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*Class 1-A made something crazy.*

Word of mouth quickly began to spread, attracting even more clients to Nightmare House, but… all they were serving in Kou’s class were various types of cakes and drinks.

That was because they could prepare most of it beforehand, and it did not take much time to arrange it on a plate with some whipped cream or other additions.

And they had prepared as much as they could the day before, keeping it refrigerated to quickly serve it on the actual day. That also meant they could not prepare more of it during service.

In other words… If they received far more clients than anticipated, they would also run out of products too early.

“Hahh… They just wouldn’t stop coming all day…”
“I’m beat…”

Kou and Hijiri sat down heavily.

They had stayed behind to accompany their last clients until the very end, so when they entered the empty classroom they used as a changing room to remove their costumes, everyone else had already left.

It was slightly past 3pm, and originally they meant to stay open for at least an hour more, but they had run out of cake, and still needed to bake what they would serve the next day. So they had no choice but to hang the sold out sign earlier than expected.

“So the guys in charge of the food are already working on tomorrow’s share…”
“Maybe we should go help them out?”
“I was thinking the same…hm?”

Kou and Hijiri were exhausted from their long day, but thinking of their classmates hard at work baking cakes made them stand up again…

“You two, are you done changing yet?”

Subaru called to them from outside the classroom, though his voice was strangely quiet, which puzzled Kou and Hijiri.

“Kou, Kou, Hijiri, come here, quick.”
“Hm? Subaru? What’s happening?”
“Just come out already, and be quiet.”

When they got outside, they saw him constantly looking to both sides of the hallway, which did not really explain anything, but the two girls followed him regardless.

Just as they turned around a corner, they heard multiple footsteps and a lot of voices in front of the 1-A classroom.

*Hello, is this the class of that girl who hosted the opening ceremony?*
*We just want a few words with her…!*

They sounded like reporters, and Kou’s face drained of color when she realized they were after her.

“That’s them. Some journalists wanted to talk to Kou since she stayed anonymous during the opening ceremony.”
“But why now?”
“I don’t know. The school festival is already a big deal with the media, and I guess a regular student standing on stage is a big story for them.”

In this day and age, a bunch of reporters chasing and pestering a common girl was frowned upon, and it could lead to a major scandal if it happened.

So they had probably waited until Nightmare House closed for the day and there were less people around before searching for Kou. Or at least that was Subaru’s theory.

“Then maybe I should just talk to them so they get what they want and leave…”
“I mean, you could, but then we’ll get even more work tomorrow. And if I were you, I’d take this opportunity to check out the festival while I can.”
“Are you…”
“Anyway, you two can help out more tomorrow. Let us handle things for today, and just go enjoy the festival. We’ll keep the reporters busy for now.”
“Thank you…”

Kou was deeply moved realizing how much her classmates were watching out for her. At the same time, Subaru pushed her back forward.

“Now go, Reo will keep the reporters busy for now.”
“Okay… Please tell everyone we said thank you!”
“And thank you too, Subaru!”

With so many friends pushing her along, Kou happily took Hijiri’s hand and went to enjoy the rest of the festival.

That marked the beginning of their date/escapade, while constantly trying to hide from the reporters.

At first, they were constantly wary of their surroundings as they checked out what the other classes had set up, but eventually realized that there was no need to be that careful.

Kou had taken off her disguise hairpin, so while her white hair attracted a lot of stares, no one noticed that she was also the mysterious girl from the opening ceremony.

They even crossed paths with reporters, and while it was an intimidating experience, no one asked them any questions. At least until someone more perceptive saw them…

“Ah, you there, are you… Wait, can I talk with-”
“Hijiri, over here!”
“Huh? Hya-?!”

The instant a man with a press badge called out to her, Kou ran away while pulling Hijiri with her, silently apologizing to the man.

She tried to be mindful of Hijiri, who was being dragged along as she ran through the corridors and around corners… until she spotted a staircase. She slipped underneath it, holding Hijiri tightly against her while trying to stay quiet.

“Um…umm…K-Kou?”
“Shh, stay quiet.”

Hijiri was really tense for some reason, and Kou whispered into her ear to not make any noise as they continued hiding… Until various footsteps approached that place and climbed up the stairs.

*…One…two…three…*

Kou counted the seconds pass until she made sure they would not come back, and then finally let out a deep breath and relaxed.

“…Okay, I think we’re safe.”
“Somehow… Strange things are happening, huh?”
“Hahah, you tell me… It’s almost like we’re in a scene with the main character running around with a princess.”

Even Kou was not fully convinced that they really needed to run around like that. But that did not matter too much either way, just feeling like they were on the run was fun in itself.

Hijiri felt pretty much the same, as she stood up with a smile and held out her hand to Kou.

“Well…should we go then, princess?”
“Huh? I’m the princess?!”
“I mean, you’re the one being chased around, aren’t you?”

There was nothing Kou could say against Hijiri’s playful comment, so she just pouted as she firmly held her hand.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to keep running forever though.”

Kou was also aware of that. There were far more people wanting to talk to her than she expected, and if they continued running around, they would eventually be cornered.

“You’re right… Maybe we should find a dark and cozy place to spend the rest of the time we have as free people together?”
“…Huh? What did you say?!”

Kou suggested that with a casual tone, and Hijiri replied with a lot of shock.

◇◇◇

The place Kou was thinking of…was none other but the main hall where the opening ceremony had been held that morning.

“Ahh, I see. You were thinking of the other presentations on stage…”

For some reason, Hijiri sounded both disappointed and somewhat relieved, which made Kou tilt her head in confusion as they searched for seats in an inconspicuous spot.

“Ah, look. Ranka and Kurono just went on stage.”
“Ah, you’re right, so that means…”
“Yup, they all had their individual performances already, and now they’re doing a play with all their department’s students as the closing show.”

The play was based on a famous old romantic movie, about a princess that snuck away while traveling, and a newspaper reporter who showed her around. Ranka was playing the princess, and Kurono the reporter, and their performance was captivating the whole audience.

“They really are amazing…”
“You were learning from them too, right?”
“Mhm, the heroine is actually the voice actress Sonomiya Ranka, and the main character is the actress Himezaki Kurono.”
“Woahh…that’s so cool…”

They continued watching the play in amazement…and then Hijiri noticed something.

“You know what, we’re pretty much living out the same situation.”
“You think so? Ahahah, I guess you’re right.”

They laughed a bit as they watched the passionate performance on stage, as their hands slowly reached for each other like they were pulled by magnets…