Special Opening Event at the School Festival

There was a moment of silence, then the class became more enthusiastic than before.

"Marriage? That sounds really interesting!"

"Wanting the students to experience the feeling of marriage... This is the first time I've heard of it."

"Wait a minute, don't say whether the school will approve it. Isn't it troublesome to prepare for it beforehand?"

"Isn't it fine? I know some bridal shop owners and wedding consultants. As long as it's not too formal, it should be easier than setting up a food stall."

The more people talked, the more excited they became, and the more they talked, the deeper they got, as if all the new stands they just proposed were rejected. The monitor in front of the blackboard couldn't help but smile bitterly.

As the commotion unfolded, someone asked a very crucial question: "The guests at the wedding party are just couples, right? Won't anyone come to attend in the near future?"

A female student stood up with her hand raised and said enthusiastically:

"You can cover your face or wear a veil! Have a wedding with someone you don't know, or even someone you don't know. This way, you can not only attract customers who are only interested in that wedding, but it will also feel more gimmicky and interesting!"

She elaborated on some additional plans like glimpses of inspiration, and after she finished speaking, there was a round of applause, and many agreed with her idea.

"It feels so exciting."

"A Masked Wedding Experience Center? If you do this at the school festival, it will surely be a hit!"

"And it can be linked to the legend of the Bonshin Festival. Newlyweds who affirm their feelings for each other at the school festival can experience the feeling of marriage on the same day. It's really romantic..."

"No, who finds going to a graveyard romantic?"

Fuutarou's complaint drowned in the sea of voices. Shortly after, the words "Masked Wedding Experience Center" were written on the blackboard, and it received very high praise during the vote.

Fumino watched all this unfold, feeling an indescribable sense of unease in her heart, but she didn't know what was wrong.

After thinking for a moment, she first looked towards the Thorn Club leader led by Kashima.

Chono and Inomori clapped along with the whole class. They seemed very interested in this new proposal. They whispered and discussed something from time to time, with very natural expressions.

"Doesn't that have anything to do with them?"

Fumino frowned slightly and looked at Itsuki behind Shinichi.

She gazed at the "Masked Wedding Experience Center" on the blackboard, with a puzzled expression on her face, as if she was thinking about how the event would be held and if she could get something to eat.

Fumino nodded, this was normal and there was no doubt.

Finally, she pulled Shinichi's sleeve and whispered softly:

"Asada-san, is this your doing?"

Shinichi opened his eyes wide, his surprise disappeared.

Fumino's expression showed that she was right.

"Fumino, you... changed your toothpaste?"

"..."

Fumino restrained the urge to hit him, gritted her teeth, and uttered each word:

"I'm asking you, did you plan this 'Masked Wedding Experience Center' behind the scenes!?"

"Why would I do that?" Shinichi asked in confusion, "If you want to doubt it, you should doubt the Thorn Club first. My popularity in class is only average, how could I manipulate the voting results."

Fumino smiled and said in a very soft voice: "That's because Kashima-san and the others look innocent, but you have a long criminal record and a complete motive, so you look like a suspect~"

"Hey, you're being too idealistic, and you're also suspected of making personal attacks."

"So what? Judges are more likely to believe the testimony of that idealistic pretty girl than a rogue who has many girls!" Fumino hummed twice, and remembered something, her expression changed slightly, and she put her finger on her chin.

"Also, I've always felt like you've been disappearing a lot lately. I don't know where you're going or who you're meeting. It's very suspicious to be sneaky."

She squinted her eyes, a suspicious look appearing in her clear eyes, staring at Shinichi as if she wanted him to give up right then and there.

"Are you hiding a lot from us?"

"It's because of President Shirogane... Forget it, I can't tell you about this." Shinichi looked ahead, his voice slightly low.

"Right, I'm hiding a lot from you."

As he spoke, he propped his head up with his right hand, his expression dimmed, and the hoarse sound of his pain reached Fumino's ears.

"Because... I was browsing porn sites and my computer got infected... I'm really embarrassed to tell you..."

Fumino: "..."

Well, this wasn't the first day she met this guy.

When faced with something Shinichi didn't want to say or lie about, he would use jokes to divert attention.

At times like this, Fumino usually wouldn't ask anything else. If he had a reason not to say it, trust that he wouldn't do anything to pity himself, then wait until he confessed to her.

Although there was no such thing as a "lover" in the past or present, she had felt the harmony and model of trust they had when she and Shinichi fell in love.

Fumino glanced at the blackboard, slowly thinking.

"A Masked Wedding Experience Center, huh..."

If this was indeed Shinichi's design, was he planning something unexpected at the school festival?

She discreetly glanced at Shinichi, who had a normal expression, and felt a slight flutter in her heart. She couldn't help but smile with anticipation.

Time passed slowly like this.

△

Friday, morning meeting.

At the podium in the auditorium, after giving the same speech, the principal suddenly coughed twice and said calmly:

"Are you looking forward to the school festival that will be held at our school on December 21st and 22nd?"

"The process is generally published on the school website and in the School Festival brochure. Students who have seen or experienced it before must be familiar with it... However, this time's School Festival and the previous ones will be arranged within the event."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief commotion among the audience. Teachers quickly stepped forward to maintain order and restore the usual silence in the auditorium.

The principal looked around and accidentally met Shinichi's eyes.

He smiled and spoke loudly:

"On the morning of the 21st, the school will hold a special opening event that has never happened before and has prepared various prizes. Please wait and see and participate enthusiastically!"

After saying that, despite the increasing commotion among the audience, the principal stepped down from the podium and asked the emcee to announce the next stage of the process.

In the commotion that even the division commander couldn't control, Fumino and Itsuki quietly pulled Shinichi's sleeves and asked with puzzled faces.

"A special opening event? Why didn't we know about it?"

"Did this event pass the review? I remember the School Festival Executive Committee didn't submit similar registration forms..."

As members of the Student Council, they should be aware of any major events at the school before they are officially announced, and be somewhat involved in them.

Although this is an event organized spontaneously by the executive committee, many related proposals need to be reviewed and approved by the Student Council, and there is no other way to overlook it.

Fumino is a secretary who doesn't have much control over it, but Itsuki as the vice president feels uncomfortable at the moment. She's afraid she's been too preoccupied with Mafuyu's affairs, causing her to be careless when reviewing documents, so she didn't realize this special event.

If so, would there be mistakes in other tasks? This could already be considered neglecting duties for personal use for public interest...

"No, it didn't. This is an event organized by the school's own team. It has nothing to do with our Student Council. It's understandable if you didn't know about it."

Shinichi reassured her, letting Itsuki finally breathe a sigh of relief.

However, besides that, when faced with more confusing questions from both of them, he didn't say much, just put on a mysterious smile that made Fumino's mouth twitch.

Someone like this who doesn't say anything is truly worthy of being defeated!

Immediately after the morning meeting ended, when there was still time before class, people from other student council members also gathered around Shinichi, asking the same questions as Fumino and Itsuki.

In response, the smile on Shinichi's face seemed to become more cheerful.

He raised his index finger, placed it in front of his mouth, winked at the girls, and said with a smile.

"Ssst – if I told you beforehand, there wouldn't be any surprises."

Girls: "..."

Did he think it would be funny if he did this?

Didn't he notice that Fumino, Rizu, and Yotsuba were grimacing in disgust?

Nino's cheeks twitched, she held back her nausea, sneered, stared at him, and said:

"Do you think you're the only one who can do that?"