Chapter 34: The Third Trinity (2)

“A night market… if we could really bring it back, it would be huge.”

Hiiragi, the vice president, crossed her arms and fell into thought.

The night market… it was the biggest event of the spring festival, which disappeared five years ago, based on the novel.

The reason why Takamori Academy’s spring festival was originally much bigger than the autumn cultural festival.

It was because it was combined with the local festival.

The local festival is the festival of the area called Shirasaki Street.

Shirasaki Street is also a place associated with the Shiraizuka family.

It’s no coincidence that the Asakura family and the Shiraizuka family have a friendly relationship.

However, due to an incident that happened 5 years ago, they started holding separate festivals.

The cause is simply described in the novel, so I don’t know, but I roughly know what kind of problem it was.

A power struggle between the Takamori Alumni Association and the Shirasaki Chamber of Commerce.

Because of that, Takamori and Shirasaki split up, and the night market completely disappeared.

But, Aya is trying to bring it back.

“Reviving the night market… I’d rather not do it. It’ll be tiring if you just poke the adults for no reason.”

Senior Shiraizuka, who was quietly drinking tea, spoke.

It was a calm but firm warning.

This could be a matter of bringing up past disputes again.

“No.”

Aya’s eyes were firm.

“I think it’s possible enough.”

Aya looked at me and smiled lightly.

“Rina, it’s a really great thing that you’re so actively involved in the student council. I can’t just stand by either.”

If I leave Aya alone, like Aya in the novel, Aya will do it.

But, I know.

Aya might eventually collapse while trying to solve this problem.

‘…I don’t want Aya to collapse.’

I looked at Aya with worried eyes.

But Aya’s will seemed firm.

“Then, how are you going to proceed?”

Senior Tachibana asked, looking at Aya with a cool gaze.

The student council room became quiet for a moment.

Aya took a light breath and spoke calmly.

“First, we need to get the cooperation of the Shirasaki Street Chamber of Commerce.”

Shirasaki Street.

A place that once thrived with Takamori Academy’s spring festival.

But now, it’s cut off from the academy.

“To revive the night market, we need to join hands with them again.”

“Hmm…”

Vice President Hiiragi rested her chin on her hand and thought.

“That’s obvious, but it won’t be a simple matter.”

“That’s right.”

Senior Shiraizuka also quietly nodded.

“Shirasaki Street and the academy split up 5 years ago. You shouldn’t think that the emotional gap that formed then will be easily filled.”

“I know.”

Aya said as if acknowledging it.

“So this time, instead of the academy leading the way, we need to create an atmosphere where the chamber of commerce can participate first.”

“For example?”

Senior Tachibana raised one eyebrow slightly.

Aya unfolded a notepad as if she had prepared in advance.

“First, induce individual chamber of commerce booths to open first at the Takamori Academy festival.
Second, promote through SNS and naturally attract the participation of the chamber of commerce.
Third, the student council proposes a project co-planned with the chamber of commerce.
Fourth, on the day of the actual festival, create an event where students and local residents can mingle together.”

“…Quite detailed.”

Senior Tachibana smiled as if interested.

“But, the most important thing is…”

Senior Hiiragi said, crossing her arms.

“It’s a matter of whether the president of the Shirasaki Street Chamber of Commerce will accept it.”

At that one word, the air in the student council room became heavy.

The Takamori Academy Alumni Association, and the Shirasaki Street Chamber of Commerce.

The conflict between these two forces was not just a difference of opinion, but an emotional gap that lasted for five years.

Will it really be resolved easily?

“We’ll have to see the reaction of the chamber of commerce president. I think the SNS promotion will go well.”

Aya said calmly.

“In the end, if we can attract a lot of people, we can discuss ways to cooperate in earnest.”

“…Hmm.”

Senior Tachibana said, organizing the documents.

“Okay. Anyway, the spring festival is a first-year student’s job.”

Aya bowed her head slightly.

And I, who heard all the stories, was surprised to understand the situation belatedly.

This… isn’t the direction Aya in the novel thought of?

Aya in the novel, who felt competitive with the protagonist and went to the chamber of commerce to make demands, was not here.

Back in the classroom, I was lost in thought.

When I stepped forward first, Aya’s direction changed.

The night market issue will be resolved naturally as the SNS promotion works well, and the Shirasaki Chamber of Commerce will bow their heads and come in.

But before that…

Will the SNS promotion even succeed?

I took out my smartphone and stealthily checked.

And… my mouth naturally dropped open.

‘Eh… what… is this?’

A photo retweeted under the name of the Takamori Student Council.

And the retweeted account is this year’s spring festival account.

“Ah, ah…”

Takamori Academy’s Trinity is coming to the spring festival.
Retweets 1.0k Likes 3.2k

‘Th, this… in such a short time?!’

I stared at the numbers blankly.

In a few minutes, the reaction was already explosive.

Trinity?! Is this real?

It’s a promotional photo for the Takamori Academy spring festival, but it’s a total of three models?

These beautiful girls exist in reality?!

I’m looking forward to this festival… it looks different this year.

…I couldn’t bear to read all the comments below.

Ugh… my hands and feet are curling up…!

In addition, celebrities and influencers of the middle and high school students attending Takamori Academy also posted a word about the spring festival and linked this photo.

It’s probably thanks to Mizuki and the blonde male senior.

Even though Kasumi hasn’t tweeted yet because today is her activity day, it’s already become like this.

‘Ugh… what, it’s become a bigger deal than I thought…’

Even in the novel, SNS promotion wasn’t this successful.

As expected… it’s probably because Aya and Mizuki are pretty.

The protagonist in the novel didn’t suddenly bring out something called Trinity and use a picture of beautiful girls…

‘Yeah, I’m just a bonus.’

Just then.

The door opened and Mizuki came back belatedly.

It was almost the end of lunch break.

“Oh, Mizuki, you’re here?”

“Ah~ Ayaring~ I’m here. I talked with my middle school friends.”

Mizuki looked at Aya and smiled brightly.

“This… seems to have already succeeded…”

I said cautiously, hiding my trembling hands.

Mizuki glanced at the smartphone screen and nodded.

“It’s a little embarrassing because it’s our picture, but I think we’ve done quite well.”

But Mizuki was accepting being a model as a matter of course.

‘Is this the confidence of people who have been beautiful girls since birth…’

“Mizuki, you worked hard.”

“Hey~ It’s nothing. It’s what the person in charge of promotion is supposed to do. Anyway, Ayaring, you said you’re going to revive the night market?”

“Oh, you already found out?”

“I stopped by the student council for a moment…”

Mizuki seemed to be thinking about something for a moment.

Come to think of it, since Mizuki and Senior Shiraizuka are still close… maybe the families also want this awkward relationship to end?

But, is the power struggle really the only reason they split up?

I had a feeling that there was a deeper reason besides the adult circumstances.

‘What is it?’

If the cause is not resolved, the temporary stitching caused by this SNS promotion will eventually be torn again.

So, I thought I should find the cause and solve it.

Then… wouldn’t it be better to ask someone who has experienced the night market?

I naturally thought of Senior Yukikawa Reina.

The beautiful girl with light blonde hair. And Aya’s older sister.

If she’s been attending this academy for six years, she might know something about what happened five years ago…

But I couldn’t find Senior Reina just because I wanted to.

I went to the infirmary the next day,

I walked around the schoolyard alone during lunch,

And I even peeked into the senior’s class…

Senior Reina was not there, as if she had never existed from the beginning.

Since my face was known for hanging out with Aya and Mizuki, I didn’t go inside the classroom because I was worried about rumors.

As I was wandering around alone… Aya caught me.

“Rina, where are you wandering around so suspiciously?”

“Ugh… that’s…”

I flinched and turned my body.

There was Aya, with her arms crossed, looking straight at me.

Aya’s blue eyes were filled with suspicion.

“Tell me honestly, or I’ll hate you.”

I know that those words aren’t sincere.

But…

The word ‘hate’ strangely pierced my heart.

‘Ah, Aya will hate me…?’

I felt my heart drop for a moment.

That was something I could never bear.

“I’m sorry…”

I opened my mouth quietly.

“I was looking for Aya’s older sister.”

Aya’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Why my sister?”

“I thought she might know why the conflict between Takamori Academy and Shirasaki Street happened.”

“……”

Aya pursed her lips tightly.

Ah, was it more dangerous to say it?

I looked at Aya anxiously.

Aya couldn’t speak for a moment, then slowly called my name.

“Rina.”

“Yeah…”

“Maybe…”

Aya hesitated, lowered her eyes, then met my eyes again and said.

“Are you thinking of running for the next vice president candidate?”

“…Huh?”

I blinked in surprise for a moment.

“Wh, what…?”

I waved my hands in genuine embarrassment.

“No, no, no way…! Of course, Aya is the next vice president.”

“But, what you’re doing now—!”

Aya was about to say something, but she couldn’t continue, as if her throat was blocked.

I shook my head desperately.

“Aya, no. It’s really not!”

I hurriedly tried to persuade Aya.

“I just… I just want to help Aya because you might be having a hard time.”

“……”

Aya looked at me without a word.

There was still a little bit of wavering and worried mixed in her eyes.

But, I had to solve this.

Because if I don’t solve it now, I won’t be able to stand Aya hating me.

“Believe me, it’s true, Aya.”