78: The Villainess Receives Bouquets
Of course, he was the only person I could invite.
“—So, Mark, would you like to watch the fireworks with me from the clock tower?”
“If it’s like that… then I should have been the one to extend the invitation.”
[Nora?]
That’s how it is. Based on Eivind’s logical opinion, it made sense to watch the fireworks with Mark, the one who made them.
And… you know? My priority has always been Cecily.
The atmosphere is starting to get good, shouldn’t I go for the win here?
[Something like that needs my permission first!]
Even if I ask, won’t you say something like, “I’d rather not…” instead of being honest?
[Geez!]
Despite being sulky like that, Cecily didn’t take control of my body.
I really wanted Mark to see the blushing Cecily.
So, things were getting hectic.
Naturally, I needed her help to prepare my killer date gear.
“So, you’ve been playing around all day today, huh?”
“Why are you being so harsh…?”
When I arrived at Anita’s private room, it was already evening.
The average third-year student didn’t have a class event, and Anita was no exception. She was free to enjoy the school festival.
Then, it seems Anita was the one who had the whole day to herself!
“How could I not? You’re on good terms with Lord Dahl, yet you’re going to the clock tower with Mark… What are you thinking? That’s the one thing I can’t seem to figure out about you. Do you want to make Lord Dahl jealous? I think he’s already in love with you without going that far… But you’re also pretty loose when it comes to men.”
“Have you come to hate me, Anita?”
I asked tearfully, and Anita sighed as she lifted something up from her neck—a necklace. At the end of the long chain was… a heart-shaped vial with red liquid.
My friend was wearing the gift I gave her, and it made me want to cry for a different reason.
“Then you’re really going to wear that necklace?”
“Didn’t I say I’d wear it until I become an old lady?”
“Did you really say that?”
I didn’t remember her saying that, but that was irrelevant.
Today, my lovely friend looked at me with a sulky look on her face.
“I’ll help you with your makeup on the final day, so… I’d like you to accompany me during the middle day of the festival.”
…
And so, the festival began.
The festival lasted for three days. In the afternoon of the first day was the performance by the drama club for the students. In the mornings of the second and third days were two performances for guests. So, the premiere would be for the related students and teachers.
“Ohohohohohoho! You’re 800 years too early to defy me!”
“Unfortunately, I have no intention of living for 800 years. If you want to play with me, please invite me again in the next life.”
As a result, the play was a great success.
I never thought that speaking lines, singing, and laughing out loud in front of people would be so nerve-wracking.
Hana was also a perfect young lady, unlike her usual unapproachable self. The sublime ending, in which she appeared in a red dress, was so impressive that the hall was ready to burst with applause and cheers from the audience.
And so, the curtain call came without incident.
All the performers held hand as they lined up in a row, and along with me in the corner, we bowed.
“Cecily, that was a wonderful laugh!”
“Thank you for your hard work. You were a wonderful third-rate young lady.”
Thee merits of the compliments aside… Why were Anita and Eivind holding large bouquets of flowers?
I couldn’t help but lower my voice.
“Hey, isn’t this the kind of thing that the main character gets?”
It’d be one thing if it was just Eivind, but didn’t Anita usually value the atmosphere and etiquette around her?
She brought a bouquet to the front stage and nonchalantly said, “I came to see Cecily perform.”
“The culture festival is for the self-satisfaction of students anyway. Why fuss the small details?”
Really, these two…
I felt like I’d become more prone to tears lately. It can’t be… could this be what it meant to get older… Although thinking about it, wouldn’t it just be my mental age now?
Well, the other classmates had brought bouquets for Hana who had the main role.
“As expected, the already working sage of the next generation has a different perspective on things.”
I decided to accept the bouquets without reservations.
…
The next day.
After the morning performance, I went to meet up with Anita at noon to enjoy the school festival.
“Sorry, I promised to go around with Hana.”
“What?! What about our promise to hang out from the middle of the day—”
“There was no such thing. I asked if you’d like to accompany me, but that was in the evening.”
How cruel?!
Getting rejected by Anita was frustrating, but I didn’t have enough time to become dejected.
Maybe this was the intention, but I am hugged from behind by a man named Eivind Dahl.
“Shall I escort you?”
“…I won’t be paying a cent.”
Eivind’s eyes narrowed in delight at my frustration.
“Isn’t that how it always is?”
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