8:50 AM

"The Asahi High 'Sunrise Festival' is finally starting. First, we have our pride and joy, the opening act from the all girls unit."

As the curtain opened, five girls got out and began to sing and dance for the students. Among them was Yotsuba, leading the role. Backstage were Fuutarou and Miku, watching the act.

Miku:"I didn't know Yotsuba was part of this."

Fuutarou:"The girl that was going to do it couldn't make it, so she volunteered to take their place."

Fuutarou began to head for the door.

Miku:"Where are you going?

Fuutarou:"As soon as the show ends, Yotsuba's going to check all the stalls one last time, even though I told her she wouldn't need to do that. So, while I have time, I'll try to do as much as I can first."

Miku:"If you want, I can help you with your work."

Fuutarou:"Don't. You don't need to do that."

Miku:"Right there. Just tell her that as bluntly as you can."

Fuutarou:"Eh…"

Miku laughs.

Fuutarou:"...You have a job to do already. Just count on us, we'll take care of it."

Miku:"...Alright. You know, if you were this cool with Yotsuba, she'd listen to you no doubt."

Fuutarou:"I doubt that. You're the weird one for thinking so highly of me."

Miku:"Isn't that just the normal you?"

Fuutarou:"Honestly..." [It's not like I can talk to Yotsuba right now.]

Fuutarou thought back to the day prior.

Fuutarou:[It's not like that's the truth...But now I can't find anything to disprove it.]

Miku:"Either way, don't be afraid to ask for help."

Fuutarou:"...You should enjoy the festival."

Miku:"I could say the same thing."

Fuutarou sighs before going on his way. But before he leaves out of the door, he turns back.

Fuutarou:"I'll try to check out the stalls...Save some pancakes for me."

Miku:"You got it! Fuutarou!"

Fuutarou:"What's up?"

Miku:"Don't push yourself too hard."

Fuutarou:"...I could say the same thing. "

With that, Fuutarou walked out. Miku looked back towards the dancing Yotsuba.

Miku:[Both Fuutarou and Yotsuba look stressed. Hopefully the festival isn't too hard on them…]

As Miku was called by her group, she ran into Irigaku.

Irigaku:"Heya, your stall is the pancake one, right?"

Miku:"That's right."

Irigaku:"I'll make sure to eat a bunch of those!"

Miku:"Right! Please spread the good word!"

As the two stopped talking and Irigaku left, Miku pumped herself up.

Miku:"I can't afford to fail!"

…

Fuutarou was going around as many stalls as he could, to see that they had all their components ready.

Fuutarou:[Now, if only I could check these places out when they're actually in service.]

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a stall with a familiar logo.

Fuutarou:"Magical Toys? Yeah, I think I did see that name in the list of third party booths."

Before asking if there was anyone present, a figure came out that surprised Fuutarou. It was the same old man in makeup.

"Oh, it's the magicless boy. Have you gotten any better at Chess?"

Fuutarou:"Nope, that was an exception. Anyway, you guys got all of your materials."

"Correct! I'll only be here the first day, so I hope you'll be nice to my children."

Fuutarou:"Your kids are gonna run the booth?"

"Yep, they're two of my perfect kids, Yae-chan and Sandy-kun!"

Fuutarou:"Hm?" [Were they related?]

Fuutarou got everything done and moved to the next stall.

"What an amazing youngster. There doesn't seem to be much else here other than those girls, is there? I wonder where he is right now…"

...

9:03 AM

With some more time, the guests were finally let inside and the booths were open for business.

Miku:"For texture, stir until soft peaks have formed. Make sure it rises as high as possible on the plate."

"You're really good, Miku-chan!"

"Where did you learn to do this?"

Miku:"At my job…"

"With this, we just have to aim for first place in sales."

"Yeah, I don't want to lose to the boys."

Miku:"Say, about that…"

"We have customers!"

"Show us again, Miku-chan!"

Miku:"R-Right…" [I hope everyone's doing okay.]

…

9:10 AM

Yotsuba did her best to reach as many stalls she could, even with the onslaught of fans that had just seen her performance.

Yotsuba:"Safety Inspection is here! How's the takoyaki team doing?"

"We're doing awesome!"

"Nakano-san, have a taste!"

Yotsuba took one of the takoyaki and gave it a taste.

Yotsuba:"Tasty!"

"We got the class rep's approval! Our training was worth it!"

Yotsuba:"The ingredients seem fresh, so that isn't a problem. Ah, these scraps of paper are dangerous, so please clean those up."

"You got it! We're not gonna lose to those girls!"

"Yeah!"

Yotsuba:"It's still important to get along with everyone…"

Yotsuba was ignored as the boys kept rallying themselves up. Before she could do anything else, the president of the drama club appeared behind her.

"Nakano-san."

Yotsuba:"Kya!"

The president of the club looked at her with scary eyes.

Yotsuba:"W-What's wrong?"

"Our lead performer is unable to make it. It seems she had to go with her father as he's signing up for the elections to replace the politician that resigned recently."

Yotsuba:"I see, will you be able to find a substitute?"

"I already have. The famous singer must surely also become the famous actor."

The club president takes out a headband with demon horns and plops them on Yotsuba's head.

Yotsuba:"E-Eh…"

"The other clubs told me you would be happy to help out. Henceforth, you will be our new Queen Emerald."

Yotsuba:"O-Oh, of course…" [I'll go help out the Karaage stand and the haunted house later…]

Yotsuba looked over to see the boys still declaring war on the girls.

Yotsuba:[I'll look at that later as well…I'm pretty bad at acting, so maybe I'll need to spend extra time with this, I don't want to do a half-baked job after all...Whoa! I just got a shiver all of the sudden.]

…

9:25 AM

Nino:"W-What?"

"Please, Nino-chan! We'd love for you to be our fifth singer."

Nino was being asked by her friends about becoming the final piece of the all girls act, which had Yotsuba substitute for the missing girl.

Nino:"You were just fine with Yotsuba, why do you girls need me to do that? I can't sing."

"It's fine, our next performance isn't until the third day! You can practice until then!"

Nino:"Sorry, but that's not up my alley." [I wonder if Ichika still has that dream…] "Either way, I'm too busy with the stands and their ingredients…"

"I see, maybe Yotsuba-chan can help us again...Ah, it looks like my parents just got here."

"Mine just got off work, so they're on their way."

"I was hoping the three of us could hang out mor-"

Nino:"No way, they came all the way here to be with you! Now's not the time to be dawdling here! Even with your singing part, we still have plenty of time."

"Eh, but Nino, you.."

Nino:"Forget about me, Go!"

"...Thanks, Nino"

"Take care."

Nino:"Yeah."

As Nino's friends left, Nino turned towards the entrance of the festival. She had been looking there constantly ever since it started. She was waiting for someone and she didn't want to miss the moment he got there.

Nino:"...Plenty of time, huh..."

"Nino-san! Could you help us get these ingredients to the stall?"

Nino:"Huh? Oh, right."

...

A taxi was driving towards where the festival was. As it approached it, the girl inside put on a frilly hat as an attempt to disguise herself.

Ichika:"I really am going…"

...

Inside of the cafeteria was Itsuki, studying alone.

Itsuki:"I have to do this, no matter what."

…

End of Chapter 51