Chapter XCVII: Fair
It's barely 8 a.m., and the students of Class 3-A are already bustling around the Founder's Plaza at school. The once empty stretch is now lined with makeshift stalls, each group setting up for the grand food-selling project. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, competition, and a bit of caffeine-fueled excitement.
Satou and his group are off to one side, carefully arranging trays of mini doughnuts, their bright smiles matching the sugary treats. Not far from them, Toshiro and his group are setting up a station for their homemade coffee and grilled sandwiches. The smoky aroma of the grilled food mixes with the warm scent of brewed coffee, making the plaza smell like a cozy café.
Kota, who's already feeling the pressure, stands with his group. His arms strain as he sets up a towering beer tower—not for beer, of course, but for their iced drinks. The contraption looks impressive, but it's more of a gimmick to attract attention. Meanwhile, Tengen, ever the ringleader, makes sure everyone is in their places, giving orders with that smug, too-innocent smile plastered on his face.
As the last bits of preparation are underway, a sense of competition starts to bubble beneath the surface. Each group leader begins sizing up the others, and before long, a mock battle of words erupts.
"I see you're going all out with your mini doughnuts, Satou," Tengen remarks with a sarcastic grin.
"Too bad they'll be cold and stale by the time students even get to your stall."
Satou smirks back, not one to back down.
"At least we're not relying on a flashy beer tower to sell lemonade, Tengen. How's that working for you?"
Toshiro chimes in, stirring the pot.
"Grilled sandwiches are the real winner here. I mean, who can resist a good cup of coffee? Especially against some overpriced sugar water."
Kota, overhearing the back-and-forth, is doing his best to ignore it. He's already tired from lugging the beer tower into place, and the last thing he needs is Tengen dragging him into more petty drama. But, as always, Tengen finds a way.
"Kota! Quit standing around and help us with the orders," Tengen says, his voice sweet as honey in front of the others but holding a hint of menace only Kota can pick up on.
Kota sighs, running a hand through his hair. He knew this was coming. Grumbling under his breath, he takes his spot at the counter, now responsible for taking orders from the wave of students about to descend on the plaza for their mid-morning break.
At 9:30 a.m. sharp, the bell rings, signaling the start of break time. Like clockwork, the floodgates open, and students pour out of the classrooms, eager to explore the food stalls lining the plaza. There's a buzz of excitement in the air as the first wave of customers makes their way from booth to booth.
Hanako, cool and composed as always, is handling the menu with a steady hand. She's quick, efficient, and has a way with words that puts even the pickiest customers at ease. Tengen, meanwhile, is already deep into budgeting mode, counting the yen with sharp precision. Everything appears smooth on the surface, but Kota can't help but feel the weight of it all—the orders, the impatient students, and, worst of all, the false sweetness dripping from Tengen's interactions with everyone.
As the line grows longer, Kota feels his nerves start to fray. The constant barrage of orders is one thing, but what really gets under his skin is Tengen's act. Around other people, Tengen is all smiles, a picture of innocence and charm. It's a complete 180 from the manipulative, controlling person Kota knows him to be.
Just when Kota feels like he might snap, a familiar face appears in the crowd—Akiko. Relief washes over him as she approaches the stall.
"Oh, you're here my Ai" Kota asks, slightly surprised.
"Wait a minute, I thought you were going to your group's stall."
Akiko smiles, a bit of mischief in her eyes.
"We already sold everything. I thought I'd come by to see how you were doing."
Kota lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Honestly? This is chaos."
Before they can talk more, Tengen swoops in, his timing annoyingly perfect.
"Well, well, if it isn't Akiko! Done selling already? Must've been a slow day for your group."
Akiko rolls her eyes.
"Actually, we sold out in record time, Baka."
Unfazed, Tengen grins and starts up another round of mock battles with the other groups, throwing out thinly veiled insults disguised as jokes.
"Already sold out?" Tengen says loudly, though still with that practiced grin.
"Guess they weren't selling anything that good if it went that fast." He laughs, pretending it's all in good fun, but Kota knows better.
"At least, fast to sell, but profits are at sail! HAHAHAH!", Satou exclaims.
"C'mon you two, there are more customers you need to attend to than mere mock battles", Toshiro says to them
By 10:05 a.m., it's all over. Every tray of food, every iced drink, gone. The group gathers around as Tengen counts the profits, his face smug as he tallies up the totals.
"Alright, let's see… 1000 yen for me, 1040 for Enmei, 900 for Asahi, 1100 for Hanako…" He pauses dramatically, glancing at Kota and Gin.
"Kota, you get 600. Gin, 200."
Kota and Gin exchange a glance, and though they don't say it out loud, there's a mutual understanding between them. It's the silent agreement they made the night before—once this project is done, they're out. No more Tengen, no more group drama.
Asahi and Enmei head off to the convenience store to grab coffee and slurpees, leaving Kota and Gin alone at the table. Kota looks down at his phone, then up at Gin, and raises his glass of coke.
"To finishing the project," Kota says quietly.
Gin nods.
"And to getting the hell out."
They clink their glasses together, sealing their truce with the fizzy drink. As they set their glasses down, Kota pulls out his phone. He scrolls to the group chat, a slow smile creeping onto his face as he types.
Kota: "On three?"
Gin: "One, two…"
Together: "THREE!"
And just like that, both of them leave the group chat.
Meanwhile, across the room, Hanako and Tengen sit side by side, watching the notifications pop up on their phones. Two exits in rapid succession.
Hanako raises an eyebrow, glancing at Tengen.
"They really left?"
Tengen smirks, tapping a message on his phone.
"Looks like it. No matter, we'll manage."
He sends a quick message to the mysterious chat head, his face darkening for a brief moment before slipping back into his usual, too-sweet grin.
"It's time to initiate Plan 2—Operation: Chalk and Cheese"
Hanako nods, her eyes glinting with mischief. Whatever they're planning next, it's clear that Kota and Gin's decision to leave the group might not be as simple as they thought.