Chapter 1381. School Festival Day 2 / Restless People

She wanted to meet with Kou-kun no matter what

Marika tells me.

Huh, Marika-oneesama, you mean that someone wants to be family with Onee-sama?

It seems that its also Ericas first time hearing it.

Marikas a conservative girl and she doesnt speak that much, so she probably didnt tell anyone until she was ready to talk to me.

Thats not it

Marika replied.

Shes just a precious friend of mine

Marikas school is an all-girls boarding school, so the friend who lives with her that wants to see me must be more than one.

Kou-kun, I want you to go give counsel to her. I dont have anyone that I can rely on after all

Marika looks straight at me.

Okay, err, Im going to be busy today until noon so bring them after

Minaho-neesan made an arrangement where National TV will come and cover the bakery at the school festival.

Maybe two hours later. Im sure that lunch times crowd will be gone

Okay. Ill come at that time

Marika took out her phone, trying to send mail to her friends right away.

Marika, theres no signal in this room. I mean, there are only two rooms in this building that has cell service

The mansion is a former brothel used to cater to politicians and businessmen, so any radio waves are blocked to prevent information leaks.

Marikas been my woman only for a short time, and she stays in the mansion only on Sat.u.r.days and Sundays, so she doesnt know.

You know the address, right? If so, then you can use my PC

Margo-san told Marika.

Or do you want to send it from your phone? Then I can give you a ride out

Margo-sans going to drive out?

I just need to get you back to Yos.h.i.+n.o.bu-kuns school by 2, right? Look, Edies invited Line Haruko-san to the school festival today as well so Im going to pick her up

Oh right, Edies school swimsuit judo tournament.

Line Haruko-san is the only high-school student among the compet.i.tors she met at the convention the other day.

If I recall, shes in the creative martial arts Golden Balm Gym, and the disciple of Rodulfo Seiko-san, right?

Line Haruko-sans living in the gym so itll take about an hour for a one-way trip, and another to make it back. Well, we might also take a break and have some tea when we reach there

Margo-sans the head of the womens martial artist expansion plan to America, and Edies picking up the slack even if shes already made a commitment

Sorry about that Margo-san, Edie just made the decision by herself

I apologized since Edie decided to do the school swimsuit judo tournament without Margo-sans consent.

Furthermore, its not just a school festival event, but also a TV broadcast.

No, its good. This is just within Minahos plan

Minaho-neesans plan? What?

I also met Agrippina-san earlier.

Anyway, Erica-san and Marika-san can come with me. All the other girls are helping out at the bakery, but you cant help out, right?

Agnes and the girls are going to make simple pastries to sell as souvenirs from the mansion to sell at the school festival.

I learned the basics, but Marika-oneesama

I cant do it

Erica only stays in the mansion for half of the week, meanwhile, Marikas staying over on Sat.u.r.days, but our bakery doesnt open on Sundays, so she cant help out.

Marika hardly has opportunities to make pastry with everyone else.

Me too, so thats why Im going out

Margo-san smiled.

Im going too. I want to take a look at Rodulfos gym

Marinka-san, whos eating at the same table as Margo-san, said.

You can go, Erica and Marika. Marika, you can send your message to your friend while Margo-sans driving, also

I

Tell your friend to come to the nearby station, and then, Rei-chan

I talked to Rei-chan at the other table.

Yes, what is it?

I want to use Kouzuki SS, guard Marikas friend, and drive them from the station to our school

The defense should be perfect.

Marika, even if you go out with Margo-san, you still will return here by noon, right? Then, Marika can ride the pickup car and meet your friend

Then Ill go too. Im free

Kinosh*ta-san on the other table raised her hand.

I stood out too much yesterday so I cant go back to the school festival without a disguise

Yeah, she went in to take down the rebels of Kouzuki SS that entered our school yesterday.

Kinosh*ta-san pretended to be a high-school girl from another school.

So if she appears at the school festival again today, the students will ask her.

Then, please do that

Okay~ Leave it to me! And so, youre going to be guarding boss today, Anju-chan

Kinosh*ta-san smiled at Kurose Anju who was sitting next to her.

By boss, she meant me.

True, Im the owner of Kouzuki SS.

Huh, Me?

Kurose Anjus surprised.

She was the bodyguard of the Is.h.i.+gami house until yesterday, but I took her from them and brought her to the mansion without hesitation.

She doesnt seem to get why this happened, but I just ignored that and plan to make her family.

Dont worry about it, Edie-san, Mitama-san, and Kinuka-sans with Boss, and Fujimiya-sans staying over today, right?

Yes. Im off-duty today, so Ill be checking whats going on here in the mansion and shuttling back and forth here and the school

Rei-chans going to deliver the pastries Agnes and the girl makes every few hours.

Ill also be watching Kurose-san through the cameras so dont worry

Huh, but

Kurose Anju is still uneasy.

She looks at Haiji next to her, but Haiji just smiled back and continued eating.

Dont worry about it, its even better if youre feeling a bit afraid. Right, Fujimiya-san?

Indeed, theres never a dull moment when were with our Lord. I can attest to that

Rei-chan said with a smile.

We finished eating our breakfast in a hurry.

Then, I jumped to the mansions bakery.

We put all the pre-baked bread pads that Ai and the girls prepared last night in Katsuko-nees van.

Wow, we already doubled our usual volume at this point.

Ai really worked hard

Its not just Aieveryone also helped out

Ai smiled.

Sorry, I wasnt able to help out

Dont worryYos.h.i.+da-kun had things to do tooso you did

I need you to bake more in the morning anyway so get in the car

Katsuko-nees in high tension.

Oh, well split into two groups, the car and walking group

We cant get everyone going to school in the car.

The girls had the priority the other day, and I was in the walking group, but

I have to get in the car today since were short on bakers.

Anyway, Ai-chan and you get in the car, also Megu-chan

Katsuko-nee said.

You wont make it in time with the track and field club if you walk

Sorry, Katsuko-oneesan

Katsuko-nees driving, then Megu and Ai went to the rear seat.

Im in the trunk.

Ill get in too

Huh, why is Rei-chan

Katsuko-sans going to start working in the bakery immediately, right? We need this car to bring the pastry from the mansion so Ill drive it back

R-Right, its only this van that can bring the pads of pastries.

MArgo-sans got the minivan, but thats used for the Black Forest, and it has various things inside so we cant use it.

Kurose-san, get in

Rei-chan called Kurose Anju.

I-I

Youre a bodyguard, so you have to be next to him

Eeeh, Haiji-san?!

Kurose Anju asks for Haijis help. Theyve gotten close.

Take care. Ill stay in the mansion to guard the people here

Stop idling around, get in!

Rei-chan then pulled Kurose Anju to the trunk

Err, is this okay?

Shes not a student in our school.

I mean, she skipped grades and graduated from high school, but shes still 15.

Oh well.

Once she comes to the bakery, she can just go to the break room.

Weve got monitoring in there, and we can keep in touch with the mansion.

And above all, learning by practice is best.

Tsukiko should get in too, Mitama and I will walk

Edie said.

Yeah, lets not make the Takakura shrine maiden walk if possible.

Also.

Ill be there later! The school festival starts in the morning for students, but only from 10am for outsiders

Nei said. Then, she looked at Mana and Kinuka.

Mana-chan and Kinuka-chan can get in after 10, so Ill come with them

Ill get them in the ride when I deliver the next batch

Right itll help if they move together with Rei-chan.

Onii-chan, Mana will help out by 10, tell the tennis girls that

Mana said.

Ill also come!

Kinuka-chans with me, so it shouldnt be weird if were also there

The twins, who are coming to help, also said.

If Rie and Eri show up again, itll make a fuss again.

Sure, but, do it after lunch, we dont want the crowd in the morning

Yesterday, the school festival committee was angry at us.

Anyway, come after the national TV coverage is over

Roger!

Okay, Onii-san

The twins smiled and saluted.

Papa! Leave this side to us!

Agnes, Mao-chan, Karen, Luna, and Koyomi-chan came to see us off.

Agnes and Mao-chans wearing my white coat and cap

Nagisas leaving to work at her flower shop.

Onii-sama, Ruriko will be here for them

Yeah, RUriko will be watching over Agnes in their pastry work in the mansion, so it should be okay

Well also stay

Motoko and Kurumi showed up.

The young ladies are house-sitting.

Arisu, Sakurako, and her bodyguard, s.h.i.+e-san, also comes over.

Later, Misuzu, Michi, and Yos.h.i.+ko-san will join them.

Anya and Kyouko will watch over Dolly and the girls. They say that theyll give them counseling later

I dont have to worry about Dolly and the girl a.s.sa.s.sins.

I will also guard the house until Fujimiya-san comes back

Kinosh*ta-san smiled.

Kinosh*ta-san, the demolisher, and Haiji, the cautious, are a good pair.

Yeah, there should be no problems.

Then, were going

Yo-chan, Im closing the door

Nei closed the trunk of the van.

Were departing

Katsuko-nee starts the van engine.

Barurururunnn

Take care!

Take care!

I hear my family sending me off, and the car departs.

Tsukiko, Rei-chan, Kurose Anju, and are in the cargo s.p.a.ce.

Its narrow, our shoulders are touching each other.

Rei-chan, you know

I try to talk to her whisperingly.

I know, Ill also drive Yukino-san in the car later

Rei-chan replied before I could complete it.

There are only three school festivals you can experience in high-school

Tsukiko also smiled at me.

We went to the school through the back gate as usual.

Katsuko-oneesan, you can drop me off here

Megu shouts.

Yeah, the track and field club is closer here compared to dropping off at the bakery.

Yos.h.i.+-kun, Im going! Once the meeting is over, Ill help out in the bakery until its my time

Yeah, thanks, Megu, send the track and field club my regards.

I usually would kiss Megu, but there are too many pads between the seats and us today.

Okay, see you later

Megu got off the pa.s.senger seat and ran straight across.

Yeah, Megus beautiful when running.

Kou-sama loves that part of Megumi-san, right

Tsukiko read my thoughts and said.

Were here

Katsuko-nee parks the van next to the rear entrance of our bakery.

Katsuko-nee opens the door, Ai got off and opened the trunk.

Kurose-san, come with me

Yes, I understand

Ill take Kurose Anju to the bakery before the students see her.

I open the door to the break room in the bakery.

Get in the room for now. Dont move that device there until you get taught how to use it, okay?

Ah, okay

Good.

Now were carrying the pads in.

After we brought in the pads

Reika-san, heres the key.

Then, Im returning now

Rei-chan took the key from Katsuko-nee and got into the drivers seat.

Thanks, Rei-chan

Leave it to me

Rei-chan smiled at me.

Dorururun

The ban goes back to the mansion.

Now, lets put on our coats and start working

Katsuko-nee closed the door to the bakery and said.

Katsuko-nee, Ai, and me.

We heat the oven, put in the pads of pastry, and start our work.

The womens tennis club is having a meeting in their clubroom, right?

Katsuko-nee asks me.

Yeah, theyre coming over after changing

Since its a bakery + tennis club cafe, the girls from the tennis club are wearing their uniforms as they attend in the store.

Thats why they change clothes in the club room, then come here after their morning meeting.

I think there are 15-20 minutes before they arrive.

I look at the clock on the wall and said.

I see, then lets do the things that we can now

Ai, get your own bread

This time, well have the girls from the tennis club make bread, but they cant do the complicated stuff, so were doing that ourselves.

Furthermore, Ai has a slow, pace, so she cant just do things along with others.

Shes already accustomed to baking so shes not that slow in the process, but still.

Somehow, when youre different from others, you try to speed, slow down, or work at your own pace.

Yet, the pastries Ai makes are carefully crafted, and exceptionally delicious.

Uhm, is there anything I can do to help?

Kurose Anju opens the door to the break room and asks.

No, just stay there. I mean, people will come here so you have to hide there

I stopped my hands and told her.

Listen, Ill get the monitors up and running, and Ill teach you how to use the simple ones

Katsuko-nee said and went to the break room.

Sh*t.

I shouldve brought Nei and Edie along.

I couldve asked them to look after Kurose Anju.

No, it was wrong to bring Kurose Anju to begin with.

Either way, n.o.body else can get on the van.

Then.

Katsuko-oneesama, Ill do that. Ill teach her how to use the equipment

Tsukiko, whos watching next to the wall, said.

But, Tsukiko-san doesnt know how to use the monitors, right?

Katsko-nee said. Tsukiko.

I just understood now. I wont touch the risky ones

Oh, she read Katsuko-nees Miko power.

The thought that came to Katsuko-nees mind while saying that shes teaching Kurose Anju, are the details that shes about to teach her.

Then, Ill leave it to you

Can I use the tea set in that room?

Tsukiko also saw the furnis.h.i.+ngs in the room.

Yes, you can. You two can have tea

Thank you, come Kurose-san

Tsukiko pushes Kurose Anju to the break room.

Well calm down in this room so please continue your work

Yeah, please do, Tsukiko

I said.

Isnt this room a bit dark?

Huh? Tsukiko?

No, we have turned on all the lights though?

Is that so? I must be overthinking it

Tsukiko smiles.

Oh, I forgot. The surveillance monitors arent on

Oh, I see.

The monitor screen I always use to check outside the bakery while working isnt on.

Then, if youd excuse me, Kou-sama, please remain calm when working so you dont get hurt

Tsukiko said, entered the break room, and closed the door.

Usually, this is the first thing we do

Katsuko-nee turns on the monitor.

For us, monitoring the outside is the cornerstone of our defense.

To think that we forgot that, we lost our guard.

The monitor shows outside the school cafeteria.

There are not that many students, its still early.

Its the second day of the school festival, so the preparations were finished yesterday.

Not many students come to school early in the morning

Kana-san and the girls are coming, Ill unlock the door to the other side of the cafeteria

Katsuko-nee unlocks the door.

Then.

Uhm, Katsuko-oneesan

Ai speaks while kneading bread dough.

What?

Katsuko-oneesanyoure being a bit weird today

I think so too.

Shes a bit excited, or rather, shes in high tension.

Calm downbefore everyone comes

Do I act that weirdly?

Katsuko-nees confused by what Ai said.

Katsuko-oneesanone step, take one step at a time

Uhm, what do you mean?

Katsuko-oneesanYos.h.i.+da-kunand Ais bakeryis still three years later. Its not today

Ai

Thats whyeven if the TV people cameand whatever they rate usit doesnt matter

Katsuko-nees getting nervous about the upcoming TV coverage?

But, its a rare chance you know!

I see.

Katsuko-nees been honing her baking skills to open a bakery in the future while living her h.e.l.lish life as a prost.i.tute.

Making bread is very important to Katsuko-nee.

So far, shes teaching Ai and me how to make the pastry.

Selling bread in school as the pretense, she trains us how to make pastries.

Its not Katsuko-nees pastry.

Even yesterday, during the first day of our school festival, she was confined in the bakery, not showing her face to the customers since shes not a student.

Thats

After yesterdays closing, Katsuko-nee changed her thoughts to be partic.i.p.ating in the school festival.

And to Katsuko-nee, who got kidnapped in spring in her first year, this is her first high-school festival.

Thats why its a big deal that the National TV is covering this event.

I

She was supporting us until yesterday, but today, shes thinking of someone involved.

I think, that Minaho-neesan also told Katsuko-nee that the national TV coverage may help the reputation of our bakery in the future.

Thats why shes in such high tension, thinking that she needs a good rating, no matter what.

Tsukiko saw that.

In three yearsKatsuko-oneesans the manager of our shop

Ai says without resting her hands.

Youre the managerso you have to remain composedor itll trouble us both

Ai-chan

I

Katsuko, its a normal day. Dont worry about the reputation. Or should I say that we should focus on what we have to do since we still have a lot

Katsuko-nee said.

Were just getting started with everything, so lets just do what needs to be done

One step at a time

Ai finished the bread she was making so shes going for the other.

I see. Im sorry. I mustve been in a bit of a high tension

We know.

Its also Katsuko-nees first time in business.

Shes just a bit older than us, but shes still an ordinary 21-year-old woman.

Its okay, were no exception to this

Shes trustworthy, but I dont see Katsuko-nee as an all-powerful woman who knows everything.

Katsuko-nee takes a deep breath. Suuu, haaa

Suuuuu, haaaaa

Ai and I also took a deep breath together with Katsuko-nee.

Thanks, Ive calmed down

Katsuko-nee smiled.

Yeah, lets just do whatever can right now. Were just getting started

We can start baking on the first oven, Katsuko-nee

Yes, lets do that

Katsuko-nee and I returned to our work.

Then.

Hey, hey, n.o.bu, whats going on?!

Kana-senpai came over from the school cafeteria door.

The most beautiful among the second-years has a nice body, and tennis wear suits her.

Theres TV coverage! Whats going on?!

Uwawa, shes in panic.

If you told me yesterday then I couldve gone to the hair salon or something! I only brought the regular cosmetics today!!

Wow, shes angry.

W-What do I do?