Night quietly descended, and a roaring bonfire was lit on the Sobu University playground. The orange-red flames danced, casting a warm glow on everyone's faces. The final event of the Cultural Festival—the bonfire party—had officially begun, and students sat around the fire, singing, chatting, and playing games, with laughter echoing all around.
Okabara Kyogumichi and Shiina Mahiru found a spot near the fire and sat down. Just as he put down the cushions they brought, he heard a clear burst of laughter.
Fujiwara Chika ran over, carrying a huge game box, followed by Kaguya Shinomiya and other members of the student council.
"Okabara-san! Shiina-san! Come join us!" Fujiwara Chika placed the game box on the ground and opened it, revealing a beautifully crafted Monopoly board. "Tonight's party game is up to me! We're playing Campus Monopoly! Whoever reaches the end first wins, and the loser has to perform a show!"
Kaguya Shinomiya sat down by the fire, elegantly adjusting her skirt. "What a childish game, but since it's a Cultural Festival activity, I'll reluctantly participate." Despite her words, her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the "Student Council Office" square on the board, clearly interested in the game rules.
Natsume Takashi, holding the still-dozing Nyanko-sensei, also walked over and sat beside Kyogumichi. "The bonfire party is so lively; I've never participated in an event like this before." The fat cat seemed to be awakened by the firelight, stretched, and curiously examined the patterns on the board.
Soon, a group of people sat in a circle, and Fujiwara Chika excitedly explained the game rules: "This version of Monopoly uses our school as the map. You can buy club stalls to collect rent, and if you land on a 'Cultural Festival Special Event' space, you even have to draw a card!"
After the game began, everyone took turns rolling the dice. Fujiwara Chika had excellent luck, rolling a six right away and successfully buying the most popular maid café stall, her eyes narrowing into a slit as she laughed. "Hehe, from now on, you all have to pay me rent when you pass by here!"
Kaguya Shinomiya, on the other hand, displayed an astonishing strategic mind. Although she rolled small numbers several times, she always managed to precisely avoid squares that required high rent, and she even used a "Student Council Privilege Card" to waive a toll once, which left everyone in awe. "This is called strategy," Kaguya lightly coughed, feigning composure. "You have to use your brain when playing games."
Natsume Takashi's luck was average; he moved steadily across the squares, always choosing to trigger "Event Cards" that required help without hesitation. Although this cost him a lot of game currency, he won everyone's favor. Nyanko-sensei restlessly wiggled in his arms, occasionally extending a paw to try and poke the pieces on the board, but Natsume gently held him down.
Shiina Mahiru played with exceptional seriousness; she would clasp her hands and silently pray before each roll of the dice. Her eyes lit up when she landed on the cooking club stall, and she immediately bought it with all her savings, a satisfied smile on her face. "The taiyaki here is the best."
Kyogumichi, on the other hand, had incredible luck, not only rolling large numbers consecutively but also drawing a "Cultural Festival Lucky Star" card, allowing him to advance five spaces directly. Just as he was about to reach the finish line, he accidentally landed on the maid café bought by Fujiwara Chika.
"Rent, rent!" Fujiwara Chika immediately extended her hand, smiling like a fox who had stolen a chicken. "Five hundred game coins for one time, thank you for your patronage!"
Kyogumichi reluctantly handed over the game coins, looking at his instantly emptied wallet, and couldn't help but share a smile with Mahiru. The flames crackled, reflecting their smiles, making them appear exceptionally warm.
Halfway through the game, fireworks suddenly bloomed in the sky. Colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky, like countless blossoming flowers, instantly illuminating the entire playground. Everyone stopped the game, looking up in admiration, letting out gasps of awe.
"So beautiful!" Mahiru looked up, her eyes reflecting the sky full of fireworks, a pure smile on her face. Kyogumichi looked at her profile, illuminated by the fireworks, and a warm current suddenly surged through his heart. He took out his phone and quietly captured this moment—the girl's smile and the sky full of fireworks frozen together, becoming the most beautiful scene of this night.
After the fireworks display ended, the game continued. Ultimately, Kaguya Shinomiya won the game with precise strategy and a bit of luck, while Fujiwara Chika, due to over-expansion, suffered a broken capital chain and became the first person to go bankrupt, having no choice but to stand up and perform.
"Alright, alright, I'll honor the bet!" Fujiwara Chika cleared her throat and started singing and dancing the Secretary Dance, being utterly comical. Nyanko-sensei seemed to be awakened by the singing, yawned, jumped out of Natsume's arms, and wobbled over to the bonfire, curiously staring at the dancing flames, his tail wagging leisurely. A girl offered him some unfinished taiyaki, and his eyes immediately lit up; he snatched it and ran aside to enjoy it, drawing soft laughter from everyone.
As the party drew to a close, everyone sat around the bonfire, sharing interesting stories from the three-day Cultural Festival. Fujiwara Chika excitedly recounted various embarrassing incidents of the student council, while Kaguya, blushing, tried to stop her to no avail. Natsume spoke of Nyanko-sensei's "great achievements" at the stalls today, causing everyone to look at the already rotund fat cat. Mahiru listened quietly, occasionally showing a gentle smile, and sometimes handing Kyogumichi a roasted marshmallow.
He leaned back on the grass, looking at the lively scene before him, listening to his friends' laughter, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of peace and warmth. The glow of the bonfire, the splendid fireworks, the fun games, the warm companionship... these scenes intertwined, forming the most unforgettable memories of this Cultural Festival.
It was late, and the bonfire gradually diminished, leaving only glowing embers. Everyone bid each other farewell, promising to play games together again next time.
Kyogumichi and Mahiru walked side by side on the way back to the apartment, the moonlight stretching their shadows long.
"Today was really fun," she said softly, with a hint of reluctance in her voice. "This is the best Cultural Festival I've ever attended."
"Me too," he looked at her. "We can attend together every year from now on."
Mahiru's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently.
The evening breeze blew, bringing wafts of osmanthus fragrance and faint singing from afar. Although this Cultural Festival had ended, the friendship and warmth gained under the firelight and starlight would forever remain in their memories.
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Have this exact chapter as motivation