While we were messing around, Isuzu-san came by, also dressed in her school uniform. “I’m sorry for the delay,” she said. “Shall we?”
“Okay!” I agreed. Then me, Latifah-sama, and Isuzu-san all went out in a taxi. A taxi to school?! Such luxury!
Isuzu-san didn’t even bother to hide her musket. (It was a short-barreled carbine type with a Picatinny rail, laser sight and regular sight attached, along with a 40mm grenade launcher. Not sure that still qualifies as a musket, but okay!!) Inside the taxi, she remained alert to our surroundings at all times. Fortunately, we suffered no enemy(?) attacks, and eventually arrived at Amagi High School!
Isuzu-san had signed up to work her class’s exhibit the whole day on Sunday, so she didn’t have to do anything at all today. That meant she’d be with Latifah-sama all day, which meant I probably wouldn’t get my chance to be a meat shield. Too bad!
The Amagi High School culture festival was open for business! It was cool, too! Even the gate looked amazing! So big! So beautiful! I’d heard that their culture festival planning committee worked tirelessly to create it! A ‘wow’ escaped my lips, and Latifah-sama, who probably couldn’t see the gate, said, with a sigh, “Is it wonderful?”
“Yes,” I told her, “it’s wonderful!”
“I see... I just knew that it would be...” Latifah-sama smiled brilliantly. Such a beautiful smile! It made all my troubles just float away!
Sniffle, I thought. Latifah-sama is such a good person. I, Biino, shall dedicate my life to the princess, as well! Also, the culture festival allowed Isuzu-san to carry her musket in plain sight and stick close to Latifah-sama’s “five;” in other words, behind her and to the right! The passersby didn’t even notice!
First, we went around the stalls in the courtyard area! Yakisoba, okonomiyaki, hot dogs, cotton candy! Yes, it was almost all food! So many good things made of sugar and fat! I’m on a diet, but today is a cheat day! It was all super good! Latifah-sama loved it, too! She ate and ate! Ate and ate! Put on weight! Put on weight! (That’s what my grandmother in the country used to say to me!)
By the way, I found Munakata Toji-kun working at the takoyaki stall! He’s the manager of the Whip Antiques shop in Etceteland! Huh? He’s not the manager, you say? Oh, I forgot! Toji-kun also goes to Amagi High School. Who knew? Maybe he’s actually really smart!
“Hey, Toji-kun!” I said.
“Hey, Bando,” he replied. “You came by, huh?”
“I’m a chaperon! See? Ta-daa! Make way for the princess!” Toji-kun was very surprised to see Latifah-sama there!
“Good day to you, Munakata-sama,” Latifah-sama said gracefully.
“Huh?! The princess?!” he gasped. “You sure you should be here?”
“Yes!” she declared. “I have absconded from the castle, just for today!”
“Absconded?” he repeated after her. Then Toji-kun’s eyes fell on Isuzu-san, who was standing right behind Latifah-sama, eyes scanning the surroundings. She was ready to kill anyone who tried to lay a hand on Latifah-sama! So, so cool!
“...Well, okay,” he said, all hesitant-like. “You want some takoyaki, Your Highness? It’s on the house.”
“It is?! That’s awesome!”
“Uh, I didn’t mean you, Bando... You have to pay,” he clarified.
“Aw, too bad!”
“Ah, Munakata-sama... as indebted as I am to your kindness, I cannot allow you to make exceptions for me...” the princess protested.
“Don’t be like that,” Toji-kun told her. “I think I owe you, given all the trouble Nyathan is always causing.”
“Trouble? Not at all...”
“C’mon, it’s my treat.” He paid 300 yen of his own into the register and held out a six-pack of takoyaki.
“Well, ah... I am honored by your kindness.” Latifah-sama gratefully accepted the gift. Incidentally, I paid my own 300 yen! “And if I might ask, is Kyoko-san with you today? I had heard that you were schoolmates...”
“We are,” he told her. “She’s in the shop. ...the one in the park, that is.”
“Ahh,” said Latifah-sama.
“We’ve been really busy with all the new customers lately,” he said. “We might need to work out proper shifts soon...” Just then, Toji-kun took out his smartphone. It was vibrating! Vibrating! He looked at the message and plunged into despair!
“Ah, those idiots!” he cursed.
“Whatever is the matter?” Latifah-sama asked in concern.
“They knocked over some stuff in the warehouse and buried Nyathan and Rabius,” he replied. “Darn it...”
“Gracious...”
“I could probably let it go if it was just Nyathan, but this isn’t good,” he sighed. “I’d better look in on them.”
“D-Do take care...” Latifah-sama told him.
“Sure thing. Anyway, take it easy and have fun!” Toji-kun took off his apron, told his classmate “fill in, okay?” and then left. Bad day for Toji-kun, I guess, but the takoyaki was tasty!
Even I was feeling full after all that, so we decided to put an end to the eating (finally), and headed into the school building.
“By the way, Isuzu-san?” I asked innocently.
“Yes?”
“You got all quiet in front of Toji-kun. What was that all about?”
“Did I? That wasn’t my intention at all...” she protested. “You may simply have imagined it.”
“Toji-kun didn’t talk much to you either, right?” I said next.
“Yes, now that you mention it... I wonder why.”
“You think he likes you?!”
“Certainly not,” she said stiffly. “I barely know him.” That was one fast denial! Hmm! I guess there’s no spark there after all? I thought it would be funny if Isuzu-san ended up in Toji-kun’s whole harem situation, but I guess it was off the table! Too bad!
Anyway, moving on! Inside the school, it seemed to be mostly literature-club-type stuff. I was worried Latifah-sama might not be able to enjoy them, but...
“I wish to see everything! I will enjoy the atmosphere alone!” she insisted.