Volume 13 Chapter 265 Shirogane Aqua, The Night Cultural Festival Has Begun
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
During the Cultural Festival, students are allowed to stay overnight on campus.
Kanon, Ayana, Toa, and Shintarō had already gone home, but I decided to take advantage of the system and spend the night at school.
”Alright, everyone. The cream stew is ready!”
”Yay!”
”I’ve been waiting for this!”
I served cream stew to everyone staying overnight, ladling it into each of their containers.
Originally, I’d planned to make the classic festival curry, but according to the girls who went shopping, the curry roux had been wiped out by a sudden and unexpected curry craze. All that remained on the shelves was cream stew roux.
”This… this is Aqua-kun’s special cream stew…”
”A round of applause to the girls who did the shopping. Truly a clutch play.”
”Haha, like the curry roux would really be sold out.”
”S-shh! Don’t say that!”
Phew. Looks like everyone got their share.
I’m starving too, so I scoop some into my own container and look around for an open seat.
I settle into the empty spot across from Claire-san.
”Huff, huff… Mmm, it’s delicious.”
Claire-san delicately wiped her lips with a tissue.
…Whoa.
I froze mid-motion, my spoon still in hand.
There’s something about those rare glimpses—those unexpected, subtly alluring moments from normally refined girls like Victoria-sama, Claire-san, and Emily—that really hits hard.
Burning the image of Claire-san into my memory, I quietly began eating the cream stew I’d prepared.
”Thank you for the meal!”
I brought my empty container over to the girls doing the dishes.
With dinner done, I figured I’d check out the costumes on display, stretch a bit, then hit the futon early.
But just as I was heading down the school corridor, a girl from the broadcasting club called out to me.
”Aqua-kun, can I talk to you for a moment?”
”Sure, no problem.”
She hesitated slightly before speaking.
”Um, there was supposed to be a special nighttime broadcast for the students staying over, but the girl assigned as MC… she got sick after seeing the art club’s exhibit and had to go home. So I was wondering if maybe you could fill in? I mean, only if you’re okay with it! You don’t have to—”
”Of course! I’d love to.”
Truthfully, I enjoy broadcasting—radio, streaming, talk shows, you name it.
In my previous life, I was told that the key to remaining in the “idol realm” was keeping a certain distance from fans—never revealing too much, never stepping off the pedestal.
But in this world, that mindset just won’t fly.
If the top male idol stays out of reach, it only reinforces the gap between men and women in this society. That gap won’t shrink unless someone steps forward.
That’s why I’ve always chosen to accept jobs that bring me closer to people.
Just as actress Kohina Yukari captivates audiences through film and television, I aim to enchant from the stage.
But offstage, I want to be someone approachable—an idol who feels within reach.
”Thank you, Aqua-kun.”
”You’re really saving us here.”
I entered the broadcasting clubroom, sat at the prepped seat, and read over the broadcast content notes.
If anything seemed off, I could make adjustments on the fly.
As I was reviewing the script, the time for the school broadcast finally arrived.
”Good evening, everyone! This is Shirogane Aqua from Class 2-A, and I’ll be your host tonight! Is everyone enjoying the Cultural Festival? I know I am!”
After introducing myself and warming up the crowd, I dove straight into explaining the question submission segment.
It’s better to lay out the segment instructions first and keep the free talk for after—especially when waiting for replies to roll in.
”Actually, I had a little date with Emily earlier, between the show and the play. Tomorrow, I’ve got another date planned with someone who’s been a huge help to me. So here’s today’s question: If you have any club or class recommendations, secretly drop them in the broadcasting club’s message box!”
I read out the club’s website and email details, then explained how to submit messages online.
”By the way, when I was out with Emily, we jumped into the baseball club’s ‘Endless Baseball’ game. Wanna know the final score? It ended with a one-point difference… in a 100-point game! Seriously intense. If you’ve got time during breaks, definitely join in!”
As I tossed in a story about singing at karaoke, replies and emails began pouring in.
I skimmed through them and picked out a few to read on-air.
”Um… Aqua-kun, good evening! By any chance… is your date tomorrow with Kohina Yukari-san!?”
Wait, what!?
I looked over at the broadcasting club members with a surprised expression.
They responded with tight-lipped smiles.
Ah… so it was that obvious.
”If I really were going out with Kohina-senpai, maybe I should visit your class and try the couple’s special menu. What’s the top pick? The parfait? Yeah, no way. She’d kill me!”
I laughed dryly.
”She once tried to bite off my lips in a game where we were eating from both ends of the same snack stick. If we shared a parfait, she’d probably eat everything but the flakes at the bottom… and leave that for me as a weird act of dominance.”
Just thinking about it made my throat dry, so I took a sip from the water bottle on the desk.
”But hey, the couple’s menu doesn’t have to be with Kohina-senpai. I could invite Kanon or Ayana instead.”
Maybe we could drop by a café and order the couple menu on purpose.
Though… they might get embarrassed if we did that.
”To the students of Class 3-C who sent the message: If you spot me at a café with someone, just pretend you misheard and bring us the couple set!”
Fortunately, the two girls had already gone home.
Right now, they were probably relaxing in their baths, completely unaware of my master plan.
I smirked confidently, basking in the moment.
”Every time Aqua-kun makes that face, something goes wrong.”
”Shh. His real charm is watching him fail spectacularly. Let him be.”
”I can’t wait to read the full disaster in the school paper.”
…Huh?
Were the broadcasting club members whispering about me just now?
No, no… must’ve been my imagination.
Refocusing, I moved on to the next message.
”Aqua-kun, please come visit our haunted house! This year, we have a ghost with J-cup bust size waiting just for you!”
I kept a straight face as I read it aloud.
Okay, no one’s looking.
Nice—didn’t get caught.
”Aqua-kun looks super happy right now.”
”President, it’s getting stuffy. Can I undo my top button and let my G-cups breathe?”
”Go ahead. I already undid mine for my F-cups.”
…I absolutely have to find an excuse to visit that haunted house.
”Ah, of course, this has nothing to do with any questionable motives. I think, um, it’s important to assess the situation before the Student Disciplinary Committee gets involved. Yes. So I’ll go investigate… quietly.”
Perfect. Now it won’t seem like I’m going for any improper reason.
I should also be careful not to stand too close to Kohina-senpai while I’m at it.
With that resolved, I kept reading and responding to the emails that continued to stream in.
”Lastly, it’s time for the free question corner! If anyone has something they want to ask me, feel free to send it in. No NG topics!”
The moment I said that, the broadcasting club members around me started to buzz with excitement.
Since this is just a closed school broadcast, I figured it’d be a fun memory to look back on someday. If a teacher interrupted midway, well, that was a risk I’d have to take. I quickly opened the first message before anyone could stop me.
”Um, I’m a first-year. Just between us, is there anyone at school you’re interested in? Also, if there’s anyone you like other than your wife or girlfriend, could you give us a hint? Personally, I’m curious about everyone—students, teachers, you name it!”
”Whoa!?”
The club members reacted instantly, jokingly ripping off their second buttons and causing a mild uproar.
From their point of view, maybe they were being admired or just trying to lighten the mood. If they were hot, they could’ve just turned on the air conditioning…
I moved on to the next question.
”This one’s from a third-year. Aqua-kun, what do you think about being flirted with or touched by girls? Do you like it?”
”Ah, well, personally, I’m fine with it. While other guys might not be into that kind of thing, I don’t really mind. In fact, I think everyone should feel free to express themselves around me.”
The broadcasting club members responded in exaggerated fashion—some dramatically fanning themselves, others pretending to faint.
As I read through a few more light-hearted questions, the door suddenly shook with a loud bang.
”Shirogane! This broadcast is way too much! Stop it immediately!!”
Sugita-sensei’s angry voice echoed from the hallway.
Uh-oh. Maybe I really had gone a bit too far this time.
I glanced at the club members, then pulled up the last question.
”Looks like we’re at the end, everyone. Sugita-sensei’s about to storm in, so here’s the final message. Um… it’s from a second-year student. ‘I heard that Aqua-kun isn’t bothered by… suggestive things with girls. Is that true?’“
I gave a short laugh.
It’s true! Other guys might hesitate, but I’m always ready to face those moments head-on! Honestly… sometimes, I wonder why nothing ever actually happens around me!
It’s not like I hadn’t heard the wild stories online. Stuff like “girls can be way more forward than you’d think” or “some girls will push you down if they get the chance.” But why haven’t I experienced any of that?
Aside from the occasional day when I’m feeling under the weather, I’d say I’m open to most situations…
”Shirogane! What are you even saying!?”
Sugita-sensei burst into the room, red-faced, and stopped the broadcast with a firm press of the switch.
The club members quickly pulled their shirts back on, looking half-guilty, half-amused.
”You need to take better care of yourself!” Sugita-sensei scolded. “Being pushed into something you don’t want isn’t okay, even as a joke!”
That she cared that much about me… honestly, it made me really happy.
But my instincts—my other self—kept whispering: There’s no girl in this world I’d turn down.
I shook my head slowly and gave Sugita-sensei a grateful look.
”Thank you for thinking about me, Sensei. But I’ve already… finished everything.”
”…Huh?”
Right after I reincarnated into this world, Yui gave me a mysterious dream-like tool—a “special” item no guy from my old world would ignore. Since then, I’d used it properly, just like any guy would. From classmates to upperclassmen who already graduated, even the new first-years—I had registered them all.
Using it wasn’t optional. It felt more like… a responsibility. A rite of passage. I took it seriously. That’s just how I am—always thorough. That’s the Aqua way.
”W-Wait, Shirogane… don’t tell me…”
I placed my hands gently on Sugita-sensei’s trembling shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile.
”Of course, Sensei too. From the cafeteria staff to the principal—everyone’s data is already registered.”
Sugita-sensei’s face went pale. She staggered back, nearly collapsing.
Oops.
I rushed forward and caught her before she could hit the ground, gently lifting her up bridal-style. I leaned forward and spoke into the mic one last time.
”Thank you for tuning in today, everyone. I’ll be escorting Sugita-sensei to the Nurse’s Office now.”
With Sugita-sensei in my arms, I made my way to the infirmary. It had a quiet space for resting, and she clearly needed it.
Hmm? Nemoto-sensei? Your face is all red. Are you feeling alright?
After laying Sugita-sensei down and explaining things to Nemoto-sensei, I headed off to the nap room the school had prepared for me. But when I arrived, I saw a large group gathered in the hallway.
”Eh? What’s going on here?”
I called out to my classmates standing near the entrance.
”W-We thought you looked tired, so…”
”Yeah, so maybe you’d want a massage or something.”
Tsushima-san and Nikaido-san spoke shyly, their faces flushed.
Just then, Onodera-san and Ajimu-san, the older girls known for their allure, stepped forward.
”Aqua-kun, how about something relaxing with us?”
”We’ll help melt that fatigue right off your body.”
”I’d be honored. Please.”
I opened the door and quietly invited them inside.
”Aqua-kun, thanks for working so hard today.”
”Even after the Cultural Festival, you gave it your all.”
While resting my head on Onodera-san’s lap, she gently massaged my shoulders. Ajimu-san leaned over, her long hair brushing my legs as she carefully worked through the muscles in my calves.
This… could this be my chance?
But just as that thought crossed my mind, the sleepiness I’d been holding off all day came crashing down. After all, I’d been up since 4 AM making sweet mochi…
”A nap sounds good right about now.”
”You can rest whenever you feel sleepy.”
”Hey, Aqua-kun… can we nap together, too?”
”Just cuddling. That’s all for today.”
”O-Okay…”
Their sweet voices, gentle warmth, and soft forms lulled me to sleep.
* * *
The next morning, I woke up before everyone else.
It was quiet. Peaceful. A little too perfect—like I was still dreaming.
Then I noticed the girls, still sleeping softly around me, some in just their underclothes. It was enough to make my heart skip.
My phone buzzed.
It was Kohina-senpai, her voice panicked over the line.
’Hey! Where are you!? I woke up and you were gone! Are you alright? Did something happen? Are you lost!?’
Oh… right. I told everyone I was staying over—but I might’ve forgotten to mention that to Kohina-senpai.
I gently explained the situation, calming her down. Then I hung up and turned back toward the nap room.
”Nnn…”
”…Ah.”
A few of the girls stirred at the sound of my call. They subtly adjusted their clothes, glancing at me with half-awake smiles.
Everyone… thank you. Really.
But I’ve got guests coming today, and I need to start getting ready.
I checked the time, wiped my sleepy eyes, and headed straight to the kitchen to prepare today’s sweet mochi.
If the anko tastes salty today… it’s probably just from the tears I shed while cooking.
Board Member A: “Salty anko-mochi is good stuff.”
Board Member B: “Changing the taste on day two? As expected of Aqua-sama!”
Board Member C: “SasuAqua! SasuAqua!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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