My Childhood Friend, a Cool, Beautiful Girl With a Pure Face, Is a Monopolising Yandere
As I went around to several classrooms, glanced at the stage presentations, looked at the photography club’s exhibit, and freely enjoyed myself, the evening was quickly approaching.
The school announcement said, “The evening festival will begin at 6:00 p.m. Please gather in the school yard if you wish to attend”. Students who wish to participate should assemble in the school yard.
I and Ran returned to class for the time being, but the class chairman said, “Forget it, we’ll take care of the rest, you go to the after-party.”
We headed for the schoolyard, thankful that we had finished the two-day exhibition without any major problems.
The sky at dusk slowly fades from orange to deep indigo, as we are on the border between late summer and autumn.
Many students had already gathered in the schoolyard, all looking forward to the start of the festival.
While the stage equipment was being put away, members of the festival committee were checking for safety and preparing for the fireworks display.
“The night after the festival, there are quite a few people here, aren’t there?”
“Yes, it seems to be especially lively this year.”
Ran and I had secured a spot at the edge of the schoolyard and were waiting for the sky to darken.
As the fireworks were commercially available and prepared by the students, it was nothing spectacular, but rather a small event lasting just a few minutes, but it was a fitting way to conclude the cultural festival.
“Hey, I heard, Ran. I heard that the most popular event this year was the haunted house.”
“I guess so. It was so elaborate.”
“It must have been a lot of work to prepare. Everyone must have been very motivated.”
The light was still bright and I could see the festival committee members carefully setting up the fireworks.
“The fireworks are pretty serious,”
“It’s a commercial one, so I guess that’s about it.”
Ran is calm as usual. She is quietly looking up at the sky, but her expression seems to be somewhat relaxed, or perhaps she is smiling a little.
Eventually, when it was dark enough, the cheerful voice of a member of the broadcasting club echoed from the speakers.
[And now, the finale of the festival, the post-festival fireworks, is about to begin!]
The students cheered and everyone looked up at the sky in anticipation. The next moment there was the sound of small sparks popping, and fireworks shot out of the schoolyard into the night sky with great force, popping low in the sky.
“Wow. ……!”
“Beautiful!”
The brightly colored sparks spread out and filled the schoolyard with cheers. I couldn’t help but let out an “oh” as I watched the show, which was more spectacular than I had expected.
“It’s amazing, Ran.”
“….. I agree. Well, I think the quality is good enough for a school event.”
Ran was calm and collected. I looked at her curiously, and she continued with a small laugh.
“We saw something even more spectacular during the summer vacation, didn’t we? That fireworks display we went to together.”
“Oh, …… sure. That was amazing.”
I recall the spectacle of the big fireworks display that Ran and I went to see during the summer vacation.
The power of the fireworks at that time and the vividness of the fireworks that filled the night sky could not be reproduced at the school’s after school party.
“But it was fun. It’s nice to see them together.”
“………”
Ran did not answer and looked up at the sky again. I glanced at her profile, and suddenly she began to search in her bag.
“Ran? What’s wrong?”
I asked, and she pulled out a bag, looking a little embarrassed.
It was a small, transparent bag with cookies neatly arranged inside.
“Cookies? The ones for class?”
Were they the ones the cookie group made and handed out to visitors at the poster presentation?
No, they were not. The bag is kind of cute and even has a ribbon on it.
“…..I brought these prototypes that I made on my own. You said you wanted to try my cookies before.”
Ran’s voice was a little quieter than usual, and her cheeks seemed slightly red.
“What? You remembered ……?! That time!?”
When we went shopping for cookie ingredients, I did say, “It’s a bit of a shame though. The cookies Ran makes definitely look delicious.”
But I can’t believe she didn’t forget that kind of chit-chat.
“Of course. You looked so disappointed.”
“Well, I don’t know if it showed on my face that much. ……”
“….. Well, don’t expect much in the way of flavor. It’s nothing compared to what the pros can do.”
“Thank you, Ran!”
I received the sachet and quickly opened it.
The handmade cookies that Ran prepared for me were all well shaped and beautifully browned. I’m sorry, but to be honest, the quality of the cookies is different from the ones made by my classmates in terms of appearance.
I have high expectations for these cookies.
I take a bite.
“….. Delicious!”
The moment I put it in my mouth, it is crispy and light. And the sugar is used well, so the sweetness soaks into my tired body.
It was far beyond my expectations.
“It’s really delicious, Ran. I’m very happy.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating?”
Ran was modest, but she seemed to be good at it.
“I didn’t do anything special. I just followed the recipe.”
“Still, I’m glad you made it, and that you took the time to make it.”
I said honestly, and Ran looked away and gave me a small smile.
“If you’re that happy, I can make it for you again if I get the chance.”
“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”
Sparks erupt like a geyser from the tube placed in the schoolyard.
Hearing the excited voices of the students, I continue to bring the cookies to my mouth.
Everyone is engrossed in the fireworks, but I have the sweetness of these cookies all to myself.
“..Well, let’s go back after you finish ……. We have a lot of cleaning up to do.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
The aftermath of the lively school festival was swaying in the schoolyard.