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Chapter 216: The Seven Stars Festival (2)
The day of the Seven Stars Cultural Festival had arrived.
Even though it wasn’t an ordinary educational institution but a hero school tasked with nurturing future heroes responsible for the continent and humanity, the excited atmosphere was unmistakable on this day.
From early in the morning, outside vendors had set up, preparing for a day of brisk business.
Banners targeting the loosened wallets of candidates caught up in the festive mood swayed in the air.
Although the participation was sparse, there were occasional exhibitions displaying entries from poetry and art contests.
Even candidates indifferent to the festival couldn’t help but feel, “Oh, something’s happening today,” as a suitable buzz filled the school grounds.
“Phew.”
In my previous life, I’d have been one of those “indifferent candidates,” rolling my eyes at the fuss and silently scoffing at the cheerful faces of others (while secretly feeling envious).
But this time, it was different.
Drastically different.
This time, I had companions to enjoy the festival with—something I didn’t have in my past life.
‘The first meeting of the day was… with Lanez.’
Ever since the topic of the Seven Stars Cultural Festival came up, we had a heated discussion about how to enjoy it together, and this was the plan we came up with:
From 10 AM to 6 PM, I’d spend two hours each with Iris, Yurina, Lanez, and Professor Elisha, enjoying one-on-one time with each.
After 6 PM, we’d gather on the rooftop of the party house to watch the highlight of the festival—the fireworks.
That was my schedule for the day.
‘What kind of crazy Casanova schedule is this?’
Of course, I had absolutely no say in this disastrous plan.
Well, to be honest, considering I already had multiple lovers, I didn’t really have the right to complain.
Still, I suppose it was a relief that this arrangement was reached without much conflict between them.
The only unresolved issue was the “heart-shaped firework” moment, but we decided to deal with that later.
‘Time to head out.’
Although there was still plenty of time left before the 10 o’clock meeting, knowing Lanez, she was probably already there waiting.
“Huh?”
But when I arrived at the meeting place, Lanez wasn’t there.
‘That’s unusual.’
If it were Lanez, she’d normally be here well ahead of time.
“Well… there’s still plenty of time before our meeting.”
I decided to sit on a bench and wait for her.
Rustle.
I heard a faint sound from behind me.
“Hm?”
When I turned around, I saw Lanez crouched in the bushes.
“…What are you doing there?”
“Eek!”
Lanez jumped up like a capybara caught in a trap.
Her purple hair was adorned with leaves and twigs, like a poorly decorated tree.
“D-Dale, you’re here?”
“What were you doing hiding in there?”
“Oh, uh… I…”
She squirmed and hesitated to finish her sentence.
“I… was embarrassed…”
“Embarrassed? About what?”
“Well… my clothes… or my hair…”
Now that I looked closer, she’d styled her hair differently, pulling back the bangs that usually covered her eyes.
Her outfit, too, was more form-fitting and bold compared to the loose robes she typically wore.
“I knew it wouldn’t suit me… but Sophia kept nagging me, asking if I was really going to go out like that…”
“It suits you perfectly.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah, you look much better than usual.”
Her exposed bangs gave her a fresh, lively appearance that was quite refreshing compared to her usual somber look.
“Hehe… I’m glad.”
Lanez smiled bashfully.
“I think you should keep your bangs like that more often.”
“Th-That’s… no way.”
“Why not?”
“B-Because it’s embarrassing.”
Her excitement faded in an instant, and she deflated like a balloon.
I chuckled and nodded.
“Then how about just when it’s the two of us?”
“T-That… I’ll think about it.”
She hesitantly nodded, avoiding my gaze.
“Alright, let’s get going.”
I reached out my hand toward her.
“…Oh.”
She stared at my outstretched hand, frozen in place.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
Lanez smiled shyly and took my hand.
“Your hand’s warm, Dale.”
“Well, I do carry the Primordial Flame inside me.”
“Th-That’s not why it’s warm!”
Lanez pouted and tugged at my hand, pressing her cheek against the back of it with a radiant smile.
“Even without any Primordial Flame… your hand would still be warm.”
“……”
If the me from my past life saw this, he’d probably scream, “Cut it out with the cringe!”
Honestly, even I felt a little embarrassed by this overly sweet conversation.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-Yeah!”
Well, a bit of cringe is fine between lovers.
As long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters.
“Still, this festival really is something… It’s not even 10 yet, and look at the crowd.”
"Y-Yeah, you're right."
I arrived at the school’s central plaza while holding Lanez’ hand.
Though it wasn’t even 10 a.m., the plaza was bustling with cadets crowding around the makeshift stalls.
Among them, someone with a particularly noticeable build stood out.
"Professor Lucas?"
It was Professor Lucas, standing next to a stall with the gloomiest expression ever.
"What is it?"
"What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like? I’m standing guard here."
"...Oh."
Now that I thought about it, during the last Sealing Festival, there had been an incident where merchants from outside turned into monsters and wreaked havoc.
"Haah. Because of this, I haven’t even been able to meet with Professor Bianca…."
"You’re working hard."
"Well, it’s fine. This is a professor’s job, after all."
Clicking his tongue, Professor Lucas shook his head wearily.
"Is there anything unusual?"
"Nothing too suspicious for now, but…."
Professor Lucas scanned the outside merchants with sharp eyes.
"Because of the recent incident in Valhalla City, I can’t help but be on edge."
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"Incident? What happened this time?"
"A crime syndicate operating in Valhalla City was completely wiped out overnight. It was quite a large organization, too."
A crime syndicate?
"They were trash who kidnapped and sold people, so it’s no loss that they’re gone… but the issue lies with the ones who took them down."
"What’s the problem?"
"According to a survivor, it was a kid who looked about 10 years old."
"...A kid?"
A single 10-year-old child took down a massive crime syndicate?
"Well, the information isn’t reliable. The survivor’s mind was so broken that they couldn’t even hold a proper conversation."
"......"
"Anyway, leave this place to us."
Professor Lucas waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away flies.
"By the way… who’s the cadet next to you? I don’t think I’ve seen them before."
"Hm? Didn’t you say you knew Lanez?"
As soon as I started talking to Professor Lucas, Lanez, who had been hiding behind me, peeked out and gave a small bow.
"H-Hello…."
"Lanez? Lanez Malam?"
Professor Lucas’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open.
"N-No… the face I remember isn’t this one."
Looking at the dolled-up Lanez, Professor Lucas seemed bewildered, as if he were in disbelief.
"I recall her having quite a gloomy appearance, but… she’s unexpectedly stunning."
"Dale… Professor Lucas seems like a nice person…."
"By the way, weren’t you close with Candidate Iris?"
"Dale… Professor Lucas might need his eyes checked… Should I help him out personally?"
"Anyway, you two look pretty good together."
"Dale… Professor Lucas is really smart and cool…."
Professor Lucas’s evaluation swung wildly between praise and criticism in real time.
Thinking it best to avoid further unnecessary trouble, I tugged Lanez’ hand and quickened my pace to leave.
"Ehehe. He said we look good together…."
Perhaps she liked Professor Lucas’s words, as Lanez smiled brightly and leaned closer to me.
"There are so many people."
She murmured, subtly wrapping her arms around mine.
Suppressing a laugh, I accompanied her as we began enjoying the festival in earnest.
"That smells delicious… Dale, let’s get something to eat."
"Dale! That stuffed toy looks like you!"
"Oh, look over there, Dale. For 20 gold, they’ll draw a portrait on the spot! Let’s get one too!"
"Ehehe. Your arm is warm, Dale… I want to stay like this forever."
"Ah… It’s already almost noon."
They say time flies when you’re having fun.
Enjoying the festival with Lanez, two hours passed in no time.
"...So, who’s next?"
"I’m supposed to meet Iris."
"R-Right."
Lanez’s shoulders drooped as she pouted, looking crestfallen.
Seeing her wilt like a flower in the desert, I instinctively pulled her into a hug.
"Hyaaah?!"
Alright.
Checked to make sure no one was around.
"…Mm!"
Then, I carefully pressed my lips to hers.
"D-D-Dale…."
"Let’s meet on the rooftop of the party house tonight."
"Ehehe. Okay! I’ll be waiting!"
Her previously gloomy face blossomed into a radiant smile.
"Um… Dale."
"Yeah?"
Lanez clutched the hem of my shirt, hesitating as her lips trembled slightly.
"Tonight… will you kiss me again? You know, when the heart-shaped fireworks… go off."
"That’s…."
I hadn’t decided who I’d kiss when the fireworks went off yet.
And there was no way I could kiss multiple people in the short time the fireworks burst.
‘Simultaneously… No, that’s just absurd.’
Imagining myself kissing several people at once made me laugh at how ridiculous the thought was.
"I-I have a good idea!"
Lanez raised her hand energetically.
"Oh? What’s your idea?"
"Well, um… Dale has the Blessing of Revival… doesn’t he?"
Lanez smiled shyly as she continued.
"So… at that time, how about splitting yourself… just for a bit?"
"......"
Lanez.
What on earth are you even saying?
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