Chapter – 53
Today is the girls’ school cultural festival.
It’s not something that normally concerns boys, but if you have plans with students from the school, that changes.
In my case, I have tickets from both Kana-nee and Nao-san, so I absolutely have to go, or else I don’t even want to imagine what they’d say later.
Speaking of which, having two tickets means I need to show one of them—but which one should I show?
Since the tickets have names written on them, it makes the decision even harder.
“Forgot anything…? I hope not.”
After getting changed, I grabbed the case with my bass in it and looked around my room.
I can’t forget the bass.
If I do, we wouldn’t be able to do the live performance.
Going to the girls’ school mainly means one thing: the live with Kana-nee and the others.
I figure the school already knows about me from Kana-nee, so bringing my personal stuff (like the bass) should be fine.
Other than the bass, the only thing I really need is my wallet.
I put my wallet in my pants pocket and left the room.
Kana-nee said, “We’ll be waiting at school,” so for now, let’s head to the girls’ school.
When I arrived at the school Kana-nee had mentioned, there were female students and what looked like a teacher checking tickets at the gate.
I have two tickets, but which one should I use?
The one from Nao-san, or the one from Kana-nee?
I even thought maybe I should just show both to make it easier.
“May I see your ticket?”
“Ah, yes. I’m not sure which one I should show—”
When a female student spoke to me, I showed both tickets, the one from Kana-nee and the one from Nao-san.
“Let me check… okay. The first one is from Nao Kitagawa, and the second one is from Kana Nishida, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“No way… you have tickets from both girls…?”
Another girl nearby muttered in surprise.
Is this… bad?
“Um… is there a problem?”
I asked the girl nervously.
She glanced between the tickets and me, then quickly smiled.
“There’s nothing wrong. Go ahead and enter.”
“Ah, okay. Good…”
I let out a sigh of relief.
I’m not cheating on anyone.
Both Nao-san and Kana-nee know about this.
The girl cut the edge of one of the tickets and returned it to me.
“Please enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you.”
I took the tickets and entered the school.
Inside, as I switched to indoor slippers, I immediately heard two voices call out.
“Little brother!”
“Kaede-kun!”
Different ways of addressing me, but I immediately recognized them.
It was Nao-san and Kana-nee.
Both were wearing short-sleeved mini-skirt maid outfits instead of their uniforms.
I smiled at the sight of them.
“Kana-nee, Nao-san. I came, just like we promised.”
“Thank you for coming. That’s our little brother for you.”
“We knew Kaede-kun would definitely come.”
Kana-nee took my hand.
“Sorry to ask so soon, but we need your help with something.”
“What is it?”
“That’s a surprise for after we get there.”
A surprise? That doesn’t help much.
It’s not like a gift.
Probably some kind of physical task, I guess.
Since it’s a girls’ school, almost everyone around is a girl.
There are a few men, but they’re probably visitors for the cultural festival.
I definitely wouldn’t have the courage to walk alone here.
With Kana-nee and Nao-san beside me, it’s manageable.
There are lots of activities because it’s a cultural festival, but I’m the only one not feeling interested in them.
Do I have gynophobia?
Yes.
I’m a bit afraid of women.
I can only comfortably talk with female acquaintances or friends.
Kana-nee is an exception since she’s been my childhood friend and we share interests.
“Little brother, are you okay?”
Kana-nee asked worriedly.
We were walking down the second-floor hallway, with the destination classroom still a little ahead.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
I smiled and said it.
Kana-nee relaxed and smiled back.
“Good. I was worried you’d be nervous before the live.”
“I’m always ready for the live. But what exactly do you want me to help with?”
“Hm… maybe it’s better to wait until we’re inside?”
Kana-nee didn’t answer my question and looked to Nao-san instead.
She had a serious expression, unusually so.
Nao-san smiled wryly at her.
“I think it’s okay to tell him now, right?”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Kaede-kun will definitely do it. You have a neutral-looking face, so you can even be in front of the audience—”
Huh… What are they planning to make me do?
“Um… Kana-nee, what do you want me to help with?”
I asked again, feeling a bad premonition.
We reached the target classroom, and Kana-nee and Nao-san stopped in front of it.
Inside, the classroom was set up like a café.
“Let’s talk inside first.”
“Y-Yeah…”
We entered.
A female student wearing the same mini-skirt maid outfit as Kana-nee greeted us.
“Welcome! …Oh, Kana and Nao, hurry up and come help!”
“Got it. But we brought some help with us.”
“Really? Then why didn’t you say so sooner?”
The maid looked at me curiously.
“…I see. You do have a neutral-looking face. This should work.”
“Um… what exactly should I help with?”
I had a very bad feeling.
“Wait here—”
The maid went into a makeshift changing room and came back shortly with a single outfit.
“Here.”
It was the same mini-skirt maid outfit that the other girls were wearing.
Huh… I’m supposed to wear this?
I looked at it skeptically.
“This?”
“Yes. We thought you could help too.”
“You mean… wear this and serve customers?”
“Yes. There’s also a wig and black stockings to make you look like a girl, so don’t worry.”
The maid handed me the wig and stockings as well.
Ah, so they want me to wear the maid outfit and help with the café.
I’m reluctant, but since Kana-nee asked, I can’t refuse.
“Okay, I’ll change. Just give me a moment.”
“Thank you, little brother. Since it’s a girls’ school café, we don’t have men’s clothes. It might be a bit frilly, but please bear with it.”
“Kaede-kun in a maid outfit… might be kind of fun—”
Kana-nee and Nao-san were excitedly watching me.
I guess they just wanted to see me in the outfit. And everyone wears the same mini-skirt maid outfit…
But where should I change?
“Um… where should I change?”
“Here. …Follow me.”
The maid led me to the changing room.
It’s a bit embarrassing to change into a girl’s maid outfit, but I have no choice.
I followed her.
