The bright sound of a school bell rang out, but for once, nobody rushed to class.
Instead, colorful decorations flapped in the wind, music blared from speakers, and Seikan High was alive with energy. It was the long-awaited Cultural Festival, a full-day event where each class turned their rooms and halls into creative attractions.
"Alright! We're open for business!" yelled Ishizaki, wearing a ridiculous shark hat as he manned Class 3-B's Takoyaki Booth.
"Three for 300 yen! Extra mayo, no extra sugar!"
Next door, Class 3-C had transformed their room into a classic Haunted House. Fog machines blew mist into the hallway as a ghost in a white sheet tripped over their own feet.
"Kyaaaa—!! Oh… sorry, false alarm!" a girl laughed as she came out.
Across the courtyard, someone strummed a guitar. Class 1-A was hosting a chill Café & Acoustic Corner with hand-drawn menus and real cake.
"Who added wasabi to the strawberry shortcake?!" cried one of the unlucky customers.
The gymnasium, meanwhile, had turned into a mini concert hall. Students performed everything from pop songs to choreographed dances. There was even a band cover group, and one class did a trendy dance that caused several onlookers to spontaneously join in.
In the west of the school, just between the haunted house and the Takoyaki booth, was a large, overly decorated classroom with a huge hand-painted banner above the door that read in messy, slightly charred letters:
"Class 2-A: Café d'Firestorm (Totally Normal Café)"
Inside was chaos incarnate.
"Oi! Nitta! You can't serve spaghetti in a coffee mug, you lunatic!" shouted Matsuyama Hikaru, already drenched in sweat and wearing an apron that said "I Regret Everything."
"Relax, it's fusion cuisine! Mughetti!" replied Shun Nitta, proudly holding the horrifying food item with a grin. "It's trendy, bro!"
Just then, a crash came from the back. A loud BANG followed by a cloud of smoke.
"AOMINE!!! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Matsuyama roared.
Aomine Daiki stepped out of the kitchen wearing a chef's hat on backwards, covered in flour, and holding a fried… something. "I thought the deep fryer could take frozen curry bread and ice cream at once," he muttered, eyes still wide from the explosion. "Turns out it can't."
"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE?!" Matsuyama slammed his head on the counter dramatically.
The poor customers — mostly unsuspecting first-years and some brave visitors — sat stiffly at their tables while a few girls screamed when Nitta brought out his "experimental soda" that bubbled blue and green.
"We need to fix this before the student council sees—"
Too late.
"WHAT IS THIS CARNIVAL OF MADNESS?!" yelled the student council president at the door, clutching his clipboard like a holy talisman.
Aomine just smirked, leaned on the counter, and said, "Welcome to Café d'Firestorm, where the food's a gamble and life's a thrill."
"…I'm writing you up."
Meanwhile, Matsuyama was on his knees, hands clasped toward the heavens. "Why me? I just wanted to make pancakes…"
⸻
At the main gate, Masaki Renjirou stood calmly, fixing the collar of his casual shirt.
"She said she'd come, right?" he mumbled, glancing at his phone for the tenth time.
Just then, he heard a familiar voice.
"Masaki!"
He looked up to see Asuka-chan waving enthusiastically, walking beside a smiling girl in a sunflower-patterned dress — Nana, his little sister.
"You're late," Masaki said, but a small grin crept onto his face.
Asuka replied. "The train was slow, and someone," she pointed at Nana, "had to buy candied apples before we got here."
"It was important!" Nana protested. "Festival food is half the reason people come!"
Masaki chuckled and gently ruffled her hair. "Fair enough."
"Anyway!" Asuka pointed toward the main building. "You said you're singing, right? Let's go! I wanna hear how cool you sound."
Masaki smiled slightly. "Don't expect too much…"
⸻
Inside the classroom, turned into a mini stage, students sat on foldable chairs. A few student and underclassmen filled the back.
Masaki stood on stage, mic in hand, his classmates hyping him up behind the curtain.
"You got this, Masaki!"
"Don't chicken out!"
He rolled his eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped up.
The backing track started — a smooth instrumental of a popular ballad.
Masaki began to sing.
His voice, steady and deep, had a warmth that made the room fall silent. Even the haunted house down the hall paused their fake screams. Asuka and Nana sat together, listening wide-eyed.
When the last note ended, the room broke into loud applause.
"You were amazing!" Asuka shouted as she rushed to him after the show.
Masaki scratched the back of his head. "I almost forgot the second verse."
"But you didn't!" Nana said, handing him a drink. "You nailed it, onii-chan!"
⸻
With Masaki done performing, the trio wandered through the festival grounds.
"Let's try the ring toss next!" Nana pointed excitedly.
"No way, let's hit the haunted house," Asuka smirked. "I wanna see Masaki scream."
"I will not, ghost are not scary." Masaki replied, deadpan.
Five minutes later, a loud "OH WHAT THE—?!" echoed from the haunted hallway.
"That's not a scream," Asuka teased as they came out, all three laughing.
They stopped at the food court and shared a tray of yakisoba and karaage. Masaki sipped from a ramune bottle, watching the other students dance in the open field.
"You know," he said quietly, "this might be the last school festival I get like this."
Asuka looked at him. "Then let's enjoy it till the end."
"Exactly!" Nana nodded, cheeks stuffed with fried mochi. "We haven't even done the goldfish scooping!"
⸻
As the sun dipped and the lights around Seikan High turned soft and golden, the school broadcast system played a soft instrumental version of the school anthem.
Masaki, Asuka, and Nana sat on the rooftop lawn with several other students. Someone started lighting small handheld fireworks nearby.
Masaki leaned back and watched the sky turn shades of purple.
"Thanks for coming today," he said.
"Thanks for inviting us," Asuka replied. "Your school is… honestly kinda awesome."
Masaki grinned. "Wait till Interhigh Tournament start. That's when things really get exciting."
"Promise me you'll win," Asuka said, offering her pinky.
He locked his with hers.
"I promise."