen walks right next to me and goes somewhere… uh?

Huh?

No, no. First of all, I need to get back to my post. The other guys are going to get mad at me.

But really, what is it? Am I ready? You won’t lose? Are you going to play some kind of game?

Hmm? Well, whatever. I’ve got things to do anyway.

Anyway, this year’s festival will be really noisy in good and bad ways…

Well, I’ll probably end up listening to Tokia and Rem’s complaints again this year, but that’s a memory for me.

It’s okay to be mediocre. Ordinary.

Ordinary is the most peaceful and happy for human beings, after all.

Ordinary is nice…