Tokiwadai Middle School, Returning Bath Facilities.
After a full day of P.E. classes, everyone was covered in grime, and they all wanted to tidy up their appearance before club activities started.
But for Natsume Sonoko-san, it really was just a quick in-and-out; once her shower was done, she could go wherever she pleased.
With the sudden rush of people, all ninety showerheads in the bathhouse were occupied, forcing a certain slow-moving girl with a bun to just stand there by the entrance, clutching her change of clothes and staring blankly.
The young ladies of Tokiwadai really took their time washing up. As she waited, Natsume Sonoko's head drooped lower and lower.
She really hated the feeling of waiting.
"My exercise today alone probably equals a whole week's worth from before," whispered a few upperclassmen nearby, who, like Natsume-san, hadn't managed to find a free spot.
"But a high activity level isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look, hasn't my stomach gotten a bit smaller?"
"Really? Let me see… it does seem a little flatter."
Listening to this, her cheeks flushed slightly pink. Natsume-san, sitting nearby, straightened her posture and tightened her grip on the clothes in her arms.
The bathhouse door swung open. Thick, damp air had condensed into a faint mist, and as the door opened, the area around it turned a hazy white.
Her gaze instinctively shifted towards the entrance. A Judgment officer with brown hair emerged, parting the mist, and her eyes immediately locked onto the bored-looking girl.
"Natsume-san, we'll be going on ahead. Today is my precious time alone with my onee-sama, so don't even think about following us," declared Shirai Kuroko-san, a large, inexplicable bump visible on her head and a bath towel draped around her, looking quite pleased with herself as she walked past the bun-girl.
Following behind her was a slightly embarrassed Misaka Mikoto-senpai.
"Don't listen to her nonsense. I'm just accompanying Kuroko to buy a few things," Misaka-senpai said, forcing a smile and vigorously rubbing Shirai-san's reddened cheeks in explanation.
The door opened more and more frequently. Before long, the crowded after-school bathhouse finally began to empty out.
Turning off the showerhead above her, watching the day's sweat and grime swirl down the drain, Natsume Sonoko finally stepped out of the bathhouse feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
Natsume-san had just about finished everything she needed to do for the day. The time that followed was essentially all her own.
She hadn't had a moment to rest during the recent days because of the whole Febri situation, so today she was going to properly treat herself.
"Are those people part of the Daihaseisai organizing committee?"
She bought a bunch of snacks from a roadside food cart and grabbed a drink from a vending machine.
As the weather started turning cooler, Natsume-san found she couldn't get shaved ice anywhere anymore.
Sitting quietly on a park flower bed, savoring her little slice of life, she watched curiously as several students took measurements of the area with instruments. She'd heard this street was slated to be the marathon course during the Daihaseisai.
A marathon… just the name sounded like a hassle.
After just a glance at those committee members, Natsume-san retreated back into her own little world.
All in all, Natsume-san was fairly satisfied with her current life. If every day could be this leisurely, that would be her greatest wish.
Come to think of it, Natsume-san really was a worry-free, model student.
"If you have any expectations or thoughts regarding the Daihaseisai, please don't hesitate to tell me."
A high school-aged girl, carrying a small suggestion box on her back, her forehead dripping with sweat, was going along the street asking people questions. Her shoulder also bore the badge of a Daihaseisai operations committee member.
A broad forehead, long black hair, her height and build very similar to Shokuhou Misaki-senpai's, though she was a bit thinner than Shokuhou-senpai.
Natsume Sonoko tilted her head, thinking. Shokuhou-senpai, who never attended P.E. classes and constantly consumed high-calorie foods, had recently started developing a little belly.
"Sorry, please wait a moment!"
That high school girl from before was now leaning over, hands on her knees, panting heavily. She'd run a few steps but failed to catch up, watching helplessly as the person she'd been questioning walked away.
Gasping for air, she wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve.
As she turned, her eyes met those of Natsume-san, who was munching on a snack.
"Are suggestions and opinions about the Daihaseisai really welcome?"
Natsume-san quietly swallowed the food in her mouth, blinking as she looked at the tall, pretty girl before her.
Natsume-san actually loved giving feedback. Last time she was called to the Tokiwadai principal's office, the bun-girl had seized the opportunity to write a whole letter of suggestions.
Though, to this day, Natsume-san hadn't received any response, and she still had to wear the Tokiwadai uniform day in and day out.
"Of course. If they are reasonable and feasible requests, we will do our best to incorporate them," the high school girl nodded earnestly, her expression extremely serious.
"If that's the case… I think a lot of people from outside Academy City will come during the Daihaseisai."
"While most will be parents, there might be some bad elements mixed in, which would definitely cause security concerns. That would require more personnel."
Pausing briefly, Natsume-san furrowed her brow, deep in thought.
"Mhmm, mhmm."
The high school girl beside her nodded in agreement. They had naturally considered these things as well, but security matters were usually left to the Anti-Skill officers.
"So, my suggestion is to allow Judgment members to freely choose whether or not to participate in the Daihaseisai events."
"I hope I can be responsible for protecting Academy City's safety during that time, so everyone can happily enjoy the fun the Daihaseisai brings."
As she said this, a look of serious consideration appeared on Natsume-san's face.
Protecting Academy City was something Natsume-san did almost every day; she was already quite experienced in that line of work.
"Are you… a Judgment member?" The high school girl seemed slightly taken aback, a spark of curiosity in her voice.
"Yes. That was my genuine thought just now," Natsume-san replied honestly, pulling her Judgment armband from her pocket to show her.
"The Daihaseisai is an event for all students to participate in together, to let everyone share happy smiles. No one should be an exception. As for protecting Academy City, we can leave that to the Anti-Skill teachers."
A faint, somewhat distant look crossed her face. The high school girl named Fukiyose Seiri felt a touch of emotion stir within her, feeling a sense of goodwill towards this girl in front of her.
She knew a few Judgment members herself. Their daily work was already so demanding; if anyone deserved a proper break during the Daihaseisai, it was them. So, she chose to reject this proposal.
"So, I'm sorry, but I have to turn down that suggestion," Fukiyose Seiri said, shaking her head with an apologetic look.
"Is that so…"
Natsume-san didn't show any particular disappointment, because she had simply been earnestly offering her opinion.
When you're giving suggestions, having them rejected is just part of the process.
A girl who takes things seriously has no time to feel disappointed.
"In that case, can the bread for the bread-eating race be changed to sweet bread? The bread used last time tasted really bad," Natsume-san seemed to think of something else and continued.
"The issue of the bread's flavor, noted."
This time, Fukiyose Seiri didn't refuse outright. Instead, she pulled out a small notebook from the suggestion box she carried and jotted it down.
"Sweet bread, huh? Perhaps we really should consider this feedback," Fukiyose Seiri murmured to herself.
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
"I think the curfews for all the schools could be pushed back a bit later, especially Tokiwadai Middle School's," Natsume-san proposed with a serious expression, though this suggestion's chances of success seemed equally slim.
Chatting with this high school senpai, she unconsciously found herself voicing many of the thoughts she had in mind.
As she offered her suggestions, Natsume-san also shared some of the snacks she had bought with this hardworking senpai.
Natsume-san could tell that this senpai sincerely wanted to make the Daihaseisai a success.
"My name is Fukiyose Seiri. Thank you very much for your help today. I was able to gather some useful opinions." As she spoke, a slight smile naturally found its way onto Fukiyose Seiri's face.
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T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.