The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Class 3-B, casting warm golden rays across the desks. Students yawned and chatted lazily as the day began, the usual rustle of notebooks and pencil cases filling the air.
The classroom door slid open.
Mr. Sakamoto, their energetic science teacher, strolled in with a spark in his eyes and a clipboard in hand.
"Good morning, everyone!" he said, adjusting his glasses.
A few half-hearted greetings came back. Riku rested his chin on his hand, staring out the window, while Mei sat upright, already sensing something was different.
Mr. Sakamoto clapped once, loud and sharp. "Wake up, class! I've got exciting news!"
The room perked up.
"This month," he said with a grin, "we'll be holding our annual culture festival!"
A beat of silence… then gasps and murmurs spread through the classroom.
"For those of you in your third year, this is your last chance to make memories. Each class will plan their own event—cafés, haunted houses, performances—you name it!"
Riku raised an eyebrow. "A festival, huh?"
Mei's eyes lit up. "This is our chance! We should do something big."
Students began tossing around ideas already, their boredom forgotten. Laughter, ideas, excitement—the entire room transformed in seconds.
Mr. Sakamoto smiled, watching their reactions. "I'll expect your class proposal by the end of the week. Now get to planning!"
the bell rang, signaling lunch break, Class 3-B was buzzing with energy. Groups gathered around desks, chattering about ideas for the culture festival. Some shouted "maid café!" while others argued for "fortune-telling booths" or "karaoke battles."
Mei stood by the window, arms crossed, deep in thought.
"Hey, Mei," Riku said, approaching with his usual lazy grin. "You got that serious face again. You thinking of running the whole festival or something?"
She glanced at him. "Don't tease. We have to make it special. It's our last year."
Riku scratched his head. "Hmm… yeah. You're right."
"Do you have any ideas?" she asked.
He tilted his head. "Well… what if we do something different? Like a mystery-themed café? Or a time-travel room?"
Mei's eyes sparkled. "Wait, that's actually good. We could combine a café with a mini-theater. Like a short story where the visitors are part of the plot!"
Riku blinked. "Whoa. That's actually kinda genius."
She grinned. "Of course it is. I'm the class rep, after all."
Riku laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright then. Let's pitch it to everyone."
The two of them turned toward their classmates, energized. As Mei began to explain the idea, Riku watched her with a quiet smile.
For the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged.
That evening, the sky outside Mei's house was painted in soft orange hues. The gentle hum of cicadas filled the summer air. Inside, Mei sat cross-legged on her bed, flipping through notes for the festival plan. Her phone buzzed.
Riku: "Finished eating. You still working on that plan?"
She smiled and replied quickly: "Just reviewing. Thank you for helping today."
A few moments later, the phone rang. It was Riku.
Mei picked up, her voice soft, "Hello?"
"You sound tired," Riku said on the other end.
"I'm just… happy," Mei replied.
"Oh?" Riku sounded surprised. "Why?"
She paused, then said quietly, "Because… it's the first time I feel like the whole class is with me. Like I'm not just the smart girl or the class rep. I'm… part of them."
There was silence for a moment.
Then Riku chuckled gently. "That's kinda nice."
"Mm," Mei nodded, even though he couldn't see. "And… it's also because of you."
Riku blinked on the other side of the line. "Me?"
"You've changed. You're trying. You're… different. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in this."
"…You're weird," Riku said, but his voice was soft.
"And you're annoying," she teased.
But both of them smiled.
Outside the window, the stars began to appear—one by one—like quiet witnesses to something gently blooming.
The next morning, the school buzzed with energy. Banners were half-painted, boxes carried, and music echoed faintly from different classrooms. Students moved like ants—busy, loud, excited.
Riku yawned as he walked through the school gates, a piece of toast still in his mouth.
"Oi! Riku!" a classmate called. "You actually came early?"
"Shut up," Riku grumbled, adjusting his bag. "It's for the festival. Not like I'm gonna make it a habit."
He stepped into the classroom, surprised to see Mei already inside—organizing decorations, her hair tied in a ponytail.
"Morning," he said, approaching.
She looked up and smiled gently. "Good morning. You're early."
"Yeah, well… someone said I've changed, right?" he smirked.
Mei laughed softly. "I'm glad."
They worked side by side for a while. At one point, Riku accidentally spilled paint on a decoration.
"Riku!" Mei cried out, rushing over.
"Ah—crap, sorry! I didn't—"
She stopped him with a laugh. "It's okay. We can fix it."
He looked at her, blinking. "You're not mad?"
Mei shook her head. "No. Because you're trying. That's more important."
For a second, Riku's heart skipped. Her smile was warm—too warm.
Just then, their classmates walked in, noisy and cheerful.
"Whoa! Lovebirds already working together?"
Riku blushed. "Shut up!"
Mei looked away, her cheeks pink.
But in that chaotic, colorful room, surrounded by laughter and plans, something soft and beautiful had quietly taken root.
The day of the culture festival arrived, and the school was alive with energy and excitement. The halls were lined with colorful banners and decorations, each class showcasing their hard work in their own unique way. The scent of freshly baked goods and the sound of laughter filled the air, blending with the occasional bursts of music from different corners of the school.
Class 3-B's mystery café was set up just as Mei had envisioned—dark velvet curtains draped across the entrance, a fog machine adding a mysterious atmosphere, and the scent of brewing coffee hanging in the air. The guests who walked in were greeted by Riku, who had embraced his role as a charming, mysterious host. He wore a sharp suit, his usual lazy grin replaced with an air of intrigue.
"Welcome, detectives," he'd say, guiding the visitors to their tables, his tone dramatic and playful.
Mei, standing near the stage, kept a careful eye on everything. She checked the schedule, ensuring that each "scene" in the mystery was unfolding according to plan. Every now and then, she would glance over at Riku, a small smile tugging at her lips when she saw how well he was playing his part.
"Alright, team! Time for the next scene," she called out to the rest of the class, her voice sharp and filled with the excitement of their success.
The students, who were acting as various characters in the story, took their cues and moved into position. Some were in costumes, some were carrying props, and each played a role in weaving the mystery for the visitors to unravel.
The café was more than just a place to eat—it was an immersive experience. As the visitors ordered their food and drinks, they were slowly pulled into the storyline, solving riddles, following clues, and interacting with the characters. Mei had written the entire script herself, making sure every twist and turn kept the guests engaged.
As the hours passed, the students of Class 3-B found themselves working together in a harmonious rhythm. There were moments of stress, of course—Riku knocked over a stack of cups at one point, and Mei had to step in to manage the chaos—but through it all, they felt a sense of camaraderie.
When the final group of guests arrived, Mei and Riku exchanged a glance.
"Last group," Mei said, a tired but satisfied smile on her face. "Let's make it count."
Riku gave her a grin. "You got it, class rep."
They walked to the front, ready to deliver their grand finale. As the group sat down, the lights dimmed, and the final scene of the mystery unfolded. Riku and Mei worked seamlessly together, guiding the guests through the last series of clues.
By the end of the night, the room was filled with applause. The guests had enjoyed themselves immensely, and the class was overwhelmed with praise for their performance.
Mei took a deep breath as she stood back, surveying the room. It had all come together perfectly, just as she had hoped. For once, the pressure of being the class rep felt manageable, even rewarding.
Riku, who had been busy clearing up tables, wandered over to her. "You did it," he said, a rare hint of admiration in his voice. "The whole thing was awesome."
Mei smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed from the day's effort. "We did it. Everyone worked hard."
Riku nodded. "Yeah. I guess it wasn't so bad, after all."
The two of them shared a quiet moment, standing amidst the last remnants of the festival's energy. Around them, the school began to settle down, the excitement of the day fading into a calm evening.
"You know," Riku said, breaking the silence. "I think I've finally figured out why you like this stuff."
Mei raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah," he said, his usual smirk returning. "It's not just about making memories… it's about making something real. Something that people will remember."
Mei's smile widened. "Exactly."
As the sun set behind the school, the warm glow of the festival's success seemed to linger in the air. For Mei, it wasn't just about the festival—it was about the bonds they had created, the way their class had come together to make something bigger than themselves.
And for Riku, it was the first time he truly felt like he belonged, like he was part of something meaningful. Something worth remembering.
As the final guests left, Riku looked over at Mei. "So... next year? Same idea, or something new?"
Mei chuckled. "Let's just enjoy this one for now."
And as the night unfolded, the two of them stood side by side, knowing that their memories of the festival would last far beyond the decorations and the laughter. They had created something special together.