The sun beamed through the classroom windows as students buzzed with excitement. The teacher stood at the front, holding up a colorful flyer. "Attention, everyone! The Cultural Festival is coming up!"
A wave of chatter swept through Class A-1. Izumi glanced over at Marina, who seemed unusually interested. Her icy expression softened, her eyes sparkling just a little.
The teacher continued, "Each class needs to decide on an activity. You can choose anything—cafés, haunted houses, plays, you name it. The winning class gets a special prize!"
A chorus of voices erupted:
"Let's do a haunted house!"
"No, no, a café is better!"
"How about a play?"
Amid the commotion, Marina's calm voice cut through. "I suggest... a maid café."
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Marina. Even Izumi's jaw dropped.
"A... maid café?" Anzu repeated, disbelief evident in her tone. "You, of all people, want a maid café?"
Marina nodded, her expression unchanging. "It's popular at festivals. It would attract a lot of customers."
Izumi leaned in, whispering to her, "Are you serious? A maid café?"
She turned to him, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles. "You don't like it?"
"N-No! I mean, it's just... surprising coming from you."
The room went silent. Every eye was in Marina, surprised not only by her suggestion but also by how fitting it seemed. In an instant, the boys' eyes sparkled with excitement, and a chorus of agreement filled the room.
"That's perfect!"
"A maid café? We'll definitely get a lot of customers!"
"And with Marina as one of the maids, it'll be legendary!"
The teacher clapped her hands. "Alright, all in favor of the maid café?"
A majority raised their hands, many of them with flushed faces, probably imagining Marina in a maid outfit.
"It's settled then! Class A-1 will do a maid café!"
Excitement filled the room as the planning began. Izumi watched Marina, unable to hide his curiosity. "But still...Why a maid café?"
She glanced at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because... it's something I've never done before."
Izumi scratched his head, still a bit bewildered by how easily she swayed the class. "I didn't think you'd be into something like this."
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Izumi." Her teasing smile sent a shiver down his spine, and he quickly turned away, his face burning.
Meanwhile, in Class A-3, Ren sat slumped in his chair, arms crossed. His classmates were equally excited, but their discussions were much more competitive.
"How about we challenge Class A-1?" one of Ren's friends suggested. It will be fun to have a competition between classes."
Ren's eyes flickered with interest. "A competition, huh?" A smirk curled on his lips. "Alright, let's crush them then."
Back in Class A-1, preparations were already underway. Izumi was assigned to logistics, helping to gather supplies and coordinate schedules. Marina took charge of planning the café layout, her strategic mind working flawlessly as always.
Niko from the anime club burst into the room, her dramatic flair as intense as ever. "Did I hear 'maid café'? Leave the costumes to me!"
"Niko? How did you...?" Izumi started.
"I have my ways," Niko replied, winking. "This is the perfect chance to showcase my design skills! I'll make the cutest maid outfits ever!"
Marina's eyes narrowed. "Cute... outfits?"
Niko grinned mischievously. "Oh, yes. Adorable, frilly, and absolutely charming. You'll be the star, Marina!"
Marina's confident demeanor faltered for a moment. "I... see."
"SO, Leave it to me! I'll make the cutest maid outfits ever!" she declared, her eyes sparkling. "I'm counting on you two to model them!"
Izumi's face turned pale. "W-wait, me too?!"
Niko grinned mischievously. "Of course! We need butlers too!"
Marina stifled a laugh, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I think you'd look good in a butler outfit, Izumi."
He could feel his soul leaving his body as the girls laughed around him.
Meanwhile, in Class A-3, Ren plotted his next move. He had heard about Class A-1's maid café and was determined to outshine them. He was no longer in the same class as Marina, but that didn't mean he would lose to her. Not again.
The Cultural Festival was shaping up to be a fierce battle. With Ren plotting his comeback and Marina leading Class A-1 to victory, the festival was bound to be unforgettable.
To be continue...