The end of summer was just around the corner.
Our dear, though not particularly deserving of pity, Makoto had actually gone through with her brilliant idea to start the summer festival without me, hoping to win our bet by default. She'd even paid Problem Solver 68 a total of sixty million yen for the job…
But I, the target of said kidnapping request, returned to Trinity completely unharmed. The very next day, I was out touring the festival grounds. A truly unfortunate turn of events for her.
Even more unfortunate was the fact that a third of the money Makoto had thrown away was already in my hands, with another third destined for Iroha's pocket. If the person who'd shelled out all that cash knew, it would surely be a bitter pill to swallow.
Although, knowing Iroha, she'd probably just put her share right back into the Pandemonium Society's funds out of some misplaced sense of conscientiousness. If she really does that, I'll have to make sure to take extra good care of her.
"So, what do you think? This is a structure built with the very soul of our Red Winter Union of Construction! It leaves you speechless, doesn't it? But of course it does! It was built by the finest construction experts in Kivotos!"
"It really is amazing! I'll need to take a closer look, of course, but at first glance, it's perfect!"
"Just as promised, there was no shoddy work whatsoever, so you can rest assured. A floating grandstand that can hold up to ten thousand people! A structure of this magnitude will be spoken of in the annals of the Red Winter Union for years to come! And I, Yasumori Minori, was its general supervisor!"
Minori proudly boasted about her finished work as we stood before the magnificent floating grandstand. Then, she casually scooped up a spoonful of pudding and brought it to her mouth.
"Mmm~! This is the taste! My body has become one that cannot survive a single day without Trinity's pudding…!" she exclaimed, shivering dramatically. I've had that pudding. I know for a fact it's not that good.
…Or is it? Maybe my palate has just gotten too accustomed to Trinity's absolute finest top-tier desserts.
"Sigh, I worry about what will happen when this contract ends and we return to Red Winter. Everyone has been thoroughly corrupted by bourgeois capital. By the time we noticed, it was already too late. First, it was the drinks and pudding from our homeland, then they dangled a salary that surpasses the industry's highest standards… It was a poison we knew we were taking, but were powerless to resist…!"
"Ahaha, in that case, how about a little revolution when you get back to Red Winter? You know, to find your roots again. Like sharpening a dull blade."
"...What an idea! For a filthy bourgeois, you've made a rather excellent suggestion…!"
By the way, Minori looks much less stuffy in her regular work clothes. Compared to when she was wearing that thick, furry coat… wow, the difference is like a Samoyed before and after a shave. The only difference is that you're not supposed to shave a Samoyed, but it's perfectly fine to get Minori out of that coat.
"Hmm. I was curious, was the decision not to build accommodations due to time constraints? Or was it the budget?"
"Huh? It's a bit of a combination of things. The scale of the lodging we build here next year will depend on how successful this year's festival is. I'm guessing we'll see at least one condo go up on both our side and Gehenna's. In fact, right after this grandstand was finished, a company expressed interest in building a hotel here, but considering the rivalry between our two academies, that would realistically mean two hotels."
If a hotel went up on Trinity's side, that idiot Makoto would surely throw a fit. 'What?! Those pigeons are building a hotel? Then we'll build one even bigger! It must, it absolutely must be bigger and grander than whatever those pigeons build!' she'd screech.
But if two hotels were built here, they'd be fully booked during the festival season, no doubt. But once the peak season was over, they'd become white elephants. We have to be realistic.
Having convenient accommodations would certainly attract more tourists, but for this year, completing a grandstand of this size is more than enough.
"Well, for those reasons, we opted for the more practical solution of running a fleet of shuttle buses to transport people this year."
Visitors can park in the temporary lot we've set up nearby and walk, or they can take one of the free shuttle buses. This is the best we can do for now. If we can prove its success, this place will become a full-fledged resort destination starting next year.
As I surveyed the bustling beach, already abuzz with festival preparations the moment construction wrapped up, I mentally ran the numbers.
This festival's success was so guaranteed that as soon as the grandstand's completion was announced, various broadcasting companies rushed to acquire the rights to air the 'Trin-Gehenna Throwdown.' How well this event concludes will directly affect my own standing. Makoto doesn't care if it fails, but I do.
If this festival flops, various factions will seize the opportunity to attack me, claiming the Host has finally messed up. Reclaiming Arius alone has solidified my position to a point where minor setbacks won't shake it, but with the news of my term extension, it's only natural that the number of people who view me with displeasure will grow. This is all that damn Seia's fault.
When I was pushing for this, I was supposed to be stepping down, so I could have just washed my hands of it if things went south. I don't know how it ended up like this.
To eliminate even the slightest possibility of failure, I took a special measure in agreement with the General Student Council President: I would borrow some personnel from SRT Special Academy to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
The President is lending me the FOX Squad, SRT's current top talent, who are more than capable of handling most incidents. She was confident I wouldn't be disappointed. I recall reading a report that it was this very squad that single-handedly thwarted Kaiser Corporation's illegal weapons development, bringing SRT into the public eye.
The basic plan is for the Prefect Team and the Justice Task Force to patrol the beach, with the FOX Squad stepping in only if troublemakers like the Hot Spring Development Department, the Kaiten Rangers, or one of the future Seven Prisoners show up and cause a scene. With so many members from the Prefect Team and Justice Task Force competing in the various events, this is a necessary precaution. The security detail will be especially thin during the team events, so we have no choice.
It's not a bad deal for the FOX Squad, either. If no problems arise, they're essentially getting a week-long beach vacation.
You might wonder why I left out the Gourmet Research Society. That's because as long as Haruna isn't there, they're unlikely to cause any major trouble. Akari won't care about anything as long as there's an eating contest, and Izumi will be too busy exploring the food stalls.
The biggest problem, Haruna, won't listen even if I tell her not to blow up any stalls. So, on the days she's scheduled to visit, I plan to personally escort her around and make sure she stays out of trouble. I am a little nervous about what will happen, since Nagisa made me promise to call her no matter what on the day Haruna visits, but it's a confrontation that can't be put off forever.
"So, Minori, are you really leaving without enjoying the festival?"
"Huh? Oh, no thanks. I've had enough of this nauseating sea and endless beach. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to miss Red Winter…"
"Hmm, if you say so. You've worked really hard!"
"Well, it's all part of the job. Besides, the working conditions here were the best I've ever experienced, beyond comparison. Especially the three puddings a day… mmm, I wonder if I'll ever get to work on such a luxurious project again."
"Already lobbying for next year's work, I see. I'll think about it!"
"...The Red Winter Union of Construction is the best in Kivotos! Never forget that, Comrade Secretary-General!"
"Ahaha, I told you, that's not what we are…"
I'll probably have to visit Red Winter on business at some point. I just really hope she refrains from calling me that in front of Cherino.
Seriously.
To be perfectly honest, there was something more important to me than the success or failure of this festival.
Defeating Gehenna.
I cannot lose to Gehenna. That ridiculous slavery bet has made me desperate.
In times like these, it might be better to be as thoughtless as Makoto.
I'm stressed out worrying about what might happen if I lose, but Makoto, who never doubts her own victory, probably isn't worried at all.
It's not like our opponents will be taking it easy, though. The Gehenna kids would surely find a defeat at the hands of Trinity to be a humiliation.
So, from the very planning stages of this festival, I spared no expense in training our students. I hired water sports instructors and arranged for the students who would be driving the boats to receive separate training.
It was then that I realized we had quite a few advantages over them.
Fundamentally, Gehenna is full of kids who barely show up for class and spend their time causing trouble. Just looking at their major clubs, it's clear they can't expect the same level of unity as Trinity.
The Hot Spring Development Department. Problem Solver 68. The Gourmet Research Society.
The idea of them uniting to score points in a team event? It's absurd.
In terms of individual skill, with Arius now on our side, we have no reason to feel inferior to Gehenna. I won't be so arrogant as to guarantee a victory, but if everyone gives their all, our chances are more than good.
One small concern is that in events like beach volleyball, our own students might end up facing each other in the bracket and exhausting themselves. But Gehenna is under the same conditions, so it should be fine.
And so, while I pushed the Tea Party girls to put the finishing touches on the festival preparations…
KIIIIHEHEHEHEK!!!
"Ts-Tsurugiiiiii—!!! Glub!! Ugh!! Too faaast!!!"
…I was also supervising the training of our representative athletes at a different beach.
In other words, I was here to slack off.
But watching someone get dragged behind Tsurugi's boat, swallowing mouthfuls of water, I couldn't help but worry.
…Are we really going to win this?
Author's Note
While I'm so grateful for all the support from my readers… this is all I can give you today.
The reason for the recent lack of consecutive chapter releases is due to an increase in my workload.
But I have the day off starting tomorrow, so I will do my best to wield the Serial Release Sword once more…!!!
Oh… and I see the story has surpassed 3,000 favorites.
I won't make any grand promises about a three-chapter release, but I will do my best.
◇─◇───◆─◈─◆───◇─◇
Guys, I am happy to announce that my Patreon is now up and running, so if you can support me that would mean the world to me.
And if not you can still support me by giving some power stones.
Up to 50+ advanced chapters are up on "patr eon.com/c/ArtumTL"
Please search it in the URL, as Patreon search is not showing my profile for some reason in the "creators" section, but it's visible in the "posts" section for some reason.
Anyway, thank you for reading