Chapter 78

This year's school trip is to Kamakura.

When we heard the location, everyone was thrilled, thinking it would finally be a city trip, and no more mountain climbing! But it turned out to be a hiking trip after all. I guess Kamakura has hiking courses too...

However, I was somewhat prepared for that, so it's fine. The real issue is lunch.

After a morning of hiking, we return to the hotel in Kamakura and have a lunch gathering for the entire grade in a reserved banquet hall. It seems they will serve a lot of seafood dishes. That's good. The problem is what comes after.

During lunch, the external students have to perform entertainment for each class, which is a yearly tradition at Suiran High School. It's like a kind of initiation.

But entertainment! Performing in front of about 300 people—how harsh a punishment is that?

When they heard about the entertainment, the external students in my class turned pale. I can understand why.

After researching past entertainment examples, it seems most were choirs or ensembles, occasionally dance or magic, and sometimes even group haiku or waka poetry recitations.

After hearing this, the external students began to gather and discuss during every break. They first needed to decide what to do.

"Maybe just singing a song would be fine?"

"What song? Can we even sing loud enough to fill a large hall with this many people?"

"Wouldn't magic be hard to see?"

Hmm, they don't seem to have decided much yet.

As the class representative, I and Saho-kun approached them.

"How's it going? Have you decided what to do?"

The external students shook their heads, looking troubled.

"Most of the time, it's singing or playing instruments."

"Carrying instruments on a school trip is quite a hassle..."

"They say they can lend us a piano and a guitar. There are also microphones and a screen, so we can do detailed things like magic."

"Really?!"

It seems their options have widened.

"By the way, what was the most popular entertainment in the past?"

"From what I heard, a student with confidence in their singing performed 'Nessun Dorma' and it was a huge success. They were called the 'Suiran Three Tenors' and received a standing ovation. Because of the great reception, more people started doing mini-operas in the following years."

"Opera..."

"Three Tenors... But if it's a solo performance, what did the other students do?"

"They seemed to handle lighting and sound."

"So it's okay for one person to perform, but it's not good to burden just one person. Basically, everyone should participate, unless there's someone exceptionally talented in the group."

"Exceptionally talented..."

The external students looked at each other. It seems there isn't such a talented student in this class. Everyone looked a bit disappointed.

"Dancing is also popular, but how well it goes depends on how tired everyone is from the hiking."

Saho-kun also gave advice.

That's true. If I had to dance the Cossack dance after a long walk, I couldn't do it.

"There are various types of dances, from formal ones to waltzes accompanied by a piano."

"I've never danced a waltz..."

"Me neither. The most I've done is folk dancing."

Folk dancing. I might laugh if they did the Oklahoma Mixer for entertainment. Maybe mime would be more exciting?

Folk dancing was unanimously rejected.

After much deliberation, they decided on a safe choice: a choir.

We immediately started practicing after school, but since other classes had similar ideas, there was a scramble for the pianos. A piano is always useful for choirs and ensembles.

Since the high school music room wasn't enough, I negotiated with the school to get permission to use the middle school music room.

"Wow, you even managed to get the middle school music room. Is that because of your influence, Pivoine?"

A female external student asked hesitantly.

Hmm, I wonder. I just asked the teachers, hinting that since they made me the class representative, they should be more flexible. Yes, it was just a request.

"Maybe the school is being cooperative with the students?"

I smiled.

Don't look at me with such suspicious eyes.

For the choir, I suggested gospel, but they declined, saying, "We don't have the vocal power for that." I don't know, considering the example of the Suiran Three Tenors, I think they could manage if they tried. I thought it would be well-received.

In the end, they chose a safe song. It's fine though; I like it too.

I made sure to ask the external students to take good care of the music room keys and then headed to Pivoine's salon. I'll check on them again before I leave.

On the way, I ran into Katsuki.

"Hey! Why are you in the middle school area?!"

I checked the corridor in all directions. Hmm, no one is around. Good.

"Ouch!"

I punished the junior who spoke disrespectfully to a senior with the umeboshi punishment.

I didn't hold back and hit him hard, so it must have hurt a lot. Since we are about the same height, he quickly pulled away.

"What are you doing! You violent woman!"

"How dare you speak to a senior like that? Poor thing, you must have a bit of a slow mind. From now on, I'll call you Bird Boy, the albatross."

"Shut up!"

"Oh, you don't like it? If you learn proper manners, I'll consider promoting you to human. Have a nice day, Bird Boy."

I laughed and tried to walk away, but Bird Boy shouted, "Enjo-san doesn't care about you at all!"

I turned back.

"What is it?"

Bird Boy guarded his upper body, so I kicked his shin.

"Ouch!!"

Of course, it must have hurt. Even Benkei would cry.

"You really are a stupid bird. Don't worry, I have no feelings for Enjo-san. I won't get in the way of your love. Homosexuality is still not well understood in society, but it's your right to love. Good luck with your efforts."

"Th, that's not—"

Ho ho ho, I can't hear you.

I left the unfortunate junior behind and continued on my way.

After that, the external students in each class practiced their entertainment daily.

Once, I saw Wakaba running down the corridor with a strange piece of cloth on her head. Could it be a costume contest?!