I’m Spying on the Heroine in an Otome Game World 4618 min read
Volume 3 | Chapter 10: October (Down) – Part 1
Finally, it’s the Cultural Festival.
When I think back, we spent a lot of time trying to prepare for everything. Also, I have always been looking forward to this day since Neo Candle was formed.
We finally did it — is the feeling I have right now.
I set off to school early in the morning and observed my nicely decorated classroom. Yup, no problems here.
“Shiori-chan~~!”
“Hieeeeee!?” Something cold touches my neck. I was startled by this sensation and turned around in a panic.
There I saw Yumi-chan grinning with amusement. Incidentally, she touched the back of my neck with konjac jelly. So mean. Also, I don’t think you should waste food like this.
“Actually, what? Why konjac jelly? It’s not on our menu, right?” I asked. The desserts offered by Class B doesn’t include anything that uses konjac jelly as an ingredient. Also, the smell of konjac jelly is now drifting from my neck. Please do something about it.
“This is one of the props from Class C~ They are going to hang it in the air with string and let it swing around,” Yumi-chan explained.
Uwah. I’m definitely not going there. No matter what, okay?
“Is their haunted house Japanese-styled then? I mean, if they are going to use konjac jelly,” I wondered. Come to think of it, Katsuragi-kun, the ticket collector and receptionist, is going to be wearing traditional clothing.
Yumi-chan glanced at the konjac jelly and said, “I guess so? The thought of vampires chasing down people with konjac jelly is kind of weird.”
Yeah, that doesn’t sound scary.
“Oh yeah, Shiori-chan. You always come to school early~ Aren’t you first to arrive in class today?” Yumi-chan was laughing, but I have to mention how she was way earlier than I expected. She usually comes to school just barely in time for the bell.
“I don’t think I’m first~ Iinchou’s bag is here already, so I think he came way earlier than I did. More importantly, what’s up? You are here so early,” I asked.
“About that…” Yumi-chan’s expression clouded. “One of the floor staff hurt themselves. There’s nothing we can do about it, so we started to discuss who should replace them.”
“Eh? Someone got hurt? I haven’t heard anything… How badly did they get hurt?”
Messages like this during the Cultural Festival usually goes, in this order, from Kazu-nii to Iinchou, and then Iinchou tells them to me and Tsuchiya-shounen.
“Oh, don’t worry. He needs to wear a cast now but he can still come to school. Still, it’ll be hard for him to help out on the front lines, right? So that’s why…” Yumi-chan turned to point her finger at Iinchou’s bag and grinned. “It’ll be tough to find a replacement right before the Cultural Festival, which is why Iinchou volunteered to replace him. And then Iinchou called me, asking me to come over to adjust the costume.”
Oh, so that’s how it all happened. “And? Where’s Iinchou himself?” I asked.
He summoned Yumi-chan, so shouldn’t he be waiting for her in our classroom? Where did he go? Washroom?
Yumi-chan had no idea either and tilted her head.
The two of us waited for a while and eventually Iinchou came. He pressed his hand against his chest and looked pale.
“What’s wrong, Iinchou?”
“Ah… Good morning, you two. Sasaki-san, I’m sorry for making you come out of your way,” Iinchou greeted us.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll only be adjusting the length of your sleeves and pants. Come on, stand up. Also take off your jacket and shirt. Ah, you can keep your undershirt on though,” Yumi-chan said as she pointed at our changing space.
“Got it,” Iinchou said, changing his bag on his way.
Meanwhile, Yumi-chan started to get his costume ready. The classmate that got hurt was going to be a vampire today.
“Hmm… I think the shoulders should be alright. Hm-hmm~ A glasses-wearing vampire! Yeah, it works. It’ll definitely work. Murakoshi-kun, good job!”
Ah, it was Murakoshi-kun who got hurt. He’s getting praised for getting hurt, that poor guy… Well, I’ll admit that Iinchou will suit this vampire costume more than Murakoshi-kun.
Yumi-chan handed over the costume to Iinchou in the changing space. When Iinchou finished changing, Yumi-chan carefully checked the costume all over. Iinchou was thinner than Murakoshi-kun, so he suited this vampire look quite a lot. Or maybe I should say that Iinchou looked more like a vampire?
“Niimi-san, why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, I just thought you look like you’ll eat us……” I can’t help but feel it’ll look like a beautiful piece of artwork if he presses his fangs against Maria-jou’s neck. Hmm… Iinchou’s image of being a sadist is strong.
“Well…… I suppose so,” Iinchou nodded with a tired smile. “It’ll be troubling if weird rumours go around about me. I’ll be careful to make sure my true nature doesn’t show.”
What kind of true nature does this man have.
“Ah, geez! Don’t move!” Yumi-chan scolded us. Me and Iinchou obediently shut our mouths. “Murakoshi-kun’s legs are longer~ I’m glad it’s not the opposite. Can you take off your pants? I’ll finish in no time, so just wait a bit.”
Iinchou stepped into the changing space again to take off his pants and passed them over to Yumi-chan. She quickly started stitching in the corner of the classroom. There wasn’t any time, so she was going to stitch the extra length inside.
“…Niimi-san,” Iinchou called out to me.
I was bewitched by Yumi-chan’s skills, so I was surprised when I saw how pale Iinchou looked. Ah, I see. No wonder why I thought he suited his vampire costume a lot. It’s because he looked unwell.
“It might be good if you warned Hibiya-sensei,” he whispered into my ear.
…What does he mean? Yet Iinchou didn’t explain further despite how confused I looked.
□ ■ □
Alrighty, the Cultural Festival has started.
Maria-jou’s shift is in the AM, and she was also wearing a black devil-like costume. It resembled a witch costume, except she also has devil horns, tail, and black bat-like wings on her back. Her slender legs stretching out from her mini skirt are very, very wonderful!
It was only one day, but she did work part-time at Nyan Nyan Café. As such Maria-jou was a better waitperson than the rest of our classmates. Still, I’m sure she’ll stick to any capture targets that come by and focus all her attention on them… I’m a little wary about this.
Anyways, we did welcome a number of customers to our Halloween Café. We have only just started, but I think things are going well.
I’m in the kitchen team, so I’m generally not welcoming customers. I am instead wearing an apron and spending all my time behind-the-scenes. Well, I do check both the kitchen team and the floor staff team to see how everyone is doing. If there aren’t enough people helping the customers, I will have to lend a hand.
“Yo. Things look like they are going smoothly.”
“Ah, Sensei! Welcome~!”
“Come, come, please have a seat. The menu is right here~”
My classmates cheerfully welcomed our homeroom teacher, Hibiya, to our café. Kazu-nii returned with a smile that’s somewhat shy.
“I can’t help but be moved now that the Cultural Festival has come. All of you have done really well,” Kazu-nii commented.
We did our best in both decorating our classroom and our costumes. Now that he’s praising us like this, I feel like our efforts were worth it. Everyone smiled happily.
It was at this time that one waitress called out to Kazu-nii. Naturally, it was Maria-jou.
“Welcome~” Her cute voice echoed in the classroom. Maria-jou came by wearing her devil costume and stood beside Kazu-nii as he gazed at our menu. She stooped over a bit, looking at him, as she said, “Sensei, what will you have today?”
I’ll be honest: little devil Maria-jou is way too cute for this world.
Meanwhile, Kazu-nii’s face stiffened at the sight of Maria-jou using her charms at full-strength and tried to dodge it by continuing to stare at the menu.
Incidentally, our café uses a ticket system. We would take orders from the customers, give them a ticket, and collect the bill on the spot. We would also collect the ticket after we serve the items they ordered. If we do this, we won’t mix-up our customers’ orders, and it’ll be easy to calculate our sales later.
“……Ah~ L-Let’s see… I’ll take black tea and cookies…” Kazu-nii spoke disorderly as he continued to look elsewhere other than Maria-jou.
However, Maria-jou merely beamed and answered, “Yes, understood! …Just for Sensei, I’ll properly brew tea for you.” She also winked, making it seem like flowers scattered around her.
Wow… amazing. She winked. A wink! I can’t wink. It’s strangely hard, you know. Yet Maria-jou can wink so naturally.
Her smile was particularly sparkling, and Kazu-nii continued to be slightly distressed.
“Ah, Niimi-san. Is it alright if I make Sensei’s tea?” Maria-jou asked when she came into the kitchen, looking at my face.
“…Sure, there’s no problem,” I said.
Maria-jou prepared Kazu-nii’s tea in an experienced fashion. I could feel my expression turn grim.
I glanced over at the café at our makeshift boundary, which separates the classroom to the café part and kitchen. Kazu-nii was slightly pale as he pressed his hand against his chest. He was hanging his head.
I also cast my eyes at the entrance door and noticed a bunch of girls clamouring.
…….Crap.
I normally forget as he’s my cousin, but Kazu-nii is good-looking, friendly, and a popular teacher. The girls in the hallway rushed into our café at once. They grabbed our empty seats one after another, making our floor staff run around busily.
……Ahhhh, damn it all!
I took a look at Maria-jou but she’s leisurely preparing tea like she hasn’t noticed how busy our cafe is getting. Hey, hey, please don’t soak tea leaves in hot water in a time like this!
We have no time to relax right now!
“Niimi-san, the floor staff are asking for help!”
Ge-ge-geh. I quickly took off my apron when I heard my classmates’ plead for help. The kitchen staff that can help out with the café will wear a costume under an apron like this. The costume will either be a miniskirt-wearing witch or a fairy with a fluttery skirt.
“Hello, welcome to our café~ Here is our menu. Please call us when you are ready to order~!” I said with a welcoming smile and tone as I took orders left and right.
Incidentally, I was wearing a witch outfit. It comes with a mini skirt, knee-high stockings, black wings, and a witch hat. The costume was mostly black, but it had red frills as an accent. Sadly, while the costume is nicely detailed, my shoes were our normal indoor shoes, making it silly looking.
Our café has werewolves, mummies, and Frankensteins swaggering around everywhere. Well, no, they are our floor staff. My witch outfit just doesn’t stand out compared to them.
My eyes met with Kazu-nii. He looked at me dumbly before his face turned redder and redder. Eventually, he shifted his eyes elsewhere before coming back to glare at me sullenly. What? You’re not going to shout out how my skirt is too short or anything, right?
I returned to the kitchen after a couple of orders. It was now that Maria-jou finally finished preparing her tea. She stepped into the café with high spirits.
“Here you go, Sensei~” She beamed, placing tea and cookies in front of Kazu-nii.
“Y-Yeah, thanks,” Kazu-nii said with a stiff smile.
Maria-jou stepped forward and said something in his ear.
…I can’t hear from here. But I can imagine what Maria-jou said to him. I mean, I have been spying on her this whole time! I’m sure she said something like: “I brew this tea specially for Sensei. It’s just for you!”
Kazu-nii sipped the tea and was impressed. “…It’s delicious. Did you brew this yourself?” He asked.
“Ehehe……” Maria-jou smiled bashfully.
…This is an event, isn’t it. Kazu-nii would be deeply moved after drinking Maria-jou’s tea. However, I didn’t hear from him that such an event existed. Could it be that this isn’t a main event?
“Hey, Sensei, will you be walking around the school after this?” Maria-jou asked.
“Yeah… All the teachers have to patrol, you see. Especially as outsiders will be coming in to visit,” he replied.
“In that case!” Maria-jou clapped her hands together. “My shift will be ending soon. Can I follow Sensei on your patrol?”
Kazu-nii made a mixed expression. I’m sure it’s because he couldn’t find a reason to turn her down. It’s times like this that show his honesty. Frankly, I think that you should reject her with some random reason if you don’t want her to come.
“……I don’t mind if you come for part of my patrol. But, Aikawa, I think you should walk around the school however you like instead. Nothing interesting goes on during a teacher’s patrol, you see.”
Thankfully, the voices of salvation came.
“Ah, that’s not fair!” The girls at another table stood up and approached Kazu-nii. “Hibiya-sensei~ We want to come too! Please come and visit our class’ exhibition!”
Exhibition? They must be students from Class E.
Teacher Hibiya teaches math to all the first years. As such, Maria-jou isn’t the only girl who admires Kazu-nii in this school.
Kazu-nii probably really didn’t want to be alone together with Maria-jou, so he smiled at those girls when he normally wouldn’t. He turned to the Class E girls and said, “Sure thing. I visited Class C and D earlier, so it’s good timing. Could you guide me to Class E?”
The Class E girls clamoured because of this host-like smile. This was pretty crafty. Maria-jou’s expression clouded.
Yet, she quickly took off her apron. “I’m going to take my break!” She said to our classmates before leaving with Kazu-nii and the other girls.
Now that I think about it, lots of the pictures displayed in Class E feature Maria-jou. Kazu-nii is going to bring Class E girls and Maria-jou with him around in a dark environment like that… Well, it’s Kazu-nii’s own fault for not turning them down properly.
Now then, now then. My shift as a kitchen staff has ended. I finally have free time.
I plan to walk around and see the exhibits and stores together with Yumi-chan. I changed from my witch costume to my school uniform before hurrying to Class D where we decided to meet.
Right, right, the Miss Contest held by the Mizusaki Homare Official Fan Club will be held at the auditorium during lunchtime.
The Neo Candle concert will be held in the PM. I will have to visit the second music classroom before that and help carry the equipment. It’s doubtful if I could watch the Miss Contest.
I’m certain that Maria-jou will win the championship. However, I also want to note that Kyouko-jou has been recommended into the contest. Her figure and style are good like a model. She stands out even in our academy, so I feel she’ll make a good battle in our Miss Contest.
I passed by Class C on my way to Class D.
Class C was doing a Japanese-styled haunted house. I noticed the outside of their classroom was decorated with weeping willows and sinister looking cloths. Nishina-san was wearing a costume made out of a white sheet, and Ichimatsu-san was wearing a white yukata. It seems they are attracting customers right now.
I’m guessing they play as ghosts in the haunted house.
The ticket-collector Katsuragi-kun was sitting by the entrance. I could hear eerily sounds leaking from the classroom.
That was when Maria-jou showed up.
“Ah, Katsuragi-kun!” She called out to Katsuragi-kun with a bright smile.
“Ah…… It’s you, Aikawa. Welcome,” he greeted.
“Fufu, it looks like you’re not a ghost, Katsuragi-kun. Hey, could I enter by myself? Or is it better if I go inside in a group?”
“Either works……” Katsuragi-kun began before he contemplated a bit. “If you’re not good with haunted houses, it’s better to go with someone.”
What! Are you saying this haunted house scared someone to the point they can’t stand? I’m not going inside no matter what!
“In that case… I want to go inside with you, Katsuragi-kun. Can I?” Maria-jou asked, cutely tilting her head. But her words also rang with a teasing tone, so I’m sure Katsuragi-kun didn’t take her seriously either.
He smiled a little tiredly. “The receptionist can’t go.”
“Oh~ That’s too bad. Then I’ll come again with someone else. I think Kyouko-chan has time in the afternoon too,” Maria-jou said, smiling happily. She then shifted her eyes on the writing right by the entrance and tilted her head. “What’s this, ‘you can enter in a pair with Katsuragi-kun’ if you win the raffle?”
“……My classmates decided,” Katsuragi-kun replied bitterly. It looks like it really was against his will.
“Hmm~ Hey, Katsuragi-kun, if it really bothers you, want me to pull the winning raffle? I’m really lucky when it comes to lottery and stuff.”
“No, it’s……”
“But if I win the raffle, you wouldn’t be forced to go inside with someone, right?” Maria-jou said with a smile.
Hm-hmm, I see. While Maria-jou is saying such words, judging by Katsuragi-kun’s personality, he’ll likely enter the haunted house together with her if she wins. She emphasizes that she’ll do it for Katsuragi-kun’s sake, but the truth is this is her strategy to tour the haunted house with him. You are crafty, Maria-jou.
“Ah, this… Only visitors coming for their second time and up can try the raffle, right? In that case…” Maria-jou paused here as a group of noisy boys came by.
The Seika Maria Secondary Academy Cultural Festival was opened to students from other schools and family/guardians of the students here. These outsiders usually come in the afternoon.
The group of boys were wearing a school uniform from S High. This is the same school the gang of guys who did a bunch of bad things during the summer festival came from. Well, these so-called delinquents only make up a small portion of S High. Nonetheless, it’s because of them that S High’s reputation dropped.
I couldn’t help but frown at the sight of them. I was next surprised since I recognized someone among the crowd. It was Kyousuke-shounen who I met at Katsuragi-kun’s house.
“Kyousuke,” Katsuragi-kun said with a frown.
“Hey~ Kyouya~ You’re working hard, huh. Well? I showed up. You should be thankful to me,” Kyousuke-shounen said. His attitude makes it hard to be thankful to him even if someone asks.
The boys around Kyousuke-shounen were busy trying to hit on the girls passing by.
“U-Umm… Is he a friend of yours, Katsuragi-kun?” Maria-jou asked, her face stiffening a little.
“Ha! You’re flirting with girls again. You think nothin’ but smooth talking chicks, huhhh~?” Kyousuke-shounen spat out provocatively before he looked at Maria-jou. “Hey, you, you’re Kyouya’s woman? Ah? Oh, you’re pretty cute, aren’t ya. Kyouya’s done a bunch of things to you, right?” He moved his hands in an obscene manner.
To be honest, he is unpleasant. If he touches Maria-jou with those hands, I’m going to crush him with a tray from behind! Ah, but I don’t have a tray right now.
I frowned more while Katsuragi-kun stood up.
Katsuragi-kun’s tall, so he was able to pressure Kyousuke-shounen down. “If you can exit alone, I’ll fight you again,” he said as he pointed at the haunted house’s entrance.
“I’ll be done in no time, so wait for me!” Kyousuke-shounen shouted as he rushed inside. He quickly turned into a screaming machine. I think he’s afraid of ghosts, which is why he kept screaming. Eventually, his cries stopped all of the sudden.
Katsuragi-kun sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“N-No, it’s fine,” Maria-jou replied, shaking her head in a hurry. “It’s not like he did anything to me… More importantly, who was that?”
“My cousin.”
Maria-jou’s eyes widened after hearing Katsuragi-kun’s response. “Is it okay to leave him like that?”
“He probably just fainted,” Katsuragi-kun answered.
It looks like Kyousuke-shounen quite dislikes haunted houses.
Hmm… I think this is an event between Maria-jou and Katsuragi-ku?
Ah! No, no, I ended up watching this whole thing without thinking. Yumi-chan will be waiting for me.
TL note: Maria is working hard to earn those favourability points. Sadly for her, one is 100% not interested and the other is too slow…
