With minimal time left before the festival, a certain group was asked by the substitute teacher Irigaku to perform one of the most important jobs of the festival.
Irigaku:"As such, the Broadcasting Club will be in charge of taking care of the documentary portion of the festival."
Tsubaki:"Yes, sir!"
The Broadcasting Club was looking over their plans for the upcoming Sunrise Festival, led by Tsubaki.
Tsubaki:"Alright, I think this route will work just fine, this is the one chance we have to make a real name for ourselves! We were unable to do anything in the Sports Festival, as the school had hired a 'professional' camera crew, but they're not here anymore! This is our real last chance we have to impress before we graduate."
Tsubaki had another member of the club take out their handheld camera.
Tsubaki:"The bigger digital cameras aren't here just yet, so we'll go around the school following our route to practice. Let's go!"
It was time for Tsubaki and the crew to take their route. First, during their route, they encountered Irigaku.
Irigaku:"Practicing, are you?"
Tsubaki:"Yep! So, are you excited for this festival?"
Irigaku:"Of course, we're very much looking forward to it! Let's make this the best festival ever!"
Tsubaki:"Yeah!" [We're?]
...
Tsubaki:"Maeda-kun! Matsui-san! What are you doing here?"
Matsui:"We decided to help with some general work."
Maeda:"Yeah...We're better off here than having to listen to our class arguing."
Tsubaki:"Huh? That's not good. By the way...Will you guys dance together at the bonfire? They say that couples that do will be together!"
Matsui:"Of course, Maeda's been practicing."
Maeda:"How do you know that?"
Matsui:"Takeda-san is surprisingly easy to manipulate into telling secrets."
Maeda:"That bastard!"
Matsui:"Oh, cut that out. We already danced once, what's the big deal?"
Maeda:"It's...a man's pride."
Matsui:"Right. Speaking of...What about you, Tsubaki-chan? Will you be asking someone to the bonfire dance?"
Tsubaki:"Eh? Well, um, I'm the one asking questions here!"
Matsui:"So this person is that important, huh?"
Tsubaki:"You...You already know, don't you?"
Matsui:"Of course, but I want you to say it out loud."
Tsubaki:"C-Cut the camera!"
…
Tsubaki:"Hm? Are those janitors new? Wah, that's a lot of makeup. Oh, there's Rito-kun!"
Tsubaki ran over to the athletic prodigy.
Tsubaki:"How do you feel about this festival, Mr. Sports Star?"
Rito:"Huh? Oh! Hell yeah, My friends and I will be having a bunch of fun with this festival and after! Shame there's nothing athletic going on, but it's not like I need to prove myself to those selfish adults."
Rito kept talking for a long time.
Tsubaki:"Ah...I should practice how to end interviews quickly."
…
Tsubaki:"Wow, that's a really mature lady. Wonder how I would look in a suit. Ah! I see Class 3-1! Let's see how they-"
"Let's just go with pancakes! We won't be able to decide on this menu if this keeps up!
"I could say the same with your Takoyaki! You girls are being too stubborn!"
Tsubaki saw Nino sitting in the middle of the commotion, with her head in her hands.
"Just give it up already, boys!"
"Have you not seen last year's data?"
"Have you had fluffy pancakes before? They're so delicious! Miku-chan would agree if she was here!"
"Everyone in Japan loves Takoyaki! Isn't that right, Nino-san!?"
"Huh!? But don't you like pancakes, Nino-chan!? So why are you with them!?"
"That's not true, is it, Nino-san!?"
At that moment, Nino shot up.
Nino:"Will you people shut up!? It's not my fault we have differing opinions! I suggested Takoyaki so we're making them. Even I can screw up those fluffy pancakes! I don't want to hear your voices anymore. We just have to make both!"
Tsubaki:"L-Let's not get in the middle of that."
As Tsubaki was walking away, a noise came from Nino's phone.
Nino:"Huh?...Huh!?"
Tsubaki:[What was that? I wonder what she's so surprised about?]
…
Tsubaki:"Ah! It's another of the Nakano sisters!"
Tsubaki walked up to Itsuki, who jumped and hid a piece of paper behind her.
Itsuki:"O-Oh, it's you, Tsubaki-chan."
Tsubaki:"Yep! We're just asking about people's excitement for practice."
Itsuki:"Yeah, I-I'm excited! I can't wait to test out all the food stalls! By the way, do you know where Miku is?"
Tsubaki:"I don't, sorry."
Itsuki:"That's fine. I was hoping I could test out some pancakes before the festival properly started."
…
Yotsuba:"Let's make this the best festival ever!"
Tsubaki:"Yeah!"
…
Fuutarou:"Can't really say I'm too excited."
Tsubaki:"...Is that it?"
Fuutarou:"Yep."
Tsubaki:"...Haha...I see, thank you for your time…"
…
Tsubaki:"It'd be nice if Ichika-chan was still here...She really helped me back then, hopefully we can see each other again."
…
Tsubaki:"The final Nakano sister!"
Miku turns to see Tsubaki and a camera behind her. She blushes and tries to cover her face but her hands are tied with multiple bags.
Tsubaki:"Hm? What are those for?"
Miku:"O-Oh, they're just ingredients."
Tsubaki:"Ah, for the food stall?"
Miku:"They're just for practicing. I'll make sure I have this in the bag once we open up."
By that point, Miku had forgotten about the camera, now her face was filled with determination, before she looked up.
Miku:[I have to tell Fuutarou…]
Tsubaki:"? Oh, Itsuki-chan is looking for you!"
Miku:"Oh, right. Thanks…"
…
Tsubaki:"Man, that was stressful, this is really hard."
Tsubaki noticed some sparkles in the sky.
Tsubaki:"Ah, this can only mean…!"
Tsubaki turned to the figure emitting them.
Tsubaki:"Takeda-san's...!...dad...hm?"
Tsubaki noticed that Principal Takeda was arguing with someone. Despite being disheartened, she noticed a second set of sparkles. As she looked around the principal, she finally saw that Takeda really was there. While she was happy, she also read the atmosphere, he was getting chewed out. With time, the principal finally left.
Tsubaki:"T-Takeda-san, how are you?"
Takeda:"Oh, Tsubaki-san. I'm doing just fine..."
Tsubaki:"...Cut the camera. Is it alright to leave us alone?"
"Sure, I'll be waiting at the club room."
…
Tsubaki:"...Are you alright?"
Takeda:"Ah, that? It's fine, it was just my dad going on about how I should study rather than partake in these activities. I am still second, after all."
Tsubaki:"...I see, while studying is important, I think finding a time to have fun is important as well."
Takeda:"The feeling is mutual. But my dream does require an absorbent amount of practice. Being an astronaut is hard work!"
Tsubaki:"Yeah, it is. Well, no matter what, I'll be there to support you!"
Takeda:"Why, thank you."
Tsubaki:"I really hope you can go to space. I would love to cover it!"
Takeda:"Cover it? How so?"
Tsubaki:"Why, that's because my dream...is to be a news broadcaster!"
Takeda:"...Very well, I'll be waiting for your professional coverage."
Tsubaki:"And I'll be waiting for your wonderful liftoff!" [I guess this day wasn't so bad after all.]
…
Maruo was sitting at his office, having just put down a set of papers recently handed to him.
Maruo:"I see...So my target has become the hunter. What an opportunity, I had been looking forward to this. My little experiment is almost complete."
...
Fuutarou:"Hey, Miku. What's up?"
Miku:"Fuutarou...There's something important I want to tell you."
End of Chapter 38
