Chapter 123 : The Early Spring Festival (1)

February's final days raced by, mirroring the swift arrival of spring itself. The wind whispering through St. Peter's Academy the day before the Early Spring Festival carried the sweet promise of blossoming blooms, automatically coaxing smiles onto the eager faces of the festival participants.

Across the academy grounds, stands and stalls sprouted like colorful mushrooms, buzzing with preparations for the upcoming festival. Inside St. Peter's Academy's auditorium, Midori stood mesmerized. The theater club's tireless work had transformed the space into a stage fit for Romeo and Juliet, its grandeur leaving her breathless.

Around her, actors and actresses flitted like butterflies, their voices weaving fragments of the play between costume fittings and rehearsals.

"Like it?"

Kiyoshi stepped next to Midori, with both hands resting behind his back, his gaze trained at the stage.

Midori smiled at him.

"Love it."