Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
School Festival Preparations (3): The Legendary Bakery
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*Today’s Diary*
It was the morning of the third day of preparation for the school festival. The day after each class had been surveyed about articles to be published in the school newspaper.
Finally, it’s time for the first opening of the collection box.
I’ve already discussed with the librarian to keep this box in place for the time being.
Officially, if the feedback is good, we may continue producing the newspaper even after the festival.
When I thanked the librarian and lifted the box, it made a rustling sound. At least, it wasn’t empty. After setting up a spare box in the same spot, I thanked the librarian and took the box to the library in the old school building.
—
“Well, let’s see how it turned out.” (Lux)
Everyone was peeking in as I opened the survey collection box. I found many folded pieces of paper inside, far more than I had imagined.
“Wow, there’s a lot!” (Sonia)
Sonia said happily as she picked one up and opened it.
“It’s from a senior in class 2-A. They want a ticket for Saras-senpai’s bakery. Saras-senpai, are you running a bakery? A stall?” (Sonia)
“Now that you mention it, I think that was said when they asked for help…” (Lux)
While I was trying to recall, everyone started opening the papers one after another.
“I want a ticket for Saras-senpai’s bakery.” (??)
“I want Saras’s bakery ticket.” (??)
“Please give me a ticket to Saras-kun’s bakery!” (??)
…Who are you, Saras-senpai? (Lux)
“Ah, so it ended up like this after all.” (Heinz)
Heinz muttered with a satisfied look, seeing the puzzled faces looking at the survey sheets.
“Heinz, do you know something?” (Lux)
“When I came up with the idea to collect information in exchange for tickets, I heard from a senior from the shooting club, who had a stall last year, about the legend of Saras-senpai’s bakery, which took the festival by storm last year.” (Heinz)
Last year’s school festival, Saras-senpai’s bakery opened quietly at the far end of the main street, in an unnoticeable spot. On the first morning, it was quiet, but by noon, word spread among students and citizens who bought bread, and by evening it was packed! They sold out before the gates closed.
On the second day, the bakery was popular from the morning and sold out by the afternoon. On the third day, before the gates even opened, many people gathered and ran to Saras-senpai’s bakery as soon as they opened. The bread sold out in less than an hour.
Due to some disputes that arose, things got out of hand, and on the 4th day, by the teacher’s order, they introduced a reservation system with numbered tickets. Upon hearing this, even more people lined up for tickets, making it an even bigger sensation.
On the 4th day, despite distributing reservation tickets the previous day, crowds swarmed Saras-senpai’s bakery, causing major confusion. In the end, the stall was abruptly closed, and for those with tickets, a classroom was rented for an exclusive sale.
“This year, Saras-senpai’s shop won’t be a stall either. Instead, they’ll rent a classroom, and only people with pre-distributed tickets can enter. That’s why Saras-senpai’s tickets are exchange vouchers, not discount coupons.” (Heinz)
“What about the tickets for the first day?” (Maria)
Maria asked.
“On the first day, only people who line up will get a chance to buy through a lottery. After that, the reservation tickets will be distributed separately.” (Heinz)
“…That sounds… like something I really want to try.” (Ratt)
Ratt-kun’s eyes were serious.
“The exchange vouchers are for those who provided information.” (Heinz)
Heinz reminded.
“I know. But there’s no problem with lining up to get a reservation ticket, right?” (Ratt)
“Yeah, but it’s tough. To avoid students monopolizing the tickets, the number available to school members is limited.” (Heinz)
Hearing this, Ratt-kun muttered to himself seriously.
“Should I stay up all night…” (Ratt)
“Anyway, thanks to Saras-senpai’s cooperation with the tickets, we’ve gathered more information than expected. It’s going to get busy from here.” (Heinz)
“First, we should interview the sources of the interesting information we found.” (Lite)
Lite said, holding one of the survey sheets and staring at it. Heinz nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. Of course, it’s not just about the Seven Mysteries. We need to confirm the stories for the other articles too, to make sure they’re not made up, and get more details. We only have 4 days to write the articles and print them. We also have to prepare the exhibition of Ssura-senpai’s newspaper.” (Heinz)
With that in mind, there’s almost no time to relax.
We discussed and assigned roles to each person. First, anything that requires interviewing the nobles was entrusted to Maria. It was unlikely any noble would refuse an interview with the daughter of the Bell Household. Lev would accompany her as support.
Ratt-kun and Hana, who were familiar with Rodon City, would handle articles about recommended stores in town. Other articles would be covered by Heinz, who had a wide network of connections, along with Lite. Rick-san would pair up with Frank.
Sonia and I would focus on the exhibition of Sura-senpai’s newspaper, helped any group that need extra hands, and started working on articles that could already be written.
After assigning roles, we began reviewing the collected information. Each person could choose what they wanted to write about. We put the information related to the Seven Mysteries on hold for now. Other than a simple article, we planned to confirm more later. We couldn’t go to the locations during the festival. Everyone picked the topics they were interested in and left the old library one by one.
Sonia and I decided to work on an article introducing the shops that helped us with the tickets. We included a map illustration so people could use it as a guide on the day of the event. Since it was just about the shop locations, content, and a brief introduction, it wasn’t too difficult. We filled up space smoothly. Without much small talk, Sonia and I worked silently, and before we knew it, time had passed.
At a good stopping point, I stretched and said to Sonia.
“How about taking a little break?” (Lux)
Sonia agreed, stretching as well.
“Yeah, let’s do that.” (Sonia)
—
While preparing tea, Lux and I let out a relieved sigh.
When we were focused, I hadn’t noticed, but now that we’re having tea together, the library in the old school building felt very quiet. Most students who came to the old building stayed on the first floor, so not many came up to the second floor where the library was.
In other words, it was just Lux and me here. Realizing that made me feel a bit restless, and my heart started to race a little. I knew from our time together that Lux was a bit oblivious in these situations.
Noris-chan is similar in that way, I think.
“I wonder if everyone’s doing okay.” (Lux)
Lux said in a relaxed tone.
“Yeah, I think everyone’s doing fine.” (Sonia)
I replied noncommittally.
“Yeah.” (Lux)
Lux responded with a calm voice.
“Hey, Lux… um, when you were in the southern village, did you have any close friends… like, maybe a girl or something?” (Sonia)
I asked nervously.
“Hmm, it was a small village, so there weren’t many kids to begin with. There were kids around Noris’s age, but I was mostly out hunting, so I didn’t have any close friends.” (Lux)
“I see…” (Sonia)
I secretly felt relieved.
“So, yeah, I guess the closest girls I’ve ever been with are Sonia, Maria, and Hana.” (Lux)
“…Then, I’m the first girl your age, right?” (Sonia)
I asked, feeling nervous again.
“Yeah.” (Lux)
Lux smiled innocently, and my heart skipped a beat.
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